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American liberals are still not voting (Full Frontal w/Sam Bee)
- Thread starter AstroNut325
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There is no such thing as a perfect government. It is always about lesser evils.
Are you implying Trump doesn't have stupid hair as well?
depending on the state that you're in, registering is not what I would describe as "simple". You could make a simple error on a form and show up on voting day and your vote wouldn't count and you wouldn't even know it.
Raitosaito
Member
This is because voting isn't mandated, and it takes hours to vote in areas of high population density. If we're asking people to take out the time to go vote, we should make it a holiday.
the right-wing party is terrified of its base and is constantly trying to placate it, while the left-wing party holds theirs in open contempt.
Alcoremortis
Member
Liberals who don't vote because the best choice is a flawed candidate infuriate me more than racists because they know better and don't care.
sugarhigh4242
Banned
One could argue that with some credibility if they did anything to promote the progressive cause outside the voting booth and the internet.
And the world would be a better place if they stood up to their lunatics.
Stump beat me to it. This muncipal election had low voting turnout due to a variety of factors here in Los Angeles. Kind of a lazy look by Sam.
0ptimusPayne
Member
It's still a pain in the ass to go vote on Election Day, especially since we don't bother observing it as a holiday. I will say voting via mail was pretty clutch this time living in Florida now.
They did and they got the most votes by millions. The game is stacked against them though.
teruterubozu
Member
Liberals like rockstars.
Some American you are.
If 550 million Indians can vote in their elections, with half the infrastructure and ease of voting like the US enjoys, I am pretty sure people can get their asses to polling stations, mail in their absentee ballots, register to vote. It has literally never been easier to vote in a democratic country. All that would be left for the next step would be secure internet voting to make it even easier. Yes there is voter suppression, things like ID laws can also hamper minority or lower income voters, it is also tougher for people with families, children, long work hours to vote. But calling it a pain in the ass simply isn't true and just a way to excuse American apathy towards voting, American disengagement with civic duty etc. It is plain and simple, many Americans are simply lazy, less affected by election results or don't care and don't want to vote.
Hydrophobic
Member
The left has a lot more positions in the house & senate to lose in the 2018 election. There are more vulnerable dem positions up for re-election in 2018 than republican.
that's not how politics works, you vote to please your constituents. the republicans are totally reasonable as a party, it's the democrats who should learn from them here. the way they've been handling elections makes it look like a protection racket where you have to vote for shitty dems or else their right-wing thug will come kneecap you and take your shit. that's not a good long-term strategy.
Except the voting booth is the one that actually matters. You don't get to make policy unless you win elections.
Y'all don't have to vote, just don't expect any progressive policy to be the result.
eBay Huckster
Member
This, more than anything, is my take on the video (and this thread in general).
Like, really? We're going to extrapolate everything based on, like, one county's municipal elections in a state that could have half its Democrats drop dead tomorrow and still not vote Republican at any level?
gutter_trash
Banned
alt-hair
sugarhigh4242
Banned
Look at how much money and access a far right crypto-fascist like Michael Savage compared to even a moderate progressive like Amy Goodman. Conservative interests are monied interests. Despite the much-hyped George Soros conspiracies, the right funds strong ideological institutions. The left has to fund their ideological institutions through worker's wages and volunteer efforts.
The difference between Salem Communications and Pacifica Radio is not entertainment value.
Unless this is already addressed in the video, isn't it likely that people at the town halls and marches are also already voting?
Yes, there typically tends to be much more diversity and choice at the local level among candidates that framing low voter turn out in local elections as "people couldn't get past voting for lesser of the two evils" as if it's the general election, is asinine. Definitely not the same.
LegendofJoe
Member
This is true of the Senate only, the house, governorships, and state legislatures are anyone's to gain. And going into 2020, these positions are FAR more important than the Senate. The 2020 Senate map is favorable for Democrats as well.
Bull fucking shit
Fucking get up early, take a lunch break off, take a fucking personal day, or mail in your ballot.
Sick of this shit where we excuse people for not registering to vote and then not show up.
Yes voting should be a fucking right by birth and yes the system is fucked up but the only way to change it is to fucking show up and fucking vote.
Autumn Wind
Member
I am reminded of something Doug Stanhope said when he was smoking on stage. He goes if this bothers you... Vote next time.
What makes you think that they aren't? Have you any evidence that isn't the case. By-in-large local communities like their local representatives.
this is 100% privilege talking. you have no idea how hard it can be for poor people, minorities, and residents of rural areas to vote, and the entire system of government from top to bottom reduces incentives to do so.
i live in a red district in a red state, with our electoral system it is basically pointless for me to ever vote. i still do because my position in life makes it pretty easy but i can't condemn anyone who doesn't.
sugarhigh4242
Banned
A large social movement can force any politician to do their bidding regardless of affiliation:
http://www.earthday.org/about/the-history-of-earth-day/
DeathoftheEndless
Crashing this plane... with no survivors!
The Democratic party hates minorities?
Nah, us Dems who are closer to the center show up. EVERY election.
it hates the working class, which includes most minority voters
You gonna pay for folks missing a day of work?
Father_Brain
Banned
It's almost like Bee is selectively choosing facts that fit a preconceived narrative which conveniently puts the blame on the Democratic base while letting the party itself off the hook. Hmm.
Prof. Bathtub
Member
They don't count 'cause they'd vote for a dem no matter what, low-information voters.
Or something.
You know what's easier than forcing a politician to do something through a huge social movement? Voting in someone who wants to do it.
Yet those minorities consistently manage to make the effort to vote for democrats. Others not so much.
Must be battered wife syndrome, eh?
sugarhigh4242
Banned
Hydrophobic
Member
Ah, thanks for the correction!
Better start looking for a home then.
And you think Trump would be open to it?
whyamihere
Banned
Leftists also need to learn that no one outside of the Left understands that you guys are using "liberal" as a term for centrist when it's never meant that in modern American political discourse.
Also this is a little disingenuous of Sam. There have been a ton of special elections across the country that have had huge turnout. The LA county elections were an exception, but also, we don't know the real turnout until all the VBM is in.
Sheriff_Battlesnake
Banned
*sigh* I spend so much time reading politics, hearing about 2018/2020, trying to do the right thing, and I had no idea there was an election in March...
Wtf did I miss
Wtf did I miss
LegendofJoe
Member
The Black community votes, Latino Americans aren't as reliable unfortunately. The latter is what the Democratic party needs to concentrate on changing. I think electing Perez as the party chairman is a reflection of that being a priority going forward. It's why I'd also like to see the Castro brothers and hopefully Eric Garcetti get more national exposure.
i've consistently voted for democrats for 14 years now despite their total lack of effort to make my life any better. i understand that voting for the lesser of two evils is necessary. minorities have way more to lose than i do so that's not surprising either.
but you can't turn to things like that when talking about systemic and national failures of the party as a whole. working class voters of every race have been participating less and less over the years, and that used to be the most consistent democratic voting bloc. something needs to change.
They're only being offered republican candidates?
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