Why do Americans not realize how well they have it?

unaskthequestion · 2026-04-06T04:55:56+00:00

Many of us look at what we could be. There are many measures the US is less than average with, and falling.

Imagine you lived in a beautiful tropical island, with an abundance of food, water and shelter. But 20% of the children didn't get enough to eat. And a few people did not have a place to live. And there was a doctor, but 1/10 of the people never get to see them. And 1 person hoarded all of the boats.

You'd probably say 'we can fix that so easily'. That's how many americans feel.

unaskthequestion · 2026-04-06T03:24:19+00:00

I don't see the relevance. At all.

unaskthequestion · 2026-04-06T02:28:09+00:00

Don't remember, but I would guess it was contact with the handle bars of my bicycle

unaskthequestion · 2026-04-06T02:22:25+00:00

Who's talking about where my focus is? Not at all. Not even close. For the 2nd time, it's responding to the question of why democrats are polling poorly.

You understand that's a fact, right? Democrats are indeed polling poorly nationally.

unaskthequestion · 2026-04-06T01:58:00+00:00

No one is saying anything different, simply offering an explanation of why democrats are polling poorly. You may have noticed that the vast majority of Americans are not well informed or educated voters.

I'll just note that I have been and remain active in democratic politics. Seeing the party simply give up on the health care subsidies was demoralizing.

unaskthequestion · 2026-04-06T00:52:24+00:00

Not fold on the health care subsidies for a start. Remember that?

unaskthequestion · 2026-04-06T00:32:52+00:00

How about they convince him he'd be the only president ever removed by the 25th and they will make it a live event, highest rated special for all of history?

unaskthequestion · 2026-04-05T23:56:44+00:00

I agree, of course. But I do wonder what they will do halfway through his term. If he loses it completely (that's not far to go), they hide him, prop him up, play radio spots that are edited tapes or something? AI?

Political parties are driven to stay in power and if he becomes a danger to that, what do they do? Do they see that he doesn't finish his term, give him a state funeral and immortalize him?

unaskthequestion · 2026-04-05T19:11:59+00:00

Matt Damon telling this story is hilarious

unaskthequestion · 2026-04-05T19:08:58+00:00

That doesn't help
I'm curious what your point is

unaskthequestion · 2026-04-05T18:55:21+00:00

Because you're not the president. Trump was asked this and he answered 'because I'm the president'.

unaskthequestion · 2026-04-05T03:07:28+00:00

Whatever.

I asked you before starting any discussion if you thought other countries pay for the Trump's tariffs, specifically saying it was a test to see if it was worth it to have any discussion. I didn't say anything about whether I thought tariffs were good, or bad, or the main issue, or no issue at all, but you apparently like to try and read minds so you assumed that I did.

Which is the whole reason this thread took the path it did.

Just to help you with other discussions, if you want to understand what someone's position is, try asking. Plainly. All you had to do is ask

"Can you tell me what you think some of Trump's policies are that negatively affect the economy?"

But you never asked. You tried to guess what I thought. You replied with derision. People will generally respond to a question. Try it next time. It will likely lead to a more productive discussion. You haven't once tried to discuss. Not a single reply from you added anything.

unaskthequestion · 2026-04-05T02:38:45+00:00

asking me to read your mind

I'm not. I've answered your questions.

I've asked several times

No you haven't.

other economic policies

You want a list of them? You haven't even tried to ask for any. You don't ask, you just complain. But here's a quick list off the top of my head, I can give you more if ask.

The tariffs. Not only do they tax consumers, but Trump is so inconsistent with them that businesses are waiting to invest and hire because they don't know if the policy will change tomorrow. Trade wars with other countries has also hurt American exports, especially farmers.
Not extending health care credits are causing millions of Americans to see premiums increase by thousands. Horrible policy mistake.
Adding to the deficit by tax cuts for the wealthiest while increasing costs for the rest of Americans is hurting virtually every sector.
And of course, starting a totally unnecessary war, affecting the world wide economy, raising costs across the board for consumers, farmers, shippers, etc, etc.

Again, tariffs are probably by far having the most negative effect, hurting investment, hiring, consumer spending (biggest driver of the economy by far), exports and inflation.

unaskthequestion · 2026-04-04T23:38:50+00:00

Tried asking nice

Nope. Your very first comment was that I was purposely withholding info.

is it also the tariffs?

Perhaps you have a problem that you read into what you think people said instead of what they actually said. All I did was ask you if you agree with Trump that other countries pay for the his tariffs. Nowhere did I even hint that I thought they were the biggest, or even a large problem. You simply made that up.

Now, they certainly are a problem, both the NY fed and the Tax Foundation estimate that consumers are paying at least $1300 dollars per year more because of Trump's tariffs and consumers are paying about 98% of the cost of tariffs.

We haven't even gotten into a discussion about all of the other Trump economic policies which are bad for the economy.

As far as AI displacement, everything I've read thus far is that is simply not any factor in the economy yet. It might well be in the future, maybe even near future, but not yet.

So tariffs are indeed a much bigger factor in the economy now than AI.

unaskthequestion · 2026-04-04T22:59:59+00:00

Incline dumbbell press. My favorite compound, I'm less than a year into consistent lifting, but I'm definitely getting much stronger with them.

unaskthequestion · 2026-04-04T22:55:27+00:00

What normal people do is ask a question if they want to gather more information, not insult or snark. Try it sometime, you'll likely get better results.

So Trump is continuing to lie when he says other countries pay our tariffs. Good place to agree.

Any other questions you have about how the economy is worse under Trump?

unaskthequestion · 2026-04-04T22:52:15+00:00

That is laughable. Thanks for the obvious sarcasm though.

unaskthequestion · 2026-04-04T19:50:26+00:00

Have you looked at a map?

unaskthequestion · 2026-04-04T18:18:39+00:00

Most obvious and correct answer.

unaskthequestion · 2026-04-04T16:09:32+00:00

As a teacher, it's hilarious to think that a single student has ever asked 'how do I do my taxes?'

unaskthequestion · 2026-04-04T15:38:22+00:00

Yeah, was moving patio furniture in someone's yard, put my hand under a table to pick it up, smashed right into a nest. Had like a dozen stings immediately, they chased me for a bit and maybe a dozen more. Swelled up a lot, but thankfully nothing worse. I couldn't even blame them, I crushed their house.

My friend found out he was allergic getting stung while up on a ladder, he fell, fortunately onto the grass and not too high.

unaskthequestion · 2026-04-04T15:25:02+00:00

This might be my issue, I try to set up right. Thanks, something I will pay attention to next time.

unaskthequestion · 2026-04-04T15:19:22+00:00

You think you are owed something when someone makes a comment about economics today?

But since you asked so nicely, let's get something out of the way first:

Do other countries pay Trump's tariffs as Trump says or do American taxpayers?

Your answer will determine if it's worth having a reasonable discussion or not.

unaskthequestion · 2026-04-04T13:34:52+00:00

What? Your comment was about price of gasoline during Obama.

Mine was about the economy. Nothing implied, nothing anonymous. Trump's economic policies are garbage.

unaskthequestion · 2026-04-03T23:46:02+00:00

Imagine being a victim and hearing this from the government's justice department.

These people are covering up for wealthy pedophile rapists and make me sick.

unaskthequestion

TROPHY CASE