system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
I think that me voting in large eg. presidential/parliamentary elections is pointless CMV

First let me make something absolutely clear: this is not a stance on voting, or democracy in general, this is a stance on ME AS AN INDIVIDUAL voting.  I am unequivocally NOT trying to stop others from voting, and I would feel bad if I did.  I can and have campaigned for politicians to get elected, I feel I can maybe make a difference that way, but actually casting a vote?  No.

This is for the following reason:  The value of my one vote is zero.  Either: the election will not be close, and my vote is like the difference between a 5.02544621% margin and a 5.02544622% margin: not even worth talking about.   OR, the election does come down to a one vote margin (I am probably more likely to die walking to the voting booth), and even in this case - the decision will be taken out of my hands, as with the '00 election in Florida which was nowhere near as close as one vote.

Secondly, voting comes at some (even if small) personal cost, i.e. my time.  Therefore, from an economical (or even game theoretical) point of view, voting is an irrational decision.  The only reason to do it is to be *seen* doing it. 

Arguments I've heard for voting that I find pretty weak:

* Slippery slope arguments: 'maybe you are just one rain drop, but a billion raindrops can become a storm...'.

* Similar: If people like you don't vote, then clearly people like you will not be represented in the election.

* If you don't vote in an election then you have no right to complain when the government doesn't act the way you want.

* It's your civic duty - 'your grandfather fought in the war so that you could vote...'

These are all irrational arguments if you accept my assumption that my vote has zero weight.  Unless I'm actively trying to stop others from voting, then my one vote didn't make a difference.  Yes, a million votes are a storm, but my vote had no influence on that, and it can't affect how others like me vote positively or negatively.  If I am just voting out of 'civic duty', then my vote is just a gesture.  I am happy to lie about whether or not I voted if it will make you feel better, but I like to think I act rationally, and for me, expending effort so that I can say I was part of an election is not a rational decision.  

CMV reddit!
gpt
Because of Kant’s categorical imperative:

“Act only according to that maxim whereby you can, at the same time, will that it should become a universal law” 

If you believe that democracy is a good way to distribute power then you should participate in the democratic system. 

You probably disagree with littering, but how big of difference does it really make if you throw a single piece of paper on the ground? None, the world is a big place and your single piece of litter can’t possibly make any difference. 

But isn’t it pretty hypocritical of you to say that: yes, we definitely shouldn’t litter, I’ve seen societies where littering was allowed and those were pretty shitty societies where people generally had a bad time. And at the same time choose to litter because well your litter doesn’t make any difference anyway. 

If you believe in something you can’t just hide behind an argument of insignificance to act contrary to that belief.