Voting During the Genocide

Summary

The transcript discusses the dilemma of voting in the US presidential election, particularly the moral conflict when the current administration is implicated in the Gaza genocide. It criticizes the Biden-Harris government's complicity and challenges the narrative that voting for them could stop the violence. The speaker argues against unconditional support for Democrats and calls for voters to use their political power responsibly, suggesting they should withhold votes until the genocide ends.

Takeaways

• 🗳️ The speaker advocates for voting in elections even if the options are unsatisfactory, viewing it as a civic duty.
• 🏺 The US government, led by Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, is accused of being deeply involved in the Gaza conflict.
• 🚫 The speaker criticizes the US government for their public statements against the conflict while continuing to support it materially.
• 📢 There's a call to not support or advocate for candidates but to simply vote for the 'least bad' option if one has the time.
• 🤔 The speaker questions the sincerity of those who claim to reluctantly vote for certain candidates but then actively support them.
• 😡 The speaker expresses frustration with people who create positive narratives around politicians involved in the Gaza conflict.
• 👀 There's a critique on the Western perception that fails to see the US government's role in the conflict as monstrous.
• 🌎 The speaker points out the hypocrisy of those who claim to support the Palestinian cause but still support the US government.
• 🙅‍♀️ The speaker suggests that voting for a party that is currently perpetrating genocide is complicit and encourages withholding votes until the genocide ends.
• 💡 The speaker proposes using the power of the vote as leverage to demand an end to the genocide before voting for any candidate.

Q & A

What is the speaker's general stance on voting in elections?

The speaker believes that if one doesn't have any other pressing commitments, they might as well go and vote for the candidate they consider to be the least bad, without spending time advocating for them.

What is the 'ongoing Gaza genocide' mentioned in the script?

The 'ongoing Gaza genocide' refers to the conflict involving Gaza, where the speaker accuses the current US government, led by Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, of being deeply implicated.

Why does the speaker believe that occasional public pronouncements from the US administration do not indicate genuine opposition to the genocide?

The speaker thinks these pronouncements are public relations exercises without practical material effect, meant to give supporters something to point to while ignoring the material support the US government provides to Israel.

What is the speaker's view on the Democratic party's support for Israel?

The speaker views the Democratic party's support for Israel as longstanding and consistent, accusing both Joe Biden and Kamala Harris of having a history of supporting Israel's actions, including the current conflict.

Why does the speaker criticize those who claim to be reluctantly voting for Biden and Harris?

The speaker criticizes them because they believe these supporters are not actually reluctant but are instead creating positive propaganda and cheering for the candidates, which contradicts their claim of voting out of necessity rather than genuine support.

What does the speaker suggest is the problem with the western perception of its own political figures?

The speaker suggests that westerners have a problem conceiving of their own political figures as monsters, comparing the perception of figures like Joe Biden to that of others like Slobodan Milošević or Adolf Hitler.

What does the speaker propose as a condition for voting for the Democratic party?

The speaker proposes that they will vote for the Democratic party only if they end the genocide in Gaza first.

Why does the speaker argue that voting for the Democrats without demanding an end to the genocide is effectively complicit?

The speaker argues that by pledging votes unconditionally, one gives the Democrats a free pass to continue the genocide, making one complicit in the act.

What is the speaker's opinion on the argument that not voting could lead to worse outcomes?

The speaker dismisses this argument, stating that if people take a principled stance against genocide and the Democrats lose, it would be the Democrats' fault for not addressing the issue, not the voters'.

What is the speaker's final appeal to the American voters?

The speaker appeals to American voters to at least refuse to reward the Democrats with their vote if they continue the genocide, urging them to break the cycle of voting for the same party without receiving any meaningful change.