My running theory from observing from across the Atlantic is that participating in American politics is mentally destructive. You are confronted by two frankly terrible options, so you either accept you live in an undemocratic country or you have to convince yourself that one of the parties is actually good. No matter what choice you make, it breaks something in you.

[–] [email protected] 32 points 5 months ago (3 children)

Maybe this is what leads to so much cultlike behavior and unquestioned loyalty to one party or the other. And if you're anywhere outside these parties, or you so much as criticize a sitting politician, then you're hated from all sides and accused of being a Russian bot, which is especially disappointing when you're someone who does hold your nose and vote blue, but that's not good enough -- you have to fully toe the line, or else it's perceived as interfering with a campaign, a campaign which never ends.

We're not really a democracy, are we?

[–] ShibaInuTheDoge 19 points 5 months ago (1 children)

[–] [email protected] 13 points 5 months ago

#WashingtonWasRight

#ButAlsoHeWasKindOfAnAssInOtherWays

#ButRightAboutThis

Also, I love your username. I have two shiba inu.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (1 children)

See the thing is for the most part the only people who question the loyalty is Democrats who only choose Democrats because the other choices more terrible and then the Republicans are in questioning because they're filled with hate and propaganda.

Yes, I know you could say the same about Democrats but that's not what studies show. Sorry about your feelings. (Not to the person I'm replying to specifically, but anyone who takes offense)

[–] [email protected] 9 points 5 months ago (2 children)

Democrats who only choose Democrats because the other choices more terrible

Literally me, and it's super hard to do this when I have family and loved ones being detained or deported by a system that Democrats uphold, and neighbors suffering from lack of access to healthcare. Imagine seeing and experiencing all this and then being told that voting's not enough -- that we also can't complain about it, lest we be dismissed as "Russian bots" or "Chinese shills." Imagine never seeing certain people again, and then being told that I'm the one who's privileged because I have the audacity to complain about it.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 5 months ago

and then being told that I'm the one who's privileged because I have the audacity to complain about it.

Yeah and I tell them and I'm using my privilege to protect those without. Exactly what people with privilege are supposed to do.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (1 children)

Imagine never seeing certain people again, and then being told that I’m the one who’s privileged because I have the audacity to complain about it.

Dad had a heart attack right in front of me. He was complaining about chest pains a few days earlier but didn't want a hospital bill. I've never been the same person since.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 months ago

I'm so sorry. I can only imagine the pain.

We have the ability to provide access to basic healthcare to our citizens, but we choose not to. And we have very few politicians who support universal healthcare. It's unconscionable.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 months ago

We're not really a democracy, are we?

👨‍🚀🔫👨‍🚀

[–] [email protected] 9 points 5 months ago

You nailed it