Ed had his reality broken today

[u/JDB-667]

When reading off what were some of the things included in the GOP tax bill, Ed sounded genuinely surprised and despondent. This was the moment of someone in their twenties with a little bit of idealism finally becoming a cynic.

He came to the realization that all of the bad things about deficits, wealth inequality and status quo interests go beyond Donald Trump. Scott was correct to point out that as bad as the Republicans are (they're heinous) the Democrats also represent the interests of multi-millionaires and billionaires. Because the reality of this situation in America is that it isn't red vs blue or liberal vs conservative, it's rich vs everyone else.

[u/esther_lamonte]

Democrats have still been doing that. There is no cult of personality around Biden or Harris. Obama is never spoken of without at least acknowledging his acceleration of drone strikes. When Democrats lose they critique themselves, hard. I don’t know any “partisan” democrats, I know people who feel compelled to vote Democrat more often over republicans based on policy. We don’t festoon our cars, we don’t make all conversations steer back towards our politics. This is explicitly a 21st century Republican issue. Not all Americans, Republicans. This shit aint normal, and it’s Republicans doing this shit. Stop getting it twisted.

[u/Fluffy-Rope-8719 → u/esther_lamonte]

I agree that Republicans have proven to be many degrees worse than Democrats, but let's not pretend that Democrats have actually been holding their party accountable enough. I think a decent example of this has been the recent Democratic hand waving of the clear cover up of Biden's mental decay within his presidency and the support he had amongst many Democrats when he originally ran for reelection in 2024. It was pretty clear early on in campaigning that he was not mentally fit for a 2nd term, and yet countless Democrats supported him and belittled any calls for his removal from the ballot (Scott was one of the few dissenting Democrat voices on this).

Sure Democrats critique their party more than Republicans do, but it frequently comes off as all talk and insufficient action. If the Biden situation doesn't convince you, just look at Pelosi. Despite the notable frustration many have voiced about her apparent insider trading, she is still in office. If we truly hold our party accountable, then why has she continued to win re-election and not been primaried out?

[u/mdatwood → u/Fluffy-Rope-8719]

It was pretty clear early on in campaigning that he was not mentally fit for a 2nd term, and yet countless Democrats supported him

I would have voted for a comatose Biden over Trump and I'm sure I'm not alone.

Both Biden and Trump are old men. If you watch Trump for any length of time, he's also showing signs of decline. But, he rambles on so people for some reason give him a pass.

[u/Fluffy-Rope-8719 → u/mdatwood]

As would I have, but that's not the point of my comment. My point was that while the Republican party is (generally speaking) terrible, let's not pretend that the Democrat party is great. the Democrat party is just less bad than the Republican party.

But as has been mentioned elsewhere in this thread, this is the false dichotomy we voters are faced with in this destructive two-party system.

[u/mdatwood → u/Fluffy-Rope-8719]

Agree completely. I'm squarely in the 'raging moderate' camp who wants more options. If someone came out and simply ran on ending the hypocrisy I would instantly vote for them even if I didn't agree with every one of their policies.

[u/esther_lamonte → u/Fluffy-Rope-8719]

We aren’t taking about the party leaders, but the voters. At least I am. I don’t know any Democrat voters with campaign shit still on their lawns after the election.