It's funny. Years ago Reddit had a trend "Ameristraulia" and it was riddled with "did we just become best friends?" comments. As a Canadian I felt like squidward. Stay steady fellow colonists.
Bro, at least half of Americans are still out there like SpongeBob and Patrick, with no fucking idea that in less than three weeks, there will be no groceries on the shelves.
The amount of "blissful ignorance" in this country is out of control. People need to be shook.
Costco was hopping this weekend. Some of us see it :)
The amount of “blissful ignorance” in this country is out of control. People need to be shook.
Tell that to capitalist media.
So you've won. Here's how you keep it: first, pass strict laws against publishing misinformation and shut down shitspreaders HARD. Do everything possible to put more money in voter's pockets and remind them constantly of that fact. Compare everything the right says and does to Trump. Do the opposite of whatever the US does. Work to remove any leverage the US has over your countries and help each other out.
Full disclosure: I'm a USian. Our recovery depends on the right failing as hard as possible, here and in your countries. There is an international far right movement at work, don't get comfortable and don't think you are safe. Identify their sources, causes, support structures and propaganda channels and shut them down before they can take root. Good luck and godspeed!
The issue is that in the US we have freedom of press..and with being worded as "misinformation" can be a double edged sword to whomever is in power.
Actual misinformation being banned today could be "fake news" that makes the ruling regime look bad but is actually the truth tomorrow.
Freedom of press is not the same as being “forced” to listen to it.
The US has always had demagogues and tabloids. Let them keep spewing stuff, that’s part of the deal.
The problem now is that the current forums (social media) aren’t fair public spaces, but biased, engagement driven hellholes unfairly shielded by the law; the far-right is just particularly good at exploiting it. They thrive because their content is being prioritized in feeds over good sources (because it’s algorithmically engaging).
Gotta say, today was a much-needed dose of hope here in Australia. So refreshing to see our nation's leader act with dignity and empathy for people, and actually have a plan to make things better.
It feels like Dutton's campaign was nothing but 'Don't vote for Labor' instead of 'here's what we're going to do'.
In Canada it was a carbon copy of that. Name calling and smear campaign… and when asked what THEY would do? « Lower taxes! » …. Ok.. but how? « You’ll see!! »
… No thanks 🙂↔️
Dear Australian, and fellow citizen of the world: you are so right, and Canada was afflicted with much of the same problem.
As such, your country is in inspiration to those of us in the United States - and the world at large.
So, yeah, I've been blasting Australian rock music. Thank you so much and have a great day!
Canada has only put it off for a few years. The liberals have been in power for a long time and people were already itching for a change.
It isn't like the conservatives did poorly They turned out tones of votes, the only reason they are not in power is because the left United to keep them out, essentially decimating the other left wing parties.
The next election we have will very likely go to the conservatives when the left splits again.
There's a non-zero chance the CPC splits too. There's major infighting, with even Jason Kenney somehow being the voice of reason versus the MAGA wing of the party. https://xcancel.com/jkenney/status/1918107158035451945
We need Jack Layton back…. Anyone know a good Cleric with access to Level 5 spells?
I absolutely love this comment. Thank you for sharing that.
And their shittiest party is bending over backward to keep PP relevant.
Itching for a change for the better. Not worse. Important detail that needs to be described in the campaign. Peepeepoopoo is also not a good leader especially when the Trudeau effect was the only thing that changed the outcome.
Doesn't matter what they want.
The only real option for right wing voters is the conservatives so they will keep voting blue.
The only real option for liberal voters not happy with the current state of things is the NDP.
So the NDP pulls votes from the liberals and the conservatives will be in power.
I'm not used to being on the happy side of this meme. Feels good.
Ikr, Australia has some huge problems but we actually pulled off doing a good thing for once.
Labor are far more receptive to change through public pressure than the Libs. So we're off to a good start.
I hate to be so pessimistic but you don't align yourself with the empire, fight it's wars, depend on it for defense and trade, and get free from it. I really wish Canadians and others well. I hope your governments stand against American fascism.
But the pessimist in me just sees the capitalist controlled parties fighting for control before their inevitable slide towards their own form of fascism in alliance with the empire.
I really hope I'm wrong. Other western countries look like utopias compared to America right now. I just think the ruling class of other western countries is using nationalism to fuel its own fascism.
You're right of course. But I'm gonna enjoy the morning-after glow for just a day.
I really hope I'm wrong.
You're not, historically-speaking. The only preventative measures these countries can take is to prevent people getting a controlling amount of wealth so begin with. The people currently in power are not just going to give it up; either they will shift towards fascism and/or they will try to sabotage any and all socialist movements, usually either by trying to make them social democrats instead, or they try to discredit the organizations by calling them extremists, niche, and not covering them on the newsmedia.
Right now, we're facing fascism in many countries due to the wealthy/powerful working overtime since at least Thatcher/Reagan to deregulate and make the wealthy more wealthy and specifically to make the middle class disappear so everyone will be poor.
The wealthy relies on a reserve army of labor to exploit their workers. Without desparation, workers might start asking for stuff like "rights" and "a livage wage."
Another issue is people en masse won't fight for any injustice unless it personally affects them. A big reason why is explained in the paragraph above about desparation.
Empathy is a learned skill, and capitalism actively discourages empathy just by the way it functions. Even pro-capitalist people will agree to this point, but they will phrase it as "greed is good."
Don't get me wrong, I am by no means under the impression Labor is a sinless, flawless, perfect party; or that Albanese is some Saint of a man who can do no evil.
Disclaimer: I am no political expert, and this is all my personal opinion based off my understanding of the bill. (I am also (usually) pretty pessimistic myself, increasingly so these last few years) but this is honestly the brightest spark of something that could not only help Australia in a way that prevents/could help shield us from the worst of the Mad Max timeline, but could also potentially help the rest of the world (how this all plays out, well I suppose we'll see).
But the "Future Made In Australia" Bill (I know, a little nationalistic sounding for my liking as well... wait, don't leave yet, plez ༼ つ ◕_◕ ༽つ) is a massive step in the right direction - especially in comparison to the current state of Trumpastan.
The "general gist" of the bill (along with committing a $22.7 Billion Dollar government investment over the next decade) is:
• A net-zero economy, and aiming to utilise it to set Australia as the "Renewable Energy Powerhouse" of the future. They've realised to do this, public investment will be needed. • Recognising the importance of domestic capability, but instead of you know, starting tariff wars as a "solution"; they're forcing the tying of our Mining Industry's (known for bottomless pockets, and literally zero fucks given for Australia's people or it's future) money, with the Manufacturing industry (known for being one of the most unionised industries in the country) and using it to bankroll this net-zero development. AKA: tying some of our largest private sector money to renewable energy only and investing it in the people and working class - as well as ensuring it's to the benefit of future generations. This also makes it INCREDIBLY hard to undo in the future. • Investing in it's people and future by promoting safer, more secure and higher paying jobs with better working conditions, as well as developing more skilled and inclusive workforces (by investing in skills development and creating more job opportunities through building this net-zero goal and the steps it will require). • Supporting First Nations communities and traditional owners by engaging collaboratively to ensure a positive outcome for their communities; while also encouraging their participation, and ensuring that they share in the benefits of, the transition to net-zero (this also includes any other communities directly affected by the transition) • Strengthening our domestic industrial capabilities for the future, through strengthening our local supply chains. • Increasing transparency and compliance of tax affairs, including benefits received under supports provided by this bill.People see or hear the word "Private Investment", stop reading, and jump straight to "neolib", in turn weakening the word. I believe in this case, it's also missing the forest for the tree's.
Is it driven by the noblest of values? Probably not. Will it work? Like I said at the beginning, we'll find out, but even if it doesn't - at least we're finally trying something different for a change, something positive. If that can't provide any optimism, I'd argue that's bordering on doomerism and gives a whiff of "why even bother am I rite lol".
The bill has passed both houses, Labor won by a landslide, the Opposition Leader lost his own seat and quit politics; leaving our conservative (opposition) party leaderless. Murdoch's propaganda machine failed spectacularly.
Trumpet of Patriots spent millions, and (thus far) for their efforts have... 0 seats and less than 1.9% of the vote).
Australia has spoken, and we have said "why the fuck would we want anything to do with that, cunt?" to
The Art Of The Deal US-brand of politicsfascism.The bill as passed, if anyones curious to read more.
Agreed, we've put it off for a while but it's only a matter of time before the comprises and contradictions again lead us down the path to fascism.
An optimist might say it gives us more chances, but bed rest might only leave us weaker.
Agreed, we've put it off for a while but it's only a matter of time before the comprises and contradictions again lead us down the path to fascism.
An optimist might say it gives us more chances, but bed rest might only leave us weaker.
My first thought was "oh thank God Canada will be safe for refugees to run to" not even particularly for myself, but for a lot of my friends.
I sure hope so. My attempts so far to leave this shit hole for Canada have been completely fruitless.
Guys I gotta say if the working class of the world doesnt unite our only options will be auth/distopian hellholes
Only until the biosphere is completely incapable of supporting life, which won't take too long. So we've got that going for us, which is nice
This near term political disaster sure is a nice break from ecocide anxiety.
Good to know Mother Nature's got them if we dont.
How are they supposed to unite when the working class are kept desparate with low wages and longer hours? They're too exhausted after working 40+ hours/week to inform themselves for any length of time or fight. They would rather relax with TV/movies/games/a book/etc. A general strike is damn near impossible without massive mutual aid networks forming first.
The capitalist class had all of this planned out from the get-go. We need to respond with force (a general strike; I do not condone violence). We need mass solidarity, and we are seeing that build especially after January 20th. We just need to plan well by building mutual aid networks and by directing their anger towards an actual solution. I like to direct people to Richard Wolff and his worker-coop focused idiology.
If only more people were willing to throw hammers at the big screen.
So...when do we build a wall around the US, they want to isolate themselves so let's help
I mean, the wall is still being built so just wait it out. That way the US will pay for it.
Friends?
Our sickness spreads.
White supremacy has been in canada and australia for just as long.
You are not alone. It seems like the UK is eager to join you
Fundamentally the problem is that the US is just too rich. That creates incentives, like:
- A strong incentive to use media to control the abundance of resources for personal benefit
- Valuable advertising, leading to corporate propaganda that exploits our emotions, and hyperemotional, fluffy news coverage designed to grab our attention rather than inform
- A near-monopoly on extremely wealthy people, which leads those people to spend directly on promoting pro-stratification candidates
This creates a catch-22. To fix the media and government, we need to spread out wealth to dilute financial power. But to do that would require policy changes that require fixing the media and government.
I am not so confident it will last. They have a delay atleast
Canada and australia are also genocidal right-wing dystopias.
Gotta be uber privileged to celebrate this anywhere.
I understand we may have different opinions. I hear you, and you raise a noteworthy point.
However, with all due respect, I cannot imagine not celebrating incremental victories and surrendering to both-sidesing the matter. Additionally given that Bibi appears to have strong preferences for which genocider he has to work with. I know you'll disagree with this point, I get it. It won't stop me from wishing you a good day though: have a great day.
Australia is the source of many of the USAs problems. This won't last long, or have any positive changes.
Look, you're not wrong that we did you (and the rest of the world) pretty dirty with Rupert Murdoch and I do apologise on our behalf for that - but the USA's problems are it's own shitty foundations; and have been around longer than we've been founded (re: colonised).
You do realise he took over 99% of our news/media outlets as his own personal mouth piece, before he ever came your way? We didn't just vote in a Trump though, quite the opposite to be honest, so..uh..hm.
Might wanna' dig a lil' deeper
The source of what problems?
😭
