Spain Forum Debate: Is Voting Pointless?

Forum Debate in Spain: «Voting is Useless»

A forum thread has sparked a debate that goes far beyond anecdote. In the Economy subforum, participants moved from commenting on current events to dissecting the Spanish political system, the utility of voting, and the alleged futility of alternatives. The thread, peine 590 days ago, has accumulated 181 replies and an uncomfortable conclusion: voting is useless, according to some participants, while others argue that not voting hands power to the same old elites.

From Initial Comment to «Voting is Useless»

The initial message, brief and provocative, kicked off the conversation. From there, the discussion drifted toward a recurring theme: the futility of voting in Spain. «Voting is useless. I was told so by Burbuja», wrote one participant. The irony about the source did not hide the underlying sentiment: the feeling that the Spanish representative system is designed so that nothing changes. Another contributor added that voting for socialists like Rajoy or Feijóo is pointless, and that staying home so PP and PSOE continue to win is equally futile.

The discussion then focused on alternatives. Roberto Vaquero was mentioned, with skepticism that he won't exceed 5,000 votes. There was talk of forming a new patriotic party to unite everyone, «left or right doesn't matter», or simply staying home. A proposal for a coalition between Espinosa, Rivera, and Esperanza Aguirre was met with skepticism: «they'll go to hell», one participant concluded.

Why Do People Say Voting is Useless in Spain?

The thread's answer is that the system is rigged. «Either you play by my rules or I take my ball and go home», said one contributor, who later clarified: «If you're playing with marked cards and always losing, don't play». The proposal of mass abstention as a tool for change: if 70% stayed home, the game would end. But reality, according to another, is that «we get hit again and again, and we turn the other cheek».

The debate shifted to VOX. One participant noted that hope lies with VOX, «where until two days ago they were in government in CyL (Castile and León)». Criticism centered on immigration: «We've had two years of more and more black people. They bring more black people than Podemos». The response was immediate: «Illegal immigrants are the responsibility of the Ministry of Interior. And they enter because people vote PPSOE or stay home, instead of giving that ministry to VOX». The discussion on whether VOX would actually restore order or, like others, remain lukewarm was one of the thread's main axes.

The US Model and Freedom of Conscience

One of the most interesting turns in the thread was the analysis of the US system. One participant argued that the origin of the USA was assembly-based, with pioneers fleeing religious persecution, and that their descendants delegated responsibilities until creating an «imperialist Leviathan». The thesis: in the USA there is no democracy, but a representative system. According to this analysis, the only real democracy was that of the open councils (concejos abiertos) in the Iberian Peninsula, between the 7th and 12th centuries, with customary law and imperative mandate, until the Constitution of 1812 prohibited them.

Thomas Jefferson, a supporter of replacing professional armies with civic militias, and James Madison were cited: «A well-regulated militia, composed of the body of the people, trained to arms, is the best and most natural defense of a free country». This contributor's conclusion: «Anyone who approves CONCENTRATED POWER approves, knowingly or not, TIRANNY». Freedom of conscience, he said, is the primary freedom and in the USA it is de facto prohibited by journalism as the fourth estate.

Immigration: State Competence or Community Responsibility?

The discussion on immigration occupied much of the thread. One participant argued that autonomous communities accept or reject immigrants and oversee them, linking to the Junta de Castilla y León's immigration page. The response was blunt: «Communities cannot refuse because it is an Interior Ministry competence. Except for the independents governing with Pedro Sánchez, who can negotiate it in Congress». He added: «What you posted is the PP's illegal trafficking racket. And the PSOE has them too. That's precisely why we voted for VOX».

Another contributor interjected: «But what the hell does restoring order miccionan? Look at AfD: immediate border closure and expulsion from minute zero». Comparisons with Germany and Hungary were recurrent. A more nuanced analysis pointed out that the main problem isn't illegal or violent immigrants, who are a minority, but legal ones, who number in the millions. «Who needs immigration is the STATE-CAPITAL duo, not any particular party. VOX perhaps, only perhaps, would slow the arrival of Jovenlandeses, but would still push for Central and South Americans. I'm not saying this, VOX is».

Power, Liberty, and the Armed People

The conversation drifted toward a reflection on power and liberty. One participant cited Thomas Jefferson and Patrick Henry to defend the idea of an armed populace. «The great object is that every man be armed», Henry said. According to this analysis, the US Second Amendment exists because at that time the people still held power. In Spain, however, «there is no liberty and the PEOPLE have no POWER nor can do anything (NOTHING IS NOTHING) to pass that law».

The discussion on concentrated power was one of the densest moments: «No CONCENTRATED POWER 'GOOD' can exist. POWER always tends to grow if there is no counter-power (and that counter-power must be the self-organized people, not another power above the people)». The conclusion: if concentrated power is admitted, all it can do is grow until it destroys everything.

The End: Does Voting Work or is it an Illusion?

The thread ended with an exchange on the utility of voting. «Of course it works, in a democracy. I don't know if we don't want to understand or if we just don't get it», said one participant. Another replied: «Not a chance... I'm not saying voting is the panacea, but not voting is silence, and silence implies consent». The discussion remained open without conclusion. The question hangs in the air: is voting a tool for change or a way to legitimize the system?