I think it's becoming better overall, not worse. Yes, there's a populism issue at the moment, but this is far from the first time that's happened. We're dealing with the introduction of an entire new means of communication, online media in general and social media more specifically. That brings all new hazards and benefits that need to be dealt with.
The era after the printing press was developed brought intellectual development, but it also sparked revolutions. Those didn't always wind up with that right people getting into power. It took a while for society to adapt and stabilize. I expect the same will happen with Internet communication.
I'm also hopeful because studies have shown that successive generations generally improve their abilities in abstract thinking. (I'm having trouble sourcing that statement, unfortunately). That's important for the economy because the jobs of the future will need that abstract thinking. At least in my experience, it also acts as a bulwark against bad actors because people with poorer abstract thinking abilities tend to be more gullible, at least when it comes to lies that they like.
Yes, he is pushing the envelope now. And in the past. And in the future. Asking Donald Trump to not be a trash fire is like asking gravity to suddenly reverse. It ain't happening.
There are plenty of veterans out there that don't advertise it because it's not a core piece of their identity. Of course the 'Murica veterans are going to be more frequently Trumpers. My uncle was in the Vietnam War, but he's only talked about it a handful of times when asked. He despises Trump, not because he's a vet, but because of who Trump is.
There's a quote from P.J. O'Rourke that illustrates the point well:
The Democrats are the party that says government will make you smarter, taller, richer, and remove the crabgrass on your lawn. The Republicans are the party that says government doesn't work and then they get elected and prove it.
A central tenant of the Democratic Party is that government can be a force for good and should be run well. Republicans try to tear the government down, especially at the federal level. The party as a whole doesn't care nearly as much about good governance principles, though there are of course exceptions.
I have a friend who is both anti-abortion and vegetarian. She's not the most logical person all the time, but she's really consistent on this one. I vigorously disagree with her anti-abortion stance, but I admire her consistency, if that makes sense.
I say this only because it's funny, not to mock you. Naturalist (-al-) is likely the word you're looking for. Naturist is basically another name for nudist. Unless maybe OP wants to be out in the sticks for another reason. :)
What really kills me is how even people who don't particularly like him are backing him. My husband's uncle doesn't like the man, but in a discussion with me replied to the number of charges with "if that's not an abuse of power I don't know what is". It's like he hadn't even considered that Trump could well be guilty enough to warrant multiple indictments.
Nice of them to include this. It varies so widely by state. If you're in San Francisco, you're going to be just fine. If you're out in the sticks in Texas, you might find yourself watching your back.
Not me, but family lore. When my parents had just started dating in their 20's, my mother was housed in "The Beaver Hut" with a bunch of people including her twin sister (my aunt). It was spaghetti night and they were making a homemade sauce. My aunt was putting in salt. Instead of a teaspoon, she put more like a quarter of a cup or more. Everyone else was going to fish it out, but she was like "nah, it'll be fine" and stirred it in.
Needless to say, it was not fine. It was so salty that everyone except my father refused to eat it.
Note: It might have been something else like pizza. With spaghetti, it you screwed up a sauce that much it's easy enough to make a substitute sauce from kitchen staples and odds and ends.
"Taking this vaccine offends my conscience. I ought to have the choice about what goes into my body, and a lifesaving treatment cannot be denied to me because I chose not to take an experimental treatment for a condition"
Hun, you're not the only person who is looking for a transplant. If you're not going to protect yourself from COVID-19, you don't get the organ. Plain and simple.
Not really. Sure there are a few projects or purchases that I might move up by a few years, but my lifestyle is too stable. Honestly, I think I would just put a chunk into retirement. I'm a little behind.
One problem that I see. Who is the source of truth on whether he was part of a rebellion or insurrection? The 14th amendment is skinny on details as to what qualifies and process for making that determination.
I think it's becoming better overall, not worse. Yes, there's a populism issue at the moment, but this is far from the first time that's happened. We're dealing with the introduction of an entire new means of communication, online media in general and social media more specifically. That brings all new hazards and benefits that need to be dealt with.
The era after the printing press was developed brought intellectual development, but it also sparked revolutions. Those didn't always wind up with that right people getting into power. It took a while for society to adapt and stabilize. I expect the same will happen with Internet communication.
I'm also hopeful because studies have shown that successive generations generally improve their abilities in abstract thinking. (I'm having trouble sourcing that statement, unfortunately). That's important for the economy because the jobs of the future will need that abstract thinking. At least in my experience, it also acts as a bulwark against bad actors because people with poorer abstract thinking abilities tend to be more gullible, at least when it comes to lies that they like.