RE: Democracy: Tricking the Profoundly Gullible
Hallo, I think we are in agreement on various points (weirdly, I just saw this, but there are definite parallels between our articles: https://steemit.com/politics/@noelletwine/full-blown-american-engagement-in-doublethink).
Johnson is a doof who apparently doesn't know what Aleppo is or who any world leaders are and thinks climate change is a joke, but I do think voting for Jill Stein makes a more definitive statement than voting for nobody (not voting doesn't send any message at all, because people can interpret why you didn't vote however they like; meanwhile, if the public actually elected a third party and that was overruled, it would bring us closer to rebellion and revolution; third, when a third party gets 5% they get 20 million next election in federal funding, which is great for a party like the Green Party who actively participates in working for ranked choice voting, protesting the debates, calling out the system on its corruption, etc.). Silence sends no message (unless every American stayed home on voting day, which is impossible), as the fact that only ~50% of Americans vote and the government gives zero fucks about that shows. Voting for a system outsider is against their desires, which is why there are tons of articles going out of their way to smear Stein and the last time Jill Stein protested the closed debates they handcuffed her to a chair for eight hours.
That said, voting isn't going to fix things. I agree.
So now that we're on the same page about how corrupt our government is, do you have concrete suggestions about how to get this revolution going? Obviously we have to spread ideas and create more solidarity. But what's the best way to get a movement going? And where? Online? In one's neighborhood/city? What kind of ideas can everyone get behind in terms of changing the system? It's important to call it out and awaken awareness, but a lot of the time that just creates a feeling of hopelessness, like I addressed in my article. We have to go further and specifically figure out what we're going to do about it. (And I think calling people sheep or idiots or whatever is hardly going to help. Like I discuss in my article, people aren't exactly stupid so much as undergoing psychological issues. "Stockholm Syndrome" may indeed be part of it.)
I personally don't think it's possible to get a revolution going in the current climate. The general public is too content with the way things are and oblivious to the fact that there are actually better options out there for themselves. Contrary to what they say, they also actually enjoy the circus that's currently playing itself out. If they didn't, it wouldn't exist. Until something jarring knocks them off their couches and makes life unbearably uncomfortable, they'll continue living and voting as they do today. A revolution requires that the masses be unhappy. As long as beer, sports, tv, pretend news, and an imaginary presidential "election" exists that gives them the illusion that they're making a difference in the world, it's all going to stay the same.
I don't think you should feel hopeless though. You've obviously already revolted and in the end that's all that really matters. American society has this unfortunate belief that everything sucks if you're not on the same winning team as everyone else. Why do we have to feel that way? We should be happy that we're on our own team by ourselves and are doing what we believe is right for ourselves. We've no control over other people and trying to change all of their minds is futile. Throwing our hands up in the air and voting for the lesser of two evils or not voting at all is silly and causes harm to our own personal cause. Even if you believe government shouldn't exist, there's a candidate out there that represents that belief! Vote for that candidate and be happy you did everything you could. Let your conversations with others in the real world and on forums like this rub off on someone who may be on the fence. Let them see that after all the votes are tallied that there are a small number of folks out there that can think and act for themselves whom aren't afraid to break away from the pack and vote independently. Maybe that'll change a mind or two as well. But in the end, just be happy you were honest and true to yourself in your actions.