15 Comments
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DTL's avatar

The problem is that both political parties are morally bankrupt. Both spend their time pandering to interest groups and supporting unspeakable behavior in Europe and Israel. Neither are particularly interested in representing the most vulnerable at home. So… is voting a colossal waste of time?

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Amelia Anderson's avatar

Voting is a tool like any other. If all you ever do is vote, then yes, it is a waste of time.

But when combined with other forms of social activistism and challenges to the norm of capitalism, it can be useful for providing a buffer.

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Diana van Eyk's avatar

Thanks for this essential piece of writing, Joshua. We clearly have to seize this moment. And I think that involves building community -- demonstrating the actual values we hold -- while collaborating internationally.

"Blakely writes that an answer to the fascist menace looks in part like “investing in the regions and communities hollowed out by neoliberal globalisation” and “building international cooperation on a foundation of cooperative development, not competitive exploitation.”"

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Kevin Mayes's avatar

So how many electoral cycles are we supposed to tolerate these swings between continental industrial fascists and globalist financial fascists?

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PB's avatar

The Killing Fields. Gulags. Stasi. Purges. 100 million murdered.

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BigglyStardust's avatar

No shit Sherlock.

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Leon Brown, Jr.'s avatar

Outstanding post, Diana!

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Lisa Dixon's avatar

While here in Australia we are immensely relieved that Trump style politics was soundly rejected at our election, there are many of us, at the same time reeling from the blows to our Greens party who were always strong advocates for our government to actually sanction Israel and to stop sending weapons parts to Israel ( hinges that open the hatches to drop the bombs on civilians) The Greens leader has lost his seat/ I am demoralised depressed and sickened by our Labor party gloating that this is because Australians have rejected the Greens stand on Palestine, and they continue to maintain ‘we do not send weapons to Israel’ ( they also did a $900 million deal with Elbit systems last year) So many lies and mis truths published in our newspapers as well regarding the pro/Palestine protests here ( @sydneymorningherald)

Deflated and dismayed despite the best election result

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Thor Swayze's avatar

It’s The System Stupid! Voting Is Worthless.

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Amelia Anderson's avatar

Rising tides may lift all boats, but that means very little to those who can't afford a boat.

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Dirk Burhans | Obi-two Kenobi's avatar

Here's another example of MAGA coming under question by the general voting populace. This slingshotting of the working class between MAGA and neoliberalism makes it really hard for me to figure out how to position ourselves.

https://open.substack.com/pub/lonestarleft/p/magas-very-bad-night-in-texas?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=e0pv4

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Diane Engelhardt's avatar

The "Conservative" Party, originally the Tory Party, has existed in Canada since before Confederation in 1867, but has gone through various incarnations. in 2003, the Progressive Conservative Party merged with the Canadian Alliance to form the Conservative Party, which was basically a change in name only, and nothing new on the political scene.

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Stephanie Rankin's avatar

The political world is too confusing for me to understand when a baker such as Carney is named liberal.

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Stephanie Rankin's avatar

Ha , banker, I meant to type banker not baker .

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Susan T's avatar

It's OK. some people get baked smoking pot, others get baked raking in the cash. Bakers banking.

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