A vote is a preference, a choice. It carries no burden of complicity. This is separate from ideological support. If one voted for Trump, but then regrets that support, they are no longer responsible for Trump’s actions.
Wrong. A vote is an action. And one that has the ability to negatively (or positively) affect others in your sphere.
If you voted for Trump, me and other LGBTQ people are now at immense risk, as are many other populations. Even if you regret your vote you are complicit and have responsibility for the action you took (or didn’t take).
It’s also false to claim that because something is a moral obligation that eliminates freedom of choice. Even if you have a moral obligation you can always choose to do the immoral thing.
I’ll concede the elimination of freedom of choice, but it does constrain and limit the freedom. By implying that voting is a moral obligation, it elevates voting higher than political activism and organization:
He was equally alert to the problem of voter fetishism: voters mistakenly thinking the vote is an exercise of power, when in fact power in a capitalist society is collective, social and located largely outside the parliamentary realm. source
If voting is the end of political participation, the people will always lose.
By holding grudges against Trump voters who regret their vote, we limit our ability to effectively organize against the incoming fascism. I would gladly march alongside anyone who opposes Trump, and I hope you would too.
By implying that voting is a moral obligation, it elevates voting higher than political activism and organization
For the layperson, I think this elevation is mandated.
He was equally alert to the problem of voter fetishism: voters mistakenly thinking the vote is an exercise of power, when in fact power in a capitalist society is collective, social and located largely outside the parliamentary realm. source
I am not a marxist or communist. I am a self-professed and proud liberal, so while I appreciate your good faith reply, I reject your source as a valid authority.
If voting is the end of political participation, the people will always lose.
Unsupported claim. But also I don’t disagree. It’s important to become involved in other ways than just voting. For example running for office at all local levels and becoming a local politician. Neglecting to do this and complaining that there are no good candidates is an exercise in lazy whining. Become the better candidate. Run on your principles.
By holding grudges against Trump voters who regret their vote, we limit our ability to effectively organize against the incoming fascism. I would gladly march alongside anyone who opposes Trump, and I hope you would too.
I don’t think people really have any excuse for being ignorant enough to vote Trump. At some point, individual responsibility comes into play. If such a person takes real action to correct the harm they have done, I may consider forgiving them. But this forgiveness will not come preemptively nor should be expected or taken for granted.
The other problem is that I don’t see these people. I have yet to meet a leftist who is truly sorry about their actions during the election. They’ve dug in on blaming everyone but themselves for the situation that they’ve put us in. Which is why in practice, I cannot forgive my grudges, because they truly are not repentant.
“The preferences of the average American appear to have only a minuscule, near-zero, statistically non-significant impact upon public policy." source
You’re fighting a losing battle with entrenched interests that are currently taking over the Energy and Education Departments. We’re past electoral politics, it’s time to realize that. Liberalism won’t survive 2025
Wrong. A vote is an action. And one that has the ability to negatively (or positively) affect others in your sphere.
If you voted for Trump, me and other LGBTQ people are now at immense risk, as are many other populations. Even if you regret your vote you are complicit and have responsibility for the action you took (or didn’t take).
It’s also false to claim that because something is a moral obligation that eliminates freedom of choice. Even if you have a moral obligation you can always choose to do the immoral thing.
I’ll concede the elimination of freedom of choice, but it does constrain and limit the freedom. By implying that voting is a moral obligation, it elevates voting higher than political activism and organization:
If voting is the end of political participation, the people will always lose.
By holding grudges against Trump voters who regret their vote, we limit our ability to effectively organize against the incoming fascism. I would gladly march alongside anyone who opposes Trump, and I hope you would too.
For the layperson, I think this elevation is mandated.
I am not a marxist or communist. I am a self-professed and proud liberal, so while I appreciate your good faith reply, I reject your source as a valid authority.
Unsupported claim. But also I don’t disagree. It’s important to become involved in other ways than just voting. For example running for office at all local levels and becoming a local politician. Neglecting to do this and complaining that there are no good candidates is an exercise in lazy whining. Become the better candidate. Run on your principles.
I don’t think people really have any excuse for being ignorant enough to vote Trump. At some point, individual responsibility comes into play. If such a person takes real action to correct the harm they have done, I may consider forgiving them. But this forgiveness will not come preemptively nor should be expected or taken for granted.
The other problem is that I don’t see these people. I have yet to meet a leftist who is truly sorry about their actions during the election. They’ve dug in on blaming everyone but themselves for the situation that they’ve put us in. Which is why in practice, I cannot forgive my grudges, because they truly are not repentant.
You’re fighting a losing battle with entrenched interests that are currently taking over the Energy and Education Departments. We’re past electoral politics, it’s time to realize that. Liberalism won’t survive 2025
Fascism Cannot Be Voted Away at the Ballot Box.