<human>: What would be the ramifications of almost the entire nation refusing to cast a vote in the presidential race of 2012?

Would this be enough to withdraw our [consent]  How would our State Representatives vote if their constituency abstained?  Would their failure to abstain along-side the 99% prove the ineffectual nature of our democratic process?

What would happen if we refused to attend, or watch on television, the debates of either party?  What if we refuse to make campaign contributions regardless our bias toward one candidate or another?  Would the media, the corporate sponsors, or the politicians themselves feel enough pain to open up dialogue with the 99%?

Is this a solid enough goal for the 99% to *really* have an impact on the federal government's policies?

Or would this active non-vote just hurt the 99% even more?  I tend to take the cynical view that my vote doesn't count for shit either way, so I'm interested in hearing the opinions of those more well versed in political science than I.

Can you condense the text into a few key points?
<bot>: If we assume that the political institutions of the U.S. are fractured, can we take aim at rattling its foundations by refusing to take part in our own governance?