this post was submitted on 21 Aug 2024
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“Why should I vote for Harris when she’s horrible?”

If you think voting for status-quo Democrats will fail to earn us systemic change, then great; we’re on the same page. That’s why we have to also create green infrastructure, form mutual-aid networks, and unionize. Seven unions signed a letter demanding no more bombs for I$53@1. That’s how the real change will come. Voting for Harris won’t impede that organizing and will even make it easier, as if Trump is elected, he’s likely to ban unions and terrorize your community on his double-time march to authoritarianism.

A vote for a third-party candidate or not voting at all will amount to the same thing: a Trump victory. And if he wins, I’m more likely to be disappeared, for projecting “fuck Trump”. SCOTUS has placed the President above the law, and he would feel no compunction at wielding that dictatorial power to snuff out activists, deport anyone, and restrict women’s rights, for starters.

Voting has a low opportunity cost. You do it one day every few years, and maybe add a few more days on top of that to register other people to vote. The rest of the time, you can focus on community building.

Finally, if you continue to spend time and energy arguing against voting for Harris, I will assume you’re a Republican agent masquerading as a progressive. If you’re in fact not under the employ of the GOP, why do their work for free?

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[–] [email protected] 0 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

Several people here have mentioned the genocide in Palestine, which I accept is a major issue and one no one should be dismissive of. Biden himself acknowledged the validity of the issue in his speech to the DNC.

I honestly find Biden's decision to keep spending so much money arming Israel baffling, but there is at least some chance Harris will change that policy.

But if Harris doesn't win the White House, Trump's policies will intensify the perescution of the Palestinians and also lead to pogroms, if not actual genocide, in the US and elsewhere.

I agree this is not a happy choice to have to make. But it's also quite clear which is the right choice.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Of course you should vote. It's exhausting having to state the obvious though, so thanks for trying.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 2 months ago

Well, it is a legit question for solarpunks whether or not they should engage in a dead-end system, so I wanted to talk about it.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 2 months ago (2 children)

You two party system dupes play the same game every election cycle. The very definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Go spin your wheels, voting for a lesser evil and shaming others. It will work this time!

By limiting the choices to two parties, we ALWAYS lose.

Tear it all down and start fresh or GTFO.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 2 months ago (1 children)

And if you read the post or watch the video instead of trying to discourage people from voting, you will see I have considered this and speak to it.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I saw you mention that and then proceed to completely blow the point off as unimportant compared to Trump winning. If you can forgive a genocide and will enthusiastically vote for its perpetrators, you are too far gone to reason with.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 2 months ago

If you can’t be bothered to spend half a day voting when it could save the lives of people in your community, you are too far gone to reason with. Or just a fascist shill.

You can burn down the system any day. Voting comes only once every few years.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Tear it all down and start fresh or GTFO.

Okay.

Now what?

[–] [email protected] 0 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

Actual democracy where there are WAY more than TWO FUCKING PARTIES and they AREN’T PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS THAT CAN DO THINGS THAT GO AGAINST THE VERY RULES AND DEFINTIONS OF DEMOCRACY.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 2 months ago

While I agree that it is very easy for republicans to masquerade as progressives, especially on the internet, I think that's actually not a particularly effective form of challenge due to how quickly it derails conversations.

By instead remaining focused on specific issues and policies we can help keep attention where it belongs--on the real life impacts that our elected officials' policy positions can have on our real lives. The fact of the matter is that Harris does have some genuine progressive chops. While she's certainly imperfect as a politician, she's no Bill Clinton-style moderate. We do have her Senate voting record after all, where progressive monitoring groups generally rated her very favorably.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 2 months ago (5 children)

Vote however you want.

But I'd rather kill myself than vote for genocide.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 2 months ago

@queermunist
This would make more sense if not voting stopped the genocide.

But it doesn't. Either candidate with a chance of winning will sell arms. Your nonvote means that the parties can ignore you going forward, making your voice matter even less.
@AEMarling

[–] [email protected] 0 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Yeah but since every sane person supports the "genocide" you people made up you can just not vote, better for everyone anyway.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 2 months ago

You are a complete piece of shit. Better hope you’re anonymous.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I don't quite understand this mentality. You're getting genocide no matter what. It's either genocide and removing a woman's right to choose and erasing trans people, or genocide and not erasing trans people and maybe enshrining a woman's right to choose.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 2 months ago (1 children)

The "genocide" is literally made up anyway

[–] [email protected] 0 points 2 months ago

Made up of US weapons and dead children.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 2 months ago

Good news! If you don't vote, you won't have to do it yourself!

[–] [email protected] 0 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

If you read more than the post title or watch the video, you will see that I talk about this critical issue.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 2 months ago

Clearly I don’t have the right setup (or aptitude) for this kind of video. I’m only speaking at the camera because this is life-and-death important.