this post was submitted on 16 Jan 2025
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Late Stage Capitalism

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[–] DarkFuture@lemmy.world 37 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Been an American in America for 4 decades. From my perspective American decline is undeniable. It is simple fact.

Largely because we can't connect the dots and accept that we should be focusing on the class war, not the culture war, because that's the root of the problem. A lot of the hate and ignorance in America comes from desperation. We're desperate because we aren't losing, we've lost, a class war.

In my opinion the election that just happened was the nail in the coffin. We came together and the majority of us decided to let our oligarchs assume total control. It was a signal to them that they're good to be open about it now, too.

RIP to the middle class.

[–] Sir_Kevin@lemmy.dbzer0.com 16 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Well said. We have indeed lost. Perhaps we can wipe the slate clean and start anew. I fear even if we did that though, there's enough of the population that would prefer the old way that something better could never come to fruition.

[–] DarkFuture@lemmy.world 8 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Perhaps we can wipe the slate clean and start anew.

History indicates that to do so will require a lot of time, violence, and death. And without a plan in place for what comes afterwards, we'd just end up with another shitty system.

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[–] djsoren19@lemmy.blahaj.zone 33 points 6 days ago

Don't worry, it's obvious from the inside too.

[–] ramjambamalam@lemmy.ca 14 points 5 days ago (1 children)

A fall from greatness is inevitable and I'm afraid that the fall of America, with all of her hubris, is going to be spectacularly bloody and unpleasant for everyone. :(

[–] nexguy@lemmy.world 3 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) (1 children)

When exactly was this greatness America is falling from? Was it back when things were built off the backs of slaves? Was it back when women were not allowed to vote or be professors? Was it back when interracial marriage was illegal? Was it back when gay marriage was illegal? When was it?

[–] ramjambamalam@lemmy.ca 2 points 3 days ago (1 children)

I get what you're saying, but the greatness I'm speaking of refers to geopolitical and economic greatness, and I hold no illusions that it is wholesome.

To literally answer your question, USA as a superpower came to be following the Second World War, more or less.

[–] nexguy@lemmy.world 3 points 3 days ago (1 children)

I get it. Under the harsh control of fathers who beat their wives(considered perfectly acceptable in society) while taking advantage of black and Chinese laborers and pursuing coverups to further the chemical industry at the expense of its citizen's health, we should all be ecstatic to fall from that tanted and corrupt "greatness".

[–] ramjambamalam@lemmy.ca 1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I'm not sure what you're trying to say, honestly.

[–] nexguy@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

That there is no "greatness" from which America can fall because it hasn't been.

[–] ramjambamalam@lemmy.ca 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Are you going to sit there with a straight face and tell me that USA hasn't dominated economically and geopolitically for most of the 80 years since the end of WW2?

[–] kreskin@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

Are you going to sit there with a straight face and tell me that USA hasn’t dominated

Depends on how you pick your yardsticks, right. Health outcomes. Lifespan, gun deaths in schools. Happiness metrics. Mental health metrics. Academic achievement.

But I guess we have geopolitical power going for us, so thats nice. I do like that we have some of the largest food portions in the world, especially of coffee. I can feel a bit smug about that.

I've seen 31 ounce "trenta" coffees at some starbucks, but you have to find a QuickTrip gas station and bring your own mug (up to 100 ounces) for 1.50 to really have a proper cup of coffee.

Go to france and its like 6 ounces. (╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻

[–] ramjambamalam@lemmy.ca 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Depends on how you pick your yardsticks,

I literally defined the yardstick already and you cut it off right out of my quote. Don't do that.

Look, you've got an axe to grind with the USA and for good reasons, but you're twisting my words to hear something I'm not saying.

[–] kreskin@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I know you defined your yardstick. My comment was to say that your choice of measure shouldnt be considered a comprehensive measure.

[–] ramjambamalam@lemmy.ca 1 points 23 hours ago

Of course it shouldn't. Who's suggesting that?

[–] AbsoluteChicagoDog@lemm.ee 26 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) (6 children)

To be fair a casual understanding of history shows they're practicing Christianity as it always has been

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[–] Hyphlosion@lemm.ee 11 points 5 days ago (2 children)

They say Rome wasn’t built in a day. But also overlook that the Roman empire didn’t fall in a day either. It was a very gradual process.

So the real question is, if the US were to fall, would it be a quick or gradual process?

[–] Goodmorningsunshine@lemmy.world 19 points 5 days ago

It already fell, so I guess the real question is how long it takes for people to realize it.

The three branches of government are wholly owned by the triad of evangelicals, Moscow, and a billionaire, they don't have any intention of following the law or constitution, and won't give up power. America is dead.

[–] PanArab@lemm.ee 11 points 5 days ago

Gradual and ongoing since at least 1980.

[–] Vaggumon@lemm.ee 20 points 6 days ago

The average life of an Empire is about 250 years. It's just about time.

[–] TheReturnOfPEB@reddthat.com 14 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago)

I love that Gladiator, the 2000 film, showed us Commodus a rich emperor who was insanely obsessed with getting everyone's attention and the US has Elon Musk showing everyone that he wants to be at least knows as the best digital gladiator of video games while we have Nero/Trump watching the city burn.

It is like we are working on The Decline of an Empire: Greatest Hits! double gate fold album for 2025.

[–] ILikeBoobies@lemmy.ca 5 points 5 days ago

This is silly because we’ve always thought America was doing those things

[–] tacosanonymous@lemm.ee 11 points 6 days ago (2 children)

Well, hopefully you can avoid Poilievre. Otherwise, you might be joining us on the crazy train.

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[–] linkshulkdoingit69@lemmy.nz 5 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Application for asylum status when?

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[–] RangerJosie@lemmy.world 5 points 6 days ago (1 children)

It can't end soon enough for me. It needs to die.

Classic trolly problem. 350 million of us vs 8 billion of everyone else.

Easy math.

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