Last days of the Republic

[JParis]

I know some will simply poo poo this...but I think a great many feel like we may be witnessing the final days of the Republic.

The saddest part for me is about half of our countrymen have no clue what they are doing to themselves. They sadly won't realize it until something dear to them is lost. By then, it will  be too late.

vive la liberté

[gcode]

I agree..
The old Joni Mitchel song applies here
You don't know what you've got till it's gone
I spent the first 16 years of my life living in foreign lands and I know what's we've got
and I see it slipping away.

[Sharles]

Yeah, I don't know, John. Part of me wishes I could just leave this country. I'm so tired of the vitriol and ignorance coming from both sides right now. My wife and I try to play the part of peacemaker and fact checker to our family, friends and acquaintances, but at this point both sides are beyond the point of even pretending to listen to the other. Just look at the comments on this forum. Each has their own new sources, none of which care about the 'truth' but just pushing partisan, tribal agendas. It's discouraging beyond belief...

[TylerBeer]

Don't say that, I want this pile of Ameri-bucks to be worth something decent for when I move back to the motherland

[John316]

Yeah, I don't know, John. Part of me wishes I could just leave this country. I'm so tired of the vitriol and ignorance coming from both sides right now. My wife and I try to play the part of peacemaker and fact checker to our family, friends and acquaintances, but at this point both sides are beyond the point of even pretending to listen to the other. Just look at the comments on this forum. Each has their own new sources, none of which care about the 'truth' but just pushing partisan, tribal agendas. It's discouraging beyond belief...

You may be missing John's point.
I don't think he's talking about the citizenry bickering over their differences.
I think he's talking about the Democratic Republic that is being pulled out from under us by the totalitarians under the guise of "social equality" and all the other identity politics that they are using to get us under their thumb and keep us there.
There's more to it than that simple statement but along those lines our freedoms are being eroded right before our very eyes.
I think people are falling for it because they believe there's no way that could ever happen here in the good ole U.S. of A. but if we look honestly at the indicators we can see it clearly.

[Sharles]

You may be missing John's point.
I don't think he's talking about the citizenry bickering over their differences.
I think he's talking about the Democratic Republic that is being pulled out from under us by the totalitarians under the guise of "social equality" and all the other identity politics that they are using to get us under their thumb and keep us there.
There's more to it than that simple statement but along those lines our freedoms are being eroded right before our very eyes.
I think people are falling for it because they believe there's no way that could ever happen here in the good ole U.S. of A. but if we look honestly at the indicators we can see it clearly.

Well, I think anyone paying attention would have to say there are so many sources contributing to the fall of our nation. When I read the news, one side thinks the Fall is being caused by A,B&C while the other side thinks X,Y&Z are causing it. The hyperbole, the ignorance, the vitriol and suspicion of our fellow countrymen/women. The tendency to see EVERYTHING as a zero sum war by both sides. The worst inclinations of both sides seem to dominate everything nowadays instead of the best of both sides. Instead of realizing we are ALL in the same boat and it will only continue to sail if we work together, each side is vying for total domination of the other...

[Jim at Gentex]

On a side note...
I was reading through Judges 1 & 2 recently and couldn't help seeing the obvious parallels between the Old Testament nation of Israel and today's USA.

As a believer, I have to keep reminding myself that our hope is not found in politicians or governments.  

[John316]

You may be missing John's point.
I don't think he's talking about the citizenry bickering over their differences.
I think he's talking about the Democratic Republic that is being pulled out from under us by the totalitarians under the guise of "social equality" and all the other identity politics that they are using to get us under their thumb and keep us there.
There's more to it than that simple statement but along those lines our freedoms are being eroded right before our very eyes.
I think people are falling for it because they believe there's no way that could ever happen here in the good ole U.S. of A. but if we look honestly at the indicators we can see it clearly.

Well, I think anyone paying attention would have to say there are so many sources contributing to the fall of our nation. When I read the news, one side thinks the Fall is being caused by A,B&C while the other side thinks X,Y&Z are causing it. The hyperbole, the ignorance, the vitriol and suspicion of our fellow countrymen/women. The tendency to see EVERYTHING as a zero sum war by both sides. The worst inclinations of both sides seem to dominate everything nowadays instead of the best of both sides. Instead of realizing we are ALL in the same boat and it will only continue to sail if we work together, each side is vying for total domination of the other...

Maybe the difference is it looks like you're speaking in terms of "left to right" while I'm thinking "top to bottom". Not in the terms of class warfare but more like .gov being the top and pushing for more and more control over the citizens.

[YoDoug]

Yeah, I don't know, John. Part of me wishes I could just leave this country. I'm so tired of the vitriol and ignorance coming from both sides right now. My wife and I try to play the part of peacemaker and fact checker to our family, friends and acquaintances, but at this point both sides are beyond the point of even pretending to listen to the other. Just look at the comments on this forum. Each has their own new sources, none of which care about the 'truth' but just pushing partisan, tribal agendas. It's discouraging beyond belief...

Ignorant Dems, Ignorant R's. You're surrounded by idiots. It must be hard for you to be the smartest person you know.

[Sharles]

Ignorant Dems, Ignorant R's. You're surrounded by idiots. It must be hard for you to be the smartest person you know.

Actually, it's just the opposite. I understand that I do NOT know everything; therefore, I'm willing to listen to those who have a different perspective than I do, unlike the tribalists who listen to no one but their own, myopic tribe.

[TylerBeer]

Sharles seems like one of the most reasonable people here - respects both sides, treats his wife like gold, likes old furniture.

[Matthew Hajicek]

Ignorant Dems, Ignorant R's. You're surrounded by idiots. It must be hard for you to be the smartest person you know.

Just remember, half of all people are dumber than average.

[Bruce Caulley]

It's worrying to watch from a distance.  Ignoring the L/R aspects, the US had a system and outlook that was a great example to the world.  Even our Federation of British Colonies here in Oz is sometimes referred to as the "Washminster" system since your US model of state sovereignty was grafted into our otherwise Westminster system of government.  
In any system or organisation when the founding principles and "rule book" slowly over time become ignored or skewed, rather being properly and orderly changed by the people as necessary, eventually it becomes irrelevant.
I've been keen to make a temporary move to the US for a long time, and came very close about a year ago.  If I hadn't landed my current job, I'd probably be over there now.  I was drawn to the optimism and upsurge in manufacturing, but can't imagine that will survive much longer.
Don't get me wrong, the slow rot of the institutions has been going on here for a long time too.  

Cheers
Bruce

[Matthew Hajicek]

[quote="Bruce Caulley" post_id=1924 time=1609894729 user_id=99]
In any system or organisation when the founding principles and "rule book" slowly over time become ignored or skewed, rather being properly and orderly changed by the people as necessary, eventually it becomes irrelevant.
[/quote]

This.  And people finding loopholes and technicalities to abuse in opposition to the intent.  Filibusters, gerrymandering, riders on bills, etc.

[Zoober]

Sharles seems like one of the most reasonable people here - respects both sides, treats his wife like gold, likes old furniture.

But he hates tribes. Therefore he's an ass.