ODS - Obama Derangement Syndrome

[Doctor CamNC4Me]

Last week I watched Netflix’s Death by Lightning, a miniseries centered around President Garfield (late 1800’s) and US federal politics consumed with cronyism. Look up something called the “spoils system” if you want a sense of that BS happening back then.

US Political parties rewarded loyal supporters with government jobs, contracts, and favors regardless of merit or qualifications. Does this ring any bells for you? It all centered around controlling the system and getting kickbacks, bribes, favors, or outright theft which the party would then pardon or otherwise cover for the crime.

The GOP, Trump, and the people they hoodwinked effectively undid ~150 years of hard-earned “reputation” in less than two years. It’s akin to a family learning about a relative’s substance abuse problem. A one-off incident can be forgiven and even lauded had they sought help and came to their senses, but once that relative relapses trust is absolutely dissolved and they’re a problem to be avoided lest their behavior drags others down.

We have shown our true colors. We are a nation of irrationals. We cannot be trusted. We are uneducated bullies.

And so the world now turns to other hegemonies for the way forward. China is the strongest it has ever been. Europe has pivoted decisively away from us. And this is sad. It’s really sad living through the decline of a once bright, promising democracy.

[Some Schmo]

A big part of the problem is the general sense in the US that it's an exceptional country. The self-promotion and American propaganda of the last 80 years or so has convinced its citizens that this country is just innately great. We don't have to actually do anything to maintain that title, because we're just so goddamn naturally awesome.

This isn't patriotism. It's brainwashing.

If you listen to people from other countries all over the world, you notice they think Americans are among the dumbest citizens in any nation, and they have no interest in ever coming here. Trump did achieve one thing: he made immigrants look for other options. Anyone who thinks that's a favorable accomplishment is the type of moron who believes in America's innate greatness, which doesn't exist.

I agree, Cam, that it's sad. Watching America's decline because a bunch of yahoo's refuse to acknowledge reality is like watching an aging parent slowly slip into dementia and you're helpless to do anything about it.

[Physics Guy]

Watching America's decline because a bunch of yahoo's refuse to acknowledge reality is like watching an aging parent slowly slip into dementia and you're helpless to do anything about it.

I considered using this same simile, and only skipped it because I couldn’t make it fit well in my post, not because I didn’t think it fit the situation. I’m glad someone else brought it up. There’s an element of horror. One keeps wanting to tell oneself and others that they weren’t always like this.

There were always some American crazies. Shortly before the Civil War there was a substantial faction of Know-Nothings. What has failed is whatever used to keep the lunatics safely confined to the fringe.

[Some Schmo]

There were always some American crazies. Shortly before the Civil War there was a substantial faction of Know-Nothings. What has failed is whatever used to keep the lunatics safely confined to the fringe.

I think the thing that used to keep the lunatics at the fringe was a lack of access to other lunatics willing to share their delusions. The internet has destroyed that barrier.

[Some Schmo]

I have just been made aware that if the GOP wants to bend the Constitution to allow a third Trump term, then that naturally means Obama qualifies to run again, and polling currently shows Obama with a 6 point lead.

LOL

I don't think either of them should run again - two terms is enough. If anything, we should limit Congress and the Supreme Court in the same way, not extend the Executive Branch. But I have to admit that I love the suggestion floating around, simply because you know it'll drive the racists (a.k.a. idiots) nuts.

OBAMA 2028!!! (not really, but it's fun to shout)