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David J's avatar

Today has been depressing. I don’t think I need to point out why (sigh). But oddly, something about this piece gave me a flicker of hope. Or maybe it’s the glass of Cabernet in front of me. I don’t know.

Anyway, this was beautifully written. Thank you sir.

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Attention Maps/// Mr A's avatar

I think you've written undeniably compelling points. On the other hand, The invisible phenomenon we're witnessing isn't only a democracy in peril, but rather the final weakening of late-stage capitalism. That's the source of this confusing unraveling we're all experiencing.

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Dave Weasel's avatar

You’re absolutely right. I did try to write about that, especially how the DNC is failing to keep up with its own voter base, but that ended up turning into a whole separate thing. This post was already painfully long as it is.

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Attention Maps/// Mr A's avatar

Democratic leaders have been kicking the can since the Clinton era. Noise without a direct line of what to do.

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Thea Zimmer's avatar

great article. I agree Biden made a HUGE mistake by not getting out in time for a full Harris campaign much less a primary. But no the parties are not the same. Biden was horrid at PR and Trump is a master at deception. I think we need someone centrist to get rid of the current fascist trajectory --- people won't vote for a woman, a POC and def not for a "socialist." (I would but the majority of 'mericans won't). Is there anyone out there who you think could build an independent movement? I'm thinking we may not even have elections the way things are going now.....

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Dave Weasel's avatar

I agree!

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Rob Melton's avatar

LMAO! Can it be true and hysterically funny and sad at the same time? Yes! Your written stand-up monologue knocks it out of the park. Nice job!

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SNARK Avenue's avatar

You know how Democrats could have recovered Joe Biden’s momentum? By being bolder than Trump. By insisting Pres. Biden fire off executive orders codifying Roe v. Wade, adding balance to the Supreme Court & sheltering same-sex marriage.

People would’ve been psyched as hell that Biden was capping a 40-year career with enough juice to electrify the voters. Then those voters, would’ve looked to Kamala Harris, knowing she was the only person who could guarantee those executive orders stood firm when Biden left office.

And by rooting for her to save our democratic freedoms — they would’ve seen she was capable, experienced, tough when warranted, and a WOMAN! Harris would be the savior for so many dejected Hillary voters.

Gee, I sure wish someone from the campaign had asked for my opinion. 🤷‍♀️

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Ranee Armstrong's avatar

Great analysis

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Michael Arturo's avatar

"Trump is not back in power because he earned it. He is back because the Democrats forfeited. They ignored their voters. They refused to hold a real primary. They buried every warning sign about Biden's condition.” Trump earned it the minute the same operatives who hid Biden’s dementia hired a 20-year-old who couldn’t shoot straight. Your essay is a fun read for the liberal apologist set. You know, the sort who chided Biden for four years. “Oh, look, he’s walking off on his own again, talking to himself, shaking hands with the air.” But it glosses over how deeply corrupt the Democrats became. They tried to fucking kill Trump, okay? Twice. The second time with a guy, they had recruiting conscripts in Ukraine. They couldn’t even pull that off. Not only is the Democrat Party as corrupt as they’ve ever been, but they’re incompetent. They couldn’t put Trump in jail on four separate cases they built against him. The one with Fani Willis in Atlanta turned into a Jerry Springer episode. YOU HAVEN’T EVEN SCRATCHED THE SURFACE! So they resorted to a 20-year-old kid who couldn’t shoot straight. Are you fucking kidding me? The Democrats are a goon squad. Okay? They make Trump look good. Let me say that again. The Democrats make Trump look good. So there is no soft-soaping, apologist messaging, no comparisons. We are here, but the Democrats are corrupt and incompetent. And Donald Trump eats their lunch every day.

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Michael Arturo's avatar

Dave’s back!

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Millicent's avatar

No argument here.

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Dr.Don Hall's avatar

Collapse via Complacency

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BARI KANTOR's avatar

Great article.

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Moorea Maguire's avatar

From 2000 until 2020, I always voted Democrat or Green. In 2024, I didn't. I'd like to add a key reason to this post. To say that Democrats are the party of science and rights is a very popular sentiment. But to me, that couldn't be further from the truth. It is overwhelmingly clear that the Covid injections killed and severely injured a significant number of people. _But Democrats continue to be in denial about that fact._ (And I say 'injections' because the definition of 'vaccine' was changed in order to include the mRNA injections). When people speak out about their injuries, Democrats mock them. When we share peer-reviewed scientific studies that challenge Democrats' narrative of Covid, they change the subject. Even though the Covid injections prevented neither transmission nor infection, Democrats are glad that the vaccine mandates caused many to lose their jobs. I'm not here to defend Trump, as your criticisms are valid and important. Rather, I'm trying to explain another reason why some of us see the Democrats as just as authoritarian.

P.S. Thanks for the laughs -- I appreciate your humorous storytelling style.

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OopsICrappedMyDiaper's avatar

can i please have the moments of my life back i wasted reading this drivel?

Literally the stupidest, most brainwashed, repulsive thing ive ever read.

tl:dr

Guillotines for all.

And sortition afterwards.

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Stacy Alexander - In Focus*'s avatar

Excellent article. Thanks. From where I sit, the two major American political parties are basically fighting over whether we want to live in the 21st century or cosplay the 1800s. Republicans tend to cling to tradition like it’s a security blanket. . . limited government, more guns than sense, and policies that somehow always benefit the already rich. Democrats, on the other hand, at least try to solve problems like climate change, healthcare, education by using facts, science, and a basic belief that empathy isn’t weakness. And yeah, I side with the folks who think books belong in libraries, not bonfires.

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Christian Steinberger's avatar

Well, I am one of these guys. And from an outside perspective the focus on persons is quite entertaining. But is has rather little to do with reality. Especially when it comes to foreign policy. Which is more defined by interests than by the one or the other candidate or party. You can have a discussion if it is in the interest of a nation to be an empire or not. As long as this (necessary or impossible) discussion does not take place the show(s) will and must necessarily go on. In my opinion Trump has his personal flaws and weaknesses – like everybody, but he (and his administration) certainly is no dictator or king and very likely is much more rational than many other current political leaders. Measured by deeds and not by quack quack quack for the masses. Never forget: It wasn't Donald who created Disney. It's the other way round.

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