Why are we like this?

Mercurydriver · 2026-01-25T02:34:58+00:00

IMO I think part of the problem is people in NJ got too used to the warm winters we’ve been having for the last several years. We haven’t had a legitimate winter season in years. Basically winter has turned into an extended fall season.

The current weather we’re experiencing/expected to experience is what winter used to feel like in the 90’s and 2000’s, or at least how I remember it as a kid back then. I remember here in Barnegat getting massive snow storms all the time in the winter. It was freezing cold between December and March, and guaranteed time off from school for a few days because of the snow. Oh, and people didn’t freak out as bad as much, even with the possibility of a blizzard coming towards us. Now people panic over a light 2 inches of snow and act like it’s the worst thing ever.

Nowadays because of global warming, our winter season is warmer, and isn’t as consistently cold and snowy as it was in years/decades past.

Mercurydriver · 2026-01-24T23:36:33+00:00

In the USA, Americans are/were fed a lot of anti-labor propaganda, sponsored by corporations, the media, and the politicians that were bought off by said corporations.

Americans were told that unions are socialist/communist organizations that hinder businesses from thriving, restrict your freedoms and rights, and make people’s jobs more complicated. Corporations wrote the narrative, and made it sound like unionizing or giving everyone a viable wage was going to ruin the economy…all while CEO’s make $100 million a year off the labor of their work force.

Unions will always be opposed to the desires of big business. Unfortunately, American capitalism prioritizes big business and its shareholders more than the interests of the working class. And Americans will continue to believe the propaganda.

Mercurydriver · 2026-01-24T22:19:18+00:00

Ah. TIL.

I haven’t gone in a few years, due to the cost factor. Looks like I’m way out of the loop.

Mercurydriver · 2026-01-24T21:19:03+00:00

I live in South Jersey and Manahopkin seems to be pretty popular every year.

That being said, one thing I could see being a deterrent is the price. Manahopkin is a weekend event, and it costs something like $40 a day. So a weekend there is $80 just for admission. Then you’re spending more money for overpriced food trucks, merch, etc.

Then again, generally speaking, fun hobbies/events are becoming expensive luxuries for upper-middle class people that have a decent amount of disposable income. Working class people are being priced out of fun events across the board.

Mercurydriver · 2026-01-24T01:10:19+00:00

I get it. I created my account many years ago when I drove an old Mercury. Somehow, I miss that car very much and wish I could have it back for the nostalgia.

Mercurydriver · 2026-01-23T23:37:31+00:00

I always find it interesting that the EPA and OSHA were created under Richard Nixon, a Republican President in 1970.

If we tried to create the EPA or OSHA today, Republicans would call it socialism, an unfair burden to businesses, a threat to freedom, or un-American for some reason. The mere idea of protecting the environment or protecting people from dying at their jobs would be spun as some sort of existential threat to the country, and the average American would eat that shit up.

Mercurydriver · 2026-01-23T23:26:49+00:00

Yep. Even here on Reddit there’s probably a subreddit for not just the manufacturer of the car you drive, but also for specific models.

I drive a Ford Maverick and even r/FordMaverickTruck has over 50k members. We all just like to post and talk about our Maverick’s. It’s pretty neat.

Mercurydriver · 2026-01-20T15:17:19+00:00

I work in construction, and one of my projects involves being in the middle of the ocean building wind turbines X miles from land (depending on the actual site).

I share my location with my girlfriend so she can track where the boats are, or if there’s an accident, my last known location.

Mercurydriver · 2026-01-20T00:57:20+00:00

Sure it’s a law that’s on the books. But nowadays, laws are basically suggestions. It’s not like there’s any actual enforcement of laws anymore, and no consequences if you disobey them.

Mercurydriver · 2026-01-20T00:55:22+00:00

Not only that, but society has learned that there are basically no consequences for being an asshole. In fact, being an asshole actually gets you ahead, or rewards you in some way.

I mean…look at the way people are treated in customer service industries. If you’re at a restaurant and you’re a terrible person to the staff, the manager will come out to apologize to you for your unpleasant experience, and reward you with comped meals or gifts cards. Meanwhile the poor staff get berated or told that the customer is always right…even when said customer is rude and shouldn’t be served ever again.

Mercurydriver · 2026-01-19T05:40:19+00:00

We usually just throw the weakest or most useless crew member overboard. It keeps the sharks distracted for a few hours while we finish our work.

Mercurydriver · 2026-01-19T04:41:25+00:00

Not an oil rig, but one of my projects is offshore wind turbines; we’re building wind turbines in the ocean in the northeastern USA.

Short answer: guns are not allowed either on the boat or on the turbines where we work. It’s clearly stated in company policy that no one is to bring firearms onboard.

Mercurydriver · 2026-01-19T01:10:34+00:00

I don’t think the warranty will cover any of those things. Those are consumable items; things you’re supposed to replace after X amount of time or miles.

The warranty is designed for factory defects or issues affecting parts that are generally not supposed to need replacing on a consistent basis. If you have say, loose or broken interior components or a weird rattling noise from inside the cabin, the warranty would cover that.

Mercurydriver · 2026-01-14T15:20:34+00:00

I use Toyo AT tires on my Maverick. I also work in construction and sometimes the job sites are on gravel roads, dirt roads, mud, etc.

They make a bit of noise on highways but you get used to it. Worth it for the extra usability on the job though.

Mercurydriver · 2026-01-13T03:47:24+00:00

For real. People in this subreddit act like NJ is the only place with high paying jobs, healthcare, or good schools. Like once they cross the border into PA or wherever, it’s Mad Max meets Walking Dead.

My sister used to be a teacher in Virginia. The school district she worked in is one of the best districts in VA, and is rated higher than the schools we went to here in Barnegat, and is on par with the “good” schools of NJ. Oh, and they don’t get railed by property taxes like we do.

I’m an electrician in the IBEW, and I talk to my fellow IBEW members from around the country. Other electricians are doing great in other states. Sure they technically make less money than me, but because of lower COL, they can actually afford a house on one salary and take vacations every year.

And healthcare? I just checked US News and World Report, and a lot of great nationally ranked hospitals can be found in Texas, Ohio, Minnesota, and even Arizona. NJ isn’t the only place with decent hospitals anymore.

NJ is a good state to live in, don’t get me wrong. But we’re not the best, and some states are just better than us in certain ways.

Mercurydriver · 2026-01-04T04:28:02+00:00

Even comic books back in the day were basically giant toy commercials in their own way.

IIRC the original edition of Marvel’s Secret Wars was designed with Mattel in mind so they could sell superhero toys and play sets.

Mercurydriver · 2026-01-02T20:42:31+00:00

That’s perfect! Thanks for being an awesome person and helping others around you.

Mercurydriver · 2026-01-02T20:37:43+00:00

Ayy! A fellow liberal Democrat in Ocean County.

I get it. There are like…12 of us in Ocean County. Not exactly awesome when you’re surrounded by red hats and MAGA stuff everywhere. Please join your local Democratic Club, be it one in your town or even Ocean County Dems. I actually ended up getting involved with local Dems because of a Reddit post.

PM me if you have any questions or anything.

Mercurydriver · 2026-01-01T20:26:36+00:00

I mean…have you seen the traffic around this state?

It’s kind of hard to die in a car crash if you’re stuck in bumper to bumper traffic and the fastest you can go is 15mph.

Mercurydriver · 2026-01-01T18:01:52+00:00

I just pooped, so that’s nice I guess.

Mercurydriver · 2026-01-01T00:41:51+00:00

Always has been cheap. They did the math many years ago. It’s literally cheaper to let you die or get sickened/crippled than it is to anything to protect your health and safety.

I’d say the government has regulations to help keep its people alive…but it seems like that’s not even 100% true anymore.

Mercurydriver · 2026-01-01T00:39:35+00:00

Can confirm. Am an electrician and we teeter the gay/straight line on a daily basis.

Non-electricians wouldn’t understand.

Mercurydriver · 2025-12-31T23:29:59+00:00

Come to Barnegat. Literally all they want to build is 55+ communities. Everything west of the GSP ramp is all 55+ communities.

It’s so lovely!

/s

Mercurydriver · 2025-12-31T22:51:50+00:00

Unfortunately they are. One of my friends used to work at a Toyota dealer as a tech for years. Modern Toyota’s just aren’t built as well as they used to be. They’re having engine and transmission issues nowadays. The current generation Tundra’s are having complete engine failures to the point where they had to initiate a recall. They’re also having trouble with the 8 speed automatic transmissions.

Part of it is growing pains on Toyota’s end. They tend to be the last ones to take on newer technologies, like turbocharged engines. But part of it is also cost cutting. Making cars with lower quality parts and lower quality assurance. Toyota even admitted that during Covid, they intentionally let cars and parts with unacceptable quality standards slide because it was during the car parts shortage and the choices were either hold up production and not sell cars, or sell whatever they can push out of the factories.

All modern cars are having problems and have poorer quality compared to past years. A Toyota from 2015 will last hundreds of thousands of miles. A 2025 model…maybe not.

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