American Politics 3.0 - Back to Brunch

[activeStick]

Originally Posted by photon

From the Biden campaign...

"Team Biden-Harris has raised over $33M since Thursday, of which $26M is from grassroots donations. Nearly half of our grassroots donations were from first-time donors to the campaign this cycle. Thursday was our best grassroots fundraising day ever,"

They've found a new way to really boost donations to the establishment - just wheel Biden out for an embarassing debate loss to induce panic!

[MoneyGuy]

The Dems would be foolish to replace Biden now. It’s all in; has to be.

[powderjunkie]

Originally Posted by Rutuu

Bolded: Agree, but isn't this every human system of government. Autocrats have to pay off so many people to stay in power too. I'm not aware of every coup d'état, but from my recollection you need the military to be in on it. The US military is sworn to uphold the constitution. Even the most repugnant politician in their system also has to answer to their electorate. Without a willing military and rigged elections democracy is tough to tumble. How do you rig an election without the courts and people on your side or the military standing there with a gun?

Underlined: Agree in definition, but disagree in practice. While the individual position of President has more powers bestowed on it than a PM in Canada, UK, Aus, NZ, etc. A PM with a majority can effect change easily. A President can rule by executive order, but Federal Courts can put a stop to these as can congress. Of course you can stack judges, but both parties do this, so there is a mix, even if the current Supreme Court leans for the red team. The issue there is more life long appointment.

Project 2025: These types of policy papers have come out for decades. Its not really new, as are the asks coming out of the think tank that created it.

My read has been, Trump himself only really cares about himself and having people praise him. Will he use the DOJ to hunt his enemies, sure. Will he randomly fire entire swathes of government employees like Twitter if someone gets in his ear, maybe. Will he cut support for foreign wars, most definitely (the guy has always been anti war), but Europe should have seen this coming a mile away.

Will social issues become "state issues", well that's more the long term dream of the plan to get the courts onside. Having abortion be a state issue has backfired though, and the others likely will as well. The American people lean more left of their right party, and its a bit sad that the centrists that vote for the red team are stuck in a system that holds them hostage to more extreme social policies of a minority of their party.

TLDR: Youth unemployment is far too low to even have a chance at overthrowing American democracy.

You don't necessarily need the military on your side, you just need them to not stop you. Doing nothing is usually the easy choice. Especially when the 'something' likely involves violence against fellow Americans, even if they are treasonous. If we learned anything over Trump's term, it's that we can't count on anyone to do the 'right thing' if they can possibly pass the buck.

Moreover, it's not necessarily as simple as the right General deciding the right thing to do. Mobilizing troops domestically is not simple. And there will always be the worry of whether all troops will actually carry out the orders, or not. I think it'll be easy to talk themselves out of it.

But really if Trump gets in again it'll be a frog in the pot situation over the next 4 years as 'they' move the chess pieces to dismantle democracy and prevent another fair election or transition of power. But this depends on whether there are truly malevolent actors pulling the strings, because I don't think Trump nor his closest advisors are smart enough...the question is who is pulling their strings.


And you really can't call yourself a centrist if you vote red in America in the last 8 years. Of course, calling yourself a 'centrist' is asinine to begin with

[Rutuu]

Originally Posted by Mathgod

I think there's a number of important things you're not taking into account. Please consider:

1) the way Putin transformed Russia, and Orban transformed Hungary

2) the way Hitler rose to power in the 1930s (he was elected, gained more power and influence over time, culminating in the enabling act of 1933); he wasn't placed into power via violent coup

3) Trump can prosecute and/or kill his political opposition, causing a chilling effect, to the point where no serious contender will ever emerge to challenge him in any election. He can also have unfriendly media outlets shut down or sold to his cronies, just like Orban has done in Hungary

4) Trump's constant accusations of his political opposition as "radical Marxists destroying America". Trump's use of direct language used by the Nazis to describe Jews, repurposed to describe undocumented immigrants (vermin, poisoning the blood, etc)

5) this Supreme Court has gone completely rogue; they are already ripping America apart at the seams. The overturning of Roe was just the tip of the iceberg. The overturning of Chevron ruling is a huge, flashing red light for anyone who cares even one iota about decency or a reasonably functioning society. This court has done (and continues to do) everything it possibly can to delay Trump's court trials until after inauguration day, so he can have them thrown out. It is very clearly corrupted and acting in fealty to Trump.

So while yes, the troops must adhere to the constitution, the power to interpret the constitution resides with the courts, the very courts Trump has already captured. So no there won't be any meaningful restrictions on Trump's power if he gets back into office.

I hear your points, and have taken them on board.

Points 1 & 2: Orban and Putin in my opinion were able to take advantage of hard economic times, weak institutions, and a general distrust of democracy within their post soviet populations. Hitler also took advantage of hard economic times and a population that was still unfamiliar with democracy. The current US may be disillusioned with some aspects of THEIR democracy, but it is entrenched within generations of their population.

Point 3: Trump is currently a convicted felon. He will be sentenced July 11th. He is on trial for numerous other crimes, where he has been able to play the judicial system into numerous delays. He is hiding behind his popularity at the moment, getting the best possible treatment from a judiciary tasked with taking on these historic trials for the first time ever. Murder is far more serious than any crime he is currently indicted with, and a far easier message to get across to an electorate that is bombarded daily with blockbuster headlines.

Point 4: This is his rhetoric. It is unacceptable to most, but most people ignore anything election related until after labour day and Trump has a well established brand. E.g.: Theo Fleury saying something crazy, sure...Jarome Iginla saying something crazy, that's news.

Point 5: Some would argue that Roe v Wade going back to the states was a blessing, as it removed a constant election issue for Democrats at the federal level, and they can blame Republicans. The Chevron flip-flop, is actually less insidious, now Congress, who are elected to write laws, are responsible for writing the explicit laws for regulators to follow. The former system, gave the regulator unchecked power. I like my elected representatives controlling these types of things, but I can understand not everyone feels that way.

Finally, there are more democrat appointed judges in the federal system.


364 of the 678 positions in the districts, and a little less than half of the appeals judges (85 out of 178).

You are entitled to feel the way you do about this election, but so do other people. Accusing us of not paying attention is a bit harsh I feel.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

The first point I guess I could kinda see, maybe.....the fundraising part? Don't buy that at all.

aged well lol

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by rubecube

This might be one of the most narcissistic things I've seen written on this site.

The rest of us just don't have time to be a YouTube-level expert on microeconomics (his UBI stuff), climate science, and global politics. It's his responsibility to tell us we're wrong.

[Barnet Flame]

Originally Posted by dino7c

aged well lol

Like Biden.

[Snuffleupagus]

Originally Posted by photon

From the Biden campaign...

"Team Biden-Harris has raised over $33M since Thursday, of which $26M is from grassroots donations. Nearly half of our grassroots donations were from first-time donors to the campaign this cycle. Thursday was our best grassroots fundraising day ever,"

Unless they use it to to bribe Judge Merchan into a long prison sentence it won't matter, Biden can't beat the orange goblin as long as he's free.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by MoneyGuy

The Dems would be foolish to replace Biden now. It’s all in; has to be.

lol, that’s ridiculous though. You’re just playing out the string if you do that. There is no way he wins the election at this point and no one can believe he’s capable of running the country. And of course, if/when he falters medically and his VP becomes president that’s even more of a concern for voters as she’s widely disliked.

[Fuzz]

How hard is it to replace Harris with someone not widely disliked? would that boost Biden's chances, given every one sees the writing in the wall?

[powderjunkie]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

How hard is it to replace Harris with someone not widely disliked? would that boost Biden's chances, given every one sees the writing in the wall?

If such a person is out there, why not just replace Joe?

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by powderjunkie

If such a person is out there, why not just replace Joe?

Because clearly they aren't willing to take that risk. This seems less risky, but also would be reassuring.

[MoneyGuy]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

How hard is it to replace Harris with someone not widely disliked? would that boost Biden's chances, given every one sees the writing in the wall?

She may be very capable but I think she’s unpopular and costs Biden votes. At Biden’s age, he needs someone that Americans are comfy with as president.

[devo22]

Kangaroo court at it again. This country is so ####ed.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1807785261507481607

[Ozy_Flame]

I wouldn't mind having the Democrats map out a transition strategy - lead by Joe - that explains this the Dems goal is to win 2024, and then have Joe step down by 2025 or 2026.

If they can't do it this summer, then communicate to people that it's coming, there are good people who will succeed him, and it's being done with long-term vision of ensuring the economy will continue to hum and democracy will be in good, stable hands.

[Whynotnow]

This is election is nearly over. The doj slow walking the prosecution on key cases, federal judge in Florida seemingly doing all she can to avoid the documents case from ever getting to trial, the Supreme Court devolving into an extension of the partisan work in congress and Bidens’ decline. I have resigned myself to him winning, can’t see that trajectory being altered.

[puffnstuff]

Any resident of the oval office they ruled...sounds like Joe has some criming, i mean 'official acts', he can now do free from any repercussions .

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by devo22

Kangaroo court at it again. This country is so ####ed.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1807785261507481607

We really are witnessing the fall of American democracy in real time, this is surreal

[direwolf]

The MAGA Supreme Court strikes again. What a joke of a country. Honestly, they deserve Trump and all the horrible s*** that comes with him.

[puffnstuff]

Happy Steve Bannon went to prison day!