bigbangdangler

It's not even the wrecking of the economy that really gets to me about this latest Republican administration. That's a pattern for sure, but this admin grifts right off the top, in plain sight. The Trump phones, the ballrooms, the sweetheart deals for friends, the IRS decision that puts taxpayer funds directly into the President's pocket.

I can't think of another admin that has so openly stolen from US citizens.

I'd say less a "dream of power" and more "enough money to live my life, but not too much". In that sense it's different from just wanting endless money.

I just want to be comfortable and to be able to experience my life. In our society, that takes (some) money, unfortunately.

Totally agree with you though, in that it would be much better if we had a smarter society where money didn't have to be involved to get that life. That utopic planet where they've moved beyond the antiquated ideas of wealth and power and everyone just chills and travels. I'd live there.

resist the urge to be a finger-wagging douche about it.

No need for personal attacks, but it does mean I generally won't be responding to your "points".

Save for one observation: it's strange to be upset at and fixate on some generalized boogeymen being "condescending" given the scope of what has happened due to MAGA gaining power. One is some people potentially being rude, while the other is a shared suffering (in some cases losses of careers, losses of savings, even some deaths) because of the poor decisionmaking of a voting bloc.

Point that anger in the right direction. Yes, I'm glad some of those voters are turning around. Still waiting on a tangible result.

This has got to be the answer.

Also, it's just kind of a vibe having everyone be sort of outside. It would feel different in a studio kitchen.

They were lied to - and then chose to ignore their fellow citizens telling them that for years. They chose to ignore those signs for years. We didn't give Germany a pass for Hitler because enough folks after the war said they finally saw the light; instead, we proceeded with a plan of denazification.

There are a lot of factors at play, not the least of which being critical thinking and education. I don't think it's accurate to say there is now broad scale agreement on these issues because a bunch of Trumpers are just now, 2 terms in, realizing that they were duped.

I still have trouble giving a pass for the whole 3-time Trump voter thing. More than half the country is smarter than this, because half didn't vote Trump at all, and some percentage of Trump voters didn't vote for him multiple times.

I get it, credit where it's due and all that. I'm glad he came to his senses, but we don't have to pretend he's a genius for it.