Miriam,
Washington State currently has a Democratic governor an two Senators
who are both Democrats and Women. I think the state legislature is
still more Democrat than Republican. But I know of many folks who
plan to vote for Trump as a demonstration of their frustration over a
wide range of grievances. But all that being said, my decision to not
vote for Trump or Clinton is based on my belief that we are in for
hard times under either. Voting for Clinton will only buy us eight
more years of a slow disintegration of our "middle class". I fully
expect Clinton to walk away with victory in her grubby little hands,
and once in office I expect to find her "agreeing" with her campaign
promises, but explaining why, "now is not the time". There will be no
15 dollar and hour minimum wage, no expansion of Medicare or Social
Security, TPP will probably pass, and very likely a new sudden
collapse of our struggling economy. And of course with her strong
love of Persons of Color, we can expect her to shed tears as she does
nothing to curb the growing Prison Slaves. With her bent toward an
even stronger military, her promise of rebuilding our bridges and
highways will, along with rebuilding our public education and our
inner cities, will be pie in the sky.
Clinton is pronounced as the candidate with proven experience. This
is absolutely the Gospel Truth. She knows how to survive within a
highly cutthroat system. And she knows how to look the Public in the
eye, and lie.
Carl Jarvis
On 8/12/16, Miriam Vieni <miriamvieni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Carl,
I'm not voting for her either. But I live in New York, a state that will
vote Democratic. If your state always votes Democratic or Republican,
except
in landslides, which this election won't be, those points don't apply to
you.
Miriam
-----Original Message-----
From: blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Carl Jarvis
Sent: Friday, August 12, 2016 1:09 AM
To: blind-democracy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [blind-democracy] Re: An Eight Point Brief for LEV (Lesser Evil
Voting)
Miriam,
My old clock just struck ten P.M. and I am feeling rather mindless.
So as I struggle off to bed I will pause long enough to thank you for the
points you made...or pointed out, and I will try hard to think of how I
will
disagree with some of them. I believe that my position of digging in my
heels may not be the right one, but it is *MY right one.
I simply can't vote for Hillary Clinton. I'll blame my father's successful
indoctrination when I was but a wee innocent lad.
For now, Good Night.
Carl Jarvis(Yawn!)
On 8/10/16, Miriam Vieni <miriamvieni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Carl,an individual.
The points in that article that I found useful were that:
1. They applied to people who live in states where the vote could go
either way, not to people in states where the majority of people
always votes for one party or the other because in those states, all
of the electoral votes go to the majority party, no matter what you do as
2. But where your individual vote may have meaning, a Trump presidency
with all of its repercussions will do the most damage to the most
vulnerable people, minorities, the poor, LBGT people, and the
disabled. So it is incumbent on you to prevent a Republican
Presidency. In a swing state, making what feels like a moral choice
may make you feel comfortable, but its effects will have hurtful
consequences.
3. Voting for Hillary doesn't imply that you support her or what she
stands for, and it doesn't prevent you from allying yourself with
activists who are working toward the goals that are meaningful. It is
only a practdical step to take in order to allow some space for the
social movements in which you believe, to function.
Miriam
-----Original Message-----
From: blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Carl Jarvis
Sent: Wednesday, August 10, 2016 11:02 AM
To: blind-democracy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [blind-democracy] Re: An Eight Point Brief for LEV (Lesser
Evil
Voting)
Hi Miriam,
I did read the earlier post. It does not help me, if by saying "help
me" I am suggesting I might see value in going with the lesser of two
evils. We are in this insane presidential race exactly because we
have continued to go with the Lesser of Two Evils. At some point in
time we will need to agree that this method is not gaining us anything
but a slower slide down the Razor's Edge. I have come to a place that
I cannot believe Clinton's promises anymore than I do Trump's. Now I
am at an age where my energies are diminished to a point of
ineffectiveness, my only avenue open is resistance.
Carl Jarvis
On 8/10/16, Miriam Vieni <miriamvieni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I posted a much more cogent article on this subject before this one.posed by the far right.
It had to do with strategic voting for the lesser of two evils and I
think it's important to read it and not to dismiss its arguments
lightly.
Miriam
-----Original Message-----
From: blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Carl
Jarvis
Sent: Wednesday, August 10, 2016 12:48 AM
To: blind-democracy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [blind-democracy] Re: An Eight Point Brief for LEV (Lesser
Evil
Voting)
How long, oh Lord, how long do we continue voting for the lesser of
two evils, and ending up with Evil? Personally, I think we've come
too far down this gilded Freeway to turn it back into an old country
lane. But you know?
if folks want another attempt to work with the lessor of two evils,
then Hillary Clinton is your wish come true.
I know I'm getting old when 9:40 PM. Tuesday evening feels like
midnight Friday.
Carl Jarvis
On 8/9/16, Miriam Vieni <miriamvieni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
important consideration than feeling good about ourselves.
Excerpt: "Among the elements of the weak form of democracy enshrined
in the constitution, presidential elections continue to pose a
dilemma for the left in that any form of participation or non
participation appears to impose a significant cost on our capacity
to develop a serious opposition to the corporate agenda served by
establishment politicians."
Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. (photo: Getty Images)
An Eight Point Brief for LEV (Lesser Evil Voting) By John Halle and
Noam Chomsky, Noam Chomsky's Website
09 August 16
Preamble:
Among the elements of the weak form of democracy enshrined in the
constitution, presidential elections continue to pose a dilemma for
the left in that any form of participation or non participation
appears to impose a significant cost on our capacity to develop a
serious opposition to the corporate agenda served by establishment
politicians. The position outlined below is that which many regard
as the most effective response to this quadrennial Hobson's choice,
namely the so-called "lesser evil" voting strategy or LEV. Simply
put, LEV involves, where you can, i.e. in safe states, voting for
the losing third party candidate you prefer, or not voting at all.
In competitive "swing" states, where you must, one votes for the
"lesser evil" Democrat.
Before fielding objections, it will be useful to make certain
background stipulations with respect to the points below. The first
is to note that since changes in the relevant facts require changes
in tactics, proposals having to do with our relationship to the
"electoral extravaganza" should be regarded as provisional. This is
most relevant with respect to point 3) which some will challenge by
citing the claim that Clinton's foreign policy could pose a more
serious menace than that of Trump.
In any case, while conceding as an outside possibility that Trump's
foreign policy is preferable, most of us not already convinced that
that is so will need more evidence than can be aired in a discussion
involving this statement. Furthermore, insofar as this is the fact
of the matter, following the logic through seems to require a vote
for Trump, though it's a bit hard to know whether those making this
suggestion are intending it seriously.
Another point of disagreement is not factual but involves the
ethical/moral principle addressed in 1), sometimes referred to as
the "politics of moral witness." Generally associated with the
religious left, secular leftists implicitly invoke it when they
reject LEV on the grounds that "a lesser of two evils is still
evil." Leaving aside the obvious rejoinder that this is exactly the
point of lesser evil voting-i.e. to do less evil, what needs to be
challenged is the assumption that voting should be seen a form of
individual self-expression rather than as an act to be judged on its
likely consequences, specifically those outlined in 4). The basic
moral principle at stake is simple: not only must we take
responsibility for our actions, but the consequences of our actions
for others are a far more
While some would suggest extending the critique by noting that thewith the establishment.
politics of moral witness can become indistinguishable from
narcissistic self-agrandizement, this is substantially more harsh
than what was intended and harsher than what is merited. That said,
those reflexively denouncing advocates of LEV on a supposed "moral"
basis should consider that their footing on the high ground may not
be as secure as they often take for granted to be the case.
A third criticism of LEV equates it with a passive acquiescence to
the bipartisan status quo under the guise of pragmatism, usually
deriving from those who have lost the appetite for radical change.
It is surely the case that some of those endorsing LEV are doing so
in bad faith-cynical functionaries whose objective is to promote
capitulation to a system which they are invested in protecting.
Others supporting LEV, however, can hardly be reasonably accused of
having made their peace
Their concern, as alluded to in 6) and 7) inheres in the awareness
that frivolous and poorly considered electoral decisions impose a
cost, their memories extending to the ultra-left faction of the
peace movement having minimized the comparative dangers of the Nixon
presidency during the 1968 elections. The result was six years of
senseless death and destruction in Southeast Asia and also a
predictable fracture of the left setting it up for its ultimate
collapse during the backlash decades to follow.
The broader lesson to be drawn is not to shy away from confronting
the dominance of the political system under the management of the
two major parties. Rather, challenges to it need to be issued with a
full awareness of their possible consequences. This includes the
recognition that far right victories not only impose terrible
suffering on the most vulnerable segments of society but also
function as a powerful weapon in the hands of the establishment
center, which, now in opposition can posture as the "reasonable"
alternative. A Trump presidency, should it materialize, will
undermine the burgeoning movement centered around the Sanders
campaign, particularly if it is perceived as having minimized the
dangers
posed by the far right.A more general conclusion to be derived from this recognition iselectoral cycle.
that this sort of cost/benefit strategic accounting is fundamental
to any politics which is serious about radical change. Those on the
left who ignore it, or dismiss it as irrelevant are engaging in
political fantasy and are an obstacle to, rather than ally of, the
movement which now seems to be materializing.
Finally, it should be understood that the reigning doctrinal system
recognizes the role presidential elections perform in diverting the
left from actions which have the potential to be effective in
advancing its agenda. These include developing organizations
committed to extra-political means, most notably street protest, but
also competing for office in potentially winnable races. The left
should devote the minimum of time necessary to exercise the LEV
choice then immediately return to pursuing goals which are not timed
to the national
1. Voting should not be viewed as a form of personal self-expression orpretenses.
moral judgement directed in retaliation towards major party
candidates who fail to reflect our values, or of a corrupt system
designed to limit choices to those acceptable to corporate elites.
2. The exclusive consequence of the act of voting in 2016 will be (if
in a contested "swing state") to marginally increase or decrease the
chance of one of the major party candidates winning.
3. One of these candidates, Trump, denies the existence of global
warming, calls for increasing use of fossil fuels, dismantling of
environmental regulations and refuses assistance to India and other
developing nations as called for in the Paris agreement, the
combination of which could, in four years, take us to a catastrophic
tipping point. Trump has also pledged to deport 11 million Mexican
immigrants, offered to provide for the defense of supporters who
have assaulted African American protestors at his rallies, stated
his "openness to using nuclear weapons", supports a ban on Muslims
entering the U.S. and regards "the police in this country as
absolutely mistreated and misunderstood" while having "done an
unbelievable job of keeping law and order." Trump has also pledged
to increase military spending while cutting taxes on the rich, hence
shredding what remains of the social welfare "safety net" despite
with it, as they must.
4. The suffering which these and other similarly extremist policies and
attitudes will impose on marginalized and already oppressed
populations has a high probability of being significantly greater
than that which will result from a Clinton presidency.
5. Should constitute sufficient basis to voting for Clinton where a
vote is potentially consequential-namely, in a contested, "swing"
state.
6. However, the left should also recognize that, should Trump win based
on its failure to support Clinton, it will repeatedly face the
accusation (based in fact), that it lacks concern for those sure to
be most victimized by a Trump administration.
7. Often this charge will emanate from establishment operatives who
will use it as a bad faith justification for defeating challenges to
corporate hegemony either in the Democratic Party or outside of it.
They will ensure that it will be widely circulated in mainstream
media channels with the result that many of those who would
otherwise be sympathetic to a left challenge will find it a
convincing reason to maintain their ties with the political
establishment rather than breaking
important consideration than feeling good about ourselves.
8. Conclusion: by dismissing a "lesser evil" electoral logic and
thereby increasing the potential for Clinton's defeat the left will
undermine what should be at the core of what it claims to be
attempting to achieve.
Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. Error! Hyperlink reference
not valid.
Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. (photo: Getty Images)
https://chomsky.info/an-eight-point-brief-for-lev-lesser-evil-voting
/
h ttps:/
/chomsky.info/an-eight-point-brief-for-lev-lesser-evil-voting/
An Eight Point Brief for LEV (Lesser Evil Voting) By John Halle and
Noam Chomsky, Noam Chomsky's Website
09 August 16
reamble:
Among the elements of the weak form of democracy enshrined in the
constitution, presidential elections continue to pose a dilemma for
the left in that any form of participation or non participation
appears to impose a significant cost on our capacity to develop a
serious opposition to the corporate agenda served by establishment
politicians. The position outlined below is that which many regard
as the most effective response to this quadrennial Hobson's choice,
namely the so-called "lesser evil" voting strategy or LEV. Simply
put, LEV involves, where you can, i.e. in safe states, voting for
the losing third party candidate you prefer, or not voting at all.
In competitive "swing" states, where you must, one votes for the
"lesser evil" Democrat.
Before fielding objections, it will be useful to make certain
background stipulations with respect to the points below. The first
is to note that since changes in the relevant facts require changes
in tactics, proposals having to do with our relationship to the
"electoral extravaganza" should be regarded as provisional. This is
most relevant with respect to point 3) which some will challenge by
citing the claim that Clinton's foreign policy could pose a more
serious menace than that of Trump.
In any case, while conceding as an outside possibility that Trump's
foreign policy is preferable, most of us not already convinced that
that is so will need more evidence than can be aired in a discussion
involving this statement. Furthermore, insofar as this is the fact
of the matter, following the logic through seems to require a vote
for Trump, though it's a bit hard to know whether those making this
suggestion are intending it seriously.
Another point of disagreement is not factual but involves the
ethical/moral principle addressed in 1), sometimes referred to as
the "politics of moral witness." Generally associated with the
religious left, secular leftists implicitly invoke it when they
reject LEV on the grounds that "a lesser of two evils is still
evil." Leaving aside the obvious rejoinder that this is exactly the
point of lesser evil voting-i.e. to do less evil, what needs to be
challenged is the assumption that voting should be seen a form of
individual self-expression rather than as an act to be judged on its
likely consequences, specifically those outlined in 4). The basic
moral principle at stake is simple: not only must we take
responsibility for our actions, but the consequences of our actions
for others are a far more
While some would suggest extending the critique by noting that thewith the establishment.
politics of moral witness can become indistinguishable from
narcissistic self-agrandizement, this is substantially more harsh
than what was intended and harsher than what is merited. That said,
those reflexively denouncing advocates of LEV on a supposed "moral"
basis should consider that their footing on the high ground may not
be as secure as they often take for granted to be the case.
A third criticism of LEV equates it with a passive acquiescence to
the bipartisan status quo under the guise of pragmatism, usually
deriving from those who have lost the appetite for radical change.
It is surely the case that some of those endorsing LEV are doing so
in bad faith-cynical functionaries whose objective is to promote
capitulation to a system which they are invested in protecting.
Others supporting LEV, however, can hardly be reasonably accused of
having made their peace
Their concern, as alluded to in 6) and 7) inheres in the awareness
that frivolous and poorly considered electoral decisions impose a
cost, their memories extending to the ultra-left faction of the
peace movement having minimized the comparative dangers of the Nixon
presidency during the 1968 elections. The result was six years of
senseless death and destruction in Southeast Asia and also a
predictable fracture of the left setting it up for its ultimate
collapse during the backlash decades to follow.
The broader lesson to be drawn is not to shy away from confronting
the dominance of the political system under the management of the
two major parties. Rather, challenges to it need to be issued with a
full awareness of their possible consequences. This includes the
recognition that far right victories not only impose terrible
suffering on the most vulnerable segments of society but also
function as a powerful weapon in the hands of the establishment
center, which, now in opposition can posture as the "reasonable"
alternative. A Trump presidency, should it materialize, will
undermine the burgeoning movement centered around the Sanders
campaign, particularly if it is perceived as having minimized the
dangers
A more general conclusion to be derived from this recognition iselectoral cycle.
that this sort of cost/benefit strategic accounting is fundamental
to any politics which is serious about radical change. Those on the
left who ignore it, or dismiss it as irrelevant are engaging in
political fantasy and are an obstacle to, rather than ally of, the
movement which now seems to be materializing.
Finally, it should be understood that the reigning doctrinal system
recognizes the role presidential elections perform in diverting the
left from actions which have the potential to be effective in
advancing its agenda. These include developing organizations
committed to extra-political means, most notably street protest, but
also competing for office in potentially winnable races. The left
should devote the minimum of time necessary to exercise the LEV
choice then immediately return to pursuing goals which are not timed
to the national
1. Voting should not be viewed as a form of personal self-expression orpretenses.
moral judgement directed in retaliation towards major party
candidates who fail to reflect our values, or of a corrupt system
designed to limit choices to those acceptable to corporate elites.
2. The exclusive consequence of the act of voting in 2016 will be (if
in a contested "swing state") to marginally increase or decrease the
chance of one of the major party candidates winning.
3. One of these candidates, Trump, denies the existence of global
warming, calls for increasing use of fossil fuels, dismantling of
environmental regulations and refuses assistance to India and other
developing nations as called for in the Paris agreement, the
combination of which could, in four years, take us to a catastrophic
tipping point. Trump has also pledged to deport 11 million Mexican
immigrants, offered to provide for the defense of supporters who
have assaulted African American protestors at his rallies, stated
his "openness to using nuclear weapons", supports a ban on Muslims
entering the U.S. and regards "the police in this country as
absolutely mistreated and misunderstood" while having "done an
unbelievable job of keeping law and order." Trump has also pledged
to increase military spending while cutting taxes on the rich, hence
shredding what remains of the social welfare "safety net" despite
4. The suffering which these and other similarly extremist policies andwith it, as they must.
attitudes will impose on marginalized and already oppressed
populations has a high probability of being significantly greater
than that which will result from a Clinton presidency.
5. Should constitute sufficient basis to voting for Clinton where a
vote is potentially consequential-namely, in a contested, "swing"
state.
6. However, the left should also recognize that, should Trump win based
on its failure to support Clinton, it will repeatedly face the
accusation (based in fact), that it lacks concern for those sure to
be most victimized by a Trump administration.
7. Often this charge will emanate from establishment operatives who
will use it as a bad faith justification for defeating challenges to
corporate hegemony either in the Democratic Party or outside of it.
They will ensure that it will be widely circulated in mainstream
media channels with the result that many of those who would
otherwise be sympathetic to a left challenge will find it a
convincing reason to maintain their ties with the political
establishment rather than breaking
8. Conclusion: by dismissing a "lesser evil" electoral logic and
thereby increasing the potential for Clinton's defeat the left will
undermine what should be at the core of what it claims to be
attempting to achieve.
http://e-max.it/posizionamento-siti-web/socialize
http://e-max.it/posizionamento-siti-web/socialize
