General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Here's why I've given up on voting: [View all]Coyotl
(15,262 posts)Elections are decided, in the sense of the majority/ruling view of the representative body of elected officials, by that two percent of people in the middle ground. It's a real dog fight for that small sliver of difference in an ocean of people who vote/think the same way all their lives.
Where that difference is made is both geographic and demographic while also skewed by political manipulations like gerrymandering. There are few swing districts just like there are few swing voters. In the Connected Age, we can all participate where it matters. As easily as we can join global events like the Arabian Spring, we can volunteer to work in campaigns from our own desktops. We can donate where it matters the most, where the dog fight for the swing voter in the swing district will impact who controls Congress next year.
Looking down from far above on the voter maps, it is easy to see voting isn't enough. With so few of us in so few places making the difference between red and blue, victory is there to be had by either party. Political campaigns really do swing the nation. Accept that and you know voting isn't enough. Accept that, and you have the foundation for optimism about the next round. Victory is always possible, if you get your voters to the poll.