Mostly a lurker, but had to get this off my chest. In terms of politics/ideals I feel like I largely agree with most people here, and that personally I feel forced into holding my nose and voting blue down ballot largely because of the woman's rights and LGBTQ issues that directly affect people I care about along with environmentalism and other issues.

I understand the sentiments of many people here on Biden. But I'm terrified of taking that mentality because once I throw my hands up and say that both parties are evil and that I want Joe to lose (and Trump winning) what the fuck is there left for me to hope for politically?

Leftists are already and will continue to be extremely unhappy if Joe wins. I'd think we can all agree that if Trump wins we will all be even more unhappy. Is the hope that things will get so bad after another Trump term that the revolution happens or the Dems put up a more progressive candidate (and I don't even trust them to do that)? There is virtually no leftist representation in the US govt; locally I have no representation and leftists don't even like the progressive members in Congress.

I could advocate locally, volunteer, and organize but man I'm just trying to survive, pay rent as it is. What, do I turn in my leftist card if I don't do enough or want to be a revolutionary?

And what can I say to people I know? I'm fairly privileged. Most people I talk to nowadays range from liberal to socdem. My old college group of friends are more leftist but politics has been a real icy topic because (*edit) most of the group are women and a significant number are trans. My SO is also a young woman who lost her reproductive rights and is NOT happy about it. A close member of my family is trans, threw her hands up this past year and fled to Vancouver. I care about all of them and they're good people. What, am I supposed to say they're immoral for supporting a genocider?

The discourse these days is really starting to have negative effects on my mental health and I almost want to give up and not think about politics anymore. It feels like people just want to watch the US burn. Sure, can still organize locally, labor movements etc. but at the state/fed level have we just entirely given up? I don't see any good outcomes at that level for the next 4-5 years, and even after that I wouldn't be surprised if things get worse. I'm just so done.
user
I have the “tactical voter” mindset. We are stuck in a two party system voting for the lesser evil but a Trump presidency with a supreme court packed with even more extremists would be detrimental. 

This is why organizing politically is still vital because the more we achieve locally, the easier it becomes to change things higher up.

But one of the best things you can do for your mental health is volunteering. 

I started volunteering at a local cat shelter and it feels so good to come together with people that just want to do good because they feel passionately about the same things.

Fascism is on the rise everywhere. If you left the U.S. you would just find a new crop of injustices and people or creatures that need help. 

I would rather stand my ground and make the world around me a better place ni matter how marginally.

You aren’t alone, things feel dire sometimes but humans are resilient, social creatures. We need each other and together we can get through anything.
assistant
We need a leftist party and the democrats can be “center”. But unfortunately that would just lead to more victories for the GOP. We are so fucked.
user
Yeah what we really need is electoral system reform- get rid of winner-take-all districts, establish rank choice voting etc. then third parties wouldn’t lead to GOP takeover
assistant