Political Memes

From a European perspective, this debate is saddening, because it results in people alienating voters if they didn't pick the "right" option, where "right" is whatever moral position you want them to have, on the basis of putting onto them a direct responsibility of an unwanted result, from their indirect action. It is your responsibility to campaign for your own party, and this is not a way to convince people to vote, nor join your side. Your two-party political system is ruining any possibility of political debate for smaller parties, and you end up silencing the voices of minorities that aren't represented by your two monoliths, all thanks to your holier-than-thou attitude. The people voting for Trump are the ones who will get Trump elected, not the people voting for whoever supports their political affiliations, not participating in your dirty voting shenanigans. The only thing you're achieving is guilt tripping someone you could otherwise convince to vote for another party, and pushing them away, making sure they will not vote in your favour next time.

We had the same thing happen in France, where voters were consistently asked to vote against a party for the presidential elections, rather than for the party that represents their ideals. In 2022, upon being elected Emmanuel Macron declared “I also know that many compatriots voted for me, to block the ideas of the extreme right. I want to thank them and tell them that I am aware that this vote binds me for years to come. I am the guardian of their attachment to the Republic”, and then proceeded over the next few years to apply a political program that would make Le Pen proud. [1] [2] [3] [4]

Here are some articles on the subject of "useful vote", translate at your convenience :

• https://theconversation.com/le-vote-utile-est-il-un-probleme-178185
• https://www.sudradio.fr/politique/presidentielle-le-vote-utile-est-une-arnaque-affirme-ian-brossat
• https://www.nouvelobs.com/election-presidentielle-2022/20220329.OBS56369/l-appel-au-vote-utile-peut-il-faire-retrouver-aux-abstentionnistes-le-chemin-des-urnes.html
• https://www.ina.fr/ina-eclaire-actu/le-vote-utile-un-terme-utilise-a-chaque-presidentielle
• https://www.la-croix.com/France/Politique/Le-vote-utile-vraiment-utile-2017-04-21-1200841288

And a quote from a random internet user, roughly translated :

No need to be from Saint-Cyr to understand that induction does not only concern cooking in the kitchen, even if it is electoral. The concept of a useful vote naturally leads to that of a… useless vote! Indeed, it may seem legitimate to think that to “have influence” on an election, it would be better to do like the others by voting for those whom the polling institutes place at the top of voting intentions. This is how for a long time, elections have been scrutinized through surveys in which respondents tell you “the trend”. The useful vote is a concept, the reason for the survey which creates the opinion of the respondents. Isn't the real usefulness of voting to choose according to one's own convictions and to grant a useful vote to the candidate whose program best defends our values, our interests determining airtime which has determined, finally, did his sound sound in the polls? Not recognizing this means admitting that “uselessness” leads to abstaining from voting. This is unfortunately a real trend today.

This is the only time I'll interact on the subject, because I know how abrasive it is, but I felt some are in dire need of a reality check. You may disagree because your political culture, landscape, education... are quite different from the ones I experienced so far, but please engage in respectful discussions about it, provide sensible arguments, and don't downvote just because you read something that doesn't validate your feelings. If there's someone you need to blame for Biden's potential failure to get elected, it's him for not running a better campaign to get enough votes, and yourself for vilifying other voters for not sheepily following your orders. These scare tactics are no better than dictatorial behaviours.

Edit : here's a book that will better explain what I'm trying to say https://www.editionsdivergences.com/livre/comment-soccuper-un-dimanche-delection

Liberals: "We're on the brink of fascism!"

Also liberals: "Black rifle scary, and should be limited to only law enforcement, politicians, and the wealthy"

*liberals big mad cause they're gonna defeat christofascism by voting republican light.

I'm not voting for Biden. Nobody I know is voting for Biden. It's because of the genocide he denies is happening.

oooh you are voting, we are truly saved and our problems are solved! why didnt i think of this!