this post was submitted on 29 Mar 2024
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I don't like Biden either, but anyone with half a brain knows there are two choices in the 2020 election. If we had a sane voting system, voting third party might be worth it, but as it stands, no one but you knows your favorite candidate exists and unless you want to become their campaign manager that will still be true in November. Even if you did, and even if you convinced two thirds of the people who would otherwise have voted for Biden to vote for your chosen candidate instead, Trump would still win because half the country voted for him and your guy only got a third. If you vote third party you might as well stay home.

Not voting isn't going to stop the genocide in Gaza. The US will continue to funnel them arms no matter which candidate wins this November. Trump practically campaigns on how much he hates the Jews and he's publicly told Israel to "finish up their war". He'll also make life a living hell for anyone who isn't a straight cisgender male back here at home.

A vote for a candidate is not an endorsement of them or their policies, it's a statement that you like their policies more than the other guy's, and "sticking it to liberals" and "refusing to support genocide" (that's not what voting for Biden is doing, by the way -- a vote for either candidate is a vote for genocide and a vote for neither is an endorsement of both) is not more important than keeping the furthest right politician America has ever seen out of office.

How incredibly privileged do you have to be to see an entire national election as what will happen in the Middle East and ignore Trump's campaign promises to wipe transgender Americans off the map, and further, to not realize that the same thing will happen in the Middle East regardless of which candidate wins?

I hate Biden as much as every other leftist here. But I'll still vote for him because Trump is worse. If there's a single bone in your body that cares about the lives of your trans friends you will too.

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[–] Tar_alcaran@sh.itjust.works 84 points 7 months ago (2 children)

Also, trump appointed 3 supreme court justices, who will be there FOR LIFE.

[–] catharso@discuss.tchncs.de 42 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (1 children)

~~Assassinate~~ 'em, you say?

No, just kidding.

I'm just someone watching from Europe, getting a little concerned 😔

[–] Tar_alcaran@sh.itjust.works 30 points 7 months ago

Same here. Watching from Europe, and going "hmm, I think we had a few very bloody revolutions to solve these kinds of problems"

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[–] inclementimmigrant@lemmy.world 73 points 7 months ago (16 children)

Do I hate the two party system? Yes. Do I hate the fact that centrists like Joe Liberman who literally killed universal healthcare in the US are revered and embraced by Biden's party? Yes. Do I hate the fact that Democrats are always dismissive of liberal ideas and often act like complete jackasses and can't admit that when Obama was running there were a ton of Clinton supporters that didn't vote for Obama in a blatant act of pure hypocrisy? Yes.

Do I fucking hate Nazis and Fascist? Fuck yes.

Hence why even if I don't like the Democrat running, I'll vote for them and honestly, Biden isn't too sucktastic. Except for kyrsten sinema, she can fuck right the hell off forever.

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[–] hex_m_hell@slrpnk.net 59 points 7 months ago (8 children)

Liberals would rather blame leftists than actually fight fascism.

[–] tacosanonymous@lemm.ee 27 points 7 months ago (11 children)

Leftist here. What are you doing to "fight," brother?

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[–] EndlessNightmare@reddthat.com 57 points 7 months ago (2 children)

Indeed, you've spelled it out plainly: there is no vote option to end the U.S. funding of Israel's genocide in Gaza.

I can either make a vote that won't end it, or I can make a vote that won't end it (and may actually make it worse, as you alluded) and will also lead to significant negative consequences for many groups of people here.

If there’s a single bone in your body that cares about the lives of your trans friends you will too.

Not just trans, but homosexual, non-white, non-religious, women.

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[–] idiomaddict@feddit.de 56 points 7 months ago

Buddy, friend, gamer. It’s march. Can you bring this out in six months? There is no reason to fill everyone’s feed up like this and sow political division on the left over seven months before it’s relevant.

Plus, the pressure looks like it’s working, so a vote for Biden might be a lot more palatable then. A lot of your work might get done automatically

[–] BluJay320@lemmy.blahaj.zone 54 points 7 months ago (15 children)

Anyone who doesn’t vote immediately loses the right to complain for the next 4 years.

Don’t like it? Should’ve done your duty and put in a vote.

Fuck you, fence sitters

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[–] ArmokGoB@lemmy.dbzer0.com 53 points 7 months ago (13 children)

Anyone that isn't voting for Biden is helping someone get into office that will implement wildly homophobic and transphobic policies. People in this thread are really showing their cards.

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[–] DingoBilly@lemmy.world 49 points 7 months ago (15 children)

So many dumb Americans here not voting. Cutting off your legs so you can hold the moral high ground. Moronic.

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[–] inb4_FoundTheVegan@lemmy.world 46 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (1 children)

f there's a single bone in your body that cares about the lives of your trans friends you will too.

Hey hi, it's me, your trans friend. And you need to put this energy towards protesting Biden instead of leftists. I honestly feel like you are low key getting trolled and missing the point?

Like, seriously, we all know "shithole countries" Trump would be worse on every single issue, including and especially Gaza. But it's six months till the election, PLENTLY of time for a course change by Biden. Absolutely a second Trump term scares the 💩 out of me. So i appreciate where you are coming from, but until it's November, I think pressing Dems and trusting leftists to do whats right day of is the most good y'all can do.

[–] force@lemmy.world 48 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (8 children)

trusting leftists to do whats right

i can't trust leftists because leftists are stupid. look how they lost italy, the leftists splintered and refused to work together because of petty shit which allowed the right including literal fascists to take over the government. this is the same type of dumb stuff that happens everywhere with leftists, because of their "holier than thou" attitude.

i will not leave the election's outcome in the leftists' hands because they always fuck it up when that's the case. they always refuse to cooperate with the enemies of their enemy because they don't see them as left enough, despite it being the only option to not have their long-term goals permanently blocked off, and the country always devolves into diet fascism afterwards. it has lost us many nations throughout history, so no thanks.

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[–] makyo@lemmy.world 44 points 7 months ago (32 children)

Step 1: defeat Trump Step 2: help reshape Democratic party

Because the fact is, if we don't do step 1 first, we'll have our work cut out for us the next four or more years just being back in 'The Resistance'. Which you know isn't going to make the Dems more liberal, it's going to pull them to the right as more dissatisfied Trump voters finally peel off.

On the other hand, the more resounding of a defeat we can dish out to the GQP and MAGA, the easier it will be to send them into the wilderness to regroup politically so we can focus all of our energies on the Democratic party.

[–] go_go_gadget@lemmy.world 29 points 7 months ago (14 children)

We defeated Trump in 2020. Nothing changed and Biden spent his entire term catering to liberals and moderates.

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[–] InternetUser2012@midwest.social 41 points 7 months ago (23 children)

This will be the most important election in the history of the united states. You have two choices, Dictator, or Democracy. A no vote is a vote AGAINST Democracy.

[–] Mikesomething@lemmy.world 43 points 7 months ago (15 children)

I hear this every single election.

Dems - "democracy is at stake! THIS IS THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT ELECTION IN YOUR LIFE"

Me - *Holds nose and votes for the lesser evil"

Dems - "thanks guys that was close" Proceeds to sit around with a thumb in their collective asshole for 4 years.

...

Dems - "Democracy is at stake! REALLY guys - THIS is the most important election ever!"

It's fucking exhausting. If the Dems really wanted people to come out and vote, they would spend less time begging for our votes, and more time representing our collective interests.

[–] multifariace@lemmy.world 28 points 7 months ago

They don't sit around at all! They are out there working hard. Suckling the teet of major donors. Pretending they oppose the Republican party.

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[–] ZombiFrancis@sh.itjust.works 40 points 7 months ago (26 children)

a vote for either candidate is a vote for genocide

Demanding people vote for genocide as a lesser of two evils is where we are at now.

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[–] alcoholicorn@lemmy.ml 35 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (4 children)

Why are you trying to pressure people to vote for the guy facilitating genocide, instead of for Biden to stop facilitating genocide?

The only explanations I can come up with are either that you support what he is doing, or on some level, you understand we have no influence on policy and so trying to get Biden to do things that will get people to vote for him is a waste of time.

This same shit happened when Obama did fuckall about Bush's policies and endlessly compromised. Of course, the voters were blamed when Obama lost the house and senate, and in 2016 too.

[–] The_Che_Banana@beehaw.org 32 points 7 months ago (8 children)

OP explicitly states a vote for Biden isnt a vote for genocide.

Regardless, Trump would be an absolute nightmare for the Palestinians...so your argument is not in good faith and just want to invoice emotional responses.

OP recognizes the system there is right now in the US is badly flawed, but since nobody did shit about fixing it these last 4 years you have a choice of pinching your nose and swallowing bad medicine or never have a voice again.

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[–] Leate_Wonceslace@lemmy.dbzer0.com 34 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (12 children)

People need to understand that it's possible to vote against genocide.

No, it doesn't matter that he's an active participant in the apparatus that's creating the genocide, because if he's in office there's less genocide. Which is the important part, and pretending otherwise is sophistry. If you abstain from voting, you are increasing the likelihood of more genocide and if you discourage others from voting, you are an active participant in the overall social apparatus that is probabilistically increasing the amount of genocide.

The utility calculation is dead simple: more votes for Biden in key states makes more genocide less likely, and discouraging people from voting for Biden makes more genocide more likely. Therefore, discouraging people from voting for Biden is a pro-genocide strategy and voting for Biden in battleground states is an anti-genocide strategy. I live in a solid blue state, so I reserve the right to vote third party, but I will also encourage other people to vote for Biden.

You should vote for Biden unless you live in a solid blue state, and even then it's not a bad idea.

Edit: grammar correction

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[–] Masterblaster420@lemmy.world 33 points 7 months ago

Let us not forget how much Trump hates environmental regulation. He will auction off America's treasures for whoever sticks enough money in his pocket. Biden has done a pretty decent job of maintaining the old guard mentality of preservation and conservation (as imperfect as that may be).

I wish more people cared about the environment.

[–] index@sh.itjust.works 32 points 7 months ago (8 children)

but anyone with half a brain knows there are two choices in the 2020 election.

Anyone who isn't brainwashed by government propaganda and who is in good faith knows that supporting corrupted criminals is never the smart thing to do and that keeping voting for the "lesser evil" is exactly how sooner or later you end up with a dictator in power.

Not voting isn’t going to stop the genocide in Gaza.

Not supporting these fueling the genocide is indeed a way to stop the genocide. The US will continue to do as it please them and aid israel government because they are confident that neither red or blue will lose the elections and they will not lose any power. Unsupporting these parties will force them to change their policies not to lose any votes and lose their monopoly on power.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_support_for_Israel_in_the_2023_Israel%E2%80%93Hamas_war

There's a genocide happening right now where thousand of kids already were murdered and keep getting murderer as we speak. For these innocent people and not for the love of any god people should overthrow and fight the corrupted criminals that are making it possible, not supporting scum is already the smallest thing you should do.

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[–] LazyPhilosopher@lemmy.world 31 points 7 months ago (77 children)

I'm voting for a third party instead of the slightly less evil fascist. I recommend y'all do as well. Dr. West and Claudia La Cruz are good options.

If you're not in a swing state I recommend you do the same.

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[–] AFC1886VCC@reddthat.com 31 points 7 months ago (7 children)

It's a good time to not be American and not having voting for one of those pricks on your conscience

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[–] Cowbee@lemmy.ml 31 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (2 children)

Now is the time to pressure Biden. This is the tender time where leftists can actually force consessions, and those won't happen if you "Vote Blue no matter who" the situation as Biden is actively facilitating a genocide. Even if you ultimately plan on voting for him, you must pressure him now as though you may not, or you will be spinelessly contributing to even more genocide.

Biden supports genocide because Israel is a valuable ally to the US empire as a foothold in the Middle East, and will only go against that if it looks like it may cost him the election. Do not assume Biden is a good person that just needs to "see reason," that's utter Utopianism. Biden has his interests, and we have ours, so to steer him we need to fight hard, now.

Please save this sentiment for after Leftists have successfully pressured Biden into ending the genocide, not while he is actively arming Israel.

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[–] AncientFutureNow@lemmy.world 30 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (11 children)

As you read through these comments, note that anyone using the phrase "the liberals", followed by some condescending remark, are voting for trump.

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[–] BlackRoseAmongThorns@slrpnk.net 30 points 7 months ago (3 children)

Fucking hell, the liberals are using trans people as an excuse to throw the palestinians under the bus.

Look, if you're going to disregard the palestinians' human rights, then there will come a time when you'll do the same for trans people, and they are amart enough to know that.

The queer people's greatest strength is solidarity so spoiler alert, this won't really fly, how about you use your vote as a bargaining chip instead of sTrATegIcALly voting no questions asked?

[–] AncientFutureNow@lemmy.world 32 points 7 months ago (5 children)

I'm trans. You're not helping anything.

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[–] Holzkohlen@feddit.de 30 points 7 months ago (6 children)

See what happens to the Palestinians when Trump gets elected you lazy piece of shit. I'm done with you self-serving assholes.

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[–] doubtingtammy@lemmy.ml 28 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (10 children)

I hate Biden as much as every other leftist here. But I'll still vote for him because Trump is worse. If there's a single bone in your body that cares about the lives of your trans friends you will too.

I'm a trans person. Here's what I'm most concerned about: the dehumanization of Palestinians and immigrants. Biden has gone along 100% with the dehumanization of these groups

how the fuck am I supposed to trust Democrats that claim to support trans people when this is how they support Palestine? This is a president thats supporting an ongoing genocide while persuing draconian immigration policies. Am I supposed to just throw those groups under the bus for my own personal gain?

You've made it abundantly clear that if Biden was pushing anti-trans policies, you'd still support him. You've made it clear there is absolutely nothing Biden could do that would lose your support.

[–] UNY0N@lemmy.world 32 points 7 months ago (8 children)

It's not about support. It's not about 100% agreement with Biden's policies. It's about using your vote as a tactical choice to influece the government as best you can.

Each US citizen has three options: vote for Trump, vote for Biden, or don't vote. For me it's clear what the only viable choice is.

By all means protest. By all means vote undecided in the primary. Of course we should use other means to put pressure on someone like Biden to change his policies. But at the end of the day he's playing the tactical game too. And so is Israel, btw. They know that the US is weakened by the election cycle, that Biden's hands are tied right now by the need to retain centrist votes.

It's a practical decision, that should be made not based on an ideal world, but based on the real world in which we currently live and the options we actually have.

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[–] Habahnow@sh.itjust.works 27 points 7 months ago (10 children)

Yeah you're right, trump is better. /S Don't let perfect be the enemy of progress. Trump will ensure to help Israel, and he will look for more ways to hurt trans people.

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[–] rutellthesinful@kbin.social 27 points 7 months ago (22 children)

Not voting isn’t going to stop the genocide in Gaza.

maybe it will stop the next one though

if democrats learn that allowing a genocide to unfold on their watch is going to lose them elections, you can bet they'll put more effort into stopping it

if democrats learn that allowing genocide to unfold on their watch actually doesn't make that much difference, why would they bother themselves to stop it?

A vote is not an unconditional endorsement

a vote for a candidate is an endorsement for all of their policies, whether you want it to be or not

your reluctant vote looks exactly the same on the tally as somebody else's wholehearted vote, and votes are what politicians base their platforms on.

If you vote third party you might as well stay home.

this is just a misconception

if the democrats lose a million votes to a third party, then yeah, they're going to modify their policies next time around

[–] Chadus_Maximus@lemm.ee 28 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (7 children)

next time

Woah, calm down buddy. No reason why there should be a next time. Republicans are already creating projects as if there isn't.

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[–] Thief_of_Crows@lemm.ee 27 points 7 months ago (2 children)

Why dont you pressure Biden to stop genociding people then? I have a hard and fast rule about genocide, sorry but present day me doesn't make the rules about who I vote for.

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