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 you’re in a district or state that is securely for one party or the other you can literally vote however you want because it doesn’t matter
electoralism strategy maybe only matters for people in states with competitive races
Defensive voting can be pragmatic and has the largest effect the more local the election. Bourgeois electoralism will never allow for the direct challenging of the bourgeois order. All past entryist efforts to work socialist politicians and politics into mainstream political parties via electoral wins have failed and been recuperated. Even when Lenin said you should vote for the people’s candidate he said it in the context of putting forth a candidate from the socialist party as a measuring stick for the popularity of the movement, not because any positive outcome can be expected. There is a long and bloody history of what happens to socialist leaders once they’ve been democratically elected, it would be no different in the states. The only way to advance socialist politics is to create separate bases of power that are not reliant on existing institutions but that can instead contest those decaying institutions for authority, i.e. Lenin’s concept of dual power.
So vote for the shark eyed libs in your district so the local foaming at the mouth fascist doesn’t start a progrom against the gays, but time and time again national level electoralism has proven to be the dead end of left movements. And let’s be clear that your local libs will still stab you in the back given the chance, they are sellouts and corporate whores who have covered up just as many rape scandals as the GOP. The democratic party is the graveyard of social movements
Thanks for the thoughtful response. Dumb question coming up…
Even when Lenin said you should vote for the people’s candidate he said it in the context of putting forth a candidate from the socialist party as a measuring stick for the popularity of the movement, not because any positive outcome can be expected.
Do we really not have a “peoples candidate?” It seems strange to me that the most left American politician that comes to mind is Bernie Sanders, and he’s possibly (probably?) faking it
Since you’re asking specifically about national elections, I’d say overall it doesn’t matter. If you live in one of the few states (counties really) that actually decide the presidential election, then voting strategically for Dems makes sense, if it seems like harm reduction to you. I think the same argument goes for a senate seat or even congress that has a chance to be a toss up.
I think a lot of us overthink engaging in electoral politics because most of us were libs and therefore thought electoral politics is important, or have an over inflated sense of the importance of our own individual vote. The truth is as an individual, you might as well be asking, should i shout the name of candidate x into the void, or just forget about it. Our votes only matter as part of a group, an organization, or a movement
I think you’re right, I might be overthinking it and the brainwashing is a bit hard to silence.
Our votes only matter as part of a group, an organization, or a movement
Are there any of these that you’re aware of? I just know of R and D really. Is there even a viable alternative?
No viable electoral alternative nationally. But if you’re specifically interested in voting, you should shift your focus locally. You may want to check out DSA. They sometimes back candidates or even run members
The thinking here is more “X group is voting as a block and expects this list of things from this candidate, if they do not do these things they will lose the support of our group going forward.” These days this is the domain of mostly right-wing white church groups but in the past (and potentially again!) unions would also do this. So like, your 1 vote doesn’t matter as much as 100 people in a group voting as a block.
Here’s what you do: Whatever you want.
From your list: Choose 1. Choose 4. Go to a PMC bar and declare you did 3 and score some free drinks. Choose them all. Choose none of them.
You know your vote doesn’t matter much. So how much does it matter to you? Since my Left awakening, sometimes I vote, sometimes I don’t. Sometimes I vote D, sometimes I vote 3rd party if available. Sometimes I write in my ex-roommates name and hope he somehow pulls off a longshot.
Basically, ask yourself how much strategy you’re going to put into to something that ultimately yields nothing. You know the outcome already.
