American Elections and other falderal...

[Alexiev]

One more point: Now Trump claims he'll appoint RFK Jr. To an important health position. RFK is an anti-vaxer -- for all vaccines. Just what we need! A revival of mumps, polio, tetanus, measles, chicken.pox and smallpox (the deadliest contagious disease in human history).

And some ignorant people think the U.S. is in bad shape now!!!

[henry quirk]

So: things are hunky-dory and Harris is gonna make it all even better.

Well, good luck with that.

[Alexiev]

So: things are hunky-dory and Harris is gonna make it all even better.

Well, good luck with that.

Feel free to whine about how horrible things are in America, despite the fact that most of us are rich and comfortable. Or, if you think life is so horrid here, move to South Sudan or Lebanon. Good luck to you. Don't bother to write.

[henry quirk]

most of us are rich and comfortable

You're domesticated.

South Sudan or Lebanon

At least you didn't foist up the Somalia trope.

[Alexis Jacobi]

The Trumpian notion that the U.S. is in horrid condition is belied by a booming economy, more equality of rights than ever, and, if Trump is not elected, a relative absence of lies and fear mongering.

It is not merely or solely Trump’s view, as if he has concocted it, but rather it is a point of view of wide sections of the American population. I might grant you that some part of it is psychological and perceptual, and that as a dystopian view it may negate or dismiss “positives”. But the discourse that critiques the present régime (deep state, “global elite” machinations, Chinese-style ideological control) cannot be regarded solely as hallucinatory. But that is what you seem to say.

Harris, by the way, has never to my knowledge tried to intimidate state officials into "finding" more votes in her favor. Nor has she publicly stated that she will not accept the results of a fair election. In that significant regard she differs from Donald Trump.

Trump did not accept the results of an unfair election. My own take is that he did not understand the mechanisms by which the “unfairness” took place. Nor did any of us until later. But it is quite possible, still, that his election was stolen from him by certain machinations.

The Democrats have certainly expressed paranoia about the possibility of election fraud in the past. It was a rather common paranoia projected onto devious Republicans. If I remember right I think Hilary Clinton spoke much about that at one time.

[Alexiev]

most of us are rich and comfortable

You're domesticated.

South Sudan or Lebanon

At least you didn't foist up the Somalia trope.

When have Americans been better off than they are now?

1930s-- depression
1940s -- 250k killed in a war.
1950s -- 35k killed in a war.
60s -- 30k killed in a war, massive division at home.
70s -- 20k killed, students shot at Kent State.
80s-- Union busting and failed "trickle down*.
90s-- Monica Lewinski and war in Iraq.
2000s - Twin towers and war.
2010s -- Continued war, drone assassinations.
2020s - peace and prosperity (for the U.S.).

[Alexiev]

The Trumpian notion that the U.S. is in horrid condition is belied by a booming economy, more equality of rights than ever, and, if Trump is not elected, a relative absence of lies and fear mongering.

It is not merely or solely Trump’s view, as if he has concocted it, but rather it is a point of view of wide sections of the American population. I might grant you that some part of it is psychological and perceptual, and that as a dystopian view it may negate or dismiss “positives”. But the discourse that critiques the present régime (deep state, “global elite” machinations, Chinese-style ideological control) cannot be regarded solely as hallucinatory. But that is what you seem to say.

Harris, by the way, has never to my knowledge tried to intimidate state officials into "finding" more votes in her favor. Nor has she publicly stated that she will not accept the results of a fair election. In that significant regard she differs from Donald Trump.

Trump did not accept the results of an unfair election. My own take is that he did not understand the mechanisms by which the “unfairness” took place. Nor did any of us until later. But it is quite possible, still, that his election was stolen from him by certain machinations.

The Democrats have certainly expressed paranoia about the possibility of election fraud in the past. It was a rather common paranoia projected onto devious Republicans. If I remember right I think Hilary Clinton spoke much about that at one time.

Wrong. I don't "seem to say" anything except what I actually say. Of course there are problems. But they are not worse than at any time in our history.

There may be election fraud. I wouldn't know. But I'll bet it's no worse than at any other time. What is worse is violent invasions of the Capitol and attempts to hang VP Pence for correctly certifying the election.

[Alexiev]

In other election news, Melania stated that she voted for Harris.

[Alexis Jacobi]

… but Harris and Biden voted for Trump!

It’s a cRaZy time we’re in!

In other news I just got word that P’nut the Squirrel was not executed by the state régime but cleverly escaped and has been spotted in a hundred places in Pennsylvania in a MAGA get-up …

[henry quirk]

When have Americans been better off than they are now?

Refresh my memory: where, in-thread, did I kvetch about how horrible things are in America (your words, not mine)?

[Alexiev]

When have Americans been better off than they are now?

Refresh my memory: where, in-thread, did I kvetch about how horrible things are in America (your words, not mine)?

:

things are hunky-dory and Harris is gonna make it all even better

I assumed you were being sarcastic. Also, Trump kvetches constantly, so I suspect his supporters agree.

[henry quirk]

I assumed

I think, like a lotta folks, you assume too much, too much of the time.

-----

Anywho...

Who's up for a rousing conversation about NOTA? State rights? The Constitution? Minarchism? Election procedure security or reform?

[Alexiev]

I assumed

I think, like a lotta folks, you assume too much, too much of the time.

-----

Anywho...

Who's up for a rousing conversation about NOTA? State rights? The Constitution? Minarchism? Election procedure security or reform?

"Hunky-dory" is generally used facetiously, so I stand by my assumption.

I don't think we need election procedure reform. Nor do I see the Constitution as invioble scripture, although Trump is the candidate who disrespects it. Minarchy endorses governments that support the ability of some people to limit the liberty of other people. In other words it endorses governments that limit their activity to protecting property rights. But why should that be the only legitimate purpose of government? Shouldn't we the people have the ability to decide what proper functions comprise?

[Alexiev]

Breaking news: In Springfield, Ohio the Haitian refugees are voting overwhelmingly for Harris, and the cats and dogs are supporting Trump.

[henry quirk]

Shouldn't we the people have the ability to decide what proper functions comprise?

Should those of like-mind organize themselves as they like? Sure.