Yep, that's what I like to say that we live in an invented reality where everything is a lie. Freedom is subjective and ignorance is slavery.Yikes! Up until five years ago, I was quite skeptical of Chomsky's manufactured consent. But seeing all this makes one wonder how much is coordinated between the rich and powerful in trying to manipulate people in what they should think about certain issues. It's scary just to think about it.
It may not be the main antidote against garbling up info without thinking whether it's true or not, and maybe you do not agree on this point, but I really do think that philosophy should be mandatory as a subject in every middle/high school. It should be considered as an essential subject; on the same level as maths and English. It may not make us infallible people in discerning what is true or not, but it helps us in developing critical thinking. This is so fundamental in trying to find the truth in what matters to us, what makes theories and assumptions more probable than others and that we not unconditionally accept the things that some people say just because we like their personality for instance. This is probably just wishful thinking on my part.
I didn't support it until Mitch McConnell stole a Supreme Court and then hypocritically seated one. If Republicans won't play fair, Democrats shouldn't either.So you support increasing the number of members in the SCOTUS?
These days it seems as if the Supreme Court has taken up legislation duties too.
But remember, we've been told for months on this thread that Trump supporters are civilized and non-violent. I swear everything is always completely opposite of what a Trump supporter says.Can we call it a coup yet? They just stormed the capital building.
Oh yeah I have researched about it quite a bit and only really took it into consideration after speaking to some seniors who lived in those times. Personally, my information about the Soviet days consists of Rocky 4 so I can't really make much of a judgement saying the societies I lived in were any better. I have looked into something about East Germany and I remember reading something about around 57% preferring the old days, which I wasn't expecting because I thought West Germany's wealth and support from other western states would have lowered that number down to less than 5%.This nostalgia for an idealised communist past is something that really intrigues me. Did you do research on communism in Eastern Europe/Russia? Sounds like you really went all in on this one
A similar story that I have read about during German class is ''Ostalgie' (ost= east + nostalgia). It's actually about nostalgia that East Germans have for their communist past. It basically means that older generations longed to the warm and close knitted community that they once had and a government that took care of them. This all slowly disintegrated when East Germany became part of Germany again. Despite their material improvement in comparison to their communist past, the older generations still miss the old days. So this story is a bit different to the one that you have heard about life in former communist countries. BTW There is even a movie about this subject that might interest you: Good Bye Lenin! It is a pretty good movie.
I try to compartmentalize and say it's just a few bad actors, but it's really not. It's enough to conclude that the Republican party is batshit crazy. Ted Cruz was on the floor objecting to the results in Arizona for no reason other than to usurp democracy.I cannot wrap my head around the situation that I'm seeing now on CNN. Armed people walking around Congress? These people should be ashamed of themselves and I blame the Republicans & Trump for feeding them with fear and hate for their own political gain. There is no other way to put this: the Republican Party has just attacked democracy.
Personally I don't really focus too much on Venezuela so I can't really comment too much on what you said, however I will say there is a lot of things aren't true or are missing some detail (not specifically what you said, but based on some things I learned). Even Wikipedia can be quite questionable when it involves geopolitics, because sometimes they do allow questionable sources from Pro-War NGO's so always go deep into it. I wouldn't put too much faith into Juan Guaido either as I wouldn't put faith into Jeanine Áñez (look up the Gray Zones video on her. They showed support to Juan Guiado too and let's say she's a Pinochet wannabe).Thanks for pointing out to your source on IHDI. This one is way more accurate in terms of conceptualisation and operationalisation on living standards.
I think that the embargo's are not the main reason they have a failed state. Chavez did run a relatively successful government during the first part of his reign, but the last few years before his dead, it all went downhill by corruption, nepotism, human rights abuse and almost an unhealthy blind faith in a planned economy. His successor, Nicolas Maduro, continued on this path and even went further as a quasi-dictator by ignoring the democratic legitimacy of the parliament, which has voted in majority for another candidate-president in 2018: Juan Guaido.
Link:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venezuelan_presidential_crisis
Norway is a good example of state capitalism, just like you said. Their economy is not entirely planned from top-down bureaucracy like we have seen of communist states in the past, but they have made the right decisions in setting up an oil fund to finance and improve their public services & facilities (oil fund = investment in stocks and shares by using surplus revenue of their petroleum sector). This has made Norway one of the best countries in terms of healthcare, education and infrastructure
It's crazy, isn't it?I cannot wrap my head around the situation that I'm seeing now on CNN. Armed people walking around Congress? These people should be ashamed of themselves and I blame the Republicans & Trump for feeding them with fear and hate for their own political gain. There is no other way to put this: the Republican Party has just attacked democracy.
From what I remember you referred to the Trump voters as "cuckoo". Senator Cruz from Texas said we need an audit to prove if there was or was not fraud in the elections. I don't see what's wrong with that with the country divided.There is no other way to put this: the Republican Party has just attacked democracy.
Please, lol. Democrats do it too. Look at Maxine Watters encouraging Democrats to confront Conservatives wherever they find them. Some politicians were driven out of restaurants like they were villains.I think it should be noted that this dynamic was primarily fostered by the Republicans, with Newt Gingrich essentially basing his entire political strategy on. He regularly tutored his fellow Republicans on how to use of various words and phrases to demonize their political opponents, as apposed to disagreeing with them on policy. Trump built on New Gingrich's earlier work and took it to a whole new level. -- As a reflection of the changing times, a young black woman now holds Newt Gingrich's former seat.
Lucy McBath Wins Georgia Rematch, Holding House Seat for Democrats
The Republicans did "play fair". They had the majority in the Senate both times. When you have the majority you are going to be able to control nominees. If a Supreme Court Justice dies or retires now then the Democrats have their turn.I didn't support it until Mitch McConnell stole a Supreme Court and then hypocritically seated one. If Republicans won't play fair, Democrats shouldn't either.
Do you see them burning their own cities down? Do you see them looting and attacking police? Do you see them taking over city blocks and not allowing any EMTs in? One teen died from a gunshot in that liberal "city" they formed out west. He died because they wouldn't let EMTs enter.But remember, we've been told for months on this thread that Trump supporters are civilized and non-violent. I swear everything is always completely opposite of what a Trump supporter says.
Kinda gives new meaning to Hillary's reference to some of Trump's supports as "deplorables". She was roundly criticized for using such language, but I think today's breaching of Congress vindicates the mostly accurate words she used back then (which I agreed with at the time).Armed people walking around Congress?
Okay fine, it's perfectly legal and fair when you have the majority to expand the court then.The Republicans did "play fair". They had the majority in the Senate both times. When you have the majority you are going to be able to control nominees. If a Supreme Court Justice dies or retires now then the Democrats have their turn.
You are defending this LMFAO. Holy shit. They stormed the capitol, broke in, attacked police officers. One guy sat in Nancy Pelosi's office and tried to intimidate her!Do you see them burning their own cities down? Do you see them looting and attacking police? Do you see them taking over city blocks and not allowing any EMTs in? One teen died from a gunshot in that liberal "city" they formed out west. He died because they wouldn't let EMTs enter.
Seriously, man, some in this thread will gleefully plug you with a rifle if we have a second civil war. Stop expecting them to reassess.You are defending this LMFAO. Holy shit.
They found an explosive near the Capitol building. They tried to blow up the Capitol. They took over the Capitol building. Threatened and intimidated our lawmakers. Someone was shot in the neck. It was wrong for rioters to burn things during the summer, but today, I think it'd be extremely hypocritical to suggest the right wing is any better.Do you see them burning their own cities down? Do you see them looting and attacking police? Do you see them taking over city blocks and not allowing any EMTs in? One teen died from a gunshot in that liberal "city" they formed out west. He died because they wouldn't let EMTs enter.
Are they also supporting the violence that is happening as well? If they do condone the violence then maybe you should end your friendship with them.Seriously considering ending some friendships after this. I know two Trump supporters IRL, one of whom is like a brother to me. But I can't accept anyone who supports this shit.
Many disagree with me on this, but I strongly believe that the media has a huge part to play in the political direction of a country. They're arguably more powerful than the politicians themselves. That's one way I agree with Trump.Well... I was active in local politics until hardcore tinnitus came into my life. How about you? You seem well informed about what's going on, even about things in the US.
What I see is that mainstream media is slowly turning less hostile to Bernie Sanders and his ilk than a few years ago, but overall they still lack media representation. This would only amplify the idea that social democrats/socialists are ''radical'' or on the fringe vis-à-vis to what people consider moderate and practical. It's just sad that some people often forget that FDR basically ran on a social democratic platform, which got the US economy out of a deep recession. So socialism shouldn't be feared as a boogey man like some people try to make of it.
Funnily enough, I don't see this happening with ''tea party'' libertarians who are sometimes invited on outlets like CNN. People like Rick Sanctorum and Rand Paul often give their views without much pushback, although Van Jones might be the only one who dares to say something about it. So it seems like libertarianism, which most Europeans consider as radical/impractical, is considered as an acceptable ideology in American politics, whereas socialism is a ''pie in the sky'' kind of thing for some Americans.
I agree with you that there is violence happening on both sides.They found an explosive near the Capitol building. They tried to blow up the Capitol. They took over the Capitol building. Threatened and intimidated our lawmakers. Someone was shot in the neck. It was wrong for rioters to burn things during the summer, but today, I think it'd be extremely hypocritical to suggest the right wing is any better.
Certainly not against the constitution, so yeah. It does set a dangerous precedent though. If that happens, how many people are going to be on the SCOTUS in another 20 years? Will it be 25 people? IMO it needs to be kept the size it has been for awhile now, at 9. The party in power could certainly try to increase it but where does it end?Okay fine, it's perfectly legal and fair when you have the majority to expand the court then.
LOL! I'm not saying what they are doing is good. I don't approve. But the left portrays all of the "prostests"from this summer, really just riots, as being "peaceful" The hypocrisy is strong in this one.You are defending this LMFAO. Holy shit. They stormed the capitol, broke in, attacked police officers. One guy sat in Nancy Pelosi's office and tried to intimidate her!
There was literally a coup on the capitol building and you are defending it and saying it's not that bad. Seriously, Trump supporters are deplorable. I know it takes a lot of pride to admit being wrong, but Jesus. That's a lot of pride.
They might as well have. They listened to the fucker spout his hateful, fraudulent bullshit and still voted for him.Are they also supporting the violence that is happening as well? If they do condone the violence then maybe you should end your friendship with them.
Come on man! Do you have to be so dramatic? I am married to a liberal now. You don't see me pulling out my gun and plugging her full of bullets.Seriously, man, some in this thread will gleefully plug you with a rifle if we have a second civil war. Stop expecting them to reassess.