@Statto:

Yes, I did. Incidentally, I agree with much of what you say, but not all. I disagree, for example, about the comparative value of the average voter’s time, because you make the erroneous assumption that if they weren’t voting, they’d be working. In fact, in a society where fewer and fewer people get any real exercise, the walk down to the polling station might actually do them some personal good, even without looking at the fact that voting makes some people feel good in the same way that playing the lottery does, even though they know that playing won’t make a difference to who wins (it won’t be them!) either.

I’ve almost never cast a vote in favour of a particular candidate: I usually cast a blank ballot, for some of the reasons you mention in your article, and some others besides. But that’s another story.