America

[PolymerSkywalker]

I also find that most people perfectly tailor what they watch, read, and listen to in an effort to only consume information that aligns with their point of view. As a result they end up assuming the whole country believes what they do, because of the echo chamber of information they have created around them.

I love conversations like this when they can remain civil, due to forcing me to consider things from a different perspective than mine.

 

[GAN]

The majority on the US Supreme Court has totally moved from the interests of its constituents. We are NOT in good hands. It's disgraceful.

In fairness, there is a difference between interpreting law and making decisions based on constituent interests. Not disagreeing that some decisions may have been in the minority, but even elections don't necessarily favor the majority.

 

[RedHead0186]

I also find that most people perfectly tailor what they watch, read, and listen to in an effort to only consume information that aligns with their point of view. As a result they end up assuming the whole country believes what they do, because of the echo chamber of information they have created around them.

I love conversations like this when they can remain civil, due to forcing me to consider things from a different perspective than mine.

Yep, confirmation bias is a real thing. Add into that the fact that Facebook will actually lean into that by tailoring your news feed/suggested ads/etc. to match what you already click on, and people really only see information that supports their way of thinking (and therefore believe that everyone else agrees with them).

 

[Smugpugmug]

Jim Wright just put up a sweet takedown of that whole debacle.

About what? Twitter imploding? It's amazing how much a supposed genius is destroying a website.

 

[GAN]

Statistically, most of us (including me) are moderates but how many of us vote in the primary? I do, but many don't and that is what makes a big difference.

I never vote in primaries.....

 

[PolymerSkywalker]

Yep, confirmation bias is a real thing. Add into that the fact that Facebook will actually lean into that by tailoring your news feed/suggested ads/etc. to match what you already click on, and people really only see information that supports their way of thinking (and therefore believe that everyone else agrees with them).

Youtube and Twitter do the same thing. Start liking or interacting with a certain type of content, and your feed will be funneled a whole lot more of similar content.

 

[PolymerSkywalker]

Back to the original conversation. I am proud to be an American, and we do lots of things really well. I hope we continue to work really hard to do more things well as time goes on. Learn from the mistakes of our past, and become better citizens going forward. Love one another and respect one another's differing points of view, as that is what makes us The Great Melting Pot.

An African American man was President for 8 years and over half the country voted for him, something that would have been seen as unfathomable just 50-60 years ago. I also have a good friend who I work out with that is a high school educated African American who started his on plumbing business. He has done really well and made over $250K in our small town last year, with just years of hard work, determination, and a little luck. I have an exclusive engineering degree in a very high demand sector, and don't make the kind of money he does. If that's not the American dream, I don't know what is!

 

[GAN]

Back to the original conversation. I am proud to be an American, and we do lots of things really well. I hope we continue to work really hard to do more things well as time goes on. Learn from the mistakes of our past, and become better citizens going forward. Love one another and respect one another's differing points of view, as that's part of what makes America the Melting Pot.

1) Vote
2) Forget about about politics until next election
3) Enjoy your freedom/life
4) Repeat.....

 

[LuvOrlando]

Statistically, most of us (including me) are moderates but how many of us vote in the primary? I do, but many don't and that is what makes a big difference.

Hold on, I thought Independants were not allowed to vote in Primaries.

I just looked and it seems it depends on the State, PA never let me but they might change things. Uggh, I positively loathe the idea of picking a side that I don't really follow, everyone goes too far somewhere. However, if I could participate from the bleachers then maybe they'll change my Grandparent's platforms and get on the ball. Things are way too antique for me, so much cringe, just so much cringe.

I love my country very much and think the people need to be able to drive more often, it's like some old drunk is at the wheel of all these random elections all over the place and we're all just white knucklin' it through the loonacy looking at each other like:




I hate that the rest of the world thinks the news is representative of us, well that and exported movies and TV.

 

[Buzz Rules]

1) Vote
2) Forget about about politics until next election
3) Enjoy your freedom/life
4) Repeat.....

2a.: Random war every decade....

 

[Buzz Rules]

I never vote in primaries.....

So we agree?

 

[Neapolitan Ice Cream]

It's interesting, there are some American laws I just don't get. But then again, I am 100% sure that there are UK laws that your average American doesn't get. Que será, será.

 

[Buzz Rules]

It's interesting, there are some American laws I just don't get. But then again, I am 100% sure that there are UK laws that your average American doesn't get. Que será, será.

Did you watch the Geography Now video? Are most of the laws that confuse you controversial or just random little things?

 

[focusondisney]

Thanks Imzadi.

It's nice when people celebrate and are happy to be Americans. We are not perfect by any means but I'd rather be American than anything else. Clearly not everyone agrees. Those embarassed are free to move on.

No, they’re free to stay here & disagree. That’s what freedom for all means.

Exactly. Your ability to strive for a life of happiness, freedom, liberty and justice no longer belongs to all. A bunch of politicians are now deciding who has those rights. Tragic.

. Politicians & judges.

The US has great healthcare. Move to Canada or some other countries and you can see the difference.

Women are NOT able to get healthcare they need in many states. Many working poor can not afford even basic healthcare. Elderly in many rural areas don’t have specialists within a reasonable distance for the health care they need. If you’re a man with local health care you can afford, you would think the US has great health care. Because you have access to great health care doesn’t mean everyone in the US does.

 

[gmi3804]

In fairness, there is a difference between interpreting law and making decisions based on constituent interests. Not disagreeing that some decisions may have been in the minority, but even elections don't necessarily favor the majority.

How naive you are, to compare the overturning of decades-old law, multiple times in a week, to interpreting the law. It's a questionable coincidence at best. If you can't recognize that this is the direction the Court is going and those decisions are hurting more people than they're helping, then you're not an effective debater.

 

[Starport Seven-Five]

1) Vote
2) Forget about about politics until next election
3) Enjoy your freedom/life
4) Repeat.....

Unfortunately, some can't do that as the laws these politicians are passing directly impact their life.

 

[gmi3804]

Unfortunately, some can't do that as the laws these politicians are passing directly impact their life.

Forgetting, is the enemy of progress. Those who forget won't be "enjoying" their freedoms and their lives for long. Look at what Roseanne Barr recently said about the Holocaust, and, in the next breath, her call for violence against Jews. She's a person whose Jewish ancestors were pushed into shallow graves and buried alive. She seems to have forgotten certain things.

 

[Neapolitan Ice Cream]

Did you watch the Geography Now video? Are most of the laws that confuse you controversial or just random little things?

Just a few big ones. Don't worry, I won't sully this thread with controversy.

 

[Starport Seven-Five]

Pretty cool to see the flyover that occurred at Magic Kingdom yesterday:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1676242752198115328

 

[Southernmiss]

I broke my kneecap last October. Waited a week for surgery. 6 hours in outpatient surgery- over $40,000. Out of pocket was about $6,000.

Dh had a chronic knee injury leading to bone on bone. His surgery for 3 hours in the hospital in April over $52,000. Still getting our portion total.

I had a chronic gallbladder problem. Took me over 6 months to see specialists and finally get the surgery appointment. Not sure what that cost.

Every time a family member has needed a specialist in the last 4 years, there's either a very long wait or no doctor within an hour.

Those without insurance are quickly patched and dispatched in the ER. Often without affordable healthcare, they're back in the expensive ER for another patch and dispatch and repeat.

As to what I'm doing about the problem, voting, learning all I can and have raised 3 successful young adults in STEM fields and another who actively campaigns with young, successful politician friends in his town.