I’m always 90/10 split on voting. Part of me understands that voting is a totally hijacked system, but also a part of me thinks “if it weren’t important they wouldn’t go through all these scams and schemes to prevent people from doing it.” I do think democratic values are good and people should have a say in the how system works, but the system has kind of already shield itself from user influence. It’s just kinda sad.
These scams are an important part of how the system is rigged.
And honestly I think the anti-voting sentiment on the left is a symptom of unexamined lib ideals. We’re all taught that voting is the most important political action, that it’s powerful enough to change the world, that voting itself is a revolutionary act, and that this whole year long lead up of political theater approaching the presidential vote is somehow important. Then we realize that it’s a rigged system that’ll always provide a choice between slightly different coalitions of bourgeoisie interests. That doesn’t live up to the propaganda we’re raised with, so we yell about how shit it is and refuse to participate. But without the expectation that voting will change the world, and without the absurd idea that spending a year following the media circus is useful to anyone, spending an hour to influence which coalition of bourgeoisie interests gets its way is still a pretty good impact for an hour.
I’m not against voting. I vote in every election, even the random local runoff with like 5% turnout.
What I don’t like is hearing the libs say that voting is THE MOST IMPORTANT thing ever, spend all of their time trying to get others to vote, and do nothing else. It’s laziness.
And honestly I think the anti-voting sentiment on the left is a symptom of unexamined lib ideals. We’re all taught that voting is the most important political action, that it’s powerful enough to change the world, that voting itself is a revolutionary act, and that this whole year long lead up of political theater approaching the presidential vote is somehow important. Then we realize that it’s a rigged system that’ll always provide a choice between slightly different coalitions of bourgeoisie interests.
I’m always 90/10 split on voting. Part of me understands that voting is a totally hijacked system, but also a part of me thinks “if it weren’t important they wouldn’t go through all these scams and schemes to prevent people from doing it.” I do think democratic values are good and people should have a say in the how system works, but the system has kind of already shield itself from user influence. It’s just kinda sad.
I think it’s fair to say that whatever branch of leftist you are, it’s pretty unanimous that democracy is good. Liberal democracy however is ass.
Agreed. That “Liberal” modifier on “Democracy” really fucks up the whole thing.
These scams are an important part of how the system is rigged.
And honestly I think the anti-voting sentiment on the left is a symptom of unexamined lib ideals. We’re all taught that voting is the most important political action, that it’s powerful enough to change the world, that voting itself is a revolutionary act, and that this whole year long lead up of political theater approaching the presidential vote is somehow important. Then we realize that it’s a rigged system that’ll always provide a choice between slightly different coalitions of bourgeoisie interests. That doesn’t live up to the propaganda we’re raised with, so we yell about how shit it is and refuse to participate. But without the expectation that voting will change the world, and without the absurd idea that spending a year following the media circus is useful to anyone, spending an hour to influence which coalition of bourgeoisie interests gets its way is still a pretty good impact for an hour.
I’m not against voting. I vote in every election, even the random local runoff with like 5% turnout.
What I don’t like is hearing the libs say that voting is THE MOST IMPORTANT thing ever, spend all of their time trying to get others to vote, and do nothing else. It’s laziness.
Agreed on this for sure. Personally I’m of the general belief that capital V “VOTING™©®” is good but wholly insufficient. Like washing your hands is good to prevent the flu but getting a flu shot is better, and politically I think they try to drill into us that voting is the vaccine.