Democracies inevitably end up achieving state bankruptcy through excessive debt. Regardless, that debt has to be paid by the population, so in that perspective democracy is a poverty generation engine.
For more on that topic: https://www.amazon.com/Democracy-Economics-Politics-Perspect...
Voting legitimizes whatever atrocities your government commits Symbolism is important: withdraw consent Voting is the same as not voting, but with more time wasted Dispiriting to other people, who have to tolerate the charade Not materially adding to any percentages Legitimizing the system by submitting to it's theatrical demands Thinking independently etc. Recommended:http://www.amazon.com/Democracy-The-God-That-Failed-Economic...
The full intro. chapter is available free: http://mises.org/hoppeintro.asp