Voting for the "Lesser-Evil" Gave Us: Bush I; Clinton; Bush II; Obama; Trump; AND Genocide Joe Biden (etc).

Which "Lesser-Evil Will be Next in the Empire of Suffering?

The Pitfalls of Lesser-Evilism Voting and How to Create Positive Change Beyond the Ballot Box

As the first Tuesday in November 2024 looms like Cthulu, many Americans find themselves grappling with a nagging sense of unease. For those who are committed to positive values and policies, the perpetual choice between two widely unpopular candidates – both who will have problematic records on issues like justice, foreign policy, and climate change – can feel particularly daunting. It’s a scenario that has played out in countless election cycles before. But is there a way out of this destructive cycle? Let’s explore the pitfalls of lesser-evilism voting and why voters in the USA (and elsewhere) keep electing evil people. I’ll then offer ten concrete steps to create positive social change that go beyond the ballot box.

Lesser-Evilism Voting vs. Greater Good

The lesser-evilism voting strategy is based on the premise that we should accept a moderate amount of “evil” in order to avoid the greater evil. However, the concept of “evil” can be highly subjective and open to interpretation, often dependent on a person’s political ideology and priorities. For instance, one voter might prioritize economic policies while another might prioritize social policies. Therefore, what one person sees as a lesser evil, another sees as a dealbreaker.

Moreover, the lesser-evilism strategy has had limited success in electing candidates who are truly committed to positive causes. Instead, it has resulted in election after election of politicians who MAY be marginally better than their opponents, but who ultimately represent a corrupt and broken system that perpetuates injustice and inequality.

The Need for Positive Change Beyond Voting

Rather than relying solely on the ballot box to drive positive change, we need to recognize that positive progress requires sustained activism and organizing. Here are ten things you can do to make a difference in your community:

1. Join and support grassroots organizations that promote social, economic, and environmental justice.

2. Write letters to the editor and start petitions to advocate for the greater good. Keeping things as local as possible has the potential to bring positive change.

3. Boycott businesses that support unethical practices or whose values conflict with your own.

4. Volunteer your time and resources to community service organizations.

5. Support alternative media and news sources that question the status quo and challenge power structures.

6. Educate yourself and others about the issues that impact marginalized people and communities.

7. Network with like-minded activists to build coalitions and partnerships for collective action. This is how I was able to have enough social “juice” to have a successful Peace Camp in Crawford Texas in the summer of 2005.

8. Attend rallies, protests, and other public demonstrations to show solidarity with marginalized communities.

9. Donate money to organizations and causes that align with your values.

10. Prioritize self-care and wellness to maintain stamina and resilience for long-term activism.

The pitfalls of lesser-evilism voting are well-documented and demand that we consider alternative approaches to social and political change. Rather than limiting our activism to the ballot box, we can find power in banding together to challenge systemic injustice and inequality. By engaging in grassroots organizing, activism, and promoting long-term systemic change, we have the potential to make true progress and work towards a brighter future for all.

---

A lot of people voted for this War Criminal Genocide Joe because “harm reduction!” What a joke.

---

---

For as little as 14 cents a day ($50 yearly), you can support the work of Cindy Sheehan’s Soapbox and SheeLilly!

Thanks for being a loyal reader of Cindy Sheehan’s Soapbox, we need your financial help if you are able.

We have different tiers of support: $5/month; $50/year, or $100 as a founding member.

Checks/money/orders/cash/etc can be snail-mailed to:

Cindy Sheehan’s Soapbox, LLC
PO BOX 6264, VACAVILLE, CA 95696

PayPal: cindysheehanssoapbox@gmail.com