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:
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not vote - Lower participation rate shows I don't endorse the system, and if enough people don't vote, does it mean anything?
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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?
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vote D - 🤮
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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
If Democrats can run on "not Republican" and simply be entitled to enough votes by that mere fact, they have no reason to ever make concessions to the left. This is affirmed by the continuous movement to the right on the part of Dems except in the language they use in their empty gestures. If a leftist spoiler fucks things up for them one election, they have reason to make concessions to take back that spoiler's base.
If you're in a fight, it's often good to use your hands to block, but if focusing only on that prevents you from striking back, all you are succeeding in is losing more slowly than otherwise.
Tbf they're not going to make concessions regardless because the Dems looove losing and hate doing anything remotely left-wing
Then keep building up the spoiler until it supplants them.
If the left is ever to be a genuine alternative to the Democratic party it's not going to be because you didn't voot Democrat in national elections but because of real organising (with a little help from shifting material conditions of course)
I agree but we need to block until we can strategize, build class consciousness, and actually organize to do something.
it's easier to organize when the Rs are in charge, from personal experience.
That's terrifying. It will allow so many people to be hurt even faster in the meantime.
even faster? the dems just continue the same policies. you just stop hearing about it. among latine communities, Obama was known as the deporter in chief, and he spearheaded the detention cells housing children. if anything, Trump was /less/ effective because it became a political issue libs were willing to discuss/fight back against.