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
Depending on how crazy they’re willing to be and how forcfully democrat governors are willing to respond it could actually change the balance of power in said states. If enough Republican state-legislatures get arrest for trying a coup, Democrats could end up with a majority in the state legislature by dint of their members not being in jail.
“And the Bunny nails it!” ~ Gabrael “If the UN can get through a day without everyone strangling everyone else so can we.” ~ Cyranin wonderful news,
serial fraudters Jacob Wohl and Jack Buhrman have been indicted for felonies. In Michigan.
Come on, don't be silly. The President is not supposed to "dictate every moment of your waking life". That's a sign that something is badly wrong. In a properly functioning government, you don't notice it unless something happens that requires it to intervene.
The only reason we have a government is because some people think humanity is too stupid to govern itself.
No. We have a government because "governing ourselves" doesn't solve Climate Change, poverty, a dysfunctional healthcare system, terrorism, and literally any other large scale problem.
"Einstein would turn over in his grave. Not only does God play dice, the dice are loaded." -Chairman Sheng-Ji Yang![]()
![]()
Are those people wrong? Just look at everyone going to parties and refusing to wear masks.
Edited by ShinyCottonCandy on Oct 1st 2020 at 6:20:56 AM
My musician pageAt minimum governments exist to regulate contracts and ensure that there are punishments for a person in a stronger position trying to do that, and to provide defence against other states.
And yes, much to my disappointment, humanity is incapable of looking after itself. People's short term interests and selfishness will inevitably cause problems down the line.
People in government are still part of humanity.
Many other counties have either functional healthcare systems or systems that are much less dysfunctional, so I really don’t buy that it’s an physically unsolvable.
Edited by Silasw on Oct 1st 2020 at 10:24:50 AM
“And the Bunny nails it!” ~ Gabrael “If the UN can get through a day without everyone strangling everyone else so can we.” ~ Cyran![]()
They're perfectly solvable.
Getting people to co-operate long enough to solve them is a different matter.
Even climate change the general result is not "the end of humanity and rendering the earth unlivable", it's "trillions of dollars in damages and trying to fix/adjust things now we've broken the weather".
Edited by RainehDaze on Oct 1st 2020 at 11:25:33 AM
Well, they previously mentioned being too young to vote. But otherwise, apparently.
Governments on a base level are necessary for society to function on any scale beyond a few dozen people.
Every time you walk down the street you are benefiting from the government existing. As there would be few if any paved roads, few if any street lights, and a whole lot more people very interested in taking everything you own and much less interested in you still being alive.
Sure communities could fulfill some of these needs, but it would be patchwork at best. And of course if these communities grow large enough...they would start looking a lot like a government.
"I simply don’t care enough to pick which 70s-old man is going to dictate every waking moment of my life."
"The only reason we have a government is because some people think humanity is too stupid to govern itself."
"You know what? Neither will a government. Those problems are physically unsolvable."
Damn, I'm going to need you to tone down that edge a little bit, fellow troper.
I'm not as witty as I think I am. It's a scientifically-proven fact.It seems like Purple Eyed Guma is a literal child, hopefully he'll grow out of it.
But yes, higher-order structuring of human society (aka "government", however basic it may be) is necessary to curb the worst of human impulses while also pooling together its' best.
I'll cut you slack, because again, you're just a little kid, but I should point out that personal comments that are strictly about posters without constructive commentary related to the thread topic are literally against the rules of this website.
Edited by AlleyOop on Oct 1st 2020 at 6:46:35 AM

There are laws about how far partisans trying to get support (eg, people holding signs) can be from poll entrances.
Not that there might not be people outside what's allowed, and making people feel uncomfortable, but there are actually laws to deal with these things, regardless of how effective they might be.