Anonymous wrote:Speaking as an outsider, both of this nation's parties are cults. I mean Democratic leadership and its network of activists have people believing that there is no way to define woman, but a man definitely becomes one physically and in every regard and must be prioritized over actual women if he merely declares he is a woman. An imbecilic, terrifying, purely religious belief. Republican leaders and their network of influencers insist racism isn't real even as they are wildly racist, spend their waking hours trying to restore a racist order, and obsess over new ways to harm people based on race. Hypocritical doesn't begin to describe these liars.

This country is a scary place. I don't know how American democracy devolved into a choice of two cults devising ever more flagrant and foolish lies with which to divide the masses while the party leaders loot the economy for their oligarch masters.

Defining women is not part of the Democratic platform. And in fact the trans activists were upset that it wasn't even mentioned during the 2024 DNC convention. https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-politics-and-policy/dnc-2024-missed-trans-rights-implications-election-rcna167990

So that's a #bothsides fail. Constantly bringing up trans people as the main reason why one hates Democrats is also a fail, in fact it's far more a confabulated Republican attack point than it is a Democrat support point.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Speaking as an outsider, both of this nation's parties are cults. I mean Democratic leadership and its network of activists have people believing that there is no way to define woman, but a man definitely becomes one physically and in every regard and must be prioritized over actual women if he merely declares he is a woman. An imbecilic, terrifying, purely religious belief. Republican leaders and their network of influencers insist racism isn't real even as they are wildly racist, spend their waking hours trying to restore a racist order, and obsess over new ways to harm people based on race. Hypocritical doesn't begin to describe these liars.

This country is a scary place. I don't know how American democracy devolved into a choice of two cults devising ever more flagrant and foolish lies with which to divide the masses while the party leaders loot the economy for their oligarch masters.

You're a little bit right but mostly wrong. Both parties have indeed evolved into scary hot messes. The Dem "leadership" you mention is non-existent and has been since January 2017 so you're referring to absolutely no one when you refer to Dem leadership. Trump is indisputably the leader of the GOP and he just happens to be the worst leader/POTUS we've ever had. Two major parties, one with no leader and the other being the worst leader ever = a great big stinky hot mess. And yes, the influence of money is our long term political problem. First we must deal with the short term lack or leadership problem.

Us insiders/Americans have optimism because we know it will take just one legitimate president and leader to step up for either party to right the ship. Once one party gets their act together and nominates a legitimately presidential person, they'll force the other party to get their act together in order to compete. Just watch. You'll see.

However many seconds it took you to type the nonsense in bold, it was still far too much time spent. If you believe there is no group of insiders at the helm steering Democrats in their lockstep parroting of identical, cultish beliefs, planting hit pieces against people like Fetterman who break ranks, and punishing people like Moulton until they return to voting lockstep for intentionally divisive lunacy like men in women's sports, then you are not a serious person. If you know that there is indeed a cabal at the helm and you're here pretending otherwise in the hopes of disinforming people, then you're still not a serious person.

You're an idiot. Sure, there are some mega donating entities with undue influence just as there is with the GOP but there is no single leader on the inside or outside of the Dem Party. If there is, name them. uh duh uh duh... you can't

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Speaking as an outsider, both of this nation's parties are cults. I mean Democratic leadership and its network of activists have people believing that there is no way to define woman, but a man definitely becomes one physically and in every regard and must be prioritized over actual women if he merely declares he is a woman. An imbecilic, terrifying, purely religious belief. Republican leaders and their network of influencers insist racism isn't real even as they are wildly racist, spend their waking hours trying to restore a racist order, and obsess over new ways to harm people based on race. Hypocritical doesn't begin to describe these liars.

This country is a scary place. I don't know how American democracy devolved into a choice of two cults devising ever more flagrant and foolish lies with which to divide the masses while the party leaders loot the economy for their oligarch masters.

You're a little bit right but mostly wrong. Both parties have indeed evolved into scary hot messes. The Dem "leadership" you mention is non-existent and has been since January 2017 so you're referring to absolutely no one when you refer to Dem leadership. Trump is indisputably the leader of the GOP and he just happens to be the worst leader/POTUS we've ever had. Two major parties, one with no leader and the other being the worst leader ever = a great big stinky hot mess. And yes, the influence of money is our long term political problem. First we must deal with the short term lack or leadership problem.

Us insiders/Americans have optimism because we know it will take just one legitimate president and leader to step up for either party to right the ship. Once one party gets their act together and nominates a legitimately presidential person, they'll force the other party to get their act together in order to compete. Just watch. You'll see.

How exactly will this legitimate president come to power in a landscape in which:

(1) Democrats effectively abolished presidential primaries after Obama beat Hillary in 2007/8 and have been handpicking the nominee ever since

(2) Republicans measure electability by how faithful politicians are to whatever Trump wants and breaking with MAGA is political suicide on the right

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Speaking as an outsider, both of this nation's parties are cults. I mean Democratic leadership and its network of activists have people believing that there is no way to define woman, but a man definitely becomes one physically and in every regard and must be prioritized over actual women if he merely declares he is a woman. An imbecilic, terrifying, purely religious belief. Republican leaders and their network of influencers insist racism isn't real even as they are wildly racist, spend their waking hours trying to restore a racist order, and obsess over new ways to harm people based on race. Hypocritical doesn't begin to describe these liars.

This country is a scary place. I don't know how American democracy devolved into a choice of two cults devising ever more flagrant and foolish lies with which to divide the masses while the party leaders loot the economy for their oligarch masters.

You're a little bit right but mostly wrong. Both parties have indeed evolved into scary hot messes. The Dem "leadership" you mention is non-existent and has been since January 2017 so you're referring to absolutely no one when you refer to Dem leadership. Trump is indisputably the leader of the GOP and he just happens to be the worst leader/POTUS we've ever had. Two major parties, one with no leader and the other being the worst leader ever = a great big stinky hot mess. And yes, the influence of money is our long term political problem. First we must deal with the short term lack or leadership problem.

Us insiders/Americans have optimism because we know it will take just one legitimate president and leader to step up for either party to right the ship. Once one party gets their act together and nominates a legitimately presidential person, they'll force the other party to get their act together in order to compete. Just watch. You'll see.

However many seconds it took you to type the nonsense in bold, it was still far too much time spent. If you believe there is no group of insiders at the helm steering Democrats in their lockstep parroting of identical, cultish beliefs, planting hit pieces against people like Fetterman who break ranks, and punishing people like Moulton until they return to voting lockstep for intentionally divisive lunacy like men in women's sports, then you are not a serious person. If you know that there is indeed a cabal at the helm and you're here pretending otherwise in the hopes of disinforming people, then you're still not a serious person.

Anonymous wrote:Speaking as an outsider, both of this nation's parties are cults. I mean Democratic leadership and its network of activists have people believing that there is no way to define woman, but a man definitely becomes one physically and in every regard and must be prioritized over actual women if he merely declares he is a woman. An imbecilic, terrifying, purely religious belief. Republican leaders and their network of influencers insist racism isn't real even as they are wildly racist, spend their waking hours trying to restore a racist order, and obsess over new ways to harm people based on race. Hypocritical doesn't begin to describe these liars.

This country is a scary place. I don't know how American democracy devolved into a choice of two cults devising ever more flagrant and foolish lies with which to divide the masses while the party leaders loot the economy for their oligarch masters.

You're a little bit right but mostly wrong. Both parties have indeed evolved into scary hot messes. The Dem "leadership" you mention is non-existent and has been since January 2017 so you're referring to absolutely no one when you refer to Dem leadership. Trump is indisputably the leader of the GOP and he just happens to be the worst leader/POTUS we've ever had. Two major parties, one with no leader and the other being the worst leader ever = a great big stinky hot mess. And yes, the influence of money is our long term political problem. First we must deal with the short term lack or leadership problem.

Us insiders/Americans have optimism because we know it will take just one legitimate president and leader to step up for either party to right the ship. Once one party gets their act together and nominates a legitimately presidential person, they'll force the other party to get their act together in order to compete. Just watch. You'll see.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Seems like the spell might be breaking, at least a little.

He might just get the Harvey Weinstein ending to life.

Don’t fall for it. Democrats for years have been thinking the next terrible thing done or next terrible demonstrably false thing said will stop the cult, but it never happens.

+1 breaking people out of cults is really really hard. It's not gonna happen.

Dems need a different strategy. As Obama said, "Dems need to toughen up".

https://www.yahoo.com/news/obama-blunt-message-democrats-toughen-093025700.html

-former R now Independent

Obama is very good at saying nothing in a seemingly profound way. What exactly does "toughen up" mean, for instance, regarding the array of politically toxic positions Democrats continue to take? What exactly should Democrats do on issues such as war with Iran that the politicians support due to being on Israel's and Israel-backed donors' payroll, but the base does not?

Speaking as an outsider, both of this nation's parties are cults. I mean Democratic leadership and its network of activists have people believing that there is no way to define woman, but a man definitely becomes one physically and in every regard and must be prioritized over actual women if he merely declares he is a woman. An imbecilic, terrifying, purely religious belief. Republican leaders and their network of influencers insist racism isn't real even as they are wildly racist, spend their waking hours trying to restore a racist order, and obsess over new ways to harm people based on race. Hypocritical doesn't begin to describe these liars.

This country is a scary place. I don't know how American democracy devolved into a choice of two cults devising ever more flagrant and foolish lies with which to divide the masses while the party leaders loot the economy for their oligarch masters.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cheering on Alligator Alcatraz is the worst display. You have to be totally brainwashed to believe this place is OK and fit for humans.

It's true. Not even Nazis cheered loudly for the concentration camps publicly in Germany.

Polling numbers have shown some radical shifts. On my way home from work I was listening to the radio where they spoke about a recent Gallup poll, so I found it when I got home just now. https://news.gallup.com/poll/692522/surge-concern-immigration-abated.aspx

In 2024, 88% of Republicans wanted immigration reduced. That number is now down to 48%. Only 39% of Republicans viewed immigrants as a good thing. Now it's up to 64%. Republican support for a pathway to citizenship went from 46% to 59%. These are some significant flips. Steven Miller and the anti-immigrant hysteric MAGAs are now out of whack with what the majority of Republicans want.

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Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:MAGA really isn't only about politics-- it's about protecting a certain identity, way of life, and ensuring people who feel disenfranchised maintaining control/the upper hand. It's personal. When people join actual cults, there's a personal motivation and eventually, investment. Maybe even a sense of rebellion against others who have "wronged" them. The cult leader communicates something to the recruit that is inspiring and stirs something within, leading them to want to hear more, support the mission, and eventually identify with the cult and cult leader as a messiah who "gets them." There is something amiss in their lives that's left them feeling victimized and powerless. The cult leader erases that feeling, similar to a drug hit.

My definition of MAGA would simply be people who have never wavered from their support for Trump in three consecutive elections. 90% of these folks are long standing GOP loyalists who would be voting for any Republican candidate in those same three elections. Those folks aren't cult like. They simply refuse to admit they are wrong. There is a similar phenomenon with loyal Dem voters who will never admit to making a poor voting decision.

And then there are the 10% of the loyal Trump supporters who weren't necessarily Republicans or politically active prior to 2016 who you could justifiably classify as cult-like. Those people exist but they don't make up the majority on either political side.

10% one might be able to fit into a basket perhaps?

I'm not calling those people deplorable. They are mostly just stubborn and misguided people. There are deplorable people in this world but politics have little to do with why they are deplorable.

The fact that they are deplorable is expressed through their choices in politics.

In that case, 99% of us are deplorable.

99% of us are not racist, misogynist idiots who want a White Christian nationalist autocracy.

True but a very large majority of Americans are "deplorable" via "their choices in politics" as the PP says.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MAGA really isn't only about politics-- it's about protecting a certain identity, way of life, and ensuring people who feel disenfranchised maintaining control/the upper hand. It's personal. When people join actual cults, there's a personal motivation and eventually, investment. Maybe even a sense of rebellion against others who have "wronged" them. The cult leader communicates something to the recruit that is inspiring and stirs something within, leading them to want to hear more, support the mission, and eventually identify with the cult and cult leader as a messiah who "gets them." There is something amiss in their lives that's left them feeling victimized and powerless. The cult leader erases that feeling, similar to a drug hit.

My definition of MAGA would simply be people who have never wavered from their support for Trump in three consecutive elections. 90% of these folks are long standing GOP loyalists who would be voting for any Republican candidate in those same three elections. Those folks aren't cult like. They simply refuse to admit they are wrong. There is a similar phenomenon with loyal Dem voters who will never admit to making a poor voting decision.

And then there are the 10% of the loyal Trump supporters who weren't necessarily Republicans or politically active prior to 2016 who you could justifiably classify as cult-like. Those people exist but they don't make up the majority on either political side.

10% one might be able to fit into a basket perhaps?

I'm not calling those people deplorable. They are mostly just stubborn and misguided people. There are deplorable people in this world but politics have little to do with why they are deplorable.

The fact that they are deplorable is expressed through their choices in politics.

In that case, 99% of us are deplorable.

99% of us are not racist, misogynist idiots who want a White Christian nationalist autocracy.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MAGA really isn't only about politics-- it's about protecting a certain identity, way of life, and ensuring people who feel disenfranchised maintaining control/the upper hand. It's personal. When people join actual cults, there's a personal motivation and eventually, investment. Maybe even a sense of rebellion against others who have "wronged" them. The cult leader communicates something to the recruit that is inspiring and stirs something within, leading them to want to hear more, support the mission, and eventually identify with the cult and cult leader as a messiah who "gets them." There is something amiss in their lives that's left them feeling victimized and powerless. The cult leader erases that feeling, similar to a drug hit.

My definition of MAGA would simply be people who have never wavered from their support for Trump in three consecutive elections. 90% of these folks are long standing GOP loyalists who would be voting for any Republican candidate in those same three elections. Those folks aren't cult like. They simply refuse to admit they are wrong. There is a similar phenomenon with loyal Dem voters who will never admit to making a poor voting decision.

And then there are the 10% of the loyal Trump supporters who weren't necessarily Republicans or politically active prior to 2016 who you could justifiably classify as cult-like. Those people exist but they don't make up the majority on either political side.

10% one might be able to fit into a basket perhaps?

I'm not calling those people deplorable. They are mostly just stubborn and misguided people. There are deplorable people in this world but politics have little to do with why they are deplorable.

The fact that they are deplorable is expressed through their choices in politics.

In that case, 99% of us are deplorable.

Both sides are not equally bad, that’s a very silly game you are trying to play.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MAGA really isn't only about politics-- it's about protecting a certain identity, way of life, and ensuring people who feel disenfranchised maintaining control/the upper hand. It's personal. When people join actual cults, there's a personal motivation and eventually, investment. Maybe even a sense of rebellion against others who have "wronged" them. The cult leader communicates something to the recruit that is inspiring and stirs something within, leading them to want to hear more, support the mission, and eventually identify with the cult and cult leader as a messiah who "gets them." There is something amiss in their lives that's left them feeling victimized and powerless. The cult leader erases that feeling, similar to a drug hit.

My definition of MAGA would simply be people who have never wavered from their support for Trump in three consecutive elections. 90% of these folks are long standing GOP loyalists who would be voting for any Republican candidate in those same three elections. Those folks aren't cult like. They simply refuse to admit they are wrong. There is a similar phenomenon with loyal Dem voters who will never admit to making a poor voting decision.

And then there are the 10% of the loyal Trump supporters who weren't necessarily Republicans or politically active prior to 2016 who you could justifiably classify as cult-like. Those people exist but they don't make up the majority on either political side.

10% one might be able to fit into a basket perhaps?

I'm not calling those people deplorable. They are mostly just stubborn and misguided people. There are deplorable people in this world but politics have little to do with why they are deplorable.

The fact that they are deplorable is expressed through their choices in politics.

In that case, 99% of us are deplorable.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MAGA really isn't only about politics-- it's about protecting a certain identity, way of life, and ensuring people who feel disenfranchised maintaining control/the upper hand. It's personal. When people join actual cults, there's a personal motivation and eventually, investment. Maybe even a sense of rebellion against others who have "wronged" them. The cult leader communicates something to the recruit that is inspiring and stirs something within, leading them to want to hear more, support the mission, and eventually identify with the cult and cult leader as a messiah who "gets them." There is something amiss in their lives that's left them feeling victimized and powerless. The cult leader erases that feeling, similar to a drug hit.

My definition of MAGA would simply be people who have never wavered from their support for Trump in three consecutive elections. 90% of these folks are long standing GOP loyalists who would be voting for any Republican candidate in those same three elections. Those folks aren't cult like. They simply refuse to admit they are wrong. There is a similar phenomenon with loyal Dem voters who will never admit to making a poor voting decision.

And then there are the 10% of the loyal Trump supporters who weren't necessarily Republicans or politically active prior to 2016 who you could justifiably classify as cult-like. Those people exist but they don't make up the majority on either political side.

10% one might be able to fit into a basket perhaps?

I'm not calling those people deplorable. They are mostly just stubborn and misguided people. There are deplorable people in this world but politics have little to do with why they are deplorable.

The fact that they are deplorable is expressed through their choices in politics.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MAGA really isn't only about politics-- it's about protecting a certain identity, way of life, and ensuring people who feel disenfranchised maintaining control/the upper hand. It's personal. When people join actual cults, there's a personal motivation and eventually, investment. Maybe even a sense of rebellion against others who have "wronged" them. The cult leader communicates something to the recruit that is inspiring and stirs something within, leading them to want to hear more, support the mission, and eventually identify with the cult and cult leader as a messiah who "gets them." There is something amiss in their lives that's left them feeling victimized and powerless. The cult leader erases that feeling, similar to a drug hit.

My definition of MAGA would simply be people who have never wavered from their support for Trump in three consecutive elections. 90% of these folks are long standing GOP loyalists who would be voting for any Republican candidate in those same three elections. Those folks aren't cult like. They simply refuse to admit they are wrong. There is a similar phenomenon with loyal Dem voters who will never admit to making a poor voting decision.

And then there are the 10% of the loyal Trump supporters who weren't necessarily Republicans or politically active prior to 2016 who you could justifiably classify as cult-like. Those people exist but they don't make up the majority on either political side.

For certain members of my family, however, it's become tied to protecting Christianity, which is where the "cult" element comes in. It has become about their identity and protecting themselves, their world, their religion, from the "leftists" or communists. They absolutely are willing to suffer and do without to ensure those things are protected, even undermining the financial security of their adult children and grandchildren. It's very, very much worth it to them, a goal they've taken on in their senior years.

I'd say these family members of yours qualify as some of the 10% of duped cult members out there. Yuck. Fortunately, religion is becoming less and less of a part of culture in this world with each passing generation.

I don't think they could even explain what's in Trump's big bill. I don't even think they care. It's really payback to people who they feel have wronged them on some level including the universities their kids attended that they claimed turned them into "leftists." And they're leftists because they a) do not attend church other than for holidays b) disagree with Trump c) worst of all, moved out of their hometown and away from their parents' control.

This is what happens when a country the size of the US goes 8 years without a legitimate leader. People are confused. They are lost. With any luck, an Obama, Clinton, or Reagan will emerge by 2028 to unite us behind a legitimate leader who we can all trust even if we aren't politically aligned with them. I realize this sounds impossible given the current political climate but it will literally take just one person to get us back on the right track. A school can have the greatest most amazing teachers ever but moral and effectiveness will still suffer with an awful principal.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MAGA really isn't only about politics-- it's about protecting a certain identity, way of life, and ensuring people who feel disenfranchised maintaining control/the upper hand. It's personal. When people join actual cults, there's a personal motivation and eventually, investment. Maybe even a sense of rebellion against others who have "wronged" them. The cult leader communicates something to the recruit that is inspiring and stirs something within, leading them to want to hear more, support the mission, and eventually identify with the cult and cult leader as a messiah who "gets them." There is something amiss in their lives that's left them feeling victimized and powerless. The cult leader erases that feeling, similar to a drug hit.

My definition of MAGA would simply be people who have never wavered from their support for Trump in three consecutive elections. 90% of these folks are long standing GOP loyalists who would be voting for any Republican candidate in those same three elections. Those folks aren't cult like. They simply refuse to admit they are wrong. There is a similar phenomenon with loyal Dem voters who will never admit to making a poor voting decision.

And then there are the 10% of the loyal Trump supporters who weren't necessarily Republicans or politically active prior to 2016 who you could justifiably classify as cult-like. Those people exist but they don't make up the majority on either political side.

10% one might be able to fit into a basket perhaps?

I'm not calling those people deplorable. They are mostly just stubborn and misguided people. There are deplorable people in this world but politics have little to do with why they are deplorable.

Anyone supporting what is happening in this country under this leadership is pretty deplorable, really.