this post was submitted on 29 Jan 2024
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The problem with that is that if all votes are guaranteed for the lesser evil, then there is no incentive to put up a better option ever.
How many elections must we have where the options are bad and apocalyptic?
You don't get better if the fascists win, dismantle democracy and commit a series of genocides. Do the bare fucking minimum - vote - then spend the rest of the election cycle pushing for better.
You don't get better by pissing away your vote on a meaningless virtue signal - you get fascism.
Sure, that is fine and dandy.
But I dont think its entitled to ask for a good option.
There is, right now, an enthusiasm gap, and to overcome it, whether you like it or not, Biden is simply going to have to do better.
Thats the utilitarian reality. Now is exactly the time for progressives to make demands, and its exactly the time for him to meet them
For some reason. Your type doesn't see better as an option from Biden.
What do you think happens when you vote third party (or don't vote)?
Maybe (and I strongly doubt this) the Dems get the message, and get a little better as you empower those that have clearly and repeatedly signalled that they don't care about democracy - you get an election cycle with the fascists, and all that costs us, then you may never get another election in which you'd elect the improved Democrats.
Congratulations - you fucked the country because you refused to do the bare minimum.
The election booth isn't the place for activism - it's a place to pick the lesser evil, because you don't get a third option. Fight for better options the other 1,458 days of the election cycle, then vote for the best available.
Im not saying withholding the vote it the right or wrong answer, Im saying its up to politicians to earn their votes.
I think the reason the options are so poor right now is because we've created a system where we arent allowed to ask for more.
So again, the reality is the reality. There is an enthusiasm gap. How is Biden going to fix it? Because trying to shame or scare would be voters is not the answer. Try again.
Biden isn't going to push for the change I'm looking for. You're fix it by keeping the fascists out of power on election day while doing everything you can to push them to do better or be replaced by someone who will outside election day.
As for scaring voters? The GOP is evidence that's an incredibly effective strategy.
Why cant he? Why is Biden doing better not an option?
It's a matter of using executive authority, not feats of strength - He can, but there's little to nothing in his track record that indicates he will. That's why he (and the party broadly) needs to be pushed to do better or replaced with someone that will.
Don't forget it was you saying we aren't allowed to ask for more.
How do we replace them if we must vote for them every time?
Can you point to any examples of withholding votes being effective rather than simply empowering the greater evil?
The Primary system is wholly undemocratic. Due to our staggered primaries, you don't actually get to vote unless you live in a state that is early on the calendar.
I unfortunately live in West Virginia, which means every single time the early progressive candidates have already dropped out.
I literally never get to vote for my progressive candidate in the primary.
Add on top of that, the fact that the DNC actually awards delegates, not states. For example, if you look at New Hampshire this year, Joe Biden wasn't even technically on the ballot. They had to write him in. This came from the fact that he refused to put himself on the ballot because there were disagreements as to which state should be first in the primary cycle.
The DNC instead decided that all delegates would be awarded to Joe Biden regardless, and that the primary wouldn't instead be performative.
...and some people are too poor to donate, others are felons disqualified from voting, others have crippling social anxiety that prevents them from phone banking - what point are you trying to make? You do what you can within the bounds of your ability and means - you don't shrug your shoulders and hand power to the worst option because the less bad option isn't up to your standard.