By many metrics, the US economy is humming along. The jobs market is robust; consumers are spending again; and inflation has eased to a three-year low.
Businesses: Welp, time for layoffs! We were always at war with Eurasia.
Citizens: Do I vote for the status quo, ear plugged, blindfolded, ancient politician... or do I vote for a literal dictator, dumb as bricks, ancient "politician." Hmmm... Options options.
Think of it this way:
You are on a sinking cruise ship with the rest of the country and are headed to one of two islands. Sadly, these are the only islands available, and you're going to land on one no matter what. Both of them are toxic wastelands, but one island is attempting to clean up (though, slowly and poorly) while the other island is fully leaning into the toxicity because the people controlling the island are safe in their bunkers. Everyone on the ship has an oar good for one stroke.
Do you give up and throw your oar in the water leaving everyone else to decide your fate?
Do you use your oar to paddle toward the island you want and call it good enough?
Do you try to get more people to paddle your direction?
We're all along for the ride regardless of how we feel about it and the options for destinations, at least we can try to influence the direction we're going.
Look at it this way unless America has a massive come to Jesus moment culturally we will have an authoritarian in office in the next 8 years.
That authoritarian can be an out of shape dementia ridden thug likely to die in office OR we can get whatever ghoul the republicans conjure up to replace him...
I'm not one for accelerationism, but I'm becoming more convinced we need a controlled burn. If America can't defeat the fascist bullshit trump promises, then we will fall to any other half competent wannabe dictator...
It's doing well for people who drive a beater car, don't buy a new phone every year, avoid eating out, etc. People who have money invested are earning returns in this economy. Ya'll don't have 401k's or investments?