I am a member if no party because I fundamentally disagree with political parties in first past the post electoral systems for the same reason I oppose communism. When it scales up a party makes it far too easy for the party leadership to abuse that power and institutionalizing that power means that positive change is more difficult to enact.
Nope, the state Democratic party sucks and I don’t live in the one district that ever goes Democrat for state representative. All of our national stuff is Republicans and has been for decades.
I only vote because we sometimes get elect a Democrat for a governor.
I am a member if no party because I fundamentally disagree with political parties in first past the post electoral systems for the same reason I oppose communism. When it scales up a party makes it far too easy for the party leadership to abuse that power and institutionalizing that power means that positive change is more difficult to enact.
I was with you until this one. You can’t expect better quality quality if you don’t participate in the primaries to try and get somebody high quality nominated.
No it assumes you actually take the time to vet them or potentially volunteer/work for a campaign to get them on the ballot. Be the change you want to see and all that. Jeering from the sidelines won’t get you anywhere.
So I should vet the single Democrat on the primary ballot for anything other than US president in a state that hasn’t given an electoral college vote to a Democrat since the 1964 election?
That seems worth my time since I’m going to vote for them anyway!
There are more elections than just the one for president every four years. If that is the only time you become politically engaged then there is a much larger discussion to be had tbh
Depends on the primary rules of your state.
Why would I want to vote in the primaries for a mediocre party?
So that way you have a say in which of the two viable choices (in most elections) are presented to the electorate?
Unless you’re part of some locally competitive party that has primaries, in which case I understand.
I am a member if no party because I fundamentally disagree with political parties in first past the post electoral systems for the same reason I oppose communism. When it scales up a party makes it far too easy for the party leadership to abuse that power and institutionalizing that power means that positive change is more difficult to enact.
Registering for primaries at least when there are primary candidates that are prominently championing ranked-choice voting might be worth considering.
Nope, the state Democratic party sucks and I don’t live in the one district that ever goes Democrat for state representative. All of our national stuff is Republicans and has been for decades.
I only vote because we sometimes get elect a Democrat for a governor.
Damn. You have my sympathies.
I am a member if no party because I fundamentally disagree with political parties in first past the post electoral systems for the same reason I oppose communism. When it scales up a party makes it far too easy for the party leadership to abuse that power and institutionalizing that power means that positive change is more difficult to enact.
I was with you until this one. You can’t expect better quality quality if you don’t participate in the primaries to try and get somebody high quality nominated.
That assumes I like any of the choices or that I think a party that regularly ignores their voters would positively change based on my vote.
I just use them to oppose fascists.
No it assumes you actually take the time to vet them or potentially volunteer/work for a campaign to get them on the ballot. Be the change you want to see and all that. Jeering from the sidelines won’t get you anywhere.
So I should vet the single Democrat on the primary ballot for anything other than US president in a state that hasn’t given an electoral college vote to a Democrat since the 1964 election?
That seems worth my time since I’m going to vote for them anyway!
There are more elections than just the one for president every four years. If that is the only time you become politically engaged then there is a much larger discussion to be had tbh
This is true for EVERY ELECTION. Unless I personally run for office this will continue to be true, and I am too honest to be in politics.