What does it mean to elevate onseelf as an individual? I don't follow
You'll simply decline knowing full well that you can elevate yourself just as much (actually way more) solely with your hard work and performance.
The notion that you can pull yourself up by your bootstraps with enough hard work and determination is simply not true for most people.
And? Once you go to the polls and elect politicians which represent your interests...what else can you do?
Might as well focus on yourself once you are done voting.
Talking about stuff is very lame and unproductive. You are not better off financially after you are done talking politics with other people