vapidnoises

What arguments would you give against cynically manipulating the political system rather than trying to reform or undermine it?

In many cases, I think cynical manipulation is moral and wise. If you're filling out your income tax, I'd advise you to just game the system to pay as little as possible.

But when cynical manipulation involves treating other people unjustly, I advise against it

Does involving one's self in a political party meet these criteria? eg. My cousin Vinny becomes a dem rep and gives my business a nice tax break while mouthing platitudes about equality, etc. He could run as a libertarian and try to get tax breaks for all, but then he would lose and someone else' cousin would get elected and give their cousin's firm a tax break.

The argument? Nothing better than "You shouldn't act unjustly, this is unjust, so don't do it."

That's a hard sell to a nihilist.