That really has nothing to do with the comparison at hand between the refusal to pay snap benefits and the massive famines of the 20th centuries that the Stalinist governments created.

But sure, American imperialism bad. It’s a bit harder to measure all of these separate factors though, and it doesn’t make this campist meme any less dumb.

Call me naive if you want but I think we might want to aim for slightly more than another flavor of illusory democracy.

Although I have to say that the primary selection process in the US, while deeply flawed, is far more open for insurgent candidates than the Chinese system. See Mamdani for a recent example of how democratic elites don’t have total control of the outcomes.

Well, when millions die from starvation then you can argue the economy here is worse. Until then I think this comparison is a bit silly. Stupid as this whole debacle is, it’s nowhere near as stupid as the Holodomor or Great Leap Forward.

Severe famines require more than just incompetence. They require active, violent repression of the people’s ability to solve their own problems—which they usually have. This is what makes these kinds of famines so horrific. Yes, they are partially natural, but they could have easily been solved if aid or freedom of movement had been permitted by the ruling tyrants.

Because I hate unnecessary fences. And people who love them are annoying.

And it wasn’t even about it going on the ground or whatever it was about him failing his duty to impregnate his brother’s widow, which was expected of him. Sounds bizarre today but due to the rules of inheritance at that time, it was considered a service to the widow.

I assume you mean JFK, was he talking about this?

But I mean we as in the people of the US. Our leaders have very different incentives than we do.

When are we going to start talking about abolishing the FBI?

Who, me? Or someone else?

If it’s me I’m not either of those things lol

Progressives and tankies are completely disjunct political tendencies. I’m not sure why you post this stuff here.

It’s funny because there is some truth to what he’s saying here but the logic applies just as much to his preferred strategy of running as an independent. So I’m not really sure if this is a serious critique or just an attempt to sabotage the American left.

Activism and community organizing is a great affordable hobby. Can’t say it’s easy on the calendar though.

For me it’s 32.33% to death. Repeating, of course.

Problem is people with good hearts aren’t very interested in manipulating people.

I’m sorry, small government? Where is that happening?

It really isn’t. You don’t think our near total control of the ability of children to make decisions about their lives has any effect on how they behave when they get older? Nor that this enforced system of obedience has intended consequences on those children when they become adults?

My view is the right to dress or undress as one desires is a right of basic human expression so yes I would describe this as a minor form of authoritarianism.

“If we don’t force everyone to wear the same clothes the fabric of society will collapse!”

Is that what you’re saying?

Fucking other species can be risky due to zoonotic illnesses.

The more you know!

Is it sad that I can’t tell which superpower you are talking about here?

I get what you’re saying but tactically this makes no sense. A farm is only useful over the long term, which would require you to defend it from police and potentially military forces. Groceries can be distributed from stores fairly quickly, so you could give them away quickly if the state forces are slow.

I’m glad to see it on the decline. The mockery was deserved.