To the GOP/NRA regarding yesterday's tragedy

[Flint]

Originally Posted by glatt

Mostly, I'm glad it's over. It was like I was being assaulted by this election for the past month. Canvassers came to my front door on 5 occasions. Obama even called me twice.

I've never lived in a Swing State. I was born in Texas and moved to Oregon. I can't imagine what it would be like if somebody actually cared who I voted for. Thinking back on my militant "vote third party--ANY third party (to erode the system)" position, it makes sense that it never actually mattered who I voted for--there was nothing for me to throw away. Subsequently I've learned this is a thing--it's called strategic voting. If your participation doesn't forward the main objective, try to achieve some other objective.

Interestingly, to me it looks like "third parties" essentially almost overthrew the system from within in 2016. Sanders was squashed, but remains a leadership role; whereas Trump literally destroyed the establishment and continues to aggressively dismantle the system.

Sanders was literally a third party, and Trump is functionally one.