Seriously, what is this shit?

[canetoad]

World in grip of virus pandemic.
US election next week.
Crooked president tries to shut down mail service.
Political appointee helps him.
Courts won't shift their arses to assist people to cast a vote.

Failed State.

[dchill]

1. Successful fascist state?

[Missn-Hitch]

2. Eh.

Not quite there ... yet. Second term will certainly seal the deal. I think four to six months should do it.

Cheers!

[yuiyoshida]

12. If you are talking about the Republican Party

I would say YES..

[Hekate]

3. We're kind of feeling that way right now. We do have a chance at redemption, though...

...so there is that.

Take care of yourself, canetoad.

[canetoad]

6. You too, my precious friend

I hope those responsible for this absolute and utter abrogation of the rights of US citizens are made to pay for generations to come.

I'm watching it, reading about it and still not fully believing this shit and corruption is happening in a first world country in 2020.

[NanceGreggs]

4. What's really puzzling ...

... is why the "country's favourite president" wouldn't want every vote counted - knowing that if they were, he would win in a landslide.

[canetoad]

7. Right on Nance

Like Hitler was the german's favourite chancellor.

He can't win any other way.

[Blue Owl]

5. K&R

[Hermit-The-Prog]

8. The U.S. is suffering from a malignant growth: the Republican party ...

Unfortunately, the malignancy is accelerated by Fascist Oligarch eXtremists, who are, in turn, fed by the Republican party each time it gains some power. It is a deadly positive feedback loop. We may be able to excise enough of the tumor on November 3 to interrupt this loop sufficiently to save the patient.

If we fail, save yourselves from the disease. Guard against its introduction elsewhere in the world.

[disalitervisum]

9. it's the conflation of democracy with capitalism

because you're all temporarily embarrassed millionaires, you know?

im not holding my breath for any realistic responses.

[KT2000]

10. they are ultimately incompatible

the republicans are trying to make them compatible by making sure money has the votes. Democracy is then over for the people.

[Hortensis]

11. So, if this were a socialist state we'd have no Trumps and

no fascistic-leaning hard-right followers? l No fecklessly indifferent slugs who shrugged at corruption taking over their socialist workplaces and did nothing?

Dream state. It would contain all the same people as now. The committees that run the nation would include mostly all the same sorts of people who'd elbow their way into power. RW and other leaders who despise socialism would just call themselves socialists. As always happened.

And remember the people. Those used to the prosperity and freedoms of capitalism, even at the very reduced share they've been allowing, would have a hard time adjusting to, and supporting, the much poorer returns of socialism.

We're not a failed state. That we are a failing state is due to democracy's great weakness: its people. Peace and wellbeing cause complacency and indifference to duty. And that leads to rude awakenings.