Hardkill

But the reason it is more progressive than red states are is because of how developed they are and the demographics they have. Leo talked about this before. I don’t know what happened with the LA fire department. I am they’ve made mistakes that need to be urgently addressed but they are still ahead of most states on climate change and taking care of the natural environment.

I get that, but California, Illinois, and New York are blue pro-environmental states because of those factors I mentioned. Those same factors also exist in Florida. It's not some backwards rural state with older and less educated folk like in Alabama or Mississippi. Besides, Florida already has a lot of floods, hurricanes, and other weather-related problems for many years. So again, why have states like California been more on the ball and proactive about climate change than other very developed states like Florida?

Miami is sinking and will continue to sink and has floods even when it's not raining. Not to mention the hurricanes it has every year. Despite Florida's shift towards being a solid red state, its demographics remain remarkably similar to those of Illinois, New York, and California. In terms of GDP per capita, education levels, urban and suburban development, population size and density, cultural and racial/ethnic diversity, age diversity (including a very sizable young population), and level of secularism, Florida's profile aligns more closely with these states than with traditionally conservative states like Mississippi or Alabama. So, why aren't there enough people and organizations in Florida pushing back hard enough against the bad environment policies enacted by DeSantis and his radical right-wing state government?

Sadly, these natural disasters are very likely going to get worse and worse during the next 4 years as Trump and the GOP deregulate a lot of environment. The radical right-wingers on SCOTUS have already been striking down a number of environmental protection-related laws for many years, especially during these past 4 years. It's remarkable that the Republican Party was once a staunch advocate for environmental protection, from the early 1900s to the 1970s. Even President Nixon, not typically known for his environmentalism at heart, implemented significant policies for improving the natural environment during his presidency, that made up a comprehensive environmental program including the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Hopefully, Newsom finds some way to mitigate this disaster and make the optics of the situation not bad for him for his potential presidential run. He already has had a lot of problems that have happened under his watch such as previous big wildfires, high levels of homelessness, and previous high levels of crimes in various cities.

Pornstars like Mia Khalifa, Kendra Lust, Abella Danger, and Kira Noir have millions of followers. How are they able to get about as many followers as a lot of mainstream celebrities do when they've been heavily shamed for the kind of work they do?

But then why don't we talk about pornstars as a more everyday topic like we do with mainstream celebrities?

As damaging as the radical right-wing propaganda machine and the extreme anti-mainstream propaganda machine have been to the United States, the pervasive and deeply ingrained Communist propaganda that permeated every aspect of life in the Soviet Union was far more destructive. This propaganda apparatus systematically manipulated public opinion, employing a range of tactics – from outright disinformation to subtle psychological manipulation – to indoctrinate Soviet citizens with the idea that authoritarianism, if not totalitarianism, was essential to achieving communist ideals. As a result, the Soviet people were left with deeply entrenched beliefs that were resistant to change, even in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary. 1. Control of media: Communist regimes tightly controlled all forms of media, including newspapers, radio, television, and film, to ensure that only approved messages were disseminated. The Soviet government jammed foreign radio broadcasts to prevent the spread of dissenting ideas. 2. Censorship: Strict censorship was enforced to suppress any dissenting voices, opposition views, or sensitive information that could undermine the regime. Books deemed counter-revolutionary or anti-Soviet were censored, confiscated, or burned. 3. Ideological indoctrination: Communist ideology was deeply ingrained in education, from primary schools to universities, to shape young minds and ensure loyalty to the regime. 4. Public events and rituals: Communist regimes organized public events, parades, and rituals to promote their ideology, showcase their power, and foster a sense of community and shared values. Sports events and achievements were used to promote communist ideology and Soviet patriotism. 5. Propaganda through science: Scientific achievements and discoveries were promoted as evidence of the Soviet Union's superiority and the power of communist ideology. 6. Personality cults: Communist leaders often created personality cults, presenting themselves as infallible, wise, and benevolent leaders, to consolidate their power and authority. 7. Agitation and Propaganda (Agitprop) Agitprop trains and ships: Special trains and ships traveled throughout the Soviet Union, spreading propaganda and promoting communist ideology. Agitprop brigades: Mobile teams of agitators and propagandists performed plays, songs, and other cultural events to promote communist values. 8. Symbolic Propaganda Red flags and banners: Red flags and banners with communist symbols were displayed prominently in public spaces. Monuments and memorials: Monuments and memorials were erected to honor communist leaders, events, and ideals. 9. Repression and Intimidation Show trials: Public trials were staged to demonstrate the Soviet government's power and to intimidate potential dissenters. Forced labor camps: Millions of people were imprisoned in forced labor camps, often for perceived counter-revolutionary activities or thoughts. Despite being subjected to intense Communist propaganda throughout their lives, enough people in the USSR ultimately resisted its influence. They demanded an end to communist rule and successfully advocated for the independence of every Soviet republic. I've searched extensively for explanations online of how this happened, but none of the sources I've found provide a clear answer. It still is unclear to me how people were able to overcome the extremely intense and pervasive propaganda and groupthink that had shaped their worldview for so long.

It's very frightening that he's saying all of this, especially given the newfound power he will have as president. However, I think he would need the votes in Congress to do something that insane and barbaric and I don't even think that the Republicans in Congress would approve of it. Many of them like the new Senate Majority Leader Thune and Speaker Mike Johnson aren't that crazy or that extreme.

Then, why do societies with higher levels of education tend to be more secular than countries with lower levels of education?

I don't know much about Canadian politics. However, from what I understand, Trudeau's party is in trouble because they are being blamed for similar things that have been going on in the US including the lingering effects of inflation, housing shortage, economic inequality, toxic polarizing media landscape, xenophobia, racial demagoguery, etc. Although, those factors seem to be even worse in America.

OP, don't tell me the right-wing media got you. Do you realize that America has more mass shootings than every other developed nation in the world combined? Also, while I'm uncertain about the future of America under Trump's potential second term, I'm honestly still ambivalent about the need for everyday citizens to own guns. Throughout America's history as a sovereign nation, there hasn't really been a significant instance where citizens needed to protect themselves from government tyranny. Given the current level of freedom and fairness enjoyed by people of all backgrounds in America, one could argue that there's even less justification for widespread gun ownership. Historically, the Second Amendment originally meant that only US Citizens who were part of a well-regulated militia could own a gun; however, SCOTUS in the early 2000s twisted the interpretation of that amendment by ruling that the right to bear arms extends to individual ownership and use. Has there ever been a time when the people of your country needed guns to protect themselves from government tyranny? Also, watch professor Lichtman explain why there needs to be heavy gun control throughout the entire nation:

Wait, how do you know about that for certain?

I get what all of you are saying, but how do you reconcile that with the fact that most people again tend to be centrist and prefer more of the status quo or incremental change? I don't think there was a strong mandate for major change, considering that there was no real major crisis that occurred under the watch of Biden/Harris and the Democrats, no dominant right-wing movement throughout the entire country, and the Republicans did not win substantial majorities in either chamber of Congress. Although the Republicans regained control of the Senate and gained four seats, their majority in that chamber is still not that sizable. Notably, the Democrats even managed a net gain of one seat from the Republicans which led to the Republicans maintaining an extremely slim majority of 220 seats in the House, the narrowest majority for either party since 1930.

Most voters tend to prioritize familiarity and stability over innovative ideas, opting for the comfort of the status quo rather than taking a chance on radical change, unless there's a major crisis, a powerful movement, or supermajorities of one party controlling both chambers of Congress and a president of the same party. So, why did Kamala Harris need to present a bold vision of change, as many people claimed they wanted?

I see. So, it was the younger generations of the people back then who were more inclined to move on to a new modern system for their country.

We may not have another free and fair election ever again. Also, I am so far not optimistic about the Democratic party and the Left being able to effectively combat both the right-wing propaganda and extreme anti-mainstream propaganda machines before either the 2026 or 2028 elections. Otherwise, we’ll just keep losing the messaging war in this abominable media environment and if that continues to be the case then it won’t matter how strong any of the Democratic candidates will be in either the 2026 or 2028 elections. They’ll just keep losing more and more big elections.

Oh, very interesting. So, did he say that the people in his country really hated the whole USSR regime?

I acknowledge that most people in America are not well-informed about politics, not very bright, and not well-educated. However, Donald Trump's advanced age and increasingly lethargic demeanor have been noticeable. Most people hate him and his first term as president was truly abysmal, which is why he lost in 2020. In contrast, Kamala Harris presented a starkly different image when she entered the political scene. As a relatively new figure, she brought a sense of fresh youthful energy, appeal, and vibrancy. Harris's appeal was further enhanced when she chose Tim Walz as her running mate. Walz is a well-respected politician known for his authenticity and relatability to everyday working-class Americans. His working-class background and commitment to progressive policies have earned him a reputation as a champion of the people. She ran on our country moving on from the same old tired shitshow of Trumpism and representing a future where our country would have greater justice, greater housing affordability, and greater healthcare access and affordability. Moreover, Harris didn't come off as patronizing or out of touch like Hillary Clinton did. Trump gives off the impression of being too weak, too lazy, and too demented to govern.

And what did Trump have to offer that was popular? Also, why weren't people sick and tired of Trump?

If people can't always be deceived by propaganda about their daily lived experience, then I am perplexed as to why people in red areas of the country, particularly in impoverished states like Mississippi, Alabama, and West Virginia, consistently support politicians and officials who implement detrimental governance and policies that have exacerbated the struggles faced by these communities. What is even more puzzling is that Mississippi, the poorest state in the country, seems to be struggling indefinitely. Are the residents of Mississippi resigned to facing greater hardships compared to most other states, despite the state's persistent poverty? Similarly, rural communities in Alabama have been really underserved by their government. The state has been ranked as one of the worst states to work in, yet it seems that the government is not doing enough to provide better job opportunities for its citizens. Do the people of Alabama not expect more from their elected officials in terms of economic development and job creation? Furthermore, West Virginia has been ranked as the least educated state in America. It is concerning that the state's elected officials have not adequately addressed this issue. Do the residents of West Virginia not demand more from their government in terms of investing in education and improving the state's economic prospects?

One more thing I want to say about wokeness is that, although I wholeheartedly support social justice in every way possible, and the claims about Democrats and progressives fixating on woke policies and issues like trans rights too much have been highly exaggerated, it appears that the Democratic Party really needs to improve its messaging on fringe trans rights issues. I really think that the Democratic Party should do a better job of presenting itself as opposed to extreme policies, such as gender reassignment surgery for minors or allowing male-born transgender athletes to compete in women's sports. To achieve this, they should clarify their stance on these specific issues and provide clear, concise messaging to counteract misconceptions. Furthermore, the party needs to do a much better job of combating the widespread misinformation and lies circulating on the internet and social media. These false claims, which allege that the Democratic Party supports extreme woke policies, have been allowed to spread unchecked for far too long. Otherwise, the Democrats will continue to cede the ground on this matter, which will ultimately hurt them in future elections and undermine their ability to connect with voters. In fact, I think the Democratic Party would be wise to suspend its advocacy for additional trans rights for the foreseeable future.

Well, don't get too rich. Hatred for rich people has reached historically high levels, with a growing number of Americans expressing resentment towards wealth inequality and the perceived excesses of the wealthy elite.

Ah, okay. I gotcha. So, how do you think the groupthink in the USSR back then compared to what we've had going in our country for many years?

but the more help those in need get the less likely those people will come after you for your wealth out of anger and desperation and the less likely they will hate you.

The more rights and opportunities minorities and women have the better the quality of life the majority of white people in a developed country have. Only white men who are straight, rich, and grew up in a Christian background like Trump, the Bushes, Reagan, and Musk have something to lose from any advancements in civil rights, social justice, and equality for any marginalized groups.