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
What would "seeing the doctor" be though? Civil war? World wide war? I'm afraid that if that would happen now, the fascists would win. It seems to me that they're capable of standing together and ready to fight. People on the left don't have that. We splinter ourselves based on smaller differences instead of working together for small incremental progress. If republicans lose several elections in a row, they'll eventually figure out they have to change tactics to stay relevant and maybe things can start shifting left.
organizing people to vote as a block, so you can meaningfully hold candidates' feet to the fire. merely voting democrat because "they're not those guys" gives them carte blanche to move further and further right, as they've done for 40 years since unions basically got killed off. also read state and revolution.
Organizing takes time and we clearly haven't gotten the message out well enough yet. We need to be on the defensive until there is enough support to really change things. Most people outside of forums like this don't even understand what's happening.
so the problem won't be solved by telling random posters to vote blue. glad we're on the same page.
No but it's part of it. Idk what else I can do right now besides try to get people on the same page. I wish I had a better suggestion. Also, we aren't random posters. Being on this forum means we care more than the average person. We're more likely to actually talk about stuff like this to people in our lives.
it helps to have a real and material theory of political change before trying to get people on the same page. seconding my recommendation to read state and rev, before the brainworms become terminal.
I do plan on reading more. Out of curiosity though, what do you think an average person could do right now?
start locally - like neighborhood level, your workplace, etc.. organize the people who see you day to day and show them that it's possible to make positive change by banding together. a union drive at work, a tenants union in your apartment building, whatever. that gives you a basis on which to start pursuing real political education and to start building class consciousness. eventually, you can start politicizing the org. don't rush it, though, or you'll turn people against you.
(different person) Join or organize a labour union. If you are joining a union then you can argue for it to be more political and hostile to capital, if you need to form the union that is enough work to focus on.