Today I talked to someone who said, Trump would win in November.
I asked, "Do you agree, Biden won in 2020?"
— "Yes."
"Okay. What specifically has Trump done since 2020, which has improved his chances of winning?"
— "Well… not much."
"Right", I said. "Then look at what Biden has done for ordinary people: Cheaper medicine, more jobs, the economy back on track. Will that make Trump win?"
(Very long pause)
— "You may have a point."
It is all a feeling — two questions, and reality sets in.
@randahl@jonburr No, but a firm refusal to cast an affirmative vote endorsing genocide will keep many home on election day, unable to support either party's candidate in good conscience. That whole "elect Biden and hold his feet to the fire" thing was a total farce. I wish more people knew about Dr. Cornel West's positions on Israel/Palestine (and many other topics).
@randahl The old saying goes “It’s the economy, stupid.” Most people don’t understand the economics of the supply chain issues that plagued us as a result of the pandemic or the high demand that ensued early in Biden’s term as the vaccines became available and businesses started to re-open. They just know prices went up under Biden and haven’t come back down (even if the rate of inflation has come back to more manageable levels).
@randahl
Hate to be such a cynic, but most Americans don't keep track of anything that actually matters in the world of politics. Women started paying attention after the SCOTUS turned them into baby factories, but that may not be enough to overcome Biden's premeditated murder of the people of Gaza.
@specktator_ how is the the 0.7 percent of GDP donated by Greece or the 0.3 percent donated by the US an example of "war economy at almost full scale"?
You can see the exact Ukraine related expenses by country here (scroll down to the graphs and look for the one called "Government support to Ukraine: By donor country GDP"):
@randahl Well does the 0.3 percent includes the domestic capital circulation in manufacturing and spanning to almost all sectors that produce armaments (given to others or not) or war-supporting services and so on? Does it count revenue that comes from all those actions directly or (mostly) indirectly? I don't think so. But I think I get how you perceive the whole thing now. Thanks for your answer though. 🙂