• octopus_ink@slrpnk.netOP
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      5 days ago

      The myth of checks and balances.

      The myth of (checks notes) every single admirable or positive aspect I was raised to believe was true about our system of government and our values as a nation.

      I’m in my 50s. Somewhere WAY down the list of shit that I’m absolutely furious about is that I can no longer pretend that a single thing about US values or the resilient and balanced design of our government has turned out to be true.

      Every single thing that has ever benefitted non-wealthy non-white non-male non-straight or non-cis people in the US has been hard won with blood over decades or centuries. And we’re well on the way to undoing nearly all of those after not even two months of a despot in office.

      Every thing I have ever been taught about what made the US great or special or even good has been a lie. It’s very plain to see now. It turns out we had some elected people superficially following the rules, and that was really the only thing keeping it all together.

      • technocrit@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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        4 days ago

        I’m in my 50s. Somewhere WAY down the list of shit that I’m absolutely furious about is that I can no longer pretend that a single thing about US values or the resilient and balanced design of our government has turned out to be true.

        You should be mad at yourself for believing this bullshit for 50+ years.

        • octopus_ink@slrpnk.netOP
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          4 days ago

          Well, I didn’t just stop believing it all this morning. It’s been a process. This is just the nail in the coffin.

        • octopus_ink@lemmy.ml
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          4 days ago

          No really, I am. 😆

          But I’m kinda flattered that you recognized my username.

          This account still exists because I want to sort through and preserve some saved threads and other stuff.

          • MelodiousFunk@slrpnk.net
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            4 days ago

            Gotcha. No harm in keeping it alive as a backup, either. A lot of us have multiples for variety of reasons. Unless there was some drama that I missed, in which case, do whatever you need to. I think slrpnk will be a good fit either way 👍

            • octopus_ink@lemmy.ml
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              4 days ago

              No particular drama, mostly that being a member of .ml sends a message that I’m generally not trying to send, and through no fault of anyone at .ml I just kinda got tired of having to deal with that from time to time.

              edited to add - I’m also not a communist, which didn’t really seem to bother anyone at .ml, but that’s all wrapped up in the whole “unintentional messaging” thing.

              • Mac@mander.xyz
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                4 days ago

                Is there a reason you aren’t a communist?
                Are you a capitalist?

      • HasturInYellow@lemmy.world
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        5 days ago

        Honestly, I am just hoping that the new country/countries that emerge from the smoking heap of America will try harder to enshrine democracy. Likely that will take decades.

        • virku@lemmy.world
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          5 days ago

          It feels alot like margaret atwood wasn’t writing fiction at the moment. The religious and/or far right wing seems to be getting their way over there and it honestly feels like the handmaids tale is their vision. At least that is my take here from the other side of the pond.

    • NoneOfUrBusiness@fedia.io
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      5 days ago

      I mean the checks and balances are definitely there. They’ve just been taken over too. You just can’t have democracy without the people having faith in democracy.

      • Fredthefishlord@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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        4 days ago

        Yeah… Kinda miffs people blaming the balances and checks. Like, they are there. They’re just being ignored. Lmfao. Cause some dipshits gave the fascists all 3 branches

        • ObliviousEnlightenment@lemmy.world
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          4 days ago

          I feel like if controlling all three branches is enough to undo the whole constitution, it wasnt that good. If they wanted to prevent a tyrant, they shouldve thought to ask “what if that tyrant is popular”

          • Fredthefishlord@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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            4 days ago

            If they wanted to prevent a tyrant, they shouldve thought to ask “what if that tyrant is popular”

            They did dude. What do you think the 2nd amendment is for.

            Also, you say that like controlling all 3 branches is a small thing. It means you control the whole government…

    • BestBouclettes@jlai.lu
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      5 days ago

      The checks and balances were there, but they’ve been methodically corrupted and dismantled over decades without anyone doing anything about it.