She will participate in a panel discussion on social and policy topics at Hannaford Hall on Oct. 7, the 1-year anniversary of the start of the Israel-Hamas war.
The idea that only one candidate can beat Trump assumes the current two-party system is unchangeable and doesn’t give people any room to voice dissent.
Instead of falling into the trap of lesser-evil voting, I think that supporting third-party candidates can pressure the major parties to adopt more progressive platforms or even pave the way for alternative political voices to gain real traction over time.
Dismissing third-party votes as wasted just reinforces the limited choices we’re stuck with.
I refuse to support the Duopoly, and honestly, the hostility and bullying I’ve received on Lemmy only strengthens my resolve NOT to vote Democrat.
And while I respect your opinion, it’s exactly this kind of thinking that keeps the duopoly in power. People are too afraid to make a change or take a stand, which is why nothing ever shifts.
Oh, there’s no question the system needs to change, the problem is it’s not one system. It’s 50 + D.C. + territories. Well, 49, Alaska fixed theirs… if they can keep it. I guess there’s a referendum on Alaska’s ballot this cycle to remove it.
Oregon and Nevada are next… Portland already has it for City elections, this will be the first time and it’s frankly, with 118 candidates, looking like a clusterfuck. Going to be super fun voting this year:
But like I say, for the next 41 days, this is the system we have and we’re working within those rules. The winner will be Harris or Trump and, while I agree, Harris is a terrible candidate, she is INFINITELY preferable to Trump.
At some point you will walk away from an election going “What could I have done differently?” When that happens you’ll realize voting isn’t about a purity test, it’s about harm reduction.
Two unsavory candidates, who is going to hurt us the least? Vote for them.
When you get a chance to fix the system, then do that. If you don’t have a chance to fix the system, then it’s time to get that started.
I’m actually excited to support ranked choice balloting here in a couple of weeks when our ballots arrive. We moved the needle with 100% vote by mail in 2000, it’s time to do it again.
The idea that voting for a third party automatically helps Trump is just a scare tactic meant to keep us all locked in the same two-party system. I’m not helping Trump. I’m making a stand for actual change.
Voting isn’t about picking the “least harmful” option, it’s about standing for what you truly believe in.
If we keep settling for harm reduction, we’ll always be stuck with unsavory choices and never build momentum for real change.
I’m not walking away from an election thinking “What could I have done differently” because I’m voting for the candidate that actually aligns with my values, not just one who’s slightly less harmful than the other.
That’s how I personally feel that I can start fixing the system, because I’m demanding more from it now, not later.
Guys, I’m not voting for Harris. And honestly, the constant hatred and mocking (not from you personally, OP) that I’ve gotten here because I’m not voting for her has totally pushed me further away from the Democratic Party. You’ve completely turned me off from it. So yeah, definitely not voting Democrat anytime soon.
Guys, I’m not voting for Harris. And honestly, the constant hatred and mocking (not from you personally, OP) that I’ve gotten here because I’m not voting for her has totally pushed me further away from the Democratic Party. You’ve completely turned me off from it. So yeah, definitely not voting Democrat anytime soon.
Of all the untrue things you have said, that may actually be the most extreme. And your attempts to guilt people into not calling you out will be just as ineffective as the rest of your posturing. I really hope you get some rest because keeping up this act must be exhausting.
You don’t engage in good faith, you don’t actually want to discuss anything, you just keep banging the same drum and play the victim at the drop of the hat. You’re playing a character and everyone can tell you’re not being authentic - which is why your posts get downvoted into oblivion. It’s not persecution, you’re just a really bad actor.
Despite the fact that voting for them makes it easier for the person LEAST aligned with your values.
One person can beat Trump, they aren’t a fringe candidate.
Fortunately, none of the states where she’s on the ballot are going to be even close.
Louisiana (8) - Trump (2020 - 58/39 Trump)
Minnesota (10) - Harris (52/45 Biden)
New Jersey (14) - Harris (57/41 Biden)
Tennessee (11) - Trump (60/37 Trump)
Vermont (3, as Independent) - Harris (66/30 Biden)
Washington (12) - Harris (57/38 Biden)
The idea that only one candidate can beat Trump assumes the current two-party system is unchangeable and doesn’t give people any room to voice dissent.
Instead of falling into the trap of lesser-evil voting, I think that supporting third-party candidates can pressure the major parties to adopt more progressive platforms or even pave the way for alternative political voices to gain real traction over time.
Dismissing third-party votes as wasted just reinforces the limited choices we’re stuck with.
I refuse to support the Duopoly, and honestly, the hostility and bullying I’ve received on Lemmy only strengthens my resolve NOT to vote Democrat.
No, it’s that the election system is not going to change in the next 41 days before the election.
So, yes, one person can beat Trump. Kamala Harris. Or, you know, heart disease. Give it 50/50. ;)
And while I respect your opinion, it’s exactly this kind of thinking that keeps the duopoly in power. People are too afraid to make a change or take a stand, which is why nothing ever shifts.
Oh, there’s no question the system needs to change, the problem is it’s not one system. It’s 50 + D.C. + territories. Well, 49, Alaska fixed theirs… if they can keep it. I guess there’s a referendum on Alaska’s ballot this cycle to remove it.
https://alaskapublic.org/2024/05/29/ranked-choice-voting-that-has-rocked-alaska-politics-faces-november-tests-across-the-nation/
Oregon and Nevada are next… Portland already has it for City elections, this will be the first time and it’s frankly, with 118 candidates, looking like a clusterfuck. Going to be super fun voting this year:
https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2024/09/117-candidates-running-for-city-office-in-portland.html
But like I say, for the next 41 days, this is the system we have and we’re working within those rules. The winner will be Harris or Trump and, while I agree, Harris is a terrible candidate, she is INFINITELY preferable to Trump.
And I still refuse to vote for either one of them. Because I’ll be voting for a candidate who I like and who aligns with my values.
Which helps Trump. :)
At some point you will walk away from an election going “What could I have done differently?” When that happens you’ll realize voting isn’t about a purity test, it’s about harm reduction.
Two unsavory candidates, who is going to hurt us the least? Vote for them.
When you get a chance to fix the system, then do that. If you don’t have a chance to fix the system, then it’s time to get that started.
I’m actually excited to support ranked choice balloting here in a couple of weeks when our ballots arrive. We moved the needle with 100% vote by mail in 2000, it’s time to do it again.
https://ballotpedia.org/Oregon_Measure_117,Ranked-Choice_Voting_for_Federal_and_State_Elections_Measure(2024)
The idea that voting for a third party automatically helps Trump is just a scare tactic meant to keep us all locked in the same two-party system. I’m not helping Trump. I’m making a stand for actual change.
Voting isn’t about picking the “least harmful” option, it’s about standing for what you truly believe in.
If we keep settling for harm reduction, we’ll always be stuck with unsavory choices and never build momentum for real change.
I’m not walking away from an election thinking “What could I have done differently” because I’m voting for the candidate that actually aligns with my values, not just one who’s slightly less harmful than the other.
That’s how I personally feel that I can start fixing the system, because I’m demanding more from it now, not later.
Guys, I’m not voting for Harris. And honestly, the constant hatred and mocking (not from you personally, OP) that I’ve gotten here because I’m not voting for her has totally pushed me further away from the Democratic Party. You’ve completely turned me off from it. So yeah, definitely not voting Democrat anytime soon.
“Voting isn’t about picking the “least harmful” option; it’s about standing for what you truly believe in.”
I recognize you feel that, but there’s a functional difference between what you feel and the reality of voting.
The people counting the votes do not care what you believe in. People running in an election don’t get participation trophies when they lose.
Nobody who wins an election looks at the losers and goes “Maybe they had some good ideas I should adopt.”
The person who wins sees that as a mandate and runs with it.
If that person is Trump, your beliefs will be a thin blanket in Trump’s concentration camps.
Of all the untrue things you have said, that may actually be the most extreme. And your attempts to guilt people into not calling you out will be just as ineffective as the rest of your posturing. I really hope you get some rest because keeping up this act must be exhausting.
You don’t engage in good faith, you don’t actually want to discuss anything, you just keep banging the same drum and play the victim at the drop of the hat. You’re playing a character and everyone can tell you’re not being authentic - which is why your posts get downvoted into oblivion. It’s not persecution, you’re just a really bad actor.