Philosopher Michael Sandel on What Trump’s Win Says About American Society | Amanpour and Company

[@Jesse-v7h]

The people who make $700 an hour have convinced the people who make $25 an hour that the problem is the people who make $7.50 an hour.

[@s.ebright7620]

Hi Jesse! You are SO smart.

[@BradleySanderson-l7t]

lol nothing about the Marxist Central Bank printing ridiculous amounts of money and the government ivy league bureaucrat's running massive deficits??? Nope lol nothing at all huh. Keep trying to weasel your way out of responsibility it's the ultimate display of pampered idiocy.

[@christinethompson3774]

Well said and sadly true.

[@valeriemoore2184]

This.

[@batekrown]

old play outta even older play book.

[@ljoc7455]

Americans have decided that success equals money. The success of a nation however should not be determined by how many billionaires a country has, but rather by how few poor they have.

[@raristy1]

Bravo! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 On point! 👍🏼

[@iemy2949]

@@ljoc7455 yes!!!

[@Wilett614]

EXACTLY ! 100%

[@ninakamwene5486]

DITTO. Now we witness America becoming the 3rd world of the western worlds with even our very own MAGA DonOLD king. I came to America in the 70s when corporations were NOT people my friend. Greed/Power rules.

[@jazzpsychic]

That's it!

[@heronimousbrapson863]

Society may be broken, but you don't fix anything by electing leaders who will break it even more.

[@marinamavrogenis4381]

Exactly

[@CircleOfRiffs]

Yep. This philosopher seems to have missed that point.

[@devilsadvocate701]

Low information voters are the problem plain and simple no philosophy needed

[@charlesmartin1121]

Well said. Trump is nothing more than a mirage to those hoping he will bring them wealth and respect. The elites will prosper under Trump.

[@win123ter]

when people are desparate, they hope something good might come out of rubble

[@jeffDwyer1]

It does matter who's in government, not so much in the short-term, but if Americans can consistently elect people who are financially responsible and not corrupt, then we can turn this trend around. It will take a long time and Americans aren't known for electing financially educated people into office so it's more likely America will simply collapse under the weight of the stupidity of its people while politicians launder all the money they can through pet projects and wars.

[@Dantursi1]

It's a bit annoying and unfortunate. When i was born, the national debt was $2,150 per person. Now it's over $100,000 per person. And I'm not even that old. It's truly alarming and best advice get out of debt, make regular investments and be debt free and financially stable.

[@Rachadrian]

Safest approach i feel to go about it is to diversify investments. By spreading investments across different asset classes, like bonds, real estate, and international stocks, they can reduce the impact of a market meltdown. its important to seek the guidance of an expert.

[@Derekhoffman312]

@@Rachadrian No doubt, having the right plan is invaluable, my portfolio is well-matched for every season of the market and recently hit 100% rise from early last year. I and my Financial advisor are working on a 7 figure ballpark goal, tho this could take till 2025

[@SteveEstrada-js9nu]

This is definitely considerable! think you could suggest any advisors i can get on the phone with? I'm in dire need of proper portfolio allocation

[@Derekhoffman312]

Annette Christine Conte is the licensed advisor I use. Just search the name. You’d find necessary details to work with to set up an appointment.

[@davidrink1291]

I’m 78 years old , a working man who never got a college degree , and a lifelong democrat. Because of my parents , who were educated , and some really good teachers in the public school system I grew up with a love of learning , both by reading and experience and eventually learned a trade that required me to work with both my hands and my mind . Because of a love of knowledge instilled in me at an early age I learned many trades and became sucessfull. One thing. i never quite understood about what I heard from so many of the men I worked with was the attitude of “I don’t need no book leaning”. To blame this on liberals is too simplistic and the roots of his attitude go way back and run deep.

[@Jensth]

You're a clever man, sir. Congratulations on a long and fulfilled life.

[@craven5328]

@davidrink1291 Yes, they do indeed. It's origins go right back to the Puritains, who believed formal leaning made you more susceptible to Satan's influence. As a Canadian looking in, it's such a bizzarre cultural trait, and I'm always reminded of author Isaac Asimov's quote: There is a cult of ignorance in the United States, and there has always been. The strain of anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge'. The thing I wonder is: The Democrats can have a multitude of policies to made education more accessible....but would a wide portion of the population never think or understand how these policies can help them, and they hold the belief you mentioned "I don't need no book learning". It's telling that one of the first things Trumo wants to do is get rid of the department of education.

[@the_exiled_soul]

👏👏🙏🤍

[@Nott_on88]

Amen. too many people think they don't need to book learn economics. They think they can vote with street smart economics. Which boils down to " Well it aint working for me so I vote to change the president" . Think again. We need more voters that invest some time in book learning, or at least can recognize an expert.

[@robinantonio8870]

They refuse to learn because THEY see it as a slight that they don't have one. The problem is in their heads.

[@bryinthe619]

"The forest was shrinking, but the trees kept voting for the axe, for the axe was clever and convinced the trees that because his handle was made of wood, he was one of them." - Turkish proverb

[@PeterSquitieri]

These are fair criticisms but then why would people vote for a party one of whose stated goals is to weaken the social safety net, and whose economic policies are guaranteed to bring that about? Not a great way to improve social mobility. If you look at who owns the skyboxes you’ll find most of them are republicans, so why forsake he single out only democrats? Why would working-class people vote for someone who hates unions, who hated to pay overtime, whose agenda specifies steps that would make it much harder to get overtime? Why would they vote for a candidate who wants to weaken public education? One could go on and on about the contradictions between peoples’ justified discontent and whom they voted for. But profesor Sandro doesn’t even mention that. Disappointing, to put it mildly .

[@ArtU4All]

Genius proverb 🙏🌿 Thank you

[@emotionalIntelligence2078]

Democrats were the axe fooling the American forest..but the World wanted Trump to flood the rusted iron.

[@theresamosely4225]

this is true wisdom!

[@jessicacrumpton7093]

Sadly the ax isn’t clever, it’s just the trees aren’t intelligent.

[@stuvo1977]

I am a working person without a college degree. I voted for Kamala Harris. She was a better choice. Trump won't do a damn thing for working people.

[@lisaagyemangduah7336]

U are correct. Trump voters in my workplace are remorseful

[@jayanderson9375]

@@lisaagyemangduah7336not as much as they will be, if they are paying attention.

[@fredgarvinMP]

@@lisaagyemangduah7336 I'm not.

[@griffini19]

She wouldn’t have done shit either. We missed our chance with Bernie

[@yaneznayoui1597]

@@griffini19 Name any of her policies please

[@jenniecrew6508]

Dignity of work are just lofty words. The answer is simple: decent health care, good and affordable public transportation, public education (including childcare)--one that pays teachers decently. This needs not philosophy but rather, solidarity. Our tragedy is celebrated selfishness.

[@Barbara-jn2gw]

Yep

[@jesswanasketch3178]

👏

[@albertocassone2001]

"Dignity of work" sounds VERY important to me.

[@gilzpack0221]

Sounds like Socialism. Hasn’t worked anywhere it was tried.

[@WandaBarquinG]

Do you think that T will provide any of this?

[@lpquagmire3621]

"They say that patriotism is the last refuge to which a scoundrel clings. Steal a little and they throw you in jail. Steal a lot and they make you king." -- Bob Dylan

[@edwardmclaughlin7935]

The quotation you cite has been grossly misunderstood. Swift's actual charge was not against the true patriot; rather he criticised the feigned patriotism of the many 'scoundrels' he observed around him.

[@janwoodworth1]

​@edwardmclaughlin7935 you're assuming trump is a patriot, not a despot. But thanks for the mansplain..

[@edwardmclaughlin7935]

@@janwoodworth1 Neither my comment, nor the comment to which I was responding, mentioned Trump. I was pointing out the discrepancy between the commonly held belief that Swift was denouncing patriotism, and the reality that he was in fact an ardent patriot. If you want to use this as a platform to vent your ire regarding Trump, then go ahead; but in doing so, you assume you know my standpoint on Trump. I assure you, you do not.

[@carolannhartley359]

​@@edwardmclaughlin7935 "Feigned patriotism"! That fits nicely. How long do you think it will take for his results to show clearly how far his uplifting of the country has succeeded?

[@edwardmclaughlin7935]

@@carolannhartley359 carol Please re-visit my comments and those with whom I have exchanged. Your 'he' I take it, is Trump. Whatever your point is you are mistaken in thinking I was making any remark bearing on Trump. There is true patriotism and this is feigned by many people in order to gain position. Swift's piece is the classic illustration of such deceit. For what it is worth, and since you have raised the issue; I regard the whole electoral process and everyone involved in it, as pure theatre, Nothing is to be trusted in your Red and Blue charade, just as it is in my country. Just so many pretty lies. The real action we should have our eyes on, takes place in the monetary system. No mention yet which shitweasel Trump is to put in the seat of the Treasury?

[@terrymckenzie857]

I am a daughter of the rust belt working class. For 45 years the Republican Party has stoked resentment between economic classes and directed it toward the people at the bottom of the ladder, and told them all REPEATEDLY that the "Deomocrats" (and I am not one) hated and looked down on them. The entire economy has been re-made in favor of those at the top of the pyramid. I lived through the deindustrialization of Detroit/Pontiac/Flint, MI. There were definitely people there who could have benefited from and would have loved MEANINGFUL job re-training programs but instead had to take whatever piecemeal, low paid employment to keep their families housed and fed. And the focus on "the working class" as a primarily White, male, industrial class has not been true for DECADES. The "working class" is increasingly made up of low wage workers, people of color, and women. Jobs that USED to be middle class have become "gig" jobs. Or, newer employees in the same jobs as older employees are paid at lower pay scales. Private equity has purchased entire industries all across the country, making services unaffodable. Plumbing businesses, veterinary and human group medical practices, hospitals--even cemeteries -- are now owned by PE firms who have made every aspect of life beyond the reach of normal human beings. In Chicago, the two and three family homes that gave families a leg up are being purchased as tear downs so developers can build shoddily slapped together "Luxury" condos which sell for double and triple what an entire two or three flat did in the 2010s. Yes, people are furious. Trump and his lunatics are blaming immigrants for what people like those who funded his run like the venture capitalist fever dream investment it is--the Thiels and Andreassons, and Sachs of the crypto bro, billionaire fascists think is their due, was certainly not the answer, but if we are all going down, a lot of people are ready to burn it down. THAT'S what this election was about. Think Jesse Ventura as MN Governor in the late 90s. A joke. Because most people who voted for him lack the framework or the imagination to imagine the craven contempt with which our most basic govt functions are being approached, just one week in.

[@KetoStyle]

I really appreciate your comments. This is a class system. If those in power wanted us to do better, our tax dollars would fund trade schools and colleges. Our school teachers would be well paid. We'd have more community centers and youth programs than we do prisons. The Dems aren't perfect, but i think we stand a better chance with them than the Trumplicans.

[@maryemiller5721]

Thank you so much for your comments! The best analysis of these tragic events I have heard yet, including from the well-paid pundits! ❤

[@totkadalekova9301]

​@@maryemiller5721Eastern Europe accidentally reading here. I hope I am mistaken but you are being naive and miss a very important factor. External, that is.

[@klausfuhrmann9749]

good analysis - the Trump people are getting into to all the positions necessary to make djaydee the next president with Trump his chief "advisor" or why not attorney General - he also would make a great supreme court justice ..... the goat is now the gardener in chief

[@Marcwest70]

Totally well stated. It's an abomination.

[@artmcteagle]

George Carlin summed it up best; "Ignorant people will elect ignorant leaders, it's that simple."

[@hamishstewart5188]

Good Quote, very apt

[@VirileDelphic]

Carlin also said, “Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.”

[@pektowanderlust]

Is that why you voted for Biden? 😅😅😅

[@craigwinters5724]

@@VirileDelphic He also said, "just imagine how stupid the average person is, and then realize that half of them are even stupider that that."

[@leifjensen-e8x]

Its sad but its true!😞

[@arianbyw3819]

America is a laughing stock.

[@mattyeager7679]

Only to far left people who want open borders, war, inflation, and the destruction of the West. Everybody else is happy that Trump was elected and the Establishment war machine lost.

[@sdsomar1]

Your so insightful

[@barrymoore4470]

Trump is a candidate of change, all right, but change in all the wrong ways.

[@reinhardweise9755]

you really hit the nail on the head

[@aulusagerius7127]

No details of course, just hate.

[@barrymoore4470]

@@aulusagerius7127 Ironic coming from the side that thrives on nothing but grievance and hate.

[@jojolouis]

@@aulusagerius7127 just hate??????????? Have you listened to Trump and Stephen Miller.... and all the speakers at MSG rally?? Trump has done very little else in the last 8 years but spreading hate, division and inciting violence, mafia boss style. America needs change, profound changes, I agree, but building it on hate and polarization and a nasty orange lifelong scammer and various Christian, right wing and oligarch nutters is not going to bring the changes you and your loved ones need.

[@drscopeify]

Well the USA on the world stage is under pressure so Trump carries a banner or focus on global order, on bring manufacturing back to the USA that millions and millions of Americans who are low skilled need in order to live a good life. Western, Developed countries have outsourced low skilled work to 3rd world and emerging economies but at what cost? A massive trade deficit, low inflation for 12 years 2008-2020 leading to low interest rates that have ballooned the cost of housing as interest rates were artificially low. Trump,... if his policies are indeed enacted and were not just a campaign tactic to win the election, then could transform the USA. Moving investment money from tech and finance companies and services companies OVER to industry and manufacturing by raising the cost of goods and moving that wealth from middle class office tech and finance workers to manual workers, blue collar, factory and industry which will re-balance the US economy accordingly. The #1 issue is that the USA will not be able to export those goods as they are only possible to sell to Americans becasue of Tariffs so they are internal inside the US economy, unlike Tech and Finance that CAN be sold around the globe. So the US economy will become more self-dependent, less globalized, and less exposed to changes in world economy for better or worse.

[@menmykrazycat8129]

I call B.S. I’m sorry, I’ve been living paycheck to paycheck most of my adult life - since my divorce, basically. It’s always rough handling all the expenses on your own. But that was my choice to live alone & not to remarry at some point. It was also my choice not to go to college, I had 50 different things I was interested in at 18, didn’t want to waste money being a student without direction. I didn’t get angry as life went on & I struggled. I figured wages were stagnant & the main problem was huge corporations & trust fund babies taking everything for themselves. People direct their anger towards politicians & government, but corporate America owns the government at this point, especially since Citizens United, but corp. interests have been buying our country for years before that. If the people are going to be angry, direct it where it belongs. Big business. They’re pissed at the “elites”, but they just voted in the wealthiest, and most corrupt, people in the world. It makes no sense. Justified grievances?? Stop electing & admiring idiots with billions who don’t give a F about you.

[@bradthorson1782]

Right on!

[@rajivshori]

Trump is an elite he went to all the prestigious schools and learnt how to manipulate financial transactions from his father and perfected the art of gaining wealth using unethical means bankrupting casinos social institutions like. airlines universities commodities etc etc and continues to do so wherever he goes you got to know this he will not care what happens to you in your most dire of needs

[@ChazH2011]

Agreed Exactly! It doesn't take a college education to figure this out. Thank you.

[@frankierizzo5481]

You hit the nail on the head! 💯

[@Melinamiu007]

its easier for them to look down on the poor then to look up at their captors.

[@cjelvado]

I still don't understand how someone like Trump, who has always been supremely entitled and is the epitome of greed, has somehow become the messiah of working class people. He will say whatever he needs to to get more power. I am a working class person. I've been trying to understand this for eight years.

[@FDR_progressive_liberal]

They love that he is as stupid as they are.

[@animula6908]

I don’t understand how he became the most fascinating character in world politics. Except that Dems intentionally shun colorful characters and personality.

[@entropybentwhistle]

Your forgetting he also panders to grotesque levels of racism in the country. Never forget that Chump’s opening speech in his 2015 campaign said all Mexicans are criminals and rapists. He wasn’t immediately sanctioned by the GOP but instead rose to the top of primary candidates. The fact that so many people voted for him, and so few couldn’t be arsed to vote against it, means the bulk of the country is ignorant beyond comprehension.

[@bootscooty]

Not hard to play water when they're thirsty

[@montrealmarco2]

@@animula6908 Fascinate the fools and muzzle the intelligent! That's how he did it. The fools continuously get fascinated and voted for him. It's that or the election was rigged.

[@mm5478]

Funny, both peculiar and haha. I'm an immigrant and USMC combat vet and citizen. My siblings and I all have undergrad degrees and some of us have professional graduate degrees. What I don't ever remember hearing while we were growing up was the chorus of "oh, it's not their fault" or "they feel looked down upon" or "the elites don't understand." Am immigrant never hears "it's not your fault." An immigrant never gets the entire body politic to wax poetic about the "lost years." The soft and entitled nature of Americans never ceases to shock and amaze. I am genuinely amazed that America has accomplished as much as it has given the cry-baby soft entitled whiney nature of modern Americans. Looking at you MAGA.

[@RAFAELDIAZ-jv4jf]

The Nation has done so great thanks to the immigrants who show up with that mindset that you perfectly explained !

[@TheBillKillgore]

Absolutely sir, they want to go back to some mythical time when they were handed a good job while putting no effort into developing skills or character. People used to be much more willing to sacrifice and work hard, I hope we can reclaim some of that but I think times may have to get really hard first.

[@robotpanda77]

cry more lol

[@mm5478]

@ Behold! One of the weak, living at home, no prospects, no girl but full of MAGA speaks. It’s predictably pathetic; all of that and your made in China hat won’t get you a girlfriend or your own place, Cletus.

[@quechvermont1279]

i thought you were talking all about the democrats until the last line

[@kathleentrinity7367]

As a retired teacher, I have always felt that public schools are at the core of shared community, democracy, the rule of law, and respect for humanity. It saddens me that the trend toward more private schools and some magnet schools often leaves neighborhood schools with fewer and fewer students and fewer resources.

[@Monotremata]

That's the intent of movement conservatives : starve the public schools of funding so that eventually there will only be private schools and charter schools. That way, the conservative movement can break the teachers' unions and better control the curriculums taught at the non-public schools - curriculums designed to indoctrinate young minds into the conservative worldview. Even though the right-wingers claim to oppose indoctrination...

[@marilynmanchester]

Yes, the underfunding of public education is a major problem. The answer is NOT charter "church schools" or home schooling by unqualified parents.

[@loricusenza4887]

That is the plan. Uneducated people are easier to control.

[@jonnyfendi2003]

@@marilynmanchester public education is not underfunded.

[@Shineon83]

@@jonnyfendi2003Quite the opposite : We spend double per pupil as most European schools do-and with MUCH poorer results

[@christopherbabick2099]

Mr. Sandro repeated his mantra “college degree “ ad nauseam. I am 73 years old and I am racking my brain and don’t remember college as the singular most important message from Democrats. I do have two college semesters under my belt. I have them because I wanted them. Not because of any messaging from the Democratic Party. I’m not convinced by Michael Sandell’s opinion about Donald Trump’s win. I am convinced that much of Donald Trump‘s win had to do with his successful scape goating and fear mongering. As well as his lies about the economy and almost everything that came out of his mouth, and the gullibility of the populous and the laziness of those unwilling to vet what Trump was spewing.

[@hamishstewart5188]

Absolutely!

[@hadrianmonk]

👏

[@vestcoat]

Well said.

[@taknothing4896]

It had more to do with a lot of folks in real pain. And a bunch of them simply didn't vote this time. The hate and lies were possibly more effective in keeping his base riled up.

[@earthjustice01]

And Fox News!

[@MarshaLanigan-sp5vr]

The message "you don't work hard enough and that is why you don't get ahead" is and has been the message of the right for at least 2 decades. Did I miss something?

[@idx1941]

Yeah, this guy seems to be very confused! He's got most of it all ass backwards!

[@acchaladka]

Of the Reaganite right yes, but not of the nativist tea party Trumpist.

[@georgespencer3973]

I think this guest has his parties reversed.

[@karljuhnke8882]

I love this bloke.

[@dactylntrochee]

There was a time when all an average person had to do to get ahead was to work hard, but things have changed. A couple of generations ago, a new spirit emerged that made it necessary to work SMART. Of course, some other person who worked smart also worked hard, so now there was a double task imposed. The Luddites saw this coming, and attempted to destroy the machinery that shifted employment from the hard worker to the smart worker, but their movement never caught on. The GI Bill helped people to work smarter, but the university degree led to a situation where if they got a degree -- in ANYTHING -- they thought they were somehow entitled to a higher level of income and prestige. (It reminds me of the way people of the South Seas Cargo Cults imitated things they saw done by technological society. They misunderstood the fundamental reasons that "talking into a stick" could result in the delivery of food and supplies from the sky.) Alas, there's always a huckster who's eager to sell you a loan that will make you a debt slave forever, and naive people bought into it without thinking the details through. This doesn't mean that everyone has to have a STEM education. A Latin scholar really has to learn to parse a passage, grasp the original meaning, and understand how others arrive at different meanings. The mental muscles such scholarship develops can be applied to other text- and logic- based efforts, but the student has to understand that. So I think the phrase "hard-working" should be retired and "smart-working" should replace it in common parlance. Alas, we changed "E Pluribus Unum" to "In God We Trust", and the change took hold (though we've been going downhill ever since). These things are important ingredients in the zeitgeist, but they aren't always obvious. It's like burning all of nature's store of combustible material in only two hundred years -- nobody notices, but it apparently has a strong effect. Nobody SEES the effect, since we only have 50 or 60 years of mature thought per person, but additions to huge systems, whether an economy or a zeitgeist, add up unnoticed after a long time. By the way, you can be a plumber, electrician, carpenter, or member of any other nonacademic trade, and work plenty smart. It just might serve you better to be, say, a licensed customs broker than the holder of a degree in literature. Both require brains and effort. One without the other no longer cuts it.

[@kendrickjahn1261]

This guy sounds like he doesn't recognize the citizens as being incapable of making wise decisions in who they elect. He gives citizens too much credit. Most people are uninformed and idiotic.

[@robertlobato2259]

I love how Charlie Kirk and Tucker Carlson actually did and keep doing something about it inatead of just being negative like you

[@kendrickjahn1261]

@robertlobato2259 Well, after dropping those names, I'll actually include you in what I said.

[@matthewprice2553]

The Biden presidency was the most focused on the concerns of working people since LBJ if not FDR and was frequently blocked by Trump and the Republicans. This alone seriously undermines Mr Sandel's argument.

[@belladonnatook8851]

@@matthewprice2553 Thank you for saying this. It is well said.

[@Test-nj4fx]

Except that Biden was never able to get that message out. He never actually spoke about class issues. The messaging was terrible.

[@matthewprice2553]

@Test-nj4fx There id something more happening . The suboptimumal focus of the Democrat's messaging must be contrasted with the fascist messaging and behavior of Trump.

[@jojolouis]

@@Test-nj4fx he had a GOP/MAGA movement intent on blocking any achievements

[@Test-nj4fx]

@@matthewprice2553 that's right. Don't forget the media bubble that's so many Trump supporters live in. They heard nothing but lies about the Biden administration and the situation of the economy. They also heard endless lies about immigration.

[@stacysmith7314]

Bernie Sanders had the antidote, repeating on the campaign trail that “we’re all in this together,” was hugely inspiring and popular, but the dems knee-capped him, and now here we are

[@James333-n2q]

It always surprises me that a lot of those commenting don’t seem to register that. They don’t seen to dig any deeper than Dems good orange man bad.

[@jpgsf1978]

Old hat talk. We know everything he is saying.

[@tonyb9735]

Unfortunately, just like Jeremy Corbyn here in the UK, Bernie's appeal is deep, but too narrow to win power.

[@ibodhidogma]

We'll forever have Wasserman-Schultz and Clinton to thank for that.

[@MrGaryCampanella]

Bernie has been consistent in his message. Only in America do people think that his message is radical left socialist when in fact it is centrist in many countries. It is also centrist if one believes, as I do, that we have two overarching priorities: 1. to take care of each other; and 2. to take care of our home (earth). We fail at both of these in America but in fact the Democrats were at least closer but lost their way. It didn't help that Obama bailed out the corporations and banks in 2008 rather than bailing out ordinary citizens, damn the banks and corporations that really caused the crisis. This is a wake up call for us but it will be a long haul to get back to where we need to be.

[@marcusaurelius9123]

Trump isnt the answer. The same people who have grievances fell for Trumps demagoguery. Things will now get even worse.

[@charlesmartin1121]

Absolutely correct. Trump has no plan and no interest in elevating those who support him out of their socioeconomic circumstances.

[@jackshaftoe1715]

Listen, it was only cause they're stupid ! 😊

[@l.w.paradis2108]

So why didn't the DNC hold a primary and run a solid candidate? Why didn't they start planning in November 2016?

[@technokicksyourass]

The country disagrees... by A LOT!

[@robertarvanitis8852]

@@l.w.paradis2108 Alas, facts and reason don't work with TDS.

[@helanna9843]

The reason people feel their voices and concerns aren't heard in government is because it is run by monied people, for the benefit of monied people. Until money in politics is regulated, no significant change will occur.

[@EmilyTienne]

The poor and rural people chose Trump for their salvation. But this is like chickens looking to Colonel Sanders as their hero. That said, Democrats need to deliver real results to middle America. Jobs, safe communities, a sense of dignity.

[@paulschweizer7696]

Democrats did deliver but got no media coverage because Trump and MAGAs sucked all the oxygen out of the media room. People were just too damn lazy to just LOOK IT UP.

[@jackshaftoe1715]

Chickens & The Colonel ☺

[@ReadMoreHistory-v9u]

To be fair, they have tried, but have been relentlessly and intentionally obstructed by GOP who don’t want the government to work so they can destroy it. Mission accomplished

[@FootUlcerDefender]

Well said!!

[@leighfosnot196]

I like your chicken analysis ...

[@RovingRoy]

Discontent is one thing. Selling your soul to the Antichrist is another 😠

[@brainpain5260]

The people agree. That's why Harris lost.

[@shayshayman3369]

​@@brainpain5260You believe the lies that Harris is the antiChrist? You have been scammed for sure!

[@markberryhill2715]

I used to think he (45/47) was too dumb to be the antichrist, but he checks too many of the boxes now not to believe it.

[@buzoff4642]

Apparently a not-status-quo candidate too much to ask for, of either party. Both parties aligned with the antichrist, Wall St. The public voted Bust That Up. Should be interesting, including the flying shrapnel.

[@TheRealSnakePlisken]

@@brainpain5260oh wow. Good luck with your savior and his team of idiots. You will learn in the end.

[@geraldosborn6365]

Republicans have consistently voted against public education & expanding health care. These are the very things this fellow says we need more of to benefit the most. (He even credited Western Europe for doing this to create a more egalitarian society than we now have here). Germany has opened its public Universities to the world, tuition-free. Education includes way more than "going to college." Germany has for a long time developed a wide range of pathways to a good living through skilled trade programs and partnerships with apprentice programs through manufacturers. The major issues of anger here have been stoked & nurtured by the toxic spread of mis- & even deliberate dis-information. Fox, Newsmax, OAN & Breitbart et. al. have been very successful at inciting anger & grievance as a business model & have been extraordinarily successful at this. This is continuing even after Fox was fined 3/4 of a billion dollars for broadcasting information they knew to be untrue and Smartmatic is not even done with them yet. Even the private Fox emails, made public during the investigation, indicated they ridicule & poke fun at the very audience they incite. Just an expense of doing business so full speed ahead. How about another conspiracy theory.

[@donaldspaulding6973]

This is spot on! The goal of the GOP is for people to stay dumb enough to believe what they say, and not healthy enough to do anything if they recognize misinformation. The proof is the expense of these two things doubling every couple years.

[@craigmackay3192]

Funny Americans think Western Europe has done down the tubes but quality of life and indicators for middle and lower classes much better than here

[@TheGruntski]

So, the executive summary is you failed, and are therefore not worthy of power. Better have another beer at the student pub.

[@robertarvanitis8852]

Bad take. Increasing share of GDP goes to government. Worse, most of the total take is mal-distributed, to buy votes and pay off cronies. The failure is ENTIRELY with how badly government uses that small portion going to proper jobs of government. And that failure is most prominent in failed centers of blue cities, strangled by teachers' unions and corrupting welfare. When you try to disagree, use facts, deployed with reason and I will match you point by point. Or shun open debate and convict yourself. PS: The German economy has stagnated pitifully in the last 15 years, compared to the growth in America. Thank you for trying to make that point!

[@ey67]

Americans have been too stoopido to live since saint Ronny Reagan and slick Willie Clinton. Voted themselves out of existence because there was no other choice. Just labels and cheerleaders.

[@jamesl9371]

The problem is wealth inequality And the middle class has been screwed for decades Unfortunately millions of Americans voted against their own interests because they don’t know better

[@lauracarstiou3505]

As a woman who went to college l have always felt squeezed economically as a single parent. I somehow managed to send my son to college. He managed to send two children to college but they are living at home. My son just paid off student debts for his master's degree. Only the very rich are having the good life. None of us voted for DT because he's a menace who tried to overthrow the government. We still have all the problems and stress!

[@steveboyd9320]

Because democrats have been in power 12 of the last 16 year’s. Now think about that

[@istvanglock7445]

@@steveboyd9320 As the guy in the video basically said - it's the system. It's not a democracy, it's an oligarchy. Little to do with which political party is in power.

[@janetstephens7762]

People are tired of the race baiting and our children being exposed to trash.

[@kaze.14]

​@@istvanglock7445 a bit pessimistic & Shifting the blame. When has the democratic government ever been transparent with the common people? Most billionaires are democrats

[@pyewacket60]

@@steveboyd9320 In February 2021, The New York Times reported: "Since 1933, the economy has grown at an annual average rate of 4.6 percent under Democratic presidents and 2.4 percent under Republicans ... The average income of Americans would be more than double its current level if the economy had somehow grown at the Democratic rate for all of the past nine decades."

[@Monotremata]

"A couple of years ago, a Republican committee staff director told me candidly (and proudly) what the method was to all this obstruction and disruption. Should Republicans succeed in obstructing the Senate from doing its job, it would further lower Congress's generic favorability rating among the American people. By sabotaging the reputation of an institution of government, the party that is programmatically against government would come out the relative winner." -- from the 2011 essay "Goodbye to All That: Reflections of a GOP Operative Who Left the Cult" by Mike Lofgren

[@chrisevans1255]

Indeed.

[@digitalreject3233]

I read something almost exactly like that in the book "It's Even Worse Than It Looks", by Norm Ornstein and Thomas Mann.

[@Monotremata]

@@digitalreject3233 : True, I had read that book as well. There were some who were warning us that the stridency in right-wing politics was becoming a big problem. You can search the title of Lofgren's essay to give it a read. It's pretty compelling stuff for anyone who may be wondering "How did we get here??"

[@halbuhr7220]

Rs ran on white, Christian grievance. Notice they avoided offering any solutions to our problems. Divide and conquer at the ballot box. When are voters going to catch on to their strategy? It only benefits a few at the top, like Musk, who spent millions to keep his taxes low and make sure Trump follows through imposing massive tariffs on Chinese EVs.

[@vivianburrus8085]

And also in Stuart Stevens' "The Conspiracy to End America" and "It's All A Lie". Can't say we weren't warned by those in a position to know!

[@davidpetersen1]

Dude is giving waaaay to much credit to the American voters who have gone Maga.. fear and hatred.. plain and simple.

[@jpaganmusic]

Lmao who is you😅😅..I went to a maga rally in Florida and a Harris one...nothing but love from maga..Harris folks were so smug ..you don't fall in full line you get kicked to the curb..im glad I left the left..what trash

[@fredgarvinMP]

You're giving far too much credit to yourself.

[@freeheeler09]

Stupidly, fear and hatred.

[@fredgarvinMP]

@godfreycarmichael You have four years to ponder it.

[@phir0002]

@@jpaganmusic LOL of course the MAGA crowd don't hate each other, its everyone who is not like them that they hate. I am guessing you were one of them, or you perceive yourself to be one of them, so you don't feel the hate. Ask people who aren't like them if they feel the "love". The "love" you saw at the MAGA rally was not love, but blind faith and idolatry. It's a powerful drug to feel like you belong somewhere, even if it's all a con.

[@matthewhoffman6868]

I grew up in a medium-sized town in SE Pennsylvania in the 1950s. It was just as stratified by class, housing, education and cultural activities as anything described by Michael Sandell above. The main difference from now has to do with a sharp decline in overall prosperity due to rustbelt-type phenomena. This cannot be cured by hanging out together.

[@carmend.1924]

I disagree with the distinguished guest, though I appreciate his commentary. Having a college degree had nothing to do with electing Trump to the Presidency. Absolutely nothing will improve for anyone, college degree or not, under an Autocratic regime, catering to the top 1% of the population.

[@MjependE]

He is living in lalaland - speaking as an observer from afar. The fact he is at Harvard says a lot too.

[@LaveeYang-b8q]

We disagree with you. He is right. The Democratic Party became the party for bankers, technocrats, and intellectuals. The working class got ignored. Too bigger to fail. Monopolies like Google, Facebook, and Amazon not being disbanded. I can go on…it’s these seismic issues there that he’s talking about.

[@sassysls1851]

I don’t remember Democrats ever saying a college degree would solve all of life’s problems. What the hell is he talking about? I was given this impression as a child of the 80s and it is BS. I needed many more skills and life experience that our schools/most families did not teach. These days it is much more common for kids to be informed of a wider range of options besides college (at least in MA where I used to live), I’m not sure this is a Democrat or Republican thing, but maybe I’m not understanding this guy’s point. I’m not sure how tariffs and taxes that charge the poor more than the rich is helpful to anyone other than the 1%.

[@ChazH2011]

Agreed, I think Trump was playing on many individuals fear of change. There is a racism, greed, and power, plus incessant lies and misinformation. I think a timid Democrat party and administration that fears angering the MAGA crowd by prosecuting Trump and acting on it, led to this mess. Mature strength involves making tough decisions.

[@RetrieverTrainingAlone]

INFLATION! Food prices up 25 percent, rent up 20 percent, interest rates more than doubled. Encumbent administrations during inflations have lost re-election: Carter administration, Bush administration, Biden administration.

[@jimmykidwell7688]

Total bs! The reality is we live in an entertainment society. Too many have surrender character for being "entertained" by a conman and traitor.

[@daveyboy7964]

THIS!!!! They all want to see it burn for kicks... Well, they're all about to get their wish.

[@peterandreadakis3851]

Just my thought this morning!

[@graemesydney38]

The 'entertainment' was an additional factor; “I don't care what the newspapers say about me, as long as they spell my name right.” The quote has been attributed to many people, including Mae West, P.T. Barnum and W.C. Fields - and now DJ Chump. Mixed with the 'entertainment', or part of it for the Plebs, was to cause outrage, controversy, chaos and confusion. No controversy was full explored by the media, the opposition or the public before the next bombshell detonated in the press. I think it was just the lying, cheating, conman Chump rather then anything planned, but it was effective. The public ended up dumbed by it all and became accepted and normalised by the media and 'sanewashing'.

[@512Squared]

Both these things can be true at the same time

[@tbowers8398]

thank you fox... 🙄

[@ddh2o759]

Fundamentals aside, many Trump voters would not accept a woman as president. The idea that Trump can restore a moral, civil society let alone improve the lives of working people is very hard for me to see.

[@marshallhumphreys6317]

Hold your nose and enjoy the benefits in a nation of all political parties coming together against the vile, racist, bigoted, hateful lies which have spewed from the months of dummycrates for the past 9 years.

[@AWT8900]

this response mirrors the liberal response to the election result. This was not about Trump voters not choosing a women....they would not vote for an incompetent woman. They had no faith in an incredibly unpopular V.P and her lack of political nous and achievement, who spoke in word salads.

[@adkdan]

Yes, I dont understand how the democratic party thought this was the right time to break thru the gender barrier. This is the second time and so few are talking about the obvious sexism because it's politically incorrect to suggest that there should be any difference in perception between male and female candidates.

[@davidbannerman4359]

There are democrats and not a small percentage of women that would not vote for a woman either

[@nathans1787]

Trump’s vote total this election wasn’t much different than in 2020-Kamala lost because so many left-leaning voters decided to stay at home. For sure misogyny was a factor, but I don’t think it was determinative.

[@mrloanagentman]

Imagine playing a game of monopoly when you enter the game after one player has already dominated the board. This is what Americans are facing today. We must get big corporate interests OUT of the residential real estate market (outside of apartments)

[@Supercruze]

Greed, anger, and tribalism is eating this country alive.

[@user-ye4mp3lv9u]

My definition of Patriotism: The willingness to participate as a citizen, taking risks and making personal sacrifices when necessary, out of a genuine desire to make the country a better place.

[@renman3000]

It says, Americans prefer Jerry Springer to NPR.

[@emilmedellin4525]

I preferred Bernie Sanders ... | #Oligarchy #FeelTheBern

[@technokicksyourass]

@@emilmedellin4525 Prepare for a life of permanent disappointment.

[@michellecd4722]

That is because most do not know of NPR and this is it in a nutshell. People stick w what they know. There is a difference between the college educated and townies most often due to exposure to a wider lens perspective. I am grateful for my 3 degrees, my understanding of all the games at play and am poverty level, food stamps, mediare and mediaid on ssdi all due to health issues. My fellow women could have helped instead my fellow man will take us all down. 😢

[@jonnyfendi2003]

@@michellecd4722 3 degrees and poverty level???? What the f were your worthless degrees in???

[@e.tezani3877]

Trump was elected by those with bigger screen TV's than bookshelves

[@tylermoore4429]

"A sense of belonging, pride, community?" How did Biden undermine this, and how will Trump restore it?

[@briantomory8399]

he won't. Was anybody paying attention during his first term? Most devisive president we've ever had.

[@SaneReason4All]

@@briantomory8399Really?🤡

[@OttoFrankfurt-x6c]

By proxy of his affiliation with the Democratic party which has repeatedly attacked and disparaged the community. (Pale, stale, male, racist, white supremacist, redneck trash, cis bigots f*** your statues, and monuments, no rules no laws no fascist usa burn it down stupid magat chuds incels, etc ,etc ,etc) Those are just the slogans. It gets worse when we really dig into it.

[@tomnanD3]

I agree with you about the problems. But believing that Trump and Republicans can solve those problems reveals a gullible, stupid electorate. Someone has to say it.

[@normandbisson6767]

A country where everyone is waving the flag but do everything they can to avoid paying taxes !!

[@alwaysinmymind181]

So who can solve? Biden-Harris? you should look back 4 years ago when Democrat has their chance.

[@jenniferabel2811]

Actually, what someone has to say is that "the illiterates," already under attack, have not supported ten years' of the liberal media monolith relentlessly projecting nasty names upon them. I can't understand why this basic fact is such an elephant in the room.

[@camillep9346]

Absolutely and Trumpie knows it.....

[@TheBabyDumbo]

@@alwaysinmymind181 Trump also had his chance from 2017-2021.

[@earthjustice01]

Reagan Reagan Reagan! that's who successfully reversed the trend towards equality.

[@lmn1516]

A few years ago I was telling people that this is Reagan all over again, and the response was "who?" Even if they weren't yet alive when he was in office, surely they learned about him in school? Very concerning.

[@Rustyshackelford177]

Reagan all over again would be amazing!!

[@Grimenoughtomaketherobotcry]

And who courted and empowered the real deplorables, the Robertsons and Falwells, and assorted right-wing extremists, morphing in time to the Tea Partiers, making the Republican party ripe for Trump's picking. The bitter cost of, "Morning in America".

[@bobdinanjr2097]

Reagan and his trickle down economics was the fools gold that ultimately stagnated middle class wages and growth! He lit the match and Trump will continue to pour gasoline on the fire! His rhetoric continues the fools gold, empty promises that so many feel will lift them out of economic stagnation! Trump is the great pied piper!

[@SK-ql3yf]

Christ = Socialist. Reagan = Anti-Socialist = Anti-Christ.

[@vincentzacks9584]

Nobody is asking why people vote against their own interest?

[@ExtinctionLife]

Misinformation and ignorance

[@iemy2949]

Misinformation echo chambers.

[@fredgarvinMP]

@@iemy2949 "misinformation" = censorship agenda

[@cassieo4337]

Religious fanaticism

[@emilmedellin4525]

Because voting for their own interests DIDN'T work ... TWICE!! | #ObamaAdministration #BidenAdministration #Oligarchy #TwoPartyDuopoly

[@davetekannon]

Thank you Walter and Michael for one of the most interesting and informative interviews on how Trump could have possibly become your president a second time. As an overseas viewer, I believe Americans are going to get a surprise with Trump's second term, because what the Trojan Horse cum President-elect Trump is hiding under his hat will certainly bring about a change in your society, but also a deepening awareness that Trump is not what America or the world needs in these very dangerous times.

[@johnnylightning0963]

I stopped listening to this guy when he said the Trump voters were voting against “elites” when they voted for a billionaire representing the oligarch class.

[@hamishstewart5188]

Me too

[@keithpalmer4547]

Remember NOTHING is held against tRump. NOTHING.

[@istvanglock7445]

But they don't see Trump as an elite. He's able to make a connection with them.

[@tonycollyweston6182]

​@@istvanglock7445Because he is a brilliant con man.

[@wlhjr77]

That's the point though, people who voted for trump don't see him as an elite.

[@randallgregerson4761]

In watching interviews with many voters, especially MAGA voters, I generally was of TBE impression that so very few understood the policies and issues effecting them directly in their everyday lives. He s wrong in confusing progressive politics and the Democratic Party. Bernie Sanders is progressive. The Democrats, at best, are right of centre. The Democrats alienate people like Bernie, who was a popular candidate on both sides because he does address the issues this guy denies are being addressed. Progressives are not the problem. Big corporations and their influence in politics are the real problem, along with voters who aren't well informed. This is the most generous I can possibly be on this subject.

[@timchapman5567]

Bernie is for Communism, proved a deadly failure wherever it has taken power.

[@sothca20001]

REgressive & WOKE policies indicate that the DIMs aren't even close to "right of Karl MARX!!!" Heck, I'm not sure even Karl would be OK with teen boys showering with his daughters???!!!

[@danielyang8270]

So you are saying the voters from the left are more informed than the average MAGA voters? You have got to be kidding me.

[@MISANTHROPE1964]

So the problem is “that so very few understand the policies and issues effecting them directly” and the “voters who aren’t well informed?” That arrogance is a perfect summation of why so many have turned against the progressive movement.

[@shirleyharris1335]

Absolutely! Many as well don’t listen to the message. There was more fearmongering during this Election, that many didn’t believe! @VP Kamala had an extraordinary message to creating a more prosperous nation for working class people,

[@whctjsdlfqhrlfprl]

Four things 1. By Thomas Jefferson, the government you elect is the government you deserve 2. By Abraham Lincoln: If you want to find out what a man is to the bottom, give him power. 3. By John Stuart Mill: No all conservatives are stupid but most of stupid people are conservatives. 4. By George Carlin: Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.

[@austindenotter19]

Al Franken?

[@careerscoop5241]

democrats failed not becos republican is good......democrats failed becos they didnt handle the college protests across US handing of Gaza killings......a govt who dosent respect teens view point, will go for a toss......

[@johncorbin1622]

You really mean that your scared shit less that Harvard might loose alot of fauci grant money and that Trump might actually put an end to your grant money and the bucks you from the CCP at Harvard. Jefferson Also said that the government that governs the less governs the best. Lincoln also said you can fool some of the people some of the time but you can't fool all of the people all of the time. I guess we the people are just sick of you guys fooling us people all of the time. Harvard can go pound sand. GO TRUMP GO MAGA

[@Greenforrest7342]

So, are you suggesting that the Republican Party is unnecessary and that a one-party rule by the Democratic Party is more suitable for modern-day United States?

[@OttoFrankfurt-x6c]

Lincoln was an actual Tyrant who suspended rights, had people arrested for criticizing him, and violently suppressed uprisings in New York (not the South). Mills was British, the parties and ideologies are not really compatible. Plus the UK is a hot mess with people getting arrested for saying mean things about rapists whereas the rapists get sympathy. Let's not seek to emulate them. Carlin was a comedian. You are taking socio-political advice from an actual clown.

[@SRKanai1]

I'm not sure how much of this guy's philosophy I buy into. I'm a working person with advanced degrees. I have never felt that Republicans who give massive tax breaks to the already rich and wealthy appeal to the common working person. To say otherwise is quite frankly insane. I DO feel that they appeal to the baser urges most common to the least educated among us, but that's nothing new. The Republican party has been the least educated constituency in our political system for many many years now. That didn't just happen in the 2010's. It's really this simple, the discontent that has allowed for Trump to win has much more to do with the fact that he gives people permission to settle for being uneducated, hateful, racist and authoritarian in order to get their way. These are people who are still desperately angry that they had to call a black man the Commander and Chief, and in retaliation, they've hired neofascists to run the country and destroy democracy. Which is what we're seeing right now, even before Trump officially takes office.

[@_onesimpleidea]

Very well said. And for anyone still wondering about what happened to Harris, you saw what happened to Hillary. This time, the very last thing they were going to vote for was a _black_ Hillary. No true surprise there.

[@george3769]

And more, I live in a county that went 95% for Trump. If everyone is doing so badly financially I sure don't see it on the road. Everyone drives big new trucks and new cars. I rarely see an old run down car. Restaurants are packed. How are they doing so badly when they can afford a great vehicle and eat out so much?

[@marpro765]

Looking but not seeing.

[@tiffanywatson5474]

That's part of it. I live in Texas. You have 2 main types of Trump voters: 1. The working class who have real economic problems and need a better deal. 2. Wealthy individuals who identify with the billionaires. They have investments and live pretty cushy lives, so they just don't care about the working class. In fact, they blame the working class for their problems, even though most of them are smart enough to know that the Republican policies are bad for most people. These are ones that really like to shout that anyone advocating for free college, healthcare, or a higher minimum wages is a socialist, communist, WOKE, etc. Since this class of moderately wealthy Republicans is overwhelmingly white, heterosexual and Christian, they are the most vocal about immigration, DEI, abortion rights, Islamist, etc. These issues are the smokescreen they use to split the white working class vote from the minority working class vote, which is usually Democratic. This year, however, with a Black woman running for president, more minorities than usual, particularly Hispanic men, jumped to Trump because of sexism and racism.

[@thisorthat7626]

@george3769 Credit is one way. When the average American has less than $500 in savings, it says a lot about how people are spending their money. This may not be the case in your county but it is the case in a lot of areas. I watch my neighbor have food delivered almost daily and she has a fairly new car and works from home with flexible hours, so it's not like she doesn't have time to drive someplace. Different proirities for people.

[@LuLU-ep7wf]

​@tiffanywatson5474 I agree with you 100% the poor, uneducated, working class etc are been used

[@objectivityisourfriend9631]

@@tiffanywatson5474 I'm really so sick of hearing about this poor working class who'd rather vote against civil liberties so they can pay less for eggs than vote for human dignity and struggle with the price of food for a hot minute. I'm rather poor at the moment, despite my college degrees, and I do manual labor and am officially a member of the working class. I can't buy the groceries I want, but I make do. I'm grateful for my travels throughout the world. Maybe when these "poor" Americans experience an entire currency collapse they'll rethink their bitching about bacon and eggs.

[@gustavocabrera-mw4vl]

So, in ONE phrase ... TRUMP's election is a HUGE MIDDLE FINGER to the US social structure and values ...

[@michaelgann8070]

It looks that way.

[@TerriObrien-mi5rx]

Imagine thinking Trump and his billionaires could relate to normal people, I could understand this concept if it wasn’t Trump and the rich,gold toilets lavish lifestyles, difficult to fathom, now crooks, perverts and rich people to save America 👺🤬👿

[@AcidicJO]

To the establishment, not social structures. If anything people voted for a more traditional society. A bunch of ads Republicans ran were about how the left if forcing trans issues on us. That goes against a traditionalist ideology. Dems need to focus on kitchen table issues and abandon the fringe. Stick it simple issues that effect the majority of Americans. College is expensive, salaries suck, we can’t afford homes or cars anymore, we are being squeezed. Focus on those issues and stop talking about the issues the far left cares about.

[@richcherwalk6349]

@@AcidicJOexcept I wouldn’t call them far left because a true leftist gets that paying people a good wage is everything, identity politics is what corporate news uses to divide us

[@johnkoch1888]

@@AcidicJO Precisely what policies would solve the issues you mention? How to pay for free college? Do diplomas guarantee remunerative jobs? How to raise salaries? Would homeowners welcome a fall in prices to favor buyers? Whose fault is it that too many people of modest incomes want to buy over-priced trucks they do not really need?

[@shaggybreeks]

For a few years during my childhood, I lived with upper middle class relatives instead of with my lower income single mother. One thing about growing up with money, in a wealthy community, was how much was FREE to everyone. Mostly due to well-funded public schools, where every kid got a week at a summer camp in the mountains, free. School lunches were a quarter. I went skiing for free. Visits to amusement parks and other places were free, either through the school, church, or employers. Same deal when I visited them in the LA area years later. They had a whole drawer full of free passes to Disneyland. Admission and all rides, free. It's a weird fact, that the poor pay more for everything.

[@afterthesmash]

Your concept of "free" is broken. Someone paid for all of those things. What you document is that people weren't too concerned about policing precisely which kids benefitted from that largess downstream. All the kids were equally entitled to benefits paid for behind some dark curtain.

[@maryshaffer8059]

Decades ago I noticed that you got free bank accounts if you had enough money and had to pay a monthly fee if you didn't have much. When you are wealthy everyone wants to be your friend and your business.

[@dillilyeverage315]

@@afterthesmash your concept of "free" is broken. The OP describes public goods that are unremarkable in most European economies, funded transparantly by taxes, not some "dark curtain".

[@karen-ec8yz]

I wonder if your childhood experience with differences in schools were with schools within the same state. States basically control education and I think what children are taught varies widely from state to state. Same with extra benefits to kids by the schools. Or were the differences you experienced just at different schools in the same state?

[@alisavancouver9873]

Your missing partial content from post you replied on. Free items for kids, resources at school came from that community business donating “free” tickets, free breakfast (more than a granola bar), donations to school sports/dance ie uniform, grant fund help teens take school trips (flight to see history systems etc). Low middle-class living pay-check to nxt can’t afford their HS kids to college, maybe own a older home needing repairs that are decided whether kids get clothing, possible daycare needed or after school care few hrs, or not get medical referral for an unlimited reasons & instead person in serious medical need chooses to ignore due to high deductible (mine was $3,200 before insur paid bills per yr) & esp the poor whom pay more for everything, AND less resources or none are available in those communities that need it the most. Business although can use their donations (tickets, school uniforms for sports, sufficient meals at schools, paid staff to offer after school hours watching Kids) stems from higher taxes paid in higher income neighborhoods, business also caters to those neighborhoods as they act on human social behavior “people I’m helping looks and acts more like me/us); their more educated even if the parents didn’t attend college, more likely had better public schools had at least 1 stay-home parent provided some tutoring, was involved with school aka PTA’s, or income level enough to save for their teens attend at least 2yrs of college. You may want to research this topic how the rich pay less for many essentials, housing (not now unless one earns $100,000+ yrly), their jobs will be higher pay due to having benefits from GENERATIONAL wealth which has been disappearing since the 90’s.

[@rcpmac]

No mention of racism, misogyny, or hatred. This discussion gives MAGA way too much credit

[@nancycline160]

Biden was turning policy away from neoliberalism economics back toward support for the working class. Harris was also talking to the working class. So don't blame Democrats when the Republican in all branches of government have been unethical and pushed policy to destroy the working class. Your bias is part of the problem.

[@wendylafolle]

Good points, but what was the working class perception of all that? Most had no idea, and if they did, it probably sounded hollow. The malaise is deep, trust is very low. A much richer and more resonating message about the future of America is needed.

[@digitalreject3233]

Excellent reply.

[@weirdshibainu]

Wrong. Biden had every opportunity to "speak to the people" Are you forgetting that he had both chambers of Congress in his first 2 years? He could have gotten anything he wanted passed. SMH

[@emotionalIntelligence2078]

It's like saying- Black DEI Obama couldn't get 40 yrs long persisting demand of black community to pass the Criminal justice system, but Trump did it with the Republican house in 2017 within 4yrs of tenure against 8yrs of Obama, amidst all that propaganda by main stream media.

[@travisrlel2]

@@weirdshibainu not quite. Manchin and Sinema were useless.

[@bryanmachin2152]

The reason the very wealthy control government policy is Citizens United, a Supreme Court decision written entirely by REPUBLICAN-APPOINTED JUSTICES. That doesn't mean that Democrats aren't to blame also, since BOTH parties primarily cater to the wealthy for campaign donations. But Republicans have no workable plan to reduce inequality. So if you're counting on tariffs, or more tax cuts, or mass deportations to do it, NONE of them will reduce inequality. And you will soon learn that they have NO OTHER PLANS. But some of us were saying this BEFORE you gave them complete control over government, and you didn't listen. When will you start listening?

[@bwanna23]

A cabal of Oligarchs, Kleptocrats, and Plutocrats are buying governments around the world. The U.S. was a tough nut to crack, but they did it.

[@Rustyshackelford177]

Laughable nonsense from someone who almost certainly didn’t read the case.

[@bryanmachin2152]

@@Rustyshackelford177 What part of what I said is "nonsense"?

[@Rustyshackelford177]

@@bryanmachin2152 it’s clear you don’t know what Citizens United was about and I doubt you even care. The very wealth have always influenced politics long before Citizens United. It’s not the governments role to reduce inequality - except to get out of the way so the economy can thrive. Also the whole idea that inequality is even the problem is itself absurd. Compared to a poor person I am well off. Compared to a billionaire I am poor. The span between the richest and the poorest is irrelevant. Equality is what children cry for. If you are poor it’s not because Bill Gates or LeBron James or Opera is rich.

[@bryanmachin2152]

@@Rustyshackelford177 Duh. EVERYONE is aware that money already influenced politics. You don't need to be all be smug about it, or give us the standard conservative lecture about "government''s roll" that I've heard every year since Reagan was elected. Compared to a billionaire, EVERYONE is poor. Could you make a more meaningless statement? Let me guess, you also think that anyone pointing out inequality, or that wealth is corrupting the system is somehow FILLED with class envy, right? I honestly don't care that I'm not rich. It would be nice, but it's not important. But corruption of politics is NOT about how much money *I* make--even though personal wealth appears to be the main pre-occupation of 1/2 of everyone who replies to anything I write. Corruption of politics by money is bad for the society as a whole, regardless of whether the rich are liberal or conservatives. But thanks for trotting out three rich liberals if that makes you feel better. P.S. You never told me what I got wrong about the decision.

[@KLRe0509]

“For 50 years, the median wage of hourly workers stagnated or declined while the stock market and CEO pay skyrocketed. Is it any wonder so many feel abandoned by the system? People lose faith, and a demagogue fills the void. This is why we must fix the system.” - Robert Reich

[@romainbourque4891]

a politician from India had once said a few years ago, she said "when we move forward in a democracy, we all move forward together" , the neo liberalism that has infected America is undemocratic. the top 3 richest Americans have as much wealth as the bottom 50% of American citizens is sickening and obscene

[@M20-z4j]

and one of them opened his wallet for Trump. So who exactly American people were voting against?

[@PamelaHaymond]

@@M20-z4j Yes, I'm betting Musk gave Trump the equivalent of me giving $5.00. Musk wants more power. And now Musk, the richest man in the world, will be deciding what the rest of us deserve. It's the Robber Baron era on steroids.

[@darlalathan6143]

@@M20-z4j Women and minorities.

[@M20-z4j]

@@darlalathan6143 Sadly, the data from recent election suggests the opposite.

[@JOELJonas-d8g]

Quarden Token will moonshoot after CEX listing..

[@palace927]

Troll

[@GeorgePence]

Wow, you got 778 upvotes on this!!!?? AMAZING!!! And I know that not a single one of those is from a bot, too!!! The "Quarden" token must be the real deal, and now that I've seen your comment with 778 upvotes that are not at all from bots, I'm totally going to buy some!! Do you mind replying and letting me know what I should do just in case it ends up being a rug pull? Not that I think it ever could, with 778 non-bot comments on a token nobody has heard about, but you know, just want to be careful with my money

[@garyvanremortel5218]

Our education system has failed.

[@mdforseth]

Yes, this is at the core of our present situation. One party works hard to dumb-down the populace because that’s how they get votes. Trump himself said the quiet part out loud: “ I love the poorly educated.” We’re increasingly a nation of the Dunning-Krueger afflicted.

[@joelcarson9514]

"You can't teach a pig to sing. It wastes your time and annoys the pig." This analogy covers close to fifty percent of the problem right there.

[@garyvanremortel5218]

​@@mdforsethKruger.

[@rwjazz1299]

no ! you failed.

[@jeffhidalgo8457]

Not education.....parenting. bad parenting caused this. Wishy washy beliefs, no moral compass, no work ethic.

[@gregj1789]

Social media has turned the U.S. into a reality show.

[@MCJSA]

Yes. The "you can get it if you really try" refrain is demoralizing if economic and social conditions prevent almost everyone from doing that. People believe the song and turn on themselves and their frustration is easily harnessed by cynical political actors who will only deepen their misery hoping for even more power.

[@juliangiulio3147]

s'the same the world over! Some lucky ones educate themselves as adults -and become aware ...that the Govenemsnt, of whatever colour is NOT THE problem, essentially, imperfect as it is!)

[@MCJSA]

@@juliangiulio3147 That is what the neoliberal ideologues say - there is only the individual, society does not exist. "The government" is not the problem, because the government is US and the problem is YOU. Or, that's what they mean, anyway.

[@valdencorr2861]

living in America is like winning the global lottery. You have no idea because you never lived in a third world country. Keep whining about your shortcomings and blaming 'the system' instead of your poor decisions and work ethic.

[@juliangiulio3147]

@@MCJSA Nope not quite saying this!

[@MCJSA]

@@valdencorr2861 Are you talking to me? I am American, 14th generation, but have spent most of my life living in third world countries. I am not blaming the system. I am stating a simple fact. Human beings are social animals and not each a world unto their own. That is the ludicrous position of neoliberalism, universally discredited but still believed by simple minded folks innocent in their bliss.

[@blackterminal]

It says a large part of America is happy to vote for a sexist felon. I say this as a non American. America has a strange society these days.

[@ralphvandereb66]

What about if that theory was not true and it was a system vilifying a threat to their their way of life. Collectively the people didn’t buy it.

[@bigboy9693]

So, you drunk the koolaid from the establishment blobs puppet, Harris.

[@keyboarddancers7751]

If you think that's bad, just imagine how awful it feels to be the first black woman to lose to Trump!

[@Rustyshackelford177]

Take another hit of that copium and keep going with silly thinking that led to your loss in the first place.

[@blackterminal]

@Rustyshackelford177 Did you read? I am not American. None of what I said isn't true.

[@frae6346]

How can a humane approach and thoughtful analysis explain hatred, greed and juvenile behaviour. Hint: it can't. My sis that voted Trump is a complete drain on the family. I'm tired of carrying her and people like her along. Degrading myself another millimeter for Trumpers just isn't going to happen. They are broken, sick and cruel people. I'm not going back.

[@lasha3688]

Two of my relatives, who completely depend on the one's sister and the other's best friend financially, voted for Trump because they were mad that "all the illegals are on benefits". Oh, and by the way, they moved to the US from Russia lol. They're immigrants themselves god dammit. Non-working immigrants.

[@AlexisDavis16]

❤❤

[@digitalreject3233]

@@frae6346 Perhaps the most accurate comment on here. I'm right there with you. All this analysis is BS. There aren't ANY valid reasons for voting for him. Never were never will be. Period.

[@kelliepatterson1035]

Yes and the middle class carry them.

[@comondwnnorton]

When Harris said her main goal was to improve life for the middle class, it was obvious she would turn off voters who used to and could again vote democratic My wife and I both have masters degrees, but went into social work and education. Most of the kids coming out of 2 year tech schools will make 5 times the money we will. I know because two of my kids graduated from tech college and they are doing very well. The sad fact is many people with college degrees are in the same economic boat as those working for $15.00 an hour. Many of the new teachers my wife works with have been telling her that while they would like a family, they can’t afford children. Please tell me what kind of f’d up American dream that is?

[@erichimes3062]

Never underestimate the power of collective idiocy

[@joannamortreux1]

I think this very attitude is why Trump is as popular as he is, no one likes the feeling of being looked down upon.

[@rexxsoul1]

Clearly you did not understand anything Prof. Sandel said

[@wallacegrommet9343]

Unlike genius, stupidity has no limits

[@deborahwalker7406]

@@joannamortreux1 nope. we didn't make you feel dumb. You're just plain dumb. you ARE dumb.

[@gaulishrealist]

Yeah I'll never underestimate the power of collective idiocy after seeing dems root for men in women's sports. Keep being arrogant. More wins for us.

[@johnpaula1400]

I am a Canadian pensioner with a high school education. I believe America's disaster can be easily repaired by having - #1-universal health care, 2 a mandatory pension system. And finally mandatory attendance in a polling booth, which we do not yet have in Canada.Also the ability of individuals, canadians as well, should not be able to avoid income taxes while earning enormous wealth, the percentage of taxes should increase with wealth earned.

[@Tony-lj5lr]

universal healthcare is not a solution for anything, especially the canadian style one canadian healthcare is a worldclass embarasment

[@JillWhitcomb1966]

May I just say.... I live in North Dakota. Many Manitobans will drive down here to North Dakota to buy eyeglasses because they are 30 to 50 % less expensive than in Manitoba. And, many Manitobans will drive down here for medical appointments or surgery, although it's much more expensive. Why? Because they are able to see a North Dakota doctor next week, or have their surgery within 2 weeks, instead of sitting on a waiting list for months.

[@johnhutchins5448]

You make interesting points which made me reflect on how it is here in Australia. We have national health care, employees must by law have superannuation contributions paid into a pension fund for them, self employed people have tax incentives to assist them provide for their retirement and we've had compulsory voting in all Federal and State elections for a hundred years. We also have strong worker's rights laws and consumer protection laws. I'm not trying to brag about anything, and nothing's perfect here either, but our politics aren't remotely as rancid as they seem to us to be in the USA and maybe, as Michael Sandel and you both say, it's at least in part for these reasons.

[@billking8843]

I live in the 51st state. We have compulsory voting. Most people think it is a great thing but of course the right wing coalition (Liberal/ Nationals) constantly talks about abolishing it. They haven't succeeded so far. I am old enough to remember when we didn't have anything like universal health care. My parents had made it out of the working class into the lower middle class but prior to the introduction of Medibank/ Medicare, we couldn't always get to see our family doctor.

[@johnhutchins5448]

@@billking8843 It's been a while since I've heard of Australia described as the 51st state of the USA. I'm not aware of many Australians who think that our future is tied up with them and the election of Trump will increase the political distance between us,

[@jimhagberg6798]

Every human-created things we see, use, live in, ride in, fly in, etc., etc. are built by craftsmen & women. Few have college degrees. Our society is hugely dependent on these people. They need to be shown the honor they so justifiably deserve.

[@keithpalmer4547]

No tRump voters do not deserve anything.

[@Merriwether-w8k]

Why? Why can't they generate enough of their own self esteem? Why do they need accolades? Why do they care what other people think? The strength has to come from within - outside validation is shallow - big babies

[@spkrlre]

​@Merriwether-w8k are you all adult human? All humans want to feel acknowledged. The ones at the top receive praise and rewards all the time

[@Merriwether-w8k]

@@spkrlre Stop giving the people at the top your time and energy - they aren't worth it - cultivate self love - it's pathetic - stop caring what other people think - believe me, they don't care what you think

[@Merriwether-w8k]

@@spkrlre Most adults learn that self love is the answer - make your own luck - the "flyover states" have everything they need to succeed

[@djstubbyh8166]

We elected Trump to repair the "moral fabric of community"?!? That's a joke.

[@rgkavendek]

Biden was great and very consistent in his message that having a job isn’t just about a job, it’s about your dignity, among other things. So I think this guy is wrong in his assessment.

[@rhondah1587]

He is dead wrong. President Biden will be remembered as a transformative president that lost to a fascist clown due to uneducated voters on the matter of economics and civics and fell for a conman and fraud who went on to fleece the country and destroy the once great democracy that was the USA.

[@zynnfindo4776]

Did that narrative shine through? No. It absolutely did not. Joe Biden is also a political fossil. He is the living embodiment of the establishment that has presided over everything that led to now. No amount of adjustment now is going to change that perception.

[@substandard66]

That guy is wrong just about everything he talked about. It was nothing more than the “dEMs nEOcOnS nOw” nonsense one gets from the Bernie crowd.

[@robertarvanitis8852]

Incorrect. Nothing Biden SAID is relevant. What he DID was damage the economy, perpetrate the frauds of covidiocy and shut down, send America into economic decline. Also is important what he did NOT do: protect the border from hordes of illegal aliens, who came north to desecrate America cities. You claims are dismissed. If you come back, do so with facts and sources, if you are able.

[@rgsxyz1105]

Democrats ran a campaign where the main talking points were abortion; trans rights; and encouraging large scale illegal immigration.....and then they wonder why they lost.

[@lindylee1139]

When you have a serious illness and you choose a treatment that will make it worse.

[@shawnduffy3380]

Got lung cancer? Here, have a smoke to relax

[@Jbean2]

Or ask, who got us ill to start with? Who is benefiting from big pharma and big food?

[@rosieE121]

Plenty who graduated from college couldn't find meaningful, sustainably paying work either.

[@nancylynch4785]

If you go to college and get a B.S. in psychology your chances of getting a decent job are slim

[@abrahamsneo7783]

​@@MarkV007well, that's interesting way to look at it

[@bonniebreckenridge5236]

Also, in the crash of 2008, universities turned into corporations. I had just gotten my MFA because I wanted to teach at college level. I had a friend who was a tenured professor at the University I attended. During the crash they let go of all teachers who were up for tenure and turned teaching jobs to temp work, aka adjunct positions. Even with a PhD you couldn't get a full time position that gave a decent living and stability. You never knew if you were going to have work from semester to semester. Plus, they cut down on teaching staff so students couldn't get into core courses and it took longer and more money to get a degree. Teachers made chump change, but recruiters were hired with six-figure salaries! It became another corporate con game gouging the "buyer" and putting them in debt for the rest of their lives. I felt betrayed by the education system. In much the same way, the corporations swooped in and bought tons of property for cash and kept it off the market to create a housing shortage during that crash. The banks had lured people with low down payment and low interest for a couple if years to buy homes they couldn't afford and then hit them with huge balloon payments. I remember hearing Alan Greenspan saying he didn't think that was a problem... I screamed at the radio! He was either an idiot or a shyster... Or both. I really think that the Biden administration was trying to address this... But the MAGAs had gotten in and the whole plan to make sure it looked like our government didn't work, and certainly not for the little guy, was in place and working well with their demagogue at the head spewing hatred and lies with the help of the corporate owned media. I voted Democratic and worked hard to get out the vote... Now my question will be, will people see that what they voted for was a huge mistake... Or will they just gleefully watch it burn to the ground because they won't have anything left to lose? Well, I'll keep trying. I hope enough of us can help or at least have the small sense of honor in trying. I'm 73, I would so like to be able to live a small, quiet, peaceful life with the years I have left. Not in the cards.

[@vivianburrus8085]

@@bonniebreckenridge5236 Very well and succinctly put and an aspect long overlooked!

[@bonniegirl5138]

​@@bonniebreckenridge5236I did not know this about the college system. Thank you. I agree with a lot of your text. I have never attended a Maga rally or bought merchandise. I just did not want us mixed up in any wars and DT had not gotten us mixed up in any new conflicts. I hate that Gazans, Israelis, Russians, Ukrainians and Americans are dying. And if DT doesn't get those conflicts shut down like he promises, I will be sorely disappointed. I think the less war we have the more money we will have to tend our veterans and citizens here at home. I do believe the poor people are funneled into the military due to lack of opportunity and education. The death, mutilation, mental health problems and homelessness should have to be paid by the military industrial complex before anyone makes a profit.

[@jameshenshall4232]

Nice to see an interview in the United States without commercial advertisement interruptions and interruptions amongst the panel. This is a good discourse and explanation for the recent elections outcomes in the United States.

[@globalpeace1684]

I have been telling people along these lines for last 10 years. I am an Ivy League graduate, but I see the pain of the people because my eyes and heart are open, and it hurts me when I see a lot of people are going through so much pain. I try my best to help as many people as I can, but I am not the wealthiest person. So I try to help with my skills, mentorship, time and service. My wife is a teacher, who is smarter than me but I see the suffering of teachers. I am politically centrist. I have friends who supported Trump and who supported Democrats, but they both are suffering, except few people in high-tech industries. I will say to both parties - please wake up and listen to ordinary people, common people who make this great nation. Thank you!

[@ilonameagher]

Bless you for what you are doing in helping so many. Wise words!

[@jesusislord3321]

Your comment brought tears to my eyes. God bless you.

[@rpss650]

Well said! I have an MS degree and work in the high-tech industry with a higher salary, but I understand that not everyone is naturally suited for or interested in higher education as a path for better pay. Our government should figure out a way to understand and help the ordinary people.

[@dreed7312]

B.s. go away

[@globalpeace1684]

@@jesusislord3321 We are all in this together.

[@susanhemmingsen9168]

Americans on the whole have a distorted view of socialism. Given that the Scandinavian countries are usually near the top of the happiness ladder and they have democratic socialism giving better education, healthcare, housing etc., why is this so bad.

[@Texaggie79]

Scandinavian countries are very much capitalist. Actual socialism requires government control over means of production. What they have is very robust public safety nets that cost the tax payers a very substantial portion of their income. As a result Scandinavian countries have quite a bit lower average take home pay than the US, which is substantially higher in average material wealth and income. One could argue that the lower income disparity this system creates is what brings higher "happiness" ratings because there are smaller margins of wealth disparity however that is not worth it to me to sacrifice my ability to generate as much wealth just so people who don't work as hard can have more handouts.

[@professor1980Business]

While the biggest majority depend on social security (SOCIAL), MEDICARE..these are not capitalist ideas by the way..and they will make sure they tank these social benefits for the majority because the billionaires don't need that..they will use that for the tax cut for the billionaires..

[@annemariemoormann996]

⁠@@Texaggie79just hope you’ll always be able? Who knows, you may be that lucky. But lots of people aren’t. They need to be able to rely on a public safety net and not depend on less reliable sources of income like neighbours who may or may not think them worthy enough to receive handouts. What makes someone worthy? Does a working person deserve their income? For doing what exactly? And who decides how much you should make? Or do we just pay people so they can then spend the money and keep the economy going? Why would you want to be rich (and always working) when you can have all you need because we all work enough to support the public safety net? We should question our believes and discuss what we want the world to look like in later years. If we can find a shared idea of what we want we can than decide what needs to be changed to build it. Good luck to you!

[@Texaggie79]

@@annemariemoormann996 My concern is far more about what people who work for themselves deserve rather than those that are just mooches. Human liberty is about deciding for yourself what you want to do with the fruits of your labor, not be forced to pay for others who don't want to work as hard. No human deserves imposed slavery of others to pay for their own care. That is exactly what forced income tax to pay for hand outs is.

[@annemariemoormann996]

@@Texaggie79we can decide together who is mooching or what a handout is or should be. What about self imposed slavery? Or debt imposed? What about people who have to depend on others? I’m just saying I think we can do better. It doesn’t have to be your way or mine. Let’s just think about other ways and find one that works well for everyone.

[@lancep.1251]

We can sympathize with those that feel “left behind,” and even concede many of their policy positions. However, that in no way justified handing the reigns of the U.S. presidency back to someone who demonstrably lacks sufficient integrity, character, judgment and impulse control to be entrusted with that kind of power.

[@Kimberly5052]

The first thing I did after learning the election results was to call my children and tell them I was sorry I did not have the money to get all of us out of the country.

[@OttoFrankfurt-x6c]

Plain rides aren't that expensive. You are just virtue signaling for attention. Leave. It's easy.

[@cravingcaving]

Eggs are a little expensive, lets try Tyranny?

[@jrock453]

The cost of living was just one straw of many that broke the back to give rise to Trump. This professor was spot on that the seperation between rich and poor combined with telling people to get educated while blaming them if they failed over decades lead to this.

[@stanleysharp4269]

​@@jrock453 trump's economy was in the shitter when he left office.

[@broddr]

@@jrock453 Trump’s tariffs will raise prices on groceries. Over 50% of our food comes from outside the US. So expect that to go up by 10-20%, or whatever the final tariff will be. And food grown domestically is picked by labor that is mostly undocumented people. When they are deported more food will rot in the fields and scarcity will drive food prices up even more. Slaughterhouses are also staffed mostly by undocumented immigrants. When they are gone meat prices will rise. Bottom line, inflation under Trump will be crazy high. And tariffs are a regressive tax that impacts the poor and working class way more than the rich.

[@swampwiz]

And eggs weren't really all that expensive, especially considering how nutritious they are. A 3-egg omelet cost, what, maybe $2 back in during Peak Egg Prices? That was still cheaper than just about any other good protein source.

[@PamelaHaymond]

LOL. Best laugh today....

[@momoneyho666]

He's able to articulate something about American society that I've only had confused thoughts about over the course of the last 20 years, mainly the growing gulf between rich and poor and how it effects culture and community

[@swampwiz]

And voting for the party that wants to eliminate taxes on the wealthy is in the best interest of the poor?

[@janjasiewicz9851]

Education IS key - it is a strategic imperative as well as the driver of social mobility. The problem is encouraging people to study and then making it only affordable for the wealthier. It used to be that state higher education was affordable, a time when state and federal governments considered putting money into education was an investment for the state, nation and the youth, rather than a budgetary expense. I remember when the cost to study at UC cost $168 per quarter .. today it cost overs $10,000 per year in tuition let alone housing. You either have to be rich or go into debt to study. This erodes social cohesion - as you are told get and education and get into debt. Btw this is also happening in other countries as well. Excellent Education should be free for all or at least affordable and not a business.

[@susanWilder2175]

Benjamin Franklin said something like without educated citizens, there can be no democracy. I know I know most people couldn’t vote, but still the quote rings true.

[@emilmedellin4525]

@janjasiewicz9851 And this is just the "front end" of the problem. The "back end" - since, Dubya's administration (2000s) - is what kind of job one can get following that hyperinflated ($$$) degree, because one will need a pretty penny to then pay it off! Forget a house, new car, or starting a family ... your student loans ... and their interest come first out of the gate!

[@GlasPthalocyanine]

You also have the same problem as the UK, where private schools are expanding. You can't make the children of the wealthy more intelligent, no matter how much education is crammed into them. They simply drag down standards in public life, and the problem is amplified as they hoard opportunities within divisive networks. The number of people with above average intelligence is a constant 50% whether they get educated, or not. You can't expect any confidence or respect from people who recognise which midwits are rising too far above their ability.

[@johnkoch1888]

Tennessee offers affordable ($40 / credit hour above 12 hours) community college, but still voted red. Free higher education will serve nothing if the attendees are functionally illiterate or ill-endowed to learn vocational or technical skills. China probably has a similar quotient of incompetents, but higher numbers (in absolute terms) of people who can excel as workers and technicians, so it is likely to prevail in much of manufacturing. However, many jobs in mechanical services cannot be outsourced. It would do no harm to offer grants (in addition to free tuition) to HS students or grads that excel at programs that train for skilled trades. Those that don't make the cut, but are willing to work, should still have some way to make ends meet. The paradox: #47 and his minions will pursue nothing of the sort, yet still earn votes based on promotion of fear and hate, two impulses quite easy to incite.

[@janetl9984]

Jill Biden recently talked about working toward getting community colleges tuition free. I guess that boat will not sail.

[@izzman66]

The Dems did boost patriotism during the convention and campaign. Perhaps should of done sooner ?

[@arungupta3509]

It doesn't answer why people think that Trump has a solution or that he will bring about a better outcome than the Democrats.

[@Monotremata]

Low-information voters. And the proliferation of strident right-wing propaganda. As one observer put it : "There are tens of millions of low-information voters who hardly know which party controls which branch of government, let alone which party is pursuing a particular legislative tactic. These voters' confusion over who did what allows them to form the conclusion that “they are all crooks,” and that “government is no good,” further leading them to think, “a plague on both your houses” and “the parties are like two kids in a school yard.” This ill-informed public cynicism, in its turn, further intensifies the long-term decline in public trust in government that has been taking place since the early 1960s - a distrust that has been stoked by Republican rhetoric at every turn (“Government is the problem,” declared Ronald Reagan in 1980)."

[@graceverssen5651]

I think it's because he's anti-establishment, methinks.

[@mrscruff66]

Are you blind Answer yes

[@michellecd4722]

Because of his presentation and lies that people believe as truth.

[@pwgearedturbofan2348]

_"It doesn't answer why people think that Trump has a solution or that he will bring about a better outcome than the Democrats."_ He had the better economy, for one. The other issue is woke crap. Democrats will spend our money on DEI, rainbow flags, and free money for illegals, while the majority of Americans get lectures.

[@mvujnovi1]

The truth is I have a degree. Three degrees for that matter and I still am hardly making ends meet. Working class and middle class have been squeezed in. And now with this election we are getting rich white supremacists supercharge neoliberalism.

[@Rustyshackelford177]

So we should be listening to poor people on how to improve the economy- makes sense. Also thanks for bringing race into this - keep going with this thinking.

[@mvujnovi1]

Poor people are helping the economy. They pay the most taxes. And don’t you lecture me on race. You brought it into the conversation not me. Keep going with your ignorance. You will soon find out what the cost of being ignorant is.

[@davidbrayshaw3529]

Neoliberalism arrived on the doorstep 45 years ago. It's just now that we're starting to feel the winds of change that came with it.

[@Garchist]

@@Rustyshackelford177 you don't understand, he has a DEGREE! he is SMART, EdUcAtEd. =)

[@PamelaHaymond]

@@Rustyshackelford177 Look @bryanmachin2152, an even more meaningless statement!

[@kevinmaragh7510]

If America really wanted change, they should have elected the first woman president, new generation, and new ideas. But they went for a previous president. How is that change? I think we missed a golden opportunity for change.

[@hadrianmonk]

👏

[@istvanglock7445]

America wanted a change in the way America works. Harris just offered more of the same, and she said as much.

[@johno8824]

Yes 😢

[@skychristy398]

Yep... Change is one constant .. It is inevitable , but most people fear change and have trouble adapting to evolving circumstances..

[@shaymalchione809]

They don’t want change cause change is “scary” It’s make America great again not let’s see how great America can actually be.

[@OpticsOnOrganisms]

Stunning that European countries have more social mobility than the U.S.! Many folks here loudly banging the drum against socialism/social programs as evil. Turns out that that assistance has assisted their European peers to rise in social standing! How about that. That you for this great conversation...hope it helps defeat kneejerk reactions against new/old ideas and/or makes folks look at the results or data.

[@BettyWilbert]

Hello

[@glynysthomas8578]

And this is why our society needs philosophers.

[@bradders9743]

LOL

[@Danl1960]

Its true

[@stellai06]

He is weak. And not naming the problem : accumulation of wealth= capitalism.

[@AngelSanchez-dw4gs]

@@glynysthomas8578 but instead you got influencers those scumbags is who the people's listen too.

[@wesleypipes5673]

@@stellai06 Said the person with a kindergarten level of understanding how capitalism works......

[@jonswaffield499]

Many interesting points, but what I am having difficulty in understandings is, if you accept all that was said, why Oh why, would anyone think that Trump and the current Republicans be the ones to change that?

[@cleroyster2610]

@@jonswaffield499 Ironically, the vote for Trump, was a vote against Biden Harris, not for Trump.

[@sa.377]

Because anger and inferiority complexes turn you impulsive, shortsighted- blind and stupid in your choices

[@Benjamin-David]

Great question. I would say that they are desperate

[@cleroyster2610]

@@Benjamin-David they were certainly desperate for change.

[@maryammosavi269]

Ignorance because of our misinformed masses who listen to fox, OAN, rogen and musk etc…

[@themotownboy1]

This philosopher neglects a few things: 1) Change in life is inevitable. 2) People that do best in their lives with respect to happiness and well being have learned to adapt to change. 3) The Republican Party has understood that a very large segment of society doesn’t want to adapt to change and cultivated that reluctance by stoking their fears as a tool for manipulation. This is how we got here with the election result. This philosopher seems okay with people resisting change and that this should just be accepted. However, change is the reality of life. How do you talk to people who don’t want to deal with change and aren’t willing to listen?

[@conr2141]

If you ask MAGA, they'll tell you they're voting for change, and against status quo politics.. Insane, autocratic change, granted.. But still "change", by US standards.

[@hw-rg7gn]

He also ignores the fact that Sherrod Brown's entire campaign was about the dignity of work.He was defeated by tens of millions in anti-trans ads. Reductive philosophers are the worst type of philosophers.

[@galek75]

Neglect? How about the fact that you neglect to specify what kind of change is inevitable, and most of all, whether such change is good or bad? Think about that for a change.

[@guillaumest-laurent2548]

Much rapid changes in the last century and a half were a function of a destructive and highly inegalitarian form of capitalism. Nothing inevitable about that.

[@themotownboy1]

@galek75 - Amy kind of change. There is a big swath of humanity that is uncomfortable with any kind of change and prefer to live in the past with blinders on.

[@fredtorres1703]

Maybe as a society we are not prepared (intelectual maturity) for democracy as much as we think.

[@BerndtNorten]

And so the Republicans don’t look down on the working class? They don’t oppose minimum wage increases and health care?

[@user-eb9pv4dw5p9]

Trump loves the working class... buying his gold sneakers

[@Monotremata]

That's an element that Sandel failed to address : the GOP's willingness to deceive voters with brazen lies, distortions of facts, and outright falsehoods. The GOP also take the complex challenges facing the nation and boil them down to hyper-simplistic bumper-sticker slogans. "Make America Great Again," Trump's boast that "We will defeat inflation!" - is Donnie aware that 0% inflation means 0% wage increases, or even job losses? - "My tax cut plan will eliminate the deficit and cut the national debt in half!" ( Reagan ), etc.

[@wendylafolle]

His point was that Trump gives them the feeling that they can take care of themselves, while the Dems give them the feeling that they are getting handouts. It's the feelings, not the facts.

[@pellestorck3776]

A billionaire who doesn't pay overtime is the answer to the working class getting their well earned chance of success? Could be. 😅

[@pwgearedturbofan2348]

_"And so the Republicans don’t look down on the working class? They don’t oppose minimum wage increases and health care?"_ Republicans don't think you need the government to hand out free stuff. They want the government to stop spending our money in stupid ways. Those top-down government mandates introduce their own problems that defeat the purpose. Raising the minimum wage, for example, can cause job loss and inflation.

[@rryan554]

I am seeing more and more of these professors and talking heads finally talking about something that’s been going on for more than 30 years. I am 58 years old and have a bachelors degree and an advanced degree. It took years to pay off the student loan debts, while living with my means, before I could ever save anything for retirement. After restructurings, layoffs, inflation, soaring health/property insurance costs, rising prices, recessions etc , the only thing saving me for retirement are inheritance from my parents. Otherwise, I would be struggling like anybody else in retirement. No wonder everybody is pissed off and moved towards a bombastic populist who offers empty promises and false hope.

[@MaureenCahill-bk9mh]

no one though can rob you of the knowledge you gained....

[@swampwiz]

Same boat here, although I didn't have the student debt. I think there will be a new class of folks that are the descendants of the Warrior Generation & Silent Generation Working Class folks that had saved rather than spent their wages earned during The Great Compression, that will have a decent nest egg from their inheritance that will keep them from true want, allowing them to live in their own home (no rent), and a certain amount of investment earnings to keep life from being hard (this would also include folks that had earned a decent salary for enough time and as well saved not spent it) This will be the new top 2-15%.

[@0zoneTherapyCures]

The Pentagon needed to bribe young people to join the military by offering to pay off their college tuition debt.

[@Garchist]

@@MaureenCahill-bk9mh I could. This ain't knowledge if you dumb enough to believe this old fart in video actually talks sense. It's just another fool/liar.

[@richardg.melecki766]

Some of what this commentator says makes sense. BUT in Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown made “the dignity of work” his campaign slogan and core value. And he still lost in 2024. Explain that, please.

[@marvink7969]

It is simply not enough to state a position it must be backed up by action. The problem is that both parties have created a situation with real life effects that cannot be addressed simply with words. The disillusionment is with the party as a whole and people’s real life issues and experiences supersede any verbal promises or commitments by any one individual within the party; I support Senator Sherrod’s position but I think many people will only be convinced when they can see, experience, and sense that substantial change is on the horizon.

[@haggeoromero]

Republicans tell whatever lies they have to tell to make their base believe that they’re in competition with other poor people. That message is more powerful than touchy feely hopey messages from democrats.

[@richardg.melecki766]

@ agree that is work for the Democratic Party and allied groups. Part of Ohio’s vote on Senator Brown was driven by Trump and his cult. But we also need to be wary of the warnings of Socrates and his student Plato: that uninformed members of a democracy are dangerous to that democracy. The voting data shows that higher information voters broke for Harris and low information voters broke for Trump. Even though most Biden policies were geared towards the working class-and worked. So an important part of the fix is messaging. What we have seen in 2024 is what Cipolla terms the “Bandits” manipulating the “Stupid” (his terminology-people who act against their own interests). We who care about government of, by and for the people-all the people-have to defeat that.

[@barrymoore4470]

Kamala Harris also made "hard work is good work, hard work is joyful work" a campaign mantra. And she modeled this herself in impeccably steaming ahead in what must have been an exhausting campaign.

[@markg.7865]

I agree, the working-class especially whites, only listen to right-wing media.

[@chrisvinson9579]

People living in the street and the 1% sitting high on the hill. How long before People get tired of being hungry

[@BettyWilbert]

Hi Chris

[@LouettaBuxton]

Going to just ride the Quarden Token it will pump until Binance and Coinbase listing

[@palace927]

Troll

[@PuddlesMagoo]

Even Trump can't believe he got reelected.

[@phillyphil1513]

ikr...? you notice that, even DJT needed to take a moment to process what just happened.

[@debienervina1801]

Maybe Elon Musk made sure it happened. Not convinced that Trump could get the popular vote.

[@moongrass217]

Trump is openly being supported by Elon Musk. If this is not oligarchy, then what is?

[@PamelaHaymond]

And that mangy, bubonic rat - the richest man in the world - is going to be in charge of what all the rest of us get? Help the working class AND cut the federal budget by almost a third? I just about dropped my teeth, reading that.

[@andrewwebb9426]

What a brilliant mind that man has! I’ve read loads in our British press the last weeks about this but Michael Sandel encapsulates it so neatly. We’ve had something similar over here with Brexit: “ … we’ll show them ! “ ,from a woman in Sunderland that voted strongly for Brexit, is one of the obscure comments from that period which has stuck in my mind. However, even Sandel’s clear exposition doesn’t explain how half your US voters followed a billionaire property developer from a wealthy background who has a history of a string of bankruptcies and is a demonstrable liar. Trump must regrettably be given enormous credit for how he could manipulate emotions both through social media and his appearances. He is a star amongst evil men. From this side of the pond, I get the impression that Vermont Senator Sanders is much nearer to this position expounded by Sandel. They do still exist in America but both your major parties are now basically run by a few capitalists (like ours). I’m 78 and I fear we are witnessing the end game of the marriage between capitalism and ‘democracy’ that we’ve enjoyed these last 100 years.

[@Vanzee-fb2xb]

I hit $113k today. Thank you for all the knowledge and nuggets you had thrown my way over the last months. Started last month 2024. Financial education is indeed required for more than 70% of the society in the country as very few are literate on the subject.

[@Eduvige-q7j]

It's essential for you to have a mentor to keep you accountable. Myself, I'm guided by Evelyn Vera. for years and highly recommend her I focus on him. To be honest, I almost didn't buy the idea of letting someone handle growing my finance, but so glad I did.

[@Daig-c2n]

It is very encouraging to see Evelyn Vera here, I started with 3k now with good returns.highly recommended..

[@sandalSanders-vt8ii]

Hey 👋please can you aid me on how to connect with her services???

[@Eduvige-q7j]

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[@Eduvige-q7j]

That's her Whats Apps info…

[@Arugula100]

The problems with the U.S. educational system was never addressed by the U.S. government since the 1960s. America continued to depend on immigration to bring in the talent needed to propel the economy. It is good to bring in the talents from abroad but the educational system must also be strengthened. This is a fundamental problem that the political parties need to focus on. That is the root of the problem.

[@ELLIOTHopson]

Quarden Token is awaiting major CEX listings. It's possible to hit 100x this year.

[@palace927]

Troll

[@somewhatfunny]

It’s nice to see John Dewey’s insight renewed. Namely, that democracy, as Dewey wrote, is more than a form of government. It is primarily a mode of associated living.

[@SusanRosely]

I would be curious how he feels about the right media and their role in the breakdown of civil society? How to combat their destructive messaging?

[@PamelaHaymond]

The mainstream media is reprehensible, IMHO. I can't stand it.