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2banon

(7,321 posts)

49. I appreciate the tone, intent and content of this post, and so I rec'd it.

Sat Apr 5, 2014, 12:36 PM

Apr 2014

This one avoids demonizing or casting negative aspersions on the more left progressive activists who've advocated for a complete paradigm shift in the system, especially with regard to campaign and election process.

The low voter turnout is a very significant point and is often overlooked and disregarded in terms of the Nation as a whole. I agree with advocating voter turnout as a potential for the kind of 'revolutionary' change some of us have been struggling to come to fruition.

Apathy is a deadly and insidious disease in any democracy. We have to always struggle to over come it, but that struggle needs support vis a vis acknowledgment of why it exists, and validation of legitimate grievances, a comradeship if you will, a reaching out, in this process of moving our struggle along..

I read you attempting to do that here, in this OP and I appreciate that.

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How about a Voters' Revolution? [View all] MineralMan Apr 2014 OP

The Second International discussed this a long time ago...... socialist_n_TN Apr 2014 #1

You know, I think you're incorrect in this. MineralMan Apr 2014 #6

Here's a thought experiment: Maedhros Apr 2014 #102

It would stand. And I'm not talking about Presidential elections MineralMan Apr 2014 #104

I'm considering a hypothetical (and entirely unlikely) scenario in which Maedhros Apr 2014 #113

I don't really deal in extremely unlikely hypothetical situations. MineralMan Apr 2014 #123

Impossible, yes, but it does say something about the true nature of our democracy Maedhros Apr 2014 #131

Interesting point. Seems it's already been put to the test, multiple times... WhaTHellsgoingonhere Apr 2014 #33

Yep.......... socialist_n_TN Apr 2014 #40

Gotta agree, too. If we got the other half out there voting, we'd be just Nay Apr 2014 #46

Where would we be today if Americans didn't let the wealthy ruling class... WhaTHellsgoingonhere Apr 2014 #72

Agree 100% nt TBF Apr 2014 #77

Nailed it. Zorra Apr 2014 #144

Well said. I vote to try to make incremental social progress and "revolt" to Zorra Apr 2014 #41

Actually I think that there IS a fairly easy interconnection.... socialist_n_TN Apr 2014 #59

If I can possibly ease my oppression by voting, I'm going to vote. Zorra Apr 2014 #145

k&r YOUR POST! Demeter Apr 2014 #58

I think the country is too divided for a Revolution yeoman6987 Apr 2014 #76

It's a rigged game because it's so staggeringly expensive to run Warpy Apr 2014 #110

How about some candidates actually worth voting FOR? 99Forever Apr 2014 #2

How about those that DEMAND better candidates.....FIND some... VanillaRhapsody Apr 2014 #4

How about you encourage some of those to run, MineralMan Apr 2014 #7

Perhaps if the... 99Forever Apr 2014 #12

The Democratic Party is organized from the MineralMan Apr 2014 #18

Nahhh, It's easier to whine about what they won't/aren't doing. eom. 1StrongBlackMan Apr 2014 #27

So I've noticed. And when a workable idea is MineralMan Apr 2014 #29

Give it a rest. 99Forever Apr 2014 #28

Yeah, I've been a delegate, too. MineralMan Apr 2014 #30

Candidates who haven't been bought... polichick Apr 2014 #13

Cause people are stupid and will vote for the hedge fund manager over the school teacher Exultant Democracy Apr 2014 #34

I won't. 99Forever Apr 2014 #37

One smart person doesn't mean people aren't stupid in general. Exultant Democracy Apr 2014 #48

Don't forget Ronnie Rayguns TWICE. 99Forever Apr 2014 #88

No, they're not, and they won't, necessarily. MineralMan Apr 2014 #74

And that will never happen until there is a grass roots takeover zeemike Apr 2014 #68

True that. 99Forever Apr 2014 #85

The system works! Problem is, the people Americans allow to slither into the RKP5637 Apr 2014 #3

Thank you. Far too many people have disappeared from the pool of MineralMan Apr 2014 #14

Not too long ago, Jamaal510 Apr 2014 #105

Yes, quite true, I've heard that too. Sadly people become brainwashed, group RKP5637 Apr 2014 #119

2008 was a "voters' revolution" of sorts. polichick Apr 2014 #5

Actually, you're partly correct. MineralMan Apr 2014 #9

I'm committed to not falling for any more Trojan horses... polichick Apr 2014 #11

What are you doing to get better candidates, polichick? MineralMan Apr 2014 #15

Unlike you, I don't believe the normal routes work in this environment... polichick Apr 2014 #21

So, your answer is that you are doing nothing to help MineralMan Apr 2014 #23

I knew you'd spin it like that but gave you the benefit of the doubt... polichick Apr 2014 #24

The Third Way is calling for total enfranchisement and turnout? MineralMan Apr 2014 #25

Well, how about working for publicly funded elections in your state, then? (nt) PotatoChip Apr 2014 #78

There's an excellent idea. Thanks! MineralMan Apr 2014 #79

Ok BlindTiresias Apr 2014 #92

Yes! n/t DevineBovine Apr 2014 #118

I have said more than once around here . . . Brigid Apr 2014 #8

Thank you. You are correct. We've seen some of that already, MineralMan Apr 2014 #10

Like these lines? Autumn Apr 2014 #125

Speaking as a gerrymandered voter, it won't work. mmonk Apr 2014 #16

You're wrong. In your district, what is the turnout MineralMan Apr 2014 #19

+1 ... 1StrongBlackMan Apr 2014 #31

It's also very obvious. MineralMan Apr 2014 #36

It goes unrecognized ... 1StrongBlackMan Apr 2014 #38

^^this^^. What if everyone here on DU did as much political work as say, StruggleforProgress? nt okaawhatever Apr 2014 #54

We've done voter drives. We increased voter turnout. mmonk Apr 2014 #129

Not sexy enough for the armchair revolutionary, sufrommich Apr 2014 #17

Not sexy enough, and a lot more work. MineralMan Apr 2014 #20

Sometimes "apathy" is mistaken for "fatigue" BumRushDaShow Apr 2014 #22

Here's what I think about that: MineralMan Apr 2014 #26

2008 and after was a change election that the Dems won..... socialist_n_TN Apr 2014 #39

"The current system is broken." Absolutely. polichick Apr 2014 #44

One thorn that would need to be overcome BumRushDaShow Apr 2014 #43

I don't think it will be easy, but MineralMan Apr 2014 #47

Good luck with your run! BumRushDaShow Apr 2014 #52

K&R This is precisely what The Founders envisioned MannyGoldstein Apr 2014 #32

There you go. In the United States, we can have MineralMan Apr 2014 #35

2014: Voter Turnout vs Votes Counted WhaTHellsgoingonhere Apr 2014 #42

Why do you still have 'polling places' with 'polling hours? Bluenorthwest Apr 2014 #60

For the most part, no one is wasting time or resources in Illinois or the blue Northwest WhaTHellsgoingonhere Apr 2014 #71

Mineral Man, your "No Brainer" call to get people voting is beyond the brains of many DU'ers NBachers Apr 2014 #45

This is an example of what NOT to do. n/t 2banon Apr 2014 #51

All of those things you put in quotes are saying: MineralMan Apr 2014 #64

I appreciate the tone, intent and content of this post, and so I rec'd it. 2banon Apr 2014 #49

Let's get behind Represent.Us h2ebits Apr 2014 #50

Voting can change things? Vashta Nerada Apr 2014 #53

Yes. It can, and it does. MineralMan Apr 2014 #66

And I would also echo... Lifelong Protester Apr 2014 #80

Thank you. Information is key. MineralMan Apr 2014 #81

Correct! Lifelong Protester Apr 2014 #83

This is the pool that must be tapped, they are not going to be attracted by the offerings in pursuit TheKentuckian Apr 2014 #55

This is naive Android3.14 Apr 2014 #56

+ a million. djean111 Apr 2014 #61

You understand that your 'imagine if the Occupy Movement' idea is basicall the same Bluenorthwest Apr 2014 #63

Occupy is not and was not interested in aligning itself with either the Dems or the GOP. djean111 Apr 2014 #73

I did not say they were, it was you who 'imagined' that. The OP is not so different Bluenorthwest Apr 2014 #126

Read the OP again Android3.14 Apr 2014 #111

K & R for the OP mountain grammy Apr 2014 #57

Thank you, grammy, for the support. MineralMan Apr 2014 #69

But you forget that Americans are far too busy with Honey Boo Boo, Duck Dynasty, world wide wally Apr 2014 #62

More excuses. MineralMan Apr 2014 #65

Sorry. We can't vote away our problems radiclib Apr 2014 #67

Oh, yes we can. MineralMan Apr 2014 #70

Mineral Man BlindTiresias Apr 2014 #100

You have that absolutely right. And this is not being taken into consideration. Or is ignored. djean111 Apr 2014 #106

Here's an Example of What Voters Can Do: MineralMan Apr 2014 #75

It's the best idea I've seen here in many a long moon, MineralMan ReRe Apr 2014 #82

Thank you, and your idea is an excellent one. MineralMan Apr 2014 #84

Mineral Man BlindTiresias Apr 2014 #86

You know, I'm not really having a hard time mobilizing voters. MineralMan Apr 2014 #89

You BlindTiresias Apr 2014 #91

Yah, I'll keep that in mind, as I continue to do what has MineralMan Apr 2014 #93

uh, yes? BlindTiresias Apr 2014 #94

Again, thanks for your advice. MineralMan Apr 2014 #95

That is exactly how the voters in Venezuela threw OUT their 1% Oligarchs, bvar22 Apr 2014 #87

The validity and transparency of our elections varies from state to state. MineralMan Apr 2014 #124

mm minn does have a good election system compared to many states questionseverything Apr 2014 #128

A lot of people feel as you do. I disagree, though. MineralMan Apr 2014 #130

i showed you an example where questionseverything Apr 2014 #137

I'm not saying that such things do not happen. MineralMan Apr 2014 #138

thank you for admitting it happens questionseverything Apr 2014 #139

I live in a state where recounts actually work. MineralMan Apr 2014 #140

minn is definately better than most questionseverything Apr 2014 #141

Did you follow the MN recounts? MineralMan Apr 2014 #142

i followed frankens recount questionseverything Apr 2014 #143

What's needed more than anything is a change to the very structure of the electoral process. NuclearDem Apr 2014 #90

That might be needed, but such changes have to have MineralMan Apr 2014 #99

the "revolutionaries" aren't the people not showing up to vote... brooklynite Apr 2014 #96

I realize that. I'm talking about getting all those people who MineralMan Apr 2014 #97

Yes, but.. BlindTiresias Apr 2014 #98

Yes. And if everyone turns out, the primary election system will take MineralMan Apr 2014 #101

Once you've "excised the center-right Democrats", how do you plan to win... brooklynite Apr 2014 #112

Correct BlindTiresias Apr 2014 #114

"he "revolutionaries" aren't a large enough segment of society to vote change into office" 2banon Apr 2014 #103

Sure. That would be great. MineralMan Apr 2014 #107

I'm specifically including that segment in my point... 2banon Apr 2014 #108

Really, I wouldn't use the strategy of telling people to vote. MineralMan Apr 2014 #109

You know what has historically motivated large groups of people? BlindTiresias Apr 2014 #115

The processes that keep us at a near 50% balance... gulliver Apr 2014 #116

And it is our job to counter that MineralMan Apr 2014 #117

It probably needs to go viral. gulliver Apr 2014 #120

Question BlindTiresias Apr 2014 #122

Answer gulliver Apr 2014 #127

So BlindTiresias Apr 2014 #132

I do appreciate the concern of course. gulliver Apr 2014 #133

Unlikely BlindTiresias Apr 2014 #134

Again, I do appreciate the concern. gulliver Apr 2014 #135

Ok, listen BlindTiresias Apr 2014 #136

You need to get pele registered, and insure they have the proper ids, they help those that need it lostincalifornia Apr 2014 #121

This. It will be difficult but it will happen. But "political" people will need to become active. Chathamization Apr 2014 #146

people enjoy talk of revolution on the internet too much JI7 Apr 2014 #147

Talking about revolution is a popular way to pass the time. MineralMan Apr 2014 #148