Claiming to be voting for "the lesser of two evils" is a false perspective, since Kamala Harris is not evil and Trump is

[lees1975]

https://signalpress.blogspot.com/2024/09/discerning-lesser-of-two-evils-requires.html

"I'm voting for the lesser of two evils."

O.K., so tell me, exactly what does that mean?

My personal interpretation of the use of this statement by a voter is that it is an expression of ignorance. They are patriotic enough to realize voting is a citizen's obligation, something that is a privilege and a right that shouldn't be wasted, but they're too lazy and uninformed to really know much about the candidates so they are depending on bits and pieces of news media sound bytes, probably a lot of podcasts and private sources, not a lot of reliable journalistic sources, and they know the talking points.

Having been raised in a conservative, Evangelical church and denomination, I was taught that everything, by default, is evil. Yes, that does seem to be a very pessimistic, negative way of looking at the world, I agree. It explains the cultural and social restrictions that constitute what they believe is genuine Christian practice, based on a literal reading of a text more than 2,000 years old, without applying much in the way of historical, cultural and language contexts to the interpretation.

But "evil" is a simplistic way to reject political candidates, particularly on a partisan basis, without having to put much effort into finding out where they stand on the issues or whether or not they are qualified to do the job. It's a dismissive way of deciding for whom one will vote. It's an argument that doesn't leave room for reasoning, since it's personal and subjective. In this way of looking at things, what makes a candidate "evil," by definition, is that they do not see the world, resolve problems or think the same way that the voter does. It has nothing to do with what is truly evil, as opposed to what is truly good.

Trump is clearly the most evil candidate. So those who are supporting him cannot be using the argument that they are voting for the lesser of two evils. There's something else behind their vote, and their position tells me that evil isn't a consideration for them, one way or another, nor is it a real concern.

[TwilightZone]

1. The phrase isn't meant to be taken literally and "evil" is up to interpretation.

As the blog notes at length.

There are a lot of people who are either apolitical or don't delve enough into political positions to understand that there's a clear difference between the parties and their respective candidates.

It's not that they necessarily see Harris as evil, it's that they see her as not enough better than or different from Trump to motivate them to vote. That's ridiculous, of course, but it's not an uncommon perspective.

[stopdiggin]

2. True. But a lot of people (and I mean a LOT)

(including a very large slate of young voters) are of the opinion that 'the government' is frankly so screwed up as to be almost irredeemable. And thus - the 'lesser of two evils' actually fits into their mindset fairly well. AND - also represents a willingness to work within that system toward improvement - rather than the truly toxic and destructive notion (also somewhat prevalent), that we should just tear it all down!

So, you know what - I'm going to encourage 'lesser of two' people out there - to make a positive step in voting for Harris. If they think they have to hold their nose while doing so ... That's okay with me!

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[DSandra]

3. I'm only saying what I've read others say...

I'm solidly for Democrats, but this is what they say:

"Both parties are corrupt and beholden to special interests, both parties serve their masters "the wealthy elite", Democrats support the war machine and (from the left): "Democrats support brutal capitalism and are fascists."

I am mature enough to know the realities of this world and how messy it is in working with the system as it is to make change, but many others don't believe in working with the system and instead blowing it up.

[FakeNoose]

4. As long as they vote for Harris & Walz, I don't care how they arrive at that decision

We have to accept the fact that not all Americans are as engaged in the politics as we are at DU. About 95% of Americans are good people but they ignore most of this, for most of the time.

They get told a lot of "stuff" by their co-workers, their friends on Facebook, on forwarded emails or whatever. The tide has turned and Chump is now being seen as an old, lying buffoon, while Kamala is smart, cool and on-the-ball.

If that's what it takes to SAVE THIS COUNTRY, I'm Ok with it.