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LeftInTX

(35,151 posts)

34. I personally think withholding votes, is a shade of "anarchism"

Thu Jul 9, 2026, 12:27 PM

12 hrs ago

It's one thing to abstain when you can't decide, but withholding votes to "change society", by not participating is veering more to the anarchist side and not "progressive". It's how we get Trump.

For instance, antifa are often non-voters. They see the system as always corrupt and would just prefer to always fight, it no matter who is in power, rather than participate in the electoral process.

However, low turnout voters is totally different than someone who refuses to vote because "they want to send a message".

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Walleye

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What is the difference between a progressive and a liberal? [View all] Walleye 14 hrs ago OP

liberals occasionally justaprogressive 14 hrs ago #1

That's my impression. So I guess that makes him part of the "establishment" Walleye 14 hrs ago #11

Historically, by the Progressive Era bucolic_frolic 14 hrs ago #2

Both do both paleotn 14 hrs ago #5

Can't entirely agree or disagree bucolic_frolic 14 hrs ago #7

You couldn't slide piece of paper through the difference paleotn 14 hrs ago #3

Agree. It's lost all meaning. BannonsLiver 13 hrs ago #26

Progressives stand for progress and change Fiendish Thingy 14 hrs ago #4

I'm glad you noted "stand for" progress and change. W_HAMILTON 14 hrs ago #8

Well, I was referring to progressive politicians specifically, not voters Fiendish Thingy 14 hrs ago #14

Yes, it is standing up for one's values. W_HAMILTON 13 hrs ago #19

Like I said, a debateable strategy Fiendish Thingy 13 hrs ago #25

It's your civic duty to vote. It's either or. Walleye 11 hrs ago #43

I agree casting a ballot should be mandatory Fiendish Thingy 10 hrs ago #46

I get the feeling that the purpose of elections, to determine the will of the people, is being buried somehow Walleye 10 hrs ago #51

I'm sure someone will chime in with some intricate delineation... W_HAMILTON 14 hrs ago #6

This is what I think, too. CrispyQ 14 hrs ago #16

I think in this particular election being against Trump is enough Walleye 10 hrs ago #44

Some are hip buzzwords Keepthesoulalive 10 hrs ago #52

lets divide progressives. rampartd 14 hrs ago #9

simple Whip-poor-will 14 hrs ago #10

Liberals are more about individual freedom; progressives want to build new structures muriel_volestrangler 14 hrs ago #12

This Progressive is so far left of left... ZDU 14 hrs ago #13

Thank you to everyone who answered. It's all very interesting. Walleye 14 hrs ago #15

Agree - whether people like it or not we have a two party system in America. walkingman 13 hrs ago #18

The two party system is a huge part of the problem. The Madcap 12 hrs ago #31

I do wish we has a parliamentary system. I also wish we were a democracy instead of a democratic republic walkingman 12 hrs ago #36

Joe Biden managed to get some bipartisan legislation passed Walleye 10 hrs ago #45

And if they don't like the two party system, they can feel free to think of it as 100+ million party system. W_HAMILTON 12 hrs ago #37

The word "Liberal" has numerous meanings and different usages. LeftInTX 13 hrs ago #28

I personally think withholding votes, is a shade of "anarchism" LeftInTX 12 hrs ago #34

There are many people who feel the same way we do politically, but they refuse to participate. I don't know what Walleye 10 hrs ago #47

The way I look at it is this.... walkingman 14 hrs ago #17

I described myself as a proud Democrat Walleye 13 hrs ago #24

I'm a "big tent Democrat" LeftInTX 12 hrs ago #33

Message auto-removed Name removed 13 hrs ago #20

I have always identified myself as a liberal for one very simple reason Peacetrain 13 hrs ago #21

I'm a liberal and proud of it. Raftergirl 13 hrs ago #22

This message was self-deleted by its author Prairie_Seagull 13 hrs ago #23

Incrementalists within the system vs. Reformers who think the system is broken Sympthsical 13 hrs ago #27

Progressives are Liberals Progressive dog 13 hrs ago #29

A sliver. RandySF 12 hrs ago #30

Progressives are more idealistic, less pragmatic... BH liberal 12 hrs ago #32

What is the benefit of this question? We all need each other.... legallyblondeNYC 12 hrs ago #35

Progressives tend to work towards a group goal. haele 11 hrs ago #38

Redefined: progressive (anti-establishment, working class, good) liberal (establishment, elite, not progressive, evil). betsuni 11 hrs ago #39

In recent years, Progressives work for progress, 31j20b3 11 hrs ago #40

They used to be called blue dog Democrats and were mostly southern. Raftergirl 10 hrs ago #48

Yes, I was just going to remark on that. In Delaware we had a very liberal Republican governor. But those days are gone Walleye 10 hrs ago #50

Lincoln Chaffee was another one. He eventually left the R party and became a D. Raftergirl 10 hrs ago #53

So did the governor I mentioned. Governor Peterson. Walleye 10 hrs ago #54

Liberals support liberty. Progressives support progress. meadowlander 11 hrs ago #41

Imo, a progressive is someone who is afraid of the word liberal. ananda 11 hrs ago #42

That is my general impression Walleye 10 hrs ago #49

there is no difference mike_c 10 hrs ago #55

I don't think there is an equivalent in the Republican party Walleye 10 hrs ago #56

Liberals are center-left and progressives are left many a good man 8 hrs ago #57

Well said! BH liberal 6 hrs ago #58