Like many of you reading this that are not in a swing state, my vote for POTUS in this election doesn't matter. So I'm unburdening myself from having to decide between two deeply flawed candidates & the base of support that influences them, and simply sitting this one out (I'll still vote down ballot). I won't judge you no matter who you vote for (well, maybe if it's Jill Stein), so please don't judge me for not voting for either of these candidates when the country is evenly divided in deciding which one is the lesser of two evils.
Joel Shapiro
3 周
A good friend of mine is also not voting, for similar reasons. I don’t get it. I think it’s cowardly, quite honestly. I asked him “if the entire country asked you and only you to choose between these two candidates, who would you select?” He had a ready answer. THAT is the person he should vote for. Even someone in a swing state could say that their 1 vote probably won’t matter. It’s a terrible reason to not vote. To say “my vote doesn’t matter because I live in a deeply blue/red state” is basically saying “this is a hard decision, so I’ll leave it to everyone else.” Step up to the plate and make a decision. Shake off the cowardice of a “protest vote.” One of these two people will be president. Help the country make a choice.
Michael Aronchik
1 个月
I am a registered republican voter in NJ. In my life, I have voted for John Mccain, Mitt Romney, and Chris Christie (twice). This will be the third time I'm voting against Donald Trump. I'm sure there are thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, like me - all traditional republican voters, who believe in small government, personal freedoms, and america's duty on the global stage - who will do the same. There is nothing "republican" about Trump. He is a lifelong snake oil salesman, who has conned countless people and destroyed probably millions of lives. 4 years ago, we all watched him stage a coup on tv. This is disqualifying. Character matters. Country matters. Both matter more than policy. I disagree with Kamala Harris on absolutely every issue, but I also have full confidence that 4 years from now, we will have the ability to elect a new leader and path forward. I know for a fact that we will not have this ability under trump. Country over party.
Jim Lecinski
1 个月
Do not let anyone tell you ever, your vote doesn't matter. Every vote matters. In this and every election. Making your voice heard matters. Merely exercising your right to vote matters--Voting shows you value the ability to choose your leaders. Cynicism, apathy, disengagement, sitting on the sidelines and setting imaginary "high bars" for it to be worth your voting, all lead to very bad outcomes. Make a choice and go vote man.
My main argument for voting for president even if you don’t love the actual candidate is that the president selects judges and other important roles that often don’t have term limits. So it’s not just a vote for that individual, but also for the social political policies that one believes in (abortion, gun control, the environment, health care, lgbt+ rights, etc).
Steve Fenn
1 个月
Your choice of not choosing is strategically lame. If you hope she wins, then help her win in spite of your distain. You’re asking not to be judged but the path you might take (I leave this open to hope) is neither helpful or engaging. In fact, you should be judged because not voting to keep Trump away from the White House might be the most foolish thing you’ve ever done. Should Trump win, you will have made a bad choice in the form of a non-choice with dire ramifications. Given the stark and dark revelations made at the MSG rally the other day..the very dark hatred, the foulness, an unfunny so-called comedian, the racism, the religious anti-Christ BS, the clown flag waving wrestler….all of this should have you and every one who has yet to vote intellectually reconsider sitting this one out. Not the right time to do this! You know who already has the most regrets? Those who already voted Trump and now, finally realizing what they’ve done having no way of retraction. You still have time. Hold your nose if you have to. Ditch the philosophical button. Look in the mirror and consider…..judge youself.
Julie Grondin
1 个月
Hmmm... this logic doesnt sound right. Feels like a dance off. Looks fancy, solves nothing. You're voting for the leader of the free world with all the bombs and all the guns. Not the time for theatrics - signed rest of the world
Lynn M Ross, MBA
3 周
This post and comments made me feel sad. There is nothing more American than our right to vote. “Our right”……that was fought for. You don’t have to have either candidate over for dinner, but there are clear future outcomes that our country is dependent on our votes for.
Yuval Segal
3 周
Erez I enjoyed your post. What would you do if you lived in a swing state?
Ken Michaels
1 个月
Sometimes you need to vote for the better of the worst...we had a decent economy under trump even if he has issues..the last few years have been awful
CEO at Frost Valley
1 个月Respectfully disagreeing here, Erez. The people on the other side of this argument are not voting for Harris because of her handling of the Gaza conflict and her support of Israel. The clear winner in this is trump and tribalism. The fight always continues, and the responsible choice is to participate in the whatever you perceived to be flawed choices. Messaging matters, even if your vote is less likely to impact. I believe in ripples. And the message you sent, I won't vote for Harris because it doesn't matter in my state, ignores the possibility that your stance affects others, perhaps in states that do matter. Knowing what I know about you, this must be true. Your opinion carries water. And finally, while I am no Jill stein fan, you can't quite ask for no judgement while judging potential stein voters. (I do judge them, but I also judge others;).