TrickstaPriest

It's a dealbreaker. Saying you'd rather destroy your enemies (literally) than cooperate is functionally country-ending. There's no such thing as a free nation in those circumstances. I don't mean in the 'we are not satisfied with our gov't' type of way. I mean in the "autobahn workers protesting their treatment were thrown in concentration camps too" type of way: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludlow_Massacre https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mountain_Meadows_Massacre I'm preaching to the choir, here. But try and remind people that a government without competition is not a friendly government. (edit: you can tell I'm highly frustrated by what I've been seeing in the news lately, can't you >_>)

That's exactly what I'm concerned about. That kind of attitude exists in both parties, but I'm genuinely afraid because of how many violent extremist groups align with 'right wing' bodies. The fact that we have leadership that openly encourages/flaunts that behavior is extremely concerning to me. But I would like to think our country knows better.

I'm concerned for that mostly because his talk of 'traitors' in his speeches. Frankly he's been consistently speaking as a president willing to have his opposition physically harmed and arrested since the campaign trail. A lot of the 'faithful' people who support him are encouraged by that. There is a real want of a leader that will throw 'everyone else' in jail. Even other citizenry. Mind, I don't know if he will go to that extend, he just talks like he will. He tows the line, tests the waters, and sees how far he can go. Whether the rest of the country will allow that or not is a real question, and the chief opposition to that would be the entire rest of the Federal government. I dislike the FBI and CIA, but in a dark twist those apparatuses are the only thing preventing that kind of dictatorial takeover, and only as long as they oppose the current power structure. It wouldn't be the first time, at least from rumors, that something like that has been considered here. So as much as people loathe the current democratic apparatus, I have no illusions on what kind of struggle is going on here. The Republican party has been receding because of a large, young, nonreligious body. They must take over the country, in ideology or literally, if they are to continue to exist, long term. (Ideology has been the typical apparatus) And of course, true, any opposition will be happy to shove them out of the door.

Hot take - Election Day as a federal holiday. Would it increase voting, or decrease voting? Also... more of our federal government gaining secret intelligence powers, apparently? Although twitter is hardly a reliable source of intel. The article is... something.

I live in AZ. Have for almost 12-15 years.

I didn't know you were in cybersecurity Old Man! I mean 'Old Man' in the best of ways, fellow cybertech. I will also vouch for all of this. I haven't met a single person in the cybersecurity field who things non-paper voting machines are a good idea.

I do remember hearing about that study, but I couldn't remember what it was called.

Which is frustrating as heck and unfortunate. Especially when that money being spent isn't being spent on us. It would be different if it was a genuine investment, but it's often not (or poorly mismanaged). We can rebuild an economy. But I am more sympathetic as of late to what you are talking about. But we are behind the rest of the world on a lot of social programs... and most of our money is being spent on systems that are overcharging us for their services.

(Not that I think much of the establishment intends on implementing the measures that would be necessary to change that sort of thing, but they are being given leeway only because of these 'certain individuals'.)

I think someone I know was saying recently, from living in the south, how surprised he was by how many conservative voters 'hate this country'. I wish I could remember the quote... but it'd be no one you'd know. Getting under 'their' skin is literally the course of action people take when they are angry and have nothing else to use to solve their problems. I'm sure there's some 'both sidesism' there. People are upset right now. I'd try and be fair and give the Republican congress some credit and say there's some merit to the 'both sidesism' on a lot of political issues... but I'm an environmentalist, and feel they are eagerly complicit in what will be the nearly-scientifically-guaranteed end of the human race?

It would specifically have to be something that their base would believe. Like a rally which he said the debt didn't matter. Multiple times. Or fox news completely turning on him.

There is absolutely a psychological bias that makes people think 'reasonably smart people' must agree with them... or the silent majority agrees with them... or both. My fever brain refuses to remember the name of it, though that just be my regular brain.

This is why the history of your field is important, folks...

I'd like to say I'm not surprised... but I'm actually pretty surprised. I guess I should expect similar behavior when military personnel will be briefing them on the latest report on potential threats and damage caused by global warming? ...I'm a very one track person. >_>

This is sort of the scenario of the Indus Waters Treaty. Pakistan and India have to share water resources. If California broke away from the US, it would have to negotiate a treaty. And of course, if a treaty was refused, direct conflict would be costly to all sides. Now California will not break away, because it's economy would suffer greatly and it would no longer be such a super power, because of all of the expenses necessary in negotiations for food, water, shipping, etc. For reference, see Brexit.

Yep. And I appreciate the perspective of people outside my circle. It's how you learn more about the problems that your in circle don't know about. Edit: Not to mention it's hard to be on the opposite side of a crowd's opinion and still stay measured. I appreciate the hard work you are putting in with that.

That's sort of the problem. Inciting anger and hatred of 'your political opponents' is the 'goal'. And pleasing your base that you are inciting anger and hatred in 'their political opponents'. There may never be any cooperation in this country over issues over things like 'global warming' or 'health care' for decades now. And I can't even imagine what to make over the politicization over issues like... "Do we want a war with Iran? Y/N?" I'm not saying this to hold you up or take it out on you. I know you have little to do with it. It was sort of interesting to hear one of the Ukraine officials say that their great concern was the 'politicization of ukraine aid'. Puts some things into perspective.

Not that late

I'll be one of the last late ones, US wise.

Pretty much what Kavanaugh has been proposing, right? Which sounds great, but makes me ask 'and replaced by what exactly?'

This is a little dated... 2014. I'm sharing it because I think Chomsky's words were quite prescient on an 'out of control' base. Kyle, the talker-guy... I mean take it as you will.

That's an extremely rough thing to do professionally. You have my admiration and sympathies. That's a good life goal I wish mine was as wonderful. I'm definitely in that despair right now, to the end of my 30s. We can only hope for the current generation.

Good thoughts I also wonder on the data for the above information - how much of that money is going to 'services' instead of 'ownership' and 'support of dependents'.

Were you a homeowner at the time? You did have children (well, at least one). I'm not sure how common either is for the younger generation today. The birthrate is lower, and I know the owning of homes is. It's only anecdotal, but the 'struggling people' I know are renting, and less than half have children. Both of these scenarios are expensive, but they are also an investment. There is a 'return', so to speak. Many are renting instead of owning a home because of the cost to do it. Many more aren't on a career track that would net them any kind of stable career between 30 and 40. But that's all anecdotal, and there are a fair few that do simply because they are my coworkers. Just my guesses and observations at why the current generations feel hopeless and desperate.