Democratic Socialism is coming

[Fnord]

1 hour ago, Mark Davis said:

They are also the softest generation as far as their feelings go.  I said things to people in school and had things said to me that would get my kids expelled today.  They aren't allowed to face some adversities at pre teen ages we all went through.  We have softened them up, then when they face these very real economic conditions, for some of them their reaction is to blame the system rather than to work for solutions for themselves.  

Preach.

I wouldn't say my childhood was bad; there was food on the table, a roof over our heads, cars in the driveway and employed, loving parents. But it was waaaaaay tougher than what my kids have been through. Money was extremely tight, I went through a bad health situation when I was 10 that greatly affected my school, social, and physical well-being, and bullying was a constant up until HS. My mother had health concerns, and we moved around a lot. It was not easy.

Parents today, myself included, are far too averse to allowing trauma into their children's lives. Now, no parent is going to solicit trauma for their kids, but I think too many of them equivocate struggle and failure with trauma, and it's created a generation of kids that simply cannot handle normal levels of adversity. 

[Mark Davis]

2 hours ago, Caine Mutiny said:

I agree with quite a bit of this argument, not so much the “damgerous creeping in” part but the “failed” part. 
 

And this is, IMO, the problem with the conservative (and centrist Democrat) response so far. You guys are going with the “they’re all evil Communists!” trying to stoke fear. That’s never going to work. For one thing voters don’t consider the long term consequences of anything. The way to combat Democratic socialism is to attack their ideas- like for instance Mamdami’s government run stores. Explain how that idea has failed in the past. 

Why don’t you see it as dangerous?  The fact we have to explain to them why government run stores won’t work is an indictment on our failures to educate our kids. History is pretty clear on the results.
 

The reason I used the term dangerous is once you get the government involved to that level there is no way to roll it back. Those in power will not release it without force. 
 

Unfortunately we have already failed this generation and since we have I agree we need to explain this to them now. We have no other choice so I’m forced to agree with you there. But we have failed to do so to some extent as is shown with the support this socialist movement has gotten. 

[Fnord]

34 minutes ago, TBayXXXVII said:

I didn't deny you answered the question, I simply stated that it didn't refute the point.  Stopping leftism from continuing isn't moving to the right.

Agree to disagree.

Noticing how well this thread has turned out and the conversation actually being decent for once, I kinda feel bad about my last post to you. Calling someone mini-Strike is below the belt. Apologies.

[cyclone24]

2 minutes ago, Fnord said:

Agree to disagree.

Noticing how well this thread has turned out and the conversation actually being decent for once, I kinda feel bad about my last post to you. Calling someone mini-Strike is below the belt. Apologies.

I haven’t stopped throwing up I’m so disgusted.  

[Voltaire]

1 hour ago, SaintsInDome2006 said:

Much respect as always, George. I frequently relate to your POV.

I 100% agree with you on the qualifications front. But guess who is the worst transgressor of that? The party that is supposed to stand against it. - You don’t think they see that? It’s not hypocrisy, it’s just a hollowness of values. When a Republican comes forward and wags their finger about qualifications, civic education & values, what do you think is the very first thing they’re going to say???

"Take your DEI, hatred for the country, and sexual perversions and shove them up your ass" comes to mind.

[Voltaire]

5 minutes ago, Fnord said:

Agree to disagree.

Noticing how well this thread has turned out and the conversation actually being decent for once, I kinda feel bad about my last post to you. Calling someone mini-Strike is below the belt. Apologies.

We are having a pretty daggone fantastic conversation, aren't we?

Best in a long time. Don't pinch me, I want to reside here longer.

[SaintsInDome2006]

5 minutes ago, Voltaire said:

"Take your DEI, hatred for the country, and sexual perversions and shove them up your ass" comes to mind.

But then you’re just confirming the point. If the Republicans don’t live by meritocracy & instead when it comes to their leaders launch right over it like Evil Kneivl they’ll just ignore the arguments about how DEI prevents wealth, fairness, success.

[Mark Davis]

8 minutes ago, Fnord said:

Preach.

I wouldn't say my childhood was bad; there was food on the table, a roof over our heads, cars in the driveway and employed, loving parents. But it was waaaaaay tougher than what my kids have been through. Money was extremely tight, I went through a bad health situation when I was 10 that greatly affected my school, social, and physical well-being, and bullying was a constant up until HS. My mother had health concerns, and we moved around a lot. It was not easy.

Parents today, myself included, are far too averse to allowing trauma into their children's lives. Now, no parent is going to solicit trauma for their kids, but I think too many of them equivocate struggle and failure with trauma, and it's created a generation of kids that simply cannot handle normal levels of adversity. 

I've done the same with my kids.  Just today at lunch my wife and I spent most of it discussing issues one of our daughters is having.  She's mentally struggling to deal with an issue that really isn't a major life concern.  In her mind it is, because she's never really struggled with anything.  We see her making mistakes we don't want her to make, we want to fix, but at some point she has to make her own decisions and reap the consequences of her actions or inactions.  Sheltering her from it isn't doing her any service.

That's not to dismiss economic issues younger Americans are facing as they come out of school.  Those issues are real and important, but I think we have failed them in preparing them to not just face issues, but expect them and learn how to best deal with them.

[supermike80]

Kids are ALWAYS gonna wanna do the opposite of their parents.  Probably true since we first discovered fire.  So, I guess, socialism is gonna be the new in thing for a while.   The thing I have noticed about kids these days(ah yes..THAT saying) is they don't seem to stick with things very long.   Crazy short attention spans.  

Is the fact that their thing currently is socialism/communism?  Yeah....Probably.  But these kids grow up, they see how it ain't so great of they truly work hard and try to get ahead and watch people try to take that to give to their idiot friend who smokes pot all day and doesn't wanna work.  it will take time.

[supermike80]

3 minutes ago, Mark Davis said:

I've done the same with my kids.  Just today at lunch my wife and I spent most of it discussing issues one of our daughters is having.  She's mentally struggling to deal with an issue that really isn't a major life concern.  In her mind it is, because she's never really struggled with anything.  We see her making mistakes we don't want her to make, we want to fix, but at some point she has to make her own decisions and reap the consequences of her actions or inactions.  Sheltering her from it isn't doing her any service.

That's not to dismiss economic issues younger Americans are facing as they come out of school.  Those issues are real and important, but I think we have failed them in preparing them to not just face issues, but expect them and learn how to best deal with them.

Dude...drop the issue.   very curious what she is dealing with that she sees as huge but you dont.  Not a boyfriend thing I hope

[Fnord]

11 minutes ago, cyclone24 said:

I haven’t stopped throwing up I’m so disgusted.  

Unsurprising, since you're a gigantic puss that probably enjoys Bud Light. 

Dammit! There I go again...

8 minutes ago, Voltaire said:

We are having a pretty daggone fantastic conversation, aren't we?

Best in a long time. Don't pinch me, I want to reside here longer.

Likewise.

[Voltaire]

8 minutes ago, SaintsInDome2006 said:

But then you’re just confirming the point. If the Republicans don’t live by meritocracy & instead when it comes to their leaders launch right over it like Evil Kneivl they’ll just ignore the arguments about how DEI prevents wealth, fairness, success.

I guess so, seeing as I missed whatever point you were making completely. 

[supermike80]

48 minutes ago, TBayXXXVII said:

Yeah, it's possible I am underestimating Sanders, I won't deny that.  But, I think Bernie is just a grifter.  I don't think he actually cares, any more, about the things he says.  I think he's all about the money.  He's always about making sure he's not in the bracket he complains about.  Mamdani and friends are actually stepping on the gas pedal that he built.

I actually 100% believe Bernie cares, but he is hypocritical as all get out.  He wants to take away from the billionaires, but he is extremely, 1% wealthy and that just rings terribly.  Don't try to lecture me about the plight of the poor people when you have multiple residences and millions of dollars.   Hate hearing him speak on this.

[SaintsInDome2006]

Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez beat Joe Crowley, Jamal Bowman beat Eliot Engel, and now Brad Lander beat Dan Goldman. These were all good Dems. - Crowley was a classic ‘bring home the bacon’ retail politician. Engel was a foreign policy expert thst both parties trusted & relied on. Goldman is an ace at hearings. They were / are scandal free.

[SaintsInDome2006]

2 minutes ago, Voltaire said:

I guess so, seeing as I missed whatever point you were making completely. 

Yeah I realize. Mark sees the point when it comes to fiscal responsibility. My point to you is about Republicans shoving aside everything relating to qualifications in leadership. The GOP is the ultimate DEI caricature right now.

[Mark Davis]

7 minutes ago, supermike80 said:

Dude...drop the issue.   very curious what she is dealing with that she sees as huge but you dont.  Not a boyfriend thing I hope

Just an athletic performance issue.  Been going on about 9 months after a sudden decline, then up and down.  Laundry list of medical tests including EKG's for heart defects, ups and downs on performance, now finally disappointment at results and mentally not wanting to quit but not wanting to put the work in to overcome.  It's just created a mental block for her and really put her in a bad mental state.  She was never going to be a D1 athlete, perhaps D3 type, but she competes against some and had some on her team that are D1 level.  Where she wants to go to college she isn't good enough to be an athlete at an SEC school anyway.

[Fnord]

2 minutes ago, supermike80 said:

I actually 100% believe Bernie cares, but he is hypocritical as all get out.  He wants to take away from the billionaires, but he is extremely, 1% wealthy and that just rings terribly.  Don't try to lecture me about the plight of the poor people when you have multiple residences and millions of dollars.   Hate hearing him speak on this.

Yeah, it's hard to swallow that talk from someone with Bernie's wealth, I agree. But IMO he still walks the walk, tries to enact legislation that actually helps the working class, tries to make people aware of the rising oligarchy, etc. His actions speak as loudly as his words. I don't love all of his ideas, but damn did the Democratic party screw us in 2015/16 when they railroaded him in favor of Hillary.

[supermike80]

5 minutes ago, Mark Davis said:

Just an athletic performance issue.  Been going on about 9 months after a sudden decline, then up and down.  Laundry list of medical tests including EKG's for heart defects, ups and downs on performance, now finally disappointment at results and mentally not wanting to quit but not wanting to put the work in to overcome.  It's just created a mental block for her and really put her in a bad mental state.  She was never going to be a D1 athlete, perhaps D3 type, but she competes against some and had some on her team that are D1 level.  Where she wants to go to college she isn't good enough to be an athlete at an SEC school anyway.

Bummer.  Actually that sounds really hard.  Not run of the mill stuff like I expected.

[Voltaire]

5 minutes ago, SaintsInDome2006 said:

Yeah I realize. Mark sees the point when it comes to fiscal responsibility. My point to you is about Republicans shoving aside everything relating to qualifications in leadership. The GOP is the ultimate DEI caricature right now.

[supermike80]

5 minutes ago, Fnord said:

Yeah, it's hard to swallow that talk from someone with Bernie's wealth, I agree. But IMO he still walks the walk, tries to enact legislation that actually helps the working class, tries to make people aware of the rising oligarchy, etc. His actions speak as loudly as his words. I don't love all of his ideas, but damn did the Democratic party screw us in 2015/16 when they railroaded him in favor of Hillary.

Fair but he's attacking it the wrong way IMO.  Oligarchy?  Ok I'll allow that one.  But wealth taxes?  Come on man. and it doesn't go unnoticed that he only wants to wealth tax billionaires, not run of the mill multi multi millionaires like himself.  That's where I cry no joy.

[cyclone24]

18 minutes ago, Fnord said:

Unsurprising, since you're a gigantic puss that probably enjoys Bud Light. 

Dammit! There I go again...

Likewise.

Please. What kind of rookie ass still drinks beer when you can do Gummies.  
 

“Do you do drugs, Danny?”

”everyday”

”Good”

[Caine Mutiny]

39 minutes ago, Mark Davis said:

Why don’t you see it as dangerous?  The fact we have to explain to them why government run stores won’t work is an indictment on our failures to educate our kids. History is pretty clear on the results.
 

The reason I used the term dangerous is once you get the government involved to that level there is no way to roll it back. Those in power will not release it without force. 
 

Unfortunately we have already failed this generation and since we have I agree we need to explain this to them now. We have no other choice so I’m forced to agree with you there. But we have failed to do so to some extent as is shown with the support this socialist movement has gotten. 

When I used the word “dangerous” I’m not so much talking about the economic consequences you’re pointing out but the fearmongering from the Trump crowd. As I mentioned earlier Stephen Miller on TV last night saying there will be no police, your daughters will be raped, your children encouraged to hate America and seek gender change, re-education camps coming- that sort of thing. It won’t work. 

[listen2me 23]

My JV basketball coach was awesome.  He held fun practices yet we practiced hard as hell for him.  Very nice dude. We had to go to the elementary school to practice as that was what he taught, elementary gym.  He was probably more of a football guy, assistant varsity coach for many years.  He could be loud, he could get after us if we were goofing off too much, but a fun coach to play for because he was fair and wasnt angry.  He was always loud no matter his mood.  I found him hilarious at times when he would make fun of someone but no one escaped.  He didnt single out anyone.  It was all in good fun.  I remember going to the varsity football end of camp scrimmage when I was a Freshman.   Here I am woofing down 2 hotdogs.  He yells at one of his players as they walk to the field, "theres my future PG, but he needs to lay off the junk food".  

He had a sign on his office door that was typed out in big font and printed off.  "If parents wont teach their kids, the real world will".   I never thought too much of it then but it sticks with me.  He was not afraid to be who he was or coach hard.  Yell at times.  Build you up consistently.  All the players loved him as a coach because coaching hard and winning games wasnt all that he was about.  

Probably best coach I ever played for.  God bless "Mr T".    

[Fnord]

8 minutes ago, cyclone24 said:

Please. What kind of rookie ass still drinks beer when you can do Gummies.  
 

“Do you do drugs, Danny?”

”everyday”

”Good”

LOL, I just quoted that earlier this week with some work colleagues when discussing one of our employees that decided it would be a good idea to show his vape pen to coworkers while at work. 

Also, I can't stand gummies, too unpredictable in my experience. But I guess you live in IA, so beggars can't be choosers. Take a trip to Michigan if you want some decent stuff.

[Fnord]

25 minutes ago, Mark Davis said:

Just an athletic performance issue.  Been going on about 9 months after a sudden decline, then up and down.  Laundry list of medical tests including EKG's for heart defects, ups and downs on performance, now finally disappointment at results and mentally not wanting to quit but not wanting to put the work in to overcome.  It's just created a mental block for her and really put her in a bad mental state.  She was never going to be a D1 athlete, perhaps D3 type, but she competes against some and had some on her team that are D1 level.  Where she wants to go to college she isn't good enough to be an athlete at an SEC school anyway.

Dang. Suffice it to say she's going through crap my kids have never come close to, other than maybe me and their mom splitting up. Best to you and your family.

[SaintsInDome2006]

Out of Likes. Great stuff, y’all. Thank you.

[Sean Mooney]

4 hours ago, jerryskids said:

You don't think the Overton window is pushing left at an accelerated rate?

No I do not

[Sean Mooney]

3 hours ago, SaintsInDome2006 said:

Amigo our elders said the same thing about our generation. No civics!

Look at the children of the Greatest Generation - they tore up campuses, committed acts of terrorism (actual, not this antifa bs), supported our enemies, murdered a president… 

This now is actually the most, best educated generation ever. The access to social media means they’re open to damaging influences, yes, but they’re also accessing information, like the insane level of wealth inequality right now. 

And (sorry) Trump has introduced a taste of authoritarianism in this country and they do not like it, & yes they very much know their history imo.

I will disagree some. I think this is the generation that has the most access to information. However, they don't know what to do with it and too often it is funneled into an echo chamber they create for themselves. They aren't willing to listen to other ideas. They just want to be "right."

Sadly, even people who are older and should know better- fall into the same trap. Just look around this place on any given day. 

[cyclone24]

19 minutes ago, Fnord said:

LOL, I just quoted that earlier this week with some work colleagues when discussing one of our employees that decided it would be a good idea to show his vape pen to coworkers while at work. 

Also, I can't stand gummies, too unpredictable in my experience. But I guess you live in IA, so beggars can't be choosers. Take a trip to Michigan if you want some decent stuff.

Haha… it is a great line.

I mean the mail does run here. I mean, we got indoor plumbing last week, but we’ve had mail for a while. 
 

That’s interesting because I find alcohol very unpredictable. Some nights I can drink a gallon of rum and another nights. It’s one or two and I’m like whoa. Why am I feeling that already. But I don’t really drink much anymore. And no hangovers that’s for sure with gummies.

 

are you a Michigan fan?

[supermike80]

1 minute ago, cyclone24 said:

Haha… it is a great line.

I mean the mail does run here. I mean, we got indoor plumbing last week, but we’ve had mail for a while. 
 

That’s interesting because I find alcohol very unpredictable. Some nights I can drink a gallon of rum and another nights. It’s one or two and I’m like whoa. Why am I feeling that already. But I don’t really drink much anymore. And no hangovers that’s for sure with gummies.

 

are you a Michigan fan?

Michigan sucks ballz

Not the state

[Fnord]

1 minute ago, cyclone24 said:

Haha… it is a great line.

I mean the mail does run here. I mean, we got indoor plumbing last week, but we’ve had mail for a while. 
 

That’s interesting because I find alcohol very unpredictable. Some nights I can drink a gallon of rum and another nights. It’s one or two and I’m like whoa. Why am I feeling that already. But I don’t really drink much anymore. And no hangovers that’s for sure with gummies.

 

are you a Michigan fan?

Of the state, absolutely. Of the teams? FOCK NO. I don't hate them as much as teams from Wisconsin or Ohio, prolly about equal with Iowa teams. Though I have a soft spot for Iowa State. I had several family members go there and thought seriously about going myself at one point. I've had a lot of fun in Ames.

[Fnord]

1 minute ago, supermike80 said:

Michigan sucks ballz

Not the state

How bout them Tigers!???!!!

[supermike80]

Just now, Fnord said:

How bout them Tigers!???!!!

Frustrating.  Won't make the playoffs but will dance around it all frickin season.   But I watch every night.  Helps the wife really likes baseball too.  She HATES football, so I am forced to watch it without her.  watching baseball games with her is nice

[WhiteWonder]

7 hours ago, Caine Mutiny said:

Last night’s primary victories in New York, all Mamdami endorsed candidates over Demoxratic establishment people, represents a watershed moment for both the Democratic Party and. iMO, the United States. I think that within the next decade we will have a Democratic Socialist President for the first time in our history. 
 

I sont see this as the calamity that many conservatives will (last night Stephen Miller went on Fox and warned of violent anarchy and teaching young children to hate America and and be multi gender) but I don’t love it wither. Their economic proposals are too leftist and populist for me. Nonetheless they’re winning. This I believe is the future. 

you were so excited to type this post... look at all the spelling mistakes

[Hardcore troubadour]

6 hours ago, Sean Mooney said:

The GOP has been saying the same thing for like 40/50 years at this point. It's Chicken Little'ing at this point because there isn't going to be a wide scale push to the far left (see my 2nd point above)

Holy shitt. This so dumb. As if the country, including the GOP hasn’t shifted further left, with the democrats now far left. Good job Mooney. 

[Frozenbeernuts]

Libs will pretend like this is some movement and not a purposeful shift from the party leaders behind the scenes.

These candidates will make the normal loonies seem somewhat sane.

[Hardcore troubadour]

Hard to believe we now have a candidate for Congress that is openly critical of interracial relationships. But she’s a democrat so it’s ok. 

[RaiderHaters Revenge]

libs moved so far left they truly elected people who's entire goal is to destroy the country, and they call this progress

good job libtards

--bored centrist

[Strike]

10 minutes ago, RaiderHaters Revenge said:

libs moved so far left they truly elected people who's entire goal is to destroy the country, and they call this progress

good job libtards

--bored centrist

Seriously.  Read about this POS, who all our bored Libs would vote for if they lived in her district:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/06/24/darializa-avila-chevalier-scrutinized-posts-before-new-york-house-primary-win/

[RaiderHaters Revenge]

1 minute ago, Strike said:

Seriously.  Read about this POS, who all our bored Libs would vote for if they lived in her district:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/06/24/darializa-avila-chevalier-scrutinized-posts-before-new-york-house-primary-win/

yep I read that this morning

insane, she believes in violence to get what she wants too