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You got the diagnosis right but I’m not convinced voting would change anything - even though it’s definitely true that it could matter, most of the structural i

You got the diagnosis right but I’m not convinced voting would change anything - even though it’s definitely true that it could matter, most of the structural issues are upstream of the ballot aka who gets to be on the ballot in the first place is the real problem “If voting changed anything they wouldn’t let us do it” - Emma Goldman

cogman10 4mo ago
Who gets on the ballot is determined by voting. I'm not going to lie, I'm not deluded enough to think voting will (often) bring change quickly. I don't even have a lot of hope in the likelihood of it working. However, it's not nothing and it's something everyone can and should do. Politics is a major part of all aspects of life and you'll do yourself no favors by completely opting out because it's hopeless.
- AndrewKemendo 4mo ago
  >Who gets on the ballot is determined by voting. That’s not even remotely true political parties determine privately who they will fund to put on the ballot underneath their particular party The public is not invited to vote in those outside of certain primaries and even then the people who are proposed for the primaries are chosen from the party members Ballot access for third-party or non-affiliated typically require a petition to apply and that threshold is again set by party members in office >Politics is a major part of all aspects of life and you'll do yourself no favors by completely opting out because it's hopeless. Voting is the lowest possible bar or participation for political engagement Organizing and agitating are the day to day efforts people should be doing but aren’t because they prefer to have money
  - bluGill 4mo ago
    The party itself is made up of the people. It isn't hard to join and get influence. Local elections in particular are easy, they are looking for help. Local elections make for people they look for to run in higher elections
    - AndrewKemendo 4mo ago
      I’ve organized with the DSA the last few years, and I caucused for Ron Paul in 2008. I promise you you will have zero success getting Claudia De-La Cruz (who I voted for and was on the ballot in VA) put on the DNC or RNC ballot. So no, you can’t just get on a ballot as a candidate by showing up. You need to be a party loyalist and there are no independent parties that voters show up for. Hell even “down ballot” have to stick to the party line.

cogman10 4mo ago

Who gets on the ballot is determined by voting. I'm not going to lie, I'm not deluded enough to think voting will (often) bring change quickly. I don't even have a lot of hope in the likelihood of it working. However, it's not nothing and it's something everyone can and should do. Politics is a major part of all aspects of life and you'll do yourself no favors by completely opting out because it's hopeless.

AndrewKemendo 4mo ago
>Who gets on the ballot is determined by voting. That’s not even remotely true political parties determine privately who they will fund to put on the ballot underneath their particular party The public is not invited to vote in those outside of certain primaries and even then the people who are proposed for the primaries are chosen from the party members Ballot access for third-party or non-affiliated typically require a petition to apply and that threshold is again set by party members in office >Politics is a major part of all aspects of life and you'll do yourself no favors by completely opting out because it's hopeless. Voting is the lowest possible bar or participation for political engagement Organizing and agitating are the day to day efforts people should be doing but aren’t because they prefer to have money
- bluGill 4mo ago
  The party itself is made up of the people. It isn't hard to join and get influence. Local elections in particular are easy, they are looking for help. Local elections make for people they look for to run in higher elections
  - AndrewKemendo 4mo ago
    I’ve organized with the DSA the last few years, and I caucused for Ron Paul in 2008. I promise you you will have zero success getting Claudia De-La Cruz (who I voted for and was on the ballot in VA) put on the DNC or RNC ballot. So no, you can’t just get on a ballot as a candidate by showing up. You need to be a party loyalist and there are no independent parties that voters show up for. Hell even “down ballot” have to stick to the party line.