There is no way to make demos kratos, the rule of the people, or as we say, democracy, work perfectly. As the number of voters increases, the certainty of a minority in opposition grows. Since the majority in a pure democracy could use its greater numbers to do real harm to any minority, enlightened democracies make, or recognize, permanent rules or principles, written out or at least understood to be the limits on the majority. Constitutions and bills of rights thus set republics apart from pure democracies, which remain always subject to the tyranny of the majority

There are many ways to count votes, from our general election rule of a simple majority (50%+1), through plural voting (pick any three from the five offered), to the division of the states by simple majority votes to elect Electors, based on their respective state's representation in Congress, who each cast a single vote for President and Vice-President. These are also various methods of eliminating weaker candidates through primaries and other sifting procedures. The rules for debate and passage of motions or bills can be quite complex as motions can be amended, before, during or after passage. This Procrustean amendment process cannot be applied to living candidates without grave consequences, though in certain cases it may be amusing to contemplate.

Wasting a vote is voting for a candidate, or a motion, that one knows to be detrimental to the body politic. This is immoral. This is voting to legalize arson or confiscation, as examples. Therefore I consider that voting with as much knowledge as possible, with the long-term good of the body politic in mind, to "at least do no harm", is a moral act. Voting for public officers in a republic is not the same as selecting tunes for the hit parade or voting for baseball all-stars to play in the annual game. Popular tunes and popular players are fun but have no force. Perhaps voting for the popular candidate just to be on the "winning side" has brought us to where we are today: unconstitutional paper money, a rising debt, 30% inflation per decade, unconstitutional extensions of our military power around the world and worse, much on credit.

It has been said that "insanity" is doing the same thing and expecting different results. Many people confuse the good feelings of being an enthusiastic team supporter with the dire consequences of unthinking political loyalty. Vote for what you know is best, from the most informed position you can obtain. Express yourself as a positive force for the good. Voting for the lesser of the evils presented may do more harm than good. If you are unsure what your vote will do, it may be a higher good to abstain. Voting, just to vote, as the government constantly urges, only gives it a blind mandate for mindless growth.

James Kraft-Lorenz is a freelance writer and lecturer and is an expert on the Constitution and Constitutional Law.