Most Voters Think America’s Divisions Cannot Be Overcome, Poll Says.

[dudmuck]

It's not a "handful" you lying sack of shit.

 

[martybegan]

The Bush Tax cuts WERE BASED ON a budget surplus, and that budget surplus was from SS surplus taxes collected for the stability and future health of SS.... But used to give tax cuts to primarily the wealthiest who didn't pay in to SS for their entire earnings.

The purpose of the Bush income tax cuts, was to spend the surplus.....that was everywhere in the news and the discussion on why they were giving the Bush tax cuts....the surplus came from SS revenues collected in the budget and not the income tax revenues in the budget, but was given to the income tax payer and not to millions of SS tax payers they collected it from....who didn't earn enough to pay income tax....and get this tax break for income taxes.
It was a slight of hand.

Those wealthy are also capped in the benefits they get, hence why they don't pay over a certain amount.

 

[wamose]

If you want a strong, constitutional country, we need a total overhaul of the biased MSM, our broken judicial system and our ridiculous education system. Trumpy is moving all in the right direction.

 

[FredVegbarfuss]

A new Times/Siena survey shows a significant shift among voters, as their concerns about the health of the political system overtake other issues.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/us/politics/times-siena-poll-political-polarization.html

mericans have markedly less faith in the ability of the country’s political system to solve problems than they had five years ago, with a large majority now believing that the country is incapable of overcoming its deep divisions, according to a poll by The New York Times and Siena University.

Even in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic, when the country was fighting over mask mandates and forced to reckon with questions about racial inequality, a majority of voters still agreed that the country was capable of solving its political problems.

Today, just 33 percent of voters feel the same.

The steep rise in pessimism reflects a striking shift in the public’s perceptions about what ails the country. After the economy, the poll found that Americans were most likely to point to problems in the political culture as the most urgent. They named polarization and the state of democracy more often than immigration, inflation or crime.

Attacks on our Constitution continue. The illegal deportation of Men and Women who engage in Pro-Palestinian protests have been blocked. Free Speech under attack. Trump wants to put U.S. Troops on the ground of U.S. Cities. This is what Authoritarianism looks like.

There is such division, it is pretty astounding. It would be inconceivable to the grown-up generation fifty or sixty years ago. Memory of real fascism was fresher in people's minds

 

[Lisa558]

There is such division, it is pretty astounding. It would be inconceivable to the grown-up generation fifty or sixty years ago. Memory of real fascism was fresher in people's minds

Yes, and that’s why the older people’s they know there’s no fascism now. The young people don’t even know what it means.

 

[Marener]

There is such division, it is pretty astounding. It would be inconceivable to the grown-up generation fifty or sixty years ago. Memory of real fascism was fresher in people's minds

Fascism doesn’t happen all at once. It’s a creep.

It’s clear to anyone with any sense of history that globally we are trending away from liberal democracy towards authoritarianism.

 

[Godboy]

BOTH sides need to give up their 'my way or the highway' mentality

There is no universe in which the right is going to accept flooding the country full of third world scrubs, just so democrats can grab more power. We arent going to "meet them half way" on destroying our nation.

 

[Independent thinker]

A new Times/Siena survey shows a significant shift among voters, as their concerns about the health of the political system overtake other issues.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/us/politics/times-siena-poll-political-polarization.html

mericans have markedly less faith in the ability of the country’s political system to solve problems than they had five years ago, with a large majority now believing that the country is incapable of overcoming its deep divisions, according to a poll by The New York Times and Siena University.

Even in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic, when the country was fighting over mask mandates and forced to reckon with questions about racial inequality, a majority of voters still agreed that the country was capable of solving its political problems.

Today, just 33 percent of voters feel the same.

The steep rise in pessimism reflects a striking shift in the public’s perceptions about what ails the country. After the economy, the poll found that Americans were most likely to point to problems in the political culture as the most urgent. They named polarization and the state of democracy more often than immigration, inflation or crime.

Attacks on our Constitution continue. The illegal deportation of Men and Women who engage in Pro-Palestinian protests have been blocked. Free Speech under attack. Trump wants to put U.S. Troops on the ground of U.S. Cities. This is what Authoritarianism looks like.

I have yet to figure out if politicians are a reflection of the voters or if voters are a reflection of the politicians. Either way, the moderates in both voters and politicians have been thrown overboard in favor of the extremes. I don't see that changing anytime soon.

 

[Dogmaphobe]

Yes, and that’s why the older people’s they know there’s no fascism now. The young people don’t even know what it means.

Young people who demand all others think like them, act like them and goosestep to the same ideological tune as them call OTHERS the fascists.

Not only do they not know what the term means, the have completely inverted it.

 

[M14 Shooter]

BOTH sides need to give up their 'my way or the highway' mentality

One side does not believe in compromise, and as such, there's no reason for the other side to compromise.
So.. good luck with that.

 

[dblack]

There is no universe in which the right is going to accept flooding the country full of third world scrubs, just so democrats can grab more power. We arent going to "meet them half way" on destroying our nation.

When it comes to destroying the nation, you're joining forces with them.

 

[Godboy]

When it comes to destroying the nation, you're joining forces with them.

We arent destroying anything. We are attempting to make things like they were before Biden wrecked the country.

 

[FredVegbarfuss]

Yes, and that’s why the older people’s they know there’s no fascism now. The young people don’t even know what it means.

You think I am not old enough to know? Hmm.

Glee Violette on Trump’s Dangerous Unconstitutional Fascist speech to the Military

“….His message AT the assembly? That the US is fighting an “invasion from the enemy within, and we have to handle it before it gets out of control.” The latest in Donald Trump‘s criminal attempt to use the power of the government against his political opponents. Hitler did the same.

Trump made VERY clear who he was referring to. Any Democrat supporter, who he brands “leftist lunatics.” He went on to single out large, Democratic-run cities as targets for a federal crackdown, naming Washington, San Francisco, Chicago, New York and Los Angeles as examples of places he deemed “very unsafe.” “We’re gonna straighten them out one by one. And this is gonna be a major part for some of the people in this room. That’s a war too. It’s a war from within,” said Trump.

Below, we summarize current law. The Congress is given this authorization under the Constitution and current law, with only a few exceptions for the president to so act: the president is only allowed to use US troops against US citizens in three instances, none of which currently apply: (a) in an insurrection, (b) emergency need to enforce federal law or (c) protection of civil rights.

“I told Pete, we should use some of these dangerous cities as training grounds for our military. National Guard, but our military. Because we’re going into Chicago very soon. That’s a big city with an incompetent governor. Stupid governor.”

No, a Democratic Governor.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

And how do Trump and Hegseth plan to deal with "The Enemy" in this war going forward?

Hegseth made his NEW rules clear. “We unleash overwhelming and punishing violence on the enemy [i.e. US Citizens]. . We also don’t fight with stupid rules of engagement. We untie the hands of our warfighters to intimidate, demoralize, hunt, and kill the enemies of our country,” he declared. “No more politically correct and overbearing rules of engagement.”….”

Can the President Use the U.S. Military Against U.S. Citizens?

Short answer: No, not without Congress except in emergency situations
• The Constitution doesn’t give the president unlimited power to send troops into American cities.
• The Posse Comitatus Act (1878) forbids the military from acting as police against US citizens unless Congress authorizes it.
• The one exception is the Insurrection Act, which Congress narrowly defined (insurrection, enforcing federal law, protecting civil rights).
• Even then, the Bill of Rights applies—the government can’t silence protests, seize property, or detain citizens unlawfully.

Congress—not the president—sets the rules for when troops can be used at home. Courts have struck down presidential overreach before (Ex parte Milligan, 71 U.S. 2 (1866)).

Repeated troop deployments without Congress would be unconstitutional.

Opinion: Lawfare comes to Portland and Chief Day’s chickens come home to roost

Lars Larson discusses the arrest of journalist Nick Sortor during an Antifa protest in Portland and the ensuing allegations of law enforcement collusion and political bias.

www.clarkcountytoday.com

 

[Redfish]

You think I am not old enough to know? Hmm.

Glee Violette on Trump’s Dangerous Unconstitutional Fascist speech to the Military

“….His message AT the assembly? That the US is fighting an “invasion from the enemy within, and we have to handle it before it gets out of control.” The latest in Donald Trump‘s criminal attempt to use the power of the government against his political opponents. Hitler did the same.

Trump made VERY clear who he was referring to. Any Democrat supporter, who he brands “leftist lunatics.” He went on to single out large, Democratic-run cities as targets for a federal crackdown, naming Washington, San Francisco, Chicago, New York and Los Angeles as examples of places he deemed “very unsafe.” “We’re gonna straighten them out one by one. And this is gonna be a major part for some of the people in this room. That’s a war too. It’s a war from within,” said Trump.

Below, we summarize current law. The Congress is given this authorization under the Constitution and current law, with only a few exceptions for the president to so act: the president is only allowed to use US troops against US citizens in three instances, none of which currently apply: (a) in an insurrection, (b) emergency need to enforce federal law or (c) protection of civil rights.

“I told Pete, we should use some of these dangerous cities as training grounds for our military. National Guard, but our military. Because we’re going into Chicago very soon. That’s a big city with an incompetent governor. Stupid governor.”

No, a Democratic Governor.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

And how do Trump and Hegseth plan to deal with "The Enemy" in this war going forward?

Hegseth made his NEW rules clear. “We unleash overwhelming and punishing violence on the enemy [i.e. US Citizens]. . We also don’t fight with stupid rules of engagement. We untie the hands of our warfighters to intimidate, demoralize, hunt, and kill the enemies of our country,” he declared. “No more politically correct and overbearing rules of engagement.”….”

Can the President Use the U.S. Military Against U.S. Citizens?

Short answer: No, not without Congress except in emergency situations
• The Constitution doesn’t give the president unlimited power to send troops into American cities.
• The Posse Comitatus Act (1878) forbids the military from acting as police against US citizens unless Congress authorizes it.
• The one exception is the Insurrection Act, which Congress narrowly defined (insurrection, enforcing federal law, protecting civil rights).
• Even then, the Bill of Rights applies—the government can’t silence protests, seize property, or detain citizens unlawfully.

Congress—not the president—sets the rules for when troops can be used at home. Courts have struck down presidential overreach before (Ex parte Milligan, 71 U.S. 2 (1866)).

Repeated troop deployments without Congress would be unconstitutional.

Opinion: Lawfare comes to Portland and Chief Day’s chickens come home to roost

Lars Larson discusses the arrest of journalist Nick Sortor during an Antifa protest in Portland and the ensuing allegations of law enforcement collusion and political bias.

www.clarkcountytoday.com

View attachment 1191674
View attachment 1191675

total bullshit, but you knew that when you posted it.

 

[JohnDB]

 

[initforme]

As an old man i have learned these harsh lessons.
1) most will have to work their best years away. 40 plus years worth. Its not appealing or anything to look forward to but its reality.
2) retiring in ones 50s should be the goal. That means putting most of yourpaychecks away starting when one is very young and in the workforce. Ones 20s should be spent working and saving 3/4 of the paycheck.
3) Dont ever try to make people like you. Just do your own thing. Youre going to die someday so one should live the way they desire.

 

[rightwinger]

retiring in ones 50s should be the goal. That means putting most of yourpaychecks away starting when one is very young and in the workforce. Ones 20s should be spent working and saving 3/4 of the paycheck.

I disagree
Everybody’s working for the weekend

You work hard all week to have a lousy two days to call your own. You need to do things for yourself, your relationship and your family.

You need to do things, take vacations, do things with your family. You want your kids to remember the fun things they did, not that dad worked all the time and just hoarded his money.

By all means, put money aside for your retirement but not at the cost of having a life.

 

[Woodznutz]

I disagree
Everybody’s working for the weekend

You work hard all week to have a lousy two days to call your own. You need to do things for yourself, your relationship and your family.

You need to do things, take vacations, do things with your family. You want your kids to remember the fun things they did, not that dad worked all the time and just hoarded his money.

By all means, put money aside for your retirement but not at the cost of having a life.

Many people love their work and live mostly for it.

 

[Woodznutz]

You think I am not old enough to know? Hmm.

Glee Violette on Trump’s Dangerous Unconstitutional Fascist speech to the Military

“….His message AT the assembly? That the US is fighting an “invasion from the enemy within, and we have to handle it before it gets out of control.” The latest in Donald Trump‘s criminal attempt to use the power of the government against his political opponents. Hitler did the same.

Trump made VERY clear who he was referring to. Any Democrat supporter, who he brands “leftist lunatics.” He went on to single out large, Democratic-run cities as targets for a federal crackdown, naming Washington, San Francisco, Chicago, New York and Los Angeles as examples of places he deemed “very unsafe.” “We’re gonna straighten them out one by one. And this is gonna be a major part for some of the people in this room. That’s a war too. It’s a war from within,” said Trump.

Below, we summarize current law. The Congress is given this authorization under the Constitution and current law, with only a few exceptions for the president to so act: the president is only allowed to use US troops against US citizens in three instances, none of which currently apply: (a) in an insurrection, (b) emergency need to enforce federal law or (c) protection of civil rights.

“I told Pete, we should use some of these dangerous cities as training grounds for our military. National Guard, but our military. Because we’re going into Chicago very soon. That’s a big city with an incompetent governor. Stupid governor.”

No, a Democratic Governor.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

And how do Trump and Hegseth plan to deal with "The Enemy" in this war going forward?

Hegseth made his NEW rules clear. “We unleash overwhelming and punishing violence on the enemy [i.e. US Citizens]. . We also don’t fight with stupid rules of engagement. We untie the hands of our warfighters to intimidate, demoralize, hunt, and kill the enemies of our country,” he declared. “No more politically correct and overbearing rules of engagement.”….”

Can the President Use the U.S. Military Against U.S. Citizens?

Short answer: No, not without Congress except in emergency situations
• The Constitution doesn’t give the president unlimited power to send troops into American cities.
• The Posse Comitatus Act (1878) forbids the military from acting as police against US citizens unless Congress authorizes it.
• The one exception is the Insurrection Act, which Congress narrowly defined (insurrection, enforcing federal law, protecting civil rights).
• Even then, the Bill of Rights applies—the government can’t silence protests, seize property, or detain citizens unlawfully.

Congress—not the president—sets the rules for when troops can be used at home. Courts have struck down presidential overreach before (Ex parte Milligan, 71 U.S. 2 (1866)).

Repeated troop deployments without Congress would be unconstitutional.

Opinion: Lawfare comes to Portland and Chief Day’s chickens come home to roost

Lars Larson discusses the arrest of journalist Nick Sortor during an Antifa protest in Portland and the ensuing allegations of law enforcement collusion and political bias.

www.clarkcountytoday.com

View attachment 1191674
View attachment 1191675

I think we have "an emergency need" to enforce federal drug laws. This would justify the use of the military in our cities.

 

[Woodznutz]

Fascism doesn’t happen all at once. It’s a creep.

It’s clear to anyone with any sense of history that globally we are trending away from liberal democracy towards authoritarianism.

I grew up in an authoritarian environment. My parents were in charge. It was not a 'democracy'.