The Meaning of the Right to Vote

On Election Day remember that it is freedom, not voting, which makes
America great.

By Alex Epstein

Every Election Day politicians, intellectuals, and activists
propagate a seemingly patriotic, but utterly un-American idea: the
notion that our most important right--and the source of America's
greatness--is the right to vote.

According to former President Bill Clinton, the right to vote is "the
most fundamental right of citizenship"; it is "the heart and soul of
our democracy," says Senator John McCain.

Such statements are regarded as uncontroversial--but consider their
implications.

If voting is truly our most fundamental right, then all other rights -
-including free speech, property, even life -- are contingent on and
revocable by the whims of the voting public (or their elected
officials).

Read the full Op-Ed at:
http://www.aynrand.org/righttovote04