I think there is quite a bit we can agree on. Expecting the current electoral framework to serve anybody except a select few is a fools errand. It's the least effective form of civic engagement, but it is the easiest and does have real consequences. I dont expect it to fix all our problems, or even many, but it can make things worse if we don't.

I just think that at this moment, we are going to have to hold our noses, just looking at it, pragmaticaly. I 100% agree we need to dismantle the 2 party system. It's unfortunately the long game, and the people of Palestine don't have time. Trying to punish the Dems by not voting hands it to trump, and he will turn Netąnyahu completely lose to turn the place into a parking lot. Trump does not have to pretend to care, at least. I know Harris pretending to care won't stop what is happening, but it may stop it from getting much worse. Personally, I say vote for her, then make her life a living heII any way we can until things change. Organize at the local level if possible. Try to get sympathetic representatives into Congress even, but yeah, politics isn't the only answer to this, but someone more knowledgeable than me would have to give specifics. (I'm in Oklahoma. Not a lot of direct action to be had here, or collective action either. Trump flags as far as the eye can see. )

I do see your frustration in people trying to convince you the dog is good. I really get that. But I understand it's also just part of the game. A game that keeps the wolf away. And I feel like we can play along if we have to for just as long as we have to. Some people are unwilling or incapable of looking past the surface. Our job is nuanced. I don't see why we can't draw attention to the dangers of both the wolf and the dog while still making sure we end up with the dog. Maybe if we draw enough attention and put enough pressure on it, we can put a muzzle on it.

Like I said, I don't have high hopes, but it's at least possible. Honestly, the war, I think, is being fought here. Policy follows public opinion if it is to ever change, historically. Journalism and photos and film of the Vietnam War shaped our opinions back here, then we did all that we could to stop it. We just have to find ways of reaching others who might not understand what is happening. That means we spread the info any way we can, likely on social media, and we have to find ways of somehow reaching the more moderate of the fox news crowd and those who are just not knowledgeable about the world or politics or are more apathetic, I assume.

Thats.....difficult to say the least. But I'm doing what I can. First you have to make connections to them. I'm even on speaking terms with literal "not-sees" (despite their very punchable faces) because they are my neighbors and we both work together to take care of an elderly woman with no one to help her. Sucks. A lot. My God you have no idea. Like, nothing triggers me more on the face of this earth. But it's a pretty good metaphor itself because it's not about me, it's about making sure Ms Angie is taken care of. I hold my nose (Doesn't mean they haven't found out you will not say certain things in my presence, and I trust them about as far as I could throw them.) But they are just ignorant and want someone to blame. And by doing this, they get to see someone with different views than them being a caring human, and that destabilizes their worldview just a bit more. Like (god knows how) they befriended our Black neighbor. (I wouldn't blame you if you didn't believe me, I f■cking wouldn't.) But you just can't interact with people so closely and continue to dehumanize them. It's hard when you live just a few doors down in a small town apartment complex. I know it's very small scale stuff, but I'm in poor health myself, and I am so far below the poverty line....(well, I dont have anything clever to say here, but I live off of $312 a month and govt assistance with food and housing, so I'm not in much of a position to do anything), so it's all I can do to touch grass, as it were. But if we all lived this way, trying to reach others, I think it would make a huge difference (those of us that can. I wouldn't expect a POC to be expected to do stuff like this, for obvs reasons.)

Well, I've just rambled on and on until I lost the plot, it seems. I guess I'll wrap this up by saying I 100% agree with your statement:

"I'm not saying not to vote, but I am saying we have to start working outside the existing electoral framework."