Secular Citizen MD 🌹

Jim Jordan: Congress Must Consider Going After the FBI’s Budget breitbart.com/clips/2023/05/…

26 shot. 6 killed. One weekend. Democrat-run Chicago. abc7chicago.com/chicago-shoo…

Textbook democrat deflection and hypocrisy via Joe Biden……..Blame Trump🤣🤣

House Republicans have acted to responsibly raise the debt limit. Only 16 days remain until President Biden becomes the first president in American history to default on the national debt. xitter.gq/i/broadcasts/1gqGvyVEZ…

Now is NOT the time for a protest vote. Now is not the time to withhold your vote for Joe Biden or the Democratic Party, even if their values and neoliberal policies are harmful in both the short and long term. Such is the refrain I hear from those who believe that it is absolutely necessary to support Democrats by “voting blue no matter who” to avoid the creep of fascism. These refrains all come from a place of fear and serve only to foster complacency. This is precisely the sentiment that the corporate Democrats wish voters to acquiesce, allowing them to do as little as possible and serve their corporate overlords while ensuring electoral success. It is a position that is antithetical to change, and far more dangerous to the long-term prospect of the working class. Those who would vote for the lesser of two evils are acting to sustain the status quo, and are thus not only complicit in the harms that continue to linger in our society, but are also negligent in their duty to hold power to account, further damaging the prospects for purposeful and systemic social change. The pursuit of change is never convenient nor easy, and it is also inherit with both risk and sacrifices. While you might “feel good” about yourself for helping to defeat Republicans, you are doing a disservice to democracy, reducing voting to a mindless exercise bereft of any potential for change. You are, at best, contributing to harm reduction rather than harm prevention, and inversely sustaining the needless suffering, and even deaths, of the very marginalized citizens your vote aims to curtail. While it is unfathomable to imagine, let alone endure, another Trump Presidency, the fact of the matter is that Trump was integral to Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign, which elevated Trump’s campaign from the very start as part of a Pied Piper strategy. The Democratic Party loves Donald Trump because he allows them to run campaigns and govern in manner that is always centered around the threat of the far-right (MAGA). So long as this strategy works to their advantage, Democrats will continue to play this dangerous game, which will inevitable lead to another Trump or Trump-like monstrosity winning the presidency. Voting “blue no matter who” will not save our democracy. Quite to the contrary, one must ask themselves what sort of democracy we actually have when one party is able to fear-monger about the other and secure votes entirely based on that fear rather than serving their constituents. As for fighting the creed of fascism, fascism is already upon us, and Democrats are every bit as complicit in it as the Republican Party. Fascism implies close collaboration between corporations and the government, which is precisely what we have in place now, with corporations funding elections and effectively bribing politicians from both parties. It is important to note that fascism is a complex ideology that encompasses a broader set of characteristics beyond the merging of corporate and governmental power. The relationship between corporations and the state can vary in different fascist regimes, but economic corporatism is often a feature of fascist systems. In fascist systems, the state typically exercises strong control over the economy, seeking to coordinate economic activities to serve nationalistic goals and further the interests of the ruling elite. This can involve the suppression of labor movements, the formation of state-controlled or state-influenced corporate entities, and the establishment of close ties between government officials and business leaders. Fascist regimes often pursue economic policies that prioritize corporate interests and promote collaboration between private companies and the state. This collaboration can take various forms, such as state subsidies, preferential treatment for certain corporations, and the alignment of economic goals with nationalistic or militaristic objectives. Corporate entities may also be utilized to enforce the regime's policies and exert control over the population. Furthermore, with respect to fascism, voting “blue no matter who” will not impede fascism, which is already in place, but merely determines the degree of fascism – but again, inevitably, across the long term, extreme fascism will always emerge eventually. If it takes another four years of Donald Trump, and all the horrific things he is likely to do, to push the Democrats away from their neoliberal and right-wing agenda toward a more progressive stance, then the long-term rewards will vastly outweigh and counter the consequences of another Donald Trump presidency, but for change to happen, we have to be willing to sacrifice our comfort and standing in the short-term. Protest votes, although not always favored by the mainstream, play a significant role in democratic societies. They serve as a powerful tool for citizens to express their dissatisfaction, voice their concerns, and push for change within the political system. Here are a few reasons why protest votes are important: Sending a Message: Protest votes allow individuals to send a strong message to the established political parties and the broader society. By voting for alternative candidates or parties, citizens can show their discontent with the current state of affairs, policy directions, or specific issues that are being neglected. These votes highlight the need for change and put pressure on mainstream parties to address the concerns of the dissenting voters. Promoting Alternative Perspectives: Protest votes provide an opportunity for alternative voices and perspectives to be heard. By supporting smaller or niche political parties, voters can contribute to diversifying the political landscape and expanding the range of ideas and policy proposals under discussion. This can lead to a more inclusive and robust political discourse, ensuring that a wider spectrum of views is represented in public debates. Holding Mainstream Parties Accountable: When protest votes gain traction, mainstream parties are compelled to pay attention and reevaluate their strategies. Parties may adjust their platforms, policies, or approaches in response to the concerns voiced through protest votes, as they recognize the potential impact on their electoral support. This accountability helps prevent complacency and encourages politicians to address the issues raised by dissatisfied voters. Challenging the Status Quo: Protest votes serve as a means to challenge the status quo and break away from traditional voting patterns. They question the assumption that only established parties are viable options for governance and introduce competition within the political landscape. This can lead to a more dynamic and responsive political system that adapts to changing societal needs and pressures. Expressing Dissent and Frustration: Protest votes allow individuals to express their dissent and frustration when they feel disillusioned or disconnected from mainstream politics. It provides an outlet for citizens to voice their discontent without resorting to apathy or disengagement from the political process altogether. In this way, protest votes can be seen as an act of civic participation and an assertion of democratic rights. However, as noted about, it is important to acknowledge that protest votes may also have unintended consequences. They can potentially fragment the political landscape, dilute the strength of opposition to the incumbent party, or inadvertently benefit candidates or parties whose values may be antithetical to the original intention of the protest vote. Therefore, careful consideration and understanding of the potential implications are essential when casting a protest vote. In conclusion, protest votes are important because they allow citizens to express their dissatisfaction, promote alternative perspectives, hold mainstream parties accountable, challenge the status quo, and provide an outlet for dissent and frustration. They are a crucial component of a healthy and vibrant democracy, enabling citizens to actively participate in shaping the political landscape and pushing for change.