• Benjaben@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    48
    ·
    5 days ago

    It’s been real popular to knock Americans around these parts for a while, I’ve noticed, and we certainly earn our share of it. But I get the sense Europeans don’t quite understand how bad things have gotten here and how truly cornered and out of options many of us feel. Folks are being squeezed past their breaking point.

    Impossible to guess exactly when that’ll be true for enough people to cause something dramatic, but any populace has its limit and we seem to be approaching it. I really hope we start heading the other direction soon, but this incoming administration does not make that look likely.

    • SouthEndSunset@lemm.ee
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      19
      ·
      5 days ago

      Your incoming administration won’t do a thing for your average person. If it’s any consolation we Brits aren’t far behind.

      • Benjaben@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        14
        arrow-down
        1
        ·
        edit-2
        5 days ago

        Well, I don’t really mean this as a positive per se, but it’s entirely possible the incoming administration tosses a few crumbs to keep things just simmering (while of course further dismantling everything of any real value). That’s been the playbook for the power brokers for some time. I didn’t mean there was some possibility there’d be any actual good. The incoming folks are essentially the most predatory version of that class of people, I’m under no illusions.

        Edit to add: I tentatively reject the idea that your country is not far behind, respectfully. That’s my point. I am fairly sure the differences are bigger than you realize.

        • SouthEndSunset@lemm.ee
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          8
          ·
          5 days ago

          Appreciated. Whatever you do the U.K. likes to copy though. I suppose it’s like karma for introducing Thatcher and Reagan.

          • Benjaben@lemmy.world
            link
            fedilink
            arrow-up
            5
            ·
            5 days ago

            Ha, you’re right, and our countries are of course more closely linked than maybe I realize. Hope it didn’t sound like I was diminishing your struggles. Cheers and best wishes!

            • SouthEndSunset@lemm.ee
              link
              fedilink
              arrow-up
              3
              ·
              5 days ago

              You had a point because although incredibly similar, there are differences. I should have said I was speaking relatively.

      • Gormadt@lemmy.blahaj.zone
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        12
        ·
        edit-2
        5 days ago

        Slight correction the incoming administration is likely to do quite a bit for the average person.

        All of it’s going to be bad, but they’re gonna do quite a bit.

        Edit: Or one way to look at it is that they’re going to do a lot to the average person not for the average person.

    • uis@lemm.ee
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      2
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      edit-2
      5 days ago

      It’s been real popular to knock Americans around these parts for a while, I’ve noticed, and we certainly earn our share of it. But I get the sense Europeans don’t quite understand how bad things have gotten here and how truly cornered and out of options many of us feel. Folks are being squeezed past their breaking point.

      Comon, it’s not as bad as Russia. Except to have to pay to visit dentist. And optometrist. And surgeon, therapist and any other doctor. And separately pay for cast if you break bone. And pay for ambulance. And for anything else. Ok, maybe not better then Russia, but at least budget for healthcare was not stolen to build Putin’s palace. Even if only because you don’t have any budget for healthcare. Fine, America is worse than my shithole, but at least you don’t have to deal with Putin and his “small victorious war”.

      • Benjaben@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        3
        ·
        4 days ago

        My friend, you actually got me hahaha. I started out feeling like “ah fuck, here I am complaining about how things have gone for us, who am I to complain compared to this guy?” Well done lol