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LeftInTX

(35,150 posts)

34. I personally think withholding votes, is a shade of "anarchism"

Thu Jul 9, 2026, 12:27 PM

3 hrs ago

It's one thing to abstain when you can't decide, but withholding votes to "change society", by not participating is veering more to the anarchist side and not "progressive". It's how we get Trump.

For instance, antifa are often non-voters. They see the system as always corrupt and would just prefer to always fight, it no matter who is in power, rather than participate in the electoral process.

However, low turnout voters is totally different than someone who refuses to vote because "they want to send a message".

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Walleye

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What is the difference between a progressive and a liberal? [View all] Walleye 5 hrs ago OP

liberals occasionally justaprogressive 5 hrs ago #1

That's my impression. So I guess that makes him part of the "establishment" Walleye 4 hrs ago #11

Historically, by the Progressive Era bucolic_frolic 5 hrs ago #2

Both do both paleotn 4 hrs ago #5

Can't entirely agree or disagree bucolic_frolic 4 hrs ago #7

You couldn't slide piece of paper through the difference paleotn 4 hrs ago #3

Agree. It's lost all meaning. BannonsLiver 3 hrs ago #26

Progressives stand for progress and change Fiendish Thingy 4 hrs ago #4

I'm glad you noted "stand for" progress and change. W_HAMILTON 4 hrs ago #8

Well, I was referring to progressive politicians specifically, not voters Fiendish Thingy 4 hrs ago #14

Yes, it is standing up for one's values. W_HAMILTON 4 hrs ago #19

Like I said, a debateable strategy Fiendish Thingy 3 hrs ago #25

It's your civic duty to vote. It's either or. Walleye 1 hr ago #43

I agree casting a ballot should be mandatory Fiendish Thingy 1 hr ago #46

I get the feeling that the purpose of elections, to determine the will of the people, is being buried somehow Walleye 54 min ago #51

I'm sure someone will chime in with some intricate delineation... W_HAMILTON 4 hrs ago #6

This is what I think, too. CrispyQ 4 hrs ago #16

I think in this particular election being against Trump is enough Walleye 1 hr ago #44

Some are hip buzzwords Keepthesoulalive 50 min ago #52

lets divide progressives. rampartd 4 hrs ago #9

simple Whip-poor-will 4 hrs ago #10

Liberals are more about individual freedom; progressives want to build new structures muriel_volestrangler 4 hrs ago #12

This Progressive is so far left of left... ZDU 4 hrs ago #13

Thank you to everyone who answered. It's all very interesting. Walleye 4 hrs ago #15

Agree - whether people like it or not we have a two party system in America. walkingman 4 hrs ago #18

The two party system is a huge part of the problem. The Madcap 3 hrs ago #31

I do wish we has a parliamentary system. I also wish we were a democracy instead of a democratic republic walkingman 2 hrs ago #36

Joe Biden managed to get some bipartisan legislation passed Walleye 1 hr ago #45

And if they don't like the two party system, they can feel free to think of it as 100+ million party system. W_HAMILTON 2 hrs ago #37

The word "Liberal" has numerous meanings and different usages. LeftInTX 3 hrs ago #28

I personally think withholding votes, is a shade of "anarchism" LeftInTX 3 hrs ago #34

There are many people who feel the same way we do politically, but they refuse to participate. I don't know what Walleye 1 hr ago #47

The way I look at it is this.... walkingman 4 hrs ago #17

I described myself as a proud Democrat Walleye 3 hrs ago #24

I'm a "big tent Democrat" LeftInTX 3 hrs ago #33

Message auto-removed Name removed 4 hrs ago #20

I have always identified myself as a liberal for one very simple reason Peacetrain 4 hrs ago #21

I'm a liberal and proud of it. Raftergirl 4 hrs ago #22

This message was self-deleted by its author Prairie_Seagull 3 hrs ago #23

Incrementalists within the system vs. Reformers who think the system is broken Sympthsical 3 hrs ago #27

Progressives are Liberals Progressive dog 3 hrs ago #29

A sliver. RandySF 3 hrs ago #30

Progressives are more idealistic, less pragmatic... BH liberal 3 hrs ago #32

What is the benefit of this question? We all need each other.... legallyblondeNYC 2 hrs ago #35

Progressives tend to work towards a group goal. haele 2 hrs ago #38

Redefined: progressive (anti-establishment, working class, good) liberal (establishment, elite, not progressive, evil). betsuni 1 hr ago #39

In recent years, Progressives work for progress, 31j20b3 1 hr ago #40

They used to be called blue dog Democrats and were mostly southern. Raftergirl 1 hr ago #48

Yes, I was just going to remark on that. In Delaware we had a very liberal Republican governor. But those days are gone Walleye 56 min ago #50

Lincoln Chaffee was another one. He eventually left the R party and became a D. Raftergirl 44 min ago #53

So did the governor I mentioned. Governor Peterson. Walleye 41 min ago #54

Liberals support liberty. Progressives support progress. meadowlander 1 hr ago #41

Imo, a progressive is someone who is afraid of the word liberal. ananda 1 hr ago #42

That is my general impression Walleye 57 min ago #49

there is no difference mike_c 37 min ago #55

I don't think there is an equivalent in the Republican party Walleye 30 min ago #56