An Amusing Proposition re: Alternative to Sitting Out a Vote

[NuttyFluffers]

i do hear quite a bit of discontent and talk of sitting out a vote to make one's dissatisfaction known. in many ways i agree with people and empathize with their frustrations. in some races i think it is strategically unsound, but in others a wholly viable alternative for self-expression. however, is there a way to create a big neon sign showing why this unhappiness is occurring?

if you're going to make a stand, wouldn't you like pundits not to be so able to spin it and dismiss it?

well, here's my crazy idea!

Why don't people who want to send a message not sit out the vote, but do something more entertaining instead...? Like everyone in a disaffected state (one where a progressive Democrat has little hope of winning) vote for the Communist party candidate. it'd be hilarious and a decided shift to the left in the voting populace. it'd also scream for attention. if suddenly 2% of Kansas voted for Socialist or Communist party it would blow the punditocracies' mind!

or perhaps draft a party for 2010 called Popular Democratic in a state that has a flagging and sagging Democratic party machine. then you can have fun logos for "Pop Dems" in Andy Warhol silk screens and everyone asking their neighbor "are you 'Popular'? i know i'm 'Popular."" as a sort of in-joke to see what party they belong to. it'd still promote "Democratic candidates," except it would register one's dissatisfaction while channeling it into a positive (and possibly entertaining) force. and think of all the fun parties!

i mean, if a region's party or public servants are no longer listening to their constituencies' needs, might as well shake things up creatively than sullenly pout and make everyone guess why you're mad.


:bounce: O8)

[tmyers09]

1. Great Ideas!

[NuttyFluffers]

2. thank you! when life gives you lemons... you could wander around DU like a sourpuss

or you can add a touch of sugar and make lemonade!

and then you can squeeze some on the onions that are making you cry, and rub the pickled concoction gently into the self-inflicted wounds of loyalist cheerleaders. and it makes a great topping for potatoes and rice, even cooked red meat!

and think of the candied peels you can make!
:9 :loveya:
delish!

oh wait, i think my analogy snapped somewhere back there...

[BzaDem]

3. The alternative to sitting out a vote

is to do your civic duty and vote for the best candidate out of the choices available.

[pokercat999]

4. Forgot

this :sarcasm:

[NuttyFluffers]

5. but i thought voting 3rd party is frowned upon here? j/k

:evilgrin:

honestly, i think inventing a Popular Dem party would be fun! think of the delightfully cliquish attitudes we could cop? it'd be totally different than what we have today!

:+

[GoCubsGo]

8. And, while you are at it...

Think about all the people who busted their asses so all could have that right to vote. Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucy Stone and the others must be spinning in their graves over all the talk of "sitting out" the next election.

[Vincardog]

9. What if the "Best" candidate is simply the LEASE WORSE candidate?

[Jim Lane]

10. Then you run a good candidate in the primary

You may not win, but, heck, you weren't going to win by voting Socialist Workers either. In a primary you attract the votes of people like me, who won't waste a general-election but will back a progressive in a primary even if the campaign is doomed.

See #6 below for an amplification of this basic point about making smart choices based on the system in which you're operating.

If Ralph Nader had run in the Democratic primaries in 2000, he would've been included in debates, his message would've reached many more people, he would've gotten many more votes (including mine), and he wouldn't be drawing flak about the 2000 outcome. I don't want to get into the divisive issue about whether he deserves the flak -- only that it's undeniable that he got plenty of it. The same would happen to any nominal Democrat who started urging people to vote Vegetarian or whatever.

[crispini]

6. Or -- crazy idea here --

Why not get involved with the party at a local level so you can push the organization to the left at the grassroots?! You know, actually get involved in candidate searches, maybe even work on a candidate's campaign or serve on party committees so you can push it to the left. Crazy stuff, right? Wouldn't that be wild and fun?

[ThomWV]

7. Why not vote for the Baby-Rape Party - that would draw a lot of attention in Kansas too.

I don't think its a good idea to splinter a vote. Staying home has the same effect and is just as noticeable.