Kbin/Mbin (and possibly others?) definitely have the edge here since those platforms make votes public (only admins can see them on Lemmy). So, if you want to confirm what I'm saying here, go view some of these posts from Kbin/Mbin.
Every time one of the "usual suspects" says stuff like this in the comments, there will later be posts detailing how Biden is doing (or at least earnestly trying to do) exactly the things they're saying he needs to be doing (oR ElSe i WiLl noT voTE anD NEithER ShoULD yoU!!!11!!). 100% of the time, those posts are downvoted by these same "usual suspect" accounts.
What gives? They have very strong opinions about how he should run his administration, so you'd think they'd appreciate him doing what they've been so helpfully suggesting. Unless....it was never about the issues at all.
That thin veneer of concern they're hiding behind is not as thick as they think it is and is quite easy to see through. Now you know where to look.
Edit: Please don't name and shame any specific users. That may violate the community or LW rules. We all know who most of the "usual suspects" are.
100% this. They think they’re not being seen for what they are, but it’s all right there. Plain as day.
In my experience, any criticism of Biden is immediately met with "but Trump is worse!!!" Rather than any current argument as to why Biden isn't actually that bad.
If the responses WERE generally any Biden I'd still dislike Biden but I wouldn't bitch so much about him. Every once in a while you find someone making an effort to defend Biden in good faith and, great. We can disagree on the dude, that's fine. But if I can't criticize Biden without immediately being redirected to talking about Trump, I'm going to keep talking about Biden. If the best case scenario is we're stick with this guy for another 4 years I would appreciate some pressure to do better.
There's a shit storm of astroturfed anti Biden sentiment. You know this, everyone knows this. Knowing that, you should know that there aren't enough hours in the day to eloquently frame and debate the benefits of Biden. To people who most likely aren't even listening. At a base level, Trump WILL be worse on all issues. It's a fact. And if Biden doesn't win. Trump WILL. Also a fact.
It's not a great argument. But it's the only argument necessary. The fact that you act wounded or surprised by this seems very disingenuous. Why are others obliged to spend their time explaining public knowledge to you? Not to knock those that do just that. It is important after all. But where's the entitlement coming from.
I keep hearing that but I rarely actually see it. Maybe one in fifty of the accounts accused of being a Russian troll actually looks like one if you check comment history. That's said so much here it feels like a meme.
I think it's fair to say a lot of people are disillusioned with Biden, and disillusioned with the process. Screaming about Trump is going to do absolutely nothing to bring them back.
They know. Everyone knows. What they don't know, because no one fucking talks about it, is where Biden has been successful. Instead of an opportunity to shine a desperately needed light on his successes, you turn it in to another shit flinging contest.
First that's not how astroturfing works. Everyone repeating it isn't being paid to or a bot. Just useful tools. Second I never accused anyone of being Bots Etc. This all comes off as deflection and ignoring what was actually said. Regardless. This deflection illustrates your awareness of it. Despite you're unwillingness to acknowledge it.
I've never been allusioned with Biden. There was only one Democrat I liked less than him in the 2019 primaries. It was quite a surprise that he far exceeded my low expectations. But he did. Still we are talking fascists, literal fascist. Who've already attempted to overthrow the government once. With a literal fucking plan on how to end democracy when they regain power. How are we so focused on the runner-up in a shitty person contest? There is a reason. And no, you will not acknowledge it.
There are plenty of reasons why Biden isn’t that bad. And I’ve seen enough people list them that I don’t feel I should waste the time. The information is very easy to obtain…
And Trump IS worse. News flash… BOTH things can be true.
Now in MY experience, most… and I said MOST criticism about Biden is about one single thing.
gEnoCiDe.
And it’s mostly from people that have no history of showing any support for Palestine prior to several months ago. Also, it’s from people that have no viable solutions to the question of who we should vote for if not Biden.
Because not voting doesn’t cancel an election.
And you’re absolutely right. He 100% should do better. And he should be held accountable for the things he could have done better- in whatever way is fair and just- But when you’re in the middle of a hurricane, you don’t bitch at FEMA for not sending people to drain your flooded basement. You endure what you have to to get through it.
We need to get through this.
Now…
To the actual far lefters, I’d say:
We are risking losing our entire democracy. This isn’t something to hold hostage in a negotiation over foreign affairs. I’d suggest you take this shit seriously- the genocide will be MUCH worse due to willful inaction. And you won’t have anyone to blame but yourselves.
To the “far lefters” that are actually MAGA bots here to disrupt our election:
You’re not fooling anyone.
Exactly!!!
I love that you're gatekeeping caring about genocide. This just goes to show how amazing of a job biden is doing that you can rationalize defending genocide with "actually the people who are anti-genocide are the real bad guys because they don't actually care, according to me".
I love how you’re ignoring how all the genocide is going to happen despite your decision to not vote in “protest.”
It shows how little you actually care about it.
I did vote not committed during the primary as the only opportunity to send a message, but I am voting for the democratic party down the ballot during the general like I do every single time.
Did I pass your purity test and acceptably show my distaste for biden's support for genocide or are you going to continue to tell me how I don't care about genocide while you unconditionally defend it?
If voting not committed during the primary is not acceptable, protests are not acceptable, and the most mild of criticisms online aren't acceptable, then what do you consider acceptable? Only full-throated support for genocide like your god king biden who can do no wrong?
Do what you want. The fact remains that not voting will hurt America. Period. And if you’re here to defend the act of not voting- then I’m going to call it out.
And I have no “purity test.” Biden sucks. But so does unrestrained fascism.
I didn't defend the act of not voting.
Considering that my entire point is about the trolls that urge people not to vote- and you seem to be here to be contrarian to that point-
You’d understand how I might make the distinction that you’re one of those people….?
My issue is with you picking out people who criticize genocide as if they don't have a point.
Cool. My issue is with people who in bad faith, use genocide as an excuse to try and get Trump elected.