General Discussion

... we have to look at the math of the current two-party system. If we withhold votes from Democrats we lower the threshold for GOP candidates to win. Cutting off our nose to spite our faces, so to speak. This type of shouting-at-the-clouds temper tantrum solves nothing.

As I'm sure you realize, the GOP advocates for even higher defense spending with less oversight. They also want to gutting the NIH, VA, and social programs you mentioned. In the end, our vote for the Democrat (the "lesser" military spender) is the only way to prevent the $1.5 trillion budget from becoming a $2 trillion budget.

Indeed, it's important to prioritize Medicare for All and the NIH. But pragmatically, if we stay home or vote third party (as some foolishly advocate) we lose the committee chairs who actually oversee those departments. That type of virtue signaling is a luxury that will cost us dearly. We can't afford to willingly hand over control to the GOP because of pride and an unwillingness to think strategically rather than believing that pure rage and angry fist shaking will cure everything.

In the end, a Democratic majority is the only thing currently standing between the VA and total privatization. What you're advocating for is harmful. We can’t reform the DOD's bottomless budget if we lose the gavel to a party that wants to expand it further while cutting the very social safety nets you're fighting for.