Musings about our changing times and how I anticipate it may effect me (us)

[Fieldsay]

Yeah, I get where you’re coming from. I’ve always felt kind of in-between groups myself—not really fitting into any particular scene, even when I thought I should. People are polite, but there’s always that sense of being on the outside looking in. Honestly, though, I’ve found that most folks, even in more conservative spaces, will treat you fine if you carry yourself with confidence and don’t give them a reason to be weird about it. The real worry for me isn’t so much how people react to personal style but more about the economy tightening its grip. Costs keep going up, and it feels like politicians are more focused on culture wars than making sure people can afford to live. I try to just do my thing, treat people decently, and hope the world lets me be—but yeah, the bigger picture is what actually concerns me.

[moonshadow]

Yeah, I get where you’re coming from. I’ve always felt kind of in-between groups myself—not really fitting into any particular scene, even when I thought I should. People are polite, but there’s always that sense of being on the outside looking in. Honestly, though, I’ve found that most folks, even in more conservative spaces, will treat you fine if you carry yourself with confidence and don’t give them a reason to be weird about it. The real worry for me isn’t so much how people react to personal style but more about the economy tightening its grip. Costs keep going up, and it feels like politicians are more focused on culture wars than making sure people can afford to live. I try to just do my thing, treat people decently, and hope the world lets me be—but yeah, the bigger picture is what actually concerns me.

Yeah, I feel the same way. The same type of people that hate on non-conformist have always been around and will continue to be, likewise, the same type of people who are actively supportive will continue to be, and of course those who are just neutral and don't seem to worry about it either way (97% of the population it seems) will also continue to be the same.

At this juncture, my primary concerns are mostly centered around my purse, and the prying hands that are always wanting to lighten it. A fun side note I thought about the other day when reading that Trump was boasting about his tariff acts as being in the best interest for the country, as apparently from 1860-1913 tariffs were the primary way the federal government was funded. Well... I guess that is true... but you know what this country DIDN'T have during those years?? AN INCOME TAX! If he really wants to impress me, ABOLISH THE INCOME TAX! Then he can 'tariff till his heart's content!

Of course, without an income tax, the government can't socially engineer people into making certain purchases, and living certain lifestyles (e.g. having babies). Without an income tax, Trump loses ALL of his leverage over blue states (state's primarily fund themselves in this scenario, just like in the 19th century). He can't withhold funding from blue states that refuse to lock-step with his agenda. Without an income tax, California no longer sends funding to Tennessee public schools, instead each state has to stand on it's own GDP. Hell let's do it!! #WINNING!

But he won't... Nope, this is hybrid America. This is oligarch America. Our owners get the best of both worlds, 19th century tariffs with 21st century (22%) working class income taxes. Oh what a time to be a BILLIONAIRE!

As for all this DEI stuff, I think most of that is just political fluff. I don't think DEI really did much for minority interest in the grand scheme of things, and thus I don't think losing it will move the needle much either. Most employers have always, and will continue to hire who they want.

Anyway, enough of my ranting... I guess it is what it is. It will either burn down or not, but I reckon we'll find a way to survive.

[crfriend]

If he really wants to impress me, ABOLISH THE INCOME TAX! Then he can 'tariff till his heart's content!

Already done -- effectively -- for the billionaire class. I pay vastly more in tax than Elon Musk or Bill Gates. The last time I dared to run the numbers (years ago!), I found that I was losing better than 60% of my gross income to outright tax, and all sorts of other expenditures that are non-discretionary (which I regard as taxes).

As for all this DEI stuff, I think most of that is just political fluff. I don't think DEI really did much for minority interest in the grand scheme of things, and thus I don't think losing it will move the needle much either. Most employers have always, and will continue to hire who they want.

The DEI stuff is a canard. It's been a problem in the past for a certain class of worker in the United States, but is not at the root of the problem. The root of the problem is structural support for the increasing level of wealth inequality that's being pursued for the benefit of the degenerate great-grandchildren of the old Robber Barons from the late 19th Century. "Modern marvels" like Musk are an aberration, they're just stinking rich (on paper, mostly) and exert too much power over the system as a whole (look at Elon Musk and the mess he's making in Washington DC).

At this point, I no longer care if somebody burns the place down. It has it coming -- a failed experiment. That's a problem with republics. They're weak and are easily usurped. Ultimately, they get the leadership that they deserve -- like we witnessed the other day when a political POS spun an international tragedy of an aeroplane crash to his own political gain. Disgusting. Let. It. Burn. It's not my country any more, and hasn't been since 1981. I won't lift a finger to save it.

[moonshadow]

Already done -- effectively -- for the billionaire class. I pay vastly more in tax than Elon Musk or Bill Gates. The last time I dared to run the numbers (years ago!), I found that I was losing better than 60% of my gross income to outright tax, and all sorts of other expenditures that are non-discretionary (which I regard as taxes).

I stand corrected. Silly me. You are correct. The United States actually does NOT have an "income tax". Income is pretty much tax free at the federal level.

What the United States DOES have is a HEFTY "labor tax". Only working class people pay it, and they pay it out of their hourly earnings.

But that's okay, lets abolish both. Let's just go back to 1776. It's time to completely de-fang the federal government. This country is just too divided for it to work out. But it's time for the southern states to stop suckling the teat of California and New York. Let every state stand on it's own.

Holy crap am I turning into a early 20th century Republican??

Why just today, my wife got some notice for Medicare open enrollment, we both laughed as she's on my PRIVATE insurance. We chucked in agreement as "we don't need Donald Trump making our medical decisions".

Let them keep their socialist handouts. And don't worry about me, when I get too old to work, I plan to just not pay any medical bills anyway. What are they going to do?? I'll be living in a van most likely, I'll steal what I need to get by. They can't take anything, I won't have anything for them to take!

Medicare... because socialism is a good thing until Stalin enters the chat! Nah... I'm good. I've learned my lesson. The United States Government is just too damned retarded to be trusted with pretty much anything.

Ultimately, they get the leadership that they deserve -- like we witnessed the other day when a political POS spun an international tragedy of an aeroplane crash to his own political gain. Disgusting. Let. It. Burn. It's not my country any more, and hasn't been since 1981. I won't lift a finger to save it.

Nor will I. Hell, I'll strike a match for them. I get NO government handouts! So screw 'em! ABOLISH EVERYTHING!

[Grok]

Started thinking about the topic of fascism when I watched this television series. This had a far future, science fiction setting. Babylon 5 being a giant space station.

I believe that the producer must have studied the history of Nazi Germany. Over the series we get to see a creeping conspiracy turn the government into a fascist regime. Repression. The appearance of a kind of Gestapo-"Nightwatch"-the members of which wore armbands (like Nazis!).

The background of the series includes a surviving population that was traumatized by a devastating war.

Thinking back to real life history, Germany was not only defeated in a big, devastating war (WWI), but had to endure humiliating, punitive terms in defeat.

About a decade later, the Great Depression removed the soothing effects of prosperity.

[crfriend]

Thinking back to real life history, Germany was not only defeated in a big, devastating war (WWI), but had to endure humiliating, punitive terms in defeat.

I firmly believe that future historians are going to view the first half of the twentieth century as one big war with an intermission between halves.

About a decade later, the Great Depression removed the soothing effects of prosperity.

Now take a look at the modern world. The parallels are chilling. We are, once again, in 1939. The question is whether the rest of the world will try for appeasement of the fallen republic, or will it take up arms and finish the job?

[Modoc]

Started thinking about the topic of fascism when I watched this television series.

Grok, fascism has been a much-studied subject since WW2, if not longer. I find a lot of truth in what Bertrand Russell said on the subject.

The first step in a fascist movement is the combination under an energetic leader of a number of men who possess more than the average share of leisure, brutality, and stupidity. The next step is to fascinate fools and muzzle the intelligent by emotional excitement on the one hand and terrorism on the other. Bertrand Russell

[Grok]

I firmly believe that future historians are going to view the first half of the twentieth century as one big war with an intermission between halves.

This is already a view point of todays historians.

[Grok]

I have been looking a YouTube videos regarding the reaction of MAGA voters to the lay offs. The reaction is anger; a sense of betrayal. At least some people are starting to wake up.

[crfriend]

I have been looking a YouTube videos regarding the reaction of MAGA voters to the lay offs. The reaction is anger; a sense of betrayal. At least some people are starting to wake up.

The problem is that there's no legal way to solve the problem now. There is no mechanism to hold a recall election, and there's no way that a tame Congress that's in his pocket (or is afraid of him) is going to vote to impeach. Thus, the only way to fix this is the "Old School" way, which is by no means innovative nor without precedent.

I loved that infantile fantasy about "Trump Gaza" -- shows precisely what we're up against. Netanyahu will have no piece of that hallucination.

[Grok]

Started seeing mention of secessionist movements on YouTube. Blue states to leave the USA and become new provinces of Canada.

Also, mention that through taxes the blue states subsidize the red states. So...mention that the blue states with hold money from the Federal Government. And let the red states implode.

[Grok]

I expect the near future to resemble the Great Depression of the 1930s.

[Grok]

Recently a veteran appeared on television, having seen his hundredth birthday. As a young sailor he had survived the bombing of Pearl Harbor. One of youngest survivors of the Greatest Generation, which is now nearly gone.

The end of the American Century is squalid. My optimistic scenario-after years of hardship and turmoil, Americans will finally be able to turn things around. This won't be a matter of "making America great again" but rather cleaning up a big mess. America will exist as a pariah nation for a lifetime, until aging adults-with no personal memories of the 2020s-become the leaders of other nations.

[rode_kater]

Be glad you're not in the US armed forces: Transgender troops will be removed from the military.

Within 30 days, the Pentagon must identify service members who have “a current diagnosis or history of, or exhibit symptoms consistent with, gender dysphoria,

I think wearing a skirt right now would get you a one-way ticket out the door.

[moonshadow]

I have been looking a YouTube videos regarding the reaction of MAGA voters to the lay offs. The reaction is anger; a sense of betrayal. At least some people are starting to wake up.

The problem is that there's no legal way to solve the problem now. There is no mechanism to hold a recall election, and there's no way that a tame Congress that's in his pocket (or is afraid of him) is going to vote to impeach. Thus, the only way to fix this is the "Old School" way, which is by no means innovative nor without precedent.

I'm not buying that sentiments have changed all that much. I think it's typical media hype. To date, every single Republican voter that I've known personally since before the Biden and first Trump administration remains a VERY strong supporter of Trump today.

I'm not saying it's not happening, but I don't think it will be enough to tip the scale. I mean, technically, the man is doing exactly what he promised to do, and we rolled out the red carpet. Sure, a little less than half the country is upset about it, but that demographic didn't vote for the man.

Pretty much every Republican voter I know of is downright giddy about the state of things. I see no signs of regret whatsoever.

And to be fair, I really haven't noticed much of a change in my line of sight. Prices are still high, gas is still gas, grocery store shelves are still stocked, people still call out, I still see immigrants working in all of these kitchens I service, I5 still backs up every day, Rufus still barks at passing cars, my day still starts at 630 and ends after the sun sets, weekends are still too short, the neighbors are still annoying, supply chain issues seem about the same as before, starter homes in PNW still sell overnight for $850k, and in West Virginia for $80k, I know a trans-woman who is still getting her "surgery" and is quite excited about it, I'm still passing the same "TAKE AMERICA BACK TRUMP 2024" flags on my commute every day, there are still old men wearing long skirts plentiful in Bellingham, Bellingham traffic patterns are still a fuster-cluck, Neapolitan ice cream is still good, I still bring home a paycheck every other week, 401k is about the same.

I mean... it's basically the same world it was 12 months ago.... *shrugs* I'm starting to think the media is just fanning b.s.