▲ 228 ▼ Hexbear admin just sent me this. lol. lmao even. (lemmy.blahaj.zone) submitted 3 years ago* (last edited 3 years ago) by moss@lemmy.blahaj.zone [M] to c/196@lemmy.blahaj.zone 229 comments fedilink hide all child comments
[+] jack@hexbear.net 29 points 3 years ago* (2 children) [removed by mod] permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 4 child comments replies: [–] ToastedPlanet@lemmy.blahaj.zone 9 points 3 years ago (3 children) I am a social democrat. I think we should elect socialist politicians through our existing democracy. The socialist politicians will then vote on legislation to regulate the economy and ensure that corporations do not gain an outsized influence in the free market. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 6 child comments replies: [–] build_a_bear_group@hexbear.net 57 points 3 years ago Looks at Allende, the Indonesian Genocide, ÖSDAP, and the US Civil War... I am sure, this time the ruling class will just say "aww shucks", and peacefully give up power, rather than fight to retain power like every previous time. permalink fedilink source parent [+] jack@hexbear.net 30 points 3 years ago (1 child) [removed by mod] permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] ToastedPlanet@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 3 years ago (6 children) Here in the US, the people rule. Since socialist policies are in the interest of the people, they will want to vote for politicians who support socialist policies. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 12 child comments replies: [–] jack@hexbear.net 63 points 3 years ago (1 child) Here in the US, the people rule. This is literally objectively not true: https://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/princeton-experts-say-us-no-longer-democracy The US is not, and has never been, a democracy, because the people do not direct the actions of the government except on the margins. There is no democratic input on imperialism or capitalism. Those are invariate, and the system is designed to protect those from public influence. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] ToastedPlanet@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 3 years ago (3 children) It's crazy to see a far left news source be used to try to convince people that the US has never been a democracy. We have always been a democracy and we thankfully still are a democracy. We are in danger of losing our democracy to fascism however. If we don't fix the flaws in our democratic institutions we will end up in a fascist dictatorship. I am well aware we are circling the fascist drain. I also know that the modern neoliberalism movement started by Regan and Thatcher is how we got here. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 6 child comments replies: [–] iie@hexbear.net 16 points 3 years ago 70% of Americans want singlepayer healthcare 90% want universal background checks for firearm purchases 75% want Citizen's United repealed and yet these and other popular policies remain politically impossible permalink fedilink source parent [–] kneel_before_yakub@hexbear.net 11 points 3 years ago Ivy league uni "Far left" lol lmao even permalink fedilink source parent [–] Grimble@hexbear.net 7 points 3 years ago* Ok, you know things. Cool. So why are you being so dodgy about hyperspecific political tendencies? Why is such a precarious, controlled, center-left (by ur standard) system like the US worth balancing? permalink fedilink source parent [–] AcidSmiley@hexbear.net 23 points 3 years ago come on this has to be satire. you can't be serious about this shit. permalink fedilink source parent [–] Grimble@hexbear.net 13 points 3 years ago Department of Naval Intelligence permalink fedilink source parent [–] iie@hexbear.net 13 points 3 years ago Study: Testing Theories of American Politics: Elites, Interest Groups, and Average Citizens: From the abstract: Multivariate analysis indicates that economic elites and organized groups representing business interests have substantial independent impacts on U.S. government policy, while average citizens and mass-based interest groups have little or no independent influence. further down: In the United States, our findings indicate, the majority does not rule — at least not in the causal sense of actually determining policy outcomes. When a majority of citizens disagrees with economic elites and/or with organized interests, they generally lose. Moreover, because of the strong status quo bias built into the U.S. political system, even when fairly large majorities of Americans favor policy change, they generally do not get it. What is it, like, 70% of Americans want single payer healthcare? permalink fedilink source parent [–] aaaaaaadjsf@hexbear.net 12 points 3 years ago* (last edited 3 years ago) The people rule so effectively in the USA that the candidate with less votes has won 1/3 of presidential elections in the 21st century. How can you be a "democracy" if the candidate with the most votes loses the election? I thought that was the number one rule of democracy, the person with the most votes wins. permalink fedilink source parent [–] KurtVonnegut@hexbear.net 3 points 3 years ago Since socialist policies are in the interest of the people, they will want to vote for politicians who support socialist policies. Yes, you are right. People voted for Obama in 2008 because he promised nationalized healthcare. Obama also promised to shut down Guantanamo Bay prison. And people voted for Biden in 2020 because he promised student loan debt relief. Both presidents failed to deliver on their promises. Why? Because democracy in America is and always has been "bread and circuses." Voting every two/four years is a distraction. Capital controls America, because it controls the American economy. How many elections do you need to see before you realize that it's always going to be the same shit? And any actual socialist will be destroyed by the press. Jeremy Corbin -> anti-Semitic (he's not). Bernie Sanders -> misogynistic racist (he's not, and Biden and Trump both have dozens of sexual assault claims against them). Same shit, different year. Capital, the media, and special interest groups stop all progress from happening in American "democracy." No one has ever voted their way to a revolution. permalink fedilink source parent [–] SoyViking@hexbear.net 20 points 3 years ago This has been tried many times and history shows that it's a really effective way of getting yourself couped and get a brutal reactionary regime put in your place. The bourgeoisie is not burdened by any high-minded liberal ideals when it comes to preserving their wealth and power, they are going to do whatever it takes. permalink fedilink source parent [–] vinceman@lemmy.blahaj.zone 5 points 3 years ago (2 children) Have you ever heard of anarchism and mutual aid permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 4 child comments replies: [+] jack@hexbear.net 30 points 3 years ago (1 child) [removed by mod] permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] vinceman@lemmy.blahaj.zone 5 points 3 years ago (1 child) I'm personally more afraid of being drafted in a war started by russia but whatevs permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [+] jack@hexbear.net 28 points 3 years ago (1 child) [removed by mod] permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] vinceman@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 3 years ago (2 children) What's your point? Are russia not currently being an imperialist nation? They are invading a country for the sake of territory permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 4 child comments replies: [+] jack@hexbear.net 25 points 3 years ago* [removed by mod] permalink fedilink source parent [–] Rod_Blagojevic@hexbear.net 12 points 3 years ago (1 child) Now, just out of the blue, for no discernable reason, the Russian government decided it would just go ahead and conquer a large population in a land where it would have to fight an insurgency for approximately forever. Yes, this is definitely what's happening. A tankie might call this pure MSNBC brain, but there is literally nothing else you need to know in order to understand this conflict. Stay strong, and continue to be the smartest person in the room. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] vinceman@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 3 years ago Ah yes, I'm fully aware that this only began in February 2022 and not a single moment before. There isn't a history of russia fucking around for the last decade. permalink fedilink source parent [+] LesbianLiberty@hexbear.net 26 points 3 years ago (1 child) [removed by mod] permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [+] vinceman@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 point 3 years ago [deleted] permalink fedilink source parent
[–] ToastedPlanet@lemmy.blahaj.zone 9 points 3 years ago (3 children) I am a social democrat. I think we should elect socialist politicians through our existing democracy. The socialist politicians will then vote on legislation to regulate the economy and ensure that corporations do not gain an outsized influence in the free market. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 6 child comments replies: [–] build_a_bear_group@hexbear.net 57 points 3 years ago Looks at Allende, the Indonesian Genocide, ÖSDAP, and the US Civil War... I am sure, this time the ruling class will just say "aww shucks", and peacefully give up power, rather than fight to retain power like every previous time. permalink fedilink source parent [+] jack@hexbear.net 30 points 3 years ago (1 child) [removed by mod] permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] ToastedPlanet@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 3 years ago (6 children) Here in the US, the people rule. Since socialist policies are in the interest of the people, they will want to vote for politicians who support socialist policies. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 12 child comments replies: [–] jack@hexbear.net 63 points 3 years ago (1 child) Here in the US, the people rule. This is literally objectively not true: https://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/princeton-experts-say-us-no-longer-democracy The US is not, and has never been, a democracy, because the people do not direct the actions of the government except on the margins. There is no democratic input on imperialism or capitalism. Those are invariate, and the system is designed to protect those from public influence. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] ToastedPlanet@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 3 years ago (3 children) It's crazy to see a far left news source be used to try to convince people that the US has never been a democracy. We have always been a democracy and we thankfully still are a democracy. We are in danger of losing our democracy to fascism however. If we don't fix the flaws in our democratic institutions we will end up in a fascist dictatorship. I am well aware we are circling the fascist drain. I also know that the modern neoliberalism movement started by Regan and Thatcher is how we got here. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 6 child comments replies: [–] iie@hexbear.net 16 points 3 years ago 70% of Americans want singlepayer healthcare 90% want universal background checks for firearm purchases 75% want Citizen's United repealed and yet these and other popular policies remain politically impossible permalink fedilink source parent [–] kneel_before_yakub@hexbear.net 11 points 3 years ago Ivy league uni "Far left" lol lmao even permalink fedilink source parent [–] Grimble@hexbear.net 7 points 3 years ago* Ok, you know things. Cool. So why are you being so dodgy about hyperspecific political tendencies? Why is such a precarious, controlled, center-left (by ur standard) system like the US worth balancing? permalink fedilink source parent [–] AcidSmiley@hexbear.net 23 points 3 years ago come on this has to be satire. you can't be serious about this shit. permalink fedilink source parent [–] Grimble@hexbear.net 13 points 3 years ago Department of Naval Intelligence permalink fedilink source parent [–] iie@hexbear.net 13 points 3 years ago Study: Testing Theories of American Politics: Elites, Interest Groups, and Average Citizens: From the abstract: Multivariate analysis indicates that economic elites and organized groups representing business interests have substantial independent impacts on U.S. government policy, while average citizens and mass-based interest groups have little or no independent influence. further down: In the United States, our findings indicate, the majority does not rule — at least not in the causal sense of actually determining policy outcomes. When a majority of citizens disagrees with economic elites and/or with organized interests, they generally lose. Moreover, because of the strong status quo bias built into the U.S. political system, even when fairly large majorities of Americans favor policy change, they generally do not get it. What is it, like, 70% of Americans want single payer healthcare? permalink fedilink source parent [–] aaaaaaadjsf@hexbear.net 12 points 3 years ago* (last edited 3 years ago) The people rule so effectively in the USA that the candidate with less votes has won 1/3 of presidential elections in the 21st century. How can you be a "democracy" if the candidate with the most votes loses the election? I thought that was the number one rule of democracy, the person with the most votes wins. permalink fedilink source parent [–] KurtVonnegut@hexbear.net 3 points 3 years ago Since socialist policies are in the interest of the people, they will want to vote for politicians who support socialist policies. Yes, you are right. People voted for Obama in 2008 because he promised nationalized healthcare. Obama also promised to shut down Guantanamo Bay prison. And people voted for Biden in 2020 because he promised student loan debt relief. Both presidents failed to deliver on their promises. Why? Because democracy in America is and always has been "bread and circuses." Voting every two/four years is a distraction. Capital controls America, because it controls the American economy. How many elections do you need to see before you realize that it's always going to be the same shit? And any actual socialist will be destroyed by the press. Jeremy Corbin -> anti-Semitic (he's not). Bernie Sanders -> misogynistic racist (he's not, and Biden and Trump both have dozens of sexual assault claims against them). Same shit, different year. Capital, the media, and special interest groups stop all progress from happening in American "democracy." No one has ever voted their way to a revolution. permalink fedilink source parent [–] SoyViking@hexbear.net 20 points 3 years ago This has been tried many times and history shows that it's a really effective way of getting yourself couped and get a brutal reactionary regime put in your place. The bourgeoisie is not burdened by any high-minded liberal ideals when it comes to preserving their wealth and power, they are going to do whatever it takes. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] build_a_bear_group@hexbear.net 57 points 3 years ago Looks at Allende, the Indonesian Genocide, ÖSDAP, and the US Civil War... I am sure, this time the ruling class will just say "aww shucks", and peacefully give up power, rather than fight to retain power like every previous time. permalink fedilink source parent
[+] jack@hexbear.net 30 points 3 years ago (1 child) [removed by mod] permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] ToastedPlanet@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 3 years ago (6 children) Here in the US, the people rule. Since socialist policies are in the interest of the people, they will want to vote for politicians who support socialist policies. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 12 child comments replies: [–] jack@hexbear.net 63 points 3 years ago (1 child) Here in the US, the people rule. This is literally objectively not true: https://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/princeton-experts-say-us-no-longer-democracy The US is not, and has never been, a democracy, because the people do not direct the actions of the government except on the margins. There is no democratic input on imperialism or capitalism. Those are invariate, and the system is designed to protect those from public influence. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] ToastedPlanet@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 3 years ago (3 children) It's crazy to see a far left news source be used to try to convince people that the US has never been a democracy. We have always been a democracy and we thankfully still are a democracy. We are in danger of losing our democracy to fascism however. If we don't fix the flaws in our democratic institutions we will end up in a fascist dictatorship. I am well aware we are circling the fascist drain. I also know that the modern neoliberalism movement started by Regan and Thatcher is how we got here. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 6 child comments replies: [–] iie@hexbear.net 16 points 3 years ago 70% of Americans want singlepayer healthcare 90% want universal background checks for firearm purchases 75% want Citizen's United repealed and yet these and other popular policies remain politically impossible permalink fedilink source parent [–] kneel_before_yakub@hexbear.net 11 points 3 years ago Ivy league uni "Far left" lol lmao even permalink fedilink source parent [–] Grimble@hexbear.net 7 points 3 years ago* Ok, you know things. Cool. So why are you being so dodgy about hyperspecific political tendencies? Why is such a precarious, controlled, center-left (by ur standard) system like the US worth balancing? permalink fedilink source parent [–] AcidSmiley@hexbear.net 23 points 3 years ago come on this has to be satire. you can't be serious about this shit. permalink fedilink source parent [–] Grimble@hexbear.net 13 points 3 years ago Department of Naval Intelligence permalink fedilink source parent [–] iie@hexbear.net 13 points 3 years ago Study: Testing Theories of American Politics: Elites, Interest Groups, and Average Citizens: From the abstract: Multivariate analysis indicates that economic elites and organized groups representing business interests have substantial independent impacts on U.S. government policy, while average citizens and mass-based interest groups have little or no independent influence. further down: In the United States, our findings indicate, the majority does not rule — at least not in the causal sense of actually determining policy outcomes. When a majority of citizens disagrees with economic elites and/or with organized interests, they generally lose. Moreover, because of the strong status quo bias built into the U.S. political system, even when fairly large majorities of Americans favor policy change, they generally do not get it. What is it, like, 70% of Americans want single payer healthcare? permalink fedilink source parent [–] aaaaaaadjsf@hexbear.net 12 points 3 years ago* (last edited 3 years ago) The people rule so effectively in the USA that the candidate with less votes has won 1/3 of presidential elections in the 21st century. How can you be a "democracy" if the candidate with the most votes loses the election? I thought that was the number one rule of democracy, the person with the most votes wins. permalink fedilink source parent [–] KurtVonnegut@hexbear.net 3 points 3 years ago Since socialist policies are in the interest of the people, they will want to vote for politicians who support socialist policies. Yes, you are right. People voted for Obama in 2008 because he promised nationalized healthcare. Obama also promised to shut down Guantanamo Bay prison. And people voted for Biden in 2020 because he promised student loan debt relief. Both presidents failed to deliver on their promises. Why? Because democracy in America is and always has been "bread and circuses." Voting every two/four years is a distraction. Capital controls America, because it controls the American economy. How many elections do you need to see before you realize that it's always going to be the same shit? And any actual socialist will be destroyed by the press. Jeremy Corbin -> anti-Semitic (he's not). Bernie Sanders -> misogynistic racist (he's not, and Biden and Trump both have dozens of sexual assault claims against them). Same shit, different year. Capital, the media, and special interest groups stop all progress from happening in American "democracy." No one has ever voted their way to a revolution. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] ToastedPlanet@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 3 years ago (6 children) Here in the US, the people rule. Since socialist policies are in the interest of the people, they will want to vote for politicians who support socialist policies. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 12 child comments replies: [–] jack@hexbear.net 63 points 3 years ago (1 child) Here in the US, the people rule. This is literally objectively not true: https://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/princeton-experts-say-us-no-longer-democracy The US is not, and has never been, a democracy, because the people do not direct the actions of the government except on the margins. There is no democratic input on imperialism or capitalism. Those are invariate, and the system is designed to protect those from public influence. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] ToastedPlanet@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 3 years ago (3 children) It's crazy to see a far left news source be used to try to convince people that the US has never been a democracy. We have always been a democracy and we thankfully still are a democracy. We are in danger of losing our democracy to fascism however. If we don't fix the flaws in our democratic institutions we will end up in a fascist dictatorship. I am well aware we are circling the fascist drain. I also know that the modern neoliberalism movement started by Regan and Thatcher is how we got here. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 6 child comments replies: [–] iie@hexbear.net 16 points 3 years ago 70% of Americans want singlepayer healthcare 90% want universal background checks for firearm purchases 75% want Citizen's United repealed and yet these and other popular policies remain politically impossible permalink fedilink source parent [–] kneel_before_yakub@hexbear.net 11 points 3 years ago Ivy league uni "Far left" lol lmao even permalink fedilink source parent [–] Grimble@hexbear.net 7 points 3 years ago* Ok, you know things. Cool. So why are you being so dodgy about hyperspecific political tendencies? Why is such a precarious, controlled, center-left (by ur standard) system like the US worth balancing? permalink fedilink source parent [–] AcidSmiley@hexbear.net 23 points 3 years ago come on this has to be satire. you can't be serious about this shit. permalink fedilink source parent [–] Grimble@hexbear.net 13 points 3 years ago Department of Naval Intelligence permalink fedilink source parent [–] iie@hexbear.net 13 points 3 years ago Study: Testing Theories of American Politics: Elites, Interest Groups, and Average Citizens: From the abstract: Multivariate analysis indicates that economic elites and organized groups representing business interests have substantial independent impacts on U.S. government policy, while average citizens and mass-based interest groups have little or no independent influence. further down: In the United States, our findings indicate, the majority does not rule — at least not in the causal sense of actually determining policy outcomes. When a majority of citizens disagrees with economic elites and/or with organized interests, they generally lose. Moreover, because of the strong status quo bias built into the U.S. political system, even when fairly large majorities of Americans favor policy change, they generally do not get it. What is it, like, 70% of Americans want single payer healthcare? permalink fedilink source parent [–] aaaaaaadjsf@hexbear.net 12 points 3 years ago* (last edited 3 years ago) The people rule so effectively in the USA that the candidate with less votes has won 1/3 of presidential elections in the 21st century. How can you be a "democracy" if the candidate with the most votes loses the election? I thought that was the number one rule of democracy, the person with the most votes wins. permalink fedilink source parent [–] KurtVonnegut@hexbear.net 3 points 3 years ago Since socialist policies are in the interest of the people, they will want to vote for politicians who support socialist policies. Yes, you are right. People voted for Obama in 2008 because he promised nationalized healthcare. Obama also promised to shut down Guantanamo Bay prison. And people voted for Biden in 2020 because he promised student loan debt relief. Both presidents failed to deliver on their promises. Why? Because democracy in America is and always has been "bread and circuses." Voting every two/four years is a distraction. Capital controls America, because it controls the American economy. How many elections do you need to see before you realize that it's always going to be the same shit? And any actual socialist will be destroyed by the press. Jeremy Corbin -> anti-Semitic (he's not). Bernie Sanders -> misogynistic racist (he's not, and Biden and Trump both have dozens of sexual assault claims against them). Same shit, different year. Capital, the media, and special interest groups stop all progress from happening in American "democracy." No one has ever voted their way to a revolution. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] jack@hexbear.net 63 points 3 years ago (1 child) Here in the US, the people rule. This is literally objectively not true: https://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/princeton-experts-say-us-no-longer-democracy The US is not, and has never been, a democracy, because the people do not direct the actions of the government except on the margins. There is no democratic input on imperialism or capitalism. Those are invariate, and the system is designed to protect those from public influence. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] ToastedPlanet@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 3 years ago (3 children) It's crazy to see a far left news source be used to try to convince people that the US has never been a democracy. We have always been a democracy and we thankfully still are a democracy. We are in danger of losing our democracy to fascism however. If we don't fix the flaws in our democratic institutions we will end up in a fascist dictatorship. I am well aware we are circling the fascist drain. I also know that the modern neoliberalism movement started by Regan and Thatcher is how we got here. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 6 child comments replies: [–] iie@hexbear.net 16 points 3 years ago 70% of Americans want singlepayer healthcare 90% want universal background checks for firearm purchases 75% want Citizen's United repealed and yet these and other popular policies remain politically impossible permalink fedilink source parent [–] kneel_before_yakub@hexbear.net 11 points 3 years ago Ivy league uni "Far left" lol lmao even permalink fedilink source parent [–] Grimble@hexbear.net 7 points 3 years ago* Ok, you know things. Cool. So why are you being so dodgy about hyperspecific political tendencies? Why is such a precarious, controlled, center-left (by ur standard) system like the US worth balancing? permalink fedilink source parent
[–] ToastedPlanet@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 3 years ago (3 children) It's crazy to see a far left news source be used to try to convince people that the US has never been a democracy. We have always been a democracy and we thankfully still are a democracy. We are in danger of losing our democracy to fascism however. If we don't fix the flaws in our democratic institutions we will end up in a fascist dictatorship. I am well aware we are circling the fascist drain. I also know that the modern neoliberalism movement started by Regan and Thatcher is how we got here. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 6 child comments replies: [–] iie@hexbear.net 16 points 3 years ago 70% of Americans want singlepayer healthcare 90% want universal background checks for firearm purchases 75% want Citizen's United repealed and yet these and other popular policies remain politically impossible permalink fedilink source parent [–] kneel_before_yakub@hexbear.net 11 points 3 years ago Ivy league uni "Far left" lol lmao even permalink fedilink source parent [–] Grimble@hexbear.net 7 points 3 years ago* Ok, you know things. Cool. So why are you being so dodgy about hyperspecific political tendencies? Why is such a precarious, controlled, center-left (by ur standard) system like the US worth balancing? permalink fedilink source parent
[–] iie@hexbear.net 16 points 3 years ago 70% of Americans want singlepayer healthcare 90% want universal background checks for firearm purchases 75% want Citizen's United repealed and yet these and other popular policies remain politically impossible permalink fedilink source parent
[–] kneel_before_yakub@hexbear.net 11 points 3 years ago Ivy league uni "Far left" lol lmao even permalink fedilink source parent
[–] Grimble@hexbear.net 7 points 3 years ago* Ok, you know things. Cool. So why are you being so dodgy about hyperspecific political tendencies? Why is such a precarious, controlled, center-left (by ur standard) system like the US worth balancing? permalink fedilink source parent
[–] AcidSmiley@hexbear.net 23 points 3 years ago come on this has to be satire. you can't be serious about this shit. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] Grimble@hexbear.net 13 points 3 years ago Department of Naval Intelligence permalink fedilink source parent
[–] iie@hexbear.net 13 points 3 years ago Study: Testing Theories of American Politics: Elites, Interest Groups, and Average Citizens: From the abstract: Multivariate analysis indicates that economic elites and organized groups representing business interests have substantial independent impacts on U.S. government policy, while average citizens and mass-based interest groups have little or no independent influence. further down: In the United States, our findings indicate, the majority does not rule — at least not in the causal sense of actually determining policy outcomes. When a majority of citizens disagrees with economic elites and/or with organized interests, they generally lose. Moreover, because of the strong status quo bias built into the U.S. political system, even when fairly large majorities of Americans favor policy change, they generally do not get it. What is it, like, 70% of Americans want single payer healthcare? permalink fedilink source parent
[–] aaaaaaadjsf@hexbear.net 12 points 3 years ago* (last edited 3 years ago) The people rule so effectively in the USA that the candidate with less votes has won 1/3 of presidential elections in the 21st century. How can you be a "democracy" if the candidate with the most votes loses the election? I thought that was the number one rule of democracy, the person with the most votes wins. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] KurtVonnegut@hexbear.net 3 points 3 years ago Since socialist policies are in the interest of the people, they will want to vote for politicians who support socialist policies. Yes, you are right. People voted for Obama in 2008 because he promised nationalized healthcare. Obama also promised to shut down Guantanamo Bay prison. And people voted for Biden in 2020 because he promised student loan debt relief. Both presidents failed to deliver on their promises. Why? Because democracy in America is and always has been "bread and circuses." Voting every two/four years is a distraction. Capital controls America, because it controls the American economy. How many elections do you need to see before you realize that it's always going to be the same shit? And any actual socialist will be destroyed by the press. Jeremy Corbin -> anti-Semitic (he's not). Bernie Sanders -> misogynistic racist (he's not, and Biden and Trump both have dozens of sexual assault claims against them). Same shit, different year. Capital, the media, and special interest groups stop all progress from happening in American "democracy." No one has ever voted their way to a revolution. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] SoyViking@hexbear.net 20 points 3 years ago This has been tried many times and history shows that it's a really effective way of getting yourself couped and get a brutal reactionary regime put in your place. The bourgeoisie is not burdened by any high-minded liberal ideals when it comes to preserving their wealth and power, they are going to do whatever it takes. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] vinceman@lemmy.blahaj.zone 5 points 3 years ago (2 children) Have you ever heard of anarchism and mutual aid permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 4 child comments replies: [+] jack@hexbear.net 30 points 3 years ago (1 child) [removed by mod] permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] vinceman@lemmy.blahaj.zone 5 points 3 years ago (1 child) I'm personally more afraid of being drafted in a war started by russia but whatevs permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [+] jack@hexbear.net 28 points 3 years ago (1 child) [removed by mod] permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] vinceman@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 3 years ago (2 children) What's your point? Are russia not currently being an imperialist nation? They are invading a country for the sake of territory permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 4 child comments replies: [+] jack@hexbear.net 25 points 3 years ago* [removed by mod] permalink fedilink source parent [–] Rod_Blagojevic@hexbear.net 12 points 3 years ago (1 child) Now, just out of the blue, for no discernable reason, the Russian government decided it would just go ahead and conquer a large population in a land where it would have to fight an insurgency for approximately forever. Yes, this is definitely what's happening. A tankie might call this pure MSNBC brain, but there is literally nothing else you need to know in order to understand this conflict. Stay strong, and continue to be the smartest person in the room. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] vinceman@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 3 years ago Ah yes, I'm fully aware that this only began in February 2022 and not a single moment before. There isn't a history of russia fucking around for the last decade. permalink fedilink source parent [+] LesbianLiberty@hexbear.net 26 points 3 years ago (1 child) [removed by mod] permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [+] vinceman@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 point 3 years ago [deleted] permalink fedilink source parent
[+] jack@hexbear.net 30 points 3 years ago (1 child) [removed by mod] permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] vinceman@lemmy.blahaj.zone 5 points 3 years ago (1 child) I'm personally more afraid of being drafted in a war started by russia but whatevs permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [+] jack@hexbear.net 28 points 3 years ago (1 child) [removed by mod] permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] vinceman@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 3 years ago (2 children) What's your point? Are russia not currently being an imperialist nation? They are invading a country for the sake of territory permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 4 child comments replies: [+] jack@hexbear.net 25 points 3 years ago* [removed by mod] permalink fedilink source parent [–] Rod_Blagojevic@hexbear.net 12 points 3 years ago (1 child) Now, just out of the blue, for no discernable reason, the Russian government decided it would just go ahead and conquer a large population in a land where it would have to fight an insurgency for approximately forever. Yes, this is definitely what's happening. A tankie might call this pure MSNBC brain, but there is literally nothing else you need to know in order to understand this conflict. Stay strong, and continue to be the smartest person in the room. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] vinceman@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 3 years ago Ah yes, I'm fully aware that this only began in February 2022 and not a single moment before. There isn't a history of russia fucking around for the last decade. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] vinceman@lemmy.blahaj.zone 5 points 3 years ago (1 child) I'm personally more afraid of being drafted in a war started by russia but whatevs permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [+] jack@hexbear.net 28 points 3 years ago (1 child) [removed by mod] permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] vinceman@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 3 years ago (2 children) What's your point? Are russia not currently being an imperialist nation? They are invading a country for the sake of territory permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 4 child comments replies: [+] jack@hexbear.net 25 points 3 years ago* [removed by mod] permalink fedilink source parent [–] Rod_Blagojevic@hexbear.net 12 points 3 years ago (1 child) Now, just out of the blue, for no discernable reason, the Russian government decided it would just go ahead and conquer a large population in a land where it would have to fight an insurgency for approximately forever. Yes, this is definitely what's happening. A tankie might call this pure MSNBC brain, but there is literally nothing else you need to know in order to understand this conflict. Stay strong, and continue to be the smartest person in the room. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] vinceman@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 3 years ago Ah yes, I'm fully aware that this only began in February 2022 and not a single moment before. There isn't a history of russia fucking around for the last decade. permalink fedilink source parent
[+] jack@hexbear.net 28 points 3 years ago (1 child) [removed by mod] permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] vinceman@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 3 years ago (2 children) What's your point? Are russia not currently being an imperialist nation? They are invading a country for the sake of territory permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 4 child comments replies: [+] jack@hexbear.net 25 points 3 years ago* [removed by mod] permalink fedilink source parent [–] Rod_Blagojevic@hexbear.net 12 points 3 years ago (1 child) Now, just out of the blue, for no discernable reason, the Russian government decided it would just go ahead and conquer a large population in a land where it would have to fight an insurgency for approximately forever. Yes, this is definitely what's happening. A tankie might call this pure MSNBC brain, but there is literally nothing else you need to know in order to understand this conflict. Stay strong, and continue to be the smartest person in the room. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] vinceman@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 3 years ago Ah yes, I'm fully aware that this only began in February 2022 and not a single moment before. There isn't a history of russia fucking around for the last decade. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] vinceman@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 3 years ago (2 children) What's your point? Are russia not currently being an imperialist nation? They are invading a country for the sake of territory permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 4 child comments replies: [+] jack@hexbear.net 25 points 3 years ago* [removed by mod] permalink fedilink source parent [–] Rod_Blagojevic@hexbear.net 12 points 3 years ago (1 child) Now, just out of the blue, for no discernable reason, the Russian government decided it would just go ahead and conquer a large population in a land where it would have to fight an insurgency for approximately forever. Yes, this is definitely what's happening. A tankie might call this pure MSNBC brain, but there is literally nothing else you need to know in order to understand this conflict. Stay strong, and continue to be the smartest person in the room. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] vinceman@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 3 years ago Ah yes, I'm fully aware that this only began in February 2022 and not a single moment before. There isn't a history of russia fucking around for the last decade. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] Rod_Blagojevic@hexbear.net 12 points 3 years ago (1 child) Now, just out of the blue, for no discernable reason, the Russian government decided it would just go ahead and conquer a large population in a land where it would have to fight an insurgency for approximately forever. Yes, this is definitely what's happening. A tankie might call this pure MSNBC brain, but there is literally nothing else you need to know in order to understand this conflict. Stay strong, and continue to be the smartest person in the room. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] vinceman@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 3 years ago Ah yes, I'm fully aware that this only began in February 2022 and not a single moment before. There isn't a history of russia fucking around for the last decade. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] vinceman@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 3 years ago Ah yes, I'm fully aware that this only began in February 2022 and not a single moment before. There isn't a history of russia fucking around for the last decade. permalink fedilink source parent
[+] LesbianLiberty@hexbear.net 26 points 3 years ago (1 child) [removed by mod] permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [+] vinceman@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 point 3 years ago [deleted] permalink fedilink source parent