It seems to me that we are still living in a functioning democracy, with a democratically elected government.

But there are more and more disturbing signs that we are losing our freedoms, and that our institutions do not serve the people who they ought to serve.

I see the word fascism more and more. I'd like to know what DUers think about the current state of democracy in the US.

Posted by milestogo | Sat Jul 16, 2022, 12:02 PM (10 replies)

Timothy Snyder on Putin's plan

Posted by milestogo | Sun Jul 3, 2022, 09:57 AM (7 replies)

Fuck you, Amy Coney Barrett

What kind of woman joins in an attack on women's rights?

You are despicable.

Posted by milestogo | Fri Jun 24, 2022, 08:50 PM (105 replies)

Whenever I hear or see Adam Schiff I get the feeling

that everything is going to be ok.

He's so calm, so confident, so measured, so intelligent.

Posted by milestogo | Tue Jun 21, 2022, 01:28 PM (60 replies)

"I've done my own research and decided not to get the vaccine".

I did not grow up in the age of the internet.

I did not grow up in the age of social media.

In high school one of my teachers spent a whole semester showing us how to do research for a paper. But the topic was nothing so important as getting vaccinated.

We live in an age where there is a huge amount of readily accessible information. But a lot of people don't know how to use it. Just as you can make an argument for just about anything from the Bible, you can find any opinion you want on the internet.

Facebook is not research. You can find any opinion you want on Facebook.

Twitter is not research. You can find any opinion you want on Twitter.

Listening to Joe Rogan is not research.

In this age, people consider all sources of information to be equal. They are not.

Posted by milestogo | Sun Jan 2, 2022, 11:11 AM (119 replies)

"The COVID vaccine is part of a scheme to make money for Big Pharma and Anthony Fauci."

This is a second argument that anti-vaxxers commonly make.

As far as I know, all Covid vaccines in the US have been free to anybody that wants one. As far as I know, Anthony Fauci is a salaried employee and his income is not affected by vaccine production.

But people don't trust Big Pharma, in part due to the Oxycontin/Perdue fiasco.

The response to my first thread was great. Can you help me out with responding to this argument too?

Posted by milestogo | Sat Jan 1, 2022, 06:04 PM (22 replies)

"The vaccine was rushed."

This is one of the more common arguments I've heard from those who are unvaccinated.

First of all, I am grateful that so many pharmaceutical companies stepped up and started working on vaccine development and came up with a vaccine as quickly as possible.

Second, I am glad that our technology was at a point where quick, safe vaccine development is possible.

Third, how many people are really in a position to evaluate how fast is too fast? How many people have the slightest idea how a vaccine is developed or how long it should take? Not that many.

Fourth, it is not the case that the vaccine was untested. Adverse events occur with any pharmaceutical, and some adverse effects to the vaccines have been reported. And these occur in a relatively small number of people.

Fifth, an expedited vaccine is not less safe and effective because it was expedited.

Finally, its a fucking pandemic. Why wouldn't you want to get a safe vaccine out that as quickly as possible. Would these idiots feel better if it was held back for 6 more months for no reason?

Posted by milestogo | Sat Jan 1, 2022, 02:47 PM (64 replies)

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