Impeach the System. Vote 'other'

To the Editor:
What do you do if you not only don't like the major-party candidates, but you're also disgusted by the whole bleeping System that has brought us to this point?
"Stay home. Don't vote," say the cynics. "It only encourages them."
It's a tempting option, no question about it. You may think, "Yeah, I'll just stay home — that'll show them!"
But, unfortunately, the people behind the System don't give a darn if you don't vote. In fact, they kinda prefer it that way. It's easy for them to interpret your "boycott" as mere apathy, and as license to continue business-as-usual.
So what to do?
Why not take that vote, that one you were going to waste anyway by staying home, and use it to make a powerful statement?
Why not "vote other"?
It's easy enough. Wherever possible, just vote for a third-party or independent candidate. Or if those aren't an option, use the power of the write-in. Write in someone who in your opinion would be a better office-holder — or if nothing else, vote for yourself.
Simple enough, right?
But if enough non-voters were to follow this strategy, we could send an unmistakable message to the power brokers behind the scenes. We could tell them that we've had enough of their BS. We could tell them that we expect — and deserve — more from our elected officials.
So don't settle for bad choices. Impeach the System. Vote other.
Skip Mendler
Honesdale