• Benjaben@lemmy.world
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    14 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
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      14 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
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        14 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
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          14 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
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            14 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
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              14 days ago

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

                • Benjaben@lemmy.world
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                  6 days ago

                  Returning to this a week later, and - gotta say - the Lemmiverse? (idk what we’re calling it lol) has really won me over, for little convos like this. Been here about a year and change, and it mostly just keeps getting better. People can disagree with one another, realize they agree more than they thought (or that they don’t), and we all get better for it. Seen it again and again, and I like it.

              • The Quuuuuill@slrpnk.net
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                13 days ago

                i think in a lot of ways our legacy as a british colony has never really eroded. our countries have been consistently aligned for a long time for better and for mostly worse for both countries

      • Gormadt@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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        14 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
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      13 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
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        13 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