Sorry to say this, but you’re not becoming a laughingstock - you already are. It’ll take multiple presidencies to even begin rebuilding your image on the world stage and restoring any real credibility. America’s brand has been thoroughly tarnished in just six months.

Dinosaurs more like Moneysaurs since 1993 lol

Summer rainstorm > category 2 hurricane

Timmy can take Russian money and parrot their propaganda, but can’t go live or step outside without his emotional support beanie

A multiparty system just doesn’t work in America, because of how voting is set up. It’s winner-takes-all, so smaller parties don’t stand a chance, they just end up spoiling the vote. People stick to the big two out of fear that their vote won’t count, so unless the whole system changes, it’s stuck that way. On the other hand, a real multiparty system could ease constant polarization by giving people more choices and common ground.

70.5

14 minutes ago, Matt! said:

A multiparty system just doesn’t work in America, because of how voting is set up. It’s winner-takes-all, so smaller parties don’t stand a chance, they just end up spoiling the vote. People stick to the big two out of fear that their vote won’t count, so unless the whole system changes, it’s stuck that way. On the other hand, a real multiparty system could ease constant polarization by giving people more choices and common ground.

The truth is that the US and much of Europe is in what historians would call the final stage of civilization (winter) where the problems are increasing in number, largely driven by the capitalistic system that isn't working well anymore. There seems to no realistic solutions at all to reverse the negative trends.

Typically a 'hard reset' is required, with violence, when the system is broken (French revolution/Napoleon, Russian revolution, Chinese Civil war, Nazi Germany, etc.).

To solve the current problems, both the Democrats and the Republican parties need to be destroyed, along with the entire government. In Russia, China, Germany and France they mass murdered or imprisoned, in huge numbers, the groups that were getting in the way of a hard reset.

But in the US/Europe we are in a situation where people aren't starving to death and aren't willing to fight and die for what they believe in. They talk a lot but act very little. So we continue lingering in this state. There is a lot of verbal/psychological violence but not so much in terms of physical. (yet...)

In a culture where people act more than talk like you see in earlier times people like Elon Musk, Trump, Biden, Bush etc. and other oligarchs/politicians would have been assassinated long ago. In Roman Empire they certainly would have killed them all.

Bannon to prison and Elmo to South Africa.

5 hours ago, Matt! said:

Summer rainstorm > category 2 hurricane

"Oh no"

5 hours ago, Cult Icon said:

The truth is that the US and much of Europe is in what historians would call the final stage of civilization (winter) where the problems are increasing in number, largely driven by the capitalistic system that isn't working well anymore. There seems to no realistic solutions at all to reverse the negative trends.

Typically a 'hard reset' is required, with violence, when the system is broken (French revolution/Napoleon, Russian revolution, Chinese Civil war, Nazi Germany, etc.).

To solve the current problems, both the Democrats and the Republican parties need to be destroyed, along with the entire government. In Russia, China, Germany and France they mass murdered or imprisoned, in huge numbers, the groups that were getting in the way of a hard reset.

But in the US/Europe we are in a situation where people aren't starving to death and aren't willing to fight and die for what they believe in. They talk a lot but act very little. So we continue lingering in this state. There is a lot of verbal/psychological violence but not so much in terms of physical. (yet...)

In a culture where people act more than talk like you see in earlier times people like Elon Musk, Trump, Biden, Bush etc. and other oligarchs/politicians would have been assassinated long ago. In Roman Empire they certainly would have killed them all.

Quick reply while I’m cleaning:

Agree on the hard reset - this has happened for thousands of years. Fight the WW3, make peace, figure out the root problems, tear down the old systems, build back better.

Back to cleaning.

A person can be an American by birth or by law, but living by the Constitution is what gives that identity real meaning. The Constitution isn't just a document; it's a framework that defines the rights, responsibilities, and limits of power in a free, democratic society. Ignoring it distances you from the principles that holds the country together. Being American isn’t just a status, it’s a commitment to shared ideals and dreams.

Who tf puts corn on pizza?

3 hours ago, Matt! said:

Agree on the hard reset - this has happened for thousands of years. Fight the WW3, make peace, figure out the root problems, tear down the old systems, build back better.

Currently the 'American dream' is shattered given the intractable living standards (both physical and psychological) for the bottom 99%. It died in the 2007-2008 financial crisis, it broke the US. I can't see it coming back, indications show that it will only get worse and worse.

The structure of the US economy and its relations with wage labor, ever rising living costs and the never-ending accumulation of trillions of wealth by the a sub-set of 1%- is basically what is called 'end stage capitalism', where predatory capitalism is the norm and taxes/inefficient/bad government greatly constrains people's potential for a better life.

8 hours ago, Cult Icon said:

Currently the 'American dream' is shattered given the intractable living standards (both physical and psychological) for the bottom 99%. It died in the 2007-2008 financial crisis, it broke the US. I can't see it coming back, indications show that it will only get worse and worse.

There are solutions, but neither party seem willing to seriously pursue them. For example (nordics comparison):

• Raise the federal minimum wage and tie it to inflation. Strengthen labor unions to give workers more negotiating power and leverage.

• Implement universal health care or at least a strong public option and cap prescription drug prices to reduce overall costs. in the Nordic countries, healthcare is publicly funded and available to all, with tightly controlled drug prices. In America, a vial of insulin can cost $100-$300 (just checked and its mind boggling) without insurance. In contrast in Sweden, thanks to price regulation and universal healthcare system, patients pay a maximum of about $25-ish total per year for all their prescription medications.

• Cancel/reduce student debt and make higher education more affordable and accessible. Ror example in the Nordic countries, university is tuition-free and and students receive monthly support to cover living costs, so they can focus on studying instead of drowning in debt.

• Reform the tax system. Raise taxes on extreme wealth, capital gains, and high incomes and most importantly !___close the loopholes used by corporations and the ultra wealthy___!.

• End corporate lobbying through complete campaign finance reform. In the Nordic countries, political campaigns are publicly funded and very strictly regulated, which helps keep corporate influence out of politics and ensures elected officials are accountable to the people, not corporate/private money.