I admit the last couple of years have turned me into something of a one-issue voter, or more likely a nonvoter. THE question is: Is this candidate anti-war and anti-imperialist? If it's a firm Yes, they'll get my vote right now.
Problem is, now a lot of them who were firmly against the Ukraine war are now screaming genocidal maniacs vis-a-vis the Palestinians, so they're out.
I'll vote this November in Ohio, FOR abortion rights and FOR legalized, recreational marijuana. And against my corrupt local mayor. Other than that? Meh.
Yeah, I went and voted early this week for Ohio Issues 1 & 2 and for a couple of local ones to keep the school district funded (because do we really need more privately operated charter schools in this state?). I also wrote in a name for school board (because she got the shaft from her local party and I want their chosen one lose) and voted for a young kid for my city council district, because there's just too much corruption (bribe-taking) going on in this town. I figure it'll give the kid a lift (he's not probably going to win,) and it registers my discontent with the greediness of the city council members in general. The rest of the spots on the ballot I left blank. I couldn't stand either of the duopolists running in the At-Large council race, and the incumbent looks like she'll win again. Same ol' same ol' until we can burn the system down for good!
This was so good to read. Thank you! I have been stating to family and friends that I will NOT vote for Biden or anyone who supports the genocide, and I'm serious. After they bitch at me that we will end up with Trump if I don't vote for Biden, I try to tell them my principles won't allow me to do that again. I wasn't happy about voting for him the first time. But this time, nope, I can't. It's not just because I'm angry at the moment. If anyone supports this, it goes against everything I believe and I would be betraying who I am if I cast my vote their way. This made me feel better about being stubborn on this issue. Thank you again.
You're welcome, Debbie! I'm glad to be of service to you (and others) who sometimes have to explain yourselves to friends/family members who insist you vote the way they want you to vote. Not only is this not fair to you, it's unfair to the whole idea of "democracy." You shouldn't have to silence your own voice just to make others happy. "Group think" or more likely "group vote" is what puts these sociopaths into office in the first place, and then we're stuck with them making dangerous and immoral decisions on our behalf, threatening life on our planet with their wars, genocides, and environmental disasters. So be proud of yourself that you follow your own conscience and stick to your guns when it comes to your vote. (If anyone keeps complaining to you, send them here and have them read this piece, and they can blame me for leading you astray. I'm used to it!) Power to the people!
Ralph Nader once summed up this issue perfectly, noting, "The lesser of two evils is still evil."
Sometimes voting for someone who perhaps wandered from their platform on an issue or two, or perhaps didn't align with some issue you support is what happens in politics; nobody's perfect. But when it comes to ethnic cleansing and genocide there is no such thing as acceptable "lesser genocide".
Voting for, minimizing, excusing, dancing around genocide is still genocide and I will not vote for a tool for genocide, and I don't care if that person is a small oily gear in the machine of genocide or the master mechanic: I will NOT vote for them. Ever.
Our illusion of democracy died long ago. We have a mockery of democracy. The corporations and billionaires run the show to their exclusive benefit. Somewhere around 50% of eligible voters do not vote. What if that gets to 60% ... or 75% ... 88.5%? At some point, a tipping point is reached and any pretense of legitimacy collapses. Such a corrupt empty-shell of a government cannot and will not stand long. Not voting is -- in fact -- now in our corrupted system, the single most profound "vote" a citizen can make.
I think that when it comes to elections and voting in general, it's ultimately important as a voter to assess and judge political candidates based on their past actions and deeds. This should be the main deciding factor on who to vote for, instead of what they come out and say during their political campaign speeches and interviews.
As we all know, politicians can easily make all sorts of claims and campaign promises....but what's actually important and relevant, is have they truly done and pushed for such good, pro-people initiatives and programs that they're currently championing for.
I admit the last couple of years have turned me into something of a one-issue voter, or more likely a nonvoter. THE question is: Is this candidate anti-war and anti-imperialist? If it's a firm Yes, they'll get my vote right now.
Problem is, now a lot of them who were firmly against the Ukraine war are now screaming genocidal maniacs vis-a-vis the Palestinians, so they're out.
I'll vote this November in Ohio, FOR abortion rights and FOR legalized, recreational marijuana. And against my corrupt local mayor. Other than that? Meh.
Yeah, I went and voted early this week for Ohio Issues 1 & 2 and for a couple of local ones to keep the school district funded (because do we really need more privately operated charter schools in this state?). I also wrote in a name for school board (because she got the shaft from her local party and I want their chosen one lose) and voted for a young kid for my city council district, because there's just too much corruption (bribe-taking) going on in this town. I figure it'll give the kid a lift (he's not probably going to win,) and it registers my discontent with the greediness of the city council members in general. The rest of the spots on the ballot I left blank. I couldn't stand either of the duopolists running in the At-Large council race, and the incumbent looks like she'll win again. Same ol' same ol' until we can burn the system down for good!
This was so good to read. Thank you! I have been stating to family and friends that I will NOT vote for Biden or anyone who supports the genocide, and I'm serious. After they bitch at me that we will end up with Trump if I don't vote for Biden, I try to tell them my principles won't allow me to do that again. I wasn't happy about voting for him the first time. But this time, nope, I can't. It's not just because I'm angry at the moment. If anyone supports this, it goes against everything I believe and I would be betraying who I am if I cast my vote their way. This made me feel better about being stubborn on this issue. Thank you again.
You're welcome, Debbie! I'm glad to be of service to you (and others) who sometimes have to explain yourselves to friends/family members who insist you vote the way they want you to vote. Not only is this not fair to you, it's unfair to the whole idea of "democracy." You shouldn't have to silence your own voice just to make others happy. "Group think" or more likely "group vote" is what puts these sociopaths into office in the first place, and then we're stuck with them making dangerous and immoral decisions on our behalf, threatening life on our planet with their wars, genocides, and environmental disasters. So be proud of yourself that you follow your own conscience and stick to your guns when it comes to your vote. (If anyone keeps complaining to you, send them here and have them read this piece, and they can blame me for leading you astray. I'm used to it!) Power to the people!
Good litmus test, for sure.
Well said! Keep it up!
Thanks, Angel! Same to you!
Ralph Nader once summed up this issue perfectly, noting, "The lesser of two evils is still evil."
Sometimes voting for someone who perhaps wandered from their platform on an issue or two, or perhaps didn't align with some issue you support is what happens in politics; nobody's perfect. But when it comes to ethnic cleansing and genocide there is no such thing as acceptable "lesser genocide".
Voting for, minimizing, excusing, dancing around genocide is still genocide and I will not vote for a tool for genocide, and I don't care if that person is a small oily gear in the machine of genocide or the master mechanic: I will NOT vote for them. Ever.
Our illusion of democracy died long ago. We have a mockery of democracy. The corporations and billionaires run the show to their exclusive benefit. Somewhere around 50% of eligible voters do not vote. What if that gets to 60% ... or 75% ... 88.5%? At some point, a tipping point is reached and any pretense of legitimacy collapses. Such a corrupt empty-shell of a government cannot and will not stand long. Not voting is -- in fact -- now in our corrupted system, the single most profound "vote" a citizen can make.
Well said.
I think that when it comes to elections and voting in general, it's ultimately important as a voter to assess and judge political candidates based on their past actions and deeds. This should be the main deciding factor on who to vote for, instead of what they come out and say during their political campaign speeches and interviews.
As we all know, politicians can easily make all sorts of claims and campaign promises....but what's actually important and relevant, is have they truly done and pushed for such good, pro-people initiatives and programs that they're currently championing for.