How come "Brexit" is used as an example of why to vote for Clinton?

It’s a stupid reason. It has nothing to do with the US election.

Because people are equating the isolationism and xenophobia behind the Brexit votes as similar to the America that Trump envisions. The fears that he is preying on are similar to the fears that the Leavers preyed on and the economic fall-out could be similar.

And actually, from what I hear from British friends (who were remainers), many who voted for leave are now shocked at what the consequences will be that they weren’t told of.

@Rarebear Thanks!

@janbb Thanks! That similarity I agree with. It’s just illogical to me that this fear won’t motivate people to actually vote for someone willing to change things. Clinton seems like more of the same (at best). The xenophobia we’re dealing with is a symptom of something running much deeper, I fear.

I agree with @janbb, plus I also heard some people in the UK voted against their self interests in some sort of protest vote, because they felt there was no way the exit would actually happen.

^ Yes, that’s what I mean.

Every answer so far deserves a big GA, and the question a GQ. Kudos to Rarebear on providing the platform for discussion.

I think the great lesson of Brexit is that pissed-off people are not inclined toward prudence.

What do you mean? The protest votes? I don’t understand doing that at all. I always say vote your consience. Vote for what and who you support and believe in.

I do take issue with your #2 go vote. Go vote if you know what the hell your talking about. I’ve said over and over I don’t believe in “everyone should vote.” No! If you’re not interested in politics and you have no real idea what voting yes or no on an issue or for a person will result in, stay home. If you vote, you might actually vote against what or who you would have voted for if you actually knew more.

So which is it? If you can admit that you’re ignorant, stay home, or do your part. Vote and share in the blame?

@JLeslie I said in my details “Brexit regret was expressed by those people who did not vote for the outcome they actually wanted.”

Then you said ” I also heard some people in the UK voted against their self interests in some sort of protest vote.”

That’s what I was referring to in my details – protest votes.

I think everyone should vote. I don’t think everything should be up for vote, and I believe we have a long way to go in terms of educating people properly.

In particular, I think it’s difficult to advice people to vote only when they’re feeling confident. Confidence is not necessarily wisdom. In fact, we may desperately need the opinions of less “aggressive” people.

@stanleybmanly I just mean let’s not shame people who don’t vote. If they aren’t interested fine. Encouraging them to be interested, and telling people why it’s important to learn about our political and economic systems, that’s all good. Telling people they should vote, even if they don’t give a shit and know nothing I think is ridiculous. Ignorance is a good reason not to vote. I’m not talking about stupidity, I’m not going to suggest people take some sort of test, I’m just talking about the apathetic.

Bravo!

@longgone I read your original too fast. Yes, we said the same thing basically. I don’t know how many people actually did that? I don’t even really understand it. Protesting what? Who? They just wanted it to be a close note so it looks like a large part of the country is unhappy with policy? But, didn’t want Brexit to actually happen? That’s dangerous voting.

I guess it begs the question, if everyone had voted how they wanted to would it still have passed? I doubt many people made a protest vote. I think more likely the media just reported on it, and so it feels bigger than it is. Just my guess.

On another Q today a Jelly said she wants Bernie and she absolutely won’t vote for Hillary, basically in protest. Not exactly the same, but similar. She though, will be voting how she wants to vote I guess.

Perhaps its a way of saying “This is what happens when conservatives get their way”

@jleslie – not shaming but through educating people should be encouraged to take part in voting don’t you think so? Voting is legitimate right of the voters and should be exercised by every individual. If the logic applied by you is followed I don’t think more than 50% of any democratic country would vote. Would that be a real mandate then?

^^I’m pretty sure the US voter turnout is around 55%. Double check me, because I’m not completely sure. Maybe that is adults registered to vote?? No matter what I know it’s not way up there.

I think people should be encouraged to learn about the issues and vote. I don’t think people should be encouraged to vote sans learning about the issues.

“Brexit regret was expressed by those people who did not vote for the outcome they actually wanted.”

Those people did regret Brexit, but the answer to your question is that a) many people voted Brexit for emotional (nationalistic) reasons, without really understanding what Brexit would mean to their daily lives and in some cases without even understanding what the EU is and what the UK’s role is/was within it. And b) because many people didn’t believe that Brexit could actually win, they used their vote as a protest against the current leadership. They didn’t think their vote could count, so they threw it away and ended up with the one thing they didn’t want.

The analogy with the US election is therefore that a) Trump voters really have no idea what the consequences of a Trump presidency might be for the nation and the world and b) third-party voters (who are spiteful over Sanders’ loss of the Democratic candidacy) might deny Clinton support that she needs and end up with the one thing they don’t want – a Trump presidency.

The big issue is that the polls got it wrong. Hillary is using that to say just because she’s ahead in the polls don’t assume she’ll win without your vote. Trump is doing the same by saying that just because Hillary is ahead, he can still win if you get out and vote. There is also a correlation between the lack of support from Brussels and the lack of support from Washington for the needs of the people. The Brexit vote was a surprise and is quite interesting. @dappled_leaves‘s link shows that if everyone that regretted their vote (both ways) got it changed, Brexit would still have won. Go figure.

Voting to leave or stay in a union of many other nations has absolutely no correlation or reflection on a Presidential election here in the US. Two completely different tasks at hand with very different purposes and ultimate outcomes.

@Cruiser It’s not about what they were voting on. It’s about how they made their choices, i.e. not on the issues.

@dappled_leaves You could certainly drift in that direction but I did not get that from the OP. After all why vote at all if you are not voting on the issues….snap…that is what an informed voter would say…

@JLeslie I’m pretty sure the US voter turnout is around 55%

According to this chart, US voter turnout as a percentage of the population has fluctuated between roughly 35–45% since WWII.

^^Total population? So, I guess maybe 20% can’t vote either because of age or not being a citizen. Just a guess. I always think in terms of eligible to vote, but I think the stats for America are often total population. Isn’t that what your link says? Or, am I reading it wrong.

@JLeslie OK, next time I’ll be a little more specific.

^^No, I’m not being critical. I’m asking. I’m trying to figure out the real number.

The Brexit vote was a binary choice.
With the many choices we have in the United States Presidential Election, you can vote for Trump, Clinton, someone else on the left, or someone else on the right. In 2000, Gore and someone on the left (Ralph Nader) got enough votes to win, but because they weren’t unified Bush won.
The idea that Trump could win is terrifying. That is why many people say it would be better to vote for Clinton than the candidate you may prefer, because they have no chance of winning a single state, causing a Trump victory.

My take:

After the Brexit vote, the press made a big deal out of repeatedly showing those Brits who regretted their vote to leave the EU which, according to them, they only did as a protest against the establishment, the vast majority of whom wanted to stay in the EU.

Trump is viewed as the US version of Brexit; that is the antithesis of what the establishment wants so voting for him just to rub the noses of the establishment in it is comparable to voting for Brexit.

Clinton is viewed as the establishment candidate. A vote for her is a vote for continuity of current policy. Hold the course! Steady as she goes mate!

So, a vote for the anti-establishment candidate (Trump) just to show your anger could backfire if done by too many, he could actually become President and you could quickly come to regret your decision therefore the wisest choice is to go with the establishment (Clinton) on this one to insure that we don’t shoot ourselves in the foot like the Brits did.

It’s the GOP nose that’s taking the rubbing this time. The rest of us catch it if the fool gets in.