Post ASYBed9yqebWdBl2bg by lauren@mastodon.laurenweinstein.org
(DIR) More posts by lauren@mastodon.laurenweinstein.org
(DIR) Post #ASVnFcsfpaCnBJOb4a by lauren@mastodon.laurenweinstein.org
2023-02-09T18:48:58Z
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There is no middle ground when it comes to Russia's continuing atrocities against Ukraine. By cutting off a Starlink capability that Ukraine was already depending upon, Musk is acting against the interests of the United States which is actively supporting Ukraine financially and militarily. This has the effect of directly supporting our adversary Russia and Putin. The United States should move with all possible speed to legally end, suspend, and/or not renew any and all business relationships with Musk and any of his companies, as quickly as practicable.
(DIR) Post #ASVnanYXKtG8N54YTY by alien@fosstodon.org
2023-02-09T18:52:56Z
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@lauren I think it is time to un-follow you. I support the war support effort by Europe and its allies including the US, and want an end to any kind of dictatorship, but Starlink is a private company. Supporting a country against an invader is the responsibility of nations.
(DIR) Post #ASVngENt15yn1dgJA8 by lauren@mastodon.laurenweinstein.org
2023-02-09T18:53:51Z
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@alien Ta ta!
(DIR) Post #ASVnkkgKsR6mLwSznE by Mlobbes@mastodon.social
2023-02-09T18:54:41Z
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@lauren You’d think that’d be a no brainer! Musk knows what he’s doing here. He’s not THAT stupid!
(DIR) Post #ASVozF3gplP2ZZrbY8 by WN1X@noc.social
2023-02-09T19:08:33Z
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@lauren I agree. Musk needs a real talking to by the US government regarding his existing contracts.
(DIR) Post #ASVqnSFc9vfXvBwrVg by TomWild@masto.ai
2023-02-09T19:28:47Z
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@lauren I'd guess there are licensing implications associated with operating a space-based network, as well.
(DIR) Post #ASVtlumfP1B9hNMjk8 by Jeffrey_Smith@mastodon.social
2023-02-09T20:02:09Z
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@lauren @alien The United States, France and Poland are paying for Starlink service and/or terminals so that Ukraine may defend itself. By degrading Starlink service after the sale, Musk has taken money for a service he is no longer supplying. Is Musk going to refund the money he's received for a service which he has disabled? The US should discontinue funding and/or seek an injunction to stop Musk's intercession which harms our interests. #Ukraine
(DIR) Post #ASW1wCgeUfkxkjyAOO by ipd@universeodon.com
2023-02-09T21:33:33Z
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@lauren Here's hoping that he doesn't continue to use the "give something needed, get them hooked, then yank", isn't going to influence his other business models going forward. Who am I kidding, That's the drug pusher business pattern. where the end point is no user left alive.
(DIR) Post #ASWGeku22Y7HyHMkF6 by kdvncm@techhub.social
2023-02-10T00:18:26Z
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@laurenThere was a meeting. Then a tweet.https://breakingdefense.com/2023/02/at-un-meeting-space-cooperation-picks-up-momentum-but-moscow-and-beijing-play-spoilers/
(DIR) Post #ASWQ3Ze9vTCjt8qnnU by bobwyman@mastodon.social
2023-02-10T02:03:54Z
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@lauren Starlink could not exist without the US government. The US funded most of the research upon which Starlink's depends, it is a primary customer, it sponsors Starlink's use of space in international regulatory forums, etc. While Starlink is technically a private company, it is very much a product of our government.From those to whom much is given, much is expected.It is reasonable to demand that Starlink not oppose US government goals and policies.
(DIR) Post #ASWTvC1YGp5k7k3Fmy by bdowney@cybervillains.com
2023-02-10T02:46:52Z
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@lauren Makes sense to me. Act against the national security interests of the US, don't get cushy contracts from the US to buy your stuff and/or services. Also how gutless is Starlink? Apparently, the answer is very.
(DIR) Post #ASWUMUpMT4I8GCMvKq by lauren@mastodon.laurenweinstein.org
2023-02-10T02:52:11Z
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@angelastella Yeah, so they need to be weaning off now, because Musk is nothing but chaos.
(DIR) Post #ASWVXouAGDHrfXZwxs by JonasR@muenchen.social
2023-02-10T03:05:22Z
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@lauren Trump used the #DefenseProductionAct to make General Motors produce ventilators for Covid19 treatment. Can't Biden use that to order #Starlink to produce communications for #Drones?
(DIR) Post #ASWYeFVCaJVjl8eyzg by CAMadScientist@mastodon.sdf.org
2023-02-10T03:40:10Z
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@lauren Maybe time for Biden to invoke Defense Protection Act. I'm not sure under what circumstances it can be used. Defending democracy seems like good justification.
(DIR) Post #ASWZL0wUarWD3Soi5A by PSJ_MG@glasgow.social
2023-02-10T03:47:55Z
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@lauren I completely agree with you.
(DIR) Post #ASWaXWJvr9nTnkJ9Oa by statmonkey@mastodon.world
2023-02-10T04:01:23Z
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@lauren Imagine if America we're in a position of dependence on Musk or his technology companies ... Oh wait ...
(DIR) Post #ASWahf7xy0xy0mXyZU by j_g_fitzgerald@c.im
2023-02-10T04:03:13Z
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@lauren Boycott traitor Musk.
(DIR) Post #ASWbia1SX4fQQGVMWW by cazabon@mindly.social
2023-02-10T04:14:04Z
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@lauren One of the more intriguing possibilities here would be that, based on the "directly supporting enemies of the USA" aspect, his licenses to launch and operate satellites were revoked.Sorry, you won't be launching the rest of your constellation, Mr. Musk. Oh, and you need to de-orbit all the ones you've got up there in the next 90 days.
(DIR) Post #ASWeJNUCJ03oAFcZrU by HarryCallahan@mas.to
2023-02-10T04:43:35Z
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@lauren Absolutely agree.
(DIR) Post #ASWokctC8z0PISwfcu by ecoscore@mastodon.au
2023-02-10T06:40:21Z
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@lauren Lots of churn on this toot but I don't think any of us know what's really going on in the Pentagon
(DIR) Post #ASX1fSq7NatU5JNJFw by biloti@ursal.zone
2023-02-10T09:05:19Z
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@lauren now one realizes that infrastructure on the hands of a private company doesn't seem to be a good idea.
(DIR) Post #ASXBrqiJRPMF95GhWa by kcarruthers@mastodon.social
2023-02-10T10:59:33Z
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@lauren @CakesOfPan also time to learn the lesson that one requires sovereign control over utilities not private control.
(DIR) Post #ASXCFN1XTl3U0vTdui by proscience@toot.community
2023-02-10T11:03:49Z
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@lauren This cannot be stressed enough:#Musk is acting in the interest of #Russia, a fascist, imperialist, genocide and war crime committing regime.#Musk is an enemy of not just 🇺🇦 and 🇺🇸 but of every liberal democracy.
(DIR) Post #ASXStbcCFMry7MpaCW by mjf_pro@hachyderm.io
2023-02-10T14:10:27Z
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@lauren @elan Should, and won’t.
(DIR) Post #ASXVZ9z7Z7tcUkUovw by jmorris1974@twit.social
2023-02-10T14:39:30Z
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@lauren playing Devil’s Advocate here. I see mentioning of National securities interference in some of these responses, and I’m failing to see how this is a National security issue. As much as I hate to see war anywhere, I’m also a firm believer that the U.S. is not the world police and should not be involved in these things unless we're directly threatened in some way.
(DIR) Post #ASXYoxsKeisRQxY4S8 by GhostOnTheHalfShell@masto.ai
2023-02-10T15:14:55Z
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@lauren Everytime Musk has meddled with this ongoing military operation, DOD is ever more deeply motivated to design a replacement. Here, I actually take cheer. DARPA, or its antecedent, funded research that lead to the internet. While commercialization is currently deeply warped that creation, it is an example of what can happen when the "gubnit" goes into action
(DIR) Post #ASXila6hZHy6OIIMVM by JonasR@muenchen.social
2023-02-10T17:08:14Z
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@lauren Also, the #US military could take over the lines and give/lend/lease them to #Ukraine, the way they do with other intelligence and weapons systems. That way, #Starlink would only less directly be part of it.https://www.defenseone.com/technology/2023/02/spacex-now-says-they-dont-want-starlink-be-weaponized-ukraine/382797/
(DIR) Post #ASY7gKdU9zQXoWDtMu by inklings@mastodon.world
2023-02-10T21:47:28Z
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@lauren Could not agree more!
(DIR) Post #ASY8yRBSmjKlPvCjMe by martinvermeer@fediscience.org
2023-02-10T22:02:00Z
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@lauren And seize control of Starlink. Surely the Commander in Chief has instruments.
(DIR) Post #ASYAGNm0IvKc0QPtNw by marcas@mastodon.ie
2023-02-09T20:25:56Z
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@alien @lauren @Jeffrey_Smith Or just seize the company.
(DIR) Post #ASYAGOPhvJ5fzYzbGq by martinvermeer@fediscience.org
2023-02-10T22:16:04Z
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@marcas @alien@fosstodon.org @lauren @Jeffrey_Smith I believe the Defense Production Act can be used to compel production of the services required.
(DIR) Post #ASYAGOwfwjShdoPveq by lauren@mastodon.laurenweinstein.org
2023-02-10T22:16:22Z
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@martinvermeer @marcas @Jeffrey_Smith Not going to happen.
(DIR) Post #ASYAOjYRCqGZsM3N9k by martinvermeer@fediscience.org
2023-02-10T22:17:52Z
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@lauren @alien@fosstodon.org Hope you didn't neglect to report him to his instance for promoting free-market fundamentalism as a violent ideology?
(DIR) Post #ASYAV766aQtod9qKyO by lauren@mastodon.laurenweinstein.org
2023-02-10T22:19:06Z
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@martinvermeer Actually, I don't report *anybody* to their instances for any reason I've come across to date. Waste of time.
(DIR) Post #ASYAlykItIyVeRghDE by martinvermeer@fediscience.org
2023-02-10T22:22:05Z
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@lauren On Twitter you would almost certainly have been correct even in the old days. Here my experience has been very different.
(DIR) Post #ASYAo3MKi3RyXSSsG8 by Doug_Bostrom@scicomm.xyz
2023-02-10T22:22:36Z
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@lauren How to square a circle?https://www.cnbc.com/2022/12/05/spacex-unveils-starshield-a-military-variation-of-starlink-satellites.html
(DIR) Post #ASYAy2B3xTEZlkx78C by lauren@mastodon.laurenweinstein.org
2023-02-10T22:24:18Z
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@Doug_Bostrom Hard to think of anything more stupid than depending on Musk for anything relating to national security.
(DIR) Post #ASYBTCed3UqREve0Rc by Jeffrey_Smith@mastodon.social
2023-02-10T22:29:55Z
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@lauren @martinvermeer @marcas While you are probably correct, when has a defense contractor ever previously taken an adversarial action against the US in a foreign conflict? It is hard to imagine this won't hurt the relationship SpaceX has with the defense department at a minimum. Funding a company which acts in Russia's interest is something only TFG would do. #Ukraine
(DIR) Post #ASYBed9yqebWdBl2bg by lauren@mastodon.laurenweinstein.org
2023-02-10T22:32:01Z
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@Jeffrey_Smith @martinvermeer @marcas And Starlink is now pushing a military-oriented "spinoff" as well. But I believe many in the Pentagon are now questioning the wisdom of putting the defense of the United States anywhere near chaos agents like Musk who spout fascist rhetoric.
(DIR) Post #ASYE46kaAXAhYH9cjw by Jeffrey_Smith@mastodon.social
2023-02-10T22:58:59Z
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@lauren @martinvermeer @marcas Supporting fascist rhetoric sure seems to lead to supporting real fascists like Putin quickly. I hope the supposed adults on the board of SpaceX reign in their boy wonder, who is threatening the reputation of the amazing company he has created. I can just imagine how pissed off our stalwart Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, is at this action which threatens our beleaguered ally's ability to defend itself. #Ukraine
(DIR) Post #ASZXFqMl0HicV0HOpk by tarheel@mstdn.io
2023-02-11T14:08:33Z
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@laurenMaybe a smart agreement between govt and Starlink would include technology transfer.@Doug_Bostrom
(DIR) Post #ASeEQvWlE9qWLyKVSy by TCatInReality@mastodon.social
2023-02-10T10:37:26Z
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@bobwyman @lauren And that is why gov should have partial ownership of every private company that receives significant investment/bailouts. "We" paid for it. Why don't we own a part of it?
(DIR) Post #ASeEQw8KyRu6EVuW2K by volkris@qoto.org
2023-02-10T22:25:43Z
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@TCatInReality @bobwyman @laurenBecause we keep electing and reelecting people who are so proud of spending money regardless of where it goes and what it actually gets us.If they had to actually hammer out such agreements, lots of companies wouldn’t take them, and the politicians wouldn’t be able to use the spending as bragging rights.In the end, though, we reelect those people, so shrug
(DIR) Post #ASeEQwgMvv7rw3ph56 by TCatInReality@mastodon.social
2023-02-10T23:19:44Z
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@volkris @bobwyman @lauren I don't agree completely. I think corporate socialism is so normalized, it seems radical to demand ownership. Of course, delighted donor make sure they show their appreciation to helpful lawmakers. But completely agreed about voter inaction on incumbents.
(DIR) Post #ASeEQx7JJkg1HcRD4i by volkris@qoto.org
2023-02-11T01:58:06Z
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@TCatInRealityI want to emphasize part of my point though: it’s not voter INaction, but voter ACTION where we voters go to the polls and actively reelect representatives with their track records.We don’t just sit back and let it happen. We participate in the process of putting these individuals back in power even after they demonstrated how they would vote.I don’t know how many issues I see where friends will be excited to vote for some candidate even though I know that candidate contributed to some serious problem that the friend personally cares about.We eagerly reelect the people who cause so many problems. Voter education is seriously lacking, but in the end, we get the government we vote for.@bobwyman @lauren
(DIR) Post #ASeEQxYbgGVkeHD0ca by TCatInReality@mastodon.social
2023-02-11T11:08:35Z
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@volkris @bobwyman @lauren Completely agree on that. First past the post system lead to a "lesser of two evils" decision and campaign that focus on tarring the other side.
(DIR) Post #ASeEQy7hZmaGP7d2K8 by volkris@qoto.org
2023-02-13T05:48:32Z
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@TCatInReality @bobwyman @lauren But let me build on that just a little bit.The big problem with first past the post is that when I cast my vote I have to worry a whole lot about how my neighbor is casting his vote, I have to game things because I don’t want my vote wasted on somebody that doesn’t actually stand a chance of winning… maybe because other people aren’t voting for that candidate because they don’t want to waste their vote on someone who doesn’t have a chance of winning… which obviously becomes circular and stupid pretty quickly 🙂SO how do we mitigate this problem? By only having two candidates to vote for. By organizing ourselves behind two candidates supposedly diametrically opposed, and so we evolved a primary system with two major political parties.Which is all to say that as much as people complain about the two-party system in the US, two few people realize that the two party system is merely the natural attempt to mitigate issues with our voting system.The two party system is harsh medicine for a deeper problem. We should cure the deeper problem instead of spending so much time worrying about the mitigating mechanism.
(DIR) Post #ASeEQydxdqO81Ainbc by TCatInReality@mastodon.social
2023-02-13T08:22:11Z
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@volkris @bobwyman @lauren Very interesting. What would you say is the deeper problem and its cure?
(DIR) Post #ASeEQzE7TPJNpJdfxw by volkris@qoto.org
2023-02-13T20:29:25Z
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@TCatInReality @bobwyman @laurenThe deep problem is the first past the post #voting system. Almost any voting system would be better.The cure is to change to a different voting system, probably one of the many ranked choice systems.We can argue about which one would be the best of imperfect options, but at the end of the day, they would all be better than what we have now.(This is even more or less mathematically provable, but that’s tricky because it’s calculating subjective priorities)#RCV
(DIR) Post #ASeEQzhXi0qbIZPApM by lauren@mastodon.laurenweinstein.org
2023-02-13T20:31:10Z
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@volkris @TCatInReality @bobwyman I don't like ranked choice. It confuses too many people, and tends to entrench parties already in power. I say this even though I'm fine with Democrats keeping power here in California forever.
(DIR) Post #ASeSQzU9uUfPzH2NV2 by TCatInReality@mastodon.social
2023-02-13T23:08:14Z
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@lauren @volkris @bobwyman Actually, I like ranked choice. Shouldn't be that hard to understand "If I can't get A, then I want B"
(DIR) Post #ASeSbUIIDezKQzUasy by lauren@mastodon.laurenweinstein.org
2023-02-13T23:10:12Z
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@TCatInReality @volkris @bobwyman Reality is that it confuses a lot of people. And they're the ones to be concerned with.
(DIR) Post #ASeSfK5m5kOFx5SxPs by lauren@mastodon.laurenweinstein.org
2023-02-13T23:10:52Z
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@TCatInReality @volkris @bobwyman And personally, I don't like it. It can create one-party ballots, and those stink -- even when it's your party.
(DIR) Post #ASf0Ap3uIFZbT4Dica by volkris@qoto.org
2023-02-14T05:26:17Z
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@lauren @TCatInReality @bobwymanFirstly, yes, I absolutely agree that it confuses people and that is a major problem. Some of the technically better ranked choice methods are very mathematical, and confusing to anybody who doesn’t study them, so personally I would write them off right away.That is a very primary consideration. 100% agree.But on the other hand, I disagree about ranked choice keeping entrenched parties in power. Ranked choice means that people can risk voting for somebody new with the old standby as a backup. It threatens the entrenched powers.
(DIR) Post #ASgI3ROTswtiMtQva4 by volkris@qoto.org
2023-02-14T20:21:22Z
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@lauren @TCatInReality @bobwymanWho is on the ballot is a separate issue from how we count the votes on the ballot.You can have ranked choice voting on a ballot that’s all one party, or on a ballot that has candidates from five different parties. It’s a separate matter.But, ranked choice voting does make it easier for people to vote for minor parties since they can also vote for major parties as a backup.So RCV helps empower third parties, helps avoid one-party control of ballots.
(DIR) Post #ASgI7kAu03gNm68Lz6 by lauren@mastodon.laurenweinstein.org
2023-02-14T20:22:12Z
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@volkris @TCatInReality @bobwyman I am, frankly, uninterested in helping minor parties. By and large, they're nutcases.
(DIR) Post #ASgIMQrw3qoMF5GZOq by volkris@qoto.org
2023-02-14T20:24:49Z
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@laurenAlright, fine, then even focusing on the major parties, RCV makes it easier to avoid one-party ballots by allowing more competition between major parties.@TCatInReality @bobwyman
(DIR) Post #ASgIkoQw6HcOHCGMEa by lauren@mastodon.laurenweinstein.org
2023-02-14T20:29:16Z
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@volkris @TCatInReality @bobwyman When I've seen these, they seem to migrate to essentially one-party ballots, with the non-dominant party so far down the list they don't have a chance. Example, the last mayoral race here in L.A. was between two Democrats (one of them actually used to be a Republican, but he signed up this time as Democrat). I would never vote for a Republican, but is this a *fair* situation?
(DIR) Post #ASgVDkAwD3EcuzLFXU by volkris@qoto.org
2023-02-14T22:48:56Z
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@lauren @TCatInReality @bobwymanWell what is unfair about it?The candidate is on the ballot just like the others, right?
(DIR) Post #ASgVMoyfiywqPyvu5I by lauren@mastodon.laurenweinstein.org
2023-02-14T22:50:36Z
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@volkris @TCatInReality @bobwyman My feeling is that the major parties should get a thumbs up/down on each vote. If the ballot is overloaded at the top with one party (even my party!) that can't happen.
(DIR) Post #ASgVb4MHKtUiAtliyG by volkris@qoto.org
2023-02-14T22:53:09Z
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@lauren @TCatInReality @bobwymanWell maybe I misunderstand your position, but my immediate reaction is that in the US we don’t vote for parties but for individuals, even if the individuals are aligned with parties.For example, I vote for a particular individual to be my representative in Congress. I vote for a particular individual to be my mayor. And I judge and hold that individual accountable for their performance.This is different from other countries, especially with parliamentary systems, where you really do vote for the party and not for individuals.I think this is a fundamental aspect of the US system.And feel free to correct me and tell me that in your area they do have elections for parties. I’m just not familiar with that!
(DIR) Post #ASgVm1rGyIjjbeUZ3A by lauren@mastodon.laurenweinstein.org
2023-02-14T22:55:09Z
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@volkris @TCatInReality @bobwyman Party affiliation is the single best signal for voting for most people.