Why local elections matter more than the presidency (civicinfluencers.org)

submitted 7 months ago by meyotch@slrpnk.net to c/politics@lemmy.world

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This is US focused but the principle of being involved in local issues is universal to all democracies.

Can I rant for a minute?

Why does every thread about voting devolve into bitching about the flaws of the Electoral College?

Fun fact: the Electoral College only pertains to the Presidency and there’s almost nothing you can do about that directly.

Think local, that’s where you can make a difference. Your local school board has the power to either support students or drive them to suicide. Local races frequently turn on a handful of votes.

So go ahead, sit out the election because the choices for president stink. I humbly submit that your superior moral stance may not be based on very firm principles. That trans kid down the block didn’t need your help anyway. /s

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[-] treefrog@lemm.ee 2 points 7 months ago

The topics of conversation on here are naturally going to have a larger scope. And I think the point you're trying to make with your /s would have been better said in the opening paragraph without the sarcasm. It seems you're directing your message at people wanting to sit out the election because of a complaint with the national process, and your point is, go vote anyway because your local elections still matter.

And, judging by the responses you've gotten, I think most people missed the point. Assuming I'm reading you correctly.

[-] meyotch@slrpnk.net 3 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago)

Thanks for commenting. I don't think most comments so far have missed my point by much. You certainly seem to 'get it'. I see the comments to this point as more the typical thing of online comments talking past one another.

It's more of a symptom of online discourse. You can't see me, my body language or general demeanor and we don't have to take turns as is polite in real life conversation. You probably don't even know what US state I am in unless you peek at my comment history. Does the presidency matter? God, yes! Is it productive to spend one's limited energy and time arguing about that online. A resounding NO!

As a made-up example, a voter from California talking to a voter in Michigan online may be pretty pointless as their situations and political calculus are very different. Two voters from the same jurisdiction having a meeting of the minds is significantly more effective.

Edit: typos

this post was submitted on 27 Mar 2024

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