Hacker Read top | best | new | newcomments | leaders | about | bookmarklet login

> If so, what?

Bring it into the political discourse. And vote.



sort by: page size:

> rather than the root

So run for office. I would certainly vote for someone who was against this crap.

> It's everyone's civic duty to contribute to the noise

That's a tactic. While it may be useful, a strategy that works to gain political influence is better in the long-run.


> Isn't the goal of any sort of political activism to get more people to vote the way you do?

yes, but not THINK. The last thing activism wants is for people to think and consider the alternative.


> What are we going to do about this?

Maybe elect somebody different, or run yourself if you feel so strongly about it.


> If you don't like it, try to convince your fellow citizens to vote for people who are willing to get rid of it.

Agreed! As a general principle. Which applies to all sorts of stuff, and people, that I disagree with. They get to do the same.

> trying to bring logic and reason to a table at which they aren't just unwanted, they are actively ignored.

Again, agreed!


> It really does seem to be a thing that is best handled by a ballot measure or referendum.

just wait until you find out about direct democracy


> Ask yourself, what was the last time you read something in the news that contained information you could actually act on in a meaningful way?

The what in question would be the news item I had read. The meaningful action was the public protest I chose to join, or the campaign donations I decided to make, or the phone calls to my elected representatives. Elections aren't the only way citizens can (or should) interact with their government.


> This stuff literally only gets better if people get out and vote

citation needed.


> but need to be careful to maintain focus and not end up in something gamified.

Sorry, but why?

In my opinion _any_ method to get more people involved in the democratic process is a win.


>, at least that's actually bad

Is it? Public dissent is bad?

What do you expect people to do? Vote?


> I don’t know where to start and what to do

You don't do it, your government does, through law, regulation, and policy. You just need to vote for the ones who will implement those and protest those that refuse.


> the public will know anyway.

Yes, but that does not mean the public can actually do something about it (not saying we should not try, though). Political lobbies can be more powerful than citizens, it would not be the first time it happens.


>Ask the government to do something about it? They're allies, they're in it together.

If that's how it is where you live, and you live in a democracy, you can change that.


> I want to finish this comment with a call to engage in democracy. Make your opinion heard, loudly, go to the voting polls, participate in your local council, actually engage in politics

in the Bay Area, they tend to vote for more and better roads (but tend not to get them)


> Maybe if those of us begging to be heard were allowed to speak, and scream and chant, it would inspire more people to unite, organize and vote.

You can. As far as I know, the US is still a democratic country with elections.


> So run for office.

No thanks. In my experience, participation inside the political machinery is a waste of time, about as useful as joining the KKK to influence its members to stop lynchings. I think non-violent direct action is a more effective strategy.


> Easy to pass any legislation that changes voting and threatens all the incumbents? Not without a HUGE push, which I don't see happening anytime soon but why not try?

Agreed. Open to ideas.


> Except vote, of course.

Or leave for somewhere else more amenable to ones quality of life on the ground and/or wait for things to deteriorate sufficiently enough such that people want to change things. Or a host of other things people could do in any given environment besides voting.


> Yeah I think symbolically that would have good chance of triggering political action before the election.

Ah there we go, you’re trying for “progress” despite the economy limping along right now. Kick them while they’re down ey?


> This issue is bigger than just voting in new politicians.

If you kick out enough politicians in a Democracy, you get a completely new majority government. We need to kick out about 55% of Congress.

next

Legal | privacy