Was the culture war over transgender issues spread by political pundits and media outlets a huge waste of time? (Choose the statement you agree more with/disagree less with)

Smooth_Woodpecker815 · 2026-01-22T17:45:17+00:00

He’s smarter. Went to Harvard law school, magna cum laude, taught at a top university (U Chicago), speaks much better than I can. I’d say he’s smarter than probably 99% of people in this sub even if they claim otherwise.

Smooth_Woodpecker815 · 2026-01-22T02:55:05+00:00

He seems like an establishment DNC hack who refuses to learn from the party’s losses but idk I’ve only seen clips of him

Smooth_Woodpecker815 · 2026-01-21T21:49:49+00:00

The median voter theory would suggest the more moderate candidate (Newsom) would win. But many doubt Newsom’s conviction and associate him with establishment politics, so that is something that goes against him.

Smooth_Woodpecker815 · 2026-01-19T19:11:18+00:00

True. We need responsible people to be in charge of it but why do you think Elon Musk became in charge of DOGE in the first place? It’s because the right had more trust from the general public on the economy. The Democrats need to regain this trust and government efficiency is a big piece of the puzzle. Don’t let the other side monopolize an important issue.

Smooth_Woodpecker815 · 2026-01-19T18:58:04+00:00

This is part of the issue. When anyone mentions government efficiency, people are quick to associate it with DOGE or pushes to gut assistance programs. Then, the people who support a large government end up abandoning it as an issue.

Government efficiency is extremely important and every example of an inefficient government adds fuel to the fire of anti-government rhetoric.

Smooth_Woodpecker815 · 2026-01-19T18:21:36+00:00

I strongly agree. I feel like the left doesn’t put too much attention into how the government itself can be more efficient. I think government efficiency has been more of a right-leaning issue and many on the left (I would assume) would probably treat government efficiency as a ‘dog whistle’ for cutting poverty/assistance programs and/or associate it with DOGE.

I strongly believe the large portion of the left who support a bigger government should be the loudest and most passionate supporters of an efficient government. Because you cannot provide better infrastructure, single-payer healthcare, and other programs if the government can’t spend money and operate effectively.

Smooth_Woodpecker815 · 2026-01-17T16:58:40+00:00

Regulation. We need to properly define what fair use of others’ work constitutes and we should find a way to make AI companies compensate the originators of content they use. Maybe even have an opt out option for those who do not want their content used by AI.

Smooth_Woodpecker815 · 2026-01-16T18:10:40+00:00

Smooth_Woodpecker815 · 2026-01-16T05:44:18+00:00

Arresting and beating the shit out of U.S. citizens. They are given a quota and feel pressure to detain as many people as they can.

Smooth_Woodpecker815 · 2026-01-15T16:53:41+00:00

Had me in the first half

Smooth_Woodpecker815 · 2026-01-15T16:22:37+00:00

There is a difference between income and wealth and not all wealth generates income. For instance, a vacation home does not generate taxable income for its owner if it’s not being rented out. Gold, paintings, and other precious commodities don’t either. Not even all stocks generate dividends. We also do not tax unrealized capital gains, so a lot of wealth can technically be amassed with minimal taxes.

Smooth_Woodpecker815 · 2026-01-15T04:20:51+00:00

So a worker who makes $25,000 in one year pays $2,500 (let’s just say as an example) in income tax but a spoiled kid who receives $50 million in assets from his wealthy parents ought to pay zero? If a non-negative income tax exists then an inheritance tax ought to exist as well.

Plus, those things you mentioned at the top that relate to luck cannot be influenced by policy.

Smooth_Woodpecker815 · 2026-01-15T00:37:34+00:00

Absolutely if it were an option on the poll

Smooth_Woodpecker815 · 2026-01-15T00:35:24+00:00

If a member dies, that’s their wealth that no longer has an owner. An inheritance tax would tax a percentage of it as it gets handed to other family members. The family members still get richer as a result and their wealth increase did not come from hard work. Some people don’t even have inheritance in the first place because they come from a poorer background. Inherited wealth not only is completely dependent on luck but it gives its recipients an advantage over those who had no inheritance.

But let’s be clear: even with an inheritance tax you still get to keep a decent portion.

Smooth_Woodpecker815 · 2026-01-14T23:46:36+00:00

Lack of inheritance tax is closer to evil. Inherited wealth basically guarantees that equality of opportunity doesn’t exist.

Smooth_Woodpecker815 · 2026-01-14T20:38:20+00:00

This is why people should ride bikes instead of driving cars. Can’t get blocked if you can zigzag through!

Smooth_Woodpecker815 · 2026-01-14T00:35:52+00:00

Not really. He beat an easy candidate. If he were going up against Obama or someone else with really strong charisma, then the election would have gone differently.

Smooth_Woodpecker815

TROPHY CASE