It’s good to see all you guys back.
Unfortunately, I am going to have to agree with the general thrust of these posts - it’s all pretty pointless. Clearly where each side chooses to get their media/information is just a means to justify a pre existing position. Most of the recent media I have seen indicates that the Trump presidency is kicking goals in a number of areas. On tariffs, when even CNN is forced to admit successes, I take that as a strong pointer that things are going ok. On Obama/Clinton, I think Tulsi Gabbard is very impressive and has made a strong case, which if true, is the greatest political scandal in history, but has apparently gone essentially unreported on leftist media. Honest question - do you ever question that perhaps what you are being fed is extremely one-sided propaganda rather than news? I know that’s what you think those on the Trump side are guilty of, but do you ever consider that you may also be in the same boat?
I don't use facebook/twitter. Sometimes I read a few forums briefly when an interesting new topic pops up (iran, epstein, etc.). The conservative threads tend to be much more concerning and slanted. Some very significant topics don't reach their pages. Plenty of comments tend to branch off into some conspiracy, xenophobic rant or other unfounded arguments/fears. Substantially more moderation / censoring, selective news intake, clickbait titles, fewer references to statistics/facts.
I question everything. I question it again and again. But I don't know who is feeding me what unless its in my sleep... I often come to disagree with my former self with time. Critical thinking is questioning and reflecting. In science, for example, it is an understanding that your current model is just that - a model. It is the most accurate one available at the time and can always be improved with more information or an alternate perspective. But despite some theories being disproved / improved upon with time, this is not justification for discrediting all scientific knowledge. I think that draws some parallels to the US currently.
I haven't read said article - am happy to do so, but admittedly doubt it will include anything too substantial. When it comes to tariffs, that is not a topic for debate. I just explained how they work. That's something you either learn in school (/after) or you don't. You can wet your finger and hold it to the wind to try gauge it, but that's only going to get so far.
EU wants 0 tariff, yet Trump wants a large tariff. They compromised at 15% because EU wants to export products to US and US needs EU products. Longer it drags on, longer both suffer for no reason. Perhaps the CNN article hinted he "got his way". Trump can 'get his way' all he likes and still leave the US a mess.
The whole "tariffs will make us rich" and "other countries will pay it!" nonsense is baseless and intentionally vague. Hence why so many conservatives online never go into any great detail about what they are or how in the hell they somehow manage to be a good thing when applied universally (with percentages essentially pulled out of a hat). Part of me is glad they don't bother because the internet can only support so many mental gymnasts.
First statement has a slight element of truth to it from a US govt perspective (with a big asterisk). US govt will now collect much more tax from US citizens (disproportionately, the middle class). See my last post if not sure why. But with blanket inflation / increased cost of living people stop buying. Dollar has been losing substantial value too.
Look, my opinion on Tulsi Gabbard is that she is an incompetent, shameless stain and a total sycophant. I would maybe consider talking about her comments but Trump and co have thrown out so much trash over this past week and a half to try stir up a reaction. Even in most conservative forums ive been viewing they've discussed the likely reality that they are clutching at straws to try distract from the Epstein situation. The boy who cried wolf effect is coming into play and despite throwing a bunch of **** at the wall, not much is sticking.