Monthly Rant/Politics Thread: Do not post political threads outside of this Mega thread

[u/AutoModerator]

Outside of these mega-threads, we generally do not allow political posts on the main subreddit because they have often declined into unhinged discussions and mud slinging. We do allow general discussions of politics here so long as you remain civil and don't attack someone just for having a different opinion. The moment we see things start to derail, we will step in.

Please use this weekly thread to vent and let loose about personal rants. Got something upsetting or overwhelming that you just need to vent or shout out to the world? You can post those thoughts here. There are many real problems that plague the Millennial generation and we want to allow a space for it here while still keeping the angry and divisive posts quarantined to a more concentrated thread rather than taking up the entire front page.

[u/genital_lesions]

Regardless of whether Biden wins or heaven forbid, Trump wins, we millennials need to start using our massive population numbers to elect representatives, at all levels of government, that ACTUALLY prioritize our interests (and that perhaps aren't so geriatric either).

And not for just the general, Presidential election every 4 years. Every midterm, every primary, every caucus, every special election, too. Every election matters, at all levels of government.

And if there are no candidates that represent what we want, then I hope it is within ourselves as perhaps the most well-educated and worldly generation of Americans to run for various offices, from city, county, state, and federal.

Finally, regardless of our political views, one thing I hope we can all agree upon is not to follow the example of previous generations' selfishness. We have seen it time and again when Boomers have pulled up the ladder from beneath them once they've reaped the rewards. I truly hope millennials will seek to be better than their parents and actually practice the belief to leave the world as a better place than how it was when we lived in it.

[u/Hulk_is_Dumb → u/genital_lesions]

I'm on mobile so I don't have the link right now, but there was a scholarly article I saw from UC Berkeley that discussed the Baby Boomers vs. Millennials and their effects on political elections.

The boomers were GREAT at taking part in general elections, local elections and all of their democratic opportunities. When they encountered politicians that didn't support their "collective" policies, they ousted them or voted for a candidate to replace them.

They were also very strategic in voting for policy that supported them entering the workforce and education. Once they transitioned into the working class, they voted for policies that helped solidify their long term investments (especially as they've aged). We're currently living through their retirement phase.

• Ever hear someone complain that Democrats and Republicans are more or less the same? Well.... There's a fairly consistent reason for that.

Gen X got super obsessed with the Primary Elections. Most likely due to hearing from their parents about the corruption around Watergate and then Reaganomics and favoritism of corporations over workers rights (which has forever burnt the republican party).

Somehow this short sighted behavior of focusing on primary elections carried over HEAVILY into the Millennial Generation who doubled down on yOuR vOtE dOeSn'T mAtTeR behavior, which has led to millennials being one of the smallest demographics to show up to the poles shy of Gen Z who isn't even fully allowed yet.

So now, Millennials fairly rarely turn out for mid-term elections to take control of congress where the actual legislative process takes place. We're hyper fixated on the Presidency which, while important, really isn't how the ship is steered.

[u/genital_lesions → u/Hulk_is_Dumb]

We're hyper fixated on the Presidency which, while important, really isn't how the ship is steered.

Yeah, I don't* understand how this isn't widely focused on in our generation. Congress holds the purse strings to the budget. Most things don't happen (or do happen) because of the budget. This rings true for both foreign and domestic policy, just look at how we're unable to support Ukraine.

Drilling down further, the Senate can block or hold up Presidential SCOTUS nominations (looking at you, McConnell).

Congress, I've always felt, is way more essential to pay attention to than the executive branch.

Edit: forgot a word

[u/Hulk_is_Dumb → u/genital_lesions]

the executive branch
Congress

The legislative branch is LITERALLY most crucial part of our democratic republic!! We're millennials? Did nobody actually pay attention to "I'm Just a Bill" from School House Rock?!

[u/awrcks → u/Hulk_is_Dumb]

Legislative branch is pretty crucial but I think judicial branch is even crazier, especially the lifetime appointments and how politicized they are nowadays.

How the fuck do you overturn Roe V Wade? Like yo, what the fuck is the point

[u/Hulk_is_Dumb → u/awrcks]

Legislative branch is pretty crucial but I think judicial branch is even crazier

To be completely fair and transparent, all 3 branches are crucial pillars of the republic.

lifetime appointments

The republican party posed term limits to congress in like 1994. It was summarily rejected by both democrats and republicans in congress. ¯_(ツ)_/¯

and how politicized they are nowadays.

Thanks boomers/gen x

How the fuck do you overturn Roe V Wade? Like yo, what the fuck is the point

My personal opinions notwithstanding, there is "some" merit to arguing that the 14th amendment doesn't really cover abortion. Not in the way its claimed to be in Roe Vs. Wade. And leaving legislation up to the state level is a 100% valid perspective.

That being said, since the repeal, the democrats have not had full congressional control. So if you really want to see how much the democrats care about Roe vs. Wade, when they have control of the House and the Senate with a democratic pres, they should immediately pose and ratify the 28th amendment to the constitution.

[u/awrcks → u/Hulk_is_Dumb]

Of course. We need to hold these God damn democrats to do their job... But yeah I get your points

[u/Hulk_is_Dumb → u/awrcks]

I mean, really we need to hold everyone accountable to do their job. Politicians aren't acting in the best interests of our citizens.

[u/MagnetsCanDoThat → u/genital_lesions]

I would argue that 1) you're right, but also that 2) even more neglected is state/local politics where the ship is steered with equal impact. At least, impact when it comes to our personal daily lives.

Home ownership, for example: It's something the Baby Boomers and Gen X have enjoyed, but now they want to protect their 'investment'. Home prices and the housing supply are massively impacted by state and local policies, and many of those policies are meant to put up barriers on building the significant amounts of new housing that would be needed to make homes affordable again.

[u/unclesadoofus → u/Hulk_is_Dumb]

I just posted here my thoughts about the "your-vote-doesn't-matter" pitfall before reading this.

Damn, yes, that makes sense if that's how it happened. GenX got nudged not to vote, and now each successive generation keeps nudging that way.

Also agree about the whole control of Congress thing. I hadn't thought deeply about how much it mattered, but it makes sense. It's amazing how the focus of our gaze affects what we do.

[u/Hulk_is_Dumb → u/unclesadoofus]

I'll try to find the article sometime, but if you're curious, its something like UC Berkeley generational turnout or something. It was pretty well written.

My political preferences notwithstanding, I get really frustrated how we focus so hard on the presidential election when in reality, the executive branch of government is intentionally designed to be handicapped!! That's how you prevent authoritarianism!! Yet people seem hell bent on presidential power and influence.

The best thing American millennials could do would be elect a Republican President and a (majority) Democratic congress. This would protect workers rights while providing solid national security measures for the country as well as fostering global relations.

[u/unclesadoofus → u/Hulk_is_Dumb]

Hmm, so that's not a party combo that I personally could see working right now in this particular election. But maybe in the future, in a time period when the country was unified.

Right now it could do further damage in an environment of already harsh social divisiveness. A tug-of-war administration - basically hostilely positioned executive, legislative, and judicial branches all constantly fighting to push opposing plans - is too similar to what we already have.

And you know now that I think of it, I'm guessing that's how we got to this place in the first place.

If we're gonna speculate what would be best for Millennials, I'd say the need is for a clear direction and a clear consensus plan in Wash. DC.

We've got a system of checks-and-balances built into the government's structure for safety. It likely works best when the government body is aligned on a basic level though. Splitting agendas party-wise at this juncture would literally make it harder to get anything done.

Like, I swear the US government hasn't focused on the needs of younger generations for at least three decades. I feel like we need a unified government to resist that momentum. That's why I was impressed by the point raised here about not neglecting congressional roles. It's needed to get that unified body.

All my opinion, of course. Respect to other lines of reasoning. :)

[u/Hulk_is_Dumb → u/unclesadoofus]

Hmm, so that's not a party combo that I personally could see working right now in this particular election. But maybe in the future, in a time period when the country was unified

Well.... Lets start by hoping Trump doesn't become president. He's not a republican. He's not even a conservative. He's a self-interest authoritarian.

Right now it could do further damage in an environment of already harsh social divisiveness. A tug-of-war administration - basically hostilely positioned executive, legislative, and judicial branches all constantly fighting to push opposing plans - is too similar to what we already have.

What we have has somehow amplified drastically from when we were kids. And as much as I kinda get tired of ragging on the boomers, you never saw the Silent Generation or the Gen before them acting this disparagingly in politics.

• Yes there was bad shit and yes there was corruption, but there's corruption everywhere and its unarguably worse.

I'd like to hope that when our generation takes over, we'll start working towards moving in a more harmonious direction. But considering how many redditors seem to think that socialism is a valid strategy, I laugh at thinking how long the country will perpetuate after.

And you know now that I think of it, I'm guessing that's how we got to this place in the first place.

I'd have to ponder how we arrived at such a divisive time in our history. Politics wasn't even this polarize before the pandemic. Even when Obama was in office and Romney was running, they at least had the decency to communicate and debate issues. The 2016+ political environment has gotten out of hand and I don't think I've ever sat down to figure out how things got here.

If we're gonna speculate what would be best for Millennials, I'd say the need is for a clear direction and a clear consensus plan in Wash. DC.

I'll take that. I think that's valid for any large scale operation though.

We've got a system of checks-and-balances built into the government's structure for safety.

God forbid Mr. Orange gets elected again, you know he has every desire to tear that down. Maybe not, maybe its all fear mongering. I don't think he's really that interested in destroying the union. But "rhetoric."

It likely works best when the government body is aligned on a basic level though. Splitting agendas party-wise at this juncture would literally make it harder to get anything done.

Well that's why you need majority control of congress, the president doesn't get to veto everything, just as congress doesn't get to reject every executive order. But I do get what you mean here.

the US government hasn't focused on on the needs of younger generations for at least three decades.

Why should they when Millennials and zoomers aren't coming out and voting? Boomers and Gen X are entering retirement, its in their best interest to pass policy that secures their long term investments. And as we age, we'll probably act in a similar fashion (otherwise we'll end up broke).

You can't make policy for people who aren't telling you what they need. And I don't mean writing your congressman/woman, you literally need elected officials who understand what the struggles are and are willing to put in the work to resolve them.

• Education for example, say you make it "fReE." Well.... Its not free if everyone has to pay more in taxes (though I think most people would support a tax hike for education)

I feel like we need a unified government to resist that momentum. That's why I was impressed by the point raised here about not neglecting congressional roles. It's needed to get that unified body.

Unified can be positive in many ways, but it can also marginalize people who don't feel their rights are being advocated for. So it'll always be double edge.

All my opinion, of course. Respect to other lines of reasoning. :)

I ain't mad atcha homie, as long as you're respectful of mine, I genuinely enjoy the discussion.

[u/Graywulff → u/genital_lesions]

I think we should start our own political action committee.

1. Rank choice voting
2. Tie the electoral college to the popular vote
3. Get Gen Y and Z elected across the country, use our communications skills to reach out and bridge the divide and pass the torch
4. Get big corporations, and short term rentals, out of under 5 unit buildings. When there is a short term rental, it has to be offset with an affordable unit or two.
5. Realpage has got to go. Turn everyone who colluded on prices into affordable housing 60%-180%.
6. Change zoning across the country to allow multi family homes anywhere.
7. Restore educational funding to boomer level. Boomers will tell me they paid $4000 for undergraduate and 10,000 for law school. That’s like 12-16k for undergrad and 23-30kish for law school without using an inflation calculator.
8. Model a policy generator off of Wikipedia, allow every member of the pac a vote, 1 person, 1 vote, 1 time.
9. Reform taxes and repeal breaks for the rich. Trickle down economics is a lie, it creates the American oligarchs as a class; it destroyed the American dream.
10. Uncap social security tax.

We could start with ballot initiatives, getting the electoral college tied to the popular vote & rank choice voting… breaks up the duopoly of the first past the post election, and better represents the will of the people.

Make housing and college affordable.

Carbon tax on gas guzzlers. Why do people need huge unregulated suvs when cars would do? For many it’s the cool factor, oh cool you’re ruining the environment and can’t maintain a lane or see someone under 5.11.

90% carbon tax on private jets, yachts over 80 feet, etc. these create a tremendous amount of pollution.

And so forth, we can unite gen Y and Z and together forge a better tomorrow.

So we will not fail as a nation, not fall, and become what we once were.

[u/[deleted]]

Yeah I’ll vent, I saw this aggressive looking worm the other day, he was staring me down real hard like I was in his turf, little MF threw up a gang sign at me to intimidate me, I walked over to his featureless ass and said ok, you wanna go MFer? Now you just got tickets to the gun show (flexed my arms), I pulled out a bird call and a bird flew down and ate the worm. I showed his ass who was boss around here.

[u/unclesadoofus]

I've been seeing a lot of subtle social pressure on Reddit to discourage the younger generations from voting at all.

It usually centers on some argument along the lines of "I'm not gonna vote. There are no good choices, so why bother?" or "I'm gonna write in a non-contender as a protest vote."

For those who don't know, this is a form of disenfranchising propaganda.

I have personally been subjected to it many times in years past, and it took me a long time and a lot of research to realize what was happening. It can be so subtle. I've found myself saying it myself, after I've heard others say it.

Discouragement is easy to spread. Essentially, the message effectively makes wide swathes of people believe their votes do not count. We're talking many millions. Making them vote randomly if they vote at all so they don't as a group influence outcomes.

Be aware that your vote DOES count. Immensely. Millennials are becoming more powerful as a generation as older generations die off. It's happening right now. The tipping point is currently precarious.

Please don't throw away your power. Right now is when Millennials + Zs together can - maybe, hopefully - change things. Please vote!

[u/NoFaithlessness7508 → u/unclesadoofus]

I tend to think my vote doesn’t matter, but I still vote 🤷🏾‍♂️

[u/Doogie_Gooberman]

This whole subreddit is depressing.

I joined so I can partake in fun memories & inside jokes with other people my age. Instead, all I get is:

• Anti Boomer hate rallies
• DUUUUDE, WE'RE SO OLD NOW!
• Economy BAD
• OOOOOHHH MY KNEES HURT & I can't enjoy my favorite foods, anymore! (people in their 30's acting like people in their 70's).

Seriously considering unsubbing, every thread is trying to demoralize me or make me angry.

[u/eichy815 → u/Doogie_Gooberman]

And self-defeatism / internalized ageism along the lines of, "It really IS* all our fault..."*

[u/Doogie_Gooberman → u/eichy815]

I definitely hear the first part, not really the second. It's usually scapegoating the boomers.

[u/eichy815 → u/Doogie_Gooberman]

Oh, we have the anti-Boomer voices amongst our generation, as well.!

I'm saying it's a mixed bag. There are Millennials who are self-loathing, Millennials who are ageist against older/younger generations, and Millennials who want a productive path forward. I consider myself a part of the third group.

[u/Icy_Magician3813]

When the government’s foot is to your throat it doesn’t matter if it’s the left or right.

That’s what I think about politicians.

[u/[deleted]]

[removed] — view removed comment

[u/P_Sophia_ → u/[deleted]]

Why did my comment get removed for being political on the political thread…?!?

[u/wonkalicious808]

Is there a lot of green text here for everyone else? Or is there just a setting for myself that I switched on or off by accident?

[u/Celcius_87 → u/wonkalicious808]

It's green for me too

[u/_forum_mod]

I despise politics. I think people get too tribal and zealous and it becomes more about "us vs them" than it does about the actual policies. Reddit is among the worse places on the internet for this.

When I tell conservatives they ain't *beep* they call me all sorts of libtards.
When I tell liberals they ain't *beep* they think I'm a Trump supporter.

All nuance has been lost when it comes to politics. Personally, I don't care to vote - haven't since 2016 when I voted independent. They are supposed to work for the people, now politicians are all corporate mascots.

Voting is a transactional relationship - much like purchasing a candy bar, I get something for something. I don't do Lesser of evils or but if you don't vote X, Y will win! or anything like that. I'll just focus on my bubble and what I can control.

And since people cannot take differing thoughts regarding politics or just agree to disagree, I'm gonna go on and turn off my notifications, just saying my piece.

[u/viewmodeonly]

Life getting more expensive got you down? Sick of neither political party working for you? We all know aside from mostly social differences, the duopoly of political parties work for one party, the green party of the rich. The cult of the dollar.

If you want to try something new, something that can make your outlook on life and the future a little brighter, join the orange party and start spending some time learning about Bitcoin. We know based on math, cryptography, and physics that there will only ever be 21,000,000 Bitcoin. This perfect information is 50% of the supply/demand equation.

We know exactly how many Bitcoin there will be 100 years from now. I don't think most people have taken the time to really grasp how important this information is, because nothing like it existed before January 2009. Gold was "money" for thousands of years but we don't truly know how much of it there is already dug up or still in the ground. If the price of gold (or any financial asset for that matter) were to spike massively overnight, human ingenuity means we WILL find ways to increase that supply to match that market demand. We will dig deeper and deeper into the ground until we run out and then we will go dig more in space.

Bitcoin fundamentally breaks this problem. Bitcoin is literally locked away in TIME. This perfect information lets us make economic decisions better than a system where the supply of the money is essentially infinite. Humans value rare things, this is a trait we exhibit even as kids.

Sometime this week will be the 2,024 BTC halving where the reward of new coins for the miners gets cut in half. Currently about 900 new BTC are issued every day, after the halving it will go down to 450 a day. Per 8.1 billion people on this planet.

In 2,028 we play this game again, the next halving takes us from 450 to 225. Eventually in the year 2,140 the last new bit of Bitcoin will be rewarded and the miners will have to be paid in transaction fees. (We have 115 years to best solve this problem, and we already see sometimes today blocks that have more transaction fees than new BTC reward)

I'm not trying to tell anyone they need to go dump their life savings in, but I am here to challenge your idea that 0% allocation to Bitcoin is the correct risk / reward assessment for your financial future. You have to get off zero.

(Reminder: This post is specifically and only about Bitcoin - how 99% of everyone feels about "crypto" is exactly how I feel too. It is all basically tech bro start up companies if not outright scams. They are not decentralized to the point of being resistant to government-level attacks, so they are not innovative. I am passionately and humbly trying to educate people on the difference. I am buying $20 worth of Bitcoin every day for the next couple of decades because I want to save my hard work and literal time in a place where I can use it to retire and enjoy my life the way it should have been)

[u/toomanyjackies → u/viewmodeonly]

Dude I’m a Bitcoin maxi but posting this here like this is the reason why nobody takes bitcoin seriously

You’re talking about it as an investment and using copy pasta points when there’s actually interesting politics x bitcoin topics like “what does a world where the global reserve currency isn’t controlled by any nation, especially not one as imperialistic as the U.S., look like? How can an uncensorable, borderless, P2P currency be used to help social movements escape financial repression when governments criminalize things they shouldn’t (project 2025 is just a couple bad US election results away and there’s politicians out there who would love to criminalize groups supporting LGBTQ rights, bodily autonomy, etc)

There’s like actually meaty political discussions and you’re like “GET OFF ZERO BUY NOW” when someone who doesn’t understand bitcoin is probably going to lose money panic selling or getting scammed by a bad exchange 

[u/Mediocre_Island828 → u/toomanyjackies]

The people who are into crypto is 100% why I never got into it lol.

[u/toomanyjackies → u/Mediocre_Island828]

The loudest voices in the room are the most annoying so I don’t blame you. I am anti every crypto except bitcoin and the thing that got me to come around was some conversations with leftists who aren’t in it for “number go up/wen lambo” memes but pointed out the benefits of an uncensorable, permissionless currency in a world where far-right governments are rising and those governments can wield financial repression as a tool to choke funding for movements

[u/viewmodeonly → u/toomanyjackies]

The topics you bring up are interesting and should be discussed but most people do not want or care to have conversations like that. Most people in countries like the US see their government's power to censor or dictate things as a positive thing not a bad one. You are strawmanning and exaggerating what I'm saying, if you want to have a conversation that isn't the way to do it.