Declining America

Elections have consequences.

Can't believe this is flagged. As a USer, it is the letter I would advise anyone outside the US to write. It is the only rational response.

THIS IS NOT A PLACE OF HONOR.

Serious questions:

1) I use "socials" anonymously. Have anon accounts on X, IG, FB. If asked to disclose them at the border (am US citizen, but it's happening to them too), do I disclose the anon accounts?

2) Nothing too controversial in my "socials" (I'm careful), but there's still stuff there that could embarrass me (e.g. mocking or abusing people on X). What would happen if I scrubbed my socials before a trip? Would they be able to find out that I scrubbed, and then construe something about me?

3) Relatedly, is there a recommended way to scrub one's socials?

4) Is something like HN considered part of "socials"? I assume Reddit is. So HN must be too? I've had multiple accounts on HN over the years (been serially banned until I stopped leaving controversial comments). What am I expected to do in such an instance? Do I disclose all the HN accounts?

5) Relatedly, I have multiple X accounts (squatting on usernames). Do I disclose all the accounts?

It would appear rage has well and truly been bated. My word.

The comments on this HN post nicely color the problem Tim points out, from the comments that assume the exceptionalism of the USA, to comments that say “stay in Canada”, to comments that call the post “moral preening”.

I grew up in a very conservative household, and until the tea party/Trumpian alliance would have called myself a small-l libertarian.

Now? I won’t vote republican for a whole host of reasons, not the least of which is that it rhymes with the worst parts of the political parties we destroyed in world wars.

There’s something new almost every day that should, in a sane culture, cause folks to abandon the Republican Party en masse. Today’s example? The 1.776 Billion “anti-weaponization” fund that is a slush fund for Trump and his allies, including folks that stormed the Capitol on January 6, 2021. The grift of this administration is shocking, but the fact that rank-and-file conservatives aren’t abandoning it by the millions gives away the game. It isn’t about principles, it’s about one party winning, no matter what.

We used to fight for what’s right, but we have become the villain. Tim is right about the declination of America (realizing his title is a double-entendre), and I can’t help but wonder if there is even a line that Trump could cross to the modern “Republican” party.

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TIL a new word - "boosterism"

Weren't you fine taking money from the oligarchs for years? Why the change of heart? Employees working in overheated warehouses without bathroom breaks didn't bother you at all when the USD was flowing into your account.

What is this doing on the HN homepage?

What a prick. I hate this guy, and I hate that guy, and I hate all those guys too. But I do love your organization, because you probably hate the same people I hate, so we're buddies.

Relativity is the key factor.

Europe is declining even faster.

Weird way to frame the hottest nation in the world

Nothing better than moral preening by our northern neighbors. "I won't engage with interesting people in a country whose leadership I don't like"...talk about cutting off one's nose to spite one's face.

Also love he thinks his social media posts will cause him to be sent to a gulag at the border crossing.