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Voting for a candidate doesn't mean you agree with all their policies, simply that you agree more or find the bad ones less vile than the competition. This is e

Voting for a candidate doesn't mean you agree with all their policies, simply that you agree more or find the bad ones less vile than the competition. This is especially true in what is essentially a two-party system. For example, one candidate is racist and thinks segregation and separate-but-equal is the way to go towards a peaceful society. The other one supports drone strikes (or something else you find vile). Any other candidates have one similarly vile views. Abstaining from voting to protest these views doesn't seem to be the answer for most folks, so they look at other things and pick the one they like the most. Afterwards, you can voice your concern over the things you disagree with or choose to ignore them. This isn't dissimilar to not needing to agree with everything your friends, partner, or family says to spend time with them.

averagewall 9y ago
That's the ridiculous thing about American voting. They don't pick the one they like the most, they do what your first paragraph said and pick the one they dislike the least out of the two major parties. The result is the same two parties doing the same things year after year, swapping places about every 8 years and making the whole exercise of voting pointless except to maintain that stable state. So many people on HN seem to support strong climate change action, dislike drone strikes, and want massive immigration reform. But hardly anyone voted for the Green party.
- Broken_Hippo 9y ago
  It is ridiculous, but I also think folks tend to not like either viable choice, and often don't see themselves represented in the fringe parties - if they even have many choices in the category. I'm from Indiana, and often the only third choice was the green party. And that was only for presidental election, nothing for other offices. The system in the states is a multi-party system in name only: Functionally, it is a two-party system, hence the low participation in such political parties. I think this could be changed with proper legislation, but am doubtful this will happen in the current political climate. Besides, it isn't like the green party could make everyone happy either, and doubt they'd have an easier time getting things done in congress.

averagewall 9y ago

That's the ridiculous thing about American voting. They don't pick the one they like the most, they do what your first paragraph said and pick the one they dislike the least out of the two major parties. The result is the same two parties doing the same things year after year, swapping places about every 8 years and making the whole exercise of voting pointless except to maintain that stable state. So many people on HN seem to support strong climate change action, dislike drone strikes, and want massive immigration reform. But hardly anyone voted for the Green party.

Broken_Hippo 9y ago
It is ridiculous, but I also think folks tend to not like either viable choice, and often don't see themselves represented in the fringe parties - if they even have many choices in the category. I'm from Indiana, and often the only third choice was the green party. And that was only for presidental election, nothing for other offices. The system in the states is a multi-party system in name only: Functionally, it is a two-party system, hence the low participation in such political parties. I think this could be changed with proper legislation, but am doubtful this will happen in the current political climate. Besides, it isn't like the green party could make everyone happy either, and doubt they'd have an easier time getting things done in congress.