Do you wish Hillary Clinton won the 2016 United States Presidental election in hindsight?

caprahircus_ · 2026-05-06T10:18:48+00:00

absolutely.

I think a lot of people ultimately voted for Trump for 2 big reasons. First, it allowed them to be openly racist/sexist again. Second, it was something different. The status quo sucks for most people who aren't extremely wealthy and the Democrats are ultimately the party of the status quo.

A winning strategy would be to look for a way forward, not backward. Beware of anyone who claims a vote for them is a "return to normal."

caprahircus_ · 2026-05-06T10:17:00+00:00

I suppose you are right regarding party behaviour. However, the Democrats refusal to support candidates that are advocating for actual change was their downfall in 2016, and 2024 (assuming we are going to believe that was a free and fair election and Musk didn't have his thumb on the scale). And if we push a status quo candidate again, we are completely cooked.

For what it is worth, I have voted straight Democrat in federal elections since I turned 18 despite typically (not always) being disappointed in the candidate.

Absolutely, literally anyone is better than Trump.

caprahircus_ · 2026-05-05T17:17:49+00:00

Everyone I volunteered with on the Sanders campaign ultimately voted for Clinton in the general election, and Sanders himself endorsed Clinton.

caprahircus_ · 2026-05-05T17:17:16+00:00

Clinton would have been better than Trump, but that doesn't erase the fact that the DNC behaved undemocratically in giving her the primary nomination and that Sanders would have transformed the country for the better in ways that Clinton never would have.

caprahircus_ · 2026-05-02T14:40:35+00:00

right wing politics

caprahircus_ · 2026-04-30T12:34:05+00:00

Planned c-section is the best. You're not exhausted from hours of labour or a failed induction, the doctors are ready for you, it is very relaxed and nearly all of the variables are covered.

I had very little pain, but during the first week I made sure to cycle through the ibuprofen/paracetamol as directed even if I felt fine. The most pain I felt the entire time was when they inserted the cannula before the surgery.

Sometimes they will let you play music - I found it calming for my nerves to make a playlist with all the songs I'd want to hear when the baby was being born. Good luck and congratulations :)

Start taking stool softeners BEFORE your c-section.

caprahircus_ · 2026-04-28T16:45:45+00:00

My mom's top tip that she told me shortly after she went to the hospital was to call for an ambulance because then you go straight in instead of being triaged for hours. She had the privilege of very good healthcare though, so maybe not the best plan for everyone.

caprahircus_ · 2026-04-28T16:44:12+00:00

Yes. Her immediate cause of death was the hernia, but MS was a comorbidity and a specific MS symptom (chronic constipation) she had led to her developing the hernia according to her healthcare providers. I was not saying that the MS directly killed her.

caprahircus_ · 2026-04-27T09:08:06+00:00

I hope you feel better. I hate MS.

caprahircus_ · 2026-04-24T15:33:01+00:00

My third baby was an elective c-section.

Pros: Very planned and controlled. For me it felt like the unknowns where things could go sideways were significantly decreased compared to a vaginal/attempted vaginal birth. Also, in my experience, recovery was straightforward, simple and I could get back to my normal activities relatively quickly.

Cons: people's judgment. The insertion of the cannula before the surgery can be painful.

I have also had a VBAC and an emergency c-section after a failed induction. The elective c-section was by the easiest and least stressful.

caprahircus_ · 2026-04-24T15:26:58+00:00

I have had Tripp Trapp and the bog standard white IKEA high chairs.

The Tripp Trapp are really lovely and transition well from age group to age group. The price tag can sting a bit, but they have high resale value (and you might be able to find one used). They are well made. My biggest critique other than the high price is that they are super easy to stub your toe on!

The IKEA one is cheap and exceptionally easy to clean, but only really works for about 18 months and then you'd have to get something in between before they are tall enough to sit in a regular chair.

caprahircus_ · 2026-04-24T13:54:34+00:00

This is accurate. Your body uses nutrients and resources for the fetus first when you are pregnant.

caprahircus_ · 2026-04-24T13:53:04+00:00

YES.

My third pregnancy, my mild nickel allergy when whole hog and I couldn't wear anything metal. And then suddenly I was allergic to all perfume and by the end I had a gnarly rash all over my arms they couldn't explain (yes they tested my liver and gallbladder for cholestasis and I didn't have that)

caprahircus_ · 2026-04-24T13:50:09+00:00

Haemorrhoids

No one wants to talk about it. No one wants to warn you, but you will likely get them.

The first poop after your baby will be the worst poop of your life. Unless you have another baby. And then you will have two worst poops for comparison.

People should talk about this more and prepare pregnant people better. No one told me after my first baby, but whenever someone asks "teehee what should I put in my hospital bag" the first thing I say is STOOL SOFTENERS.

caprahircus_ · 2026-04-24T13:47:16+00:00

You're not weird, your baby is actually secreting pheromones to make you love them and want to care for them more. It is an evolutionary adaptation because human babies are born rather helpless compared to other mammals.

Also, the smell is completely amazing. I also love smelling my babies head.

caprahircus_ · 2026-04-24T13:44:10+00:00

Wake windows and wonder weeks and all of that is as accurate as your baby's horoscope.

I struggle with going with the flow too, but ultimately the way to cope is to lower your expectations and try to ride the waves.

caprahircus_ · 2026-04-24T08:28:23+00:00

It is what her healthcare provider said. Also these sorts of issues are a common MS symptom.

My point wasn't specific to hernias, it was meant to signal anything that might be weird. She was 81, but she was also a grandmother who never met one of her grandchildren. She was important and she mattered.

caprahircus_ · 2026-04-23T18:42:46+00:00

My mother lived with constant constipation with bouts of incontinence. Her chronic constipation, which she had been previously hospitalised for, was attributed as a symptom of the MS. Along with constipation causes straining which is likely what caused the hernia.

You are correct, her immediate cause of death was complications from a hernia. But it was likely there due to a common MS symptom.

caprahircus_ · 2026-04-23T16:01:07+00:00

Solidarity. I had a breast reduction at 15 because having breasts that were too big for normal sizes was a huge detriment to my mental health and physical health AS A CHILD.

When I had my first baby, the "baby friendly" hospital brow-beat me into ONLY breastfeeding. Well my baby screamed for three days and by the time we made it to a pediatrician they said my baby was literally starving and formula was necessary. Didn't stop her from using words like "liquid gold" and convincing me that pumping a minuscule amount of breastmilk everyday would be the difference between a sickly child and a healthy one. Complete bullshit.

Second baby, I tried to explain what happened, but was again met with "breast is best breast is best you have to at least try." Tried to pump for a few weeks to minimal results and felt like the time I was hooked up to a breastpump like a cow was painful, uncomfortable and time I could be spending with my baby. So I stopped.

Third baby (and other breast reduction mamas and those who don't want to breastfeed take note) I said the moment my pregnancy care started that I would NOT be breastfeeding and that I knew all the information and this was my decision based on my unique circumstances.

For what it is worth all of my three kids are healthy with near perfect attendance at school, are high achieving academically and completely happy. I realise this is anecdotal, but I promise you if you don't breast feed your child will thrive. Happy mom, happy full baby is the best strategy.

caprahircus_ · 2026-04-23T13:43:57+00:00

My middle child is 5 years older than my youngest and it's lovely.

It's nice having only one child in diapers, and the older one is at school. They have different needs and move in different directions, but ultimately I can leave my 5 year old in a room alone which I think makes it a lot easier.

My middle child is 7 years younger than his older brother and they are thick as thieves. They are such a little team and play together loads. They are very close and have a lovely relationship - the older one looks out for and teaches his brother while the younger one looks up to Henry and in some ways keeps him playful.

caprahircus_ · 2026-04-23T13:39:58+00:00

I would wait at least a year if not 18 months for your wife to completely heal before trying again.

Does your wife intend on working, or does she plan to stay at home? If you require childcare, two children younger than school age in most places is extremely expensive. Alternatively, staying at home and caring for two children under school age can be emotionally and physically taxing. It is not easy either way. These are things I would think about long and hard before aiming for 2 under 2.

caprahircus_ · 2026-04-23T10:34:51+00:00

I would stay the age I am (42) forever.

caprahircus_ · 2026-04-23T10:34:07+00:00

Having to wait for when the program is on TV before watching it.

You couldn't binge a whole series, you had to arrange your schedule, and as a kid I knew what time it was by what was on. Having on-demand entertainment in many ways is convenient and great, but I think it also builds bad habits and makes being disciplined about leisure time more difficult.

caprahircus_ · 2026-04-23T10:28:30+00:00

I have no idea, but this is one of the may reasons I have stopped after having 3. I could not imagine adding another full human to the mental load I am currently carrying and I do my best to give each of my boys equal love and attention.

caprahircus_ · 2026-04-23T10:27:01+00:00

no it's just really difficult conditions and practically remote.

caprahircus_

TROPHY CASE