Don't Vote 'Strategically!'

[eitanhalevy]

A fashion has developed here for people to vote 'strategically' rather than based on their actual preference. This skews the entire democratic process, and ends up making an even more cynical, dysfunctional system. This article explains the issue better than I could. Please read!

Comments

[happy_platipus]

I think people do this because there isn't a party that they completely identify with, thats pretty much my story.

[eitanhalevy]

There never will be a party which exactly matches the preferences of more than a few individuals, unless we get a party for every few people. You pick the one that most closely represents your beliefs and policy choices and go with it. What I'm complaining about is people who know which party they would prefer (although not agree with 100%) but choose to 'strategically' vote for another party, for whatever reason.

[nobutora]

That article presents no argument at all...
The Israeli system IS cynical and disfunctional- therefore I think that strategic voting is the right (and only) way. Or not voting at all.

[eitanhalevy]

A democratic system can only be as honest as it's voters. I believe in change from the bottom up.

[nobutora]

Why is that? Surely cynical voters can vote honest people into office...
Right now it is much LESS honest than its voters. The average Israeli is not particularly corrupt, but the Knesset is completely corrupt.
Change won't come through ballots either way, but through action like (effective) demonstrations, kiruv work, etc. The ballots are there to keep us ineffective by giving an outlet for frustration, and an illusion that they mean anything. If you want to see the power of the ballot box, look what happened to Feiglin. Have no illusions that you can save Yesha by voting your concience- perhaps Yesha has a better chance if you vote for an Arab party and scare Olmert or Livni or Barak. In fact, I'm pretty sure it does.