Democracy is a responsibility, not a romance. I want Bernie, but I’m voting, donating, and volunteering for Biden or (please) whoever the Democratic Nominee is. The point is to continually improve things…
Exactly, it’s a responsibility.
… So why are you giving the DNC a pass on choking at the plate, repeatedly?
Note: No one has said to not vote blue. This is a discussion about increasing voter turnout, not blaming people for not wanting to engage with a broken system.
What do you consider “giving the DNC a pass” if you’re not saying don’t vote blue? No one has said they’re perfect, no one has said they’re the best we’ll ever have… they’re just saying it’s the best chance to improve things.
Just because they’re not saying what you want them to say doesn’t mean they’re giving the DNC a pass.
Democrats fall in love. Republicans fall in line.
Assuming the people here are being genuine, the people replying to you show how true it is.
If we absolutely destroyed the Republican party the Overton window would move left leaving the Dems as the right wing party and opening the door for others. But they can’t see the long term view.
My view is that we vote as far left as feasible, keep getting involved in primaries, keep being engaged, and once we stomp out the more dangerous threat we can duke it out. But we all think we know best and I can’t make anyone else take my view.
This cannot be emphasized enough.
Even AOC was not their choice, she did it herself and beat the Dem choice.
Not everyone is a top candidate. That’s why she stands out. Not everyone is amazing. Vote anyway. Vote and then call up your representative if they suck.
AOC? The same AOC that voted to prevent the rail union workers from striking?
Not the point.
She was a random no name dem at the time who knocked on doors and undercut the old fart dem incumbent for her district.
The point is that any able bodied motivated individual with the charisma who also fits the requirements for the role, say, even a bartender, can oust the old farts in office.
There is no shittier candidate than Trump. The there is MTG, Gaetz, Boebert, and so many others. The shittiest candidates I have ever seen.
I mean yeah trump is worse but the last good candidate the democrats had was Bernie, and that didn’t go well. I’ll vote blue no matter who but you gotta admit there’s been a dearth of good candidates.
The presidential election isn’t the only election. And, in fact, it’s not even close to the only important one. Most policy is made in legislation, the executive puts policy in motion and can direct it… but they don’t create laws.
Even the actions they do take have congressional oversight. Vote for more than just President and you might actually see change.
But it’s not a binary thing…
Did you look at the post you’re commenting on?
More engagement is always better
So we should never settle for “better than a Republican”.
That works a hell of a lot better at the lower levels of representation. State and local races are where those “not blue (or red)” candidates have the best (and in most cases, only) chance of getting elected.
But that only happens if you show up. If all you do is bitch and moan about presidents and only vote once every four years… nothing will ever change. We’ll always just have Biden or Trump. Because you’ve shown that that’s all that matters to you.
Republicans voters are much better at voting for their Handmaiden’s Tale candidates. Meanwhile, Democrats are told that anyone to the left of Eisenhower “isn’t electable” so we just have to swallow right-wingers like Biden and Hillary.
EDIT: I’m saying that Republican voters don’t care who’s “electable,” so they get what they want. We should try the same.