Still new here and trying to figure things out. Regarding voting, I’d like to get some feedback on some thoughts I’ve had.

I get that voting D/R is pointless since Ds just seatwarm for Rs at best, and actively implement R policies at worst. They have no incentive to work for left policies, and R policies will ultimately benefit them personally.

That being said, we’re “punished” for not voting D by getting an actual insane R in office. If Rs are in control its way worse, right? or, maybe it has to get worse to get better?

So what is the dominant strategy here for National elections? My personal vote is extremely minor and unimportant so keeping that in mind, I can:

  1. not vote - Lower participation rate shows I don’t endorse the system, and if enough people don’t vote, does it mean anything?

  2. vote third party - I like this idea since, although super unlikely, it gives more pressure to D and R to moderate (lol) as neither want to lose power. Write in votes aren’t going to turn in to anything big without some serious organizing, but I don’t know if there’s ever been a serious attempt to organize a mass write in campaign? Or if there will even be a viable third party candidate in 2024?

  3. vote D - 🤮

  4. Something else?

I haven’t seen this discussed much in the short time I’ve been here so maybe I’m missing something obvious or misunderstanding something above, so would appreciate any help. Maybe the real answer is it really doesn’t matter, but would like to make the best limited choice I can

  • popcap200English
    7·
    1 year ago

    Vote for Democrats in the general because it’s better for the seat to be warned than occupied.

    Vote progressive in primaries to get better Democrats in place.

    • Zuzak [fae/faer, she/her]@hexbear.netEnglish
      242·
      1 year ago

      Lol fuck that. The seat isn’t “warned” if you vote for them regardless of what kind of warmongering neoliberal ghoul they shove down your throat. Grow a spine, set your minimum standards, and tell 'em they can fuck off until they give you what you want.

      I made the decision a long time ago that I would never, under any circumstances, vote for a hawk. Didn’t vote for Obama, didn’t vote for Hillary, didn’t (and won’t) vote for Biden. These people were all deeply involved in lying to you to conduct decades-long wars of agression that cost hundreds of thousands of lives. That is fundamentally disqualifying, but you liberals don’t give a shit because you think Iraqis and Afghans are subhuman. Fuck off with your liberal bullshit.

    • ZoomeristLeninist [comrade/them, she/her]@hexbear.netMEnglish
      211·
      1 year ago

      voting blue no matter who tells the Dem party apparatus that they can run anyone as long as they wear a blue tie. that just pushes the party further and further to the right. if you actually want “progressive” candidates, grow a spine and dont vote for “moderate” dems in ANY election

      • jabrd [he/him]@hexbear.netEnglish
        171·
        1 year ago

        This is just basic logic. If your faction always caves and votes with the mainstay of the party then it isn’t really a faction, more just a group of whiners. You have to be willing to lose it for the team if you want to be taken seriously. (Not that I think there’s really anything to be gained from going to the mats in the primaries but whatever let the succdems do their thing I guess)

    • SovietyWoomy [any]@hexbear.netEnglish
      20·
      1 year ago

      People were fighting back against police brutality, seizing cities and turning them into autonomous zones, and seizing profiteering grocery stores and turning them into food banks when Trump was president. That all stopped and everyone went back to brunch the moment democrats took full control of the federal government. Since then, social murder through covid, homelessness, and police brutality have continued unabated. Abortion rights have been killed with no meaningful resistance despite plenty of forewarning. Unions have been crushed with bipartisan support. The harm normalization achieved by democrats is just as terrifying, if not more terrifying, than the harm acceleration achieved by republicans. Both branches of the capitalist party will always do everything in their power to prevent harm reduction.

    • mrbeano@lemm.eeEnglish
      4·
      1 year ago

      Well said. Half the country is already exercising option 1, and that’s not creating positive change. ACTUAL change is local, and slow. You need ground-swell to affect national elections.