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

BonsaiForest Since: Jan, 2001
#147951: Nov 2nd 2016 at 8:48:51 AM

I'm going to copy/paste something I just sent my friend on Skype, since it's relevant to the country's current situation:


I was thinking of something. Companies like to say they "don't take charity cases" when hiring people, as if "charity" is a bad word.

But we have people who are refused jobs because of their criminal history despite wanting to get back to work. To say nothing of the disabled (Hillary Clinton made some overtures to the disabled and the difficulty or inability many have in getting jobs).

I think companies should be more willing to take "charity cases"! Otherwise, we have a huge class of perpetually unemployed people.

Of course, it's shareholders who don't like to hear that the company is doing something other than soullessly attempting to maximize its profit at the expense of everything else. Hiring employees means paying them. Hiring people who are discriminated against for whatever reason means possibly paying people who provide less value to the company, and thus reducing profits. Shareholders don't want to hear that.

I do believe shareholder culture is behind a lot of corporate bad behavior. Of course companies in general can be selfish and not care about anything other than the pursuit of profit at any cost, but there have been multiple editorials from capitalists themselves saying that as companies shifted their focus towards maximizing shareholder value, their ethics fell away - and not only their ethics, but their long-term profitability. Of course, I've talked about that before, so I'll move on to something else.

I've seen it said that a society without morals falls apart, and I'm seeing many examples of why. Not just corporate misbehavior, but things like our current society's distrust of each other, of the police and politicians - without trust that those in charge can do the right thing, and also without trust of one's neighbors, who do people have left to trust? And what do people do when they have no-one they can trust?

It becomes much easier to degenerate into a "me vs. the rest of the world" mentality when you're convinced the rest of the world feels the same way, whether true or not. And if you do think that way, then it also becomes easier to lie and cheat others, being convinced it's the only way to survive. And if you do that, then it means you're adding to the very problem that's affecting you? And then what?

Anarchists say they distrust government, but what do they trust, when polls show that most Americans believe that most people can't be trusted? Like it or not, some trust needs to exist, and that trust will be in whoever "runs things", which technically makes them a government regardless of whether or not they're called that. And to make sure the states can work together, whoever "runs things" must be able to connect with other groups elsewhere, and work together collectively. Almost like, well, a state or federal government. Hmm.

Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#147952: Nov 2nd 2016 at 8:55:42 AM

The divide over Trump within the GOP is literally tearing families apart.

http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/world/alabama-trump-republican-civil-war-south-1.3831547

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
TacticalFox88 from USA Since: Nov, 2010 Relationship Status: Dating the Doctor
#147953: Nov 2nd 2016 at 9:03:25 AM

Jill Stein campaign now openly preferring a Trump presidency

I would never want to post a response article written by me onto Jill Stein’s Facebook page, but after hearing the audio tape of Hillary Clinton advocating for a rigged Palestinian election, I now have a profound understanding of the harm that will come if she is President of the United States. And I feel it is my duty—as a human being—to properly address why I am fighting so hard against it. Why so many of us are fighting this hard.

s: If a Trump presidency would mean that we have to fight ignorants in the streets—I'm ready for that. I know that kind of racism. We already live in that kind of racism everyday—let's bring it to light and start calling it out. It is time you start asking yourself some tough questions: Why are you so eagerly okay staying in the status quo, when you know that that same status quo continues to leave far too many Black children fatherless and motherless because of the color of their skin? This status quo continues to desecrate the sacred burial grounds and prayer ceremonies—do you think this would ever happen to Arlington Cemetery, or churches? Can you imagine not being able to turn on your faucet since 2014 because it is poisoned? Have you heard of Flint, Michigan? We have been forced to deal with all this because the deep embedded racism that formed this country is the FOUNDATION of our system. And this is just the damage being done in our country, and please, I haven't even begun to kind-of scratch the surface here. Could you imagine what the United States would be doing if Russia suddenly started putting their troops in Canada and Mexico? That is what we are doing to them right now. How can you even begin to have a real conversation when you are already drawing your gun before they've opened their mouth. Our police execute Black bodies like this regularly—isn't it obvious who they learned that from?

This is why Third parties fucking suck

New Survey coming this weekend!
Parable Since: Aug, 2009
#147954: Nov 2nd 2016 at 9:06:59 AM

I'm having a hard time believing that will go over well with her base.

Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#147955: Nov 2nd 2016 at 9:08:52 AM

CNN just announced that Trump is ahead in Arizona and gaining in Nevada. But Clinton is still strong in Pennsylvania and is improving her numbers in Florida.

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
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
#147956: Nov 2nd 2016 at 9:09:07 AM

It's interesting to see people say 538 is full of it when it is saying that Clinton will win with a 4-5 point lead. Throughout the campaign Silver has said that his model actually favours Trump (due to it giving more weight towards exatreams and giving weight to a possible failure of polling) and that should be accounted for. However he still has Clinton ahead and that means he thinks she will win, and by a solid margin currently.

edited 2nd Nov '16 9:10:39 AM by Silasw

“And the Bunny nails it!” ~ Gabrael “If the UN can get through a day without everyone strangling everyone else so can we.” ~ Cyran
CrimsonZephyr Would that it were so simple. from Massachusetts Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
Would that it were so simple.
#147957: Nov 2nd 2016 at 9:09:38 AM

I'm sure there are Greens who romanticize being part of a "resistance."

It's easy to rebel. It's harder to govern, and the Green Party is choking on feel-good nonsense at the expense of solid policy.

"For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die."
Elle Since: Jan, 2001
#147958: Nov 2nd 2016 at 9:10:34 AM

Also, a fair number of Stein's supporters are from the Never Hillary crowd.

Ramidel Since: Jan, 2001
#147959: Nov 2nd 2016 at 9:10:58 AM

Anarchists say they distrust government, but what do they trust, when polls show that most Americans believe that most people can't be trusted? Like it or not, some trust needs to exist, and that trust will be in whoever "runs things", which technically makes them a government regardless of whether or not they're called that. And to make sure the states can work together, whoever "runs things" must be able to connect with other groups elsewhere, and work together collectively. Almost like, well, a state or federal government. Hmm.

That's the paradox - a significant chunk of the population doesn't trust anyone except themselves. It's a large chunk of the appeal of the Libertarian Party - the idea that we can chain back the government by a combination of legislation and privately-owned firearms. The inherent problem there is that, if you have a government that's strong enough to prevent individual acts of coercion, then by definition you have a government strong enough to crush private action against the government as well. (Libertarians don't mind withholding of resources as a means of coercion, though that brings another problem to their thesis and that's regulatory capture.)

RhymeBeat True colors from Eastern Standard Since: Aug, 2009 Relationship Status: In Lesbians with you
True colors
#147960: Nov 2nd 2016 at 9:11:49 AM

What even is this audio tape she's talking about?

The Crystal Caverns A bird's gotta sing.
LinkToTheFuture A real bad hombre from somewhere completely different Since: Apr, 2015 Relationship Status: What's love got to do with it?
A real bad hombre
#147961: Nov 2nd 2016 at 9:17:37 AM

If Hillary can take FL, this is pretty much over.

"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." -Thomas Edison
Jetyl The Dev Cat from my apartment Since: Jan, 2013 Relationship Status: Shipping fictional characters
The Dev Cat
#147962: Nov 2nd 2016 at 9:23:21 AM

I wonder how legal it would be, to set up a TV outside of poll locations, and all it plays is Trump's many many gaffes. should counter Viewers Are Goldfish tongue

Edit: page topper

edited 2nd Nov '16 9:23:44 AM by Jetyl

I'm afraid I can't explain myself, sir. Because I am not myself, you see?
Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#147963: Nov 2nd 2016 at 9:23:33 AM

Unless Trump comes out of nowhere and wins several blue states, he flat out cannot win without Florida.

Also, fuck the Green party.

[up]Totally illegal. No campaigning on election day, that goes double as far as polling stations go.

edited 2nd Nov '16 9:26:01 AM by Rationalinsanity

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
Fighteer Lost in Space from The Time Vortex (Time Abyss) Relationship Status: TV Tropes ruined my love life
Lost in Space
#147964: Nov 2nd 2016 at 9:24:58 AM

Meanwhile, Bill Weld, Gary Johnson's running mate, has all but endorsed Hillary Clinton for anyone who feels that they cannot in good conscience throw their vote away by voting Libertarian.

To think that at one point I thought the Greens' platform looked kind of okay.

edited 2nd Nov '16 9:25:22 AM by Fighteer

"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"
megarockman from The Sixth Borough (Experienced Trainee)
#147965: Nov 2nd 2016 at 9:26:10 AM

[up][up][up]It wouldn't - no campaigning allowed within X feet of a polling station. (X varies by state - a quick glance suggests a range of 30 to 300 feet)

edited 2nd Nov '16 9:30:04 AM by megarockman

The damned queen and the relentless knight.
CrimsonZephyr Would that it were so simple. from Massachusetts Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
Would that it were so simple.
#147966: Nov 2nd 2016 at 9:28:16 AM

The last thing the Democrats need is actual evidence of voter fraud.

"For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die."
LinkToTheFuture A real bad hombre from somewhere completely different Since: Apr, 2015 Relationship Status: What's love got to do with it?
A real bad hombre
#147967: Nov 2nd 2016 at 9:29:25 AM

Stein has been really going off the deep end, hasn't she? I feel like a lot of my fellow high schoolers are going to support her anyway for the simple reason that she's not Hillary Clinton. Even among more left-leaning people very few people I've talked to seem to genuinely like her and I can't really figure out why. Among Republicans, sure, I understand why they wouldn't like her, but among Democrats too? I find it all so confusing.

If Hillary can win FL, this race is basically over, so I'm crossing m fingers and hoping that it happens. According to 270towin, Hillary could lose literally every other swing state and still win.

"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." -Thomas Edison
M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#147968: Nov 2nd 2016 at 9:38:02 AM

[up] Blame decades of GOP witch hunts and smear campaigns, residual bad feelings from Bill's sexual issues, and — let's face it — because she's a capable and driven woman. That, and she's been the media's favorite punching bag for decades. Put all of those together...

There aren't many actually rational reasons to disapprove of her, much less hate her.

edited 2nd Nov '16 9:39:07 AM by M84

Disgusted, but not surprised
CrimsonZephyr Would that it were so simple. from Massachusetts Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
Would that it were so simple.
#147969: Nov 2nd 2016 at 9:47:04 AM

Stein was never really that rational; she's just being unmasked for the amoral opportunist she really is.

"For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die."
AngelusNox Warder of the damned from The guard of the gates of oblivion Since: Dec, 2014 Relationship Status: Married to the job
Warder of the damned
#147970: Nov 2nd 2016 at 9:49:45 AM

I can't get this out of my fucking head. It's been looping for the last two days like crazy inside by brains!

Inter arma enim silent leges
MarqFJA The Cosmopolitan Fictioneer from Deserts of the Middle East (Before Recorded History) Relationship Status: Anime is my true love
The Cosmopolitan Fictioneer
#147971: Nov 2nd 2016 at 9:55:46 AM

... I honestly didn't expect Abe Lincoln to suddenly drop in. [lol]

Fiat iustitia, et pereat mundus.
nervmeister Since: Oct, 2010
#147972: Nov 2nd 2016 at 9:57:21 AM

Stein, if she's being genuine, believes that a Trump presidency will embolden racists in such a way that would give them just enough proverbial rope to hang themselves with when people retaliate. That's a bit hopeful and not considering all the factors, but I understand what she's getting at.

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
#147973: Nov 2nd 2016 at 10:02:36 AM

Sure but she only has that idea because she's a rich, old white person who would (baring a nuclear exchange) survive a Trump presidency.

“And the Bunny nails it!” ~ Gabrael “If the UN can get through a day without everyone strangling everyone else so can we.” ~ Cyran
AmbarSonofDeshar Since: Jan, 2010
#147974: Nov 2nd 2016 at 10:16:28 AM

Stein is calling for the Klan to come out and start lynching black folks in the streets because "we've dealt with that kind of racism before". We apparently meaning rich, upper class white folks.

Medinoc from France (Before Recorded History)
#147975: Nov 2nd 2016 at 10:16:52 AM

[up]×5 Have to admit, politics aside, ERB!Trump has the better wordplay. Sure that's not the sole metric over which rap battles are evaluated, but it's the one I feel I'm not completely crap at judging.

edited 2nd Nov '16 10:17:38 AM by Medinoc

"And as long as a sack of shit is not a good thing to be, chivalry will never die."

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