General Discussion

jeff47

(26,549 posts)

55. Then vote for a better candidate in the primary.

Mon Jul 7, 2014, 03:06 PM

Jul 2014

I'm constantly astounded by the number of people on our side who have seen what the insane Republicans have done to take over their party, and insist on doing nothing instead.

The insane Republicans took over by voting for the candidate they liked the best in the primary, and the Republican in the general. The result was a ratcheting of the Republican party towards their beliefs.

On our side? "Oh, I don't like who's on the general ballot, so I'm not gonna vote". Result? Democratic politicians don't give a shit about you. You aren't voting, so instead of catering to you, they cater to former Republicans and the party drifts towards the right.

Wanna kill Third Way and similar morons? Vote in every damn primary for the best candidate. No good candidate? Run, or work on recruiting someone. Sitting on our assess and waiting for salvation will not fix this.

If your candidate loses, vote for the Democrat in the general. Then vote for the best candidate in the next primary. It will do exactly what it did for the Republicans: Turn our party away from the center.

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"Refusing to vote is NOT rebellion: [View all] riqster Jul 2014 OP

it means giving up the only power we have samsingh Jul 2014 #1

S'truth. And Red states are trying to take it away, bit by bit. riqster Jul 2014 #3

They first start trying to suppress votes as soon as a state turns purple. LLD Jul 2014 #74

They are trying to suppress blue votes. They're getting out the red vote. merrily Jul 2014 #93

Very true indeed. Which means we must bring out the blue vote. riqster Jul 2014 #95

I know it's true. I watched the IRS hearings on C-Span. merrily Jul 2014 #97

Watching it happen in Ohio. Turning a purple state red. riqster Jul 2014 #100

In great part, 2000 and 2004 used the gay marriage issue on merrily Jul 2014 #101

What I meant was that it is a continuous process that happens during and between elections. riqster Jul 2014 #105

Yes, and without sufficient resistance. merrily Jul 2014 #106

Oh, hellz yeah. The Ohio Dem party is worse than useless. riqster Jul 2014 #107

I didn't mean Ohio specifically. It's a pattern. merrily Jul 2014 #109

Apologies. It's my home state, and where most of my AFK activism is concentrated. riqster Jul 2014 #113

Not monomania and no apologies necessary. Au contraire. merrily Jul 2014 #114

It's rather baffling that you think this is "the only power you have" Scootaloo Jul 2014 #22

Those are indeed powerful tools. But the vote is far more potent. riqster Jul 2014 #23

And how do those tools actually cause an effect in our system? jeff47 Jul 2014 #48

In politics, though, money talks. merrily Jul 2014 #94

Money is used to get people to the polls. riqster Jul 2014 #98

It's used for far more than that. And the money that is used to merrily Jul 2014 #99

Recommended. H2O Man Jul 2014 #2

+1 riqster Jul 2014 #4

Emma Goldman 2016 n/t leftstreet Jul 2014 #5

To stop me from going to the Voting Box.. Lady Freedom Returns Jul 2014 #6

And that is also the only way TO stop me from voting. riqster Jul 2014 #18

It's also not activism. MineralMan Jul 2014 #7

Indeed. It's "passivism". riqster Jul 2014 #17

If voting doesn't matter, why is the GOP working so hard to stop people from voting? greatlaurel Jul 2014 #8

Just so. Republicans want to limit the exercise of the right to vote. riqster Jul 2014 #19

GOTV 2014 sheshe2 Jul 2014 #9

^^^THIS^^^ riqster Jul 2014 #20

I was baffled when Russel Brand tried to declare that refusing to vote IS rebellion. DetlefK Jul 2014 #10

And refusing to vote until our dream comes true, ensures continuing nightmares... freshwest Jul 2014 #12

Perfectly put: riqster Jul 2014 #16

+1 sheshe2 Jul 2014 #21

Why would anyone would take political advice from a guy who looks wasted most of the time? n/t winter is coming Jul 2014 #26

Same could be said of Boehner... riqster Jul 2014 #47

Yes, and he's just as entertaining, albeit not intentionally. n/t winter is coming Jul 2014 #87

First of all Russel Brand is not even an American yeoman6987 Jul 2014 #28

Voting is indeed different over there. riqster Jul 2014 #32

"everything we've ever dreamed of" LMFAO ...like Obama? L0oniX Jul 2014 #49

I never thought he'd be even close. riqster Jul 2014 #56

, blkmusclmachine Jul 2014 #11

I had a roommate in college and later, a boss who both had never Jenoch Jul 2014 #13

Depending on the flavor of their apolitics, it is debatable. riqster Jul 2014 #24

What is debatable? Jenoch Jul 2014 #88

Whether we should assume that it's better for apolitical people to not vote. riqster Jul 2014 #91

Ok, then WHY is it debatable? Jenoch Jul 2014 #120

I read your post. I think we need to educate and engage. riqster Jul 2014 #121

Oh don't be mistaken. Jenoch Jul 2014 #122

Yep. Rule Twelve: "There are some people you just can't help." riqster Jul 2014 #123

K & R. GOTV, DU FSogol Jul 2014 #14

Article on apolitical Americans: riqster Jul 2014 #15

This message was self-deleted by its author 1000words Jul 2014 #25

That's what primaries are for. To get the candidates we want. riqster Jul 2014 #29

This message was self-deleted by its author 1000words Jul 2014 #34

Me too. General or primary. riqster Jul 2014 #37

This message was self-deleted by its author 1000words Jul 2014 #82

So many died, and were beaten to a pulp Peacetrain Jul 2014 #27

I hear ya. riqster Jul 2014 #30

I offer ... 1StrongBlackMan Jul 2014 #59

I daresay you're right. riqster Jul 2014 #61

So very, very true. eom. 1StrongBlackMan Jul 2014 #67

I live in Maryland. Whether I vote will not make a difference. Vattel Jul 2014 #31

Bull-fucking-shit. Sorry, but that is absolute rot. riqster Jul 2014 #35

Sometimes we can predict the future, or so common sense would dictate. Vattel Jul 2014 #38

Common sense is an oxymoron. riqster Jul 2014 #39

I understand Maryland.. My son lives there.. but you miss a large point Peacetrain Jul 2014 #40

good point Vattel Jul 2014 #58

Your ballot has more than one race on it. jeff47 Jul 2014 #51

true, some of the more local races are not as predictable. Vattel Jul 2014 #57

Nonsense. You don't have a governor? A state legislature? Local school boards? City councils? arcane1 Jul 2014 #78

I was thinking more of presidential and congressional elections, but you are right. Vattel Jul 2014 #86

And those local races affect your daily life more often than congress does. Plus, they redistrict stevenleser Jul 2014 #118

Exactly!! arcane1 Jul 2014 #119

Not voting is idiotic liberal N proud Jul 2014 #33

They screw us over by their inaction. riqster Jul 2014 #36

Foist a bad candidate on us and we must vote for them. Let us know how that works out for ya. L0oniX Jul 2014 #41

Fail to vote and you will get the worse of two evils. riqster Jul 2014 #43

That fear tactic is not going to work this time. L0oniX Jul 2014 #45

Fear, schmear. Let's talk facts. riqster Jul 2014 #60

Hell can freeze over ...and I will not vote for Hillary. L0oniX Jul 2014 #69

So I'll mark you down as "surrender", then. riqster Jul 2014 #70

Surrender to the corporate candidate then. Enjoy. L0oniX Jul 2014 #71

You'd rather roll over and enable the worst evil to triumph? riqster Jul 2014 #72

Your trying to force people to vote for someone they don't want in office. L0oniX Jul 2014 #75

Force, schmorce. Quit acting like you're being bullied. riqster Jul 2014 #77

Maybe you should try a different tact instead of forcing your "surrender" label crap on people. L0oniX Jul 2014 #81

I write my way. Other people write their way. riqster Jul 2014 #92

This message was self-deleted by its author 1000words Jul 2014 #73

If you don't vote for the Dem, you help the Repubs win. riqster Jul 2014 #79

This message was self-deleted by its author 1000words Jul 2014 #80

Does the candidate have to earn the vote at all? Deny and Shred Jul 2014 #84

I vote against Repubs. riqster Jul 2014 #90

It is a sad state of affairs Deny and Shred Jul 2014 #102

Sad indeed. We need to be more engaged in the primary process. riqster Jul 2014 #104

This message was self-deleted by its author 1000words Jul 2014 #135

Mine is a vote that has been cast for the benefit of the 99%. riqster Jul 2014 #137

You are not afraid of Republicans in office? treestar Jul 2014 #131

Then vote for a better candidate in the primary. jeff47 Jul 2014 #55

Should be an OP. riqster Jul 2014 #63

+1000000000000 LadyHawkAZ Jul 2014 #83

Now just add billionaire cash infusions and party insiders organizing to the left and you might TheKentuckian Jul 2014 #129

You'd have a point if the Republicans only changed after Citizen's United. jeff47 Jul 2014 #136

Why do you think I'm not voting in the primaries? I'm about rock solid a voter as you get. TheKentuckian Jul 2014 #139

As to write-in candidates; riqster Jul 2014 #141

Nothing helps Repubs more than implementation of their failed policies TheKentuckian Jul 2014 #143

Which happens far more often, the more of them there are in office. riqster Jul 2014 #144

Seems to happen with regularity regardless of who is in office though sometimes TheKentuckian Jul 2014 #145

I still say that Dems are better than Teapubbies. riqster Jul 2014 #146

I don't especially disagree with better but there is a more dangerous factor to be deeply concerned TheKentuckian Jul 2014 #147

I voted once or twice before 2008 LittleGirl Jul 2014 #42

Look at the Supreme Court. Five justices from Repubs. riqster Jul 2014 #44

Yes that's true LittleGirl Jul 2014 #46

Sure it will. Who was on the bench determined that we invaded Iraq. jeff47 Jul 2014 #53

Possibly. America has done a lot of damage around the world, though. riqster Jul 2014 #54

Richard said, "Withdrawal in disgust is not the same as apathy." lightcameron Jul 2014 #50

At the ballot box, the impact is the same. riqster Jul 2014 #65

I disagree Capt. Obvious Jul 2014 #52

I wouldn't mind so much if SANE Repubs voted. riqster Jul 2014 #68

after voting for over 40 years, i've seen little positive change noiretextatique Jul 2014 #62

I've seen lots of negative change. Caused mostly by Repub victories. riqster Jul 2014 #66

mostly...but not all noiretextatique Jul 2014 #124

True. But enabling the greater evil is anathema to me. riqster Jul 2014 #125

agreed noiretextatique Jul 2014 #126

We can change going forward by working harder in the primaries riqster Jul 2014 #127

agreed again eom noiretextatique Jul 2014 #128

Neither is voting for the status quo or politics-as-usual. Tierra_y_Libertad Jul 2014 #64

That's exactly how the non-voting dumb-asses think: rebellion. arcane1 Jul 2014 #76

Yep. They forget how badly it's worked in the past. riqster Jul 2014 #112

Not voting is giving Teapublicans tacit permission Vogon_Glory Jul 2014 #85

More annoying than Dentrassis, eh? riqster Jul 2014 #111

It's stupidity. Owl Jul 2014 #89

That, too. riqster Jul 2014 #110

I never understand the no voting strategy. merrily Jul 2014 #96

Kick! Great line. I am going to steal it. Squinch Jul 2014 #103

As did I. riqster Jul 2014 #108

People who don't vote do so out of apathy. It's not 'to make a statement' it is the opposite of that Bluenorthwest Jul 2014 #115

Refusing to vote is stupid and counterproductive. nt. Rex Jul 2014 #116

Yep. riqster Jul 2014 #117

I loved George Carlin as a comedian. He was a GENIUS at comedy. MohRokTah Jul 2014 #130

With people refusing to vote, Jamaal510 Jul 2014 #132

A good point. riqster Jul 2014 #133

For all those LWolf Jul 2014 #134

"I always vote. No matter what. Even if my choices are so rank that I have to write someone in." riqster Jul 2014 #138

Perhaps those not mentally equipped to see this aren't up to the task of hughee99 Jul 2014 #140

or it's simply not finding a candidate worthy of voting for. cali Jul 2014 #142