Voting isn’t just about winning. It’s about telling the powers-that-be what you want.
You know how people describe the free market as “voting with your dollar”? Voting is like voting with your dollar. Except it’s voting with your vote.
Honestly, I think American democracy is already almost dead. America is a corporatocracy. The politicians think their job is to please the corporations, and the corporations will squeeze the life out of America as far as possible. Our communities are dead. People are broke and miserable. Families are falling apart. We’re turning against each other. The Democrats aren’t going to fix this. The Democrats helped create this.
The Democrats have to give us a reason to vote for them. They should be working to earn our vote rather than working to serve the corporations. “Vote blue no matter who” gives the Democrats no incentive to be better.
Voting a third party is fine as long as you understand you are enabling trump and are making things worse for Palestineans and the millions who will suffer from worse climate change outcomes etc.
If that’s something to feel proud about, that’s, well, up to you.
Voting a third party is fine as long as you understand you are enabling trump
Nope. If I wanted to vote for Trump, I’d vote for Trump. Like almost half of the country is doing.
Pretending your choices don’t have consequences is childish and not a position worthy of respect.
If you see a toddler running into traffic and you don’t stop them, sure you didn’t make it happen but you are still responsible. Similarly, if you understand the pain that trump will cause and you don’t help stop it, that’s on you.
It’s your choice but be adult enough to admit the consequences of your choice.
Pretending your choices don’t have consequences is childish and not a position worthy of respect.
Pretending that just because one doesn’t vote for democrats, MUST be enabling Trump, is childish and not a position worthy of respect.
Voting for a candidate that aligns with my values is a responsible and thoughtful choice, not a refusal to acknowledge consequences.
Supporting third-party candidates challenges the status quo and pushes for the real change that major parties often ignore.
Blaming voters for the actions of others oversimplifies the complexity of our political system and ignores the importance of advocating for what we truly believe in.
It’s your choice but be adult enough to admit the consequences of your choice.
Yes, it IS my choice, and I explained why I am doing it, and I’m proud of it. Nothing you have said has changed my mind at all. I vote for Green Party and Socialist causes/issues. And I will continue so. Regardless of how many try to bully me or try to sway my vote.
Pretending that just because one doesn’t vote for democrats, MUST be enabling Trump, is childish and not a position worthy of respect.
Really? The trumpian “I’m rubber, you’re glue” style of rhetoric?
I think though, you’re missing the point of the earlier example so I’ll simplify by labelling.
You want to eat some ice cream. (That’s voting third party.) As you’re about to take a bite, a small child runs into the road (this is the consequences of a trump victory, say more dead Palestineans, no chance to mitigate climate change etc.) Now, you are the closest “adult.” Sure, the kid’s parents (the rest of America) should be there to stop this from happening so you can just enjoy your ice cream. Unfortunately, saving the child requires dropping the ice cream.
That’s kind of the scenario. Now, legally, I don’t think you would be liable for choosing the ice cream over saving the child. But, morally… Well, I’m just curious as to whether the answer is still “meh, screw 'em, I’d like my ice cream.” or how the analogy doesn’t apply.
To be a responsible member of a democratic society, it is important to consider, appreciate and acknowledge the choices of our votes.
I’m proud to vote third party because I believe in standing by my principles, without fear of what may or may not happen in the election outcome.
Voting should be about advocating for the future we want, not settling for what feels safe or easy.
Just because the analogy tries to guilt me into conformity doesn’t mean I should abandon my values—real change comes from voting with conviction, not fear.
To be a responsible member of a democratic society, it is important to consider, appreciate and acknowledge the choices of our votes.
Which is exactly why I am voting for who I want to. As I respect your right to vote for who you want to.
Says the person who takes their ball and goes home to the Green party because the Dems aren’t “perfect” enough.
I haven’t done anything of the sort.
A third-party candidate brings crucial issues to the forefront, challenging the dominance of the major parties and sparking conversations that otherwise wouldn’t happen.
Even if they don’t win, their presence on the ballot helps build momentum and awareness, laying the groundwork for future success.
True change starts with challenging the status quo, and every candidate who dares to run contributes to that process. Even if you don’t like it.
I, and many of my friends, are NOT voting for Harris. Accept it and move on. Thank you!
Probably true. What’s your point? The hypothetical situation is anything but realistic. It’s a conversational vehicle to expose a forced choice dynamic, and to a lesser extent harm-reduction.
Scenarios with obvious limitations and specific stories are used to highlight critical thinking concepts in simple ways for audiences who don’t grasp the situation.
They aren’t the only way to discuss a situation, but the above comment deemed a simplified hypothetical was conversationally useful.
Or you could realize that those two drivers are not your only options. Get a cab, walk to a bus stop, or find a different driver.
It’s not about teaching Tim a lesson. It’s about getting yourself home safely.
What is the other option in American democracy? A third party that’s not going to win?
Voting isn’t just about winning. It’s about telling the powers-that-be what you want.
You know how people describe the free market as “voting with your dollar”? Voting is like voting with your dollar. Except it’s voting with your vote.
Honestly, I think American democracy is already almost dead. America is a corporatocracy. The politicians think their job is to please the corporations, and the corporations will squeeze the life out of America as far as possible. Our communities are dead. People are broke and miserable. Families are falling apart. We’re turning against each other. The Democrats aren’t going to fix this. The Democrats helped create this.
The Democrats have to give us a reason to vote for them. They should be working to earn our vote rather than working to serve the corporations. “Vote blue no matter who” gives the Democrats no incentive to be better.
Do you think that people should ONLY vote for a party that is going to win? That’s not very democratic.
I’m voting third party. And proud of it.
I mean, if you want things to get better, yes.
Voting a third party is fine as long as you understand you are enabling trump and are making things worse for Palestineans and the millions who will suffer from worse climate change outcomes etc.
If that’s something to feel proud about, that’s, well, up to you.
Like I said, that’s not very democratic. And I’m very glad that not everyone believes that.
Nope. If I wanted to vote for Trump, I’d vote for Trump. Like almost half of the country is doing.
Very proud to vote third party! Thank you!
Pretending your choices don’t have consequences is childish and not a position worthy of respect.
If you see a toddler running into traffic and you don’t stop them, sure you didn’t make it happen but you are still responsible. Similarly, if you understand the pain that trump will cause and you don’t help stop it, that’s on you.
It’s your choice but be adult enough to admit the consequences of your choice.
Pretending that just because one doesn’t vote for democrats, MUST be enabling Trump, is childish and not a position worthy of respect.
Voting for a candidate that aligns with my values is a responsible and thoughtful choice, not a refusal to acknowledge consequences.
Supporting third-party candidates challenges the status quo and pushes for the real change that major parties often ignore.
Blaming voters for the actions of others oversimplifies the complexity of our political system and ignores the importance of advocating for what we truly believe in.
Yes, it IS my choice, and I explained why I am doing it, and I’m proud of it. Nothing you have said has changed my mind at all. I vote for Green Party and Socialist causes/issues. And I will continue so. Regardless of how many try to bully me or try to sway my vote.
Really? The trumpian “I’m rubber, you’re glue” style of rhetoric?
I think though, you’re missing the point of the earlier example so I’ll simplify by labelling.
You want to eat some ice cream. (That’s voting third party.) As you’re about to take a bite, a small child runs into the road (this is the consequences of a trump victory, say more dead Palestineans, no chance to mitigate climate change etc.) Now, you are the closest “adult.” Sure, the kid’s parents (the rest of America) should be there to stop this from happening so you can just enjoy your ice cream. Unfortunately, saving the child requires dropping the ice cream.
That’s kind of the scenario. Now, legally, I don’t think you would be liable for choosing the ice cream over saving the child. But, morally… Well, I’m just curious as to whether the answer is still “meh, screw 'em, I’d like my ice cream.” or how the analogy doesn’t apply.
To be a responsible member of a democratic society, it is important to consider, appreciate and acknowledge the choices of our votes.
I’m proud to vote third party because I believe in standing by my principles, without fear of what may or may not happen in the election outcome.
Voting should be about advocating for the future we want, not settling for what feels safe or easy.
Just because the analogy tries to guilt me into conformity doesn’t mean I should abandon my values—real change comes from voting with conviction, not fear.
Which is exactly why I am voting for who I want to. As I respect your right to vote for who you want to.
Says the person who takes their ball and goes home to the Green party because the Dems aren’t “perfect” enough.
I haven’t done anything of the sort.
A third-party candidate brings crucial issues to the forefront, challenging the dominance of the major parties and sparking conversations that otherwise wouldn’t happen.
Even if they don’t win, their presence on the ballot helps build momentum and awareness, laying the groundwork for future success.
True change starts with challenging the status quo, and every candidate who dares to run contributes to that process. Even if you don’t like it.
I, and many of my friends, are NOT voting for Harris. Accept it and move on. Thank you!
Nope. Bar is 100 miles from anywhere, no bus, no one else left with a car.
Nobody puts a bar 100 miles from anywhere. People don’t drive an hour and a half to go to bar.
It’s an unrealistic hypothetical, like a third party candidate in the first place lol
I bet there are more third-party candidates in America than bars that are 100 miles from anything.
Probably true. What’s your point? The hypothetical situation is anything but realistic. It’s a conversational vehicle to expose a forced choice dynamic, and to a lesser extent harm-reduction.
Do you think we’re in the bar right now?
I love that you have to make up impossible scenarios to justify why you won’t vote third party.
They aren’t the only way to discuss a situation, but the above comment deemed a simplified hypothetical was conversationally useful.
I guess they were optimistic lol
But you’re the one who suggested the bar was 100 miles away from anything.
And even then, you could still probably get an Uber. It would be pricey, but that’s your fault for going to a bar 100 miles away from anything.