• kent_eh@lemmy.ca
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      4
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      4 months ago

      The problem is that there isn’t a left to vote for

      In the current American political spectrum, there isn’t really anything that most other countries would recognize as “left”.

      But given the current binary reality, whatever the Democrats are is viewed as left of the GOP rightwingnuts.

    • fine_sandy_bottom@discuss.tchncs.de
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      3
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      4 months ago

      If there’s a spectrum between left and right, then there’s a point on that spectrum in the center of how the populace feels. If you have two major parties they will naturally arrange themselves immediately to the left and the right of that point. They have to in order to gather up as many undecideds as possible - they will naturally win everyone further left or further right who is not an idiot.

      Voting moves this center point along the spectrum. The ratchet effect pulls to the right only because that’s the trajectory over the last few decades. If the trajectory was to the left in recent decades the inverse would be true.

      Direct action and organising might also move the center point along the spectrum, but not as much as voting, and only if voting reflects the results of direct action.

        • fine_sandy_bottom@discuss.tchncs.de
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          2
          arrow-down
          2
          ·
          4 months ago

          Actually it’s well established and well understood political science, ironically you’re just rejecting it as “vibes-based” because you don’t like the vibe.

          Yes political donations are a problem, but the inescapable fact is, the more people that vote for the dems, the more they will move to the left.

          Sadly, your position is precisely that which conservative proponents would have you adopt. Well done.

            • fine_sandy_bottom@discuss.tchncs.de
              link
              fedilink
              arrow-up
              3
              arrow-down
              1
              ·
              4 months ago

              Well… it’s true that the dems “will never become socialist” due to voting but it’s also true that America will never become socialist due to activism.

              Socialism to any meaningful extent is not achievable in the foreseeable.

              Voting is the most efficacious method by which to effect meaningful change.