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this post was submitted on 23 Jan 2024
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A lot of us live in states that didnt get to vote in the primaries, and a lot of us show up to every election even when neither option really represents our views (albeit one much more than the other). To say we aren't getting our way cause we aren't voting, though undoubtedly true for some, is a bad take
This is not even touching on the DNC putting their finger on the scales in the primaries that did happen
How is it not? There are two options:
There is a large amount of progressives who support progressive ideals but don't show up to vote in primaries or push politicians left. Hence- they just don't show up.
Progressive goals just aren't that popular and there is no large cohort abstaining from voting.
Don't get me wrong- I like some progressive ideals (though not nearly left as some on lemmy notably are.) I support fixing healthcare via single payer or at least some universal scheme with a public option, etc., I agree it's genocide in the Gaza Strip and we shouldn't at all be supporting Israel, etc.
But look at the results. Either progressives are sitting out A LOT or the party actually is just representing what the majority wants (like the OP stated.)
I think the general feeling of disenfranchisement comes from the DNC influence in primaries. Who they throw their weight behind in terms of advertising dollars and publicity makes a big difference in how the primaries go. Also very relevant is which states have their primaries when, as most times the primaries are called before every state has theirs. This is also hearsay and way harder to substantiate, but there are also some that cry foul that there isn't actually much in place to monitor primaries like there are in standard elections and there is significantly higher potential for fudged numbers and misrepresented results.
Of course I would still love to see more left candidates get the nomination despite that, but it is certainly still possible that I am in the minority in that desire.
For 2024, though, it doesn't much matter if Biden is who the left wants. When running against a literal fascist, there isn't really as much room to voice complaints about the alternatives. I voted for Biden in 2020 and will again in 2024 even though he is much further right than my political leaning, and even for those of us on the left who are not happy with how Biden has been doing, there isn't really room to show that with voting because the alternative is so much worse. In this scenario, votes for Biden can easily be misconstrued as support for Biden which is not really the case
Most of your complaints seem to revolve around just presidential primaries. I'm not gonna argue that it's stupid how they do it but it's also just one position.
Why are people not voting in every single primary for local and state positions too to get left leaning candidates as the Dem candidate? Congresspeople have far more weight and more impact than just the president. Witness the overton window shifting far, far right due to crazy Tea Party and Freedom Caucus candidates, etc. etc.
Did every centrist decide to tediously lecture the left 5 times a day? I’ve voted in every election since I turned 18 and I see at least 10 dipshit centrists lecturing someone to vote or there will be fascism. I’m pretty sure leftists already know about fucking fascism, the thing we’ve been consistently resisting since like 1930. Stop being a fucking nag and we’ll vote for Biden.
Also, it’s also good if someone cares about ethnic cleansing and settler-driven apartheid. It’s kind of horrifying more people don’t. Sorry if I come off as smug when objecting to crimes against humanity.
He was also at an abortion rights rally when the protest occurred, which many people are glossing over.
Because they aren't guaranteed to show up?
Witness the complaints- "Oh Biden didn't legalize weed, didn't implement a whole new healthcare system, didn't absolve all student loans, etc. so I'm not going to vote for him" disregarding he has tried to do a bunch on those topics and either got some things done or got stopped by SCOTUS. Or just "he is supporting genocide in Gaza so I'm not voting for him" and disregarding that it would be far, far worse if Trump wins.
The guy has had either a razor thin majority OR a minority in government for his term and has still accomplished quite a bit like the biggest legislative bill ever that targets climate change, etc.. But if people are going to not vote for him because he can't turn around the aircraft carrier that is the US government on a dime by executive fiat then why bother courting those people?
My point isn't that he shouldn't try to get as many votes as he can- my point is progressives need to show up and vote for the least bad option and be grown ups about it. If you ever want to get change you need to show up every damn time and make your voice heard. And if you want things to go more left, get involved. I'm getting involved in a ballot measure that my state is putting forward for independent redistricting. I vote in the primaries even though I don't really like the Democratic party as is. AOC didn't just bitch- she showed up, worked her ass off, etc. and is pushing the conversation left, just like the Squad.
It's the people who throw their hands up, bitch, and then do nothing that I get irritated at. Don't like it? Then get involved like crazy and force the conversation left. If your ideas are actually popular then it should be easy to rally support no? So do it. But you can't blame politicians when people post complaints on a message board and then just...never show up and then wonder why people don't run totally different campaigns targeted towards them.