America is just completely broken

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:While globalism and NAFTA made things cheaper and easier for Americans for a bit, they’ve succeeded in generally bringing down the underlying infrastructure that had essentially made us unique, successful, and largely self-reliant.

Outsourcing to other countries made a select few even more powerful and richer while the masses were relegated to a lower level of living. ICYMI: both parties are to blame, and this happened long before Trump landed in the WH the first time.

Having said that, we are still better off than most countries…as evidenced by the fact that thousands risk their lives to come here for a shot at the American dream. For the rest of us who enjoyed a higher standard of living without feeling the struggle, everything just seems worse…almost hopeless.

This is what it's like living in an empire in decline. It's really hard, no matter how objectively good we might have it, to feel like the best times are behind us, and that life for our kids and grandkids will be harder and a little bit worse than it was for us. The best thing you can do for your kids in these times is to teach them resiliency. The younger generations desperately lack these skills and they are flailing because life IS harder than it used to be. The promises we made to them ARE being broken. The pathways to success ARE disappearing.

[Anonymous]

How many people are coming here for the "American dream" which no longer exists? Almost no one. Why would they? Even legal visitors are being rounded up or being threatened. Couple that with being one of the the only nations without national health care--the United States is now so far behind most industrialized nations. I think people in other countries realize the "American dream" was only a sham now.

Last year record numbers of US citizens left the US.

"The U.S. is experiencing a historic surge in emigration, with an estimated 150,000 to nearly 300,000 more people leaving than entering in 2025, marking the first negative net migration in decades. This trend is driven by stricter border enforcement, high cost of living, and increased relocation of U.S. citizens to countries like Portugal, Germany, and Mexico."

[Anonymous]

When half of the population is getting Botox and butt implants for vanity and other half can't afford life saving drugs, it shows that capitalism isn't what its cracked up to be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In America, you can't even have a kid these days and get bent over the barrel when they want to play a sport because private equity keeps getting more and more involved and is buying up fields, courts, arenas and leagues. Fees constantly go up, because this wouldn't be America unless you couldn't privatize and profit as much as you can off youth sports and activities as a PE firm. Parents who can barely afford to keep things together vecause wages never rise now have to stop signing their kids up to play sports since it is unaffordable. But yeah, let's blame those illegals.

US has declined into a cyberpunk dystopian hellscape because of greed, pure and simple.

+1 Private equity has also been buying up vet practices driving the costs up as much as 50%. Dogs and other animals can bring so much joy to ours lives but it is getting to the point people can't afford to own and properly take care of their dogs due to rising costs.

Vet costs are out of control. I’d be surprised if it were just 50%, actually. It feels like costs have tripled in the last decade.

Yes, private equity sucks. Parasitic ghouls.

Yeah, vet costs are through the roof. I was quoted $4-5000 for a procedure for my cat from a big glossy new PE practice that my regular vet can perform for $700. I’m praying they don’t get bought out.

Our family no longer skis, now that private equity firms are taking over resorts and making the sport unaffordable. In 1990, a lift ticket at Vail cost $38. Now at some of the locations it’s over $300. Even where we live, a day on the slopes including rentals would set us back about $600.

Private equity is invading every space. They’re buying up gyms and dental offices and grocery stores and nursing homes, looting them, taking the profits, and shifting the risks and the costs to consumers. It’s predatory capitalism on steroids.

I think this is because at $38 a ticket, the lifts were overrun by people. Traveling is much more common and nearly a necessity for some people, so they increase the price hoping fewer people will show.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When half of the population is getting Botox and butt implants for vanity and other half can't afford life saving drugs, it shows that capitalism isn't what its cracked up to be.

Capitalism is great. But free markets aren't perfect -- significantly imperfect markets require regulation.

It's the regulation that has failed us. Greed is good for capitalism, but social good is what are government should ensure.

Self-interested politicians and appointees have tilted the playing field, and further distorting rather than correcting market flaws.

This corruption of policy is what underlies our dangerously-wide income distribution.

For example, the bailout of financial institutions in the wake of the mortgage crisis in 2008, and the subsequent decade of inflating asset values by forcing interest rates below the natural rate, made the wealthy lots more wealthy and ravaged the middle class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In America, you can't even have a kid these days and get bent over the barrel when they want to play a sport because private equity keeps getting more and more involved and is buying up fields, courts, arenas and leagues. Fees constantly go up, because this wouldn't be America unless you couldn't privatize and profit as much as you can off youth sports and activities as a PE firm. Parents who can barely afford to keep things together vecause wages never rise now have to stop signing their kids up to play sports since it is unaffordable. But yeah, let's blame those illegals.

US has declined into a cyberpunk dystopian hellscape because of greed, pure and simple.

+1 Private equity has also been buying up vet practices driving the costs up as much as 50%. Dogs and other animals can bring so much joy to ours lives but it is getting to the point people can't afford to own and properly take care of their dogs due to rising costs.

Vet costs are out of control. I’d be surprised if it were just 50%, actually. It feels like costs have tripled in the last decade.

Yes, private equity sucks. Parasitic ghouls.

Yeah, vet costs are through the roof. I was quoted $4-5000 for a procedure for my cat from a big glossy new PE practice that my regular vet can perform for $700. I’m praying they don’t get bought out.

Our family no longer skis, now that private equity firms are taking over resorts and making the sport unaffordable. In 1990, a lift ticket at Vail cost $38. Now at some of the locations it’s over $300. Even where we live, a day on the slopes including rentals would set us back about $600.

Private equity is invading every space. They’re buying up gyms and dental offices and grocery stores and nursing homes, looting them, taking the profits, and shifting the risks and the costs to consumers. It’s predatory capitalism on steroids.

I think this is because at $38 a ticket, the lifts were overrun by people. Traveling is much more common and nearly a necessity for some people, so they increase the price hoping fewer people will show.

dp - Sure, there is a supply vs demand relationship. But the consolidation of ski mountains has unquestionably enabled them to jack up prices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In America, you can't even have a kid these days and get bent over the barrel when they want to play a sport because private equity keeps getting more and more involved and is buying up fields, courts, arenas and leagues. Fees constantly go up, because this wouldn't be America unless you couldn't privatize and profit as much as you can off youth sports and activities as a PE firm. Parents who can barely afford to keep things together vecause wages never rise now have to stop signing their kids up to play sports since it is unaffordable. But yeah, let's blame those illegals.

US has declined into a cyberpunk dystopian hellscape because of greed, pure and simple.

+1 Private equity has also been buying up vet practices driving the costs up as much as 50%. Dogs and other animals can bring so much joy to ours lives but it is getting to the point people can't afford to own and properly take care of their dogs due to rising costs.

Vet costs are out of control. I’d be surprised if it were just 50%, actually. It feels like costs have tripled in the last decade.

Yes, private equity sucks. Parasitic ghouls.

Yeah, vet costs are through the roof. I was quoted $4-5000 for a procedure for my cat from a big glossy new PE practice that my regular vet can perform for $700. I’m praying they don’t get bought out.

Our family no longer skis, now that private equity firms are taking over resorts and making the sport unaffordable. In 1990, a lift ticket at Vail cost $38. Now at some of the locations it’s over $300. Even where we live, a day on the slopes including rentals would set us back about $600.

Private equity is invading every space. They’re buying up gyms and dental offices and grocery stores and nursing homes, looting them, taking the profits, and shifting the risks and the costs to consumers. It’s predatory capitalism on steroids.

I think this is because at $38 a ticket, the lifts were overrun by people. Traveling is much more common and nearly a necessity for some people, so they increase the price hoping fewer people will show.

Sure. Same with veterinary medicine. Who wants to have to wait for an appointment? Pet ownership should be for the wealthy that can afford the expensive vet care and get quick access. It's so great!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:While globalism and NAFTA made things cheaper and easier for Americans for a bit, they’ve succeeded in generally bringing down the underlying infrastructure that had essentially made us unique, successful, and largely self-reliant.

Outsourcing to other countries made a select few even more powerful and richer while the masses were relegated to a lower level of living. ICYMI: both parties are to blame, and this happened long before Trump landed in the WH the first time.

Having said that, we are still better off than most countries…as evidenced by the fact that thousands risk their lives to come here for a shot at the American dream. For the rest of us who enjoyed a higher standard of living without feeling the struggle, everything just seems worse…almost hopeless.

This is really well put.
There are some people who have had few struggles their whole life, who now have to struggle.
I struggled in childhood and as a young adult. Struggle is normal to me. So now I see people lamenting because they or their kids can no longer afford the same fancy stuff (but they don’t think it’s fancy, it’s normal to them) that they had before. Shrug.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When half of the population is getting Botox and butt implants for vanity and other half can't afford life saving drugs, it shows that capitalism isn't what its cracked up to be.

Capitalism is great. But free markets aren't perfect -- significantly imperfect markets require regulation.

It's the regulation that has failed us. Greed is good for capitalism, but social good is what are government should ensure.

Self-interested politicians and appointees have tilted the playing field, and further distorting rather than correcting market flaws.

This corruption of policy is what underlies our dangerously-wide income distribution.

For example, the bailout of financial institutions in the wake of the mortgage crisis in 2008, and the subsequent decade of inflating asset values by forcing interest rates below the natural rate, made the wealthy lots more wealthy and ravaged the middle class.

Yes. It felt really hopeless seeing the banks get bailed out, but no help came for us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In America, you can't even have a kid these days and get bent over the barrel when they want to play a sport because private equity keeps getting more and more involved and is buying up fields, courts, arenas and leagues. Fees constantly go up, because this wouldn't be America unless you couldn't privatize and profit as much as you can off youth sports and activities as a PE firm. Parents who can barely afford to keep things together vecause wages never rise now have to stop signing their kids up to play sports since it is unaffordable. But yeah, let's blame those illegals.

US has declined into a cyberpunk dystopian hellscape because of greed, pure and simple.

+1 Private equity has also been buying up vet practices driving the costs up as much as 50%. Dogs and other animals can bring so much joy to ours lives but it is getting to the point people can't afford to own and properly take care of their dogs due to rising costs.

Vet costs are out of control. I’d be surprised if it were just 50%, actually. It feels like costs have tripled in the last decade.

Yes, private equity sucks. Parasitic ghouls.

Yeah, vet costs are through the roof. I was quoted $4-5000 for a procedure for my cat from a big glossy new PE practice that my regular vet can perform for $700. I’m praying they don’t get bought out.

Our family no longer skis, now that private equity firms are taking over resorts and making the sport unaffordable. In 1990, a lift ticket at Vail cost $38. Now at some of the locations it’s over $300. Even where we live, a day on the slopes including rentals would set us back about $600.

Private equity is invading every space. They’re buying up gyms and dental offices and grocery stores and nursing homes, looting them, taking the profits, and shifting the risks and the costs to consumers. It’s predatory capitalism on steroids.

I think this is because at $38 a ticket, the lifts were overrun by people. Traveling is much more common and nearly a necessity for some people, so they increase the price hoping fewer people will show.

It was $38 a generation ago. Not even close, now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In America, you can't even have a kid these days and get bent over the barrel when they want to play a sport because private equity keeps getting more and more involved and is buying up fields, courts, arenas and leagues. Fees constantly go up, because this wouldn't be America unless you couldn't privatize and profit as much as you can off youth sports and activities as a PE firm. Parents who can barely afford to keep things together vecause wages never rise now have to stop signing their kids up to play sports since it is unaffordable. But yeah, let's blame those illegals.

US has declined into a cyberpunk dystopian hellscape because of greed, pure and simple.

PE wouldn’t be able to do those things if there weren’t parents willing to pay up.
WE create the problem when we go along with it and keep paying for it. No one wants to be the first parent who says “enough!” and refuses to go along. There are still rec leagues, people! And they would be better if more people peeled away from jacked up “travel” teams.
This, along with every other thing we did or do to keep up with the Jones.

Everyone loves to blame PE and billionaires and they are definitely evil but WE are also a big part of the problem.

PE is buying up lots of things. One of the things they're buying up is veterinary clinics. This has driven up the cost of veterinary care to the point where pets are unaffordable for senior citizens and other people on strict budgets.

We go out of our way to find veterinary clinics not owned by venture capitalists. Our pets are well cared for, but we don't go to our former veterinary clinic since it was bought out and their rates got artificially inflated.

Seems to me there need to be more controls on what these greedy concerns are allowed to buy up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How many people are coming here for the "American dream" which no longer exists? Almost no one. Why would they? Even legal visitors are being rounded up or being threatened. Couple that with being one of the the only nations without national health care--the United States is now so far behind most industrialized nations. I think people in other countries realize the "American dream" was only a sham now.

Last year record numbers of US citizens left the US.

"The U.S. is experiencing a historic surge in emigration, with an estimated 150,000 to nearly 300,000 more people leaving than entering in 2025, marking the first negative net migration in decades. This trend is driven by stricter border enforcement, high cost of living, and increased relocation of U.S. citizens to countries like Portugal, Germany, and Mexico."

yep. We are looking at UK or maybe Spain for a couple of years. The only reason we are staying here right now is because of our kids. But, they have dual citizenship so if the country really does go to pots at some point, they also have an out.

40% of young women would leave the US if they could. If they did leave, there would be even more incels here, and the population would decline even further. Then MAG would really want a Gilead.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While globalism and NAFTA made things cheaper and easier for Americans for a bit, they’ve succeeded in generally bringing down the underlying infrastructure that had essentially made us unique, successful, and largely self-reliant.

Outsourcing to other countries made a select few even more powerful and richer while the masses were relegated to a lower level of living. ICYMI: both parties are to blame, and this happened long before Trump landed in the WH the first time.

Having said that, we are still better off than most countries…as evidenced by the fact that thousands risk their lives to come here for a shot at the American dream. For the rest of us who enjoyed a higher standard of living without feeling the struggle, everything just seems worse…almost hopeless.

This is really well put.
There are some people who have had few struggles their whole life, who now have to struggle.
I struggled in childhood and as a young adult. Struggle is normal to me. So now I see people lamenting because they or their kids can no longer afford the same fancy stuff (but they don’t think it’s fancy, it’s normal to them) that they had before. Shrug.

Yuck. Our kids and your kids are going through it so that the rich can just get richer? I'm fine with a struggle, but I don't need to struggle so that corrupt politicians and billionaires can struggle less. No thank you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While globalism and NAFTA made things cheaper and easier for Americans for a bit, they’ve succeeded in generally bringing down the underlying infrastructure that had essentially made us unique, successful, and largely self-reliant.

Outsourcing to other countries made a select few even more powerful and richer while the masses were relegated to a lower level of living. ICYMI: both parties are to blame, and this happened long before Trump landed in the WH the first time.

Having said that, we are still better off than most countries…as evidenced by the fact that thousands risk their lives to come here for a shot at the American dream. For the rest of us who enjoyed a higher standard of living without feeling the struggle, everything just seems worse…almost hopeless.

This is what it's like living in an empire in decline. It's really hard, no matter how objectively good we might have it, to feel like the best times are behind us, and that life for our kids and grandkids will be harder and a little bit worse than it was for us. The best thing you can do for your kids in these times is to teach them resiliency. The younger generations desperately lack these skills and they are flailing because life IS harder than it used to be. The promises we made to them ARE being broken. The pathways to success ARE disappearing.

Yes, exactly. I remember two summers ago my oldest was reading about economic history on his internship, and casually told me that he would live through America's decline. He said it so matter-of-factly, but it really gutted me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the US is being stripped for parts, like we've been purchased by a private equity firm. Assume the us average citizens are going to be left with only the debt.

Yes, that is more or less how the Democrat platform works. It goes like this. They are opportunistic. They wait until something destabilizes the political system. The great recession and Covid come to mind. They then take on large donations and make big promises. Then they implement things for their donors but only make superficial or temporary changes that people want. Historically a good example is the Federal Minimum wage, it was probably a good deal for little while. Biden ran on I forgot what, but they spent four years trying to pass amnesty, then they fell on their swords because they didn't get enough votes instead of enacting anything we wanted, or they promised to their large donors. Biden spent more time and issued more executive orders on immigration than anything else. That was the big problem for the Democrats, Trump did well enough that they didn't get a return on their political investments, so no one wants to invest in the Democrats anymore, because they are too expensive. Kamala ran the most expensive campaign and failed; no one is going to fund that again. These people are capitalists, they expect returns, but there isn't anything there anymore.

Trump is selling spots on his PAC to sell national secrets. GMAFB. He's the biggest, immoral capitalist of them all.

He actually does the things that we want sometimes though. We take what we can get. If only the Democrats were half as responsive and actually delivered.

selling our country off is worth rounding up illegal immigrant day laborers? You are what's wrong with this country.

Here's what the Dems tried to deliver:

- clean energy jobs in places like WV
- ACA subsidies so that millions of people can afford healthcare
- not bombing other countries and spending billions on an unjustified war where our service members are dying, not to mention not raising gas and food prices due to this war
- not ballooning our deficit and passing on that deficit to our children and grandchildren
- not causing a trade war which has caused prices to go up and some small businesses to close

I'll take the Dems over Trump and today's RINOs who are seriously F*NG up our country.

-former R