Are we too stupid to save ourselves?

democratic-party-stupid

* some ppl are saying that's not accurate, but I think it depends on what polls you credit. Nonetheless, I think it's a perfectly valid argument that Trump would beat Hillary.

With so-called progressives backing the establishment they once opposed and republicans on the verge of nominating Hitler Mussolini, one might be forgiven for reaching such a conclusion. Of course it ain't over.

Trump says he loves the poorly educated. Of course he does, they're his base.

[video:https://youtu.be/qdsf0FDt83I width:649 height:480]

50 years or more of intentional dumbing-down of the American people by choking out public education, killing journalism and corrupting the airways with propaganda and bullshit may have done the trick. We can't be sure yet.
When 'progressives' turn against healthcare as a human right, you have to wonder. Have the neoliberals made us believe it's impossible? Much of the rest of the world doesn’t seem to think so.

universal-healthcare

why-cant-we

Have they deprived enough people of a quality education? Have they confused the public mind sufficiently, muddied the waters thoroughly enough, deprived the cultural mainstream of enough important information, replaced it with enough nonsense, distractions and disinformation for the great pall of stupid to prevail?

6-corporations

Has the DLC/DNC succeeded in perverting the once noble ideals of 'the people's party,' sold off enough of its high-minded principles to trick us into embracing the suck that we have fought against for over a century? They've tried mightily to turn us into the republican party. Have they succeeded?

Have we just given up? Or are we seriously too stupid to see what's been done to us? What's being done to us?

join-the-revolution

We have environmentalists turning their backs on climate change, Quakers supporting the war machine, 'liberals' voting against healthcare as a human right and 'progressives' supporting Wall Street and the Henry Kissinger crowd. A thinking person might ask, WTF is wrong with us?
How can anyone in good conscience continue to support this horror show?

want-war

It doesn't have to be this way. We should stop putting up with it.

bucky-livingry

You tell ‘em, Bucky! We need to change from weaponry to livingry — and I would add, from healthcare as a business to healthcare as a human right. We desperately need to have this ‘contentious argument’ with the filthy rich fuckwads who have been screwing us all so blatantly for so long.

we-would-lose

These guys are the fucking problem.

douchebags-on-parade

Some of us are having a revolution. If you're a reasonably intelligent person who's not too twisted by propaganda and bullshit, you're probably going to want to look into that.

its-funny

danny-glover

not-for-the-lesser-evil

DEM 2016 Sanders

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Comments

Raggedy Ann's picture

In reading your diary at GOS, the folks there answered in a resounding YES! in their fighting words to your diary. They recognized themselves immediately. Trix was the first out of the box to reveal her/imself.

The rest of us will bring them along, kicking and screaming. It's a nasty job, but who else is there to do it?

Keep 'em coming, OPOL!

As Tom Petty says - don't back down!!!

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"The “jumpers” reminded us that one day we will all face only one choice and that is how we will die, not how we will live." Chris Hedges on 9/11

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"Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly and applying the wrong remedies." - Groucho

ChemBob's picture

referring to Daily Kos.

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"Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly and applying the wrong remedies." - Groucho

Raggedy Ann's picture

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"The “jumpers” reminded us that one day we will all face only one choice and that is how we will die, not how we will live." Chris Hedges on 9/11

thanatokephaloides's picture

..... that DK seems to be hell-bent-for-leather set on making Der Drumpfenführer our next President.

Whether they're willing to face it or not, that's what's liable to happen if Hillary gets nominated.

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"US govt/military = bad. Russian govt/military = bad. Any politician wanting power = bad. Anyone wielding power = bad." --Shahryar

"All power corrupts absolutely!" -- thanatokephaloides

No, Trump is the Yuge Orange Satan.

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Jazzenterprises's picture

my blood pressure was taking a beating, and I was teetering on the fence of banishment a few times there.

Good times.

Some of those Clinton authoritarians are starting to really piss me off...

Keep em coming and give em hell!

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Progressive to the bone.

Raggedy Ann's picture

When I think of those people - no good thoughts enter my mind.

On to more pleasant things. :):):):)

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"The “jumpers” reminded us that one day we will all face only one choice and that is how we will die, not how we will live." Chris Hedges on 9/11

Jazzenterprises's picture

speaking of pleasant things, glad to report that after 10 minutes back here, I'm a Buddha Zen master again.

Auuuuuuummmmmmmmmm..............

Biggrin

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Progressive to the bone.

detroitmechworks's picture

Either does the trick for me in about ten minutes.

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I do not pretend I know what I do not know.

Alison Wunderland's picture

What did the Buddhist monk say to the hot dog vendor?

"Make me one with everything."

OK, you can throw me out now.

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Haikukitty's picture

It is one my weaknesses - avoiding senseless conflict. If there was a chance of changing minds or engaging in intelligent dialogue, I'd still be there. But the endless, needless nastiness - I just can't. You're a better person than I am, JazzE. Its so much more peaceful and soothing over here Biggrin

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detroitmechworks's picture

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I do not pretend I know what I do not know.

angel d's picture

Love your work. Keep posting here as I no longer wish to grace the conservadems with my imperious countenance. Smile Smile

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on my phone and send them to friends and family all over the country. What you are doing is making a difference and I thank you!

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to dumb stupid I believe we are willfully ignorant, selfish and lazy which I guess is a pretty dumb stupid way to be, so Yes we are too dumb stupid.

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Our obsession with movie stars and what they actually think is at the root of why we believe a disingenous twit like Clinton.

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"Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly and applying the wrong remedies." - Groucho

detroitmechworks's picture

and worked with GOOD actors. These are not good actors.
These are celebrities. Huge difference between them, that the MSM doesn't quite get.

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I do not pretend I know what I do not know.

whyvee's picture

I recently saw he is planning a big fundraiser for her with lots of Hollywood elites...I am disappointed in him.

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Steven D's picture

And hobnobbing with the Clinton's makes him feel powerful and influential.

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"You can't just leave those who created the problem in charge of the solution."---Tyree Scott

thanatokephaloides's picture

..... and I know which one I would rather take to dinner!

Smile

[video:https://youtu.be/iBYfACA724M width:560 height:315]

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"US govt/military = bad. Russian govt/military = bad. Any politician wanting power = bad. Anyone wielding power = bad." --Shahryar

"All power corrupts absolutely!" -- thanatokephaloides

angel d's picture

any of those things.

That "we" is for Clinton supportments, not us!

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Raggedy Ann's picture

A little levity for your Thursday afternoon!

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"The “jumpers” reminded us that one day we will all face only one choice and that is how we will die, not how we will live." Chris Hedges on 9/11

I really did laugh out loud.

As soon as I did, my dogs got all excited and had to have belly scritches.

So you really created a stir!

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'Well, I've wrestled with reality for thirty five years, Doctor, and I’m happy to state I finally won out over it." Elwood P. Dowd "

angel d's picture

but to here, I won't link to the DailyKlinton

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angel d's picture

but to here, I won't link to the DailyKlinton

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He's very serious.

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'Well, I've wrestled with reality for thirty five years, Doctor, and I’m happy to state I finally won out over it." Elwood P. Dowd "

Phoebe Loosinhouse's picture

You do such a great job of photo and commentary.

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" “Human kindness has never weakened the stamina or softened the fiber of a free people. A nation does not have to be cruel to be tough.” FDR "

I'm having flashbacks. And right now I mentally rope HRC Democrats into this same question.

59_million_dumb_americans-thumb.jpg

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angel d's picture

It's awful to say it, but it's a valid question.

I get in trouble when I call Clinton supporters stupid.

But they are.

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Is Kos getting kick backs from the Clinton campaign or is Clinton really the best Democratic candidate?

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"Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly and applying the wrong remedies." - Groucho

angel d's picture

then I sure as hell ain't no Democrat!

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'Well, I've wrestled with reality for thirty five years, Doctor, and I’m happy to state I finally won out over it." Elwood P. Dowd "

mjsmeme's picture

I just love that they pay for the return postage.

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that is actually a reality: "The more money you have, the more Republican you become." Sadly, the expression needs updating to include the Clinton wing of the Democratic party.

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mileser's picture

The more money you have, the more Establishment you become.

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-9.75, -8.21

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WindDancer13's picture

is having to buy a few more Establishment members so it doesn't become inbred.

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We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.--Aristotle
If there is no struggle there is no progress.--Frederick Douglass

Shahryar's picture

any objection to Her Ladyship would end up with either "Nader!" or "Racist!" or "Sexist" or "Purist" rather than an actual policy response.

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I love the flow chart idea.

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whyvee's picture

Just like that 30% or so core group of people that voted for Bush and Republicans every single time without fail, we now have a core of Dems that are willing to vote for the likes of HRC without question. IMHO I think they have their own self-interests at stake and could care less about what happens to the rest of us and what happens to this country. We are in very sad shape....

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I appreciate the support.

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ChemBob's picture

N/A

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So happy to see you here.

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'Well, I've wrestled with reality for thirty five years, Doctor, and I’m happy to state I finally won out over it." Elwood P. Dowd "

Jazzenterprises's picture

for my facebook friends who still don't believe Trump could be President....

Terrifying.

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Progressive to the bone.

angel d's picture

convinced he's the next Hitler. For God's sake, in a few years he goes from being someone whose wedding you attend to your the super villain of your lifetime?

PUKE.

He may be a better president than Clinton. Especially if he shuts down the TPP.

Think about it.

Not advocating for him, I'm just saying he's ONLY THERE TO SCARE US INTO VOTING FOR CLINTON

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ChemBob's picture

because a small fraction of the things he has said sound good. It's the other 97.5% of stuff he's said that terrifies me. His father was apparently a huge racist (interacted with Woodie Guthrie who rented from him in NY) and my guess is that the orange didn't fall far from the orange tree.

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JayRaye's picture

friends. They attend social events together, they golf together. Both families are closer to each other than they are too us, or ever will be to us.

If we vote for either one, the ruling class wins and the rest of us loose.

No more "lesser" evil voting for me ever again. I'm tired of being played for a fool.

And there simply is no lesser evil if we end up with a Dem nominee who brags about her relationship with the mass murderer Henry Kissinger.

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Never be deceived that the rich will allow you to vote away their wealth.-Lucy Parsons

whyvee's picture

are way too cozy for me to sleep well at night.

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stevej's picture

trust-me.jpg

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“To learn who rules over you, simply find out who you are not allowed to criticize.” -Voltaire

Lady Libertine's picture

this!

"Not advocating for him, I'm just saying he's ONLY THERE TO SCARE US INTO VOTING FOR CLINTON"

That becomes more and more obvious with each passing day.

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is to give his pal Hillary an assist.

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"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981

Muddy Boots's picture

If she were running against dubya she would lose because so many so called democrats are actually not-republicans. There are there to step away from the rich sob's who are fucking us all over. But they don't turn up to vote because they can't find anything to vote for. What I am saying is they will probably act on their not-republican motivations to show up to see Trump lose.

But if BERNIE were the candidate - then I think you would see a lot more democrats actually show up, at least at the general election, because they would see something to vote FOR. This was Obama's appeal, which didn't turn out as well as we HOPED.

People are not stupid, they are just not motivated.

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"If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back" - Regina Brett

Haikukitty's picture

But your point is so important. When your choice for dinner is dog crap or horse shit (sorry, grumpy) - you will probably choose to just skip that meal.

I've always done my civic duty and voted, and always for the lesser evil (except for Obama, which as you noted, was not what was promised). But like so many others, I'm fed up with it, and I just can't do it anymore, especially when I can no longer even be sure which of the two is the lesser evil. So, I'll write in a name, and vote for the downticket people I support.

Things will never change if we keep accepting horrible candidates. This election is so incredibly depressing. What is that Chinese curse? May you live in interesting times? Smile

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WindDancer13's picture

The silver lining if Trump does get elected is that the Republican Party (which includes some Democrats) will crumble. They will really have to take a step back and do some thinking. Funny that for the party that screams personal responsibility (a la Ayn Rand) that they have so much trouble living up to that ideal.

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We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.--Aristotle
If there is no struggle there is no progress.--Frederick Douglass

TheOtherMaven's picture

so maybe it's an impossible ideal.

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There is no justice. There can be no peace.

thanatokephaloides's picture

..... is, in fact, an utterly impossible ideal to live up to.

The human race evolved altruism because no single one of us is inherently possessed of all the power (s)he needs to get all hir needs met. Therefore, we remain together in societies as adults. Creatures who do have that sort of inherent power tend to live solitary lives (example: most cats). Humans, like most other great apes, had to organize into societies or die. And societies can't work without a ubiquitous ethic of doing for the greater good of all, i.e., altruism.

As you correctly point out, Ms. Rand couldn't do it herself.

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"US govt/military = bad. Russian govt/military = bad. Any politician wanting power = bad. Anyone wielding power = bad." --Shahryar

"All power corrupts absolutely!" -- thanatokephaloides

gulfgal98's picture

Four more years of what we have had is not going to wash with the people. They are fed up with the statis quo and Clinton is already promising the status quo. I am afraid that it will lead to a Trump like leader who will be even worse. Hillary is not the firewall against a right wing strongman, she will be the kindling for one.

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Do I hear the sound of guillotines being constructed?

“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." ~ President John F. Kennedy

CS in AZ's picture

then my hope will be for a strong primary challenger from the left, and/or a strong independent progressive to challenge her in 2020. The time may finally be right for voters to reject both parties by then. There are already more independents than registered Dems or Republicans. And I think organizing for that effort should start immediately if she wins. No grace period; the people need to keep the pressure on *every single day* and let them know we are not defeated.

We will need a new candidate for next time, but the resistance and push for real change from the left must continue unabated and not be allowed to scatter into the winds. I hope Bernie's campaign has sparked the revolutionary spirit and woken up the masses, especially young people, enough that some great candidates will emerge, people will be motivated and energized to step up and keep it alive.

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whyvee's picture

I think it is all about becoming the first female president; she wants in the history books...you know, an ego thing. Also, it would allow her to dump all her campaign promises from this election cycle during her presidency and not have to respond to why she did not fulfill them. The next election is probably not even on her radar.

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WindDancer13's picture

that if she does get elected it will probably leave a bad taste in everyone's mouth about electing another woman president.

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We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.--Aristotle
If there is no struggle there is no progress.--Frederick Douglass

thanatokephaloides's picture

if she does get elected it will probably leave a bad taste in everyone's mouth about electing another woman president.

Just one more reason to oppose her ever getting elected to the Presidency. Same goes for Fiorina and the genuine Sarah Palin. (The fake Sarah Palin, Tina Fey, would probably make a better President than HRC would!)

Wink

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"US govt/military = bad. Russian govt/military = bad. Any politician wanting power = bad. Anyone wielding power = bad." --Shahryar

"All power corrupts absolutely!" -- thanatokephaloides

Steven D's picture

Hillary is not the firewall against a right wing strongman, she will be the kindling for one.

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"You can't just leave those who created the problem in charge of the solution."---Tyree Scott

shaharazade's picture

man you can't really get more RW then Berry Goldwater, Margret Thatcher or Henry Kissinger. How about 'The Family'. Ask me there is no left, center, right both parties march right. They may don different faces for public display but they all have the same agenda with some variations on their fascistic global theme. We came we saw we killed and austerity, no rule of law with a police state here in the 'Homeland'. Has taken all meaning away from political direction. Would you like a vagina probe along with your austerity is about the only choice were offered. The whole electoral wresltin' match is a farce. Moderate is another joke. Whats moderate about any of them?

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We spent another Trillion in Afghanistan.

We spend billions of dollars every day bombing terrorists in nations where our bombs are causing the terrorists.

But the problem is Republicans?

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detroitmechworks's picture

Bush's dad had the receipts for the WMD's, so it was REALLY frustrating to find out that Saddam wasn't as backstabbing and ruthless as we pretended he was.

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I do not pretend I know what I do not know.

temptxan's picture

Now I am not so sure.

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triv33's picture

I mean those other people...lol. No, I just can't get over it. It's a damn good thing I get the botox migraine or my WTF lines would be down to the bones in my skull.

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I shave my legs with Occam's Razor~

angel d's picture

good party members. But the party is not good anymore.

The party is corrupt, and rotten.

Do you want to let it rot or get it back?

I'm content to watch the duopoly ground itself down into an insignificant nub and let some other ideologies besides CORPORATE have a say in how America lives.

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triv33's picture

from a contentious fb thread today. The party has allowed the corruption to rot it from the center on out. Fuck it. Feel the bern or bern it down. If we can't get a decent candidate, if they don't care what we think, our input means nothing, what is the damn point?

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I shave my legs with Occam's Razor~

angel d's picture

supportersdontcare.jpg

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Raggedy Ann's picture

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"The “jumpers” reminded us that one day we will all face only one choice and that is how we will die, not how we will live." Chris Hedges on 9/11

Steven D's picture

that this can be said about the entire Democratic Party leadership. Hillary and Bill are just the biggest pigs at the trough.

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"You can't just leave those who created the problem in charge of the solution."---Tyree Scott

by (and for) them and their ilk.

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"It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society." --Jiddu Krishnamurti

triv33's picture

it's just not taking. That'll get fixed down the line. I just don't want anyone to think I'm rude, or slighting them. LOL

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I shave my legs with Occam's Razor~

Miep's picture

Upvoting comments.

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Stay on track. Stay in lane. Don't throw rocks.

Yes, we are too stupid to save ourselves. We'd much rather save the woman in the multitude of Mao jumpsuits and her golden pals. I second bringing your diary here. I went over for a morning read. It is old at heart and ugly in spirit.

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"Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich."--Napoleon

stevej's picture

On the money and, to be honest, if it pisses off the lemmings at the other place that is bonus territory.

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“To learn who rules over you, simply find out who you are not allowed to criticize.” -Voltaire

kharma's picture

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There is nothing which I dread so much as a division of the republic into two great parties.. This...is to be dreaded as the greatest political evil under our Constitution.--John Adams

mhagle's picture

I just joined today and was so happy to find you here!

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Marilyn

"Make dirt, not war." eyo

hester's picture

I cannot bear to log in at all. Been gone since end of February (by choice) and I feel better w/o that stress.

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Don't believe everything you think.

First off, it took maximum cajones for this diary at the other place. You need to borrow a wheel barrel? With the heretic and book burning going on over there, I'm surprised it lasted more than 30 seconds.

As an outsider looking in (Go Bernie), it seems that most stuck behind the Hill aren't necessarily stupid. It seems the high middle of the bell of Hill supporters wouldn't really have their quality of life changed as long as Hill (hell, probably even with a Pug) in office. Unfortunately, with Bernie, life for them MAY change, so why take a chance? With the Hill they can at least throw out their shoulder patting their own backs by voting Dem.

Personally, I'm damned tired of what the last nearly 40 years have wrought. It's time for a change!

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There is no such thing as TMI. It can always be held in reserve for extortion.

Shahryar's picture

it seems, from the comments over there, that one poll shows Bernie beating Trump by 10.5 pts while Hillary beats Trump by 8. A second poll that people are referencing shows Bernie winning by 12 and Hillary winning by 10.8.

From what I'm seeing, the Hillary fans are using the 10.8 from one poll and claiming she leads by more because a different poll has Bernie ahead by less....even though that same poll they like shows Bernie winning by more.

Correct me if I'm not reading that correctly. If I'm right then yes, "we" are too stupid.

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detroitmechworks's picture

Apples and oranges are exactly the same thing. /Hillary logic

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I do not pretend I know what I do not know.

triv33's picture

that the Republicans are showing up in much larger numbers than the Dems, the Dem turn-out with Hillary as the nominee? I shudder to think.

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I shave my legs with Occam's Razor~

It would be even more frustrating if the turn out was huge and they were voting for Hillarity. Then I'd be really dumbfounded. At least the last couple primaries have started to trend in Bernies favor.

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"Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly and applying the wrong remedies." - Groucho

triv33's picture

motherfucking problem, pardon my french. While I agree with you 100% that it would be devastatingly frustrating and depressing if a large turn-out was magically appearing and going for Hillary, I can't see that happening. Where we do see large turn-outs, it has helped Bernie, either to win, or cut down on her delegate count, and it should favor Bernie from here on out.

But I believe, and I think the numbers will bear me out on this, that DWS's tenure as chair of the DNC will be known as the great migration. The time when congress was lost, governorships were lost, and people left the party in droves as corruption and third way bullshit was made too clear to ignore. The party is at an all time low. But, hey, they've worked for that and they've earned it.

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I shave my legs with Occam's Razor~

detroitmechworks's picture

The time I helped refocus the Democratic Party around its core principles.

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBS0OWGUidc]

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I do not pretend I know what I do not know.

I am pretty frustrated with Bernie's turnout. I know for sure he could blow some of these margins out of the water. I have a few close personal friends that follow the results religiously, have cnn election results on refresh every time there's a primary, but then:

"Hey man, did you caucus Saturday?"
"Ohh, that was this Saturday?"

I'm not sure how much was left on the table, but it feels like it was significant.

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