By: Emily

In reply to Jessica.

See, I’ve definitely heard these arguments before. And what they come down to is this: the system isn’t perfect and you could do more, so there’s no point in doing the most fundamental thing. It’s like saying “I’d like a steak for dinner, but instead I have the option of meatloaf. So I’m just not going to eat at all.”

As for the first part – sorry, but you’re not legitimizing anything. The system’s in place. It’s flawed, sure, but we have to play by its rules for now. When you’re out there leading the charge to remove money from politics or overhaul the system to make it more equitable, I will be right there with you. Until that day comes, this is what we can do. This is the power we have. Why waste it?

And second: listen, I’m SO down for people being more civically involved. I have spent a lot of time and energy working for that. But it’s absurd to say that in the absence of greater civic involvement, people should just not vote. People should do a lot of things! But not everyone has time to go out and knock on doors or talk to representatives or be a community organizer. This is a thing we can do. This is the one chance everyone has to have their say. Call me an idealist, but I think that’s a fundamentally beautiful thing.