Re:The human body is already close to thermal limits in many...
by panarky on Monday July 29, 2019 @10:47AM
(#20555129)
> voting is the only thing that matters
Voting matters when (1) laws ensure all people have roughly equal influence when voting, (2) laws ensure voting translates into action instead of an empty gesture to appease the population, and (3) the rule of law is respected and consistently enforced.
When one or more of these is compromised, then the actions of the government are illegitimate, and there is a continuum of actions people can take beyond voting.
Writing letters -> peaceful street protests -> nonviolent civil disobedience like blocking roads -> sabotage -> violent street protests -> armed insurrection -> civil war.
Re:The human body is already close to thermal limits in many...
by firethief on Monday July 29, 2019 @12:45PM
(#20556554)
1 is not necessary for voting to matter (cf. the Electoral College). Also, gerrymandering is done specifically to avoid 1, yet it wouldn't be necessary if voting didn't matter.
Voting matters when (1) laws ensure all people have roughly equal influence when voting, (2) laws ensure voting translates into action instead of an empty gesture to appease the population, and (3) the rule of law is respected and consistently enforced.
When one or more of these is compromised, then the actions of the government are illegitimate, and there is a continuum of actions people can take beyond voting.
Writing letters -> peaceful street protests -> nonviolent civil disobedience like blocking roads -> sabotage -> violent street protests -> armed insurrection -> civil war.
So no, voting is not the only thing that matters.