I went a few rounds on Reddit before the election asking what I should do given that I didn't feel like Biden delivered on the issues I care about the most (Gaza and the climate), and he eventually threw up his hands and said "fine, vote for Trump, stay home, I don't care."
People don't really feel like their party listens to them, get repeatedly told that there's only two options, and then get surprised when this sort of incoherence manifests. Sure, some people are dumb and don't actively seek to educate themselves, but folks are also beaten down by a system that constantly condescends, discourages participation other than voting, and mounts militarized responses to protests. I can understand why you'd give up and just do what punishes the incumbent even if it leads to a worse outcome overall. I didn't make that choice myself, but I can understand it.
I went a few rounds on Reddit before the election asking what I should do given that I didn't feel like Biden delivered on the issues I care about the most (Gaza and the climate), and he eventually threw up his hands and said "fine, vote for Trump, stay home, I don't care."
People don't really feel like their party listens to them, get repeatedly told that there's only two options, and then get surprised when this sort of incoherence manifests. Sure, some people are dumb and don't actively seek to educate themselves, but folks are also beaten down by a system that constantly condescends, discourages participation other than voting, and mounts militarized responses to protests. I can understand why you'd give up and just do what punishes the incumbent even if it leads to a worse outcome overall. I didn't make that choice myself, but I can understand it.