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CrowCityDem

(2,348 posts)
Sun Apr 10, 2016, 05:27 PM Apr 2016

Optimism Used To Be An American Hallmark

I find it amusing that the only candidate on either side of the aisle whose campaign is not centered around the idea that America sucks right now is Hillary.

And we call Bernie the optimistic thinker why again?

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onecaliberal

(32,861 posts)
1. Thanks for the I've got mine, fuck you hungry, poor, dying, elderly and veterans.
Sun Apr 10, 2016, 05:29 PM
Apr 2016

There is MORE poverty, MORE suffering because of greed. What the hell is so great about that? Is it great we make people suffer so already insanely wealthy people can have more?
STOP!

 

IamMab

(1,359 posts)
2. And it's entertaining these fringes that have led us to partisan gridlock at every level of politics
Sun Apr 10, 2016, 05:33 PM
Apr 2016

Neither side wants to compromise and demonstrate over time that their ideas are successful. No, the twin tantrums of Left and Right both want control, NOW, and you're an evil sellout if you think otherwise.

It's kind of disturbing that the strategy and tactics are all so similar no matter what the ideology.

 

Ken Burch

(50,254 posts)
5. It's never optimism to defend the status quo.
Sun Apr 10, 2016, 05:42 PM
Apr 2016

True optimism comes from the belief that change can be better.

bjo59

(1,166 posts)
7. If you're saying optimism for optimism's sake is an American hallmark,
Sun Apr 10, 2016, 05:52 PM
Apr 2016

maybe you are right. That's a dangerous trait, actually. As national sovereignty is being steadily replaced by global corporate/banking power, are Americans just wanting to stick our heads in the sand like the proverbial ostrich for the sake of putting on a happy face? Is it hard for Americans to take seriously and analyze why things are going wrong because it's considered in bad taste to be "negative"? Is there something in the American psyche (ego-driven) that prefers to not admit how bad things are because it might make one look like a crybaby? To not begrudge the hyper wealthy their wealth (no matter if it is ill gotten or not, and hyper wealth usually is ill gotten, by the way) because it might look like a case of sour grapes to another person or even to oneself? Or is it just abject fear that causes many middle class people to support an optimistic interpretation of reality because the realization that they are on their way to soon joining the multitudes at the bottom of the social/economic hierarchy is just too much to bear? Easier to commit to a fantasy than to try and alter the current reality, I guess.

Viva_La_Revolution

(28,791 posts)
8. cause it's sucking for over half of us, and the establishment tries to tell us we are mistaken
Sun Apr 10, 2016, 05:54 PM
Apr 2016

Do you find this amusing in the same way that hillary laughs at uncomfotrable questions?

 

RobertEarl

(13,685 posts)
9. 1%ers have good reason to be optimistic
Sun Apr 10, 2016, 06:34 PM
Apr 2016

H is a 1%er.

The rest of us are in trouble. Some could not care less about others. I guess if they did care they'd certainly be alarmed, and seeing the big picture not be so optimistic?

Nanjeanne

(4,960 posts)
10. That's add. Bernie is the only candidate that makes
Sun Apr 10, 2016, 06:37 PM
Apr 2016

me feel optimistic about what this country could be.

Hillary makes me feel like I should sit down, shut up and let her and her pals decide what's good for me.

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