[bilbo0s]

Democrats can oppose, but they don’t have any votes. All 3 branches of government are controlled by Republicans.

So, yeah. I guess we got the government we voted for? And since it’s a democracy, I suppose that means we have exactly the government we deserve?

Maybe it gets better later in the administration? That’s my hope anyway.

[arrosenberg]

> I guess we got the government we voted for? And since it’s a democracy, I suppose that means we have exactly the government we deserve?

Well, we voted based on the only two options that were shoved down our throats by various groups of the wealthiest people on the planet. I don't personally think we deserve this, why would we? That said, if we don't do something, it won't get better.

[bilbo0s]

we voted based on the only two options that were shoved down our throats by various groups of the wealthiest people on the planet

Well, we should have made a system that didn’t allow the wealthiest people on the planet to do that.

Not trying to be flip, I’m just trying to point out that it still all comes back to us in the end. We just have to hope for the best at this point. Buyer’s remorse is not gonna change the actions these people are likely to take.

I do agree with you when you say, something needs to be done. If these pres-vice pres pairings are the best the current system could come up with, then obviously there is a need to add some new aspects to the system that might encourage more competence in the candidates it produces.

[gameman144]

> Well, we should have made a system that didn’t allow the wealthiest people on the planet to do that.

This feels correct-ish, but also pretty unrealistic. If you're born into a system where you have to choose between getting slapped and getting stabbed, then obviously the system shouldn't have been made that way -- that doesn't change the fact that it is that way, and you have to act within that system regardless of what ought to be the system instead.

[arrosenberg]

I agree to an extent. Most of us are either still young, or just getting our bearings and seeing the problems as adults in the last 10 or so years. I feel comfortable saying that, knowing the demographics of the site. Most of us had little-to-no ability to shape the current situation. Our window has just opened.

[spencerflem]

or closed forever

[spencerflem]

We didn't make the system, some slavers hundreds of years ago did.

It seems like we won't have to worry about the current system much longer though

[philjohn]

No, but enough people voted for the party that put the supreme court justices in place who ruled on citizens united over the years.

Voting isn't a one time thing, it has repercussions that can be felt decades later (see shortages of ATC because of the actions of Reagan in the 80's).

[spencerflem]

I don't disagree, but I also don't see how that's a contradiction

[krapp]

We had two options, and we chose the greater evil. We absolutely deserve what's coming.

[mythrwy]

Increased prosperity, intelligent leadership and lawful order? I'll take it!

[tombert]

Ok, so you stalked my comment history so I stalked yours.

What about the Trump administration is "intelligent"? Trump lies about everything. Pointing out other politicians lie isn't a good comeback. Trump lacks all understanding of how tariffs work, he said he was going to "repeal and replace" Obamacare on "day 1" in 2016, only to say he has "concepts of a plan" in 2024, whatever the fuck that means. He rarely has "ideas", he just bitches about stuff and handwaves away everything when pressed for any details.

"Lawful order"? I don't know that that means. I would say that writing a lot of executive orders that go directly against the constitution is literally the opposite of "lawful order", but you're free to disagree.

[theonething]

Deporting all these violent illegals has been outstanding in my opinion. He's actually enforcing existing immigration laws.

By way of threats of tariffs, He's gotten Columbia, Mexico and Canada to enact policies in the interests of America.

America gets constantly screwed by other nations because we've allowed great trade imbalances and weak borders. Other nations have been happy to step back and let the US fund the UN, NATO, etc. Historically, we have the lowest tariffs and accept the most illegal immigrants in the world. Trump's changing that and I'm here for it.

Btw, I'm all for legal immigration. I'm one myself. My family escaped a communist country and has experienced life under a leader much more authoritarian that what the Left conjures up about the other side.

[tombert]

Deporting violent immigrants is fine. Biden enforced immigration laws too, and when there was a bipartisan immigration reform bill Trump asked the conservatives to block it.

Trying to revoke birthright citizenship is not “enforcing existing law”.

The concessions from Mexico and Canada were already planned from last administration. Moreover, now there are retaliatory tariffs coming from them.

How does a trade imbalance imply that we are “screwed”? Trump repeats that constantly but it doesn’t seem implied to me.

The stuff about NATO is a lot more complicated than you’re making it out to be.

This is my biggest issue with Trump and his supporters, they treat everything as this incredibly reductive, black and white, “simple” issue.

[arunabha]

I guess time will tell if you're right. I hope you're right, because if not, we are in for very dark times.

[rtkwe]

The filibuster in the Senate is powerful but it basically only blocks new laws from going in you can't really touch all the things Trump is doing via EO through Congressional obstruction the main avenue for blocking that is through the courts which ultimately have limited enforcement power.