Politics has turned me into a mess

[Bartholomew Gallacher]

The point on which I disagree with you are few. Mainly: Banks and Corporations are their own entity, and while their influence may be based on the U.S. dollar, their agendas are their own. Our federal reserve is more of an 'independent central bank' than an actual agency of our government. (probably not a bad thing).

I was not talking about the financial sector and corporations; I was specifically talking about the US dollar being the leading global currency, which is a huge difference: as long as there is demand for the US$, oil trade is being made with this currency and many other things, so in short as long government bonds and other stuff is getting bought, it's unlikely that the USA would suffer a financial collapse. What the USA have been doing since decades by now is to export their debt.

It's one thing strongly going in favor for the USA, one thing contributing for the influence/importance of the nation on the global scale, and that's it.

As you've mentioned correctly, it has though nothing do to with how good or bad the Americans are doing in their own country. This is a completely different kind of area on how to spread the wealth, or not. Trump clearly favors tax cuts for his billionaire friends and corporations, because he things that trickle down is a thing.

For house hold debt, the stats are by no means now so bad for the USA, that's it if you do trust the OECD, the scale is in percentage of the monthly household income:


If talking about GDP (PPP) the USA are currently on place 11 (IMF/World Bank) or 13 (CIA), which is a good value considering that it is not easy for such a big country to reach those values, when on place 9 for example is Switzerland with only 8,3 million inhabitants.

If talking about nominal GDP per capita, the USA are on place 7 (IMF/World Bank) or 9 (UNO).

But we should all be aware of the fact, that the average of something is a really bad thing to declare something. For example, when looking at the average house hold income of 10 people, let's say all have 1.000 US$, then everybody has 1.000 U$. But let's say 9 have 1.000 US$, and one had 991.000 US$, so this means ((9x1000)+991000)) / 10 = 100.000 US$, hooray, what a glorious figure!

So to make more relevant testimonies, often the median should be used instead of the average of something.

Definition: The median is the value separating the higher half from the lower half of a data sample (a population or a probability distribution). For a data set, it may be thought of as the "middle" value.

 

[Pamela]

Senators representing less than half the U.S. are about to confirm a nominee opposed by most Americans

Bottom Line: The problem comes down to structural problems created by the Constitution. To get the Constitution approved, the founders included legal slavery and the unrepresentative Senate (see the WaPo article linked.) This dismantling of democracy and the takeover of all three branches — the elimination of checks and balances — is the result.

As with slavery, we see the country being torn apart. Yes, we can vote, but the vote is rigged in favor of rural areas. Wyoming residents have more powerful representation than New Yorkers. That’s not even considering gerrymandering or outright bribery by special interests, which are just examples of what happens with flawed representation .

Hitler never had more than 30% support.

To address the OP: Without ever discussing it, my Trumpist friends and I never discuss politics. We know it would end lifelong friendship, and we have chosen the friendship over speaking out. They politely don’t mention the Beto sign in my yard. Fortunately all extended family members are sane.

 

[Jopsy Pendragon]

When I write "a long time" ago I do mean one historical event: the collapse and demise of the USSR.

As long as there was the USSR, there was a reason for the economy to make sure the USA, western states in Europe and such had a somewhat good spread of wealth, to show the East how far better it is to live in the West, by western standards/democracy, that you can have a nice, comfortable living standard for most in the country, in short that there is a nice, prosperous, growing middle class, which is doing well. In America it might have started a little bit earlier, with the presidency of Ronald Reagan. But with the end of the cold war all dams broke.

Now that those states have been long gone, there's no need any longer need to view people in any other kind of way as many economists think they are, human ressources, hire and fire so to speak. And down went the wealth for many.

I think the golden age of the USA had more to do with the damage done to our economic competitors during WWII (both allies and enemies), and the relatively little damage done on US soil by the war. Prosperity out-paced the available workforce in the vacuum that followed the war, allowing workers to be more choosy and demanding.

That leverage has subsided, our competitors are strong, our workforce grew to meet demand and now, with rampant automation and outsourcing, the model has flipped. Hirers can be choosy and demanding. And with it we see vanishing things like pensions, employer provided healthcare, plentiful living wages, unions, the idea of working the same job until you retire... all as rare now as rent-controlled apartments in New York.

I rather doubt that even the most influential politicians/think-tanks could orchestrate the illusion of prosperity just to make the eastern block jealous. Much more likely that they would claim credit for a period of prosperity that would have happened with or without their meddling.

 

[Bartholomew Gallacher]

I think the golden age of the USA had more to do with the damage done to our economic competitors during WWII (both allies and enemies), and the relatively little damage done on US soil by the war. Prosperity out-paced the available workforce in the vacuum that followed the war, allowing workers to be more choosy and demanding.

Of course, no doubt about it! What I meant is that in some states, as long the USSR was existant, there was some political influence to keep the capitalism somewhat modest, because the capitalism should persuade the people how good it's to live in the West, and what a jolly good life we could have all. With the USSR long gone, the need for is has long gone, and the modesty with it.

Also automation, increases in productivity, Internet and globalization happened.

I always find it mind boggling, that the most iconic and disrupting piece of American engineering of the last decade - the iPhone - , which was designed in Cupertino has been always and exclusively been produced by Foxconn in China, but people consider it an American phone none the less.

 

[Robert Jung]

I went into "denial" and just avoided the news during 2017. I just found the news too anxiety and depression inducing. I've slowly started paying attention again.

 

[Kara Spengler]

When I moved to Australia, one young woman (who had never been to the U.S.), said to me, "You must be so glad to live here now. I've heard the U.S. is like a third world country."

Well, it is heading in that direction.

 

[Pamela]

Although the situation is certainly dire in the extreme, I give thanks for how reporters, columnists, commentators, and anchors have stood up. It’s not easy, when the news is coming at them from a firehouse. It’s not perfect. But to me it has been mind blowing and life saving. I watch MSNBC * every free moment, and they are a constant reminder that I am not imagining this nightmare is as bad as it feels, and my family and I Are not going through it alone — MOST of us, those of us who have not lost our GD minds — do not in fact support the evil that grips our nation.

That said, for the first time since the election, I have had to take a break. I have had to look away. Losing the SC did me in. For now. Not for long.

*Rachel Maddow above all, she is a genius.

Just came across this Lincoln Quote: “I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the real facts.” Unfortunately 600,000 died to meet that national crisis.

 

[Envoy Costagravas]

Tell me I'm not alone please! I'm hovering on the brink of homicidal insanity lately!

Cindy, I haven't been around much in the last couple years and I'm new to VVU; I'm also a bit late to this thread but I wanted to add one more voice to the counterforce: you are most definitely not alone. I've been battling the exact same set of circumstances, save for the family member stuff. It has gotten to the point where I don't want to get out of bed. It is brutal, it is awful. I hate it, and it makes me hate them, which isn't exactly productive. I also feel the slide into apathy. All I've been able to do is draw inspiration from past exemplars, and in that vein, I repeat something that I posted for friends elsewhere, with my comment on it. Breathe deep, stay strong.

These people did not give up at the first, or any, setback. The work is not done.​

 

[Kara Spengler]

How pety you must be to come on the internet and ...

Can we get the sticky back to not post to PRS until you have been here awhile?

 

[Jolene Benoir]

*sigh* It was just a matter of time. It was nice while the walls were freshly painted and the forum remained troll-free.

Note that I am not calling this person a troll merely because they disagree about Kavenaugh. This person is a troll because they came into a thread in which Cindy was sharing her emotional response to recent events and took a big dump all over it and every person who has responded.

Fuck off with that video. No really, fuck right off back into your hate filled world. Typical Republican. It's not even worth a response. Going right into the circular file.

 

[Kara Spengler]

*sigh* It was just a matter of time. It was nice while the walls were freshly painted and the forum remained troll-free.

Note that I am not calling this person a troll merely because they disagree about Kavenaugh. This person is a troll because they came into a thread in which Cindy was sharing her emotional response to recent events and took a big dump all over it and every person who has responded.

Fuck off with that video. No really, fuck right off back into your hate filled world. Typical Republican.

I was debating reporting them for mocking disabled people, given I assume that was the reason for the vid.

 

[Sid]

I don't think you'll get very popular here Atla.
Where is the middle finger button when you need it?

Added:
So some good old ascii has to do the trick:

@Atla

Spoiler

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[Jopsy Pendragon]

Dear robo-troll... It wasn't a trial. The standard rules for evidence/tests for innocence don't apply.

Besides, regardless of testimony that even Republicans called "credible", Kavenaugh's ill-tempered display and admissions during the hearing are disgraceful and unbecoming of the dignity and restraint we expect of people honored with a seat in the highest court in our country.

If he's the best America had to offer for that seat... Then we have failed as a nation, and the blame is on Trump-bots like you. Thanks for that.

 

[Kara Spengler]

Dear robo-troll... It wasn't a trial. The standard rules for evidence/tests for innocence don't apply.

Besides, regardless of testimony that even Republicans called "credible", Kavenaugh's ill-tempered display and admissions during the hearing are disgraceful and unbecoming of the dignity and restraint we expect of people honored with a seat in the highest court in our country.

If he's the best America had to offer for that seat... Then we have failed as a nation, and the blame is on Trump-bots like you. Thanks for that.

Exactly, much as the Rs want to make it out like one it was basically a job interview. A VERY powerful one at that. The only 'standard of evidence' that should apply is the potential for embarrassment and not being impartial. Both of which were pretty abundant. Any other employer would have said "don't call us, we'll call you" and made an appointment with the next candidate.

 

[Sid]

If these accusations were made against an honorable person, he or she would step back for such an office, at least until things are cleared with help from a thorough investigation. I mean, we are not talking about a position as dog catcher (with all respect to the dog catchers) but about one of the most important and honorable positions in the US public service.

 

[Spirits Rising]

And the first, absolutely useless fuck stain appears, pretending to be "liberal" ...

 

[Bartholomew Gallacher]

Do you know that accusation and testimony are not considered as evidence? Are you aware that currently there is no evidence what-so-ever? Have you heard of "Innocent until proven guilty"? This thing is for a reason.

And you just love to ignore that one of the probable victims made a statutory declaration, so she is for sure full of doubt and such.

Anyway, for nice folks like you there's this video by Trevor Noah, which tells all what's needed to be told to rebutt your rhetoric B$:


'nuff said.

 

[Sid]

Best video I saw in a long time.

 

[Cindy Claveau]

How pety you must be to come on the internet and boast how you have blocked and disowned a family member for not agreeing with you.

It wasn't a boast. I was sharing with people here who I consider to be friends of like mind. If you don't agree, bugger off. Also, learn to spell "petty"

Do you know that accusation and testimony are not considered as evidence? Are you aware that currently there is no evidence what-so-ever? Have you heard of "Innocent until proven guilty"? This thing is for a reason.

This has become the useless and factless retort of the Right. Confirmation hearings are not criminal trials. "Innocent until proven guilty" is not a legal concept that applies. This was a job interview. If I'm interviewing someone for an important job and start hearing concerns from multiple sources, I'm going to hesitate. I'm going to investigate a lot more deeply than McConnell did, and if there are equally qualified candidates available (which there were), I'm passing over the guy who just exhibited (on national TV no less) the temperament of a raging drunk just because he was accused. That's what you do in job interviews. You're welcome.

The whole #metoo is a joke already. Everyone who wants to destroy someone else's career has to drop some accusations.

Spoken like someone who's never been assaulted or ever had a loved one who suffered from it. Thankfully, your opinion doesn't matter, either.

There was no need to tell you are "progressive" by the way. I could guess it by your non-sense and the fact you use Trump's skin color as a derogatory. Although I wonder how did you call Obama? Brown monkeyturd? Racist either way
but hey.... that's how all "progressives" are.

I thought maybe I'd be nice to you, but when I read this quote I decided "fuck it". You're just as moronic, racist and deplorable as the rest of your rat-turd Trumpsters. Stick it in your orifices sideways, whoever-the-fuck-you-are.

It's people like you who have widened the divisions in this country long before people like me got angry about it and started blocking you. I don't need to block you here, though. I think the forum will take care of the ostaracization and mocking quite nicely without my help. Enjoy your brief stay, numbnuts.

 

[Kara Spengler]

There was no need to tell you are "progressive" by the way. I could guess it by your non-sense and the fact you use Trump's skin color as a derogatory.

So I guess he is a representative for the orange race?

The personal characteristics that people make the most fun of go to his egocentrism. Do you honestly think people would say boo if he had a skin discoloration through no fault of his own?

Just a classical liberal(not to be confused with the ones with pink/blue hair and desired pronounce in the Twitter bio)

What the flaming fuck?

No WAY are you a liberal. You may call yourself one but are obviously not one.

Even if you had said nothing else your derogatory statement about "desired pronounce" and not correcting it. The phrase is "desired pronouns" and it is pretty well accepted by anywhere that wants to show a bit of recognition of diversity and forward thinking.