3 ms·

It's interesting how much nihilism there is in the comments with regards to democracy. I put it down to the fact that modern media-driven, first-past-the-post,

by ethbr1 3y ago

It's interesting how much nihilism there is in the comments with regards to democracy. I put it down to the fact that modern media-driven, first-past-the-post, limited-party democracies don't trumpet compromise. Compromise happens often, but nobody wants to talk about it, because it's not primary-sexy. So people are left with a news/PR feed that only shows the political extremes. E.g. In the US, how many of the near-unanimous votes did you hear about? * Senate: https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/vote_menu_118_2.htm https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/vote_... * House: https://clerk.house.gov/Votes https://clerk.house.gov/Votes

alephnerd 3y ago
> Compromise happens often, but nobody wants to talk about it, because it's not primary-sexy. This. If you've ever actually been on the Hill, you'll find that most GOP and DNC politicians and staffers are very cordial with each other and work together very often. Even the legislation passage rate hasn't change since the 1970s. Social media has been weaponized. I can't wait for Section 230 to be repealed.
- soderfoo 3y ago
  Worked on a congressional campaign and got to peek in on the legislating side. Was surprised by the congeniality as a young ideologue who expected things to be more adversarial. The real eye opener was how much overlap there was with donors giving to both sides in a campaign. Guess you need to hedge your bets.
  - ethbr1 3y ago
    At the end of the day, they all have the same job, which means they likely have more in common with each other than the average partisan punter. In the same way that athletes of sports teams don't actually hate each other.
- rainworld 3y ago
  [flagged]
- ParetoOptimal 3y ago
  > If you've ever actually been on the Hill, you'll find that most GOP and DNC politicians and staffers are very cordial with each other Is this really a positive?
  - ethbr1 3y ago
    Yes. In previous times that was known as cooperation, debate, and compromise. Unfortunately, it's been rebranded as collusion and the deep state to a certain segment of the population.
    - ParetoOptimal 3y ago
      With a shifting overtones window, the end result isn't really compromise.
- ecommerceguy 3y ago
  [flagged]
  - alephnerd 3y ago
    It's not a uniparty. I won't go out of my way to antagonize someone I need to get work done, and vice versa. Partisan bullshit is maybe 5% of the total work that needs to get done on the Hill. Bernie Bros and MAGAts are both the same, and gunk up the works. The point of Government is GOVERNANCE (aka keeping the lights on). Not idealism, not philosophy - it's job is to keep shit working. If you politicize EVERYTHING, then everything falls apart.
    - ecommerceguy 3y ago
      When it comes to deep state it's all on board and that's what we are discussing, an abusive FISA that appears to be unconstitutional, and seems to have support from both parties, regardless of what campaign promises were made. Ad hominums such as MAGAts and Bernie Bros are unbecoming of a non partisan.
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by ethbr1 3y ago

alephnerd 3y ago

> Compromise happens often, but nobody wants to talk about it, because it's not primary-sexy. This. If you've ever actually been on the Hill, you'll find that most GOP and DNC politicians and staffers are very cordial with each other and work together very often. Even the legislation passage rate hasn't change since the 1970s. Social media has been weaponized. I can't wait for Section 230 to be repealed.

soderfoo 3y ago
Worked on a congressional campaign and got to peek in on the legislating side. Was surprised by the congeniality as a young ideologue who expected things to be more adversarial. The real eye opener was how much overlap there was with donors giving to both sides in a campaign. Guess you need to hedge your bets.
- ethbr1 3y ago
  At the end of the day, they all have the same job, which means they likely have more in common with each other than the average partisan punter. In the same way that athletes of sports teams don't actually hate each other.
rainworld 3y ago
[flagged]
ParetoOptimal 3y ago
> If you've ever actually been on the Hill, you'll find that most GOP and DNC politicians and staffers are very cordial with each other Is this really a positive?
- ethbr1 3y ago
  Yes. In previous times that was known as cooperation, debate, and compromise. Unfortunately, it's been rebranded as collusion and the deep state to a certain segment of the population.
  - ParetoOptimal 3y ago
    With a shifting overtones window, the end result isn't really compromise.
ecommerceguy 3y ago
[flagged]
- alephnerd 3y ago
  It's not a uniparty. I won't go out of my way to antagonize someone I need to get work done, and vice versa. Partisan bullshit is maybe 5% of the total work that needs to get done on the Hill. Bernie Bros and MAGAts are both the same, and gunk up the works. The point of Government is GOVERNANCE (aka keeping the lights on). Not idealism, not philosophy - it's job is to keep shit working. If you politicize EVERYTHING, then everything falls apart.
  - ecommerceguy 3y ago
    When it comes to deep state it's all on board and that's what we are discussing, an abusive FISA that appears to be unconstitutional, and seems to have support from both parties, regardless of what campaign promises were made. Ad hominums such as MAGAts and Bernie Bros are unbecoming of a non partisan.

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