raze2012's recent activity
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Comment on Zohran Mamdani wins New York City mayor’s race, capping a stunning ascent in ~society
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Comment on Zohran Mamdani wins New York City mayor’s race, capping a stunning ascent in ~society
raze2012 Link ParentRent control is a tool, not a solution. You use Rent control for short term relief while executing long term solutions of building more housing. If you are doing both, then rent control works. In...Rent control is a tool, not a solution. You use Rent control for short term relief while executing long term solutions of building more housing. If you are doing both, then rent control works.
In times like these especially, it's very important to not miss the trees while looking at the forest. Long term plans mean nothing if your potential constituents go homeless while overhauling housing policy.
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Comment on Zohran Mamdani wins New York City mayor’s race, capping a stunning ascent in ~society
raze2012 Link ParentLet in as in "they changed their minds" or let in as "he snuck into the party anyway"? I think context is important here.Let in as in "they changed their minds" or let in as "he snuck into the party anyway"? I think context is important here.
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Comment on Zohran Mamdani wins New York City mayor’s race, capping a stunning ascent in ~society
raze2012 Link ParentMy biggest fear is the opposite, given the tepid reluctance with the DNC to even endorse Mamdami. They'll try to pantomime the strategies without really committing to admitting what's really wrong...My fear is that Dems won't learn the right lessons from Mamdami or these other candidates and instead try to ape the aesthetics of these campaigns rather than the more substantive political strategies.
My biggest fear is the opposite, given the tepid reluctance with the DNC to even endorse Mamdami. They'll try to pantomime the strategies without really committing to admitting what's really wrong with the nation right now. e.g. "We'll create more Jobs!" as a strategy without realizing that it's the quality of jobs and the lack of labor protections that's really hurting Americans as companies haphazardly layoff entire sectors. We don't desire more minimum wage healthcare jobs.
And then their aesthetics will be half heated and non-genuine. Mamdami knew when to attack and push on opponents on issues that mattered, and he knew when to dodge their provocations and say "I'm here to focus on the cost of living crisis". do I think much of congress can do that as of now? I'm not too hopeful.
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Comment on Zohran Mamdani wins New York City mayor’s race, capping a stunning ascent in ~society
raze2012 Link ParentIn the current environment I'd say they have a strong shot. I'm not going to say democratic socialism will always be a popular stance in the US (I just know that by the time I retire there's...If these two were running for statewide office or even US Senate from New York, could they win?
In the current environment I'd say they have a strong shot. I'm not going to say democratic socialism will always be a popular stance in the US (I just know that by the time I retire there's probably going to be yet another red wave from my own generation. And I hate that notion). But c. 2025, after 10 months of Trump, I personally believe there is a wave of younger millennials and especially Gen Z waiting to be properly roused by policies that aren't sticking to the status quo. Boomers are starting to die out so this new wave will be the next demographics you really need to appeal to.
Trump did take advantage of this himself... and proceeded to break every promise as he's done since before I (a young millenial) was even born. But those false promises clearly resonated. And he wasn't even talking that much about the economy past "I'll make tips tax free" (a very useless stance if you know how tips work these days). Or Healtchare past "I'll make pharmaceuticals cheaper"
Now imagine someone who actually says "yes I want to tax the rich who have laid off our workforce and is trying to let outsourcing and AI ruin American jobs" and "I'll make sure every American has access to a doctor with the tax dollars they already pay". Billionaires have a lot of advantages, but they still only have one vote. They can't hoodwink an entire generation of people who can see the jobs being eroded in real time. Or at least, it'd be cheaper to just pay for their labor than attempt to do so.
But that's simply my virew of it, from a lens that admittedly benefits me and my views.
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Comment on Zohran Mamdani wins New York City mayor’s race, capping a stunning ascent in ~society
raze2012 Link Parent"Kitchen Table issues" is a step up from 2024, so I'll take it. Her website lists healthcare, education, the economy, and jobs. What I could skim from Harris only mentioned Healtchare (and economy...called out her opponent for obsessing over trans people instead of real issues affecting voters.
"Kitchen Table issues" is a step up from 2024, so I'll take it. Her website lists healthcare, education, the economy, and jobs. What I could skim from Harris only mentioned Healtchare (and economy was "we have strong jobs!". That aged well).
I want a more radical approach, but the very least I want is for politicians to realize the realities and at least be ready with high level plans to address them.
but a majority of voters also said his policies were unrealistic in exit polls.
I don't think I can name a single policy maker who didn't make unrealistic promises in the campaign. It's a sad fact of life, but you do need to overpromise to energize rather than say "well I'll see if I can get bus fare down a dollar". Shoot for the stars, say you did a bangup job if you land on the moon.
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Comment on Zohran Mamdani wins New York City mayor’s race, capping a stunning ascent in ~society
raze2012 LinkAnd this is the strategy I believe democrats should focus on instead of "appealing to moderates". Mamdami got almost as many votes in this race as there were votes in total in 2021. I'm pretty...The contest drove the biggest turnout in a mayoral race in more than 50 years, with more than 2 million New Yorkers casting ballots, according to the city’s Board of Elections.
And this is the strategy I believe democrats should focus on instead of "appealing to moderates". Mamdami got almost as many votes in this race as there were votes in total in 2021. I'm pretty adamant that 2024 nationals were lost not because "everyone switched" (the numbers don't support that), but because some 4-8 million voters from 2020 stayed home. We need to Galvanize the voters with proper action and reform that they can get behind.
On that note, I am a bit shocked Cuomo still got 41% of the vote. And maybe a bit more surprised that Silwa only got 7%. I know NYC is peak blue bastion, but did Cuomo just end up sucking all the R votes or something?
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Comment on ChatGPT made me delusional in ~tech
raze2012 Link ParentIf it was just a youtuber talking to an AI for an hour we may not have knowm about the video at all. Eating baby food and going to Bakersfield is how the word actually gets spread. I don't blame...If it was just a youtuber talking to an AI for an hour we may not have knowm about the video at all. Eating baby food and going to Bakersfield is how the word actually gets spread.
I don't blame the player so much as the game here.
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Comment on US judges say Donald Trump administration must continue food aid during shutdown in ~society
raze2012 Link ParentIf we're at the point where rice and beans are unaffordable, then we're going to quickly hit a point not unlike Nepal earlier in the year. Except it won't just be young kids made about social...I don't think your economic solutions are viable
If we're at the point where rice and beans are unaffordable, then we're going to quickly hit a point not unlike Nepal earlier in the year. Except it won't just be young kids made about social media.
donate to your local food pantry that will take hunted meat.
on a logrithmnic scale of 1-10 of "I am actively taking food drive food" to "I am financially secure and can spend a signfigant amount on donations with no impact to my QoL", I'm probably around a 3 right now. Any surplus I have right now goes to paying off debts, sadly. Not even savings.
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Comment on US judges say Donald Trump administration must continue food aid during shutdown in ~society
raze2012 Link ParentGlobalism is many different things, so I'll take the time to apply the texbook lens of: In this case, the opposite of globalism is nationalism. Nationalism includes hard anti-immigration stances...Globalism is many different things, so I'll take the time to apply the texbook lens of:
attempts to understand all of the interconnections of the modern world—and to highlight patterns that underlie (and explain) them
In this case, the opposite of globalism is nationalism. Nationalism includes hard anti-immigration stances and hostilities towards existing trade partners. Which seems to be on the rise in many places, not just the US. Trade still exists, but msot countries aren't going to sever their trade relations in 6 months like the US. China's making big moves recently that they have planed for the better part of 2 decades now.
This issue with food stamps is due to a particular dysfunction of how the US government works
Yes, but the mentality of "the government will figure it out and protect us" is a stance enforced under nationalism. "America First", right? Besides the Argentina bailout, and hostile actions to Venezuala, and bowing down to Rusisia, and....
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Comment on Utah to open detention camp/involuntary treatment center for homeless people (gifted link) in ~society
raze2012 (edited )Link ParentYes. So anyone truly concerned can take the time to prove insanity in court and then take it upon themselves (or any other caretaker who will vouch for them) to get them help. If that's too much...Yes. So anyone truly concerned can take the time to prove insanity in court and then take it upon themselves (or any other caretaker who will vouch for them) to get them help.
If that's too much effort to support the homeless and get them off the streets the right way... well, people made their own choice there, didn't they? The price of freedom.
For the question being begged here: sure. The other route is the one we keep apparently trying: be "hard(er) on crime". But Police need so much reform that I'm not quite sure if "arresting the dangerous homeless" even makes top 5. Homeless aren't profitable to keep held prisoner, so many (violent or otherwise) end up back on the streets, because the incentives with the prison system is not to reform.
I'm all for proper prison reform if we want to take that route. But it may be just as hard.
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Comment on Tucker Carlson’s friendly interview with far-right antisemite Nick Fuentes divides prominent US conservatives in ~society
raze2012 LinkThe fact that this "divides the right wing" and instead of being completely casted out shows how far this alt right pipeline has been seeded. Literal Nazi talking points and the best we can muster...The fact that this "divides the right wing" and instead of being completely casted out shows how far this alt right pipeline has been seeded. Literal Nazi talking points and the best we can muster is "uhhh well I dont know..."
We're not even that far out for WW2. The older folk have fathers or friends of Fathers who died fighting against this nonsense.
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Comment on Utah to open detention camp/involuntary treatment center for homeless people (gifted link) in ~society
raze2012 Link ParentThe rationale is sound when you consider that holding someone against their will without any laws broken breaks the 5th and 6th amendment. The historical context of the ways asylums were used...but is sorely needed since the neoliberal-era of gutting our mental asylums, on the rationale that not all of the patients are complete lunatics.
The rationale is sound when you consider that holding someone against their will without any laws broken breaks the 5th and 6th amendment. The historical context of the ways asylums were used basically make it as untouchable as intelligence tests at voting booths. There's nothing wrong with that in a vacuum, but they were abused unto being taboo.
Anyone with genuine mental needs can go to a proper hospital or therapist. Them not affording it simply means we need to make sure they don't need to "afford" it. Something this regime is currently shutting down the government over. So there goes that line of logic.
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Comment on Republicans rebuke Donald Trump's 50% emergency tariffs on Brazil in US Senate vote in ~society
raze2012 Link ParentThis is a good vote. The performaative part is that the other house is completely shut down And Lies Johnson won't ever even bring it up for a vote. Yet another thing that needs to be forced to a...This is a good vote. The performaative part is that the other house is completely shut down And Lies Johnson won't ever even bring it up for a vote.
Yet another thing that needs to be forced to a vote after the epsteign stuff.
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Comment on Charlie Kirk's murder reveals a cultural sickness (Just Asking Questions podcast episode) in ~society
raze2012 Link ParentSeems to fall apart when that "sin" is the color of your skin. As is lately. Can't exactly suddenly become white.Seems to fall apart when that "sin" is the color of your skin. As is lately. Can't exactly suddenly become white.
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Comment on Charlie Kirk's murder reveals a cultural sickness (Just Asking Questions podcast episode) in ~society
raze2012 Link ParentThe real culture sockness is being able to say "The Civil Rights act was a mistake" 60 years after its drafting and then the media is too spineless to say anything more than "supposed hatred"....The real culture sockness is being able to say "The Civil Rights act was a mistake" 60 years after its drafting and then the media is too spineless to say anything more than "supposed hatred".
That same media swept the GOP messages under the rug while harping on reddit comments a Senate candidate made over a decade ago. Our "culture" was bought out by those who want to erase culture as a whole.
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Comment on A Nazi tattoo exposes US Democrats’ greatest weakness in ~society
raze2012 Link ParentI suppose this begs ththe question of: how would you address this? I don't think the strategy here is to abandon and attack the trans community. The only thing I see working is to make sure the...However, in the world of realpolitik, it now is an issue. It's not something that Democrats can afford to just ignore and pretend that it's 20 years ago. The perception from the general voting public that swung to Trump
I suppose this begs ththe question of: how would you address this? I don't think the strategy here is to abandon and attack the trans community.
The only thing I see working is to make sure the real points are louder than the spin. If you see someone who you think will make sure you can get a job and afford a house, you'll start to ignore the opposition who is instead going "but trans athletes!". But I'm open to ideas.
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Comment on A Nazi tattoo exposes US Democrats’ greatest weakness in ~society
raze2012 Link ParentWe're not on Reddit, despite Reddit somehow being a related topic on all this. I'd hope to get a bit more grace since I'm talking here and not on r/politics Intent has always mattered in my eyes....and now suddenly its "well intent matters"
We're not on Reddit, despite Reddit somehow being a related topic on all this. I'd hope to get a bit more grace since I'm talking here and not on r/politics
Intent has always mattered in my eyes. I've been a part of unsavory groups, and ultimately I got out because I can see that eventually their words didn't match their actions. Or at least, i can see that such movements were starting to be controlled by vested interests with bad inten. I don't know how much I would have bought the idea of the "alt right pipeline" if I didn't see it unfold before my very eyes. Intent quickly changed from "let's keep politics out of this", to Trump memes in 2016, and now suddenly you forget thos was ever a hobby community with how much they complain about the same Fox News points being fed to them.
I'm against the GOP because their intents are awful and their coverups for it aren't even veiled at this point. I'm soured on the DNC because their intents seem to be more focused on order and decorum than proper progressivism. At this point I'm looking a lot more on actions than words.
Things can change andnmore evidence can arise, so my mind is never set in stone. but as of now: Platner's actions don't match the words being shoved into his mouth. It's as simple as that for me.
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Comment on A Nazi tattoo exposes US Democrats’ greatest weakness in ~society
raze2012 Link ParentIs there any answer to give doesn't sound dodgy? I feel those the exact vibes his opponents want people to feel. "You can't trust him, look at this mismatched quotes. He's hiding something". I...He’s been very dodgy about whether he ever knew, when he knew, and why he kept it after finding out.
Is there any answer to give doesn't sound dodgy? I feel those the exact vibes his opponents want people to feel. "You can't trust him, look at this mismatched quotes. He's hiding something".
And there is no “almost certainly hand the election to Collins” if Mills is the nominee.
I don't see much "wrong"with Millis as a potential Senator. But I think we're past the point of wantong to make yet another race between two octogenarians for congress. She seems like a candidate who would keep things steady. But the way I see it, were already in free fall. We need a huge push and someone willing to make more radical decisions than yet another career politician.
I would ideally like a political candidate whose ideological positions and stances are pretty well formed before they end up in the Senate because, if they’re mushy, then the lobbyists are just going to play them like a fiddle.
Pre Citezen's United, I'd agree. But now, it's clear a lot of candidates get money thrown at them over the campaign to make promises, and then the strings come down once they enter office and mum's the word. Even as high up as the President of the United States, based on what happened on 2024.
And it's clear those donors dont want a real fight against this regime. I'd rather take a risk on voting someone who actually pushes back over the current Establishment who at best just doesn't get it. Or at worst just wants to play political theatre until the nightmare ends.
And this isn't just about getting Trump out. There's a litiany of issues from well before COVID, even some from pre-Trump, to get back on the table. Do I feel like Millis would vote on an aggressive corporate tax? Would she strengthen union powers? Would she entertain the idea of increasing federal minimum wage? I'm not so sure at first blush. Her policies on her website focus a lot on the basics: healthcare, education, and environment. Not much on fiscal policy.
She'll fight Trump, but what about the rest of the elite after Trump is dealt with?
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Comment on A Nazi tattoo exposes US Democrats’ greatest weakness in ~society
raze2012 Link ParentNo, it's because he didn't try to deflect or say "well boys will be boys" or double down on it. Those are all the reasons I hate the Nazis discussions in the GOP. It came out, he owned up to it,...The only reason he's even being given the benefit of the doubt by a large % of these people is because he happens to be on their team.
No, it's because he didn't try to deflect or say "well boys will be boys" or double down on it. Those are all the reasons I hate the Nazis discussions in the GOP.
It came out, he owned up to it, gave his story, and encouraged people to look more into his reddit history (a fate worse than death in my eyes. And I didn't even really say anything controversial on Reddit. But that history is probably more intimate than anything I've ever talked about with friends and family). That honestly is the kind person I want representing our country. Not some pristine clean cut legacy politician who spent their entire life minmaxing around being the "perfect candidate". Someone who can be on touch with the common folk and relate on the issues of their constituents.
And I especially want someone who can self reflect and say "yea that was a bad move and a stupid decision. Let's not do that again". That's a sadly dying trait in our country these days. I only really got around on his side after this kerfuffle, whereas before it's like "oh neat, he seems like a nice change of pace from the Establishment". Similar to how Mamdami seemed to really get attention once Democrats decided to fight against a properly progressive candidate (I've played those games before, DNC. Not those time).
've seen people told they deserve to be put against the wall for liking Warhammer 40k since it's clearly fascist, but this guy gets a "well he didn't know" from the same crowd?
If you want to be fair: I also did not know it was a nazi symbol until now. I seem to be learning new Nazi symbols and signs and dogwhistles every month at this rate. Among the point above, it just isnt an obvious symbol if you aren't in constant discussion on these circles. So yes, I can believe a 20-something Marine on tour in the mod 2000's wouldnt know and just think "oh cool skull tattoo, looks hardcore"
It's has negative history because it's rarely used correctly. I don't blame the plank for breaking after months of use as a hole cover. I blame the company for not proceeding to properly fix the hole. I still think the plank is an important and useful tool, just not the singular solution to throw on and then move on from.
Or if we want to be more topical: Tarriffs is a crap tool, if Americans do not follow up on it by using that time to become domestically competitive. Biden put tarriffs on Chinese EV's for some 3 years (and continued by Trump) and what do we have to show for it 12 out of 36 months later? Trump ending EV credits? Elon going full nazi? Ford simply throwing their hands up and giving up? Bezos using the opportunity to add cars to the data harvesting tech dystopia?
(nevermind whatever the hell Trumps "everything is a nail" approach is.)
I believe we are in full agreement here. I hope this situation actually creates radical reform this time. If not... well, I concede this is yet another EV tariff situation. We never even got far enough in housing reform to suggest "okay the rent control isn't needed anymore", so I guess we'll cross that bridge if we ever arrive there.