It is easy to sit outside and tell those who have to live every day under the current oppressive regime of Iran not to vote. But the undeniable fact is that the Islamic Republic is in power and everything possible must be done to reduce the power of its extremists.
If voting for someone more moderate can help achieve and open the smallest channels to breath even a little more and to help somewhat soften the policies of the government in the international arena, … that option should be examined. The experiences of the past 30 years have clearly proven that not voting has played directly in to the hands of the least tolerant elements within the regime.
This time around if the other choices are even slightly better than now, we should vote.
After 30 years in power, not voting no longer questions the legitimacy of the Islamic Republic as it has not in the past, but voting for the most moderate elements, in masses sends a strong message to those within and outside Iran that Iranians do NOT approve of extremism and if they are given even a small room to express their true wish, they will.
The talking-heads of Persian Satellite TV’s sitting in the comfort of their San Fernando Valley USA garage like studios with a green background, should start minding their own business of selling concerts in Dubai and around the world and let Iranians in Iran do what is best for them.
This time we must do the opposite and vote for the most moderate and vote in masses , then even Khamenei can not deny the will of the people in what they really want. People must exercise their power and SEE for themselves that they can make differences as small as they might be, because only then they will believe in themselves and the power of the people again. We should break this cycle of indifference and extremism that has been promoted by ALL sides from the Islamic Republic of Ghom to the Reza Pahlavi of Washington to the cult of Rajavi and the left in Europe.
And after winning, we should not expect miracles but to stay active and hold the winning candidate fully responsible to his promises. The picture of Iranian students questioning Ahmadinejad in Amirkabir universities spoke a thousand words. If people stay involved and concerned about their destiny using any and all channels available to them, they will re-organize, regain power and eventually make a major difference. Sitting at home does nothing as it has not in the past.
Having control of the ballot boxes the extremists may even change the results but that will not be without public outrage and consequences if millions vote. Either way tactically the people will come out as winners.
Let people exercise their power and use Islamic Republic’s own ballot boxes to show that they are fed up with extremism and yes it will still be Islamic Republic under its supreme leader but the message will be loud and clear: NO MORE EXTREMISM!
Iranians once again must believe in themselves and the power of THE PEOPLE and this can be a start. Get out and vote for the most moderate and get the word out.
