this post was submitted on 08 May 2024
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United States | News & Politics
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I don't mind if people protest vote during primary elections - that's what they're for. Protest voting in a two party system is shooting yourself in the foot unless you like the other guy running.
This feels a lot like giving your little brother a disconnected controller so he stops bothering you.
Republicans love that you think like that. They make sure to vote in every election.
If enough people actually protest vote in a primary, it will affect who is in the election.
That has not happened once in the 24 years I've been voting. In literally every election, even odd years.
...Because not nearly enough people get out and vote, especially in primaries.
Like I said: It's like handing your kid brother a controller that doesn't work. I keep pressing the button but nothing happens.
And as long as everyone isn't doing their part, it won't. That's how democracy works. The ones who vote get to decide everything. Republicans vote.
Yeah but I'm voting and don't decide shit
Because you're one of many. The many who agree with you need to vote, too, because the ones who don't sure do.
It still feels fucking useless
I know, our electoral system sucks and is very demoralizing. But giving up completely means letting the fascists win. I refuse to do that.
It seems like the fascists are gonna win anyway
They might. But it won't be because I personally didn't do anything to oppose them.
Voting seems like the least effective thing you could do
And yet, their supporters vote all the time. Now why would they do that if it's so useless? Also, not voting at all is the least you can do.
Because they know there's more of them than us and can win easily. I'd be a lot more enthused about it if I got results, too.
No, there's actually a lot more of us than them. The combination of gerrymandering and 2 senators per state gives them far more representation than they should have, then add in non-conservative voters being much less likely to vote and they end up with minority rule. But it's not inevitable - if everyone else voted in the same percentages as they do, they wouldn't have a majority in Congress or be in the White House ever again.
If your solution to a problem is "Everyone should just..." then it's not a solution. Plus it sounds like not only is the controller disconnected, it's designed to not work even if it is connected.
If your solution to the problem is "just give up", then it's even less of a solution.
I'd be banned if I posted my solution.
Besides, I'm still voting. I'm not going to stop, because it is a helpful illustration of how little it actually can change things. 24 years straight and I still live in a shithole ruled by idiots.
It may well come to bloody revolution. But I appreciate that you're saving that as a last resort.