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Why do you think voting is or isn't important? (reddthat.com)

submitted 1 week ago by PumpkinDrama@reddthat.com to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

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I haven’t voted in years after reading the argument that voting mainly serves to slot you into a cohort, making it easier for governments and corporations to profile you. Recently I heard someone argue the opposite angle: don’t vote because none of the politicians deserve you. A comedian mocked that stance as basically holding your breath when you are angry.

Now I’m conflicted because both arguments feel compelling in different ways. What are your strongest arguments for voting, or against voting?

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[–] Moonguide@lemmy.ml 5 points 1 week ago

Arguments against:

meaningful positive change for the common person won't be achieved via an elected candidate. If that candidate was willing and able to make some actual change, they wouldn't be on the ballot. Voting in a representative democracy is illusion of choice.

Arguments for:

liberals (in the social definition) and conservatives view democracy at least as a tool to get what they want. Conservatives want to twist it to perpetuate and enforce their view of the world, liberals want to get increasingly slow incremental change. It is a losing battle for liberals, but there isn't enough class consciousness for actual change to happen. I'd rather side with the liberals than the conservatives.