Oh man, the fucking sass in the comments of this post. You're all so passionate about these things.
.... And almost all of the arguments are whataboutisms. It's a fucking race to the bottom with everyone.
All I'm going to say is that not voting is not a valid way to protest. That's excluding yourself from the process, and letting others decide for you. Just go vote. I'm not going to tell you who to vote for, just go do it. Have your voice heard.
I realize this years vote for Americans will very likely turn into a competition of who is less bad of an option, but you need to still go out and cast a ballot. Please just do it. Please!
He was equally alert to the problem of voter fetishism: voters mistakenly thinking the vote is an exercise of power, when in fact power in a capitalist society is collective, social and located largely outside the parliamentary realm. Elections had a place, but they were no substitute for mass working-class action in the workplaces, streets and squares. Ultimately power must be wrested from the capitalist class in revolution.
For like 99% of people arguing that 'voting is useless' they are also not working towards any other method of improving society. Either by working towards unions, or effective means of protest or even violent revolution. They're just opting out and doing nothing of value while feeling smug about being 'above' such petty squabbles.
If you are the 1% actually doing something of value that isn't voting. Congrats, I guess? But I think I'm far more likely to convince someone to vote, which is at least somewhat helpful than I am to convince them to join a revolution.
Let’s hope you have the privilege to vote after Nov 5.
I can assure you they do not feel smug, or above the squabbles. They are probably more freaked out than the multitudes that think Trump can’t possibly win, or a Biden victory saves Democracy. It fundamentally sucks to see where America is headed, and be individually powerless to stop it.