ListNook

DeltaFoxtrot144 Mar 31, 2026 +325

duh its why its easy to be an arsonist and hard to be a carpenter. so let this be a lesson to never elect an arsonist.

325

Prior_Coyote_4376 Mar 31, 2026 +106

Well half the voting population thinks dying in the carpenter’s house fire is part of a religious prophecy and is trying to lock the doors with all of us inside So let the lesson be that some people in this country will never ever learn their lesson, and so a tolerant society cannot tolerate intolerance.

106

ameliatatesosis Apr 1, 2026

>So let the lesson be that some people in this country will never ever learn their lesson, It's almost like a system of government that relies on every single voter being intelligent, well-informed, and acting in good faith, is a terrible system of government that will inevitably lead to politics becoming a post-truth nightmare of propaganda by capitalist interests Almost like democracy is a bad idea or something, to the point that not even the founders of America wanted true direct democracy

0

commitme Mar 31, 2026 +15

arsonists will always be elected, because the incentive for the arsonist is immense. you would have to focus on defeating the system of centralized government if you want to prevent an arsonist from lighting the house on fire

15

DeltaFoxtrot144 Mar 31, 2026 +14

personally i think its less centralized government and more money in politics, if its economically beneficial to burn things down then the moneyed interest will go that way despite the clear damage to the country and its people and where the moneyed interest go is where paid representatives will go . if you decentralize the gov than any organization that is outside the reach of the gov becomes ungovernable right? right now there are companies with more money and resources than your local gov, making your local gov the only gov would be like saying the crossing guard at the local school is responsible to stop robberies in the town over they don't have any authority out side of their cross walk let alone the town over. if you don't take money out of politics what stops your local decentralized gov from just taking the same money the fed one currently does?

14

commitme Mar 31, 2026 -5

in my view, if you sufficiently decentralize the government, enforcing claims of private ownership over the means of production will become an intractable problem. people will be able to meet their own basic needs as a result, and the crimes in question will lose their incentives. but that's part of a much longer discussion and I still don't have all the answers. I agree with your main focus, and I am just exploring deeper fixes for the issues we face. since we're in a critical period with a common adversary, we should seek to agree on what we can now. yes, I support the call to get money out of politics, wholeheartedly. it's a huge part of the problem and all of us can only benefit by reversing citizens united.

-5

DeltaFoxtrot144 Mar 31, 2026 -2

Ya I definitely see the logic behind it, it's such a multifaceted issue that's there's pretty much guaranteed chace of multiple right answers, and I admit I get sketched when decentralized gov is where people want to end the discussion, but it's obvious that's not where you stop it's more a benining point and I agree with that. I've been trying to find words for the political stance to describe where I land but closest I can come up with " Anarcho-technocracy" is where I end up landing currently even if I belive it is practically impossible to achieve currently.

-2

wutareyousomekinda Mar 31, 2026 +3

The carpenters need to actually invest in fireproofing but instead play golf with the arsonists and send their kids to the same school and turn a blind eye when they traffick heroin and crack into the inner cities and print each other some cash to run a private prison for the users and pushers and pass Fair Housing Acts to redline minority neighborhoods and re-segregate the country racially post-War and ....

3

coconutpiecrust Mar 31, 2026 +3

But you just don’t understand, you can loot stuff while everything is on fire…

3

chrisk9 Mar 31, 2026 +1

b-b-but sMaLL gOvErnMeNt

1

DeltaFoxtrot144 Mar 31, 2026 +1

they want it so small that they can drown it in a bathtub.

1

dcasarinc Mar 31, 2026 +1

But it was either that or elect a woman, democrats basically left us no choice!

1

valeyard89 Apr 1, 2026 +1

Maga: looks like I picked the wrong day to stop huffing gasoline.

1

AcabAcabAcabAcabbb Apr 1, 2026 +1

EXACTLY. Destruction is always easier and faster than creation. Anybody who ever built a sandcastle knows this truth. It’s why bullies do what they do, is they can’t make, so they break.

1

returnofthecursed Mar 31, 2026 +176

Yeah. I don't think we fully understand the extent of the damage that has been done by these psychopaths in the Republican party. They have shattered our systems. The damage cannot be repaired quickly and there will be long-term suffering that is now unavoidable, regardless of how the next few elections play out. Republicans will blame all of this on Democrats, and Republican-owned media will amplify this sentiment, and the hoards of gullible idiots who vote Republican will try to elect another piece of shit like Trump to further drag us down.

176

Subject_Customer3254 Mar 31, 2026 +43

We will have to completely rebuild all of these institutions from the ground up to ensure that DOGE's bullshit wont affect them. We are going to even have to overhaul the Social Security program because they certainly have EVERY ONE of our numbers.

43

ShartingEnU Mar 31, 2026 +15

That's even if trump leaves

15

beefyzac Mar 31, 2026 +1

[ Removed by Listnook ]

1

RealGianath Mar 31, 2026 +26

Not to mention the rest of the world will never trust us again. We've become the mad dog nation that can't keep the crazies from taking over and blowing everything up every couple of years.

26

MasterofPandas1 Mar 31, 2026 +8

It’s going to take at least a decade or two of an FDR like President with a Congress on board with that platform to fix this shit. Unfortunately, it seems like it’ll be hard to achieve that.

8

oneseason2000 Mar 31, 2026 +8

The "Right" has dedicated 40+ years to get to this point by building wealth and power inequality. I want to know if Powell talks about the abuses the system has seen for decades, where ethics are frequently absent and rules not enforced, where lobbying buys not just access but fidelity, where the American democracy for decades has been much closer to "One billion dollars, one vote" ("economic elites and organized groups representing business interests have substantial independent impacts on U.S. government policy, while average citizens and mass-based interest groups have little or no independent influence"; below & link) than "One American adult citizen, one vote". My guess is "probably not", but I would like to be wrong. Testing Theories of American Politics: Elites, Interest Groups, and Average Citizens; [https://pnhp.org/news/gilens-and-page-average-citizens-have-little-impact-on-public-policy/](https://pnhp.org/news/gilens-and-page-average-citizens-have-little-impact-on-public-policy/) "By Martin Gilens and Benjamin I. Page Perspectives on Politics, April 9, 2014, forthcoming Fall 2014 Abstract Each of four theoretical traditions in the study of American politics – which can be characterized as theories of Majoritarian Electoral Democracy, Economic Elite Domination, and two types of interest group pluralism, Majoritarian Pluralism and Biased Pluralism – offers different predictions about which sets of actors have how much influence over public policy: average citizens; economic elites; and organized interest groups, mass-based or business-oriented. A great deal of empirical research speaks to the policy influence of one or another set of actors, but until recently it has not been possible to test these contrasting theoretical predictions against each other within a single statistical model. This paper reports on an effort to do so, using a unique data set that includes measures of the key variables for 1,779 policy issues. Multivariate analysis indicates that economic elites and organized groups representing business interests have substantial independent impacts on U.S. government policy, while average citizens and mass-based interest groups have little or no independent influence. The results provide substantial support for theories of Economic Elite Domination and for theories of Biased Pluralism, but not for theories of Majoritarian Electoral Democracy or Majoritarian Pluralism."

8

Artistic-Cannibalism Mar 31, 2026 +4

If we allow the Republican party to continue existing after this then all we have done is delay their final victory.

4

Pretend_Handle_7639 Mar 31, 2026 +3

>Republicans will blame all of this on Democrats, and Republican-owned media will amplify this sentiment, and the hoards of gullible idiots who vote Republican will try to elect another piece of shit like Trump to further drag us down. All of which is why tribunals and executions are the only path out. If we want to guarantee that MAGA cannot regain power, we have to decapitate the movement, purge out all the oathbreakers who have been obeying it's illegal orders, and then rig the system against populism.

3

blitzkregiel Apr 1, 2026 +2

the problem isn’t populism, it’s conservatism.

2

rexter2k5 Apr 1, 2026 +3

We need to bring a wrecking ball to these media organizations not for free speech violations but for trust violations. They are simply too big to exist, full stop.

3

MindOk8618 Mar 31, 2026 +13

Finally.👍👍👍

13

kevnmartin Mar 31, 2026 +10

“I told you once before that there were two times for making big money, one in the up-building of a country and the other in its destruction. Slow money on the up-building, fast money in the crack-up. Remember my words. Perhaps they may be of use to you some day. (Rhett Butler)”

10

Clarkkeeley Mar 31, 2026 +6

Anyone can break things. Few can build.

6

Juonmydog Mar 31, 2026 +7

It's also easier to bring said institutions down if large swaths of people have lost faith in them. The reason why there's an attempt to destroy of these foundations is because many Americans feel like there is no agency in them to begin with. I disagree though, but I will argue that there are many concepts and avenues that no longer serve the people. They have outlived their usefullness and instead of addressing the problems that come after, we are told to fall in line to elect candidates who defend all aspects of these instutions because they ultimately defend the same status quo and rulling class that make them obsolete to begin with.

7

Mistrblank Apr 1, 2026 +3

How did this man ever get through Trump's radar in the first term. He's one of few people I believe actually knows his job, takes it seriously, and seems to have some level of empathy for actual people.

3

TopSpread9901 Mar 31, 2026 +7

What a f****** thumbnail.

7

Bulawayoland Mar 31, 2026 +21

it's becoming ever clearer that for decades if not longer, Americans have had way better government than they deserve And the professionals weren't following the constitution either I dunno

21

OhGodSoManyQuestions Mar 31, 2026 +8

"professionals weren't following the constitution"?

8

Bulawayoland Mar 31, 2026 +1

Right, everyone knows people don't actually get speedy trials, and we burden the right to trial way more than we would allow for freedom of speech or of religion; heck, in my deep blue, Dem for decades jurisdiction, it's even illegal to post political fliers on public property -- you can get taken to jail for protesting Trump. And so just what the right to freedom of the press actually entails is pretty much of a mystery

1

civil_politician Mar 31, 2026 +5

If you’re rich you can say anything you want including lies packed up as news

5

Helpful-Mistake2275 Mar 31, 2026 +5

Most defendants waive the right to a speedy trial on advice of counsel. If you demand it, your trial will be speedy.

5

Bulawayoland Mar 31, 2026 +1

It will not. I've known cases in which their lawyers didn't even contact their clients in a speedy fashion. I saw an article recently revealing that there were defendants sitting in jail at Rikers Island who had been there years. I'm told -- I'm not sure it's true, but I know of at least one case in which it was so -- that if a lawyer complains to a judge that a trial is not speedy, the judge won't even listen unless it's been a year and a half. The lawyers adjust their thinking about it by telling themselves it's not really in their clients best interests to get speedy trials. Clients can complain all they want, but if they don't complain in precisely the right way, no one will listen. And no one volunteers to tell them any of this. You have to have been refused a speedy trial a few times to have enough experience to know what the system silently required of you. I don't know about you, but to me, that's not a speedy trial right. Look into it some. If you check Google Scholar for the phrase "speedy trial" I'm sure a lot of interesting, recent, and reliable articles will tell you what's really going on.

1

commitme Mar 31, 2026 +3

I understand the ire. But I don't love the framing around deserve or don't deserve, for us Americans or anyone, for that matter. if a good government means ensuring clean water and safe food, for example, then I can't imagine looking at an infant in this country and saying they are undeserving of these protections. and while one could argue it's a different matter altogether for adults, I don't think there's a strong case. contemporary american "culture" is sterile, numbing, and dead inside. the social norms enforcing complacency and keeping your head down are strong. yes, it's not a proper excuse, especially for the degree of inaction we've seen, but it's understandable, especially for families with children and others who must be taken care of daily. for the rest of us who are trying hard now to mount a meaningful resistance, it's swimming upstream against these strong currents and it takes a lot of time and money to be effective. I had to take some time off from activism because of factors outside of my control, but I do sometimes feel guilty for not doing more then. All in all, I don't think it's constructive to say we as a whole are undeserving of stability and protections.

3

Bulawayoland Mar 31, 2026 +1

I hear you. I think it's possible to build a humanistic philosophy around the idea that we may acquire value if we work at it. Who knows, right? Could happen. But of course, in order to start moving in that direction, we would have to first learn that we will have to work at it, to get there. That we're not going to get there if we don't. I can see that this kind of thinking makes people uncomfortable; but I also see it as potentially very productive. If people listen, and agree, and begin to work on acquiring value. Picture a world in which people don't actually just roll over in bed, when they learn that their government has engaged in torture. Right? I do. And I also think it's true. True, I mean, that we will have to work at it, if we wish to acquire value.

1

CharmedConflict Mar 31, 2026 +2

We're in the stage where the cancer has metastisized to the brain. We're not dead yet, but the headaches are crippling and the seizures were just starting. As a country, it's an appropriate time to update that will.

2

georgepana Mar 31, 2026 +2

Trump is whining, idiotically, that interest rates must come down all the time. Actual reality is that to avoid inflation going up too much, with the current economic indicators, interest rates actually need to go up. Imagine if Powell raises interest rates even by a quarter point to stem inflation, the whailing and clamoring that would bring. Does he have the courage to do what needs to be done?

2

Peace_n_Harmony Mar 31, 2026 +1

Any society that needs institutions of control was never cooperative to begin with. You can't force people to care about you. Allow fascists to vote and run for office always leads to fascism.

1

Kat_Schrodinger1 Mar 31, 2026 +1

Jpowell 2028

1

baldobilly Mar 31, 2026 -2

Says the political appointee in charge of a famously undemocratic institution. He’s only speaking out because he’s being the victim now instead of average working stiffs.

-2

1cl3nstd4yt Mar 31, 2026 -24

I blame the DNC for this. They knew our democracy would be at risk if Trump won. _We all did._ They were the only thing standing between us and a guy who will stop at nothing to tear down our democratic institutions. But then the DNC acted milquetoast. They failed to excite us, or make us enthusiastic to vote. I hope this teaches them a lesson.

-24

Toxitoxi Mar 31, 2026 +22

> They knew our democracy would be at risk if Trump won. We all did. > But then the DNC acted milquetoast. They failed to excite us, or make us enthusiastic to vote. I think there’s something deeply wrong when we all know there is a threat to our democracy and then don’t vote because the DNC isn’t exciting enough. I don’t think it’s just the DNC who needs to learn a lesson here. Especially since rich politicians and donors aren’t the ones who actually suffer the consequences of a Trump presidency.

22

default_admin_2 Mar 31, 2026 +3

Well we could have avoided this nonsense back in 2016 but the dnc had to install hillary. Then we could have avoided this in 2024 with a f****** primary instead we got a few months and a massively lack luster candidate. Kamala was significantly better than trump but her messaging was trash. She talked about the economy like 90% of people werent struggling. When asked what she would do differently compared to biden she said nothing. You cant blame voters for not voting for you. You can only blame yourself for not earning their votes.

3

ShamelessLeft Mar 31, 2026 -1

Dude, every time Kamala talked about the economy she talked about how there were too many people still struggling despite the economy booming at the time. That's what she has a plan to help first time home owners buy their homes with a $20,000 credit they could use for their down payment. That's why Biden and Kamala had increased subsidies to help lower the cost of healthcare for low income people. Biden lowered healthcare costs, made the largest investment in green energy in history, lowered the price of life saving drugs and presided over a booming economy. All while forgiving over 185 Billion in student loans. If more of the same means at a minimum lower healthcare costs, higher wages, more jobs, more student loan forgiveness and more, why would anyone not choose that over what we have now? You all don't take voting seriously, you all just make up shit like you don't know how any of this shit works.

-1

default_admin_2 Mar 31, 2026 +3

20k credit for first time homebuyers isnt really even a good policy. Its just going to increase prices. She had no good policy to correct those struggling. (Trump not that i believe him or w.e but he clearly reached his audience). Yes healthcare costs were down a bit. Green energy isnt helping regular folks. Booming stock market not economy. Student loan forgiveness was a massive failure. Wages only increased due to covid. Biden also broke union strikes. Did nothing to address skyrocketing costs of necessities. Border issues. His doj completely failed to stop trump and allies after j6. The point being she couldn't find anything to critique or do better or more aggressive? Couldn't say she was going to reign in price gouging by companies, could say she would expand union protections and workers rights?

3

ShamelessLeft Apr 1, 2026 -2

It wasn't just the $20,000 credit. Kamala had a plan to have 3 million more affordable homes built during her term to increase the supply which would have helped lower housing costs. We did have a booming economy when Biden had record job growth, well above the pre-Covid levels. We had rising wages and green energy investments are going to help the average person in the long run. And Biden's administration broke the railroad workers strike to not crash the economy and then he helped the railroad workers get a 24% wage increase, the largest one in 47 years. He also helped work out a contract to give them more flexible schedules and sick days and improved their healthcare. And student loan forgiveness wasn't a failure if you were one of the millions of people whose student loans were forgiven. Just because he didn't personally forgive your loans doesn't mean it was a failure. And if Kamala was just more of the same, why wouldn't you vote for more student loan forgiveness? Biden was forgiving as many loans as he could right up to the very end and Kamala would have continued that work. Biden addressed rising costs. Inflation was going below 3% by the end of Biden's term. My God, it's like you all just fell for all the right wing talking points and weren't paying attention to anything that was actually happening. If voting for more of Biden means lower healthcare costs and lower inflation and a stronger economy, why wouldn't anyone choose that over what we have now? It's totally insane to me that instead of voting for lower healthcare costs and more of the great things Biden and Harris did for this country, millions of voters would rather stand back and let the Nazis and Confederates take full power so they can kick over 20 million people off their healthcare to pay for more tax cuts for the rich. It's just frustrating you all don't take voting seriously and it seems like you all just look for any excuse not to vote, even if you have to make stuff up.

-2

default_admin_2 Apr 1, 2026 +3

Yea her plan was to gut zoning and sell federal land. And tax breaks for developers. Really helping the working class. We had a booming economy for the rich. Wages "kept up with inflation". Job growth was fine but expected coming out of a recession and covid. Green investments also are part of the reason we have increased utilities costs now. He broke a strike durring the only time workers had a massive advantage. To get them raises that equal about 3% above inflation durring his term(fed numbers not what i truly think inflation was) Its not right wing talking points. Its just the fact of it. Yes biden handled the covid situation better than trump was. Yes we ended up better than most other countries. That doesnt make it the best way. And to say you couldnt have done anything better is crazy. We take voting extremely seriously which is why we dont give our vote to anyone who is just slightly better than total dogshit.

3

1cl3nstd4yt Apr 1, 2026

It's like that other poster is following a checklist of right-wing talking points. They always pretend to be on the left.

0

1cl3nstd4yt Mar 31, 2026 -6

I agree. DNC is too honest about counting votes. If they were bold, they would have coronated Bernie despite him getting fewer votes. We must lie, cheat, steal... do anything to get socialism.

-6

default_admin_2 Mar 31, 2026 +2

It had nothing to do with counting votes. It had to do with them completely refusing to work with him and his campaign. The dnc even apologized. It was never a fair fight. Bernie would have won against trump.

2

No_Customer_84 Mar 31, 2026 -5

People need change, the democrats will not disrupt the status quo so Americans chose the candidate that would, twice.

-5

untenured Mar 31, 2026 +8

How's that status quo looking about now?

8

No_Customer_84 Mar 31, 2026 +2

This wasn’t my choice for a new reality, but I’m not going to act like democrats had no options and are victims of their voters.

2

1cl3nstd4yt Mar 31, 2026 +3

Exactly. They pass all these laws to limit corruption and protect vulnerable groups, and then they rest on their laurels instead of exhibiting the correct amount of boldness, and earning our interest.

3

threehundredthousand Mar 31, 2026 +1

Americans don't take responsibility for their actions. Politicians aren't babysitters. Americans voted to destroy their own house because they're bored.

1

No_Customer_84 Mar 31, 2026

If you keep letting them off, politicians will keep ignoring you.

0

Silent-Storms Mar 31, 2026 +7

"We need to challenge the status quo!" *Proceeds to make the former status quo look absolutely incredible*

7

blazesquall Mar 31, 2026 +2

For some, sure.

2

Silent-Storms Mar 31, 2026 +3

Other than billionaires, who is doing better now?

3

untenured Mar 31, 2026 +10

I hope this is sarcasm.

10

MittenCollyBulbasaur Mar 31, 2026 +2

I hope the DNC finds the courage to read this fact and do better.

2

Lemp_Triscuit11 Mar 31, 2026 +4

No dice, just crippling stupidity

4

MittenCollyBulbasaur Mar 31, 2026 +1

Kamala Harris lost to Donald Trump and there are people who still think she ran a perfect campaign? The people bringing that energy into the next election will be the reason why Trump gets another term.

1

Lemp_Triscuit11 Mar 31, 2026 +1

> and there are people who still think she ran a perfect campaign? Are they.. in the room with us? Why the f*** are you even responding to me lol I talked nothing about this

1

notmyworkaccount5 Mar 31, 2026 +2

Based on their post history that's what I'm thinking it is.

2

Beavis73 Mar 31, 2026

Agreed.

0

OhGodSoManyQuestions Mar 31, 2026 +11

Oh is it time to trot out the old Let's Teach The Democrats A Lesson stuff again already?

11

Silent-Storms Mar 31, 2026 +11

So f****** entitled. How many children have died in the last year so you could teach them a lesson?

11

blazesquall Mar 31, 2026 +2

What's the threshold..? Kids were also a topic in 2024 that fell on deaf ears.. I think we even have some protest videos outside of the DNC convention of people probably covering their ears..

2

TopSpread9901 Mar 31, 2026 -1

So we all agree, children are worthless.

-1

blazesquall Mar 31, 2026 +3

Some children are seemingly more worthy of consideration to some, yes.

3

Circlemagi Mar 31, 2026 +7

I'm so sorry that you weren't excited enough to fight fascism and now people are suffering

7

DwarfPaladin84 Mar 31, 2026 +1

So you weren't excited enough to fight against a guy who openly said he would be a dictator on day one...and already had prior experience seeing how f****** inept he was. Or was him also being a rapist and convicted felon not enough to rally? I swear, some of my fellow "Liberals" need to go pound sand after saying c*** like this.

1

julia_fns Mar 31, 2026 +1

Perhaps they thought you were an adult?

1

Someguy2189 Mar 31, 2026

You dropped this JPow 👑

0

AlphaSistersOfBattle Apr 1, 2026

Isnt he a Republican? Isnt he a conservative?

0

r4inbowgravity Mar 31, 2026 -8

What is democratic about the Fed?

-8

OhGodSoManyQuestions Mar 31, 2026 +8

They report to and are accountable to democratically elected US lawmakers. The Board of Governors is appointed by democratically elected US presidents.

8

Due_Addendum4854 Mar 31, 2026 -2

...where have I seen that pose before....

-2

Jerome Powell lets loose: "it’s very hard to build great democratic institutions and much easier to bring them down"

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