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Mike S's avatar

I believe in what I can prove with data.

Right now, I can prove, and believe, that the former President of the United States attempted to overthrow a legitimate election, an act of treason, and whom sits at Mara Lago intermittently getting out of his chair to ride a golf cart around. He has not been arrested.

Right now, I can prove, and believe, that Fox News is openly attempting to subvert America, through unregulated lies, to transition America to an autocracy run by Oligarchs.

Right now, I can prove, and believe, that Republicans, fully aware that their electability depends on lies and a declining population of white racists, are using gerrymandering to expand their power.

Right now, I can prove, and believe, that, because salaries have not kept up with what is reported to be low inflation for the last 30 years, young people with "good" jobs, like engineering, can barely afford rent in most cities of America.

Right now, I can prove, and believe that a modest house purchased by an engineer almost straight from school for $24,000 in 1965, in Framingham Massachusetts costs 2.1 million dollars today. No engineer from school has a chance of getting that house except the descendants of the engineer who bought it in 1965.

Lastly, I can prove and believe that the United States government can no longer effectively do much but prosecute infinite war that has no useful outcome and fund military contractors that have no useful products.

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Tom's avatar

Democracy has always existed because people realize they have to fight for it. That there’s a lot to fight against is nothing new. I still believe—with some retrograde moments—that things get gradually better.

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Christine (FL)'s avatar

Right now what I can gently suggest and prove is that you allow your heart to enter into the equation. Even for today. Let yourself feel pride for all you are in America the Beautiful. Just for a day. It will be like a day of fasting from corruption.

https://youtu.be/TRUjr8EVgBg

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FERN MCBRIDE (NYC)'s avatar

Loved it Christine. Ohhhhhhhhh, Mr. Charles. We've been doing a lot of music today. So here is something for you -- much deserved:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyTpu6BmE88

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Christine (FL)'s avatar

👩🏽‍❤️‍👩🏽

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FERN MCBRIDE (NYC)'s avatar

Mike, I respect your perspective and belief in your proofs. You have left out what the majority of Americans, around 60% of the adult population, are capable of it terms of resistance. You cannot have proof of what the January 6 investigative Commission will accomplish or the determination of activists as well as investigative reporters. I think that the best statistician would know that he or she does not have enough data to come to a conclusion about the future of the USA.

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Mike S's avatar

Fern. If standing in front of thousands of white men and telling them to storm the Capital to overthrow a legitimate election on national TV is not treason then nothing is. No commission needed.

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Nancy Fleming's avatar

They tried, but failed. I'm no Pollyanna, but what I know is that there are more of us than them. We can win this fight. Try not to lose faith.

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FERN MCBRIDE (NYC)'s avatar

Mike that was not my point. I was disputing your last claim, for which you have no proof, while stating that you do: 'Lastly, I can prove and believe that the United States government can no longer effectively do much but prosecute infinite war ...'

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Mike S's avatar

Ok. Understood. I guess I should have said prosecute losing forever wars. 😉

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FERN MCBRIDE (NYC)'s avatar

I like your smile, Mike. I believe this government will pass one and possibly both infrastructure bills, which will change the country - most fundamentally if and when the 2nd one is passed, The American Jobs Plan, capitalism here would be transformed.

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Kim's avatar

An interesting podcast on Vox, David Serwar says the GOP do not need the choose the path theyre on in order stay relevant. But they do. Worth a listen and consideration. Are they lazy? Uncreative? Preferring cruelty?

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FERN MCBRIDE (NYC)'s avatar

Kim, Could this be what you were referring to?

Adam Serwer on the all-American politics of cruelty

The Atlantic writer discusses his latest book and the evolving role of cruelty in American life.

By Sean Illing@seanillingsean.illing@vox.com Aug 23, 2021, 3:30pm EDT

https://www.vox.com/vox-conversations-podcast/22637762/vox-conversations-adam-serwer-the-cruelty-is-the-point

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Kim's avatar

Yes! Thank you Feen!

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Stephen from Sunny Seattle's avatar

Kim, do you have a link to that podcast? I did a search on Vox and only found a Serwar reference from a few years ago.

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Christine (FL)'s avatar

https://youtu.be/drnGAlHPOW0

Here it is Stephen.

We are on a roll today LFAA!

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FERN MCBRIDE (NYC)'s avatar

Stephen, I checked with Kim, and the following was was she wished to convey:

Adam Serwer on the all-American politics of cruelty

The Atlantic writer discusses his latest book and the evolving role of cruelty in American life.

By Sean Illing@seanillingsean.illing@vox.com Aug 23, 2021, 3:30pm EDT

https://www.vox.com/vox-conversations-podcast/22637762/vox-conversations-adam-serwer-the-cruelty-is-the-point

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Stephen from Sunny Seattle's avatar

Thanks, listening just now now.

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Kim's avatar

Hi Stephen, It's from Vox Conversations, Monday, Aug. 23. "Was the Cruelty the Point?" Sean Illing interviews Adam Serwer. Hope that helps!

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Kim's avatar

I see you are a musician. Do you know the band Fruition from your area?

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Stephen from Sunny Seattle's avatar

Nope, though we are blessed to have so many fine musicians in this town.

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Mike S's avatar

Kim,

Answer: Yes.

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