Comment on Senate Republican leader defends Musk’s efforts as a ‘scrub’ of federal government
cm0002@lemmy.world 3 days agoBut if you make more than me, and have for a long time. then you could have even more assets than I do. Correct?
You’re the one who bragged about your assets, then tried to pivot to wages when called out. I’m not playing this game of one-upmanship. The point is about systemic issues, not personal finances.
And nothing says you have to stop doing that. In fact, you can even donate more and cut your lifestyle if it means that much to you. I won’t be doing that, but you certainly can.
Again, missing the point entirely. Individual actions don’t fix broken systems. That’s like saying “just use less water” during a drought while corporations drain aquifers. We need collective action and policy change, not performative personal sacrifice.
Ok, so did Biden reverse that in his 4 years he was in office and controlled both the house and the senate?
Democrats had a razor-thin majority with Manchin and Sinema blocking major reform. Despite that, the Inflation Reduction Act implemented a 15% corporate minimum tax for large corporations and a 1% tax on stock buybacks. This doesn’t fully reverse Trump’s corporate tax rate cut from 35% to 21%, but it does ensure the biggest companies pay at least 15%. Not perfect, but a step in the right direction.
But if that’s true and if more people believed that as you do, you should have easily won the election.
Elections aren’t won on policy merits anymore (unfortunately). They’re won on emotion, propaganda, and increasingly, misinformation. Most voters can’t even name what policies they’re voting for. Plus, our system structurally advantages rural conservative voters through the Electoral College.
So how come the Democrats didn’t work on that?
They have been. From campaign finance reform to voting rights, Democrats consistently push against a system rigged by gerrymandering, voter suppression, and dark money. All of which Republicans fight to preserve.
But Democrats have been in office for plenty of years. Why can’t the just do the same things the Republicans do, but make it their agenda and get it done?
Because Democrats try to govern responsibly while Republicans obstruct then blame Democrats for not fixing the problems. Look at McConnell blocking Merrick Garland then ramming through Barrett. Look at Republicans tanking infrastructure bills under Obama then crying about crumbling bridges. The asymmetry is the point.
DonaldJMusk@lemmy.today 3 days ago
I wasn’t bragging. Someone asked me about my “self-reliance bs” and I explained to them how and why I think I live up to my version of that
That Democrats still haven’t fixed, despite all their years in power. And if Trump is doing such terrible thigns, then in 4 years, you all can change everything back the way you want it.
Great! Then again, in 4 years, you guys can get voted back in and fix all that. So there ya go!
But if that was such a great idea, they they should have won the election. So maybe that’s now what people were wanting.
cm0002@lemmy.world 3 days ago
Classic bad faith argument. You’re ignoring the structural hurdles I just explained about Manchin, Sinema, and GOP obstruction. As for “just wait 4 years” – that’s exactly the problem. The damage Trump did in 4 years will take decades to fix. You can’t just “change everything back” when you’ve gutted regulatory agencies, stacked courts with ideologues, and sold off public resources to private interests.
Notice how you’ve completely abandoned defending Trump’s policies on their merits? You’re basically admitting they’re harmful but saying “who cares, we won.” This is exactly what I meant by “fuck you, I got mine” politics. You don’t care about making things better for everyone, just “winning.”
Again with this circular logic. Winning elections doesn’t prove your policies are better for people – it proves your messaging resonated emotionally. Most Trump voters can’t even name his specific policy positions beyond vague “make America great” rhetoric.
You’ve consistently dodged every substantive point about actual policy impacts. Instead, you fall back on “we won, so we must be right” – which is exactly the kind of shallow, tribal thinking that’s destroying any hope of productive political discourse in this country.
DonaldJMusk@lemmy.today 3 days ago
So how come the Democrats don’t create that sort of “obstruction” for the GOP?
Seems like a better Dem presidential campaign should have fixed that. Seems like they may have failed you a bit in that respect.
I’m not a fucking political strategist with a degree in political science. I don’t give a fuck. I like him. I like what he’s doing. And enough other people do, that they voted for him. Maybe take that into consideration
Says the guy who wants to turn a conservative community into a meme community and make fun of Republicans. So why would I take anything you are saying seriously? I mean, did making fun of republicans work for you all in the election?
All I see is you mocking people who don’t agree with you or who you deem to be too stupid to make the right choices.
I’ve seen some democrat strategists stay that the Dem downfall started by not taking republican voters seriously, and indeed mocking them, as a strong root cause of why you lost.
So do you think advocating making fun of Republicans rather than strengthing democratic community building is the best way to go?
Get the fuck outta here with you “Oh you’re not having serious political discourse” bs, when you have made it your mission to make fun of republicans in a conservative community.
Now just becaue I point that out, don’t that you have really had a “gotcha” moment with me. Because I don’t really care THAT much.
IN fact, I am exactly one of those who went by their gut, voted for Trump with glee just got get back and you all for mocking republicans.
Lemmy jerks making fun of every conservative was the in the forefront of my brain when I voted.
And no regrets at all. I’m happy to see it all burn down and start from scratch.
I’m not even a fucking republican. I’m an anarchist.
You all deserve Trump.
cm0002@lemmy.world 3 days ago
Democrats aren’t saints, theyre imperfect allies at best But there’s a fundamental difference in approach. ds generally try to govern and pass legislation, while McConnell openly declared his primary goal was blocking Obama’s agenda. When Ds obstruct, it’s usually on specific harmful policies, not a total blanket refusal to let the other side accomplish anything. There’s a difference between principled opposition and sabotaging government function.
Oh look, now you’re blaming Democrats for Republican destruction. Classic abuser logic: “Why did you make me hurt you?”
Finally some honesty! “I don’t give a fuck about policy” - we’ve reached the core of MAGA politics. You “like what he’s doing” but can’t defend any of it on substance. Pure emotion and tribalism.
Everyone needs spaces to vent and joke. Conservatives have entire media empires dedicated to spreading their misinformation and conspiracy theories. Fox News, OAN, countless Facebook groups and Telegram channels, even Lemmy instances, yet you’re mad about some memes on Lemmy who hasn’t even broken 50k MAUs?
The idea that Democrats lost because we weren’t nice enough to people actively supporting policies that harm vulnerable communities is laughable. “I voted to take away healthcare from millions because someone was mean to me online” isn’t the flex you think it is.
So you’re admitting you voted to hurt people out of spite? And somehow we’re the bad guys for making memes?
No actual anarchist would support the most authoritarian presidential candidate in modern history. You’re not an anarchist; you’re just angry and nihilistic.
And there it is. The mask comes off. This was never about policy or principles. It’s about hurting people you don’t like. Thanks for finally being honest about it.