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We've reached the point of idiocracy where everything needs to be read aloud.

~~read~~ empathize

That's truly what they're unable to do: consider others. They don't know how it feels to be not-them, and they don't care.

So many "My business is failing because of tariffs. Those dirty foreigners!" and then follow up with "Sure, I'd vote for him again! I support what he does."

Exactly, it doesn't matter if Trump's administration makes life worse for MAGA supporters. He could make their lives a living hell for all they care, arguably they're already there. His supporters just want to see people they don't like get hurt. That's it, they want to witness cruelty. Any conservative who didn't jump off MAGA band wagon a long time ago has fully drank the cool-aid.

I'll admit, I used to be in the anti-Ariana crowd after the whole donut thing surfaced. (Despite being a dumb teen when it happened who, despite not doing things similar, could understand the social pressure of doing it.) But every interview snippet I've seen with her has shown that she's got a good head on her shoulders and most importantly isn't afraid to tell people they're being a jackass on live television.

That's only a portion of Trump voters though. There are a lot of younger voters with less ingrained brain washing that came recently from new media.

I honestly don't know what you do about the people you are speaking of. I have some in my extended family and there is no convincing them of things after 3 decades of programming. Even foundational knowledge isn't the same.

You lick one donut, you get ridiculed for life.

You rape a bunch of women and children while committing financial crimes, you become President of the United States

omg, that's gross. where?

I want a six pack of Ariana Grande licked donuts and after each one I’d be like thank u, next.

The only straight answer I've gotten was a creative use of math to show how much the US would save on benefits.

And let me guess: that doesn't consider the increase in expenses going towards funding ICE...

Thats not even including the tax revenue that's lost since many pay income tax (with no representation or access to benefits) essentially propping the system up, in part, for everyone else. I assume they think they can make up the difference on tariffs (nevermind much of that cost is passed on to ordinary Americans)

When the Ottomans took over Constantinople and the Eastern Roman Empire fell, they began charging steep taxes on goods travelling from East to West. The Portugese, not content with paying the tax, launched maritime expeditions to reach India and managed to find a direct route from Europe to India going around Africa's Cape of Good Hope. This was the start of the Age of Discovery. Spain commissioned Columbus with the same goal and.. well we all know where he ended up.

The point being when you charge an egregious tax or tariff people find a way around you rather than going through you. America is likely assuming its in such advantaged position globally that it can get away with it, but history shows that no nation / kingdom can survive alone and when you try to fleece people, they will find a way to exclude you.

Matt Bernstein, he's also got a podcast called A Bit Fruity, which (imo) has some very good takes.