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
With cavalry broadswords, the largest that can be found, while fighting in a pit 12 feet deep with a board between that neither opponent may cross. Hey it would be a great way to honor the history of the US and the Republican party.
Otherwise, people could always use Andrew Jackson's dueling pistols.
| Wandering, but not lost. | If people bring so much courage to this world...◊ |To talk about something that isn't the Republican primary: Hastert's long fall from grace
. Apparently your Republican ex-speaker may have been a pederast and child abuser.
BBC Trending: The woman who shows how toxic America’s culture wars have become
— Plenty of Death Threats...
War on the Rocks: American anti-Muslim rhetoric is a national security threat
.
People, by and large, are emotional, not rational. (Yes, this includes the whole "rational alpha male" bullshit) And it's emotion - fear - that drives this "get rid of all Muslims, fuck all Muslims" mentality.
Nuance is something that people just aren't willing to take the time to learn.
I think these national security experts need to go on TV and start taking their cause to the public directly. Because as it is, no-one's listening.
'I have a conscience': the Wall Streeters fighting for Sanders in New York
Somehow I'm reminded of Venice and the Book of Gold, and how such mutual asskissing among the rich sunk Venice's economy. Though I doubt that Wall Street's Sanders supporters are doing such for selfish reasons, but that does come to mind.
edited 14th Apr '16 8:55:15 AM by BonsaiForest
Heh, even the most rapacious of us can have a conscience. In a way, that helps to make Bernie's point.
"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"
Some can, but I doubt they’re all capable. That’s why people end up as hotshot investors, bankers, and the like in the first place—a total lack of conscience, and probably existing largely in an environment that considers the economically inferior to be of no consequence. I’m not holding my breath for any paradigm shift at the higher echelons.
edited 14th Apr '16 9:31:13 AM by BrainSewage
How dare you disrupt the sanctity of my soliloquy?
Still overall cheaper than what you have. And, that's been getting cheaper as is. The wider coverage is the attractive bit. *shrugs*
Oh, and if subject to federal legislation, it'd kill off attempts to strangle women's health. Or, at least, make it a lot harder to do. <_<
edited 14th Apr '16 9:43:57 AM by Euodiachloris
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
Forgive me, but I don't see how a person wanting to be rich should necessarily be without a conscience, or want to see others poorer. We are not a communist nation. And no it is not immoral to aspire to have more, hell it isn't really immoral to want to be able to buy a shit ton of expensive yachts or summer homes or whatever shit investment bankers buy.
Money is not inherently immoral, nor is consumption of luxury products. Let's not turn this into a debate against strawmen.
However, it has been observed via many, many studies that, as people advance up the wealth ladder, their attitudes and behaviors change. Having money becomes a mark of status, and the more you have, the more you seek. There is a perverse incentive to believe in a Calvinist-style philosophy wherein wealth (or, more broadly, success) is a measure of a person's moral worth. "I succeeded, ergo I am a good person. Wealth is the symbol of my success, therefore acquiring more is good. Moreover, those who are not as wealthy as me are not as hard-working, moral, or deserving." note
There is also some reason to believe that certain professions that tend towards high wealth status: stockbrokers, money managers, CEOs, etc., have an abnormally high number of people who exhibit sociopathic traits. Said traits can help one succeed in these professions because they give one a competitive advantage against one's more moral peers.
Further, there is a strong tendency among the wealthy to attempt to stack the deck in favor of their progeny. Inherited wealth makes up a significant portion of the "income" of those in the top one percent, and estate tax rates have been eroded over the past few decades. Even if you believe that someone who worked their way up from nothing note deserves the money they earned, it is really hard to make the case that their children also deserve it when they did exactly squat.
Lastly, it is the observed tendency of the wealthy to believe that their power in markets should also translate to power in politics; they seek to use their wealth to buy influence with politicians and thus sway the government to be more favorable towards their interests. Politicians, in turn, learn to ride the gravy train to reelection and to cushy jobs after they leave office, as long as they faithfully represent the interests of their benefactors.
The corruption inherent to this system is unmistakable.
edited 14th Apr '16 12:51:46 PM by Fighteer
"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"Let's look at the big corporations that oppose North Carolina and Georgia bills. Are they doing this out of the goodness of their heart? I don't know, but they are trying to project an inclusive front to attract a diverse amount of talent, while also attracting customers who believe in equality. They may do this out of self interest, but with positive reinforcement people can make corporations use their power for good.
Non Indicative Username
Correct. You need that positive reinforcement, though; otherwise you get Rockefellers and Carnegies running the show.
Yes, strangely poor people seem to have the strongest empathy, and the more wealth you have the less empathy (and also higher socioeconomic status causes a number of related things, like increased willingness to cheat and lie). This effect seems to be independent of personality (i.e., it's not just more sociopathic people being more successful), it happens even with simulated resources.
I say strangely because it seems like you rarely hear that from rhetoric.

X3 In the end thinking that it's acceptable to troll by doing that is itself racist, it's a different type of racism but it's still racism.
“And the Bunny nails it!” ~ Gabrael “If the UN can get through a day without everyone strangling everyone else so can we.” ~ Cyran