TVTropes Now available in the app store!
Open

Follow TV Tropes

Following

The General US Politics Thread

Go To

Nov 2023 Mod notice:


There may be other, more specific, threads about some aspects of US politics, but this one tends to act as a hub for all sorts of related news and information, so it's usually one of the busiest OTC threads.

If you're new to OTC, it's worth reading the Introduction to On-Topic Conversations and the On-Topic Conversations debate guidelines before posting here.

Rumor-based, fear-mongering and/or inflammatory statements that damage the quality of the thread will be thumped. Off-topic posts will also be thumped. Repeat offenders may be suspended.

If time spent moderating this thread remains a distraction from moderation of the wiki itself, the thread will need to be locked. We want to avoid that, so please follow the forum rules when posting here.


In line with the general forum rules, 'gravedancing' is prohibited here. If you're celebrating someone's death or hoping that they die, your post will get thumped. This rule applies regardless of what the person you're discussing has said or done.

Edited by Mrph1 on Nov 30th 2023 at 11:03:59 AM

Gilphon (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#277626: Apr 16th 2019 at 9:30:54 PM

But when people say "Cozying up to Wall Street" or "Trying to take on Wall Street", I get a bit lost.

Like. If we're "taking on Wall Street", are we talking about fighting corporations generically?

Fighting shareholders and the publicly-traded economic philosophy?

Dismantling the stock market itself?

No, no, no. They're talking about people interacting with the physical street. It's actually big problem for stock workers; politicians keep trying to snuggle with and/or punch the road outside where they work, which really makes commuting harder for them.

Edited by Gilphon on Apr 16th 2019 at 1:31:58 PM

M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#277627: Apr 16th 2019 at 9:34:51 PM

Can you blame people for loving Wall Street though? It's such an attractive street.

Sadly, Wall Street is already in a committed relationship with Danny the Street. They're very happy together.

Disgusted, but not surprised
Parable Since: Aug, 2009
#277628: Apr 16th 2019 at 9:37:11 PM

This wouldn’t be an issue if we just invested in flying cars.

AzurePaladin She/Her Pronouns from Forest of Magic Since: Apr, 2018 Relationship Status: Mu
She/Her Pronouns
#277629: Apr 16th 2019 at 9:39:47 PM

I...uh...

Yup, that's enough politics for me for the day. I've listed out what my opinions are on the topic - I don't think I've got anything else to contribute.

The awful things he says and does are burned into our cultural consciousness like a CRT display left on the same picture too long. -Fighteer
M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#277630: Apr 16th 2019 at 9:40:18 PM

[up][up]In practice that would be a nightmare to regulate.

We can't even get a proper handle on drones for crying out loud.

And I'm pretty sure Elon Musk would be the first one to try to make a flying car, which would sour the whole thing for me.

Edited by M84 on Apr 17th 2019 at 12:41:17 AM

Disgusted, but not surprised
Parable Since: Aug, 2009
#277631: Apr 16th 2019 at 9:48:06 PM

I’m sure there is some Democrat intern out there just salivating over the opportunity to create regulations for flying cars. Any nightmare is bearable if you just put your hand in water while you sleep.

Also, I think Ford is looking to jump into the game first.

M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#277632: Apr 16th 2019 at 9:49:45 PM

One major issue is that most modern cities are more or less built to accommodate cars on the ground.

They aren't built to handle flying cars.

But this isn't really a US politics issue (yet).

Edited by M84 on Apr 17th 2019 at 12:50:06 AM

Disgusted, but not surprised
nightwyrm_zero Since: Apr, 2010
#277633: Apr 17th 2019 at 4:34:50 AM

The number of bad or aggressive drivers I see in my daily commute really argues against giving any of them flying cars.

Ultimatum Disasturbator from the Amiga Forest (Old as dirt) Relationship Status: Who needs love when you have waffles?
Disasturbator
#277634: Apr 17th 2019 at 4:35:19 AM

Incoming regulation

flying cars may only hover above the ground and are not permitted to be airborne unless its a leap year anniversary

have a listen and have a link to my discord server
M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#277635: Apr 17th 2019 at 4:38:14 AM

Imagine a drunken driver plowing a flying semi right into someone's 5th floor condo.

Come to think of it, a flying car license would have to be very different from a regular car license.

Edited by M84 on Apr 17th 2019 at 7:39:09 PM

Disgusted, but not surprised
HailMuffins Since: May, 2016 Relationship Status: Shipping fictional characters
#277636: Apr 17th 2019 at 4:40:08 AM

So I'm guessing there hasn't been a lot of impactful news recently?

M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#277637: Apr 17th 2019 at 4:41:08 AM

TBH, I'm rather enjoying this all-too-brief respite from the almost neverending train of horrors that is the Trump administration.

Granted, it's not like the horrifying stuff that the Trump administration has already started has stopped or anything. We just haven't gotten anything new today.

Edited by M84 on Apr 17th 2019 at 7:42:17 PM

Disgusted, but not surprised
HailMuffins Since: May, 2016 Relationship Status: Shipping fictional characters
#277638: Apr 17th 2019 at 4:46:54 AM

Oh, I'm not saying it's a bad thing, just making an observation s'all.

Ultimatum Disasturbator from the Amiga Forest (Old as dirt) Relationship Status: Who needs love when you have waffles?
Disasturbator
#277639: Apr 17th 2019 at 4:52:11 AM

> Come to think of it, a flying car license would have to be very different from a regular car license.

Before flying a car you'd have to get a pilot's license for a regular aircraft,and learning to fly aircraft is likely harder then learning to drive a car so it wouldn't be available for everyone like learning to drive is

have a listen and have a link to my discord server
CharlesPhipps Since: Jan, 2001
#277640: Apr 17th 2019 at 5:53:45 AM

Flying cars aren't going to be a thing. The reason being that they've existed several times already in terms of design as well as plans (there were even anticipation from the government in terms of infrastructure). The plans being abandoned because:

  • Combining a plane and a car results in a shitty version of both.
  • The people who can afford and use such have something similar already. Its called a helicopter.

Author of The Rules of Supervillainy, Cthulhu Armageddon, and United States of Monsters.
archonspeaks Since: Jun, 2013
#277641: Apr 17th 2019 at 5:55:52 AM

Flying cars aren't going to be a thing.

I wouldn’t put any money on that if I were you.

They should have sent a poet.
Silasw A procrastination in of itself from A handcart to hell (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: And they all lived happily ever after <3
A procrastination in of itself
#277642: Apr 17th 2019 at 6:07:06 AM

The biggest problem isn’t technological, it’s logistical, we manage airspace by requiring planes to keep in contact with air traffic control and tell them what they’re doing and where they are going, there are to many cars for that to be viable.

Much more likely is that roads in urban areas become multi-story and thus offer the stacking advantage of flying cars without the cars having to actually fly.

Flying roadways could totally become a thing.

“And the Bunny nails it!” ~ Gabrael “If the UN can get through a day without everyone strangling everyone else so can we.” ~ Cyran
speedyboris Since: Feb, 2010
#277643: Apr 17th 2019 at 6:17:05 AM

My preferred candidate at the moment is Pete Buttigieg, with Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders as runners up.

Fighteer Lost in Space from The Time Vortex (Time Abyss) Relationship Status: TV Tropes ruined my love life
Lost in Space
#277644: Apr 17th 2019 at 6:19:02 AM

I just saw Pete Buttigieg on Rachel Maddow. He's articulate, educated, and reasonable. I would not feel bad about him winning the nomination.

"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"
M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#277645: Apr 17th 2019 at 6:19:42 AM

Pete Buttigieg has some questionable bits in his time as mayor, as that one (admittedly heavily biased) article from Nathan J. Robinson pointed out.

OTOH, that Vox article I linked before helped flesh out his stances and goals as POTUS...and I gotta admit I found myself agreeing with most of it.

Edited by M84 on Apr 17th 2019 at 9:19:57 PM

Disgusted, but not surprised
wisewillow She/her Since: May, 2011
She/her
#277646: Apr 17th 2019 at 6:20:49 AM

I’ve gone from neutral to very skeptical of Buttigieg. He’s got a plastic sheen that really bothers me.

This article addresses some of my concerns.

Euodiachloris Since: Oct, 2010
#277647: Apr 17th 2019 at 6:21:56 AM

The biggest issue when it comes to extremely common flying vehicles is pretty simple: few people have the eyesight, reactions and ability to process 3D spacial movement required to fly safely. (Heck, quite a lot of people are dodgy at the wheel as it is, even though still perfectly legal.)

It's why being a pilot isn't that common: sure, it's expensive to train and that blocks access, but too many people react to the processing requirements needed close to the same way I do when faced with VR equipment.

Bucket, please. And a lie down in the dark.

CharlesPhipps Since: Jan, 2001
#277648: Apr 17th 2019 at 6:22:11 AM

Personally, i foresee driving becoming obsolete long before flying cars are a thing.

You enter a car, say where you want to go, and it takes you there.

Author of The Rules of Supervillainy, Cthulhu Armageddon, and United States of Monsters.
HailMuffins Since: May, 2016 Relationship Status: Shipping fictional characters
#277649: Apr 17th 2019 at 6:23:12 AM

Buttigieg's past condemns him, but his current stances indicate a far more agreeable candidate.

Only time will tell, but I'd still rate him beneath Warren and Sanders. Those two are more consistent, if nothing else.

wisewillow She/her Since: May, 2011
She/her
#277650: Apr 17th 2019 at 6:26:40 AM

Found another profile that highlights some of my reservations re: Buttigieg.

“I think everything about this is as improbable as it is well aligned,” Buttigieg told me. “There’s that line about me being a laboratory concoction of what a politician might be. I get where that comes from, but then again, in what laboratory would you have cooked up as your entry in a presidential contest ‘mid-size-city midwestern mayor who’s not even 40 yet,’ you know?” He’s 37, and it doesn’t take much imagination to see why a skeptic might assess what’s on offer here and come away in disbelief that a single, organically grown person prone to consultantspeak could check so many boxes relevant to this moment, including, I guess, those for the always advantageous political qualities of “false modesty” and the “ability to be all things to all people.”

Sick of old people? He looks like Alex P. Keaton. Scared of young people? He looks like Alex P. Keaton. Religious? He’s a Christian. Atheist? He’s not weird about it. Wary of Washington? He’s from flyover country. Horrified by flyover country? He has degrees from Harvard and Oxford. Make the President Read Again? He learned Norwegian to read Erlend Loe. Traditional? He’s married. Woke? He’s gay. Way behind the rest of the country on that? He’s not too gay. Worried about socialism? He’s a technocratic capitalist. Worried about technocratic capitalists? He’s got a whole theory about how our system of “democratic capitalism” has to be a whole lot more “democratic.” If you squint hard enough to not see color, some people say, you can almost see Obama the inspiring professor. Oh, and he’s the son of an immigrant, a Navy vet, speaks seven foreign languages (in addition to Norwegian, Arabic, Spanish, Maltese, Dari, French, and Italian), owns two rescue dogs, and plays the goddamn piano. He’s actually terrifying. What mother wouldn’t love this guy?

When I asked him if he was drawn to politics early on, the type of child who was president for Halloween, he said, “I think I actually did dress up as a politician once on Halloween.” He tried to move on, talking about his boyhood dream of being a pilot. But wait — which politician was it, I asked? “It was just a politician in general,” he said. “I remember I made, like, a little — for whatever reason, I noticed the little microphones, the little mics that politicians wear, and I, like, made a little one of those out of paper and clipped it to myself and wore a little suit.”

I absolutely do not trust all things to all people types. Either you’re lying about your views, or your views are so middle of the road and status quo that you offer nothing but inertia.

Edited by wisewillow on Apr 17th 2019 at 6:29:26 AM


Total posts: 417,856
Top