My Vote Doesn't Matter

[Forever Indomitable]

I have no idea what you're talking about with civil war and I'm not advocating violence. What side would I even be on? I don't like either of them; that's the point. I and however many others aren't privileged enough to even have a side. I'm not going to be grateful for "it could be worse" because I'm already discontent enough and I don't get jack shit from voting, you do. You're in the majority. It's only fair for you and that's why you don't understand what it's like to be under everyone else's foot.

And you've accidentally proven my point by using your free speech to tell me how oppressed you are. Go vote kid, its literally the best system we've come up with to negotiate with each other as a society. Or whine about how voting is useless, either way you've cast your ballot. But only 1 of them counts.

Save me the "kid" shit. You act like I'm supposed to be grateful for the pitiful few extra links on the chain around my neck. Oh, lucky me, I won't be thrown in prison for expressing how little agency I'm granted. You have nothing but a "I've got mine, so fuck you" attitude because you are spoiled. You lack perspective and are ignorant on the issue, so don't fucking speak down to me.

[Diarcesia]

Stop staying in your space whining why your vote doesn't matter and spend time and energy going to the polls and persuading other people why your political issues are important if you're really that passionate about it.

[Iskanistan]

Voting does matter, not on an individual but collective level. It certainly makes a difference if you voting out some complete fail out of office or vote someone in who isnt as bad. Of course in the US its not about issues so much but about tribal affiliation by now.

[Czervenika]

I definitely live in a place where I feel like my vote is meaningless. The Conservative Party always wins here, and by a pretty large margin. Nobody I know, including myself, is voting Conservative.

[Theodores Tomfooleries]

Your vote largely speaking does not matter in America because regardless of what political party is voted into power the status quo remains the same- after all the Democrats and Republican party are both the party of the bourgeoise, just with minor political differences to satisfy both the center-left and center-right.

That is why we have things called "revolutions".

[San Lumen]

I definitely live in a place where I feel like my vote is meaningless. The Conservative Party always wins here, and by a pretty large margin. Nobody I know, including myself, is voting Conservative.

No vote is ever meaningless in a democracy.

[American Legionaries]

I definitely live in a place where I feel like my vote is meaningless. The Conservative Party always wins here, and by a pretty large margin. Nobody I know, including myself, is voting Conservative.

No vote is ever meaningless in a democracy.

Then surely you can point to all the electors from California who were won by Donald Trump

[Theodores Tomfooleries]

No vote is ever meaningless in a democracy.

Then surely you can point to all the electors from California who were won by Donald Trump

Truth be told, first-past-the-post is an absolutely awful form of democracy.

[Forever Indomitable]

...OP, what, pray tell, is a cognitive minority? What do you mean when you say you want "compensation or special autonomy"?
You say you get nothing in return for the system, but you do. I assume you use roads? The postal system? If you live in a city or town, you pay for various things (I've never lived in a city, but I'm pretty sure the city handles the water, garbage, etc?). You just don't like your political choices. Neither do I, but I vote for the one which aligns with whatever I want, even if it's a fairly tangential connection.

OP, what, pray tell, is a cognitive minority?

I'm a prototype cognitive minority. My philosophy, behavior and ideals differ substantially from everyone else. I don't have a political ideology or religion that I can fit in to. Everywhere I've been, I've never fit in. I am fundamentally alien to everyone else. I have never been given the luxury of similarity; I have to stand alone on just about everything.

I assume you use roads?

I do, but what I lose in return isn't worth it and I'd rather walk in the dirt than pay for all these mediocre services that are poorly designed, as most American infrastructure is. I live between 2 cities, both Democrat and Republican run and both have dog shit quality roads and sidewalks designed solely around car usage. I have to go to the park to rollerblade because the trash I'm forced to pay for doesn't accommodate quality pedestrian usage. I can't vote for what I want because the bag is too mixed. If I vote for A, B & C, I'm going to get royally fucked on X, Y & Z. It's a lose-lose game, so why even play?

As far as compensation, like tax exemption or more personal autonomy, I don't expect it because it's not realistic. I have to pay for everyone else and go along with all their bullshit, but I don't get anything good in return. I have to pursue my happiness in spite of society, because I damn sure don't get it because of it.

[San Lumen]

Then surely you can point to all the electors from California who were won by Donald Trump

Truth be told, first-past-the-post is an absolutely awful form of democracy.

I’m in favor of ranked choice voting.

[American Legionaries]

Then surely you can point to all the electors from California who were won by Donald Trump

Truth be told, first-past-the-post is an absolutely awful form of democracy.

Democracy is inherently unjust. No matter how accurately the system is it ultimately alienates a certain slixe of the population, and results in that slice being subjugated by the victorious faction.

[New Zoigai]

Democracy is more than a single vote at national elections, it's the freedom to persuade, cajole and proselytyse people to your point of view. It's the opportunity to make more tangible change at the local level as well - do you pay attention to what your council/mayor/whatever is doing? It's the opportunity not just to vote, but to participate.

Even in small countries, one single vote won't count for a lot, but you can still make yourself heard and have an impact on your environment in other ways.

'
More like the freedom to vote for the best clowns

[New Zoigai]

Truth be told, first-past-the-post is an absolutely awful form of democracy.

Democracy is inherently unjust. No matter how accurately the system is it ultimately alienates a certain slixe of the population, and results in that slice being subjugated by the victorious faction.

there is no system of government where EVERYONE gets what they want anyways. Some more options for voting would be nice because im tired of the elephant and donkey

[Galactic Powers]

Welcome to democracy. Fundamentally, some minority will always be oppressed in any electoral system. There can only be one winner, even in coalition governments, since one side is still in the minority.

Still better than the alternative. Better 49% of the population hate their government than the 99% oppressed under a dictatorship. Might as well vote, so it is on public record that there is some support for your "cognitive minority" ideology. It's a cold comfort, but at least you can vote. You can express your opinion.

[San Lumen]

Truth be told, first-past-the-post is an absolutely awful form of democracy.

Democracy is inherently unjust. No matter how accurately the system is it ultimately alienates a certain slixe of the population, and results in that slice being subjugated by the victorious faction.

No form of government is perfect. No one gets exactly what they want all the time. Someone will always win and always lose.

That can sometimes lead to places like my state capital which has been a Democratic stronghold for nearly a century.

[American Legionaries]

Democracy is inherently unjust. No matter how accurately the system is it ultimately alienates a certain slixe of the population, and results in that slice being subjugated by the victorious faction.

there is no system of government where EVERYONE gets what they want anyways. Some more options for voting would be nice because im tired of the elephant and donkey

Well of course not everyone gets what they want.

[Forever Indomitable]

There are other ways of participation. For example, media, responsibility etc.

All I can do is try to get rich because money is some degree of power and freedom. Nothing else will do anything because people only pursue their own interests to total supremacy. I'm too different and singular for anybody to afford me anything. It's me against the world and I accept that challenge.

Democracy is more than a single vote at national elections, it's the freedom to persuade, cajole and proselytyse people to your point of view. It's the opportunity to make more tangible change at the local level as well - do you pay attention to what your council/mayor/whatever is doing? It's the opportunity not just to vote, but to participate.

Even in small countries, one single vote won't count for a lot, but you can still make yourself heard and have an impact on your environment in other ways.

Every time I "voice" myself, people hate me. My single vote is worth absolutely nothing in the real world and my locality is just the same old Red/Blue dichotomy. The only thing worth participating in is business and that's what I'm working on.

[San Lumen]

There are other ways of participation. For example, media, responsibility etc.

All I can do is try to get rich because money is some degree of power and freedom. Nothing else will do anything because people only pursue their own interests to total supremacy. I'm too different and singular for anybody to afford me anything. It's me against the world and I accept that challenge.

Every time I "voice" myself, people hate me. My single vote is worth absolutely nothing in the real world and my locality is just the same old Red/Blue dichotomy. The only thing worth participating in is business and that's what I'm working on.

Yes your vote means something. If it didn’t one party wouldn’t be trying so hard to suppress it.

[The House of Hamid]

If votes would not matter, why would political parties spend millions?

[Necroghastia]

And you've accidentally proven my point by using your free speech to tell me how oppressed you are. Go vote kid, its literally the best system we've come up with to negotiate with each other as a society. Or whine about how voting is useless, either way you've cast your ballot. But only 1 of them counts.

Save me the "kid" shit. You act like I'm supposed to be grateful for the pitiful few extra links on the chain around my neck. Oh, lucky me, I won't be thrown in prison for expressing how little agency I'm granted. You have nothing but a "I've got mine, so fuck you" attitude because you are spoiled. You lack perspective and are ignorant on the issue, so don't fucking speak down to me.

the irony of this coming from a white nationalist

[San Lumen]

If votes would not matter, why would political parties spend millions?

exactly. The new rep representative from Alaska says hello. No one expected her to win.

[Forever Indomitable]

1) Complaining that your vote has no effect and then admitting you don't even vote is laughable. It's like saying that it's impossible to find employment and then admitting you haven't applied anywhere in the last 4 years. You know what doesn't influence the outcomes of elections? Not voting.

2) If you're in the cognitive minority, first of all, you probably deserve to be there. There's an endless supply of insane, immoral, or dumb ideas to be had in the world, but we shouldn't allow the people who have them to get their way just because those ideas are in the "cognitive minority".

3) If you don't like point 2, fix the real problem. Make your ideas into the cognitive majority by convincing people of their superiority or at least convince them that the alternatives are worse. You can't just expect you to get your way in a democracy without convincing people to support your side, that's not how it works.

Complaining that your vote has no effect and then admitting you don't even vote is laughable. It's like saying that it's impossible to find employment and then admitting you haven't applied anywhere in the last 4 years.

This is one of the worst false equivalences I've ever seen. I work my ass off because it makes a difference, a single vote for something unpopular that I'm not even enthusiastic about doesn't.

2) If you're in the cognitive minority, first of all, you probably deserve to be there. There's an endless supply of insane, immoral, or dumb ideas to be had in the world, but we shouldn't allow the people who have them to get their way just because those ideas are in the "cognitive minority".

3) If you don't like point 2, fix the real problem. Make your ideas into the cognitive majority by convincing people of their superiority or at least convince them that the alternatives are worse. You can't just expect you to get your way in a democracy without convincing people to support your side, that's not how it works.

That's an appeal to popularity fallacy and I like how your solution is literally "delete your individuality and join the crowd". What a repulsive proposition that demonstrates democracy is about conformist mob rule.

You can't "convince" people to your ideas if they're fundamentally against their nature. Politics is genetic and people are largely born Red, Blue, Communist, Fascist and so on. Democracy is about prioritizing the elevation of common cognitive types over less common ones, same as all the other political systems. It's not a meritocracy; it's a popularity contest. I'm not going to give up my identity to fit in. I'm proud of who I am and I want more than what the pitchfork wielding masses are willing to give me.

[San Lumen]

1) Complaining that your vote has no effect and then admitting you don't even vote is laughable. It's like saying that it's impossible to find employment and then admitting you haven't applied anywhere in the last 4 years. You know what doesn't influence the outcomes of elections? Not voting.

2) If you're in the cognitive minority, first of all, you probably deserve to be there. There's an endless supply of insane, immoral, or dumb ideas to be had in the world, but we shouldn't allow the people who have them to get their way just because those ideas are in the "cognitive minority".

3) If you don't like point 2, fix the real problem. Make your ideas into the cognitive majority by convincing people of their superiority or at least convince them that the alternatives are worse. You can't just expect you to get your way in a democracy without convincing people to support your side, that's not how it works.

Complaining that your vote has no effect and then admitting you don't even vote is laughable. It's like saying that it's impossible to find employment and then admitting you haven't applied anywhere in the last 4 years.

This is one of the worst false equivalences I've ever seen. I work my ass off because it makes a difference, a single vote for something unpopular that I'm not even enthusiastic about doesn't.

2) If you're in the cognitive minority, first of all, you probably deserve to be there. There's an endless supply of insane, immoral, or dumb ideas to be had in the world, but we shouldn't allow the people who have them to get their way just because those ideas are in the "cognitive minority".

3) If you don't like point 2, fix the real problem. Make your ideas into the cognitive majority by convincing people of their superiority or at least convince them that the alternatives are worse. You can't just expect you to get your way in a democracy without convincing people to support your side, that's not how it works.

That's an appeal to popularity fallacy and I like how your solution is literally "delete your individuality and join the crowd". What a repulsive proposition that demonstrates democracy is about conformist mob rule.

You can't "convince" people to your ideas if they're fundamentally against their nature. Politics is genetic and people are largely born Red, Blue, Communist, Fascist and so on. Democracy is about prioritizing the elevation of common cognitive types over less common ones, same as all the other political systems. It's not a meritocracy; it's a popularity contest. I'm not going to give up my identity to fit in. I'm proud of who I am and I want more than what the pitchfork wielding masses are willing to give me.

Yeah why did woman African Americans march and protest for the right to the vote? it did nothing.

Chance often is most felt at the local level. Your vote matters most there.

Politics is absolutely not genetic. I don't know where you got this absurd idea from.

[Necroghastia]

You can't "convince" people to your ideas if they're fundamentally against their nature. Politics is genetic and people are largely born Red, Blue, Communist, Fascist and so on.

lmfao what
this is even crazier than your usual psuedoscientific nonsense about "domestication" or whatever

[Orlesian States]

I would just like to give a friendly reminder to those within this thread: Regardless of your opinions on voting/not voting deliberately/abstaining and the like, please ensure to stay friendly and respectful towards others in matters of debate. At the end of the day, it's just silly to be full of vitriolic aggression or some such.

Have a great day, everyone!