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Perhaps one of the few positive benefits of British teenagers being hooked on TikTok is that, by viewing the lives of their contemporaries in the United States,

Perhaps one of the few positive benefits of British teenagers being hooked on TikTok is that, by viewing the lives of their contemporaries in the United States, they might come to appreciate just how poor their own country is. And meanwhile in America, we're propped up on debt. Federal debt*. Consumer debt. Thanks to such financial smoke & mirrors, our seats on the Titanic feel wonderful. Yes, thank gawd we're looking down. Thank gawd we're excessively TikTok'ing. Thank gawd no one can be bothered to ask, "How did we get here?" Thanks gawd we have "leadership" and politicians who don't dare own their role in putting us on the road to nowhere. * If you didn't catch the Steve Ballmer interview on Jon Stewart last week or so, highly recommended.

taylodl 2y ago
That Steve Ballmer interview was excellent. It was a masterclass in how people seeing things differently can come together and talk things through. The sad thing is that American Corporate Media has gotten so bad I now have to resort to comedians to get insightful interviews and a "main street" perspective on the news.
- chiefalchemist 2y ago
  The bit about servicing the Fed debt being the 4th largest line in the budget should have been a wake-up call for *everyone*. And that's just paying the interests, we're not even making a dent in lowering it. Those interest payments are services NOT being provided to taxpayers. But we're being told don't worry about it (i.e., the debt)? And everything is ok (with the economy)? That level of gaslighting is hard to stomach. Honestly, I didn't think Ballmer and Stewart disagreed all that much. Ballmer said, "I've got this data thing" and Jon's attitude was, "Great! But then how do we get off this crazy emotional-based cycle we're on now? Why is the media so shite?" The idea that the UK should be looking to the USA to envy its (faux) prosperity is a sad sick joke.
  - taylodl 2y ago
    Even worse, that debt doesn't capture obligations such as social security. Reagan got us addicted to the heroin of debt after the Nixon Shock that effectively ended the Bretton Woods Agreement. Like all addicts, weening ourselves off our drug of choice isn't going to be easy. The pessimist in me sometimes thinks the Boomers are kicking the can down the road so the worst effects will be felt after they're in the grave.
    - chiefalchemist 2y ago
      re: Kicking the can Yes, tho' perhaps not intentionally per se. At this point, there's simply no incentive for anyone to say "we've got to fix this sooner rather than later." It's easier to be silent and breathe sand. It's easier to push the "the Fed debt don't matter" narrative. It's easier to blame symptoms (i.e., certain political candidates). Meanwhile, the middle class *is* being hallowed, and more and more are looking for a solution outside the traditional norms because that status quo is intentionally not serving them. The gaslighting is less and less effective. What could go wrong? p.s. Let's not forget what happens when The Fed pitches in to keep the gov running, service the debt, etc.

taylodl 2y ago

That Steve Ballmer interview was excellent. It was a masterclass in how people seeing things differently can come together and talk things through. The sad thing is that American Corporate Media has gotten so bad I now have to resort to comedians to get insightful interviews and a "main street" perspective on the news.

chiefalchemist 2y ago
The bit about servicing the Fed debt being the 4th largest line in the budget should have been a wake-up call for *everyone*. And that's just paying the interests, we're not even making a dent in lowering it. Those interest payments are services NOT being provided to taxpayers. But we're being told don't worry about it (i.e., the debt)? And everything is ok (with the economy)? That level of gaslighting is hard to stomach. Honestly, I didn't think Ballmer and Stewart disagreed all that much. Ballmer said, "I've got this data thing" and Jon's attitude was, "Great! But then how do we get off this crazy emotional-based cycle we're on now? Why is the media so shite?" The idea that the UK should be looking to the USA to envy its (faux) prosperity is a sad sick joke.
- taylodl 2y ago
  Even worse, that debt doesn't capture obligations such as social security. Reagan got us addicted to the heroin of debt after the Nixon Shock that effectively ended the Bretton Woods Agreement. Like all addicts, weening ourselves off our drug of choice isn't going to be easy. The pessimist in me sometimes thinks the Boomers are kicking the can down the road so the worst effects will be felt after they're in the grave.
  - chiefalchemist 2y ago
    re: Kicking the can Yes, tho' perhaps not intentionally per se. At this point, there's simply no incentive for anyone to say "we've got to fix this sooner rather than later." It's easier to be silent and breathe sand. It's easier to push the "the Fed debt don't matter" narrative. It's easier to blame symptoms (i.e., certain political candidates). Meanwhile, the middle class *is* being hallowed, and more and more are looking for a solution outside the traditional norms because that status quo is intentionally not serving them. The gaslighting is less and less effective. What could go wrong? p.s. Let's not forget what happens when The Fed pitches in to keep the gov running, service the debt, etc.