While reading up on the 2018 US Mid-term elections, I came across a blog with an entry by one 'Don Smith' via a site called 'Washington Liberals'.
I won't bother with the link - you can search and find it yourself.
Anyways, 'Don' had this interesting comments -
What fucking stupidity.
First off, no politician is entitled to my or anybody else's vote. My vote must be earned. You know why? Because 40 plus years on this planet has taught me that the lesser of two evils voting which the captured US Political system has brainwashed 'Don' into, simply hasn't made things better for voters.
I see both the Democratic and Republican Parties as nothing more than the establishment's two brands, as both parties are essentially captured by special interests, lobbyists, and corporations. So no 'Don', don't think your Democratic Party is entitled to my vote (because yes, that is really who you represent).
Frankly I hope more people vote Green so that the numbers increase such that the Democratic Party is either forced to change their corporate ways and start implementing the above, or simply become no longer relevant.
Secondly, instead of shaming people because such people refused to go for either of the establishment's brands, why not instead question why neither party is able to attract close to half the population of eligible voters?
Case in point - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voter_turnout_in_the_United_States_presidential_elections#Turnout_statistics
In both 2000, and 2016, more than 100 million eligible voters chose not to vote. Why do you think that is? You think it might have something to do with the notion that maybe some of those folks didn't like either establishment brand? Perhaps if some of those people HAD held their nose and voted your way 'Don', you wouldn't be complaining now?
And finally ... if you are so concerned about smaller parties siphoning off votes, why not advocate for Rank-Choice Voting then? Perhaps because in doing so, it would mean creating more choices for voters, thus removing any monopoly both establishment brands have on our captured electoral system? Funny how neither the Democratic Party, nor the Republican Party seem to advocate for such.
I won't bother with the link - you can search and find it yourself.
Anyways, 'Don' had this interesting comments -
Voting for Stein accomplished nothing useful at all. It didn’t “send a message” to the Democrats other than “We Nader and Stein supporters are fools. Ignore us."
What fucking stupidity.
First off, no politician is entitled to my or anybody else's vote. My vote must be earned. You know why? Because 40 plus years on this planet has taught me that the lesser of two evils voting which the captured US Political system has brainwashed 'Don' into, simply hasn't made things better for voters.
- Have the wars stopped? No.
- Are we any closer for solving for and stopping global warming? No.
- Do we have single-payer health coverage for all Americans? No.
- How about ending tax breaks for and increasing tax rates for corporations to pay their fair share? No.
- How about eliminating warrant-less-spying by our governments and law enforcement? No.
- Is the government being seen more and more as a tool of the rich and establishment? Yes.
I see both the Democratic and Republican Parties as nothing more than the establishment's two brands, as both parties are essentially captured by special interests, lobbyists, and corporations. So no 'Don', don't think your Democratic Party is entitled to my vote (because yes, that is really who you represent).
Frankly I hope more people vote Green so that the numbers increase such that the Democratic Party is either forced to change their corporate ways and start implementing the above, or simply become no longer relevant.
Secondly, instead of shaming people because such people refused to go for either of the establishment's brands, why not instead question why neither party is able to attract close to half the population of eligible voters?
Case in point - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voter_turnout_in_the_United_States_presidential_elections#Turnout_statistics
| Year | Eligible Voters | Turnout | %Turnout | Did Not Vote | % Did Not Vote |
| 2000 | 209,787,000 | 105,594,000 | 50.30% | 104,193,000 | 49.67% |
| 2004 | 219,553,000 | 122,349,000 | 55.70% | 97,204,000 | 44.27% |
| 2008 | 229,945,000 | 131,407,000 | 58.20% | 98,538,000 | 42.85% |
| 2012 | 235,248,000 | 129,235,000 | 54.90% | 106,013,000 | 45.06% |
| 2016 | 250,056,000 | 138,847,000 | 55.50% | 111,209,000 | 44.47% |
In both 2000, and 2016, more than 100 million eligible voters chose not to vote. Why do you think that is? You think it might have something to do with the notion that maybe some of those folks didn't like either establishment brand? Perhaps if some of those people HAD held their nose and voted your way 'Don', you wouldn't be complaining now?
And finally ... if you are so concerned about smaller parties siphoning off votes, why not advocate for Rank-Choice Voting then? Perhaps because in doing so, it would mean creating more choices for voters, thus removing any monopoly both establishment brands have on our captured electoral system? Funny how neither the Democratic Party, nor the Republican Party seem to advocate for such.
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