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Fiendish Thingy

(24,689 posts)

46. I agree casting a ballot should be mandatory

Thu Jul 9, 2026, 02:17 PM

3 hrs ago

It is in Australia, however voters have the option of checking “abstain” rather than voting for a candidate.

However, until a law is passed making it so, voters can vote with their feet, or, if you will, seats, by staying home.

Ignoring willful abstentions (as opposed to apathy) is a perilous strategy. 9 million fewer voters cast a ballot in 2024 compared to 2020, even though millions more than that had become eligible in the interim.

Some Dems are figuring this out, and taking steps to address it.

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Walleye

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What is the difference between a progressive and a liberal? [View all] Walleye 7 hrs ago OP

liberals occasionally justaprogressive 7 hrs ago #1

That's my impression. So I guess that makes him part of the "establishment" Walleye 6 hrs ago #11

Historically, by the Progressive Era bucolic_frolic 6 hrs ago #2

Both do both paleotn 6 hrs ago #5

Can't entirely agree or disagree bucolic_frolic 6 hrs ago #7

You couldn't slide piece of paper through the difference paleotn 6 hrs ago #3

Agree. It's lost all meaning. BannonsLiver 5 hrs ago #26

Progressives stand for progress and change Fiendish Thingy 6 hrs ago #4

I'm glad you noted "stand for" progress and change. W_HAMILTON 6 hrs ago #8

Well, I was referring to progressive politicians specifically, not voters Fiendish Thingy 6 hrs ago #14

Yes, it is standing up for one's values. W_HAMILTON 6 hrs ago #19

Like I said, a debateable strategy Fiendish Thingy 5 hrs ago #25

It's your civic duty to vote. It's either or. Walleye 3 hrs ago #43

I agree casting a ballot should be mandatory Fiendish Thingy 3 hrs ago #46

I get the feeling that the purpose of elections, to determine the will of the people, is being buried somehow Walleye 2 hrs ago #51

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

This is what I think, too. CrispyQ 6 hrs ago #16

I think in this particular election being against Trump is enough Walleye 3 hrs ago #44

Some are hip buzzwords Keepthesoulalive 2 hrs ago #52

lets divide progressives. rampartd 6 hrs ago #9

simple Whip-poor-will 6 hrs ago #10

Liberals are more about individual freedom; progressives want to build new structures muriel_volestrangler 6 hrs ago #12

This Progressive is so far left of left... ZDU 6 hrs ago #13

Thank you to everyone who answered. It's all very interesting. Walleye 6 hrs ago #15

Agree - whether people like it or not we have a two party system in America. walkingman 6 hrs ago #18

The two party system is a huge part of the problem. The Madcap 5 hrs ago #31

I do wish we has a parliamentary system. I also wish we were a democracy instead of a democratic republic walkingman 4 hrs ago #36

Joe Biden managed to get some bipartisan legislation passed Walleye 3 hrs 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 4 hrs ago #37

The word "Liberal" has numerous meanings and different usages. LeftInTX 5 hrs ago #28

I personally think withholding votes, is a shade of "anarchism" LeftInTX 5 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 3 hrs ago #47

The way I look at it is this.... walkingman 6 hrs ago #17

I described myself as a proud Democrat Walleye 5 hrs ago #24

I'm a "big tent Democrat" LeftInTX 5 hrs ago #33

Message auto-removed Name removed 6 hrs ago #20

I have always identified myself as a liberal for one very simple reason Peacetrain 6 hrs ago #21

I'm a liberal and proud of it. Raftergirl 6 hrs ago #22

This message was self-deleted by its author Prairie_Seagull 5 hrs ago #23

Incrementalists within the system vs. Reformers who think the system is broken Sympthsical 5 hrs ago #27

Progressives are Liberals Progressive dog 5 hrs ago #29

A sliver. RandySF 5 hrs ago #30

Progressives are more idealistic, less pragmatic... BH liberal 5 hrs ago #32

What is the benefit of this question? We all need each other.... legallyblondeNYC 4 hrs ago #35

Progressives tend to work towards a group goal. haele 4 hrs ago #38

Redefined: progressive (anti-establishment, working class, good) liberal (establishment, elite, not progressive, evil). betsuni 3 hrs ago #39

In recent years, Progressives work for progress, 31j20b3 3 hrs ago #40

They used to be called blue dog Democrats and were mostly southern. Raftergirl 3 hrs 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 2 hrs ago #50

Lincoln Chaffee was another one. He eventually left the R party and became a D. Raftergirl 2 hrs ago #53

So did the governor I mentioned. Governor Peterson. Walleye 2 hrs ago #54

Liberals support liberty. Progressives support progress. meadowlander 3 hrs ago #41

Imo, a progressive is someone who is afraid of the word liberal. ananda 3 hrs ago #42

That is my general impression Walleye 2 hrs ago #49

there is no difference mike_c 2 hrs ago #55

I don't think there is an equivalent in the Republican party Walleye 2 hrs ago #56

Liberals are center-left and progressives are left many a good man 54 min ago #57