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> if they don't care enough to vote that's their problem. The life of a renter is completely different from that of a homeowner. Most renters are of a lower cl
by archhn 4y ago
> if they don't care enough to vote that's their problem.
The life of a renter is completely different from that of a homeowner. Most renters are of a lower class, living paycheck to paycheck. All they think about is staying afloat, not getting involved in local politics. You need a surplus of time and energy, and roots, to get involved.
Comments like this ignore the conditions under which people live and how these conditions modify their behavior.
- sieabahlpark 4y agoI don't believe this to be true. Maybe if your goal is to live where you can't afford.
- throw123123123 4y agoAs an immigrant that can't ever vote, has restrictions on buying property, and belonged to a 40% immigration population in SF, i beg to differ.
- oogali 4y agoAre you currently in SF or in Vancouver?
- throw123123123 4y agoBay Area
- archhn 4y agoIt was true for my working class family.
- causality0 4y agoMany places make voting difficult. I recognize this, and agree that it is terrible. Voting should be as easy and widespread as possible. There comes a point on the effort scale, however, below which not voting means you just don't give a damn. Voting in my city involves thirty seconds on a website to request a ballot and then dropping your envelope in the mail. If you don't care that much, or have managed to screw your life up to the point where that is just too much work, then I don't really care to have your input on how my city is run.
- archhn 4y agoIt's more complicated than this. Most working class people aren't even exposed to local politics. I guarantee you that the majority of working class people don't even know how or where to vote in local elections. Democracy sounds egalitarian in principle, but in reality, economics on the ground insulates a large number of people from the power process. I get what you are saying about not wanting these clueless people to have a say in how things are run, but they weren't born in a jungle...they were were made into what they are by the system.
- alex_sf 4y ago> Democracy sounds egalitarian in principle, but in reality And your proposed alternative is?
- archhn 4y agoAs long as we live for material things, there is no alternative--armageddon is guaranteed. This materialistic system naturally causes imbalances which inevitably lead to breakdown. Democracy has always been a dog and pony show where the interests of the rich and powerful are sublimated into a socially acceptable "war of ideals." Behind every issue, some group is playing power politics. Abortion, for example, isn't about the issue in itself, but about subverting traditional GOP values, thereby weakening their platform and making them look bad. We must fundamentally alter human beings in order to avoid doomsday. In particular, we must suppress the life instinct which demmands continual growth or death. If everyone--not just workers-- could be made to be content with just sitting in their houses, the world would be saved.
- causality0 4y agoI'm a working class person. I don't have a bachelor's degree. My pay is hourly, I spend a good portion of my day on my knees with tools in my hands, and I rented until I bought a house last year at the age of 35. I gave a damn. I spent a lot of time living in the same building with a bunch of people who didn't. It wasn't being poor that made half my neighbors dump trash off their balconies and scream at their kids and walk right past graffiti literally three feet from their door. It was not giving a damn. I've struggled my entire life with motivation, but I tell you what, disgust is a good motivator.