this post was submitted on 12 Aug 2024
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TO UNDERSTAND THE rise of Donald Trump, you don’t need to go to a diner in the Midwest or read “Hillbilly Elegy,” J.D. Vance’s memoir.

You just need to know these basic facts:

In 1980, white people accounted for about 80 percent of the U.S. population.

In 2024, white people account for about 58 percent of the U.S. population.

Trump appeals to white people gripped by demographic hysteria. Especially older white people who grew up when white people represented a much larger share of the population. They fear becoming a minority.

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[–] [email protected] -5 points 3 months ago (3 children)

The elderly need to SIT DOWN. It’s not their planet anymore, and they need to get over it.

[–] [email protected] 19 points 3 months ago (1 children)

You're conflating "elderly" with "racist." Ageism is also a thing, check yourself.

[–] [email protected] -4 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (2 children)

This has nothing to do with “ageism”, which is a statistical idea applied individually. I’m discussing statistics applied to the appropriate population. I’m discussing the idea that a population, which holds no interest in the outcome of a decision, should stay the hell out of that decision. Check yourself.

I have no problem with elderly voting. My question is why do they vote?

This is why the right keeps attacking social security; to keep folks who don’t actually have a stake in the future at the voting booths. Then, en masse, they vote against equality and the very future of our planet’s surface all because of outdated ideologies. Because of their self-centeredness, they hold back progress.

WHY do they vote when they won’t be here to see the result? Do they think the generations that will are too stupid to govern themselves?

Dwell on it a bit.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 3 months ago (1 children)

This has nothing to do with “ageism”, which is an statistical idea applied individually.

While I disagree with that statement, especially in this context, I'm glad to see that you understand the difference between discussing statistics about a demographic population (identified by observation of past events) and inappropriately applying those statistics to an individual.

When you said

The elderly need to SIT DOWN. It’s not their planet anymore, and they need to get over it.

You were insisting on specific future actions ("SIT DOWN" and "get over it"). Actions are taken by individuals. Age is a characteristic that individuals do not have control of. It is not a decision, and we don't cast aspersions on people for things they do not have control of.

I think there are better ways to say the thing you intended to say, without being ageist.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Do you also buy the Vance line that people who don't have kids should not vote because they don't have skin in the game? At what age are you too old (or need to have kids by) to be concerned about the future? And regardless of "the future" at least some policy's are about right now. Like the abortion bans or getting rid of Medicare or social security, or raising taxes or regulation of sources of heat or stoves etc... These matter to people till they die ffs.

[–] [email protected] -5 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Nope. But I think people who don’t have kids should deeply consider why they are sitting on a school board, voting to ban books, etc.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 months ago (2 children)

To clarify here - do you think that people should be forced to leave school boards as soon as their kids graduate? Do they end up eligible again if their kids have grandkids? Is this limited to people with kids going to that specific school? Also, does paying school taxes not make you have some skin in the game?

And what about just input on the society you live in? It seems to me the solution in your example would be to have younger people run for / contest the school board.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 months ago (1 children)

I want to go on the record on the side of "Yes, people without kids are absolutely capable of caring about education."

But I also wanted to offer a correction:

Is this limited to people with kids going to that specific school?

School boards are for the school district, which is obviously composed of many elementary schools, junior highs, high schools. Without speaking for every school district in the country, I would expect that school board members would need to be residents of the district.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 months ago

Heh. I grew up rural, the school was the district. Thanks for the info.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (1 children)

Did I say people should be forced to leave?

Here try this: Do you think people from Russia should vote in our elections? If you put any thought at all into your argument, you’ll see in advance that you lose this little debate.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 months ago

If you made an argument, I could perhaps put some thought into it. My argument is simply that Russia isn't paying our taxes, and is a different country, so there's no comparison I can think of.

People living in an area paying taxes for that school have every right to be on the school board - it's a direct application of "no taxation without representation" in which kind of implied in the US is the right to run for the office and be elected to the office. We fought a revolution over taxes and representation. So, not - I put some thought into this and think I just won the debate right there.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 3 months ago (3 children)

What is the age cutoff before you start being elderly?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 months ago (1 children)

I have some bad news for you.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 3 months ago (1 children)

I do feel like an old man sometimes, but considering I'm 47, I don't think I count as elderly.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 3 months ago

I was at a restaurant a couple weeks back and realized I'm frighteningly close to the "55+ senior menu."

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Honestly, it's when you get your first "Join AARP" letter.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 3 months ago

Believe it or not, and I thought it was hilarious at the time, I got one when I was 19 or 20 because I had moved into my late grandparents' house and AARP thought my grandfather changed his first name or something.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 3 months ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 0 points 3 months ago

Can you point out where the article defines the cutoff age? Because I read it and I didn't see that part.

[–] ThrowawayPermanente 1 points 3 months ago (2 children)

Fine, we can compromise. Nobody over 75 or under 30 is allowed to vote. Deal?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 months ago

"No, not like that!"

[–] [email protected] -3 points 3 months ago

Lol, I’m over 30. People under thirty have more at stake than I do.

And let me know where I said people can’t vote. I can’t help it if you make up things, now can I?