American Politics, in the words of an elected California Dem

[dageir]

As a non-American we are just waiting for 2020 to resume normal connections with the U.S.A. At least that is what I feel that the world leaders should do. Just clench their teeth and sit this one through.
Right now everything seems too unpredictable. As I wrote earlier my info is mainly from the CNN so I might be a bit biased, but I imagine some of the stuff that comes out is true.

[CaddoPuma]

As a non-American we are just waiting for 2020 to resume normal connections with the U.S.A. At least that is what I feel that the world leaders should do. Just clench their teeth and sit this one through.
Right now everything seems too unpredictable. As I wrote earlier my info is mainly from the CNN so I might be a bit biased, but I imagine some of the stuff that comes out is true.

If by "resume normal connections" you mean a return to lopsided trade agreements and military protection while being lambasted by the protectees for being World Police, I pray to God Almighty that doesnt come in 2020 or ever again. I am all for helping our allies but I am fed up with carrying them and having them beat us unmercifully with the largest branch they can swing for doing it.

[CaddoPuma]

Having a few gadgets and roof over your head does not make you well off in western society. And it does not make you not poor. Everything is relative...

I was going to put this in a PM, but I feel it's important to do this publicly.I respect your ability to recognize the bias in the media and admit the biased influence it has on your perspective. There are many points that you make with which I agree. And the few with which I disagree, I appreciate the fact that you stick to the points and dont get lost in the weeds about the level of my intelligence or the source of my information (as if those things make a point valid or invalid). I enjoy the respectful, civil exchange of ideas you and I share. Thank you.

...Can most of these people travel the world months at a time, have their own cabin in the woods with water, electricity, a sizeable boat/yacht? No? Can they take a year off from work and still make ends meet?

you forgot to add, "...at the expense of others who work their butts off to foot those bills." No; Most of the "American Poor" cannot do those things and no one who cannot afford to pay for those things themselves should enjoy those luxuries.

Have help in the house?

that depends on your definition of "...help in the house." Many Americans with earnings under the poverty line do pay for their own daycare (the equivalent of a part-time nanny, but not equivalent to a full-time live-in nanny) and for home cleaning services (the equivalent to a part-time maid/maid service but not equivalent to a full-time live-in maid.)

I believe the middle class of the U.S is shrinking and the "lower" class is increasing.

This depends on which stats you are looking at and the source of said stats. All the stats I've seen agree the middle class is shrinking. Some show the upper and lower classes expanding, others show only the upper class expanding while the lower and middle classes shrink. And the American Left cry and moan as if more successful Americans is a bad thing. If the stats that say the poor is expanding are correct, then of course that is horrible for the people going from middle to poor, but is that because they are getting poorer or because the poverty line is being raised? And of course, for the person going from middle to upper, the rich expanding is a great thing!

People compare themselves to their neighbour, not to the villagers in Zambia

It'd be a much better world if we all compared ourselves to the best we can be rather than to what others are.

[dageir]

In short: Yes.

[dageir]

We are all biased one way or another.

[CaddoPuma]

We are all biased one way or another.

But it's the wise and respectable who recognize and admit it. By the way, I edited that reply extensively. I apologize for the incongruency.

[CaddoPuma]

In short: Yes.

So...am I reading you wrong or do you think it's perfectly fair that the US be expected - even demanded - to carry the world and just suck up being beaten to death by those we are carrying?

[dageir]

What I wish for is our leaders realizing the same. There is no black and white, just grey and no source of information is unbiased.
That does not mean that every opinion or any article and whatnot is equally valid/true.

[dageir]

They can choose to keep carrying the world/Europe further on, or drop them and hurry back to clean up at a much bigger expense.
The way things are looking out in Europe, I would not let them keep on going on their own as things are right now.
If Germany and France begins to field bigger armies the US. might not be needed to guard against Russia. But we all know what could happen
when France and Germany starts building armies..

[Granger]

In short: Yes.

So...am I reading you wrong or do you think it's perfectly fair that the US be expected - even demanded - to carry the world and just suck up being beaten to death by those we are carrying?

If you imply that the US is expected to continue setting the world on fire (as it did since, and including as they financed Hitler, WW2) then no, thank you, they already caused enough damage.