this post was submitted on 13 Nov 2023
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He'd have to be worse than Trump which is basically impossible. I will not abstain, I will chose the leader I want or, barring that, the least worst option. Biden it is.
Do you personally believe that it's possible to use a vote as leverage to get policies you want or better align with?
I don't believe the US system allows for that, no. Everything is a game and we are basically forced to choose between capitalists and fascists. But within that terrible system there still is a choice which is better than nothing. I may be choosing Kang but at least it's better than Kodos.
I think local politics can be influenced by volunteering but even then money can ruin it (as it did in my town last week).
I'm not trying to set you up for a dunk, but why do you vote if you don't think it can be used as leverage?
From how you describe, it doesn't seem like a choice outside of aesthetics at this point. I believe that if I refuse to show up or participate in voting the general and stay consistent with my views, that I'm not passively accepting the lower standards we're presented. I'm also not endorsing, defending, or carrying water for candidates who are commiting or enabling crimes against humanity.
My personal concern is that a broad acceptance of Biden as the preferable outcome between two inevitable outcomes limits the conversation on what kind of world is possible. The DNC still has time to course correct and be on the right side of history.
Voting nationally is a low leverage action, but abstaining is a no leverage action. So to have any leverage at all I must vote, and since I'm voting I'm going to vote for the best/least worst candidate. Diamond Joe does some shitty things but Trump is another ambitious, poorly spoken level, his treacheries have treacheries. I don't have a viable third option so this is where I'm at.
We had a chance at real change in 2016 and it was taken away. If that happens again I am all in but I don't see any beneficial action right now to make that a reality.
Abstaining is how voting can have leverage. Voting only has leverage if politicians can't take your vote as a given