The Biden Administration and All Things Politics

[Bucknutz]

Seven years of sex abuse: How Latter-day Saint officials let it happen

The Associated Press has obtained nearly 12,000 pages of sealed records from a child sex abuse lawsuit against the Latter-day Saint church. The documents offer the most detailed and comprehensive look yet at the church's so-called “help line” for dealing with child sex abuse accusations against...

www.sltrib.com

Boy Scouts reach $850 million settlement with tens of thousands of sexual abuse victims

The settlement is the largest in a child sexual abuse case in United States history.

www.nbcnews.com

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/12/us/southern-baptist-convention-sexual-abuse.html

Here’s the most recent news THIS MONTH. Tens of thousands of victims.

This is sick.

It's incredibly sick.

I am also interested to hear what the religious right is doing about this, funny it’s never mentioned by them. Their kids are in danger of being raped every Sunday, but they actively try to blame LGBTQ+ folks for grooming and SA.

Moral high ground my ***.

Im not a religious right but I think this is larger problem than churches. This happens everywhere children are being watched. Schools, sports, scouts, church, homes, friends etc...

Private school: https://www.ajc.com/news/former-pri...eged-sexual-abuse/UPXKTKHQVBBZ5DK7LK6UMPTF3Q/

Home school: https://www.hsinvisiblechildren.org/themes-in-abuse/sexual-abuse/

Public school: https://www.redlandsdailyfacts.com/teacher-abuse/

Coaches: https://www.hallinjurylaw.com/a-comprehensive-investigation-of-sexual-abuse-in-youth-sports/

Churches: https://www.pennlive.com/news/erry-2018/05/5e56fa19a94444/child_sex_crimes_catholic_prie.html

Family: https://www.ywca.org/wp-content/uploads/WWV-CSA-Fact-Sheet-Final.pdf


Again, I don't believe its a complete religion, all teachers or coaches and family members. It's the individuals who commit the crime is sick. I WILL lump anyone who tries to protect the abuser with being sick. If that is a church lawyer, school administration, athletic director or any family member.

I don't know of any churches that teach their members to be sexual predators. I do believe that some would want to hide information to limit the PR nightmare; that is short sighted. It would be better to find and punish a predator as soon as there is an actual victim.

You just have to research who you kids are being left with. Its just gross and sick all around.

 

[The Thriller]

Churches don’t necessarily teach that pedophilia and sex abuse are okay but they don’t have the safety and reporting mechanisms that other major institutions (like public edu) have.

Take for example the LDS church.

1. Leaders are mostly men and are believed to receive revelation from god and hold the priesthood, something women don’t. As a result, they sit on top of the social hierarchy and questioning them is discouraged. If your bishop is abusing you… who do you go to report? Especially if you’ve been taught all your life that bishops are special people directed by god.

2. Churches all too often are proving to be increasingly more concerned with saving their own institutions that have been losing members than actually helping the abused. See Mormon church, Catholic Church, and the Southern Baptists.

3. The past is swept under the rug or rationalized away. Let’s use the LDS church as yet another example. Joseph Smith married multiple women and engaged in sexual acts with teenage girls. And no, this wasn’t normal or accepted even in the 1840s. Rather than confront these obscene acts, they’re either not discussed at all or spun in a more palatable way (god commanded him to have sex with that 14 year old or else he would’ve been damned! Wouldn’t you rape children if god commanded you to?). Even modern-day lessons on obedience, Nephi 3:7 and Abraham sacrificing his son, reinforce the indubitable superiority of priesthood leaders. “Do as you’re told or else!”

4. Ultimately, religions really struggle with their reporting the abuse that occurs. True, abuse can happen in a classroom or library. But it’s much harder for it to happen and much easier to report than churches. Can anyone point to a principal recently who swept child abuse under the rug? Can you pull hundreds of sex scandals where principals prioritized their positions or their school’s reputation over helping the abused like if you Google, “X church child sex abuse?”

5. I suppose this is another topic, but the way religions look at sex, dating and relationships is another factor that can lead to abuse. I don’t have the expertise here but I’m fairly certain that the way these things are approached can have real detrimental effects on abuse and how it’s reported.

So yeah, abuse can happen anywhere. But it happens in places where trust is exploited and isn’t reported because of hierarchy and fear and prioritized over the individual.

 

[Bucknutz]

Churches don’t necessarily teach that pedophilia and sex abuse are okay but they don’t have the safety and reporting mechanisms that other major institutions (like public edu) have.

Safety and reporting mechanisms? Parents, friends, other church leadership. There are many people to turn too.

Take for example the LDS church.

1. Leaders are mostly men and are believed to receive revelation from god and hold the priesthood, something women don’t. As a result, they sit on top of the social hierarchy and questioning them is discouraged. If your bishop is abusing you… who do you go to report? Especially if you’ve been taught all your life that bishops are special people directed by god.

This is no different than any other institution. There is hierarchy at every institution, in business its called organizational chart or business hierarchy chart. In schools they also have an organizational chart. If a bishop is abusing you, there are many people you could reach out to: counselors, stake representatives, home teachers, youth teachers, parents. I have never been taught that bishops are special people. Bishops are a calling, assigned to person, who makes mistakes and is not perfect. Every calling is "directed" by god.

2. Churches all too often are proving to be increasingly more concerned with saving their own institutions that have been losing members than actually helping the abused. See Mormon church, Catholic Church, and the Southern Baptists.

The LDS church saw growth, even during the pandemic. https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2022/05/05/latest-mormon-land-church/

How is this defined? How can you make this statement? Because churches are losing members, they will not help a sexually abused victim?

3. The past is swept under the rug or rationalized away. Let’s use the LDS church as yet another example. Joseph Smith married multiple women and engaged in sexual acts with teenage girls. And no, this wasn’t normal or accepted even in the 1840s. Rather than confront these obscene acts, they’re either not discussed at all or spun in a more palatable way (god commanded him to have sex with that 14 year old or else he would’ve been damned! Wouldn’t you rape children if god commanded you to?). Even modern-day lessons on obedience, Nephi 3:7 and Abraham sacrificing his son, reinforce the indubitable superiority of priesthood leaders. “Do as you’re told or else!”

If you don't like the history of a church, why go there? If you don't like the teachings, why go there? It's like you want to blame the LDS church to justify your position. Abraham was told by god, not by a bishop, pastor or a prophet. Nephi was told by God as well. I don't see how this correlates with covering up sexual assault. The church doesn't tell its local bishop to go rape children or else. There are no modern-day lessons on touching youth inappropriately or else.

You are told to be obedient to you teachers at school. Youth might be scared of the principals, teachers or administrators because they can suspend them or give them detention.

4. Ultimately, religions really struggle with their reporting the abuse that occurs. True, abuse can happen in a classroom or library. But it’s much harder for it to happen and much easier to report than churches. Can anyone point to a principal recently who swept child abuse under the rug? Can you pull hundreds of sex scandals where principals prioritized their positions or their school’s reputation over helping the abused like if you Google, “X church child sex abuse?”

I took about 5 mins to just list these principals covering up sexual assaults. I can absolutely pull up 100's; that's only 3-4 a state.

Why is it harder for it to happen at schools than church. Typically parents are with their children at church, this is not the case for schools. Why is it easier to report at school?

New York - https://talkofthesound.com/2022/03/...istrict-covered-up-sexual-assaults-for-years/
Alaska - https://www.propublica.org/article/...omplaints-will-pay-3-8-million-to-his-victims
Illinois - https://blockclubchicago.org/2021/1...o-report-sexual-abuse-at-logan-square-school/
Texas - https://www.newsweek.com/five-arrested-christian-school-covering-sexual-assault-police-1680404
Connecticut - https://www.ctinsider.com/news/article/Police-Plymouth-school-employees-charged-with-17395602.php
California - https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Ex-Danville-high-school-principal-covered-up-sex-6086047.php
Texas - https://texasscorecard.com/local/pr...-abuse-cover-up-demand-superintendent-resign/
New York - https://www.rochesterfirst.com/crim...n-school-during-school-hours-prosecutors-say/
California - https://www.sbsun.com/2022/08/25/ri...ial-for-not-reporting-suspected-sexual-abuse/
Oregan - https://www.koin.com/news/oregon/ex...-principal-convicted-of-student-sexual-abuse/
Arizona - https://www.dlawgroup.com/arizona-principal-arrested-sexual-abuse-with-minor-students/
West Virginia - https://www.wfla.com/news/education...elling-students-to-not-report-sexual-assault/
California - https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...-steps-school-hit-sexual-assault-scandal.html -
Oklahoma - https://www.ocpathink.org/post/oklahoma-schools-ignoring-long-term-staff-abuse-of-students

You also forgot why a Youngkin won Virginia...sexual assault coverup by an administration.

Loudoun County sexual assault case dominates final days of Virginia governor's race

A sexual assault case involving high school students in northern Virginia has become a major talking point for the Republican Party in the Virginia governor's race, adding another hot-button issue to an already volatile political environment.

news.yahoo.com

So yeah, abuse can happen anywhere. But it happens in places where trust is exploited and isn’t reported because of hierarchy and fear and prioritized over the individual.

Agreed, but hierarchy is also everywhere. That's why those people who cover it up are sick and should be charged.

 

[JazzGal]

Bucknutz, I don't agree with your defense of church leaders here. Maybe it seems logical to you that children should report sexual abuse to someone if it happens by a bishop, but I know many, many examples of that not happening. My sister, for example, was quite large breasted as a teenager, and our bishop at the time made several inappropriate comments to her. No, he didn't touch her, but he made her feel terrible. But he was the BISHOP, appointed by God. So somehow she believed she had done something wrong and didn't tell anyone for many years. She became anorexic during this time. This is a big problem with a male leader being alone in a room with a child or teenager. There is no one to hear or see.

But, as you say, there are people that you can report to. Except often women are not often believed because there is no way that such-and-such leader would ever do such a thing. It happens so often. The woman is the one who is chastised and punished. Again, there are so many examples of this among people I know.

Women in the LDS Church know that their position is the submissive one, no matter what they say over the pulpit. Everything reinforces it. Add that to the idea that one is not to question god's chosen leaders, and you have all the makings for abuse not being reported by victims.

I'm sure there are plenty of examples of boys/men being abused, but as I am not male I cannot comment on what that situation is like for them.

All the stories of churches trying to bury the abuses does not help anyone feel safe in coming forward.

 

[LogGrad98]

Bucknutz, I don't agree with your defense of church leaders here. Maybe it seems logical to you that children should report sexual abuse to someone if it happens by a bishop, but I know many, many examples of that not happening. My sister, for example, was quite large breasted as a teenager, and our bishop at the time made several inappropriate comments to her. No, he didn't touch her, but he made her feel terrible. But he was the BISHOP, appointed by God. So somehow she believed she had done something wrong and didn't tell anyone for many years. She became anorexic during this time. This is a big problem with a male leader being alone in a room with a child or teenager. There is no one to hear or see.

But, as you say, there are people that you can report to. Except often women are not often believed because there is no way that such-and-such leader would ever do such a thing. It happens so often. The woman is the one who is chastised and punished. Again, there are so many examples of this among people I know.

Women in the LDS Church know that their position is the submissive one, no matter what they say over the pulpit. Everything reinforces it. Add that to the idea that one is not to question god's chosen leaders, and you have all the makings for abuse not being reported by victims.

I'm sure there are plenty of examples of boys/men being abused, but as I am not male I cannot comment on what that situation is like for them.

All the stories of churches trying to bury the abuses does not help anyone feel safe in coming forward.

I understand the abuse of young males was part of the reason for separating from the boy scouts of America. Seems sending young vulnerable boys on camping trips with just a few adult males isn't a good thing either. Adult males are just trash all around it would seem.

 

[Gameface]

I understand the abuse of young males was part of the reason for separating from the boy scouts of America. Seems sending young vulnerable boys on camping trips with just a few adult males isn't a good thing either. Adult males are just trash all around it would seem.

If your thing was abusing young boys being a boy scout leader would be a dream job.

 

[Ron Mexico]

Bucknutz, I don't agree with your defense of church leaders here. Maybe it seems logical to you that children should report sexual abuse to someone if it happens by a bishop, but I know many, many examples of that not happening. My sister, for example, was quite large breasted as a teenager, and our bishop at the time made several inappropriate comments to her. No, he didn't touch her, but he made her feel terrible. But he was the BISHOP, appointed by God. So somehow she believed she had done something wrong and didn't tell anyone for many years. She became anorexic during this time. This is a big problem with a male leader being alone in a room with a child or teenager. There is no one to hear or see.

But, as you say, there are people that you can report to. Except often women are not often believed because there is no way that such-and-such leader would ever do such a thing. It happens so often. The woman is the one who is chastised and punished. Again, there are so many examples of this among people I know.

Women in the LDS Church know that their position is the submissive one, no matter what they say over the pulpit. Everything reinforces it. Add that to the idea that one is not to question god's chosen leaders, and you have all the makings for abuse not being reported by victims.

I'm sure there are plenty of examples of boys/men being abused, but as I am not male I cannot comment on what that situation is like for them.

All the stories of churches trying to bury the abuses does not help anyone feel safe in coming forward.

The fact they dont think its an issue to have youth alone in a room with one adult man asking inappropriate questions answers it all. I had a girlfriend when I was a teenager that we did things mormons feel cross the line and the amount of details and other stuff her bishop asked is gross at best. It is begging for abuse in these situations. It is almost like a trap for people prone to abusing, except no one is there to catch them. Bishops shouldnt be asked to do that, no one should allow them to be alone with people like that. These things happen in other places a lot unfortunately, but few places are set up better than churches and mormon churches to sweep it under a rug. It is pretty sad that a religion who obviously is oppose to this and preaches good things doesnt make drastic changes to prevent this and out anyone who does it right away. The processes they use are not scripture or really apart of their religion just how its been done and the culture, its pretty easy to change that to try and reduce this if you care. I guess god doesnt care to talk to mormons about abuse, just stick to that no drinking coffee, thats what matters.

 

[Gameface]

 

[Red]

It isn't my party but it is my country. As far as doing something about it, do you think perhaps voting Trump out of office and giving the democrats majorities in both the House and Senate as well as control over the DOJ alongside a weaponized FBI would be enough to keep the US President from standing atop a blood red stage, flanked by military apparatchik, while threatening a quarter of the US population? If you do then I have bad news for you.

I genuinely believe, with a much fear and hate as you are harboring, if the government started killing Americans but told you they were fascists, enemies of the state, MAGA whatever, that you'd cheer it while exclaiming that someone had to do something to stop the threat they posed. If that speech was a thing you cheered then I don't think a pile of dead American bodies would give you even 5 seconds of pause if your side told you they were all bad.

You told me earlier that it interested you to learn about what caused people to fall for fascist leaders. Go ask a mirror.

No, it is your party. MAGA Republicans is your party. For you to have written that about me can only be because you very strongly identify with MAGA itself. You take my anti-Trump, anti-MAGA position, there from the day he came down the escalator in Trump Tower in 2015, (I have never wavered in what I clearly saw in Trump, and what he was, and what he represented, having seen similar leaders in history), and gave his blessing to demonizing Mexicans, and you conclude, because you are so closely identified with MAGA itself, that I must be blood thirsty, because you think the very worst of those who simply, and understandably, fear your MAGA sickness. And when your own MAGA leader identified Democrats as fascists, where was your outrage then? It was missing, because YOU are MAGA……

The Nihilism of MAGA World

The president said something frightening and true.

www.theatlantic.com

 

[Red]

“This is not the chaos of the beginning of something. This is the chaos of the end of something”.

We are falling on our face because we are jumping high

A dash of perspective in a dark hour

the.ink

“We are living through a revolt against the future. The future will prevail”.

 

[Al-O-Meter]

you think the very worst of those who simply, and understandably, fear your MAGA sickness.

I suppose I am thankful you see me as having some sort of sickness and are not yet to the point of seeing me as something less than human. If you know your history then you know the change in your view is coming.

As far as Trump's labeling leftists as fascist, I condemn it. I didn't condemn it in 2020 because I didn't see it until just now.

 

[LogGrad98]

“This is not the chaos of the beginning of something. This is the chaos of the end of something”.

We are falling on our face because we are jumping high

A dash of perspective in a dark hour

the.ink

“We are living through a revolt against the future. The future will prevail”.

This is what I told my kids. To me it feels like an extinction burst in behavior modification psychology, where the behavior that is changing gets acted out heavily as the subject sees it isn't getting the same reinforcers it once was. Like if you ignore the tantrum your toddler is throwing and they double down on it, throwing themselves on the floor and screaming and kicking. This is the white male dominance seeing an end in sight and throwing their screaming and kicking tantrum to try to keep the comfortable status quo. Only this extinction burst can lead to violence and death if we aren't careful. In fact it already has on Jan 6th et al.

 

[LogGrad98]

I suppose I am thankful you see me as having some sort of sickness and are not yet to the point of seeing me as something less than human. If you know your history then you know the change in your view is coming.

As far as Trump's labeling leftists as fascist, I condemn it. I didn't condemn it in 2020 because I didn't see it until just now.

Magas are already there. They view those with disabilities and immigrants as less than human right now. And women. Something to be controlled. Zero compassion. Zero empathy.

 

[Red]

I suppose I am thankful you see me as having some sort of sickness and are not yet to the point of seeing me as something less than human. If you know your history then you know the change in your view is coming.

I am never going to view you as something less than human. On several occasions over the years, on this forum, going back to prior to the 2016 election, I have emphasized the need for the two sides to begin conversations where they could begin to truly understand the cause of their differences. I have been that person. As, for instance when I started a thread discussing if there were biological reasons, differences in the brains of liberals and conservatives. And why did I do that? Well, at the time Joe Bagadonuts wanted to discuss it and suggested I start such a thread. And I have always known, that honest dialog would be needed. To discuss things like this:

Conservative and Liberal Brains Might Have Some Real Differences

Scanners try to watch the red-blue divide play out underneath the skull

www.scientificamerican.com

Edit: a more recent study:

Scientists Discover Biological Differences Between Liberals and Conservatives

Research reveals that partisan views have biological roots. According to the largest study of its type, brain scans of individuals obtained as they engaged in different activities or even did nothing accurately indicated whether they were politically conservative or liberal. Researchers discover

scitechdaily.com

I am just so far removed from the change in my view you predict will overcome me. On so many occasions, in this forum, I have spoken of the need to talk. You? How often have you looked for common ground, how often have you recognized the need to sit down and put the lies and insults behind us? The above links are just one way I have sought to understand our partisan divide. It’s a far cry from the “final solution” you feel I am capable of embracing, which is how I interpret your quote above, where you are seemingly now doubling down on your claim that I will embrace a “final solution”.

I concluded, way back then, that the two sides were going to have to talk eventually, politics, after all, being “the art of compromise”.

If we get a reasonable and sane president in 2024, I think we need some kind of “national conversation”, in which we step back from all the internet and tweeted insults, and actually talk to one another. From the most local venues, upward. We need to recognize that the point at which we have arrived cannot, for the sake of the health of our body politic and the health of our social fabric, continue as it stands now. Of course, should that 2024 election be won by Trump, we cannot expect a man who sees himself as a president for all Americans, and he could never be someone who could lead us in the direction of reconciliation. And eventually, maybe not 2024, but hopefully in the not distant future, a transformational leader who we can all support. Someone who can lead us out of the death spiral to our democracy.

 

[The Thriller]

Magas are already there. They view those with disabilities and immigrants as less than human right now. And women. Something to be controlled. Zero compassion. Zero empathy.

What gave you the impression they viewed those with disabilities as less than human?

Oh... Wait...


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PX9reO3QnUA
And MAGA loves immigrants!

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-says-four-liberal-congresswomen-should-go-back-to-the-crime-infested-places-from-which-they-came/2019/07/14/b8bf140e-a638-11e9-a3a6-ab670962db05_story.html

 

[fishonjazz]

Seems that most are supportive of the student loan forgiveness.

Poll: Plurality of Americans say they support Biden's student loan forgiveness plan

Support for the White House’s plan varied among age groups, according to a new Yahoo News/YouGov poll. A majority of those ages 18-29 (53% support) and 30-44 (52%) backed the plan, while respondents ages 65 and over opposed the plan by a 43% to 47% margin.

www.yahoo.com

I like this as well:
“I ran for office to grow the economy from the bottom up and the middle out because when we do that, everyone does better, everybody does well. The wealthy do very well, the poor have a way up and the middle class can have breathing room,” Biden said during his Aug. 25 remarks discussing the plan, concluding, “That’s what today’s announcement is about. It’s about opportunity. It’s about giving people a fair shot. It’s about the one word America can be defined by: possibilities.”

The loan forgiveness policy has been part of a recent run of good news for Democrats, who pulled ahead of Republicans on a generic congressional ballot by 5 points, according to the Yahoo News/YouGov results. The survey also found Biden leading former President Donald Trump in a hypothetical rematch by 6 points, the widest margin since March. Biden’s slowly improving poll numbers have been fueled by increased approval from Democrats and independents.

Also saw that Mike Lee was narrowly losing to Mcmullin for utah senate race in a poll that I saw on tv this morning. Good news.

 

[LogGrad98]

What gave you the impression they viewed those with disabilities as less than human?

Oh... Wait...


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PX9reO3QnUA
And MAGA loves immigrants!

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-says-four-liberal-congresswomen-should-go-back-to-the-crime-infested-places-from-which-they-came/2019/07/14/b8bf140e-a638-11e9-a3a6-ab670962db05_story.html

The worst thing about that is how it strengthened his control on his base, and increased his popularity. Humans really are despicable.

 

[fishonjazz]

So I have seen a lot of discussion on social media regarding gas prices this year. Republicans seem to blame Biden administration (or usually just biden himself) for raising the gas prices. Now that the price is dropping they are all saying that Biden is lowering them to buy votes in the upcoming november elections. (if this is true why doesn't biden just make the gas 1 dollar per gallon? Or better yet a nickel per gallon. Seems like he would buy more votes at those prices than the current ones)
So does that mean he raised the prices because he wanted to lose votes at that time? Also, I see a lot of praise for trump making the gas prices so low back in 2020. So does that mean that trump set the gas prices in the country in 2020 rather than the free market/capitalism because that sounds like communism or socialism or some kind of ism to me.

It seems like people who think biden raised the price of gas because he hates america and wants to destroy it and then lowered the price of gas to buy votes are thinking with their emotions. Primarily hate/anger and fear.

Now if I look at things logically then I see gas prices like this: Lets say im the CEO of a major gas producing company. A pandemic hits the world. Businesses are shut down. People are scared about their health and finances. Travel is very very restricted and people are reluctant to travel. People are not buying my product nearly as much as I would like. I would lower gas prices to entice people to buy gas and travel more. At the same time I would decrease production because the volume of my sales is majorly decreased and also I have employees getting sick a ton and missing work.
Then in 2021 there is a vaccine and a less dangerous strain of the virus going around. People are flying all over the place and going on cruises and road trip vacations. Things are totally opened up again. I would raise the price of gas because everyone wants it now and I have less of a supply due to my production facilities decreasing the supply during the pandemic. (also there is a global shortage due to one of the major producers of gasoline being involved in a war)
Eventually my production would start to catch up (supply) with demand and demand would decrease a little bit due to things simply going back to normal and more people finding alternate ways to travel (E-bikes like myself, and EV's). Also I raised the price so much that people simply drive less in general. Now I would begin to lower prices again to try to get that demand going up again.

I mean in a capitalistic economy shouldn't we expect fluctuations in price? Wouldn't that be considered a good thing? I mean if gas was 2 dollars per gallon in 2020 during a pandemic while the country is shut down and no one is travelling and it never changed at all after a recovery from a pandemic and a re-opening of the country and travel increase and a war in ukraine then wouldn't that be a sure fire sign that the government is controlling the cost rather than the free market? And wouldn't that be troubling for those scared of communism and socialism?

I mean if gas didn't fluctuate, like everything else does in a free market, then wouldn't that be scary to republicans as it would be a tremendous indicator that communism/socialism/whatever is headed our way?

We should be happy that gasoline prices have been fluctuating recently as that is a sign that capitalism is alive and well yet everyone seems pissed when the price went up and seems pissed now that prices is going down. People just love to be pissed I guess and dont have the ability to use logic and are much more likely to use emotion.

 

[Red]

VOTER BEWARE: Red States Seek Harsh Punishments For Voting Mistakes - Reform Austin

As the November election period looms, Texas voters need to be especially careful that they cast their votes appropriately, as Texas attorney general Ken Paxton has a history of elevating simple mistakes in voting to cases of fraud with draconian punishments, according to a recent New York Times...

www.reformaustin.org

 

[The Thriller]

So I have seen a lot of discussion on social media regarding gas prices this year. Republicans seem to blame Biden administration (or usually just biden himself) for raising the gas prices. Now that the price is dropping they are all saying that Biden is lowering them to buy votes in the upcoming november elections. (if this is true why doesn't biden just make the gas 1 dollar per gallon? Or better yet a nickel per gallon. Seems like he would buy more votes at those prices than the current ones)
So does that mean he raised the prices because he wanted to lose votes at that time? Also, I see a lot of praise for trump making the gas prices so low back in 2020. So does that mean that trump set the gas prices in the country in 2020 rather than the free market/capitalism because that sounds like communism or socialism or some kind of ism to me.

It seems like people who think biden raised the price of gas because he hates america and wants to destroy it and then lowered the price of gas to buy votes are thinking with their emotions. Primarily hate/anger and fear.

Now if I look at things logically then I see gas prices like this: Lets say im the CEO of a major gas producing company. A pandemic hits the world. Businesses are shut down. People are scared about their health and finances. Travel is very very restricted and people are reluctant to travel. People are not buying my product nearly as much as I would like. I would lower gas prices to entice people to buy gas and travel more. At the same time I would decrease production because the volume of my sales is majorly decreased and also I have employees getting sick a ton and missing work.
Then in 2021 there is a vaccine and a less dangerous strain of the virus going around. People are flying all over the place and going on cruises and road trip vacations. Things are totally opened up again. I would raise the price of gas because everyone wants it now and I have less of a supply due to my production facilities decreasing the supply during the pandemic. (also there is a global shortage due to one of the major producers of gasoline being involved in a war)
Eventually my production would start to catch up (supply) with demand and demand would decrease a little bit due to things simply going back to normal and more people finding alternate ways to travel (E-bikes like myself, and EV's). Also I raised the price so much that people simply drive less in general. Now I would begin to lower prices again to try to get that demand going up again.

I mean in a capitalistic economy shouldn't we expect fluctuations in price? Wouldn't that be considered a good thing? I mean if gas was 2 dollars per gallon in 2020 during a pandemic while the country is shut down and no one is travelling and it never changed at all after a recovery from a pandemic and a re-opening of the country and travel increase and a war in ukraine then wouldn't that be a sure fire sign that the government is controlling the cost rather than the free market? And wouldn't that be troubling for those scared of communism and socialism?

I mean if gas didn't fluctuate, like everything else does in a free market, then wouldn't that be scary to republicans as it would be a tremendous indicator that communism/socialism/whatever is headed our way?

We should be happy that gasoline prices have been fluctuating recently as that is a sign that capitalism is alive and well yet everyone seems pissed when the price went up and seems pissed now that prices is going down. People just love to be pissed I guess and dont have the ability to use logic and are much more likely to use emotion.

Very good post.

I think the last paragraph is especially true. Many Americans are just bored and look for meaning through politics. They wanted a president who could entertain them rather than lead the country. Could you imagine the cluster Trump would’ve made out of Russia invading Ukraine had Trump won in 2020?

MAGA loves to be pissed. They could control all 3 branches of government (which they did) and still not find any satisfaction. It’s just an endless troll job. Own the libs and drink snowflake tears, that’s all that matters.

This article was helpful. Although he focuses on MAGA, I think it can apply to those across the political spectrum:

They promote authoritarian leaders, and they fan the flames of political violence that are a threat to our personal rights, to the pursuit of justice, to the rule of law, to the very soul of this country … MAGA Republicans have made their choice. They embrace anger. They thrive on chaos. They live not in the light of truth but in the shadow of lies.

This, as Biden pointed out, is what makes the MAGA movement so dangerous. It has no functional compass and no set of actual preferences beyond a generalized resentment, a basket of gripes and grudges against others who the Trumpists think are looking down upon them or living better lives than they are. It is a movement composed of people who are economically comfortable and middle-class, who enjoy a relatively high standard of living, and yet who seethe with a sense that they have been done dirt, screwed over, betrayed—and they are determined to get revenge.

And

Biden broke with tradition by saying what presidents are never supposed to say: He admitted that he was finally giving up on trying to accommodate a group of Americans, because he understands that they do not want to be accommodated. I know that some of my friends and colleagues believe that Biden, as president, must continue to reach out to MAGA voters because they are our neighbors and our fellow citizens. (The former GOP operative and my fellow Never Trumper Tim Miller made this point just this morning.) My instinct is to agree with them. But how do we reach those voters? These citizens do not want a discussion or a compromise. They don’t even want to “win,” in any traditional political sense of that word. They want to vent anger over their lives—their personal problems, their haunted sense of inferiority, and their fears about social status—on other Americans, as vehemently as possible, even to the point of violence.

The Nihilism of MAGA World

The president said something frightening and true.

www.theatlantic.com