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
![]()
Tracked down the initial article and it has this bit:
An estimated 44 million Americans owe about $1.6 trillion in student loans.
I think it's also a positive sign that Schumer, a fairly moderate Dem and Senate Minority Leader, is the one proposing this, along with Warren. It suggests the measure has broad support within the Democratic caucus and gives it a very good chance of happening.
Yeah he’s running a couple minutes late, I’ve got it up on You Tube.
Motorcade is arriving now.
“And the Bunny nails it!” ~ Gabrael “If the UN can get through a day without everyone strangling everyone else so can we.” ~ CyranIt may sound hyperbolic, but I geniuenly felt like a nightmare has finally been lifted after 4 years.
Here's the plan, people: We (of those leaning leftwards) HAVE to be critical of Biden. He won't be a Bernie, BUT we cannot treat him as Trump 2.0 the moment he makes any mistake or political blunder, that wont bring the country leftwards.
When I hear Harris speaking, I hear 2024 or 2028.
"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"People are already starting to write Biden off and not expect anything from him. I don't expect his administration will go "okay, then we're taking our ball and going home", but let's at least wait until January before we collapse back into our "oh won't Progressive Jesus get into the White House and solve everything" mode.
It's been fun.![]()
![]()
From what I've seen, there are basically two types of leftists - on the one hand you have the ones who went "Okay, I don't like the guy, but he's better than a bloody fascist and we can apply pressure to get his administration to pass more progressive policies".
And then you have the armchair revolutionaries who keep talking a big game about how voting is useless and people need to take action - other peopel because you'll never see these guys do anything other than be smug on social media.
Edited by DrunkenNordmann on Nov 7th 2020 at 2:44:49 PM
We learn from history that we do not learn from historyI feel like it's a bit premature to be writing Biden off as not progressive enough.
"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"I have no real positive expectations for major political reform, especially not with at best a 50/50-split Senate.
OTOH, after being genuinely unable to imagine that next year might actually see a world free of President Giant Orange Baby, right now I'm definitely with the people who are just celebrating/breathing a sigh of relief. Nitpicking and worrying about what Biden can/will achieve can wait for a little bit.
![]()
Take it down a notch, Che Guevara.
Edited by Fighteer on Nov 7th 2020 at 8:55:03 AM
"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"And then you have the armchair revolutionaries who keep talking a big game about how voting is useless and people need to take action - other peopel because you'll never see these guys do anything other than be smug on social media.
Yes. The latter types love talking theory, or rather belittling others about theory, but have very little mind for strategy. AOC wins elections, and actually gets into a position to make a difference. Those who reject the entire process in the name of accelerationism go nowhere and accomplish nothing. And they push accelerationism while assuming they get to be the lucky ones who survive democracy's collapse while waiting for the revolution.
Edited by Lennik on Nov 7th 2020 at 8:58:22 AM
That's right, boys. Mondo cool.

I posted it a couple months ago - it was a plan by Schumer and Warren that focused on things a president could do by themselves. I'm pretty sure it was presented as a plan that could be used by Trump (not that he would), but was mainly aimed at a Biden presidency. Forbes link
Wow, I've been preempted before but this has got to be a record
So...does this mean my sizable student loans are only a few months away from getting wiped? Because, awesome.
Exactly.
"Einstein would turn over in his grave. Not only does God play dice, the dice are loaded." -Chairman Sheng-Ji Yang