Elections Are Actually Pointless.

Summary

In this video, the speaker critiques the concept of elections, arguing that they often feel meaningless. Elections are presented as a game where voters choose between unappealing options, with politicians more focused on campaigning than actual leadership. The speaker highlights the dominance of big money and corporations in politics, rendering the power of ordinary voters minimal. While elections are supposed to keep the government accountable, the speaker believes that by the time politicians are voted out, nothing has changed, and the system remains corrupt. Ultimately, elections are framed as a performative exercise rather than a genuine solution.

Takeaways

• 😀 Elections are often seen as a way to choose leaders, but the process is flawed and feels more like a game with better PR.
• 😒 Many elections offer limited choices, often between two unsatisfactory options, making the process feel meaningless.
• 🤔 Politicians prioritize campaigning over actual governance, often making empty promises during elections that are forgotten once they’re elected.
• 🎨 The electoral system is criticized for gerrymandering, where district boundaries are drawn in ways that undermine the power of individual votes.
• 💰 Elections are supposed to give power to the people, but big money, lobbyists, and corporations hold more sway over the outcome than ordinary voters.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Voting feels like a group project where the people doing the work (voters) don’t get the credit, while the wealthy (the lazy kid) benefit the most.
• 📉 Voter turnout is low because many people feel that elections don’t bring meaningful change and nothing substantial will improve after voting.
• 😞 The idea that elections keep the government accountable doesn’t hold up, as people often forget the wrongdoings of politicians by the time elections roll around.
• 💼 Even when politicians are voted out, the replacements often aren’t any better, and the same shady deals and policies continue.
• 🔖 Elections are more about appearances and ‘good vibes’ than about producing real results, like posting a photo of a test without actually passing it.
• 🌀 In the end, elections feel like a pointless exercise, where votes are cast into a void that doesn’t seem to care about the outcome, despite the illusion of democracy.

Q & A

What is the central argument in the script about elections?

The central argument is that elections are often overrated and may not have the impact people believe they do. The script suggests that elections are more about maintaining the appearance of democracy rather than producing real change.

Why does the script argue that elections are just another game with better PR?

The script compares elections to a game with good marketing, suggesting that while elections are presented as a way to empower the people and hold politicians accountable, in reality, they often don't produce meaningful change. The PR makes elections seem more significant than they are.

What does the script mean by 'choosing between still sandwich and cold pizza'?

This metaphor suggests that elections often offer voters limited and unappealing choices. Even though you can choose, neither option is ideal, just like choosing between two subpar food choices.

How does the script criticize politicians and their approach to elections?

The script criticizes politicians for focusing more on campaigning and making promises than on actually addressing the needs of the people. Politicians are depicted as prioritizing their public image and appealing to voters with empty promises, rather than working on substantive issues.

What point does the script make about the influence of money in elections?

The script argues that big money, lobbyists, and corporations have more power in elections than the average voter. This undermines the idea that elections give power to the people, as the wealthy and powerful are more likely to shape the outcome than ordinary citizens.

Why does the script compare voting to a group project?

The script compares voting to a group project where one person does all the work (the average voter) but the 'lazy kid' (the wealthy or corporate elites) gets all the credit. This highlights the frustration that many people feel when their votes seem to have little effect on the overall political process.

What does the script say about voter turnout and its relation to the system?

The script suggests that low voter turnout is a sign that many people feel disillusioned with the political system. It implies that people don't bother voting because they believe nothing will change, reinforcing the idea that the system is rigged or ineffective.

How does the script challenge the idea that elections keep the government accountable?

The script argues that elections don’t truly hold politicians accountable. By the time an election occurs, the public has often forgotten the mistakes or misdeeds of politicians, and even when they are voted out, the next leader is often equally problematic. This shows how elections don't effectively stop corruption or bad policies.

What is the script's view on the effectiveness of elections in preventing shady backroom deals or bad policies?

The script contends that elections don't prevent shady backroom deals or bad policies. Instead, they merely provide a superficial appearance of democracy without addressing the underlying issues in governance.

What does the phrase 'elections are more about vibes than results' mean?

This phrase suggests that elections are often more about creating a feeling of democratic participation rather than producing real, tangible results. The emphasis is on the spectacle of the election, not on its effectiveness in addressing people's needs.