5 ms·

I grew up in an unincorporated town in WI, so to answer your accusatory question: Sunday was the last time I talked to people in a town <10k. I'm also not sure

by bduerst 10y ago

I grew up in an unincorporated town in WI, so to answer your accusatory question: Sunday was the last time I talked to people in a town <10k. I'm also not sure what "silicon valley sentiment" has to do with wanting enforcement of the Hatch act either. The idea that rural white america is a victim and needs protecting is one of those being spread by the alt-right, and it's wrong to think it justifies manipulating the election. >Have you tried to start a business before? Are you familiar with the debilitating beauracracy and taxes associated with running a small business (15-50 people) that doesn't take venture capital funding? Nope. I'm a computer engineer and everyone should care about what I care about or they're brainwashed. Yes. Yes. And that last remark is uncalled for, since I'm not a computer engineer or think that.

kefka 10y ago
> I'm also not sure what "silicon valley sentiment" has to do with wanting enforcement of the Hatch act either. The idea that rural white america is a victim and needs protecting is one of those being spread by the alt-right. I would agree with that, but not for the reasons what the Neo-Nazis would say (seriously, "alt right" is nazis and skinheads). Most small towns had one or 2 companies that propped them up. Vehicles, parts, steel, coal, mining. Good strong stable stuff. Making things, and knowing that the sweat of your brow made that. And they paid well. Real well. $25/hr, $30/hr. And as we went to this "service economy", with many manufacturing jobs eliminated by companies closing, automating, or going elsewhere, it left crappy jobs for these workers. Crappy means working for $8.25/hr, or $10 if you're lucky. And no benefits. No 401k. No insurance. And yeah, Trump has ignited the neo-nazis. But in the end, what matters more: "some democrat love-relationship with LGBT, environmental stuffs, SJWs, or whatever" -or- "food on your plate, and a place to live in with your family"? Because what Trump said is he's going to bring back those jobs. Hope, that these people can get back on their feet. But, well, that won't happen. Too bad it will take 4 years to find out.
- madamelic 10y ago
  What matters more is we don't create an environment where a facist government can thrive. I am not calling Trump a facist but hand-waving away racist policies like deporting all Mexicans (Trump didn't say that, but it was taken that way) or disallowing all Muslims (again, Trump didn't say that but it was taken that way) as "SJW" is irresponsible. I think we can have a country where both can co-exist. Maybe people need to realize they can't work 35-hour weeks at "the factory" anymore. Those jobs are long gone. That sucks and we need to figure out how to get those people back to work but this whole "bringing back the jobs" is complete political BS.
  - r_smart 10y ago
    >I am not calling Trump a facist but hand-waving away racist policies like deporting all Mexicans (Trump didn't say that, but it was taken that way) or disallowing all Muslims (again, Trump didn't say that but it was taken that way) as "SJW" is irresponsible. It was taken that way by people opposed to him or trying to cut him down. I've never heard a supporter represent those as his positions, but rather constantly try to accurately represent what was said. If people decide to create absurd straw men, what responsibility do his supporters have to address them? And how does the wildly inaccurate view of his opponents make him or his supporters irresponsible? A system where a fascist government can thrive is one wherein the press is in collusion with the government, and where people prop up ideological narratives in lieu of the truth. When we constantly push to dehumanize our opponents and their supporters, we start taking the first small steps down the ideological road that leads to the horrors of totalitarian governments.
    - madamelic 10y ago
      Yeah, I agree with like 99% of what you are saying. All of that is right. >(From my parent comment) But in the end, what matters more: "some democrat love-relationship with LGBT, environmental stuffs, SJWs, or whatever" -or- "food on your plate, and a place to live in with your family"? What I disagree with is that we have to decide between denigrating others and fixing the economy. We can have both and it is irresponsible to pretend like we have to choose. I am just hoping Trump and Senate Republicans understand that. But my guess is that they'll throw LGBT people under the bus when they need a distraction, which every politician eventually needs. Politicians aren't dumb, their entire livelihood is dependent on knowing how to cater to their base. (Sorry, I feel like my thoughts are becoming a little disjointed from what we are talking about. I buy into like 95% of what Trump supports but I don't buy we need to tear down 'SJW' so the economy can thrive, it is completely illogical to me)
      - r_smart 10y ago
        I'm not sure I understand where the Trump is against gays things comes from. He's probably the most pro LGBT Republican candidate in the history of the country, and arguably has a better track record than Clinton. Personally, I think political correctness is a problem, but that seems like a conversation for another time.

by bduerst 10y ago

kefka 10y ago

> I'm also not sure what "silicon valley sentiment" has to do with wanting enforcement of the Hatch act either. The idea that rural white america is a victim and needs protecting is one of those being spread by the alt-right. I would agree with that, but not for the reasons what the Neo-Nazis would say (seriously, "alt right" is nazis and skinheads). Most small towns had one or 2 companies that propped them up. Vehicles, parts, steel, coal, mining. Good strong stable stuff. Making things, and knowing that the sweat of your brow made that. And they paid well. Real well. $25/hr, $30/hr. And as we went to this "service economy", with many manufacturing jobs eliminated by companies closing, automating, or going elsewhere, it left crappy jobs for these workers. Crappy means working for $8.25/hr, or $10 if you're lucky. And no benefits. No 401k. No insurance. And yeah, Trump has ignited the neo-nazis. But in the end, what matters more: "some democrat love-relationship with LGBT, environmental stuffs, SJWs, or whatever" -or- "food on your plate, and a place to live in with your family"? Because what Trump said is he's going to bring back those jobs. Hope, that these people can get back on their feet. But, well, that won't happen. Too bad it will take 4 years to find out.

madamelic 10y ago
What matters more is we don't create an environment where a facist government can thrive. I am not calling Trump a facist but hand-waving away racist policies like deporting all Mexicans (Trump didn't say that, but it was taken that way) or disallowing all Muslims (again, Trump didn't say that but it was taken that way) as "SJW" is irresponsible. I think we can have a country where both can co-exist. Maybe people need to realize they can't work 35-hour weeks at "the factory" anymore. Those jobs are long gone. That sucks and we need to figure out how to get those people back to work but this whole "bringing back the jobs" is complete political BS.
- r_smart 10y ago
  >I am not calling Trump a facist but hand-waving away racist policies like deporting all Mexicans (Trump didn't say that, but it was taken that way) or disallowing all Muslims (again, Trump didn't say that but it was taken that way) as "SJW" is irresponsible. It was taken that way by people opposed to him or trying to cut him down. I've never heard a supporter represent those as his positions, but rather constantly try to accurately represent what was said. If people decide to create absurd straw men, what responsibility do his supporters have to address them? And how does the wildly inaccurate view of his opponents make him or his supporters irresponsible? A system where a fascist government can thrive is one wherein the press is in collusion with the government, and where people prop up ideological narratives in lieu of the truth. When we constantly push to dehumanize our opponents and their supporters, we start taking the first small steps down the ideological road that leads to the horrors of totalitarian governments.
  - madamelic 10y ago
    Yeah, I agree with like 99% of what you are saying. All of that is right. >(From my parent comment) But in the end, what matters more: "some democrat love-relationship with LGBT, environmental stuffs, SJWs, or whatever" -or- "food on your plate, and a place to live in with your family"? What I disagree with is that we have to decide between denigrating others and fixing the economy. We can have both and it is irresponsible to pretend like we have to choose. I am just hoping Trump and Senate Republicans understand that. But my guess is that they'll throw LGBT people under the bus when they need a distraction, which every politician eventually needs. Politicians aren't dumb, their entire livelihood is dependent on knowing how to cater to their base. (Sorry, I feel like my thoughts are becoming a little disjointed from what we are talking about. I buy into like 95% of what Trump supports but I don't buy we need to tear down 'SJW' so the economy can thrive, it is completely illogical to me)
    - r_smart 10y ago
      I'm not sure I understand where the Trump is against gays things comes from. He's probably the most pro LGBT Republican candidate in the history of the country, and arguably has a better track record than Clinton. Personally, I think political correctness is a problem, but that seems like a conversation for another time.