great political illustration

"davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com" (davesaddiction)
11/02/2018 at 12:03 • Filed to: None

And here I am in the “gray” , trying to keep my head down, wearing Air Force 1s and munching on Chick-n-Minis...

I despise Trump and 99% the Rs that have fallen lock-step in line with him, but I can’t bring myself to align with the Ds , either. The current duopoly needs to end, but sadly, there’s seemingly no likelihood of that happening, unless a lot more people get motivated to change the status quo . 4% of Americans voted for Trump in the primaries. 18% gave their electors the power to mak e him our president.

From this article:

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DISCUSSION (34)

Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
11/02/2018 at 12:33

You know things are fucked beyond all hope when shooting Nazis becomes “controversial.”

Ash78, voting early and often > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
11/02/2018 at 12:37

We hold these truths to be self-evident: The internet has emboldened the extreme 1% from both sides, that Chick-Fil-A makes great sandwiches, Nike has turned into a fashion shoemaker, and that Kinja sucks donkeyballs (figuratively and with consent, and also depending upon the gender identity of the donkey).

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
11/02/2018 at 12:40

And before dropp ing the Electoral College comes up, it would take a two-thirds vote in both the House and the Senate and the ratification of three-fourths (38) of the 50 states, so it’s never happening.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks
11/02/2018 at 12:40

“both sides”

The Dummy Gummy > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
11/02/2018 at 12:47

I’m not challenging this post at all. Are political posts now allowed on oPPo? I’m down with it but curious before I go shooting off and than perm banned.

fintail > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
11/02/2018 at 12:53

The comments on that piece present a good defense of the idea that we are doomed and there’s no hope for this broken system and maybe humanity in general.

For a long time, it has been about the lesser evil, and the lesser evil is more apparent now than ever. Hint, it doesn’t meet with a lawyer, a spy, a money launderer, and a mob boss to talk about adoption.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > The Dummy Gummy
11/02/2018 at 12:53

They’ve always been allowed. In general, keep anything controversial after the jump as a courtesy (perhaps with a buffer image) . I figured this illustration, and my first line, wouldn’t stir the pot too much.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > fintail
11/02/2018 at 12:54

Never read the comments. Not once!

I didn’t vote at the top of the ticket in 2016, but I live in one of the reddest of red states, so it was a foregone conclusion. If I lived in Michigan, I would’ve been a lot more conflicted about that decision. The Clintons are corrupt as hell, too, fwiw... Hopefully there’s a choice that’s actually less evil in 2020.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
11/02/2018 at 13:01

I feel like the “ division politics” has become a major thing now and it is doing exactly what it intended to do. Divide the populous so that the law makers can do what every they want to stuff their pockets while the rest of us sit on the sidelines wondering what the hell we can actually do this side of an all out civil war to replace our government.

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
11/02/2018 at 13:07

With the risk of this being a very vague statement – that graphic really goes to highlight how much of a hold corporate interests and campaign finances have on politics. The world would be a much simpler place if we had fixed dollar amounts made available to any candidates/measures able to obtain X signatures or more for any given election, no more, no less. Doesn’t matter if you’re a Kennedy or the mechanic next door – it doesn’t matter who you know or which companies you have connections with. Bring forth your platform and get equal prominence as every other candidate.

Obviously this is all very simplistic, but the farther we’ve headed in the opposite direction the more things have gotten ratcheted up. We’re no longer people who want the best for our country who happen to maybe have different views of how to get there, we’re all having to align with companies and organizations based on the political teams they’ve decided to put their heft and money behind. And as a result instead of politicians focusing on actual people and making their constituents lives better they focus on saying and doing the right things to keep that corporate donor money flowing.

The Dummy Gummy > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
11/02/2018 at 13:07

There was a time they were strictly no no. But times are a changing.

BigBlock440 > The Dummy Gummy
11/02/2018 at 13:14

When? I don’t remember there ever being a time when they were. Maybe they weren’t prevalent out of courtesy or something, or that’s what people were used to since a lot of forums had no politics policies, but I don’t recall oppo ever explicitly banning it. And certainly not in the last 5 -ish years anyway.

Spanfeller is a twat > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
11/02/2018 at 13:21

I agree that sometimes the establishment isn’t the solution. but we must also keep in mind that whatever we view as “progress” has to start somewhere... not by the extremes.

The biggest issue I have with the argument (and I know you’re not making this argument) “Dems don’t align with me so I won’t vote” is that this person shields themself from responsibility that they must bare. It’s like this shitty article in splinter “ Obama still doesn’t get it ” it sucks because it suggests that they must start from the edge, not from the center. Additionally Watson has always written pieces giving cover to those that don’t vote.

Obama and the dems are moderates , but giving power to moderates rather than extremists is the first phase into redefining politics into something less toxic.

Lets say I have a growing weight issue. If I try to control myself from early on I might not notice change as much, but I’ll be healthier. However, if I ignore the problem (as in, I don’t vote for a moderate) I’ll grow more and more obese to a point that I need a surgery... to me a surgery seems like what many of the people making “the argument” want. But think about all the bad things that happened before you got the surgery that you could’ve avoided had you taken care of yourself.

Think what a different world it would’ve been if people that voted for Johnson and Stein and the Bernie Bros that crossed over to Trump’s camp had voted for the moderate ? A moderate presidency means no one is “very” angry at anything and people might be easier to talk with. Sure: We wouldn’t have #Abolish_ICE, but we wouldn’t be discussing birthright citizenship either .

“ Surgery” shouldn’t be the first option ever and if people want to encourage third parties they need to start at the local/state level or else they’ll be always considered laughing stocks.

Under_Score > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
11/02/2018 at 14:05

Chick-fil- A has a lot of interest with people regardless of political thought. I know the company aligns more conservative, but a lot of very liberal people love Chick-fil-A. Maybe it’s because I’m in the southeast, which is CFA Country, but I’m shocked people use CFA as a major right-wing symbol. If anything, people should complain about their prices.

WilliamsSW > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
11/02/2018 at 14:13

It’ll be a long time before ANY Constitutional Amendment gets passed.

I don’t think you could get 38 states to agree that the sky is blue.

The Dummy Gummy > BigBlock440
11/02/2018 at 14:18

It’s funny thinking back to the handbook it wasn’t banned, but the mods were laying down the hammer because it was getting unruly. It wasn’t explicitly banned but frowned upon and it was most certainly the last five years and beyond.

But by the handbook it looks like it has been revised to be encouraged... which is odd given the climate at the time.

https://oppositelock.kinja.com/a-slightly-revised-oppositelock-handbook-for-commenting-1750418920

A major point of clarification. The moderators are not here to censor unpopular opinions. We are not asking you to post only along certain political views. We are not asking you to refrain from discussing touchy subjects. The moderators are not here to police your views . For the most part (see above) talk about anything you want – make your points respectfully and clearly, accept that not everyone will agree with what you have to say, and understand that this is an open forum where a lot of different people will read your post, and where anyone can reply to you. Above all, be excellent to each other.

My bird IS the word > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
11/02/2018 at 14:40

Its because everyone is itching for a fight, because we haven't had one for awhile. The problem being, the next fight will probably be our last.

fintail > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
11/02/2018 at 14:41

Corrupt as the day is long, and still the lesser evil. One usually can’t vote for who they like, it’s who they hate less. It’s been that way since I’ve been around, anyway.

Although I moan about many issues where I live, I am glad I live in a more first world (read: not deep red) state.

nermal > Under_Score
11/02/2018 at 16:13

Chick-fil-A has relatively great food and exceptional service.

The staff is friendly and consistent, and the experience as a consumer is top notch for a fast food place. The restaurants deserve the praise and positive attention they get, just as the owners deserve the negative attention they get for being religious nutjobs .

nermal > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
11/02/2018 at 16:20

I think reality checks are important. If all that you do is read sensationalist news stories on the internet , the world appears to be going to hell in a handbasket, as they say. The outcome is the same, but the path there is different depending on how far right or left your source is .

Venturing out into the world and interacting with others paints a much different picture, however. More people in the US are in a better position today than they were 2 years ago.

Under_Score > nermal
11/02/2018 at 21:07

Because of where I am, a lot of restaurant employees are very nice. They’re not forced like Chick-fil-A.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Spanfeller is a twat
11/02/2018 at 22:35

Very well stated.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > My bird IS the word
11/03/2018 at 00:37

its why im so cynical whenever i hear “burn it all down, start over”. That makes a false assumption that it can or will be able to be rebuilt.

My bird IS the word > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas
11/03/2018 at 12:32

people are so willing to throw everything away, like it’s old fashioned to think that our free government is truly unprecedented in history.

CobraJoe > fintail
11/05/2018 at 14:24

The comments on that piece present a good defense of the idea that we are doomed and there’s no hope for this broken system

Before the 2016 election, my friend said that he was considering voting for Trump just to burn the whole system down so we can start over again.

I’m not sure how he voted, but if this is the system burning down, it’s a a very slow, ineffective , and very painful burn.

fintail > CobraJoe
11/05/2018 at 18:55

I hope your friend lives in a state where results are virtually known before voting time. The burn it down types might finally realize nothing is being burnt down, only made worse.

CobraJoe > fintail
11/05/2018 at 20:37

Nebraska, so even though the state mostly voted red, we don’t have enough electoral votes to make a difference. I think the general sentiment right before the election was that Clinton would win, but she wasn’t really wanted.

fintail > CobraJoe
11/06/2018 at 08:27

I suppose that’s solace. The “burn it down” people might even be worse than the bitter selfish clueless luckiest generation crybabies.

CobraJoe > fintail
11/06/2018 at 09:25

The solace for me is that Trump isn’t that obviously loved. Though I bet the feelings are a bit different in rural areas, but people out there are usually pretty reserved.

fintail > CobraJoe
11/06/2018 at 20:22

I’d hope that pragmatic rural people would see through the con before the shrill lucky generation members and their spawn, but I can’t say for sure. Plenty seem to love him.

CobraJoe > fintail
11/06/2018 at 22:43

Yeah, I can’t quite understan d that. Many people who value family and honesty and a day’s hard work seem to love him. At least there is some discontent with the tariffs among the farmers.

fintail > CobraJoe
11/07/2018 at 10:02

And how many of those farmers will eventually be bailed out anyway if there is real pain - but of course, welfare is bad, as long as you meet certain demographic indicators anyway.

Funny how those who preach law and order and morality don’t have a great track record of practicing it. Kind of along the lines of valuing honest and hard work.

CobraJoe > fintail
11/07/2018 at 10:53

There was a different post oppo about city vs rural voting, and it got me thinking...

It’s not that rural people are necessarily so opposed to social welfare, it’s more that they’ll never see the benefit. It’s easy to forget about rural areas, especially when they’re happy to make their own living.

I guess that republicans do a better job of campaigning to the farmers and the rural population in general, even if they do a pretty poor job of working on their behalf.

fintail > CobraJoe
11/07/2018 at 20:52

I think there’s a lot at play. Rs definitely know how to pander to their base. Trump is good at it too - he may be idiotic, but I wouldn’t call him stupid. He knows what he’s doing, and look how they eat it up.

I think social welfare is also an issue because of “socialism”. A few generations of people with less than comprehensive educations have been preached to that anything “social” is evil and the final step towards Bolshevism - and they believe it . These people also distrust governments handling such welfare (including medical care) , but have no issues with governments deciding who goes to war and what a woman does with her body, or who can marry who. Funny how that works. Regarding making their own living, some do, some get helped by inheritance and bailouts.