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

kkhohoho (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#248626: Jul 7th 2018 at 8:18:14 PM

[up]Since when has that stopped him before?tongue

LSBK Since: Sep, 2014
#248627: Jul 7th 2018 at 8:18:22 PM

I don't know, would Trump be smart enough not to say that? It strikes me as the kind of thing he wouldn't think about, but if someone brought it up he'd be like "Well, let's not go talking about slave labor is all bad" or some shit.

JBC31187 Since: Jan, 2015
#248628: Jul 7th 2018 at 8:27:05 PM

With the way we treat our prison labor and our agricultural labor, I'd say we still have slavery in spirit.

Not that the rest of the world is better- the international fishing industry is horrific. But there's more we could do.

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
#248629: Jul 7th 2018 at 8:30:24 PM

I expect he’d talk about how slaves build the pyriamids (they didn’t, conscripts did) and how that proves that slavery can lead to great things being built that wouldn’t otherwise be built.

It’s racism, privilege and ignorance built atop a foundation of false understanding. Perfect Trump.

“And the Bunny nails it!” ~ Gabrael “If the UN can get through a day without everyone strangling everyone else so can we.” ~ Cyran
ViperMagnum357 Since: Mar, 2012
#248630: Jul 7th 2018 at 8:33:43 PM

[up][up]Go read the Thirteenth Amendment again-slavery is legal, as long as it is punishment for a crime. Not coincidentally, much of the US prison system is privately owned and for-profit; and you can draw your own conclusions about a judicial and penal system built from the ground up on plea bargaining, with the vast expansion of mandatory sentencing speaking for itself.

Ramidel Since: Jan, 2001
#248631: Jul 7th 2018 at 9:03:28 PM

built from the ground up on plea bargaining

Itself reinforced by a War on Drugs designed to subvert the idea of "burden of proof." You don't have to prove an actual intent to sell if you can point to a law that says "presumptive intent."

Defendants need to unionize. That's the absolute nightmare of our justice system - defendants who actually collude to shut down the plea bargain system, backed by a union that provides support payments during incarceration.

Kaiseror Since: Jul, 2016
#248632: Jul 7th 2018 at 9:51:16 PM

Is there any way to counter Puritts loophole?

Raptorslash Since: Oct, 2010
#248633: Jul 8th 2018 at 12:00:15 AM

The thing I fundamentally don't get is how ordinary Republicans think they'll benefit from massive deregulations and businesses being able to pollute and exploit as much as they want. They eat the same food and drink the same water as we do, so loss of protections will hit them, too.

I've met plenty of Republicans who seem to appreciate nature and like visiting national parks, and I have no idea how they justify that kind of thing to themselves. By their nature, these issues affect everyone, them included.

The ironic thing is how the Corrupt Corporate Executive character is one of the stock villains of modern culture, that asshole who wants to cut down the rainforest, who's polluting the local fishing pond to make a quick buck, or kicking Mom n' Pop out of their store to build a shopping mall, yet in real life a lot of them enjoy Villain with Good Publicity status enough to convince other people that pollution and deforestation aren't so bad after all.

Edited by Raptorslash on Jul 8th 2018 at 3:04:28 PM

LSBK Since: Sep, 2014
#248634: Jul 8th 2018 at 12:02:02 AM

It's not rational. For a lot of people, it's legitimately worth it if they think it pisses of the liberals. It's why you have things like people going out of their way to not buy things that say they're environmentally friendly.

Hylarn (Don’t ask)
#248635: Jul 8th 2018 at 12:35:35 AM

Denialism. A lot of them don't think pollution is a real problem

CharlesPhipps Since: Jan, 2001
#248636: Jul 8th 2018 at 12:49:05 AM

Americans are Ferengi.

"We don't want to end the exploitation, we want to become it."

Author of The Rules of Supervillainy, Cthulhu Armageddon, and United States of Monsters.
Raptorslash Since: Oct, 2010
#248637: Jul 8th 2018 at 12:53:29 AM

[up][up] The problem is, when pollution gets to a point where it's clear it's a serious problem it becomes a lot harder to fix. The idea of regulations is to make sure it never gets to that level.

I wonder if they'd still act the same way if they or their families were directly impacted. One of the problems with Trump and Pruitt is that their privilege shields them from the consequences of their actions.

Edited by Raptorslash on Jul 8th 2018 at 3:56:38 PM

rmctagg09 The Wanderer from Brooklyn, NY (Before Recorded History) Relationship Status: I won't say I'm in love
The Wanderer
#248638: Jul 8th 2018 at 1:11:11 AM

Vieques Still Finding Its Footing After Hurricane Destruction:

The island of Vieques, Puerto Rico, is an isolated place known both for its remote beaches and the decades during which the U.S. Navy used those beaches for bombing runs and training exercises.

Vieques has long been a hard place to stay for locals, but a good place for visitors. Now, nine months after Hurricane Maria, that dynamic is even more at play.

In the windy shade near the ferry terminal is a small square with a tower in the middle. It's called Plaza Hijos Ausentes — the plaza for absent children. It's a place to honor those who were born in Vieques, but who chose to leave. Or who had to.

"It's always been an issue in Vieques," says Elda Guadalupe Carrasquillo, a municipal legislator and middle school science teacher who has lived here since she was a child. "Normally, our kids ... they go to study and it's very few that can come back and work here. So they did this monument to honor that they lived in Vieques and they're called sons and daughters of Vieques. Although they're not here now. They're absent."

Hugging a Vanillite will give you frostbite.
Draghinazzo (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: I get a feeling so complicated...
#248639: Jul 8th 2018 at 2:32:18 AM

The ironic thing is how the Corrupt Corporate Executive character is one of the stock villains of modern culture, that asshole who wants to cut down the rainforest, who's polluting the local fishing pond to make a quick buck, or kicking Mom n' Pop out of their store to build a shopping mall, yet in real life a lot of them enjoy Villain with Good Publicity status enough to convince other people that pollution and deforestation aren't so bad after all.

It's a strange dichotomy yes. "Rich people are indifferent, cruel and corrupt" and "Rich people always earn their wealth fairly, which indicates them as morally and intellectually superior" are both very common messages in our society. The latter in particular was one of the things propping up Trump, people thought that he was a successful businessman because he had a lot of money and was well-known, not making the connection that he was actually a horrible businessman and the wealth was mostly stuff he inherited from his family.

Edited by Draghinazzo on Jul 8th 2018 at 6:50:59 AM

M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#248640: Jul 8th 2018 at 2:55:35 AM

Trump supporters thought they were voting for Bruce Wayne when they actually got Roman Sionis.

Disgusted, but not surprised
JBC31187 Since: Jan, 2015
#248641: Jul 8th 2018 at 6:24:52 AM

It's a strange dichotomy yes. "Rich people are indifferent, cruel and corrupt" and "Rich people always earn their wealth fairly, which indicates them as morally and intellectually superior" are both very common messages in our society. The latter in particular was one of the things propping up Trump, people thought that he was a successful businessman because he had a lot of money and was well-known, not making the connection that he was actually a horrible businessman and the wealth was mostly stuff he inherited from his family.
"Elites are bad. Donald Trump is not an elite, he's an asshole with too much money and power. Ergo, Donald Trump is good."

PushoverMediaCritic I'm sorry Tien, but I must go all out. from the Italy of America Since: Jul, 2015 Relationship Status: watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ
I'm sorry Tien, but I must go all out.
#248642: Jul 8th 2018 at 6:31:48 AM

Yeah, the whole narrative of "Trump is such an asshole that even the other rich people clubs don't want him" allowed him to place himself as an outsider to the "elite rich deep state". Trump marketed himself as an average Joe who also had a ton of money, and that was exactly what his base wanted.

Steven (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: YOU'RE TEARING ME APART LISA
#248643: Jul 8th 2018 at 7:07:23 AM

It also has me wondering how people who are against immigration can be ok with it, even if it means there will be no one left to do the menial jobs like mowing the lawn or cleaning up public bathrooms. We still have people who think such jobs are beneath them, but who's going to do it if A) you're not gonna do it and B) you send away the people that DO want those jobs?

Remember, these idiots drive, fuck, and vote. Not always in that order.
CharlesPhipps Since: Jan, 2001
#248644: Jul 8th 2018 at 7:07:46 AM

They assume other poor white people will do it instead.

or maybe work for actual decent wages.

HAHAHAHAHA

Edited by CharlesPhipps on Jul 8th 2018 at 7:07:45 AM

Author of The Rules of Supervillainy, Cthulhu Armageddon, and United States of Monsters.
Fourthspartan56 from Georgia, US Since: Oct, 2016 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
#248645: Jul 8th 2018 at 7:09:45 AM

The fact that companies are unwilling to pay decent wages for those jobs doesn't mean that's some immutable fact of life, we just need stronger unions and worker friendly legislation.

"Einstein would turn over in his grave. Not only does God play dice, the dice are loaded." -Chairman Sheng-Ji Yang
fruitpork Since: Oct, 2010
#248646: Jul 8th 2018 at 7:37:43 AM

Too bad they're all for killing Unions, too.

tsstevens Reading tropes such as You Know What You Did from Reading tropes such as Righting Great Wrongs Since: Oct, 2010 Relationship Status: She's holding a very large knife
Reading tropes such as You Know What You Did
#248647: Jul 8th 2018 at 7:38:18 AM

It's not rational. For a lot of people, it's legitimately worth it if they think it pisses of the liberals.

I think that's the problem right there. It has been an issue before but in the age of the Troll King there is such tribalism, fanaticism, that I genuinely believe that it has encroached into other arenas. Racism, sexism, these are things the left are typically against (as are most humans) therefore these things must be supported because the people who oppose them are, in their minds, opposed to Trump.

If Obama was pro gun, anti immigration, then Trump or at least some of his voters would want to ban guns and have open boarders out of sheer spite. Even if it is self destructive to their politics or cause. That is how fanatical some have become.

Currently reading up My Rule Fu Is Stronger than Yours
Raptorslash Since: Oct, 2010
#248648: Jul 8th 2018 at 7:38:36 AM

Most Republican voters have been convinced that unions are bad, however, between the belief that if a union goes on strike they'll be forced to participate whether they agree or not and big companies' general anti-union campaigns (if you join a union and the company finds out, you'll be fired). Walmart in particular has been very effective and suppressing organized labor at home. And overall conservatives have very effectively established right-to-work laws.

Edited by Raptorslash on Jul 8th 2018 at 10:41:59 AM

Fourthspartan56 from Georgia, US Since: Oct, 2016 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
#248649: Jul 8th 2018 at 7:39:59 AM

Too bad they're all for killing Unions, too.
Yeah? Republicans are shitty, doesn't really address my point that poor paying jobs don't necessarily need to be poor paying (or as poor paying).

"Einstein would turn over in his grave. Not only does God play dice, the dice are loaded." -Chairman Sheng-Ji Yang
Wyldchyld (Old as dirt)
#248650: Jul 8th 2018 at 10:03:16 AM

It also has me wondering how people who are against immigration can be ok with it, even if it means there will be no one left to do the menial jobs like mowing the lawn or cleaning up public bathrooms. We still have people who think such jobs are beneath them, but who's going to do it if A) you're not gonna do it and B) you send away the people that DO want those jobs?

All those lazy students and benefit-claimants. At least, that's the standard Brexiter response to the same question. Given the relationship between the Leave vote and the Trump vote, I'm willing to bet that the Trumpist response will be similar.

If my post doesn't mention a giant flying sperm whale with oversized teeth and lionfish fins for flippers, it just isn't worth reading.

Total posts: 417,856
Top