In my state at least if a third party receives at least 5% of the vote they'll get significantly more funding in the next election cycle. Pretty sure that's true across the US.

[–] knightly@pawb.social 7 points 7 months ago (1 children)

You mean that thing that hasn't happened since Ross Perot in Texas 30 years ago?

Surely his Reform Party is still around after having their funding boosted, right? Nope, they dissolved in '97 after doing even worse at the polls in '96 than in '92.

[–] zarkanian@sh.itjust.works 7 points 7 months ago

That's simply not true. The Reform Party got Jesse Ventura elected governor of Minnesota in '98.

[–] zbyte64@lemmy.blahaj.zone 9 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Yet voting 3rd party sends a signal that many are upset instead of apathetically staying at home. Silent consent is the very thing you accuse Democrats of in a sister thread.

[–] knightly@pawb.social 4 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Sounds like you want me to write in a vote for Literally Anyone Else, the Texan candidate who would make a perfect protest vote if he had even halfway decent politics.

No, I'm withdrawing my consent, for all the good that does in this abusive relationship between the state and its citizenry. If America was a real democracy then our poor turnout figures would invalidate every election back to the founding.

[–] zbyte64@lemmy.blahaj.zone 3 points 7 months ago

If America was a real democracy then our poor turnout figures would invalidate every election back to the founding.

Yeah, it would be nice if our system allowed for withdrawing consent.

No, I’m withdrawing my consent, for all the good that does in this abusive relationship between the state and its citizenry.

I don't see how that's consistent with your last sentence. But you do you I guess.

[–] superb@lemmy.blahaj.zone 8 points 7 months ago (1 children)

So you’re just throwing up your hand and giving up?

[–] knightly@pawb.social 4 points 7 months ago

I gave up 14 years ago. American politics is rotten to the core and cannot be saved.

My only hope at this point is to keep as many people alive as possible through the troubles ahead.