A blue wave happens, then what?

[Animavore]

What an interesting time I live in. I've just seen the United States go from probably one of the best presidents they've ever had to the definitely worst. I've gone from someone who defended America from often ignorant criticism to someone who sits back and lets them talk smack.

So, a blue wave happens in November. Then what? What guarantee do the rest of the World have that you'll never do something this stupid again? So Trump loses in 2020, how to you ensure he doesn't come back in 2024 after his stupid economic policies destroy the country (if that were to happen) during the Dem presidency and he and Fox blame them? How do we know you'll never vote for someone worse? Someone more intelligent, vindictive, and malicious out of spite?

How does the World trust you again? How are you looking beyond simply removing the cancer that has infected your country and into after care?

Asking for friend.

[Rum]

Democracy in action. Sometimes stupid wins.

[cronus]

Genuine world leader coming. Trump was a test run. I expect he'll be a nice guy. A angel of light in fact. Could spring up anywhere.

[Animavore]

Democracy in action. Sometimes stupid wins.

Sure. But this thread is askimg how you remedy stupid? Though I suppose you UK fellas are dealing with your own stupid right now.

I really hope the stupidity isn't infectious. If Ireland became stupid I don't know what I'd do.

[Rum]

I don't see how you remedy it unless you actually look at the way information is used these days during election campaigns. It would be great if any candidate or party was required by law to be able to prove actual facts or information used to promote their campaign. That would stop the like of Trump bending facts to make an argument that panders to the stupid, ignorant and fearful.

How on earth any democracy would go about that is another matter. For now it seems information, whatever information you can get away spreading as 'the truth' with has been weaponised.

[Animavore]

That is a problem. The lack of accountability for nominations. You wouldn't see it in normal jobs, so why can just anyone, without qualifications, general sense, and grossly incompetent be allowed be a politician?

Edit; and why can old, out of touch dinosaurs who should be retired be allowed in?

[Sean Hayden]

It's because they have money.

[Animavore]

I have money.

[Sean Hayden]

--lots and lots of it--

I can't believe no one has developed a price list for these sorts of things. I guess that would be considered bad taste. But you could do it right?

You want reform, how much do you have to spend? Keep in mind that it's not just the costs of getting the public behind you but also the costs to those currently benefiting from the way things are, and they will be actively opposing you thereby increasing your expenses as you go.

You want energy reform, how much to convince the public and how much to fight off energy giants?

[Sean Hayden]

Throw in competition from anyone looking to benefit from the reform too, that's going to cost you. Then of course influences come from elsewhere as well and those other influences are going to costs you. Keep in mind too how hard it is to just manage your own efforts without people working against you.

It kind of sounds like it takes a badass business run by really bright motherfuckers to bring about sustainable change.

--can I just pick one and donate?

[laklak]

What happens is we have a whole bunch of posturing and self-congratulatory hubris. Then they pass a couple of poorly-conceived, ill crafted laws. Some people love the laws and some hate them. Taxes go up to pay for the poorly-conceived laws. People start bitching. In 4 years they give the Senate and House back to the Republicans. In 8 they give them the Presidency.

Rinse and repeat.

[JimC]

The wealthy buy political power via campaign spending, either for themselves or useful, obedient proxies.

Put a tiny cap on campaign spending. Just web pages where policies are stated (and checked by independent auditors), plus brief recorded statements on the media. No more circuses, no more treating democracy like an advertising campaign...

[Seabass]

2020:

The Democrats run Neil deGrasse Tyson and the Republicans run that old racist redneck guy from Duck Dynasty. Duck Dynasty guy loses the popular by fourteen million, but wins the electoral.

Abortion and birth control are outlawed by penalty of death.

Seabass and all non-whites are executed under Prevent White Genocide Act of 2021.

Coito Two says, "I didn't like him at first, but now I think he's doing a great job", then proceeds to contort himself into a human pretzel trying to defend the most idiotic and heinous policies ever conceived.

[pErvinalia]

Human pretzel..

[laklak]

Better a pretzel than a centipede.