Ironically, Steve, that elemental characteristic so evident in the Ukrainian people is a big reason why Putin & MAGA so disdain and fear them. It was once celebrated here but now rejected by Trumpism.
Putin and MAGA most assuredly do fear that "elemental characteristic". I'm pretty sure they don't disdain it. Also important to remember, Trumpists are in the minority. We who believe in democracy have the advantage of being "WE". MAGA is a gang of individuals. They are drops in a bucket. We are a deluge. Keep the faith!
The Greeks have a saying, "Meta apo y vronti, o helios vgainei." They have a way of keeping their chin up. It means, "After the storm, the sun comes out." Pessimism is not helpful.
I believe in democracy. I'm Canadian, so I actually get to see it in action. The US system is just bad. The electoral college and the senate were created on flawed ideas. There is a reason no other country in the world does it like you guys.
Well, you and they had us as an example. We were largely winging it in 1787. While I believe we should honor the spirit and achievement of "the Framers," I always point out: *they knew* they weren't perfect, that their work was a kludgy compromise, and that revisions and adaptations would be called for over time. They would be surprised to know how *few* amendments we have made, from their time to this.
I will also note that our non-majoritarian structures do have parallels in supranational organizations like the UN and EU. Like US Senate seats, UN representation is fixed per member state, with no regard at all for population. Like US electoral votes, Members of the European Parliament are allocated degressively, so small countries like Malta and Luxembourg have fewer seats, but much more representation per citizen than big countries like Germany and France.
The problem is it will never change. I can't imagine any amendment being passed. Life is too good in the USA for the revolution that is needed. Zombies on Smart Phones watching TicToc making 15 bucks an hour. The US is doomed. Got lucky for 200+ years and now you are fucked. Sucks for the world.
Is your name really Pete, or is it Pyotr? We have work to do here, to be sure. We are far from fucked. Or doomed. Or whatever apocalyptic pessimism you want to invoke.
Of course, it is all relative. I mean you are fucked in terms of making real change to the system. Total gridlock. If you like your plan, you can keep it. If you don't like your plan...
Of course, you talk like a Russian. What's "all relative"? Please specify, if there is any meaning to your phrase. Authoritarians work hard at convincing people there's no hope. They work hard at convincing them they have no power. That's because you're afraid of our vote. You are fucked. Your world view is a dead end. If it's really even your world view.
IтАЩm no Russian. IтАЩm a Canadian who has been watching your country become more divided with the help of the internet. Do you really believe any large piece of legislation can make it through your system? It takes compromise but only the Democrats are interested in that. I believe humanity has figured it all out. Everyone isnтАЩt equal. IтАЩm not afraid of America, but I am afraid of the world without a competent USA. Electing Trump proved you guys are just as fucked up as everyone else. In fact youтАЩre worse. Rugged individualism when you need to compromise and work together.
I'll give you that our system favors minority rule and decades of neoliberal policies (including promoting the insane "rugged individualism" mythos) have traumatized our population (and that of the world, by the way) to the point where many are ready for the ever-present authoritarians and entrepreneurial politicians (grifters) to take full advantage of that weakness. I am by no means a proponent of American Exceptionalism. That said, we are passing through a crisis in our evolution toward a more perfect union. Nothing can be gained by calling the final failure of American democracy a fait accompli. There's a very real chance that we could take the Congress, hold the Senate and gain the Executive in this election. The importance of the Dobbs decision is not widely appreciated. The Biden administration has already clearly demonstrated a commitment to beginning the long task of bringing the catastrophic neoliberal order to an overdue end. I'm confident Harris intends to continue down that path. While I agree that some steps to a more representative government, like restructuring the Senate, may be far in the future, much progress can be made to make our system more democratic.
I love your optimism. I hope you are right. Maybe there is some transformational leader out there who will lead rational Americans into the future. Hopefully that person has something left to save.
Believe it or not, Biden has been that leader. He doesn't get much credit for it, as with many historic heroes during their lifetimes. Also, if you listen closely to Harris, you'll notice that when she's asked about policies that rich people wouldn't like, she's shy about answering. We are on our way. Anyway, good luck to you, sir. Live long and prosper.
I get the pessimism. We have to believe in democracy. We have to have hearts like Ukrainians.
Ironically, Steve, that elemental characteristic so evident in the Ukrainian people is a big reason why Putin & MAGA so disdain and fear them. It was once celebrated here but now rejected by Trumpism.
Putin and MAGA most assuredly do fear that "elemental characteristic". I'm pretty sure they don't disdain it. Also important to remember, Trumpists are in the minority. We who believe in democracy have the advantage of being "WE". MAGA is a gang of individuals. They are drops in a bucket. We are a deluge. Keep the faith!
Let it rain, brother! тЪбя╕ПтЫИя╕ПЁЯТзЁЯМЮЁЯШК
The Greeks have a saying, "Meta apo y vronti, o helios vgainei." They have a way of keeping their chin up. It means, "After the storm, the sun comes out." Pessimism is not helpful.
I believe in democracy. I'm Canadian, so I actually get to see it in action. The US system is just bad. The electoral college and the senate were created on flawed ideas. There is a reason no other country in the world does it like you guys.
Well, you and they had us as an example. We were largely winging it in 1787. While I believe we should honor the spirit and achievement of "the Framers," I always point out: *they knew* they weren't perfect, that their work was a kludgy compromise, and that revisions and adaptations would be called for over time. They would be surprised to know how *few* amendments we have made, from their time to this.
I will also note that our non-majoritarian structures do have parallels in supranational organizations like the UN and EU. Like US Senate seats, UN representation is fixed per member state, with no regard at all for population. Like US electoral votes, Members of the European Parliament are allocated degressively, so small countries like Malta and Luxembourg have fewer seats, but much more representation per citizen than big countries like Germany and France.
The problem is it will never change. I can't imagine any amendment being passed. Life is too good in the USA for the revolution that is needed. Zombies on Smart Phones watching TicToc making 15 bucks an hour. The US is doomed. Got lucky for 200+ years and now you are fucked. Sucks for the world.
Is your name really Pete, or is it Pyotr? We have work to do here, to be sure. We are far from fucked. Or doomed. Or whatever apocalyptic pessimism you want to invoke.
Of course, it is all relative. I mean you are fucked in terms of making real change to the system. Total gridlock. If you like your plan, you can keep it. If you don't like your plan...
Of course, you talk like a Russian. What's "all relative"? Please specify, if there is any meaning to your phrase. Authoritarians work hard at convincing people there's no hope. They work hard at convincing them they have no power. That's because you're afraid of our vote. You are fucked. Your world view is a dead end. If it's really even your world view.
IтАЩm no Russian. IтАЩm a Canadian who has been watching your country become more divided with the help of the internet. Do you really believe any large piece of legislation can make it through your system? It takes compromise but only the Democrats are interested in that. I believe humanity has figured it all out. Everyone isnтАЩt equal. IтАЩm not afraid of America, but I am afraid of the world without a competent USA. Electing Trump proved you guys are just as fucked up as everyone else. In fact youтАЩre worse. Rugged individualism when you need to compromise and work together.
I'll give you that our system favors minority rule and decades of neoliberal policies (including promoting the insane "rugged individualism" mythos) have traumatized our population (and that of the world, by the way) to the point where many are ready for the ever-present authoritarians and entrepreneurial politicians (grifters) to take full advantage of that weakness. I am by no means a proponent of American Exceptionalism. That said, we are passing through a crisis in our evolution toward a more perfect union. Nothing can be gained by calling the final failure of American democracy a fait accompli. There's a very real chance that we could take the Congress, hold the Senate and gain the Executive in this election. The importance of the Dobbs decision is not widely appreciated. The Biden administration has already clearly demonstrated a commitment to beginning the long task of bringing the catastrophic neoliberal order to an overdue end. I'm confident Harris intends to continue down that path. While I agree that some steps to a more representative government, like restructuring the Senate, may be far in the future, much progress can be made to make our system more democratic.
I love your optimism. I hope you are right. Maybe there is some transformational leader out there who will lead rational Americans into the future. Hopefully that person has something left to save.
Believe it or not, Biden has been that leader. He doesn't get much credit for it, as with many historic heroes during their lifetimes. Also, if you listen closely to Harris, you'll notice that when she's asked about policies that rich people wouldn't like, she's shy about answering. We are on our way. Anyway, good luck to you, sir. Live long and prosper.
Pete are you sure youтАЩre Canadian? Sounds like some of our Made in the USAтДвя╕П cynicism has rubbed off on you ЁЯШЙ
We aren't all nice.