How do we save our democracy from becoming an autocracy?

Moonbeam

Elite Member
Nov 24, 1999
74,736
6,759
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The assumption behind the question sort of presume that we can or we should which I am fine with. And naturally, since we are talking about saving a democracy, it obviously implies we need people who will vote to protect it while they still have that ability as an option.
 

MrSquished

Lifer
Jan 14, 2013
26,067
24,396
136
I think we should have some nice town halls with people, serve some nice Entenmann's cookies, some nice sweet tea for the southerners, and some nice spritzes for everyone else. Just talk it out. I think you should moderate.
 
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Moonbeam

Elite Member
Nov 24, 1999
74,736
6,759
126
I'll take Occam's Razor...

don't vote for any Republicans
You see the problem? The next question is how do you get people not to vote Republican.

In my opinion, if you ask people for what they think is an answer to a problem they have, most are not so much interested in the solutions as they are the chance to wiseacre and complain, much like monkeys throwing sticks from trees. I think a lot of the reason that mass media has such appeal is that it offers a place where various tribes of monkeys can hoot together the objective to inflict pain in exschange for relieving stress. Behind it all is a feeling of hopelessness. Nobody wants to see themselves as a reflection of the problem.
 

Stokely

Platinum Member
Jun 5, 2017
2,281
3,085
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You outbreed them. Much like Longshanks said in Braveheart (though the movie bears no resemblance to history), the problem with Scotland is that its full of Scots.

Seriously, I don't see much hope for curing the addled masses that believe nonsense. A lot of them know full well its nonsense, but since it hurts the other team they stand behind it. You might stand a better chance of getting Michigan college football fans to love Ohio State, it's the same fanatic mentality.

Any time I've ever talked politics with Conservative--and I'm in a red state surrounded by them, and my extended family is nothing but--I'm left with the thought "not sure what world you live in, but it's not the same one I do." And we live in the same town, many of them. I think society has basically jumped the shark and I don't see what can ever happen to fix it. If people choose to believe nonsense, what option is there? Talking to them, trying to convince someone that their beliefs aren't facts? Goooood Luck. Been there, done that, done with that. Many, many discussions and being called a traitor a lot cured me of that back when I opposed the Iraq invasion.
 

MrSquished

Lifer
Jan 14, 2013
26,067
24,396
136
You outbreed them. Much like Longshanks said in Braveheart (though the movie bears no resemblance to history), the problem with Scotland is that its full of Scots.

Seriously, I don't see much hope for curing the addled masses that believe nonsense. A lot of them know full well its nonsense, but since it hurts the other team they stand behind it. You might stand a better chance of getting Michigan college football fans to love Ohio State, it's the same fanatic mentality.

Any time I've ever talked politics with Conservative--and I'm in a red state surrounded by them, and my extended family is nothing but--I'm left with the thought "not sure what world you live in, but it's not the same one I do." And we live in the same town, many of them. I think society has basically jumped the shark and I don't see what can ever happen to fix it. If people choose to believe nonsense, what option is there? Talking to them, trying to convince someone that their beliefs aren't facts? Goooood Luck. Been there, done that, done with that. Many, many discussions and being called a traitor a lot cured me of that back when I opposed the Iraq invasion.

Exactly. We have tried for a long time to reach out to these people. They have only gotten infinitely worse.

It's time to draw the battle lines and know who the enemy is. And be prepared. These people are beyond reason and they will do the most horrific things as soon as they have the leadership in place.
 
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