Yeah, that is the real argument and calculus. None of us know the future, but every vote counts, and every house member counts, even the “impure” ones. We’ve seen time and time again, unless there’s a large numerical majority, some will always use the threat of defections to stagnate policy.
Certainly right now is a bad time, and of course some will say, “But when??” That is understandable but unfortunately not a great argument because for at least ten years all of our elections have been on a knife’s edge with fascism looming. “Not now” is still true even if it’s been true for a long time.
Really, the thing “just don’t vote” or “protest vote” advocates don’t seem to understand is that progress is very very rarely made by holding out for the mythical One Perfect Candidate. We can’t control who runs, and if we lose seats, we undermine the goals, quite simply. Letting the GOP gain any ground will always leave us with more ground to make up.
Yeah, that is the real argument and calculus. None of us know the future, but every vote counts, and every house member counts, even the “impure” ones. We’ve seen time and time again, unless there’s a large numerical majority, some will always use the threat of defections to stagnate policy.
Certainly right now is a bad time, and of course some will say, “But when??” That is understandable but unfortunately not a great argument because for at least ten years all of our elections have been on a knife’s edge with fascism looming. “Not now” is still true even if it’s been true for a long time.
Really, the thing “just don’t vote” or “protest vote” advocates don’t seem to understand is that progress is very very rarely made by holding out for the mythical One Perfect Candidate. We can’t control who runs, and if we lose seats, we undermine the goals, quite simply. Letting the GOP gain any ground will always leave us with more ground to make up.