I keep reminding myself of two things:
1. To go into politics means you have to have more of a predisposition to want to
make others do what you want.
State action works through coercion. Whenever someone says "there oughta be a law," it means they want to make others obedient to their values. The default action of a politician is to pass a law. To coerce others into doing what they wouldn't do otherwise.
I recognize that coercion is sometimes necessary. But to me it has to remain last resort, not a first. Most politicians see it the opposite.
Which means, to me, they're a lower life form. By default. It's their individual burden, not mine, to show me otherwise, by showing the degree of their willingness to forebear from unnecessary rule-making and coercion. And until they do, I'm going to think of them as leeches and scumbags.
Whatever their party affiliation might be.2. Voting "none of the above"
IS a legitimate option. It is not
my moral obligation to consent to a choice between the lesser of evils just because the system, the power-mongerers, or my ignorant neighbors can't find decent candidates to put on ballots.
None of my fellow citizens has an inalienable right to have me consent to governance by lower life forms.
And anyone who insists otherwise can, well, kiss my ass. š
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:2 (NKJV)