The Supreme Court: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)

In the wake of Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death, John Oliver discusses the future of the Supreme Court, why the government doesn’t always represent the political leanings of the electorate, and how those issues will impact the next generation of Americans.
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[@Santialid]

If America could see what America is doing, America would intervene and send the military to save America from America.

[@isforme2789]

But there is no oil

[@riseupagainstthenwo9995]

@@isforme2789 There is actually.

[@dgirl142]

Only as long as they can get to control their resources

[@NiceOneKarenGaming]

@CommandoDude Sure, that sounds like a "great" idea, dummy. Let's get rid of freedom and Capitalism for communism. Great logic.

[@kennonfodder]

You think they need some Freedom?

[@BentNeatly]

Maybe if one 87 year old dies and the whole country gets spun into turmoil and uncertainty, its not a good system?

[@protagonistscience1392]

underrated comment

[@paulgoogol2652]

so as per usual

[@FamilyVideos1982]

Yep

[@mindovomatter5181]

Fair point. However it overlooks how we got here within the system. The system has been gamed to arrive at this point.

[@mihai08]

Elect the guardians of the galaxy ✨ for the Supreme Court! The rat looks suitable, and he is related to pizza 🐀

[@SamOGr]

Every John Oliver segment comes back around to relevancy

[@devinm.608]

this comment aged like wine

[@nicolaim4275]

I just got recommended this and the Boris Johnson video.

[@heyitmaggie2390]

Oh you have nooooo idea

[@ellieb.e.868]

And again…

[@mlester72]

He warned us about everything. And he was right on all counts.

[@catriona_drummond]

The real question is - when did Americans get used to the fact that it is okay for judges to be fiercely partisan? It defeats the whole meaning of the term "judge".

[@veganpotterthevegan]

People want that. They want it their way, regardless of bipartisanship.

[@ninawth]

I am not a legal expert, but I have a sneaking suspicion that there are issues with the American constitution that lead to judges being able to choose such radically different outcomes. For example, abortion, gay marriage, etc. are in my country's constitution, so judges can mislike them all they want, but they have no choice but to uphold our laws. The idea that a couple of judges can completely sway the course of the American nation seems problematic to me. They're supposed to be as impartial as possible, not puppets of the politicians in power. (I'm not saying that the system in my country is perfect. I'm no expert, so I can't say.)

[@sakethravuri3023]

most countries dont let their leaders choose the judges . if you need political approval to be a judge then they are bound to be fiercely partisan

[@NaumRusomarov]

When McConnell realised he can appoint partisan judges to all courts so that they can struck down Democratic policies and laws on request. It really spiralled out of control after that.

[@veganpotterthevegan]

@@ninawth a couple of additional judges can sway the court. There were already pro-life whackadoos on the court and there unfortunately will be for many decades. Also, our constitution was written by slave owning scumbags. Not really a trustworthy document

[@svealandgraf6595]

As a foreigner watching American News: It started as a comedy, turned into a drama and is now on it's way to a damn horror movie.

[@wraith1066]

Imagine living here after serving in the military and feeling like you were alive while things were pretty awesome and then lived through a total collapse. It's really depressing. I'm ashamed of what my country has become.

[@TheKueiJin]

A bad horror movie. With very bad acting.

[@nextgenfootball69420]

still a comedy tho

[@Poldovico]

These people have used nukes before, and already have a history of starting wars around the planet and undermining other countries' democracies when they were stable. I am terrified to see what their instability looks like.

[@gameboy030303]

don't forget the popcorn, show just getting to act2.

[@gsandison1]

Puerto Rico - the state that’s not a state because it’d vote the wrong way. Democracy at its finest.

[@AKABattousai]

Its the same reason there hasnt been more states added by bereaking up other states. There have been many proposals to break up california into anywhere from 4 to 6 states. But the Dems like holding their people hostage for their 55 votes. There are other places like eastern oregon and washington that would like to become states as well. But again the opposite party would vote against it. And it requires too many votes. The difference is in puerto rico. Their populations either dont vote to give a clear answer. Or they arent voting to want to be a state.

[@TheBarca1889]

@Katsy Kline Puerto Rico would obviously vote republican, they always vote republican-affiliated.

[@AKABattousai]

@Katsy Kline Where exactly... is this misinformation you speak of? Look at pretty much any sizable state in the top 20 biggest. And I bet you will find areas of them where they would love to be their own state if they could vote their way apart from the Democrat controlled Cities they'd rather not be attached to. But again the whole point the OP is making is still this Electoral College criticism. So what does it matter if there are the 50 states with unequal power to share. Or theres 200 States all broken up and smaller. It's the same concept. The point is all the States that like having a say in how their stuff gets handled wouldn't normally vote to give themselves less power. That was the point I was making. If it was just allowed to willy nilly add states trust me a lot more states would be added than 2 new ones being just for the democrats.

[@Werrf1]

@@AKABattousai Puerto Rico has voted to become a State. California has _not_ voted to be broken up. That's the difference. It's how democracy works. People should be able to decide how they are governed, but a minority should not be able to control a majority. That's the entire point.

[@AKABattousai]

@@Werrf1 puerto rico needs to have a higher majority thats the entire point of requiring super majority. Or 2/3rd majority. To get statehood it requires more than a simple majority. It requires congress to work together. You are blaming only one side when its both sides problem. Its the same issue with the judges. There was blocks happening and with only simple majority there is still options to filibuster votes if there isnt a super majority to bypass filibusters. And the dems when they had control voted to get rid of the filibuster and only go to a simple majority. Then they lost the majority control in senate. And now they crying.

[@WongKinYuenHK]

I love that he always does those poems whenever Ted Cruz creeps up.

[@lucreciaramos817]

Same

[@themousemage]

That aged perfectly.

[@rosearachnid879]

I was expecting the last line to be "because he smells like a gherkin" because that would be better than "pickle"

[@maraohare5076]

Same

[@cadenhyde9510]

there’s a new one on the newest video

[@geraldmiller5260]

Mitch McConnel is one of the most unethical and evil persons ever to come out of American politics.

[@leehall4595]

And the ass is proud of it.

[@christopher6600]

He singlehandedly makes me hope that hell is real.

[@jenniferhendrickson5840]

Whose bestie and strategist buddy is Newt Gingrich who brought us here. This is, excuse my crassness (but it is true) his wet dream. And he is giddy with the damage he has done. It's never enough. And McConnell is just as depraved as Newt is. The different between them and 45 is nothing except intelligence and discipline -- which they both have. They are as malevolent, narcissistic and as without ethics as 45 is. And Newt is every bit the same amount of egomania and need for stroking. He's just found a way to get it in the shadows.

[@SpyroTheGerudo]

If this monster ever dies I'm finding that grave and using it as my new personal toilet.

[@mahvashnejad]

I call him the alligator of Kentucky.

[@QuestionEverythingButWHY]

“Politicians and diapers must be changed often, and for the same reason.” ― Mark Twain

[@CherryBomb_Games]

Full of shit. Very true. I love Twain sometimes.

[@GnomaticReverie]

As quoted by Robin WillIams in Man of the Year.

[@singami465]

>"Question Everything" >comments under a Johnny Oliver video I think you failed on your very first step.

[@docan5248]

Yagi Says the dude subbed to Cuckadd & Cope Dnkula.

[@sillybilly4710]

Yagi He’s questioning capitalism. He’s questioning the president. What’s wrong with that?

[@freddieellis8449]

The real question is, what kind of moronic country has partisan judges? Which set of utter window lockers thought that would be a good idea???

[@jaimegarcia8447]

lots of countries have similar systems. Judges should be entitled to their opinions, but should not be entitled to imposing said opinions on the country for the rest of their lives. It is too much power in too few hands.

[@freddieellis8449]

@@jaimegarcia8447 their job is to interpret the law. Personal politics should be left to the door. How can you not see that???

[@odizzledots3665]

@@jaimegarcia8447 They serve for life as not to be influenced by politics. If they do not have to be reelected, then their only worry should be to interpret the law, regardless of their views. They don't have to cater to anyone to keep their job. That is what was intended.

[@Hyorinmaru0o]

I know right.. they're supposed to work for the people, under the law. Not for themselves, under their god.

[@connorandrei483]

It’s not that anyone thought it was a good idea. It’s not even that - until relatively recently - justices were even considered partisan. It’s quite frankly just another horrific side effect of the partisanship-on-steroids that is American politics. The system is designed to have judges that do put their personal, religious, and political views aside as they make rulings, but... *gestures vaguely at everything that is the United States of America*

[@marky1486]

Sadly we are now seeing the terrible consequences of a dangerously conservative supreme court

[@Kinson007]

I am re-watching this because of recent events. Part of me wants to cry, but it is suppressed by my outrage.

[@austinwilliams3448]

Says you…it’s been a phenomenal week!

[@brianbsa1475]

@@austinwilliams3448 "sincerely, man"

[@launabanauna8958]

@@austinwilliams3448 It’s always so interesting to observe the enthusiasm of someone who doesn’t have to personally bear the consequences of this horrific outcome, namely anyone from the male populace. I mean, why should you care what will happen to women who will be forced to have babies they don’t want, or cannot afford to raise, or have possible health risks?! Aside, from their freedom to chose what they can do with their own bodies, being violated.

[@sleedeal8010]

@@Kinson007 same. Rewatching.

[@Pantalaimon91]

Am I the only one that misses when John covered stories that didn't make him start crying by the time he finished? I miss simpler times.

[@fizzpop6543]

We all miss the pre-Trump era.

[@shaan702]

The sex bots also yearn for simpler times, apparently.

[@ij4536]

used to watch this show every week until it turned into him screaming politics

[@ryanjapan3113]

Shaan Minhas what?

[@ryanjapan3113]

Frodo Baggins as opposed to when he didn’t have a political opinion in 20-never

[@HPAPieters]

I, a Dutch person, can't understand why justice is a political issue in the US. It's like the US have never heard of the seperation of powers (Trias Politica), which is in your very own constitution. A court should be independent and serve the law. Maybe the law isn't independent, but that's not for the court to decide, because the laws are passed by elected officials. If the president (an elected offical) can appoint the court, there is a violation of the seperation of powers. Please, regardless of your political interest, change this ridiculous system.

[@carterchain2831]

unfortunately in the not so distant past political parties saw the courts as another way to legislate by changing the definitions laws. So that's why it's a big fight, so people can pull laws out of their ass.

[@ms.aelanwyr.ilaicos]

It's also worth noting that in common law jurisdictions, court inherently enjoy a measure of pseudo-legislative power. It is just built into the judicial method.

[@georges617]

Unfortunately, the political interest is exactly what keeps this ridiculous system going. When you know that you can make nominations based on personal preference and political views, then even Republicans who don't like Trump will vote for him anyway, in order to consolidate their own presence in the country's highest court and start overruling all existing liberal or otherwise progressive laws in favour of ultra-conservative ones and ones that actively intervene in people's affairs. Once they do so, it will be for decades, as most judges on the supreme court of the US are appointed for life. That system will never change. No one dares touch that court. At least our European supreme courts are much more dependable, because even though most members are also nominated by the political parties, screening and interviews are much more comprehensive and demanding, the judges themselves are not directly linked to the party that nominated them and their terms are limited anyway.

[@Bapi633]

A regular American has no fucking clue what you are saying. This country is just wrong from A to Z. It's a fact.

[@x--.]

It is, unfortunately, rather simple. Courts /have/ acted independently and served the law, not always but enough so that the rigged and biased systems that weren't interfered with gave deeper importance to the courts. In other words, the courts called Government on their bull and the thing you can't have when you are trying to sell a lie is someone doing that -- even if they don't always do it. Besides, at least here in America, there is no alternative method to appointment that seems preferable. Judges running for elected office would just turn them into politicians, even less independent and thoughtful.

[@aryagayathri6699]

To anyone here after Roe V Wade, things hit a little close too home and everything he said came by....

[@natty.777]

I love coming back to these and being like "oh baby, you don't know how bad it's gonna get"

[@amys9417]

Except LWT knows exactly how bad it is going to get and tells us every week. No one believes them until it happens, then they're all like "Oh, John Oliver is predicting the future again". Like, no. The Republicans have been telling us in actual words, loudly and clearly, what their plan is. Democrats do nothing about it and then act all surprised when this shit happens. Republicans have been screaming for decades that they are going to rig this entire country for minority rule. Why is anyone at all surprised it has finally happened???

[@heroldmpetha2919]

Same here

[@schattentaenzerin]

But didn't he absolutely explain in detail how bad things are going to get? And now they are.

[@DeskieFam]

I don’t think I have ever heard Oliver sound so defeated. When he said “we lost”, that just flat out hurt.

[@simbamartens7192]

Worst case scenario: Trump’s nominee is confirmed before the election, the election is disputed and this new conservative supermajority rules in favour of Trump. Makes you wonder whether Dems should PACK the courts. All that and more is covered in this analysis of the political impact of the death of RBG: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q5XTh3yXeLGFi5I&ab_channel=MyTake

[@ferinzz]

There's been a few others of late. It feels like he still has some spirit to fight this time compared to others. We lost, but it's time we get it back

[@ryanm.4892]

I know. His eyes got glossed over then too. Never seen him so furious either

[@kathywiseman7944]

Ah but this is before the NYT article about how broke tRump really is. Can't wait for next week's show.

[@inkasaraswati7625]

From the start, he does sound and look angrier than he's ever been. I'm not American, but gosh how I wish our society is better.

[@BeastOrGod]

I know this is bad news and all, but.... *WHY DO YOU HAVE A SYSTEM WHERE SUPREME COURT JUSTICES GETS TO KEEP THEIR POSITION FOR A LIFE TIME!?* What is this, 1780's?

[@sarahamira5732]

To be fair when they originally made that rule the life expectancy was like, 55.

[@eshbena]

Well, to be fair, at the time the system was put in place, lifetimes were way shorter than they are now.

[@1993greeksoldier]

I may be wrong but my understanding was that it was to avoid the political maneuverings that come with trying to get reelected and to prevent one group from removing justices that voted in ways they didn't like. Not saying it's the best system and change might be better but I honestly don't know.

[@thereisbeautyinthisworld7251]

We must set term limits.

[@user-qo3tp1lu6p]

What first needs to be fixed is term limits for congress than we can talk about the courts

[@masatoshihayashida8566]

Why there are right and left judges? Judges suppose to hold up the Law , not influence by the politics. Simply speaking.

[@AnonYmous-spyonmepls]

@@TheRatsintheWalls That is not true. Its possible to write laws that clearly define everything and don’t leave things up for interpretation. It will never happen tho because loopholes are there for a reason.

[@rachelrachel9152]

People are just inherently biased anyhow. Id rather we be honest about it then try to act like they're so above politics

[@Sewblon]

1. Judges need to decide whether to interpret every provision of the constitution and the law narrowly or broadly. 2. Those decisions have political consequences. 3. So, Presidents and Senators do their best to put ideologically reliable people on the court, because they care about whether the laws that they pass and sign will be upheld by the court, and whether those of their opponents will be struck down.

[@iamtherealzombie]

As a Canadian, I'm just wondering who thought it was a good idea to appoint supreme court justices to lifetime terms...?

[@no1special999]

The logic is that if they can't loose their job they won't make questionable rulings in an election year and a few other things.

[@De-Nigma]

Presumably the same brain box who decided they should be partisan appointments.

[@RhoOphiuchi]

When that was done the average lifespan was a tad under 40 years...

[@michaellyndon6982]

The theory was that subjecting judges to elections would make them more political and less impartial, I actually don't think lifetime appointments are the problem, I think the problem is that politicians, and more so the political parties, are the ones appointing them, making the whole lifetime premise completely useless. I think the system we have now sort of works, but I believe we shouldn't have the president make picks, and we should have to have more members of Congress approve of the justices, like way more, so no party's could have any hope of ever "winning" and they would have to agree to select more impartial, less partisan justices to ever get what they wanted (also deadlines for selecting justices).

[@lordvass3377]

im glad you live in a soon to be china hell and i hope we the us resist that

[@MR-vg7yn]

As an outsider, what's going on in the US has gone from kinda ridiculous to downright shocking over the past 9 months.

[@AndresUffert2]

I know right, it is weird to watch it form Europe. How is it possible, that is has all gone to hell in 4 years. or why ? Do people just want do destroy the whole country? and can't law enforment can't do anything, like what is wrong with people.

[@MrMasque]

@@AndresUffert2 It has been happening for much longer, Trump just helped make the systemic flaws more visible.

[@fartzinacan]

Imagine living here and watching your elected representatives abandon their oath to the US Constitution and replace it with an unwavering oath of fealty to Trump.

[@DreamBelive07]

@S. I. V. Nope. The destruction cause from years of structural racism being built in this system and a president who endorses dividing rhetoric vs the unifying rhetoric we had the 8 years prior. Even though words are just words, president's words are a powerful set.

[@SonBrimmer]

It's weird being here for it. I'm in the pacific north west, which is almost like a different country from the rest of it, but it's still part of the shit show, and is still affected. This has been going on for awhile though, but trump says the quiet parts out loud.

[@QuestionEverythingButWHY]

“Reader, suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself.” ― Mark Twain

[@commanderkoo]

Stop electing idiots to congress

[@michithai7932]

Men who do not get active in the political process have no right to complain being ruled by the men they despise.

[@justsomeoneelse5942]

That sounds about right.

[@3ZN357]

@@michithai7932 not fully tho. Civic education is severely underemphasized in this country especially compared to other countries. We get world history emphasized before civics and many high schools have 0 civic education whatsoever. Letalone the fact that what civic education we do get is severely watered down and only emphasized the bill of rights with 0 assistance in understanding districts, representatives, court appointments, or the general importance and impact in voting. Many have argued it is a deliberate attempt to dumb down political education so that lawmakers can continue employing loaded language to mask pernicious intent and continue incrementalism, policy ignorance, and international law violations.

[@jdxiong]

@Frances Bridges I'm looking into moving out of the USA as well!! What interventions has Belgium implemented?

[@shermanculbertson6244]

Given what’s happening recently with Roe vs. Wade, I think we need another episode on the Supreme Court.

[@jessefehr7249]

Or a revolution

[@Ash-Bun]

Yeah, this aged well

[@scoobydoo3928]

Everyone is worried most about the next thing being marriage equality. And they will go after it for sure. But listen to what John said about the Affordable Care Act. How soon are they coming after that? Who is going to bring that case?

[@TheNinthGenerarion]

@@scoobydoo3928 roe was simply the first domino, there are many that will follow

[@TheManWithThePlan360]

"...It's not democracy, it's a fucking travesty. We are at the end of a generational battle-and the heartbreaking thing is, we lost. And that hurts. It's gonna hurt for a long time, for a lot of people, in a lot of ways we can't fully comprehend." After the shit from the last two days of the Supreme Court knocking down Roe V. Wade and people's constitutional right to abortion, these words have not rung louder. It's beyond desolating the near-immediate impact this has had, and only makes it more fearful to know that they can-and likely will-strike down landmark cases that were decided several decades ago, when the support for these decisions was much less existent than it is now. It absolutely fucking hurts.

[@catwitdabigdog1642]

And the justices lied under oath in their confirmation hearings so that they could do it.

[@1ltcolphoto]

I remember watching this and just waiting for it to come true. When ACB was appointed I knew it was only a matter of time...and it's become a fucking travesty. It's one absolutely nauseating disappointment after another. I remember when I was proud to be an American...now I'm just embarrassed.

[@MegaMementoMori]

Interesting to see how liberals react when institutions that were present for decades change to their detriment. Remember, conservatives had this feeling since the 60's.

[@LongToad]

Sometimes the only way to teach is to let people have their way and watch as they fall on their face. It just sucks that so many innocent people (and the environment) will have to pay for it while the older generation (that's mostly responsible for it) will be dead by the time the consequences become apparent. That said, it's still a lesson that future generations won't forget.

[@shoshonesasquatch1642]

I may be optimistic but I feel like when they over turned roe vs wade Republicans fucked up. You can't take away over half of the populations right to choose what to do with their body, which already has and will continue to have devastating results and not expect blow back. I live in Wyoming which is super Republican and I already know women that voted for trump that won't vote republican again. With all of the constitutional rights taken away by Republicans these last two decades and this roe v wade decision I now can't lose a constitutional or moral argument against any right winger.

[@Lunethzero]

Pretty ironic that certain places in the U.S have no representation whatsoever, which is exactly how the colonies were treated by the English in the 1700s. No taxation without representation.

[@godless1014]

Maybe we can solve our current problems the same way the colonies once did? 😉

[@maximilianbeyer5642]

But this is how the founding fathers wanted it and they were obviously the smartest people ever

[@SerenityM54L2SAM5L5N1]

There hasn't been any real good reason to change the representation laws. Puerto Rico is a corrupt region that strains the federal budget, with little contributions to America. Its residents are probably glad that they're technically a part of the US and that they can use our services.

[@askkedladd]

@@SerenityM54L2SAM5L5N1 America is a fake hypocrite country the sooner they are destroyed the better.

[@pc4764]

@@godless1014 that ship sailed

[@haladmirknowsbest]

She's going to walk through every door RBG opened for her and slam them shut for everyone else

[@soth1sol]

hope she shuts door of holding on to crucial position, 3.9 years too late, despite all indications to maybe step aside...

[@Damogen]

@@soth1sol Ah yes, if RBG had just stepped aside 4 years ago, then Mitch could have blocked another appointment and Trump could have replaced her with Barret 3.8 years ago.

[@BeethovenIsGod]

Yeah, you know what you're talking about regarding a name you've only just heard from a very trustworthy source. Wake up already. Whatever happened to people constantly being in a state of reflection and relying on critical thinking. People have become so arrogant. Isn't it possible you're wrong? Isn't it possible you don't have the answers? These are questions we always need to ask ourselves or we will be immensely arrogant and partisan.

[@BeethovenIsGod]

Have you ever asked yourself lately if any of your assumptions or preconceived notions this past 4 years were wrong? If so, embrace it and try to understand the other side. Ginsburg had very good things to say about the 2 new justices and they sides with the liberal side several times. This hysteria is not only illogical, it's wrong. We want the same things. Who is benefiting from this division?

[@JesterTBP]

Cause apparently, that's what Jesus would do. I can't fucking even.

[@nolant5791]

This episode was surpassingly thorough for how brief it was. Thanks writers / researchers for the show and John!

[@doubleddq6265]

“Kill it in the cradle before it grows up” isn’t that a line from Voldemort?

[@js66613]

It's also what Trump once said about democracy, with the highest probability.

[@BirdMoose]

Senate Republicans: Let the American people's will decide! Every poll and popular vote: We don't want you, and we don't want your policies. Senate Republicans: Not those American people.

[@superkjell]

However, elections matter, and there Republicans seem to do ok?

[@samuelmellars7855]

"We represent the will of the people! We are their voice!" "No, you are just loud, and holding a microphone"

[@rolfs2165]

@@superkjell If you make it hard or outright impossible for people to vote in an election, and fuck with the outcomes through gerrymandering and shit like the Electoral College, that happens, yes.

[@talkingtrash2502]

You mean polls in California?

[@seankanosh729]

Not those rational people that care for democracy, no we shall call them what ever to demean them and put them on the opposing side.

[@brianmorton9419]

As I heard him say “if things seem hopeless, that’s because they basically are,” I had a terrifying realization: I don’t think he’s ever called anything hopeless before. He’ll say things are fucked up, and that fixing them will require a lot of work... but the fact that THIS is the first time he’s said anything is “hopeless”...

[@peytonburrell6303]

The writings been on the wall for awhile now

[@Jcewazhere]

Specifically where the SCOTUS is concerned, yeah we're screwed even if Biden wins. Packing the courts cannot be done safely without an amendment, and amendments pretty much cannot happen with so many obstructionists in congress. That does not mean we're screwed as a people. States themselves can legalize abortion, weed, can implement Medicaid, can focus on green energy jobs and so on so the only ones really hurt by the right wingnut SCOTUS will be the people in red states. Plus, if you don't, watch Beau of the Fifth Column. He's a big proponent of community action, setting up food banks, planting fruit trees and bushes instead of decorative ones, setting up community libraries, that sort of stuff. Basically just ignore the FED and get stuff done with your community.

[@conors7914]

I'm glad I'm not the only person who noticed that. That was... pretty chilling.

[@muskyoxes]

He didn't say it, but it's mainly hopeless because the democratic nominee and party leadership are utterly opposed to real change. They can sweep everything in sight and still not even conceive of the idea of doing more than nibbling around the edges. They are professional losers and are terrified of using power, spending all their energy inventing reasons not to.

[@travellerinthedark]

@@muskyoxes There's a lot more hope than the way you put it where Biden is concerned. He's moved left throughout the years and his campaign because of listening to the wishes of the electorate. I follow the democratic congress science committee, and they've got lots of plans ready to go to implement jobs and industry measures based on environmental policy - getting to 0 emissions by 2050 is the democratic platform, putting the country in tandem with Europe. Measures to improve healthcare is the democratic platform too.

[@hecktate1763]

It's depressing af to watch this on 2022 and see every worst case prediction from this video come true.

[@balazon2000]

When John Oliver "took" over John Stewart's show, I wasn't sure I would like him as much as I did John Stewart. John Oliver has exceeded my expectations in no small way. I have looked to him during the past four years to keep me sane. I'm glad I've continued to watch him.

[@Skarix]

When the US forgets to “spread democracy” within itself

[@gmun2248]

I now understand why they haven't successfully 'imposed democracy' anywhere else either.

[@SerenityM54L2SAM5L5N1]

Just because you don't get to do whatever you want, just because you lost the last election, and just because criminals/ineligible people can't vote, doesn't imply that the US isn't democratic. It is.

[@AC-qz3uj]

That only works by dropping bombs...

[@ToxicSpider0711]

@@SerenityM54L2SAM5L5N1 in what way is someone losing by 3 million votes and still becoming president seem fair

[@Froggeh92]

@@SerenityM54L2SAM5L5N1 America is voting to slowly kill itself by lying to itself about being democratic.

[@milkteamachine]

This is hardly a comedy show anymore, it's just an increasingly disheartened John Oliver trying to spread awareness about important issues while trying to make jokes despite how desperate the situation is.

[@NiramBG]

Always has been! But in all seriousness after this pandemic began a lot has changed and the dangers of electing an incompetent president have become more obvious!

[@julietcunningham852]

That's why I like it.

[@wrxzboost]

agree - John sounds as competent as Crazy Nancy. all these fake comedians: Fallon, Oliver, Noah all have political agendas and it's in bad taste.

[@WAHB50YY]

I had the very same feeling while watching! Oliver is my favorite of them all, and I always laugh at his jokes, this time I realized there was nothing funny to laugh about, but just the sad truth!

[@masonjohnson4310]

@@wrxzboost Everyone has a political agenda, but, you have to realize that some people are wrong. Radical Conservative ideas are not equal to Progressive ideas. Unlike people, ideas are not all equal. However Republicans would have you believe that neither are people.

[@darrenskjoelsvold]

John, you're 43? Holy crap dude, I thought you were much older. I am 41 and I listen to you like you're my adoptive dad. You are a very impressive man Mr. Oliver.

[@doug4431]

His gray hair really makes him seem older than he is. If you look at episodes from ~3 years ago, his dark black hair gives a completely different age range.

[@geosobservations9496]

A while ago...when I was a kid...my grandmother and I were watching The Jungle Book...after Kaa sang 'trust in me'. My grandmother said "all politicians are just like that snake". I never forgot that 😅...I see the comparison now...

[@user-jo3go8fe3g]

I’m gonna do this with my kids!! Tell your grandma thanks ❤️

[@katashworth41]

As someone who has the initials KAA I don’t like being compared to politicians 😂. The snake? All day, every day.

[@geosobservations9496]

@@katashworth41 lololol that's just what my grandma said 🤣 I should have said most 😅

[@geosobservations9496]

@@katashworth41 get ya running around singing trust in meeeee...only meeeee...

[@geosobservations9496]

Crap it's stuck in my head now.... backfire

[@gracekelso4431]

When Mitt Romney said that the country is center- right, he’s talking about the government, not the people. We know very well that the government does not represent the people

[@lukemcguire6363]

Definitely. Most of the people that vote republican are only voting against dems. The reps dont represent their interests in the slightest. It boggles my mind how lower and lower middle class people can vote conservative. Why dont they just mail their paychecks to 1%?

[@dominikm1457]

Luke McGuire Where on earth is your assertion fact based that republican voters don’t comply with the republican party? I find it so incredibly funny that democrats suggest mailing middle classes paychecks to the top 1% but then try raising taxes seemingly without limit and robbing their own citizens. Doesn‘t it get get boring blaming all the others and big corporations for your individual failure?

[@Ugly_German_Truths]

@@dominikm1457 TAXES do give things BACK to the population like public transit, firefighters, Schooling and disaster relief. and if you live in an actually civilized country not full of egotistical dickwads also healthcare for everybody. Try to find anything like that with the fucking One Percent!

[@costakeith9048]

@@lukemcguire6363 I'd rather my money go to the barons of industry than to the non-working lumpenproletariat. At least the 1% reinvests the capital into the economy and creates growth and wealth, unlike the lumpenproletariat that wastes it on cigarettes, lotto tickets, and cheap booze.

[@yellowonesdontstop]

@@lukemcguire6363 The GOP has brilliantly nurtured single issue voters (abortion, guns) which allows their base to remain low information voters and still feel civically involved. Unfortunately, good governance requires nuanced solutions- even if liberals all agree on the need to address climate change, there is disagreement within the party on how best to do it. Trump won the GOP nomination because single issue voters were indifferent on which GOP candidate won while distinguishing himself from the pack with a populist economic message. Joe Biden should just run on Trump's 2016 platform, minus the racism & misdiagnosis of the causes of and solutions to middle class economic precariousness. Make American Passports Great Again!

[@nonesuchone]

as a Hispanic half-person, I’m only half-surprised.

[@furiousapplesack]

Top-notch comment.

[@ethicalcheeze1407]

Same

[@corvusrabenklang8608]

As a european, why do the USA think they have the best democratic system in the world again?

[@amineelyoussoufi4371]

You mean half-hispanic or are you a hobbit ? (If so, can i move to the Shire with you ? Earth has some issues these days)

[@IgnacioFlores.]

Exactly, now the curruption in some sectors of the government are as clear as the ones we have in México and Latin America.

[@MrNikolidas]

After that pissing mule video, I'm now really curious as to what the research team's Google history looks like.

[@MzShonuff123]

I bet that shit is hilarious, given the other things they've had on the show over the years.

[@erichanson3369]

"Since when is this nation [the United States] center-right?" In global terms, U.S. politics is actually more definitively right-wing than center-right. The Democratic party--the left-most major political party with any substantial degree of power--is, in fact, center-right itself (in terms of the worldwide Overton window).

[@Haze_E_Amazee]

I think the whole argument is based on The U.S definition of 'center-right.'

[@peteswafflemeyer5620]

@@Haze_E_Amazee Yeah but that perspective is completely retarded as it has observably led rightwingers to freely interchange "US-Leftists" (i.e. center-right) with actuall Leftists (socialists and beyond) in order to push their bullshit narrative that everthing and everyone left of themselves was a commie. That's why we need to have this conversation.

[@Sewblon]

"The Democratic party--the left-most major political party with any substantial degree of power--is, in fact, center-right itself" Not according to the experts that professor Mathew Grossman cited in his book "Asymmetric Politics" They both pegged the Democrats as a slightly left of the global center.

[@erichanson3369]

I was able to find only a limited degree of information on this Professor Matthew Grossmann via an online search, but what I did find allows for the possibility that he may not be extremely biased one way or another consistently. That said, even if Prof. Grossmann is relatively honest and methodologically objective in his studies, the claim that the U.S. Democratic party is "slightly left of the global center" still seems demonstrably false to me. I suppose I should ask, though, whether you are speaking of the 'party' in terms of elected officials or public voting constituency/constituencies? If you mean the latter, then what you say is certainly possible, particularly regarding younger party members--though I would emphasize, even then, that the difference must only be VERY slightly left of the global average, to the point that many may well argue that it's basically directly in the center, not sufficiently leftward to be meaningful in any noteworthy way. If, on the other hand, you speak of elected leaders, then the 'left of... global center' claim is well and truly false. After all, the healthy majority of relatively wealthy, developed countries in the world have installed the following left-leaning policies, while the United States does not currently and in more than a few cases never has: tuition-free public college, universal healthcare, government-run competition with private prescription drugs companies (leading to their prices being far lower), paid family leave mandatory for all large employers, universal mandatory firearms background checks without the loopholes U.S. policy retains, effective and truly binding (including loopholes and strategic lowering methods often leveraged by company lawyers) corporate tax rates of at least 35% or so, etc., etc. Tl;dr: As explained above, the law/policy standards of the significant majority of other advanced economies around the world are indisputably and observably to the left of the overall pattern of U.S. public policy, a status quo which the strong majority of Democratic Party leadership largely accepts--or at least doesn't substantially oppose with anything more than some apparently mostly empty rhetoric that very often doesn't hold when actually deciding on laws to be enacted.

[@Sewblon]

@@erichanson3369 1. In his own analyses, Grossman goes by party platform content. So the official position of party leadership, not the position of the voters. He doesn't say what methods were used in the expert surveys that I mentioned. But I assume that those are also going by the party's official positions, otherwise they would not be talking about the same thing, and would therefore not be comparable. So I assume that if one was measuring party leadership's positions and the other was measuring the voter's positions, that Grossman would have said so. 2. Going by what rich countries do is a mistake. To really give a fair picture of global politics and how the Democrats and Republicans stack up, you need to look at all countries that have political parties. Now, I cannot find any sources that specifically tell you which countries have public universities that are tuition free. But, I did find a website, world population review, that says that only a minority of countries offer free college tuition. But most of those countries are in Europe, and rich. So it could be that most rich countries offer free tuition, depending on your cut off point for "rich." But I am not sure about that. But the United States is the only rich country that doesn't have some form of universal healthcare. So that is true. But world wide, not having universal healthcare isn't that unusual, even the PRC, a communist country, doesn't have universal healthcare, it doesn't necessarily make you a right-wing country. As for government run competition with private prescription drug companies, I have never heard of such a thing and my search engine skills are failing me. So can you give me an example of that or tell me what to search for? I can only find sources talking about universal background checks in the U.S. I know that many other countries have stricter gun control laws than the U.S. But when it comes to universal background checks specifically, as far as I know, only certain jurisdictions in the U.S. do that. But the idea that most rich countries have corporate tax rates above 35% simply is not true. Going by the OECD's corporate tax statistics report 3rd edition, when it comes to the marginal rate, nobody has a corporate tax rate of 35% or more. When it comes to average effective tax rates, only 3 countries have a corporate tax rate of 35% or more,those countries are Costa Rica, Chile, and Argentina. None of those places are rich. The median and the mean rate for both marginal rates and average rates is less than 25%. Now to be fair, America's marginal corporate tax rate is actually negative. But its average effective corporate tax rate is slightly above the median. Its 35th place out of 77 countries in terms of average effective corporate tax rate. Even if you just go by statutory rates, only 1 country has a rate of 35% or more, Malta. So, the idea that the U.S. is right-wing globally, or that the Democrats are center or right-wing globally, isn't something that I can verify. Not in the 2 hours that I was willing to spend researching your claims at least. At least I think it was 2 hours, I wasn't timing myself.

[@raquelaraujo2947]

current US history is helping me a lot to solidify my decision to never immigrate there.

[@shadowyshadow6498]

Thank god, if it were up to me you wouldn't even have this chance. We need a immigration moratorium. Stay home

[@masonjohnson4310]

Definitely don't come here if you aren't white.

[@clavesseptem7223]

I say this as the child of an immigrant family who came here: Please, no. It's not safe.

[@wsl3119]

I’m about to migrate out....

[@wsl3119]

Mason Johnson I came back here two years ago and regretted it， you’re right, it would’ve been different if I were white

[@QuestionEverythingButWHY]

“Old men are dangerous: it doesn't matter to them what is going to happen to the world.” ― George Bernard Shaw

[@philihc]

@al-Haifawi so that's the problem with them. They hold the bible in their hand and claim that's the book they live after, but they don't... Judge them not about what they claim to believe, judge them after their doing...

[@veronicablake5389]

oh please shut up

[@aphrodite421]

That's how I feel about people "of a certain" age voting 😆. My grandma is 86 years old, her "male companion" is 95 and all they do is talk politics. At their age not a whole lot affects them anymore as far as voting goes, their way of life is pretty much secured.

[@ChiliPeppers246484]

"Young men are dangerous: history doesn't matter to them because they have zero experience." - Me

[@nataliahadad1471]

Great quote. Thanks for posting!

[@AC-im4hi]

Anytime you feel down just come back and watch this and it cheers you right up!

[@deelaw.]

I don't think I've ever seen John Oliver this angry or frustrated since he started this show

[@ev.c6]

Lets see another episode of: Why is America a laughing stock.

[@accuratealloys]

It would be very short. Two words short. Donald Trump

[@tomt6963]

We others stop laughing. You have the most powerful and most aggressive country in the world and it starts to become a todler with a gun.

[@lordbuddybear]

@@tomt6963 Plus China and Russia can do what they want, now that the US is collapsing

[@snazzypazzy]

I alternate between laughing, crying, and shaking in terror because a narcicist without impulse control may have power over a whole lot of nuclear weapons. (I still hope they gave him the fake codes.)

[@garethkeane3020]

@@accuratealloys Donald Trump is the symptom, not the cause. If you think everything will be fine once Trump leaves think again. America needs to focus on how he came to power in the first place, or else another Trump type will come again.

[@ajplayscello]

John sounds really distressed in this episode... and I completely understand why.

[@spartanmerc1]

So you think a Democrat president would not put in all Democrats judges, given the chance? Ha

[@Latronibus]

@@spartanmerc1 I genuinely don't think a Democrat Senate would have stonewalled a Republican President's SC nominee in March of 2016, all else equal. It's been a while since it was relevant, but this didn't happen in 1990 with David Souter, nor in 1988 with Anthony Kennedy. (1988 was also a presidential election year, though it should probably be mentioned that Kennedy was nominated on Nov 30, 1987.) If Garland were on the court instead of Gorsuch, then Republicans would at least be "playing fair", though they would still be "winning the game".

[@BruhWhyDidTheyChangeThis]

Well when the dictators shut down free media he’s out of a job

[@BruhWhyDidTheyChangeThis]

Fun thought experiment: if the judges ever decided that abortions were unconstitutional or elections being disbanded is constitutional (not saying that would ever happen) it would legally be true because laws are subjective and history has no direction.

[@gabrielperez82204]

Ryan Conroy your speaking in possible scenario, as if this isn’t actually happening on the other side. At the end of the day regardless if somebody “ would “ do it or not, they haven’t , Trump has focus on what’s actually happening and how it’s wrong, not deflecting

[@davidtaylor142]

This hits different in 2022

[@bpeterson1559]

“We are at the end of a generational battle and the heartbreaking thing is: we lost.” -John Oliver, September 27, 2020 Thanks for twisting the knife that was already lodged in my intestines, John.

[@MXF5700]

Eat it. Republicans drink liberal tears for breakfast. They have officially declared political civil war on the left. Your move.

[@koujihimura8887]

I don't think it's hopeless, possibly a disappointing set back. All the more reason we need to nuture the next generation, because it will be them that have to be strong to handle this and help the future future generation move forward

[@RalphInRalphWorld]

@@MXF5700 anything to own the libs

[@RustinChole]

I was glad to hear it in a way. Been feeling that way all day. Glad I’m not the only one who felt that loss. 🤦‍♂️

[@HumanTypewriter]

@@MXF5700 Yeah. Republicans will burn the country down with them inside it to ''trigger'' liberal. What a victory that is

[@daigga5244]

"You can't make it a fair system, that rigs it against republicans!" "You can't make voting too easy and accessible to everyone, that rigs it against republicans!" "You can't give everyone equal representation, that rigs it against republicans!" There's a theme here

[@evanbarnes9984]

It's the theme of equality feeling like oppression to the people who once had power

[@spartanmerc1]

The system is fair. Democrats are just upset because they lost control of it. The pendulum swings both ways. Don't be so salty.

[@MasterKeyMagic]

Paulonbass75 But democrats have more voters then republicans so..

[@a_lauscha5604]

@Paulonbass75 Speaking of a system based on "majorities": Popular vote sounds good, doesn't it? ... Oh wait...

[@daigga5244]

@@spartanmerc1 Well first why are you commenting on a video you clearly havent watched? Second I'm not about to debate the meaning of the term "fair" with anyone. I dont care to make this into a conversation, get out of here with your nonsense

[@djtomoy]

This episode is more like a manifesto than anything else, you’re amazing John.

[@robertaclark6079]

In a good way...

[@orchardlea]

The way this episode aged like a terrifying fine wine is a testament to the quality of analysis by the writing team.

[@hansm566]

8 month later this is still true. (filibuster, Manchin, supreme court .. )

[@relkasi5925]

The funny part is the rest of the world puts America nowhere near center.

[@FirstIsa]

I live in America and have trouble explaining to people that our political spectrum is stunted.

[@jortslesbian]

wdym by center?

[@throwoffyourchains124]

Yup. The "leftist socialist scum" of the US are really very centrist in their policies. Sad that so many of us fall for the smoke and mirrors of loud mouth divisionist that want to profit off of hate, anger, and fear. GO CAPITALISM!!!! YAY!!!!!!! /s

[@NyxKnightfall]

The "left" here would be right wing most places, and the right here would probably be in sanitariums.

[@anti_neon8910]

@@jortslesbian In the UK, Labour is a SOCIALIST party, we like to compare it to the DNC here, but the fact is the DNC is more of a Lib Dem party (Talking about the party in the UK). Look up Militant or Trotskyite Labour. And going for the Tories, they are actually Socially Liberal, they are pro-abortion and pro-gay marriage, despite what Noris Bohnson want's you to believe.

[@kattsmith1500]

Every episode John seems closer and closer to either tears or just a full-out rampage and I gotta say: me too John. Me too.

[@louisa6948]

Yeah, me too

[@thefox5997]

Legitimately thought he was about to cry at the end there, poor man.

[@iwantsexseemyvideo8642]

🥰❤️🌸💕

[@milfbangaable]

John is wrong about how to stop Trump's Justice appointment. The Dems in the house can just vote to impeach kzbin.info/www/bejne/povPZoaqqL6afJY therefore stopping the appointment indefinitely especially if they use the 25th Amendment tactic because it would delay the vote until it's proven the President is fit to make such appointments. DIRTY TACTICS FOR DESPERATE TIMES.

[@M.J44]

Same here. This government is frustratingly stubborn.

[@sams3533]

Boy, you have no idea how bad it's going to get

[@reidsusan4]

Watching this on May 12 2022. Once again John you have predicted the future. So sad, scary, and frustrating to see that this is exactly what is happening now.

[@MikeGervasi]

Holy Christ, John. I was thinking "He's not so angry this time around" and then you wrapped with that near tears statement. Damn.

[@wantse-rita25y.oopenmycana50]

🉐️🈹️

[@jschuler53]

@@baconbenjidestroyer He is sounding less and less like a comedian and more and more like a really serious and credible journalist. These pieces are meticulously researched. And they provide a reference list for each episode. At this point, comedy is getting to be just an excuse.

[@erikmolano1914]

Virtual illusion It’s sad you think that crying and young girls represent an insult. I know our society teaches men to detach from our emotions, but we all need to cry. Try it sometime, it feels amazing.

[@hotpckts]

Dems changed the rule on voting for court picks in 2013 so they could ram through their choices. It used to require 60 votes to confirm a supreme court judge, now it is simple majority. In Merrick Garland's case, the president was a democrat and the majority in the senate was republican. Today the president is a republican and the senate majority is republican

[@lytlechamberlain761]

@Erik Molano It's kind of like how we say “tough as balls,” even though balls are one of if not the most fragile parts of the body, and we call someone “a pussy” even though the vagina is able to shove an entire human out of a woman's body.

[@willharwell1055]

It's not just presidential elections that matter. Senate elections matter. House elections matter. Local elections matter. Start voting, and not just for the general election every four years.

[@nwsportstilidie]

Hopefully the 2018 election was a sign of the blue wave to come and not a fluke.

[@GauravSharma2106]

Americans don't even vote properly in general elections. 55% turnout is shameful. For comparison, India which has 900 million voters and supposedly a "third-world country" has voter turnout of 67%+

[@brgazy8332]

@@GauravSharma2106 In India they are forced to vote, America is a free country where I can say I don't want to vote.

[@jarls5890]

@@brgazy8332 They force people to vote in India? Tell us more! Because you clearly know something the rest of the world don't.... Now tell us about MANDATORY jury duty in the US.

[@brgazy8332]

@@retched that was recent and it still counts toward vote percentage

[@GeorgeKouloumbis]

It has to be one of his best moments. Well done John.

[@jamspiders4154]

Supreme court justices should serve the people, not god...

[@shaec3405]

Yes, Not their personal God.

[@takatamiyagawa5688]

Pretty sure their job isn't to serve the people, rather, their job is to be the final interpreter of the law.

[@bobvarghise6464]

@@takatamiyagawa5688 yes America's law, not the laws written by some nomadic tribesmen wandering the desert thousands of years ago, who the justices have convinced themselves is some sort of higher power or God's law

[@takatamiyagawa5688]

@Eredin Glas If you want to argue that religious beliefs have been injected into interpretations of secular law, perhaps you would consider showing some evidence. I haven't seen anything to suggest that textualism or originalism are particularly fringe or extreme schools of thought, even if they have been handed more power in the supreme court by Republicans for partisan reasons. I'm reminded of the time a Fox interviewer could not comprehend that a scholar of religion with four degrees could write a decent academic book about Jesus, when said scholar was a Muslim.

[@Ignirium]

@@takatamiyagawa5688 then why does it matter if they lean a certain way, why isn't it irrelevant. Why is it precisely relevant what they believe, do their beliefs inform their judgements or something?

[@carloslorenzo7243]

When the situation is so immensely bad that John says the depressing truth at the 4 minute mark. What a year...

[@EdmundTfy]

😂😂😂 immensely bad?

[@carloslorenzo7243]

@@EdmundTfy English is not my first language xD

[@TheJDoyle42]

your english is good nothing wrong with immensely bad, a good descriptor for the current situation

[@jhunterb123]

Qanon.pub

[@Hyorinmaru0o]

Honestly I need to stop watching American news. I live on the other side of the world and watching what's happening there is as depressing as watching a natural disaster happening somewhere else in the world. It's captivating but at the same time you can't stop thinking "Oh those poor people".

[@joshuamarshall1718]

Dude I live to the north of them and even we're shocked. I mean we have issues yeah but we don't have a leader denying election results and rigging our courts to his favour.

[@s.l.3281]

@@joshuamarshall1718 Fellow Canadian? Heyyy! Yes so true, but sadly, Trump's politics have trickled upward, and Canada is becoming dangerously close to back-sliding. For instance, 2 people who are openly against abortion ran for the Conservative Party. Also, there are more and more local politicians winning seats in their municipal governments who are shouting through megaphones that the right to abortion will end in their lifetimes (young religious dude in Niagara region, forget his name). And don't forget about all the anti-Muslim hate (as was evidenced bu the support given to Don Cherry following his on-air rant about ungrateful immigrants not wearing fucking flower pins.) When I watch John Oliver, I feel like these are warnings to us. Don't get too comfortable.

[@s.l.3281]

And don't forget about Bernier's far-right party... it's just a matter of time before the far right takes hold of Canada, because the apathetic middles don't care enough. And police brutality toward BIPoC is wide awake here too - always has been. Fuck, I could go on and on.

[@joshuamarshall1718]

@@s.l.3281 unlikely, that rhetoric has been around for a while. However most conservatives in Canada are progressive Conservative and tend to disassociate themselves between the Trump cult down below and themselves up here. Racism has been an issue in Canada however not as radical as America within the last two decades. Also places like Ontario and Manitoba are swing provinces and usually toss up a liberal for a conservative and vice versa. I'm not concerned about extreme cultists behaviour infiltrating Canada especially considering Canada is as anti American as they come their domestic policy usually mirrors American, and were better off for it.

[@theeviloverlord7168]

@@s.l.3281 Yeah. That’s why I’m so angry at Americans. Whatever we do trickles up to us. We don’t need to be like them, we need to be better! But try telling Quebec that 🤬

[@redskins973]

I’m glad this just popped up in my recommended

[@michaeldanaseymour]

This man is one of the most delightful people I've ever had the pleasure of knowing

[@catrasredemption6981]

This entire segment felt like a call to arms. I'm in.

[@maythesciencebewithyou]

You know, the side that supports this shitshow is the heavily armed one.

[@xxBoobuUxx]

nah i think its better when the Republikans have more judges because the liberal judges are soft on crime and cant really be trusted

[@peterbanos703]

@Ethan aka The republican Senat will block every non-conservative judge until the end of the world. There needs to be a revolution. Maybe borrow a guillotine from French.

[@Dominian1]

Felt like watching and adult man cry for 20 minutes. Still waiting for any arguments to be made.

[@tims6078]

ItsStillRealToMe DamnIt that’s fine. Stop all the financial dealings with the farmers and see who starves out first. Can you eat without going to the grocery store? I can. “Food” for thought. And the reason they didn’t muster anymore people? They were working and didn’t have time.

[@Ihatebs]

And the citizens suffer, not the elite.

[@sabinfigaro7334]

No shit...

[@sharrock2905]

@@sabinfigaro7334 Bourgeois bootlicker

[@savageo1343]

That’s the whole point. The Elites number 1 goal is to keep us sick and poor.

If we all did a walk out at least we could effect their pockets. Crash the market and that would freak them all out.

[@Ihatebs]

Butch L Focused walkout: Golf clubs, Private airline pilots and personnel, limo drivers, Tax free shops, basically nothing which would impact regular Joe/Joanne, but would make their life a hell.

[@prestonryan2450]

Coming back to this two years later and holy shit...it was worse than we imagined.

[@michaeltadych3042]

This genuinely makes me sad to be an American.

[@josheel.3502]

As a non american, the idea that the highest court of a country is chosen for life by political affiliation and congressional favours is mind boggling to me. Isnt the entire idea of the court to be an unpoliticised/ neutral entity? I guess that is what happens though when you share complete power and control between just two entities whos number 1 priority will inevetibally shift from ruling for the people to playing power-games. What counts nowadays is to rule, so the party in power will almost certainly rule to set up future battles instead of actually ruling. Maybe house of cards wasnt so absurd after all. Even the sexual predator playing president part was spot on... You go, USA!

[@Shuizid]

Well the USA is the oldest democracy in the world. And like most old things, it really needs an upgrade.

[@MrMasque]

@@orvillewright1991 No, it's called a lesson on the separation of power. The US judiciary branch is expected to do the work of the legislative branch while being controlled by the executive branch, which in turn is up for sale. We are just the friendly neighbors showing up to say that you might want to fix that since it's effecting us too.

[@simovenx1450]

@@Shuizid it's really not

[@ct1freak]

@@orvillewright1991 he's not wrong

[@night7729]

I'm super ashamed of my country. So much so I'm looking what it would take to move out of here and become a European citizen of some kind. Dont listen to any hate comments you get. The usa is fucked right now

[@petiepablo]

I believe “Strong as mule piss” is referring to the smell not the stream.

[@ViviviLala93]

Why not both? :)

[@aidanknoll1019]

or the t a s t e mmmmm

[@nythyas123]

It does, but like most shows/news, they throw facts without properly checking.This show really isn't what it was lately...

[@hypothalapotamus5293]

I thought it was because someone tried drinking it.

[@Yukosan13]

Your right.. (there's even a similar saying about the smell of bull piss, though both saying are gross and not appropriate for a politician to be saying)

[@paulmezhir8354]

YES!!!!! Ive been waiting years to hear John say "merkin".....how long did he wait, I wonder, for the perfect opportunity

[@zoegartham312]

Here's a radical thought: Let's not count a national election on anything less than a national scale. We are the United States of America, not NY, CA, IL, and 47 others. Representation in the House/Senate can be and should be done on a State level, as the needs of the State and Districts within that State need closer, more guided representation. However, as we are voting on a national issue... why the hell do States even matter? People shouldn't "win" Pennsylvania or Wisconsin or Florida or any other 'State'. One page of the ballot should be sent out by the FEDERAL government to everyone who is registered to vote, which denotes Federal positions that the entire nation has a say in; The rest can be individualized by State to reflect their State/County/City needs. That -should- be the end of it right there.

[@marcocappelli2236]

In other words, catching up with the rest of the world...

[@Zzyzzyzzs]

Because of states' rights. America is intoxicated on freedom and sovereignty; every level is a manifestation of self-identity. Being part of a nation is an accepted/tolerated form of governance, but you get the impression many states would rather be their own nations or form a nation with a bunch of other states (e.g. the Confederacy) than be part of the US. Such is the spirit many were formed (Utah was a bunch of Mormons deciding to head west and just claim land for themselves, for instance) and they will strongly resist any attempts to take that identity away from them. Plus it gives them way more importance than they'd otherwise have. How else will people in Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska or Oklahoma be politically relevant, when a federal one-man-one-ballot vote basically gives the liberal big cities on the coast way more influence? Yes I know that would be more fair, but they don't want fair, they want representation.

[@zoegartham312]

@@Zzyzzyzzs Ah, but the representation they desire should and does come from Congress, not from the President. The President -should- be the face of the nation to the world, not a political tool for one group of Americans over another.

[@lordvass3377]

we just want to see the counting you know the dems are cheating if they are counting the vote with no servalance but them selves and other democrats pa was rigged so was Michigan for sure

[@Samzillah]

I read a tweet once that said America isnt one country. Its 50 countries in a trench coat. And that describes their attitude to a tee.

[@jlopezb04]

It seems like the US is living in a House of Cards season

[@DaPanda19]

As someone who loved that show, this isn't fun :/

[@GeorgeMarmaridis]

More like Handmaid's Tale

[@NeilBlanchard]

It does *seem* that way ...

[@jamessunderland4609]

the democrats think they are living in the series. "Lets spread rumors about russia ties, lets release a tape if trump saying some stuff" The are deep into conspiracies.

[@m.r.6264]

@@GeorgeMarmaridis We haven't gotten to that level yet. But we are inching our way there

[@rayzhou]

John Oliver should post more, his humor numbs my pain

[@rickardkaufman3988]

It depends on what topic he and his writing team can think of covering. Besides, John Oliver and his team are doing it from home which is already difficult.

[@VaanOtacon]

You know that feeling in the middle of the root canal, where you can't feel your jaw but you still FEEL that you are in pain? Like it's a new KIND of pain that just feels more numb? That was this episode.

[@dilsadmeraler]

Please don’t be numb vote and take 4 people with you who doesn’t care or didn’t vote before It really really changes things

[@Tonbot74]

Look out for his new show, Yesterday Tonight.

[@jhunterb123]

Qanon.pub

[@adamwey2673]

he spouts out so much into in so litle time, we don't have time to digest. I love him!

[@emisthem6562]

John said 'The Senate' and a bunch of prequel memes hit me like a truck

[@doshdestroyer2849]

"It's all politically corrupt?" "Always has been."

[@igorschmidlapp6987]

"There are two things that are important in politics. The first is money and I can't remember what the second one is." - Senator Mark Hanna (R, OH) 1897-1904

[@Mackdez]

Yes but now it seems as if don't care what's good for the country as a whole, only what's good for them. It's good that you have mothers that don't want children not be forced to have them.

[@doshdestroyer2849]

Thank you @Beejay King! Your words bring me much hope!

[@nicholasgardiner9601]

Replying to d o s h destroyer's comment. Absolutely, completely and entirely not the point. Your comment revolves around denial, deflection and the propaganda technique " oh everybody does it" and hides this by posing it with a? There is a sharp focused spot light in John Oliver's presentation. Your comment is a giant flying non sequitur, trying to move the spotlight anywhere onto anything else than what has just been presented.

[@doshdestroyer2849]

@@nicholasgardiner9601 Bro it's a meme calm down

[@elisamac8227]

John Oliver's tone throughout this piece is not only perfect as it reflects my state of mind right now: utter rage

[@denisemcdougal6445]

Agreed

[@soyelguerreroguerra]

and on the verge of tears, at least how I feel

[@jamesarmstrong7683]

Beautifully said

[@petroskatsilieris1897]

Oh man... How prophetic has that segment proven out to be... I mean TOTALLY spot on

[@tkillcoin]

"We are at the end of a generational battle, and the heartbreaking thing is: we lost."

[@YouT00ber]

Trump 2020!

[@earnestbunbury2103]

We could start over ...

[@hugoherman3499]

@Major Thought Ahead how?

[@avishekbaidya5865]

@Major Thought Ahead Don't cry yo. 😂

[@real100talk5]

If only you can figure out why you lost.

[@moonlitmortician6694]

Last Week Tonight: In case you had hope.

[@moonlitmortician6694]

@Paola E Oh yeah. Definitely.

[@vikeightEsix]

yes, LWT is depressing

[@Marqrk]

Vote, maybe if enough of us do it then we can make a case for why rural isolated farmers shouldn’t hold power over our rights and freedoms

[@spartanmerc1]

@@Marqrk so packed city dwellers should decide rural peoples rights? Oh, you're double standard is showing...

[@camplethargic8]

@@spartanmerc1 majority rule with minority rights - it's called democracy

[@citylumberjack9169]

Sigh ... this has aged depressingly well. Here we are two years later watching basic governmental abilities to help people being called unconstitutional.

[@jamescasey2379]

Who’s back here after Roe v Wade being overturned?

[@minamina231]

Watching from Europe, this feels like a episode of House of Cards

[@Malepresentingtimelord]

The fictional president and the real one are both flagrant sexual predators. Pretty accurate comparison..

[@darkpepsi]

It literally is and I live in California, U.S. It’s nuts...

[@minamina231]

@@Malepresentingtimelord That's what I'm saying haha

[@trueshipsxxx2018]

That is an accurate comparison 💯😂

[@Kavriel]

Sadly the repercussions are only too real

[@LumiLupo]

the two-party-system is incredibly stupid in itself, there are not just two opinions and not just a good and a bad... but your system makes it that way

[@mugget7534]

The founders said it was bad, also the rural community vote getting a bigger say is my design because America was made to have a weak federal government which allows communities do what's best for them as one size fits all sucks over this much land.

[@somethingginterestingg4275]

To be fair, there are more then two parties. It just comes down to two because people want their vote to count so pick the party they think could win.

[@CteCrassus]

It's even more stupid once you realize that *both* US parties are Right-leaning and that the Left has zero representation whatsoever.

[@mrflipperinvader7922]

Lewis black said it best: our two party system is a bowel of shit looking in the mirror at itself

[@johnpyle1268]

Two parties that are equally awful, but not equally evil. The Republicans must be stopped. But I think it's too late.

[@danielmegnet7215]

You are my hero. Amazing is to low as a compliment. Mind blowing. Out of the box.

[@DM-qd8bt]

Impeccable analysis and presentation. Thank you!

[@valentinsteinerberger6173]

“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." -JFK

[@jav8094]

Desert Locust good for them?

[@NebulaOfAshka]

Yes indeed

[@steveohare4666]

@Desert Locust and Hitler held more respect for american black Olympians than America

[@Ramen10420]

If there's a civil war, which side will the inflated military with an insane amount of resources support? The autocrats, or the people who want democracy restored?

[@MadAboutBrows]

@Desert Locust 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@thevlogies2624]

Why does the Supreme Court involve politics? Shoudn't they be working towards justice instead of working for a specific political party? That needs to be changed.

[@i-v-l9335]

Lol. That's the Gun Rights outlook too, but nope, gotta stop them scary looking Pew pewz

[@lidemarv]

I guess laws have to be written clearly instead of having them as Mediums trying to interpret things.

[@xen1313]

Justices used to be required to prove they were apolitical in their views and past court decisions. Now it's just a cult of personality and celebrity, while no longer hiding the political bias they might have.

[@Ember-ww7me]

They don't What happens is that the political party that happens to be in powers appoints someone who they believe interprets the constitution in a way that aligns with the views of the party at the time. This is how we get super left-wing justices like Ginsberg and super right-wing justices like Scalia.

[@markbrownner6565]

because the elected legislators won't pass bills that stand on their own and then let the court decide the outcome....sometimes called pass the hot potato...

[@dolcebelcanto3626]

I keep seeing John Oliver videos that I think are really recent, based in events, only to see they're from years ago

[@jeremiahheaden3881]

This was ominous as hell and it’s all coming to pass

[@Hannah-ud8yt]

Didn’t they stop Obama from electing another justice because he still had eight months left in his term?

[@KyoBoy18]

Yup, and now the Supreme Court is filled with sensible people

[@sebastianrmaaa3275]

KyoBoy18 at least you admit you’re a hypocrite! Also if “sensible people” means religious zealots who will vote based on their own beliefs rather than precedent, you’re insane.

[@malachiluna9777]

Yeah, Mitch Mcconnell blocked Obama's justice but Trump? Ohhh nooo we need someone in there ASAP. Watch "You go high, we go low" from Innuendo Studios. People like Moscow Mitch don't care about consistency, they just want the upper hand. Edit: I'm getting a link to the video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/g3LFkpVulrVnlaM There we go, sorry for taking so long.

[@jmac1099]

@@KyoBoy18 "sensible" remember how pissed some were when kavanaugh voted as a person..

[@FishmacFLTRU]

KyoBoy18, glad you watched the video and learned ... nothing. Maybe watch it again.

[@DeathToMayo]

The irony and hypocrisy of Mitch McConnell casually referencing child murder in reference to the anti-electoral college movement is so infuriating.

[@generalreticent3791]

There is no hypocrisy if you accept that it is murder.

[@WouldYouKindlyNot]

@Simo H. youre a trump cultist right?

[@diazinth]

@Simo H. how is that even relevant? Democrats are comparably right wing or far right in every country that outclasses America on nearly every metric besides military spending and prison population. Not mention, the local populace seem to not connect it to the Khmer Rouge themselves. Fucking lazy arguments

[@daekry]

@Simo H. lol, this dummy is trying to pin the Khmer Rouge on American leftism. Where do you idiots come from?

[@MrReally224]

Mitch is a vile POS.

[@simplyselina]

Thank you for considering what Puerto Ricans want. I and my fellow bori’s appreciate you

[@gabrielkatz1244]

John Oliver is such a legend

[@bastarded_geese8464]

It is both astonishing and saddening how much angrier John gets everytime there is a new episode.

[@starlabradshaw2969]

And yet, completely understandable.

[@spartanmerc1]

This is the mindset of every democrat. Every time something does not go according to their will, it's the greatest injustice ever, tantamount to genocide. But when it goes the other way, everything is wonderful and rainbows and sunshine. Can't handle losing some? Move outside the country.

[@ezekielswiss5956]

He knows his ratings are plummeting and the laugh track is running out of battery's.

[@MartinLabuschin]

@@spartanmerc1 that's because one party works for all people and one works only for the majority. Guess which is which

[@jacobryan9403]

@@spartanmerc1 Did you even watch the video? Did you see how democrats are losing due to systemic problems despite the majority of voters agreeing with their issues? Nobody leaves the country they've grown up in just because there's problems with it. You fight to fix those problems, not ignore them and call them "part of the system".

[@tessablack2973]

This isn’t even a comedy show. It feels like a collective scream that we’re all trying to make

[@chrisyu98]

More like a liberal whine....

[@xxBoobuUxx]

or communist propaganda show without jokes

[@BrainlessForrest]

@Sir Isaac Newbton u realize his talkin about the the very hypocrisy we are facing from you magaturds.

[@sccrguy610]

It would feel cathartic, except I wake up and still have the same shit to deal with.

[@davidzz4307]

Slippery slope to fascism. Mango Mussolini

[@Seldomane]

I thought SCOTUS was supposed to be neutral.

[@mr.divine1665]

I didn't understand much but the emotion at the end hit different.

[@ichifish]

Just spitballing here but could we NOT leave the decision of who determines the country's laws to the random chance of who dies when who is in power?

[@jimmie159]

Basically im reading it as term limits for justices

[@tifysargos8380]

we can't sorry. they are like the avengers, only dead they replace you🤣🤣 who knows what comes next... maybe you will have to draw a sword out of a rock to be appointed!! very 21century staff🤣🤣

[@bomokeller9676]

The supreme court doesnt determine laws, it interprets them

[@Stpetersburginjurylawyersmp]

The justices can resign, or congress could impose age limits.

[@chrisbarrett2117]

Good thing we have a constitution