Why is it that it is permitted to express support for not voting?

[TheWraith]

Currently, posts are not deleted that either state a personal intent not to vote, or encourage others not to vote--either directly by saying that it's pointless, or indirectly by actively asserting that there's no difference between Democrats and Republicans. Why are these not treated the same as asserting intent to vote third party or Republican? It is, after all, the same thing in the end.

[EarlG]

1. Here's the text of the rule related to your question

Winning elections is important -- therefore, advocating in favor of Republican nominees or in favor of third-party spoiler candidates that could split the vote and throw an election to our conservative opponents is never permitted on Democratic Underground. But that does not mean that DU members are required to always be completely supportive of Democrats. During the ups-and-downs of politics and policy-making, it is perfectly normal to have mixed feelings about the Democratic officials we worked hard to help elect. When we are not in the heat of election season, members are permitted to post strong criticism or disappointment with our Democratic elected officials, or to express ambivalence about voting for them. In Democratic primaries, members may support whomever they choose. But when general election season begins, DU members must support Democratic nominees (EXCEPT in rare cases where were a non-Democrat is most likely to defeat the conservative alternative, or where there is no possibility of splitting the liberal vote and inadvertently throwing the election to the conservative alternative). For presidential contests, election season begins when both major-party nominees become clear. For non-presidential contests, election season begins on Labor Day. Everyone here on DU needs to work together to elect more Democrats and fewer Republicans to all levels of American government. If you are bashing, trashing, undermining, or depressing turnout for our candidates during election season, we'll assume you are rooting for the other side.

If you think something breaks this rule, hit alert and see if the mods agree with you.

[TheWraith]

2. Trust me, I hit alert constantly.

To the point where I'm sure the mods are sick to death of hearing from me. It just strikes me that announcing one's refusal to vote for a Democrat, and/or encouraging others to do so, is exploiting what amounts to a loophole in the rules, since this isn't directly equated with supporting Republicans or spoilers.