Why NOT to vote Republican

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Originally Posted by frugal-one

Not good for me Rob! Disgusted by these fascist republicans and lying bastards put in the supreme court by trump. Such strong language has never been uttered from my mouth. If an old biddy like me feels this way, imagine what the streets are going to be like in the days to come?

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Fair enough. And I agree with your comment about the streets in the upcoming days. And I merely meant to say something supportive regarding your willingness to protest in regards to what's gone down here. Rob

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Originally Posted by frugal-one

Not good for me Rob! Disgusted by these fascist republicans and lying bastards put in the supreme court by trump. Such strong language has never been uttered from my mouth. If an old biddy like me feels this way, imagine what the streets are going to be like in the days to come?

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More rabble for LDAHL to look down his nose at. Just like BLM marchers who were tired of their friends and relatives being targeted, harassed, and killed by out-of-control police officers, women have had it with being oppressed and patronized.

A woman I used to work with marched for the first time at the Woman's March in 2017, at 60-something. My protest days are over--at least in person--but I'll continue to pay attention and contribute in other ways. I hope this galvanizes a too-complacent public to act.

I'm too old and feeble to move. Chalk it up to "I regret."

I'm not sure what marching in the streets will accomplish in this case. How will this produce the desired change?

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Originally Posted by bae

I'm not sure what marching in the streets will accomplish in this case. How will this produce the desired change?

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I think it's a way to illustrate that there are thousands of people riled up, and that's just the tip of the iceberg. People angry enough to take to the streets will likely work for change in other ways. On the other hand, Republicans demanding their due can just wave their money. ;)

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Originally Posted by JaneV2.0

women have had it with being oppressed and patronized.

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I saw a doctor being interviewed on the local NBC affiliate on the decision and she kept referring to birthing persons.

Women have nothing now - not our own swimming trophies, not even pregnancy as an issue.

Yes we are oppressed and patronized.

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I think it's a way to illustrate that there are thousands of people riled up

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that's generally all protest ever does, if one knows that going in, so much the better.

Maybe it will be a push back against the court passing yet more draconian laws (I mean probably not, but possibly so)

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Originally Posted by Yppej

I saw a doctor being interviewed on the local NBC affiliate on the decision and she kept referring to birthing persons.

Women have nothing now - not our own swimming trophies, not even pregnancy as an issue.

Yes we are oppressed and patronized.

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I think you just inadvertently identified one of the odd , unfortunate potential consequences. A trans man who has sex with men who unintentionally ends up pregnant and is forced to carry to term. I can only imagine the emotional discord of being forced with threat of violence by the government that someone in that situation would feel.

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I think you just inadvertently identified one of the odd , unfortunate potential consequences. A trans man who has sex with men who unintentionally ends up pregnant and is forced to carry to term. I can only imagine the emotional discord of being forced with threat of violence by the government that someone in that situation would feel.

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equivalent to that of a cis woman in the same situation right?

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Originally Posted by bae

I'm not sure what marching in the streets will accomplish in this case. How will this produce the desired change?

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I used to think this way too. I have NEVER been so disgusted or inclined to act. It is a way to show MAJOR malcontent and, perhaps, show the dumbass republicans how many people will vote against them going forward.

Interestingly, Warren Buffett is making a stand too!

https://link.cnbc.com/public/28176018

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Originally Posted by ApatheticNoMore

equivalent to that of a cis woman in the same situation right?

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Absolutely. And only mentioned because I assume that most cis straight people wouldn’t even think of it. Heck, as a non straight cis person I didn’t even think of it until jeppy helpfully pointed it out.

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Originally Posted by bae

I'm not sure what marching in the streets will accomplish in this case. How will this produce the desired change?

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Peaceful protests carried out legally are good for bringing attention to an issue, especially if they are enduring and if there are many many people involved. I’ve got nothing against it.

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Originally Posted by iris lilies

Peaceful protests carried out legally are good for bringing attention to an issue, especially if they are enduring and if there are many many people involved. I’ve got nothing against it.

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The theory being that people are unaware of this issue, and this will somehow get more involved?

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Originally Posted by bae

The theory being that people are unaware of this issue, and this will somehow get more involved?

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Sure, protesting brings awareness to others who may not quite know about it, or may not think it’s that important until they see people turn out in the street, driving by crowds that are protesting, etc. Also it builds resolve for protestors out on the street, and it shows politicians what is up with their constituents.

Protesting can be a fun, free, teambuilding activity.

Hopefully, after yesterday's hearing, trump and "fellow" republicans will be prosecuted/held accountable for their actions. As Rob would say, "I will go out to celebrate."

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Originally Posted by frugal-one

Hopefully, after yesterday's hearing, trump and "fellow" republicans will be prosecuted/held accountable for their actions. As Rob would say, "I will go out to celebrate."

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Not only would I celebrate but I have several upscale outfits to choose from now, all bought dirt cheap at the sold by weight Goodwill in Nogales, Arizona. I'm 100 percent ready apparel-wise, lol. Rob

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Originally Posted by gimmethesimplelife

Not only would I celebrate but I have several upscale outfits to choose from now, all bought dirt cheap at the sold by weight Goodwill in Nogales, Arizona. I'm 100 percent ready apparel-wise, lol. Rob

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I'm going to wear my Antarctic expedition wear, because I think it'll be a very very cold day in Hell before they face any real consequences. Alas.

Good news is I already have all the gear. (Covid put the kabosh on my planned job at McMurdo, alas again, but I had the clothing all sorted :-) )

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Originally Posted by bae

I'm going to wear my Antarctic expedition wear, because I think it'll be a very very cold day in Hell before they face any real consequences. Alas.

Good news is I already have all the gear. (Covid put the kabosh on my planned job at McMurdo, alas again, but I had the clothing all sorted :-) )

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Sad if a coup attempt goes unpunished. Doesn’t bode well for our future.

Why not to vote Republican--because they have let a Mafia boss take over their party, and co-opt it for domestic terrorism.

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Originally Posted by Tybee

Why not to vote Republican--because they have let a Mafia boss take over their party, and co-opt it for domestic terrorism.

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Thank You, Tybee. I could not say this any better myself.

Rob

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Originally Posted by frugal-one

Sad if a coup attempt goes unpunished. Doesn’t bode well for our future.

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Thank You! I could not agree more - but it will push a scattered few to start over elsewhere, so there's that as an upside.

Rob

It will be nearly impossible for many to start over elsewhere based on a number of factors... cost, language and barriers to entry... to name a few. Personally, I will be checking Ecuador. There are expat enclaves, good medical care, use the US dollar and easy to travel back to the US, if needed. Need to check the eligibility requirements, as well as, how much more expensive it has gotten since the last time I checked. It may no longe be feasible.

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Originally Posted by frugal-one

It will be nearly impossible for many to start over elsewhere based on a number of factors... cost, language and barriers to entry... to name a few. Personally, I will be checking Ecuador. There are expat enclaves, good medical care, use the US dollar and easy to travel back to the US, if needed. Need to check the eligibility requirements, as well as, how much more expensive it has gotten since the last time I checked. It may no longe be feasible.

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Ecuador is on our radar, too - and yes it's still cheap and health care in the cities is high quality and without cost terror as in the United States. I would live there, personally, but it is not my first choice.

Rob

If enough of the right people leave I might not have to worry about mask mandates coming back.

I don't even know how I'd make a living in a whole new country. So I don't think it's happening. I mean that's pretty much as basic as it gets. It's hard enough to make a living in this country.

By the by I do idly think where I could get in, maybe Israel (right of return), maybe Denmark (partner's mom is a citizen). But is either really particularly practical?

Heard today trump is going to announce his bid for 2024. The word is this would make it harder to convict him of his crimes. I don't understand why though?

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Originally Posted by frugal-one

Heard today trump is going to announce his bid for 2024. The word is this would make it harder to convict him of his crimes. I don't understand why though?

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Political pressure for prosecutors not to interfere in an election.

And remember, all it takes to prevent a conviction is a single Trump-reality member of the jury.

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Originally Posted by bae

Political pressure for prosecutors not to interfere in an election.

And remember, all it takes to prevent a conviction is a single Trump-reality member of the jury.

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And, we saw the lying republicans who got into the supreme court… showing how it is done!

If God forbd Trump does get in again - and given that we are talking of the United States here I can totally see this happening - maybe there is an upside. Trump and his henchsupporers definitely DO put more pressure on this country to split apart. I need to try and remember that - thinking in terms of the long game and an inevitable split up of the Non United States.

Maybe it's gone so beyond repair that we are better off under Trump due to his quickening the timeline for split up? Food for thought. Rob

Mother Jones published an article about the Republican manifesto outlined in a 122 page brief (erroneously?) called "Blue Print to Save America" by the Republican Study Committee. They claim that 75% of Republican House lawmakers are on this committee. It is the policies they will likely pursue if they regain the Senate and/or possibly the presidency. Everything you might guess. Reduce taxes but increase military sending. Raise the age for Social Security benefits, replace the AFCA, develop fossil fuel production and hamstring the EPA and other climate change initiatives, plus every other conservative platform you might suspect including gay rights, abortion, etc. I was able to browse through it fairly easily, but not the details.

https://banks.house.gov/uploadedfile...final_copy.pdf

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Originally Posted by Rogar

Mother Jones published an article about the Republican manifesto outlined in a 122 page brief (erroneously?) called "Blue Print to Save America" by the Republican Study Committee. They claim that 75% of Republican House lawmakers are on this committee. It is the policies they will likely pursue if they regain the Senate and/or possibly the presidency. Everything you might guess. Reduce taxes but increase military sending. Raise the age for Social Security benefits, replace the AFCA, develop fossil fuel production and hamstring the EPA and other climate change initiatives, plus every other conservative platform you might suspect including gay rights, abortion, etc. I was able to browse through it fairly easily, but not the details.

https://banks.house.gov/uploadedfile...final_copy.pdf

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I looked at this as much as I could on a work break with constant interruptions. Scary. Especially climate change denial. At least this may speed this country's split up. Rob

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Originally Posted by gimmethesimplelife

I looked at this as much as I could on a work break with constant interruptions. Scary. Especially climate change denial. At least this may speed this country's split up. Rob

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What does "splitting up" look like to you?

The problem is there are few good answers at this point. The status quo is just living under long term extremist minority rule, that maintains it's minority rule by subverting democratic accountability, no matter how completely it's agenda is opposed by public opinion. Basically democratic change is being made impossible.

I don't believe that things getting worse will make things better (accelerationism), it just generally makes things worse. But the Supreme Court is increasingly ruling the federal government is illegitimate, those who actually want to have a government (anarchists need not apply I suppose, but I doubt they really approve of this either), might look for such in regional alliances between states or whatever. Most states are just not well equipped to be a full government on their own.

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Originally Posted by ApatheticNoMore

The problem is there are few good answers at this point. The status quo is just living under long term extremist minority rule, that maintains it's minority rule by subverting democratic accountability, no matter how completely it's agenda is opposed by public opinion. Basically democratic change is being made impossible.

I don't believe that things getting worse will make things better (accelerationism), it just generally makes things worse. But the Supreme Court is increasingly ruling the federal government is illegitimate, those who actually want to have a government (anarchists need not apply I suppose, but I doubt they really approve of this either), might look for such in regional alliances between states or whatever. Most states are just not well equipped to be a full government on their own.

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I'll be watching how these regional alliances work. It looks like the three Pacific coastal states are standing together at this point.

I actually think of the country splitting with dread (partition of India, etc. as food for thought). We would most likely be in a quasi-to-total Gilead wanna-be, here in Ohio. We don't really have the means to move to a bluer state at present, although, honestly, we're kicking around worst-case ideas. We are in our mid-60s, with two adult children who are very underemployed, and I have 2 much older siblings (79 & 81), neither with kids/other family here, though the oldest is married. So there's that to factor in. Frankly, I'm really concerned about our future. I seem to have misplaced my pair of LDAHL's rose-colored glasses. . .

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Originally Posted by early morning

I actually think of the country splitting with dread (partition of India, etc. as food for thought). We would most likely be in a quasi-to-total Gilead wanna-be, here in Ohio. We don't really have the means to move to a bluer state at present, although, honestly, we're kicking around worst-case ideas. We are in our mid-60s, with two adult children who are very underemployed, and I have 2 much older siblings (79 & 81), neither with kids/other family here, though the oldest is married. So there's that to factor in. Frankly, I'm really concerned about our future. I seem to have misplaced my pair of LDAHL's rose-colored glasses. . .

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Having recently read The Vortex I am glad Bangladesh was able to separate from Pakistan, though it's awful it took a war to get there.

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Originally Posted by bae

What does "splitting up" look like to you?

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Bae, as I've said before, I honestly don't know. What does Cascadia look like to you? .

Rob

One thing I am very grateful for - there is a somewhat affordable blue state right next door to me - New Mexico. Not everyone has this - red or blue close to them like I do. Rob

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Originally Posted by early morning

I actually think of the country splitting with dread (partition of India, etc. as food for thought). We would most likely be in a quasi-to-total Gilead wanna-be, here in Ohio. We don't really have the means to move to a bluer state at present, although, honestly, we're kicking around worst-case ideas. We are in our mid-60s, with two adult children who are very underemployed, and I have 2 much older siblings (79 & 81), neither with kids/other family here, though the oldest is married. So there's that to factor in. Frankly, I'm really concerned about our future. I seem to have misplaced my pair of LDAHL's rose-colored glasses. . .

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I’m a cockeyed optimist who doesn’t see massive sentiment for the 55/45 states splitting off from the 45/55 states. Nor do I see budding fascist dictatorships or theocracies getting much traction in the real world either. Maybe I just don’t spend enough time in social media reality to see all the signs and portents.