• @[email protected]
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        5111 months ago

        Term limits empower lobbyists and career staffers and encourage legislators to give less of a shit about their constituents. I know “career politician” is often considered a dirty word, but having competent, knowledgeable elected officials is a good thing.

        • @[email protected]
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          5711 months ago

          They are already openly corrupt. Term limits would result in younger candidates in touch with this century. Lobbyists would also have to bribe new people. It might also break up the ridiculous 100% party voting.

          Not to mention help with our Supreme Court problems. Randomly giving appointments that last decades to whoever is president in at the time is insane.

          I really don’t think we have that many competent elected officials anyway.

          Yes, eliminating gerrymandering and citizens united would be more effective, but I wouldn’t kick term limits out of bed.

          • @[email protected]
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            4111 months ago

            We have term limits in Florida. They have done nothing to solve any problems, and arguably have made the quality of our officials worse, while giving much more power to lobbyists.

          • @[email protected]
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            2911 months ago

            None of that has happened in the states that have term limits. If you think Republicans, no matter how long they have been in office, are going to start putting anyone other than Federalist Society drones on the courts, I’m not sure I can have a good faith argument with you.

          • Semi-Hemi-Demigod
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            1211 months ago

            Term limits are as likely as ranked-choice voting, which would also solve a lot of problems but won’t be passed in a significant way in my lifetime

            • @[email protected]
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              1611 months ago

              They actually just passed ranked choice voting in my city.

              It does seem crazy to have a system where 49% of people preferred the other guy, but he lost so those people now get zero representation.

          • @[email protected]
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            811 months ago

            Term limits would result in younger candidates in touch with this century.

            Yes cuz that’s worked so well in places that already have them…

          • phillaholic
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            111 months ago

            Lobbyists would also have to bribe new people.

            No they’d hand pick them, run them on utter lies that they can’t be challenged, then throw them out when the public wises up. You seriously underestimate how far the power dynamic can swing.

        • Billiam
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          2411 months ago

          On the other hand, the current system of “representatives spend one full year campaigning and one full year fundraising for their party, so any legislation they sponsor in their two-year term is already written by lobbyists” isn’t working out so hot either.

          Throw in a law restricting campaigning more than three months before an election and a law limiting campaigns to only spending equally-dispersed public funds, and you might start to see some improvement. Oh, and reverse Citizen’s United and ban Super PACs while you’re at it. And can we all get a free unicorn too?

        • FuglyDuck
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          911 months ago

          yeah, because the current batch of politicians are sooooo concerned with their constituents.

          On the other hand, lets ignore the fact that the vast majority of senators (and the president, and most presidential canidates,) are so “experienced” that the majority of their experience predates… the internet. Never mind social media or anything resembling the modern world we find our selves in.

            • @[email protected]
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              11 months ago

              Yep. Why is 65 not a forced retirement for politicians, when it is used in many less important industries?

          • @[email protected]
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            711 months ago

            We have about 25 years worth of experiments with it in various states, so it’s been well studied. Legislating is a skill that needs to be developed, just like anything else, and a bunch of term-limited newbies have no incentive to do anything except get ready for the next thing, which only enhances the possiblity of corruption.

        • candyman337
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          111 months ago

          There is definitely reasonable legislation that can have the best of both worlds here. That’s a poor argument against them

      • IronCorgi
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        2811 months ago

        I don’t think term limits will solve anything near what people pitching term limits as a panacea think they will solve.

        • deweydecibel
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          People that pitch that as a catch-all solution have no idea how democracy works, they’re just understandably angry at the old white men who have ruined all our lives.

          All term limits would do is make it middle aged white men ruining our lives.

          Like, these people don’t seem to understand where politicians come from or how they get to be where they are.

          Mitch McConnell is the Senator from Kentucky. Trump won that state both years by 60%. It hasn’t elected a Democratic Senator since 1992. In fact, that Democratic Senator retired, ya know, as old men should. Then a Republican took that seat.

          So who do you think takes Mitch McConnell’s seat if we boot him out for old age? Does it matter who? We know what letter will be next to their name.

          It’s the people. The problem is the people. And the structure of the Senate that gives them disproportionate power.

          Also, look at the young Republicans like Madison Cawthorn and tell me they’re any better than their seniors.

          • Narrrz
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            411 months ago

            really, a lot of our problems boil down to “humans are just generally pretty shit”

          • phillaholic
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            111 months ago

            A better example is Joe Manchin. The thought of primarying him is laughable. Just hand the Republicans a full Seat in the senate why don’t you.

        • @[email protected]
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          011 months ago

          It will definitely solve some problems while causing arguably no new ones, I think that’s enough to push for something to happen.

      • @[email protected]
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        2311 months ago

        Bernie, Joe, and the other guy are all within 4 years of age with each other. Bernie is the only one in that group who’s decided NOT to run, so I’m not sure why you’re singling him out. ¯⁠\⁠_⁠(⁠ツ⁠)⁠_⁠/⁠¯ Generally the opinion I’ve seen from his supporters is that he can do better from his current position and that his chance at the presidency has passed.

      • Drusas
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        When there’s only one politician of any consequence out there who represents your views…

    • @[email protected]
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      6111 months ago

      I generally don’t wish ill will on people. That being said, this asshole isn’t a human in my book. He’s just an evil hate filled pile of shit, and it will be a great day for democracy and America when he does die.

      • @[email protected]
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        2411 months ago

        I am not going to openly condemn anyone. That said, Mitch opens himself up to some interesting ethical questions.

        Is it ok to sacrifice one man to save 300 hundred million?

        How about to reduce the medium / long term risk to billions?

        • Patapon Enjoyer
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          911 months ago

          Is that man Mitch McConnell? Then hell yeah, this isn’t a trolley problem, it’s more of trolley party

      • @[email protected]
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        111 months ago

        I’m convinced that McConnell is human, but an agent controlled by the Reptilians to destroy us from within. As evidence, I submit the nauseated look on his face most of the time. The real Mitch is still in there, and is horrified at the terrible things he’s forced to do. Obviously, this latest incident occurred because the radio signal to the control chip in his brain got disrupted.

        Ted Cruz is the one who is not human. He’s their next attempt, a Reptilian in a (bad) human suit. As evidence, well, just look at him. Their later iterations have gotten a little better, like Taylor Greene, Bannon, and Boebert, but still firmly in the Uncanny Valley. Some of them are so convincingly human, though, that I’m not sure if they’re Reptilians in disguise, or some sort of latter-day Sonderkommando.

        I have to believe this, because it’s the only way that the GQP makes any damn sense.

    • @[email protected]
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      3811 months ago

      I want to be very clear: I will never support or condone violence. But when this parasite dies (from natural causes), the entire country will be massively better off for it.

      • @[email protected]
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        2611 months ago

        All violence is not equal. Unjustified and unprovoked violence is not the same as justified violence in self defense, for example. To say that one does not support violence is to paint with a very large brush and over important nuance and context

        • @[email protected]
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          I don’t believe self-defense is violence. For example, I believe Ukraine has every right to capture, injure, kill, and drive out all Russian invaders as they protect their country.

          I get what you’re saying, but believe me: I understand how broad my brush is, yet I still don’t like violence. In my opinion some things are just black and white… 🤷‍♂️

          • milkjug
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            A little surprised that you’re getting downvoted for this, but I suppose your opinion on what constitutes violence is a value judgment rather than a dispassionate definition. Ukraine driving out Russian invaders from their homeland using whatever means necessary, including violence to the fullest extent allowed by the Geneva Convention, is absolutely justified in my book.

          • @[email protected]
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            611 months ago

            being justified or not has nothing to do with whether something is violent. if someone is getting hurt, maimed, or killed, that’s violence, no matter how much they deserve it.

          • @[email protected]
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            Sounds like the end justifies the means, which is itself a tricky statement. Though I think I know what you’re saying.

              • @[email protected]
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                I think it is what you’re saying but not what you are intending to say. It sounds like there are conditions under which violence is ok, though violence itself is something to be avoided. Eg. Ukraine can defend itself using violence because violence in defence is ok, which in my mind sounds a lot like the end (self preservation) justifies the means (war).

      • @[email protected]
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        911 months ago

        Before you commit to that statement remember that peaceful protests work about 1% of the time.

        • @[email protected]
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          I know it’s frustrating, but some things are more important than the end result. People who have to kill someone are often traumatized. For life. We weren’t built to destroy each other, and by doing so, we also lose some of our humanity…

          If you go out and kill a murderer… the net total of murderers in the world remains the same.

          • @[email protected]
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            411 months ago

            I think we are lucky to not have to make those choices.

            My uncle was murdered and my grandma ended up spending a lot of time talking with the murderer. That’s one way. There is also no shortage of stories about people killing those who have traumatized family members (rape and murder). In my case the murderer was troubled, but in other cases (Mitch) they are psychopathic people who I think should be removed from society one way or another. That’s my sentiment towards Mitch and his health problems. I am completely ambivalent about his well being. To be completely anti-violence is a position, but it is a hard one to hold in reality.

      • Move to lemm.ee
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        I want to be very clear: I will never support or condone violence. But when this parasite dies (from natural causes), the entire country will be massively better off for it.

        Why? Violence inflicted by pen is still violence. He’s killed thousands.

  • @[email protected]
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    proof that old fuckers shouldn’t be allowed in politics due to a literally dysfunctioning brain

    EDIT: to say ‘ageism is bigotry’ is a gross oversimplification. I’m not prejudiced against people above a certain age, I’m against the idea of allowing individuals with dementia or other degenerative conditions having political control over other people while literally having impeded brain functioning and judgement.

    • FermatsLastAccount
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      9711 months ago

      His birth is closer to Lincoln’s assassination and the abolition of serfdom in Russia than to 2023.

    • @[email protected]
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      3911 months ago

      I’ve had some relatives reach a very old age and this kind of thing is just part of the territory.

      However my aged relatives were not in positions of great power. Neither should this man be.

    • @[email protected]
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      2311 months ago

      Feinstein and now McConnell. It shouldn’t be necessary but it’s now bipartisan proof that maybe we should force people of a certain age into retirement.

      I’ll happily admit to being ageist. I don’t care. Once you hit the mid 70s (arguably earlier) you should be ordered to go the fuck home by Congress.

      • FuglyDuck
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        811 months ago

        if it’s ageist to say that people can be too old to be in government, then it’s definitely ageist to say they can be too young, too.

        Imagine having a toddler command the nuclear football. (oh wait. we already had that.)

        • Drusas
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          311 months ago

          Unfortunately, ageism in the US is only illegal against older adults. I really struggled with this when I was overseeing young volunteers, one of whom was being treated like crap just because he was young by the older people he was volunteering for. Totally legal for them to outright speak of his age as making him useless (and he was a good worker! and kind!). I was so angry that I couldn’t do much of anything to help him.

      • Drusas
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        I don’t think it should necessarily be a hard age cap (which is illegal in the US, anyway), but I do think all politicians and judges should have to be able to pass cognitive function tests annually with absolutely no concerns raised by them. I’d require it probably as low as age 50 or 55, because dementia can come early.

        And they should not be allowed to choose their own doctors for these exams. They should all see the same handful of doctors, randomly assigned each year, so as to reduce bias.

      • Billiam
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        811 months ago

        I find it interesting in the US that discriminating against the young is socially acceptable, while discriminating against the elderly is social suicide. Shows how much political power the Boomers wield.

    • @[email protected]
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      1711 months ago

      The really annoying part is that I’ve seen people on the right already telling people to respect his health issues. Except when Biden stumbles over one word he should be removed from power and hospitalized for life. They don’t even pretend with the hypocrisy anymore

    • @[email protected]
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      711 months ago

      I worked in congress in 2002 after I graduated. The congressman I worked for was old to me then. I saw him on tv the other day and the guy looked one foot in the grave. I hadn’t thought about him in years and then I saw him and I’m like dude wtf why are you still working?! It’s shocking.

    • @[email protected]
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      211 months ago

      This is a reminder that Dianne Feinstein is still in office, too. She’s not even lucid anymore.

    • @[email protected]
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      -2311 months ago

      I live how you guys say this, while also demanding Bernie, a fucking dinosaur himself

      • @[email protected]
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        711 months ago

        If there was another candidate who held the same values, but was of a younger age. I’d go for the younger one for sure.

        It’s not Bernie because he’s amazing. It’s because he’s the best we got.

        Same how I vote for x party, not because they are good. But because they are less bad.

    • tate
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      Ageism, like all bigotry, is always wrong.

        • tate
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          -511 months ago

          No. Bigotry is when you assign a presumption to a group based on a completely unrelated parameter associated with that group. It would not be bigotry to limit the age of those serving in congress. It is bigotry to say that every old person’s brain doesn’t work.

          “proof that old fuckers shouldn’t be allowed in politics due to a literally dysfunctioning brain”

          • AngrilyEatingMuffins
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            So by and large young brains don’t work as well as adult brains. The same is true for the elderly. Your argument makes no sense except you’re biased against the young. During Vietnam would you rather have had Nixon and
            Kissinger in charge or some wicked smart 17 year old hippies. I know what most people would choose these days.

  • @wheeldawg
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    17211 months ago

    Conservatives when Biden does something like walk the wrong direction: omg he’s senile and clearly has dementia!

    Conservatives when McConnell (maybe) has a fucking legit seizure: everything’s fine, nothing to see here.

    • @[email protected]
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      9811 months ago

      Both of them need to get the hell out of politics as should anyone over the retirement age.

      • @[email protected]
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        3211 months ago

        Seriously. Enough with the septuagenarians and octogenarians in the government. If you’re going to drop dead from old age at any moment, you shouldn’t be in any government position, especially not a national/federal one, IMO.

    • @[email protected]
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      6211 months ago

      How about hemberders? Or Tim Apple? Trump talks and walks like he’s have constant brain aneurism, yet not a single peep form his idiot base.

      • @[email protected]
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        5211 months ago

        Or covfefe. Or falling down a 5-degree decline. Or desperately gripping a bottle of water with two hands to carry it to his Queller Demon mouth.

      • @[email protected]
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        11 months ago

        Tim Apple is intentional. It’s smart and effective. It communicates who he is talking about to people who have absolutely no clue who the CEO of Apple is. Simplified language like that is trump’s specialty because it works with his base.

        Edit, well, looks like this is just as bad as reddit. Not sure what I expected.

          • @[email protected]
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            -311 months ago

            What makes you think it’s made up? The dude has brainwashed 1/3 the country. Do you think he did that on accident? Unfortunately for you and I, trump is an expert communicator.

        • @[email protected]
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          611 months ago

          Edit, well, looks like this is just as bad as reddit. Not sure what I expected.

          Can you people just stop fucking whining? You made a dumb fucking comment and got downvoted for it. Its doesnt matter, its not the end of the world, you dont have to edit your comment to cry about the fact that people didnt agree with your extreme reach to defend a dumb comment Donald Trump made.

          • @[email protected]
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            -311 months ago

            Is it extreme reach though? He’s whipped up 1/3 the country into a frenzie. That’s effective communication even if it is awful and hateful.

            • @[email protected]
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              411 months ago

              He could also have done a Nazi salute or just dropped trou and shat on the floor and it would have whipped up most the country into a frenzy, that doesnt means its some mastermind play.

              • @[email protected]
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                111 months ago

                Shifting goal posts. I’m just saying he communicates well. Hitler also communicated well. It doesn’t mean we agree with trump (or Hitler) it’s just an acknowledgement of charisma.

        • @[email protected]
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          411 months ago

          Edit, well, looks like this is just as bad as reddit. Not sure what I expected.

          Try truth social, that is where you will find your people.

          • @[email protected]
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            111 months ago

            Yes, acknowledging trumps ability to communicate makes me a republican.

            But in all seriousness, people always talk about how trump benefits so much from Twitter and wields social media in a dangerous and effective way. So how is my argument any different?

            • @wheeldawg
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              211 months ago

              I call him Tim Apple all the time. I just think it’s funny and he probably hates it. I just hate Apple as a company in most ways, so being annoying is fun. Not like hell see anything I say anyway, but it makes me chuckle.

              I didn’t see any pre edit comment, but I agree here.

              I’m no trumpy by a hell of a long shot. A whole political spectrum away. But I don’t condemn him for using the name. At least not if he’s using it intentionally. I’m not convinced he is, though.

  • @[email protected]
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    11811 months ago

    I don’t believe that it’s discriminatory when I say that people with severe neurological disorders and dementia shouldn’t be making laws.

  • ax1900kr
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    11111 months ago

    The US of A is governed by dying greedy geriatrics

    • @[email protected]
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      5111 months ago

      He is 85. What the fuck drives you besides greed and power to stay in Congress past your 70th? He will probably die in a couple of years, but still clings to this power trip with bare hands. Just illustrates how fucking greedy and corrupted that mf is.

      • @[email protected]
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        1311 months ago

        The issue is seniority rules. You only get the real power (committee seats, etc) after you’ve been in the senate for decades. Giving that up is probably hard if you’ve spent decades climbing that ladder.

        • @[email protected]
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          511 months ago

          Oh, no, those poor old fucks. I hope they die in their piss instead of ruining our world any more.

      • @[email protected]
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        11 months ago

        Like go fishing, or whittle some shit on a porch. Youre gonna die soon and you want to spend your final days on the hill with the lizards and cockroaches?

      • @[email protected]
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        311 months ago

        Good people do to too. Ruth Bader Ginsberg clung to office and died two months too early.

      • Flying Squid
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        211 months ago

        I keep saying that the fact that Trump has made it to 77 is a testament to modern medical science.

        • @[email protected]
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          511 months ago

          Nah, his longevity is from decent genes and the fact that he’s never had to worry or stress about anything real his entire life. Poverty is the number one killer of Americans. The lack of access to healthcare, having to overwork your body and mind to make ends meet and the constant stress of wondering if your next paycheck will be enough to feed and house you and your loved ones is killer on the heart. Shitty people don’t live long lives because they’re shitty. It’s because they’re rich. IT just so happens, all rich people are also shitty people. But I’ve met some poor shitty people that die early because their heart just gives out from overwork.

        • @[email protected]
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          It’s like Eugenia Cooney. How is she still alive? How do you treat your body with absolute disdain and survive?

          • @[email protected]
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            511 months ago

            Mick Jagger just turned 80.

            I eat pretty well, exercise daily and I doubt I’m making it that long…

    • Flying Squid
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      1311 months ago

      Even if we are going to continue to let the elderly rule us, an event like this should result in an instant resignation. But no, he has to claw onto the reins of power until they’re taken from his cold, dead hands.

  • @[email protected]
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    9511 months ago

    Isn’t that the type of incident you should be immediately going to the hospital for? And to maintain some shitty image of power they just yank him to the back line and have him stand there?

    • @[email protected]
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      5611 months ago

      Man it took waaay to long before someone even reacted and even then they didn’t focus on his well being but on the press conference.

      What a sad sight, zero empathy

      • @[email protected]
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        5811 months ago

        Not like the man is known for his empathy himself. So it’s a bit of a FAFO situation I feel.

      • Kerrigor
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        He’s one of the few people in this world on my “no empathy for him” list. I would’ve just sat back and had some popcorn

        • @[email protected]
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          1511 months ago

          I’d agree with Mark Twain on this one, I don’t exactly wish anyone to die but I’ll read some obituaries with satisfaction, paraphrased.

        • Narrrz
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          511 months ago

          what a sad sight /s
          (I have) zero empathy.

      • @[email protected]
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        911 months ago

        If it makes you feel any better, he would have done the exact same or worse to anyone else in his place.

      • @[email protected]
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        611 months ago

        They were torn between wanting to help him but also wanting to minimize the appearance of the episode for him. Both of which are valid concerns for him.

  • @[email protected]
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    8311 months ago

    Thoughts and prayers that he has some incurable medical condition.

    He’s been a piece of human garbage all his career, so let’s not sugar coat things now.

    • @[email protected]
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      Controlling the future of a world they no longer have any meaningful stake in.

      Their voters too. It’s hilarious that the greatest rage about the direction of the country comes from ancient conservative fucks that are circling the drain and won’t even be alive to feel the effects. And it isn’t even anger for the sake of the well being of their descendants, as their policy positions are almost always to cut everyone off from societal help when they need it just to revel in the pain of anyone outside their in-group.

      It’s just very important for Old Republicans to know that Americans that don’t look or act like them will continue to be kicked while they’re down after they’re gone. It’s like they think heaven will just sitting on a cloud with popcorn watching police murder black teenagers and poor women getting declined for abortions.

    • @jballs
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      That’s what blows my mind. What is motivating these people? If you’re in your 80s, surely you have enough money to just fucking retire already. Is their greed for even more money and power that strong that they have to continue ruining our country well after the average person is deep into their retirement years?

      • @[email protected]
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        511 months ago

        I honestly have only one explanation for this, and people may not like it. I think people like him truly believe in what they do, the truly believe that they have a cause, that they keep doing it until death and make sure they pass the torch to their successors.

  • @[email protected]
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    6611 months ago

    Republican, Democrat, Independent, Goat-Sacrificer, Whatever; we all need to vote in people that are actively working to improve the future. You know, the one boomers don’t even believe in…

    • @[email protected]
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      5611 months ago

      For now, that’s democrat. I know I know two party system sucks etc etc but we need to stop the bleeding before we try to walk again.

      Trump and the GQP have set us all back 2 decades and they aren’t done dragging us down.

      • @[email protected]
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        3311 months ago

        100% agree. We have to halt and try to undo the damage they are actively doing to our country (Supreme Court, anyone?), then we can focus on our antiquated “first-past-the-post” system…

  • @[email protected]
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    6611 months ago

    Anyway, remember how hard he worked to take away benefits from 9/11 first responders?

    I have no sympathy for this man, anybody else want to just reminisce about the horrible shit he’s done instead?

  • @[email protected]
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    6311 months ago

    Is it bad that I hope this is a sign of medical issues that will force him into retirement? I’m sick of a misogynist turtle calling the shots.

    • @BruceDoh
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      2311 months ago

      I hope he never unfreezes

    • @[email protected]
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      1911 months ago

      Like, I generally wouldn’t wish this type of thing on someone, but I think about how many people are going to die as a result of him stealing a SC seat and ramming ACB through, or even just his stonewalling anything an Obama tried to do just so Obama couldn’t get the W regardless of how many people’s lives were hurt, ruined, or ended, and I gotta say, I really wonder what I’m having for dinner tonight. I think I’ll have a dessert though, maybe ice cream, but open to suggestions.

      • Pizzareca
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        511 months ago

        Have you not decided yet? Have pasta. Or if you want dessert, vanilla ice cream is pure bliss.

        • @[email protected]
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          211 months ago

          We did go with pasta, but it turns out I was out of ice cream and didn’t bother to get it. There’s always today!

    • @[email protected]
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      1511 months ago

      Unfortunately, probably not. Reminder that there’s a rep that’s practically at the point of being Weekend at Burnie’s-ed

    • @[email protected]
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      111 months ago

      Someone will take his place and do the same stuff. He’s just the focus for blame. He offers cover to others.

      • @[email protected]
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        211 months ago

        If we’re being honest, the replacement senator will be even worse. And the Republican Senate leader will be worse.

        Which is a horrible thought

  • @[email protected]
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    6111 months ago

    These fucking zombies will stay in the government until they decay until dust. What a fucked system. TERM LIMITS YOU FUCKS

    • @[email protected]
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      1211 months ago

      Just need mandatory retirement at 70 maximum. Term limits have too many downsides. We just need to make them ineligible when they’re too old to think clearly.

    • @[email protected]
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      711 months ago

      We have term limits!

      They’re called elections.

      But people are too lazy to go vote. Last election cycle only around HALF the registered voters could be bothered to go vote. If the other half voted, they could overturn pretty much any election in this country. But they can’t be bothered. They rather complain about a lack of term limits online.

      • @[email protected]
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        411 months ago

        We have term limits!

        They’re called elections.

        Term limits and elections are not synonymous. A term limit restricts the number of times that a politician can run, it puts them out of office regardless of whether or not they could win another election. They teach this in like the third grade.

      • @[email protected]
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        11 months ago

        Unless Biden decides not to run, I’m almost certainly going to vote for him. Not voting or voting third party puts us closer to authoritarian leaders.

        Although at this point, I’m kind of wondering if the GOP has it right on climate change. If climate change is a giant volcano, humanity is free-falling directly into it. The GOP wants to point headfirst and tuck our arms by our side to speed towards it. The DNC wants to deploy a parachute that will ensure we slow down, but still fall into the volcano much more slowly and painfully.

        Sorry Earth. Humanity fucked it up. We were too stupid to figure out fossil fuels and greenhouse gasses early in industrialization. When it was realized at first, greedy business executives hid it from society. When society at large became aware of it, we were too selfish to give up fossil fuels. By the time green energy was made feasible, it was too late to avoid 2C, which may trigger positive feedback processes that humans have no hope of controlling.

        I’m not falling into the trap of “it’s too late so let’s not do anything and drill, baby, drill”, but some days I wonder if the radical energy policy will extend the suffering.

        Anyways, hope everyone has a great Thursday!

        • @McNasty
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          411 months ago

          I live in a solid red state. I’ll vote third party.

        • @[email protected]
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          -111 months ago

          Even the harshest climate scientists don’t share the same doom and gloom narrative that you do. I think you should watch fewer hollywood movies. Maybe go outside for a bit and disconnect yourself from the internet for a few hours.

          • @[email protected]
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            111 months ago

            At one point in time, the goal was to remain below 1.5C heating (I forget over which time frame), with the worst effects kicking in at 2.0C. I believe one of the recent IPCC reports suggest to stay near 2.0C, we have to sequester carbon using a process that’s not invented yet.

            I believe that current thought is that we will reach 2.0 C of heating even if we stop fossil fuel usage, entirely, tomorrow.

            My post was pretty pessimistic, but the reality is pretty bad. The reason that all that carbon was sequestered prior to burning it is that plant life existed before fungi for a significant amount of time. Plants would sequester carbon, die and fall, then remain and not rot.

            Today, sequestering carbon can only be done by adding biomass. Trees sequester carbon until they die, then release all of the carbon back into the atmosphere (either quickly in a forest fire or slowly as they rot). Existing forests really aren’t doing much sequestering once they reach steady-state biomass (growing trees balanced by rotting trees).

            I have no idea what the cycle is in the ocean, though. I know it’s 70% of Earth’s photosynthesis. Maybe the situation is not quite as dire.

            The future is uncertain, perhaps humanity will figure out methods to mitigate things. There are thoughts that injecting synthetic volcano ash into the atmosphere might be feasible with today’s technology. This would emulate the cooling effect seen with volcanic eruptions that reach high enough. The effect can last a couple of years.

    • @[email protected]
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      211 months ago

      I’m not sure that would actually fix anything. These old fucks would simply arrange for puppets to take their place. Young yes men who do anything they say. At any time it would be unclear who is actually in power.

      This is already the case with big companies controlling politicians. When it comes to money and power, the scum always find a way.