2024 US Presidential Election Thread

[Blitz24]

Let me pose a thought experiment.

If the Democratic candidate had shot someone on fifth avenue on live TV, would you still have voted for them to stop Trump?

You mean would the Democrats have been spineless enough to do that? I can't imagine the current version of the party being that blinded.

 

[dylansan]

You mean would the Democrats have been spineless enough to do that? I can't imagine the current version of the party being that blinded.

No. I mean, if the candidate running against Trump did some obviously unconscionable thing like murder a child, but were otherwise a centrist Dem in every other respect, would you be willing to vote for them in order to prevent Trump from becoming president?

 

[TB]

No. I mean, if the candidate running against Trump did some obviously unconscionable thing like murder a child, but were otherwise a centrist Dem in every other respect, would you be willing to vote for them in order to prevent Trump from becoming president?

It should tell you more about how utterly contemptible a person Trump is than it does about me that I'd still strongly consider voting for the Dem.

 

[dylansan]

It should tell you more about how utterly contemptible a person Trump is than it does about me that I'd still strongly consider voting for the Dem.

It does tell me something about you. I hate Trump's guts, but we are not the same.

 

[TB]

It does tell me something about you. I hate Trump's guts, but we are not the same.

But him murdering by proxy a million people is acceptable.

This is simply the trolley problem. Neither scenario is desirable but one is decidedly better than the other.

 

[UKMikey]

Let me pose a thought experiment.

If the Democratic candidate had shot someone on fifth avenue on live TV, would you still have voted for them to stop Trump?

I would if it were Trump she'd shot.

 

[dylansan]

But him murdering by proxy a million people is acceptable.

It's not acceptable. That's why I didn't vote for him.

This is simply the trolley problem. Neither scenario is desirable but one is decidedly better than the other.

I've never favored the utilitarian solution to the trolley problem, and it's certainly not the only valid answer.

I wouldn't push an overweight person off a bridge to stop a runaway train, nor would I kill someone so their organs could save transplant patients. And I suspect you wouldn't either.

 

[Danoff]

It's not acceptable. That's why I didn't vote for him.
I've never favored the utilitarian solution to the trolley problem, and it's certainly not the only valid answer.

I wouldn't push an overweight person off a bridge to stop a runaway train, nor would I kill someone so their organs could save transplant patients. And I suspect you wouldn't either.

You're not responsible for everything someone you vote for does or stands for. You're responsible for what you say with your vote. You cannot get particularly nuanced with that voice.

 

[Exorcet]

I've never favored the utilitarian solution to the trolley problem, and it's certainly not the only valid answer.

The analogy only goes so far. Your vote is not where the chain of events has to end. You could vote for the better choice and then go on to stand against any bad decisions that come later. This should at least increase the chances of reaching a good outcome for everyone.

 

[FPV MIC]

I would if it were Trump she'd shot.

Normally I wouldn't agree with this type of comment (edit: even if in jest) but with the most recent news of Trump claiming they're taking over Gaza and owning it I think it's appropriate in this case.

 

[dylansan]

The analogy only goes so far. Your vote is not where the chain of events has to end. You could vote for the better choice and then go on to stand against any bad decisions that come later. This should at least increase the chances of reaching a good outcome for everyone.

Protesting an immoral act would not absolve me of knowingly giving them the power to do that act in the first place. Especially if the protest doesn't work.

Giving someone a gun and urging them not to shoot is... questionable. If you personally wouldn't feel guilty if they shot someone, more power to you I guess.

 

[Exorcet]

Protesting an immoral act would not absolve me of knowingly giving them the power to do that act in the first place. Especially if the protest doesn't work.

Giving someone a gun and urging them not to shoot is... questionable. If you personally wouldn't feel guilty if they shot someone, more power to you I guess.

It's much less questionable when there is someone else in the room who is undoubtedly looking to kill with the gun. There is an element of risk that can't be eliminated here, but there is a chance to lower the risk of a bad outcome.

 

[Tornado]

"I refuse to be blamed for this thing I directly contributed to that I was told would happen."

 

[UKMikey]

Normally I wouldn't agree with this type of comment (edit: even if in jest) but with the most recent news of Trump claiming they're taking over Gaza and owning it I think it's appropriate in this case.

Trolley problem. I'm going full utilitarian on this one. The needs of the many outweigh those of the Trump.