Agree with commentary re the rest of the world looking at America and understanding this is the end. As an Australian who loves America it’s heartbreaking to see the downfall of what used to be the best and brightest - the light on the hill for the world. The GOP has undermined and broken all your liberal institutions, norms and values and must pay a significant political price or you’re heading for full banana republic-level civic dysfunction 😢
Yup, we're going to go through hell before it ever, ever gets better, if indeed it ever does. Czesław Miłosz is correct. Americans just can't believe things could get worse.
This is what I just learned (and makes me feel a wee bit better!):
U.S. debt is mostly in the form of Treasury securities — like bonds — which have set maturity dates. Foreign countries can’t just show up and say “pay us now.” They’d have to wait for those bonds to mature, or sell them on the open market.
Foreign countries aren’t the majority holders of U.S. debt. The U.S. public, banks, and the Fed hold way more. Even if China or Japan sold everything tomorrow, it would shake things up, but it wouldn’t collapse the system. Plus, they’d be hurting their own economies in the process.
Ah, lest you forget, Trump inherited an economy that was in freefall, or words to that extent by some R mouthpiece this weekend. I had hope that he would have to own this, but the spin meisters have no boundaries. They are on track to convincing 40% or more of the country that the market correction, the inflation, and the recession are the fault of the Democrats.
It’s cognitive dissonance for me to listen to this after spending time yesterday at a Hands Off rally and march filled with determined and hopeful citizens. But it was only half a million people nationwide I read, not nearly enough to qualify as a true movement. (UPDATE: at least 3 million nationwide per today’s Wikipedia entry, and a County Indivisible member meeting I attended today reported 5.3 million, which may have been worldwide. So a movement is being born it seems!) There are so many root causes for how we ended up in this dark place, but know that there are many of us not willing to give up on the best of our ideals, as Pollyanish as they might seem to others. That said, I agree with you both as to general direction and timeframes. I’m in my early 70s and a three time cancer survivor so am doing my best to contribute to keep the flame of democracy burning while I am still able.
Same. I sincerely hope we can maintain and grow the resolve and energy of the past weekend's rallies to lead us to a better outcome. But I must admit, my assessment is pretty much the same as JVL's and Tim's. That said, it seems our choices are to try to derail what appears to be our current spiral downward, or just roll into a fetal position and let it happen. As a fellow septuagenarian who has enjoyed a whole lifetime of what America has been and always believed we have a responsibility to leave the place better than we found it, I similarly feel like it's my duty to get up and take action.
It was more than a half a million nationwide. Last night Yahoo had a report of 5 million, I have seen multiple reports today of 3.5 million. I think there was a single march somewhere that rang in at a half a million.
Whew, that last minute hit me right where my soul crushing hits. We are going into a new world that I most likely won’t see then end of. As I look around most Americans have no idea it’s happening and no idea how great we really have (had) it. Makes it an extra kick in the gut when some of our Boomer parents, who lived a very sheltered, golden existence in so many ways, are the ones voting for this now. Their legacy will be leaving a wrecked America to their grandchildren due to their reality tv star. I also realize all boomers aren’t that. I’ve been attending local marches and see them out there. But… I have a few in my life that are very proudly adding to our current situation and it crazy after seeing the life this nation gave them and seeing them pull the rug out for future generations and the world.
Agree with commentary re the rest of the world looking at America and understanding this is the end. As an Australian who loves America it’s heartbreaking to see the downfall of what used to be the best and brightest - the light on the hill for the world. The GOP has undermined and broken all your liberal institutions, norms and values and must pay a significant political price or you’re heading for full banana republic-level civic dysfunction 😢
Thank you republicans. Nice work.
Yup, we're going to go through hell before it ever, ever gets better, if indeed it ever does. Czesław Miłosz is correct. Americans just can't believe things could get worse.
100% right, Tim. I'm with you, the world cuts America out.
This is what I just learned (and makes me feel a wee bit better!):
U.S. debt is mostly in the form of Treasury securities — like bonds — which have set maturity dates. Foreign countries can’t just show up and say “pay us now.” They’d have to wait for those bonds to mature, or sell them on the open market.
Foreign countries aren’t the majority holders of U.S. debt. The U.S. public, banks, and the Fed hold way more. Even if China or Japan sold everything tomorrow, it would shake things up, but it wouldn’t collapse the system. Plus, they’d be hurting their own economies in the process.
Me too
This where I am at.
What happens to America if/when other countries who are holding our debt demand payment in full?
Good question. I've been thinking about that also.
Yep, boarding schools are packed with foreign students for the same
reason. They pay full ride.
It's like we've estranged ourselves from the family of nations. They'll never see us the same way again.
Ah, lest you forget, Trump inherited an economy that was in freefall, or words to that extent by some R mouthpiece this weekend. I had hope that he would have to own this, but the spin meisters have no boundaries. They are on track to convincing 40% or more of the country that the market correction, the inflation, and the recession are the fault of the Democrats.
Correct. Always a scapegoat of some kind.
Because of Fox News, propaganda.
It’s cognitive dissonance for me to listen to this after spending time yesterday at a Hands Off rally and march filled with determined and hopeful citizens. But it was only half a million people nationwide I read, not nearly enough to qualify as a true movement. (UPDATE: at least 3 million nationwide per today’s Wikipedia entry, and a County Indivisible member meeting I attended today reported 5.3 million, which may have been worldwide. So a movement is being born it seems!) There are so many root causes for how we ended up in this dark place, but know that there are many of us not willing to give up on the best of our ideals, as Pollyanish as they might seem to others. That said, I agree with you both as to general direction and timeframes. I’m in my early 70s and a three time cancer survivor so am doing my best to contribute to keep the flame of democracy burning while I am still able.
Same. I sincerely hope we can maintain and grow the resolve and energy of the past weekend's rallies to lead us to a better outcome. But I must admit, my assessment is pretty much the same as JVL's and Tim's. That said, it seems our choices are to try to derail what appears to be our current spiral downward, or just roll into a fetal position and let it happen. As a fellow septuagenarian who has enjoyed a whole lifetime of what America has been and always believed we have a responsibility to leave the place better than we found it, I similarly feel like it's my duty to get up and take action.
It was more than a half a million nationwide. Last night Yahoo had a report of 5 million, I have seen multiple reports today of 3.5 million. I think there was a single march somewhere that rang in at a half a million.
Whew, that last minute hit me right where my soul crushing hits. We are going into a new world that I most likely won’t see then end of. As I look around most Americans have no idea it’s happening and no idea how great we really have (had) it. Makes it an extra kick in the gut when some of our Boomer parents, who lived a very sheltered, golden existence in so many ways, are the ones voting for this now. Their legacy will be leaving a wrecked America to their grandchildren due to their reality tv star. I also realize all boomers aren’t that. I’ve been attending local marches and see them out there. But… I have a few in my life that are very proudly adding to our current situation and it crazy after seeing the life this nation gave them and seeing them pull the rug out for future generations and the world.
And North Korea.
Don't you think there was fraud in the last election? Trump said Musk visited all these swing states and he's really good with computers.