'Pod Save America' Hosts Answer Democracy Questions From Twitter - Tech Support - WIRED
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Date: 2024-08-14
Comments and reviews: 20
wired
This will be an unpopular opinion here, but I feel like this is exactly the kind of content that turns a lot of people off. In the guise of being a discussion of democratic issues, it was really just an echo chamber for those who lean left, devoid of nuance.
For example, the issue of Puerto Rican statehood
-Puerto Rico itself has been rather blase about becoming a state, with the vote around 50% for statehood
-Based on aligned political parties within PR, the pro state party has 39% of the popular vote, while the pro territory party has 34%. Not exactly a resounding majority
-No 7 Republican party platform 2024 . Puerto Rico are of vital importance to our National Security, and we welcome their greater participation in all aspects of the political process. In 2016 the party platform read, We support the right of the United States citizens of Puerto Rico to be admitted to the Union as a fully sovereign state.
I'm guessing, though admittedly not deeply familiar with PR, the potential loss of PRs very favorable corporate tax is one issue (and possibly a root reason why some American lawmakers are against statehood.
Another is PR is not new to this. They see what happened with Hawaii and do not want it to happen to them.
To say Republicans is just simplistic
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This will be an unpopular opinion here, but I feel like this is exactly the kind of content that turns a lot of people off. In the guise of being a discussion of democratic issues, it was really just an echo chamber for those who lean left, devoid of nuance.
For example, the issue of Puerto Rican statehood
-Puerto Rico itself has been rather blase about becoming a state, with the vote around 50% for statehood
-Based on aligned political parties within PR, the pro state party has 39% of the popular vote, while the pro territory party has 34%. Not exactly a resounding majority
-No 7 Republican party platform 2024 . Puerto Rico are of vital importance to our National Security, and we welcome their greater participation in all aspects of the political process. In 2016 the party platform read, We support the right of the United States citizens of Puerto Rico to be admitted to the Union as a fully sovereign state.
I'm guessing, though admittedly not deeply familiar with PR, the potential loss of PRs very favorable corporate tax is one issue (and possibly a root reason why some American lawmakers are against statehood.
Another is PR is not new to this. They see what happened with Hawaii and do not want it to happen to them.
To say Republicans is just simplistic
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zoeolsson5683
Aussie here -.
To vote is one of the four obligations of being a citizen - as defined in our constitution.
Because voting is an obligation of every citizen. The process has to be made easily accessible to all.
There's no suppression of the vote. And this is why i think compulsory voting is really awesome. Because that means no part of the electorate can be ignored by the parties wanting power and no part of the people's vote can be surpressed.
Voting is held on a Saturday and those who can't vote on the day can vote earlier or with a postal ballot.
We have preference voting.
We don't have primaries we just leave all that stuff to factional and branch level politics.
Also we have an independent electoral Commission that determines electrorate boundaries and runs the election.
Our system works for us
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Aussie here -.
To vote is one of the four obligations of being a citizen - as defined in our constitution.
Because voting is an obligation of every citizen. The process has to be made easily accessible to all.
There's no suppression of the vote. And this is why i think compulsory voting is really awesome. Because that means no part of the electorate can be ignored by the parties wanting power and no part of the people's vote can be surpressed.
Voting is held on a Saturday and those who can't vote on the day can vote earlier or with a postal ballot.
We have preference voting.
We don't have primaries we just leave all that stuff to factional and branch level politics.
Also we have an independent electoral Commission that determines electrorate boundaries and runs the election.
Our system works for us
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djackson4605
The issue here is a left-leaning president is likely to do quite a bit of these reprehensible things when they win the election. Its an unconstructive pattern that perpetuates conflict and makes people focus on the next battle. Sorry I meant election. So they're not wrong, but if let's say Obama did any of this (or worse) it has been swept under the rug by an obviously biased media. They won't actively lie most of the time, they just don't mention the story/event at all, which is extremely effective at keeping people ignorant.
Both sides have serious issues, but this is an echo-chamber bashing conservatives/Trump. Unless you get off on that, you're going to find this frustrating and unproductive. The comment section really displays it clearly too.
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The issue here is a left-leaning president is likely to do quite a bit of these reprehensible things when they win the election. Its an unconstructive pattern that perpetuates conflict and makes people focus on the next battle. Sorry I meant election. So they're not wrong, but if let's say Obama did any of this (or worse) it has been swept under the rug by an obviously biased media. They won't actively lie most of the time, they just don't mention the story/event at all, which is extremely effective at keeping people ignorant.
Both sides have serious issues, but this is an echo-chamber bashing conservatives/Trump. Unless you get off on that, you're going to find this frustrating and unproductive. The comment section really displays it clearly too.
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ladykarolyn1
Some undecided voters might be undecided in 2024 because both major parties have candidates that are pro-gen0c1de. That's why I'm undecided. I'm trying to figure out which of the 3rd party candidates has the best shot because I'm not happy with the thought of throwing away my vote, of course. I just see things as being equally dire in different ways if either of the major candidates win. I know a 3rd party victory isn't all that likely, but I, like everyone, have to vote my conscience. And this is where my conscience leads me.
(Not trying to change anyone else's mind here, just trying to explain why this undecided voter is undecided since the video asked the question)
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Some undecided voters might be undecided in 2024 because both major parties have candidates that are pro-gen0c1de. That's why I'm undecided. I'm trying to figure out which of the 3rd party candidates has the best shot because I'm not happy with the thought of throwing away my vote, of course. I just see things as being equally dire in different ways if either of the major candidates win. I know a 3rd party victory isn't all that likely, but I, like everyone, have to vote my conscience. And this is where my conscience leads me.
(Not trying to change anyone else's mind here, just trying to explain why this undecided voter is undecided since the video asked the question)
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ScottJPowers
fun fact: no right to vote is established in the constitution of the USA, not to be confused with amendments saying voting can't be restricted on the basis of gender or race, but we do not have a right to vote, which is why inmates of prisons can't vote, and in the past, states limited voting to those who owned at least so much property. In fact, most white men couldn't vote either, which is why there was a universal suffrage movement happening alongside the woman's suffrage movement. It turns out the united states hasn't been exactly what we've been led to believe.
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fun fact: no right to vote is established in the constitution of the USA, not to be confused with amendments saying voting can't be restricted on the basis of gender or race, but we do not have a right to vote, which is why inmates of prisons can't vote, and in the past, states limited voting to those who owned at least so much property. In fact, most white men couldn't vote either, which is why there was a universal suffrage movement happening alongside the woman's suffrage movement. It turns out the united states hasn't been exactly what we've been led to believe.
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OrigamiMarie
Think about that part of the ballot where you have to figure out which judge to vote for. None of them say clearly what they've actually done, or will do. You don't have time to spend hours scouring the internet for information about them, and even if you do take the time, the information is not comparable across all candidates. And you do this just before voting (if you don't just skip them altogether) because you just can't be bothered to spend your days thinking about this stuff.
That's what I imagine the undecided voters feel about the whole election.
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Think about that part of the ballot where you have to figure out which judge to vote for. None of them say clearly what they've actually done, or will do. You don't have time to spend hours scouring the internet for information about them, and even if you do take the time, the information is not comparable across all candidates. And you do this just before voting (if you don't just skip them altogether) because you just can't be bothered to spend your days thinking about this stuff.
That's what I imagine the undecided voters feel about the whole election.
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elmanodedios1984
There's a massive mistake and factual error in your video. At 5: 14, while Tommy points out that prosecuting former presidents who were corrupt has happened in other countries, you presented a photo if Lula da Silva, Brazil's current president, who was/is never found to be corrupt. However, the former president, Bolsonaro, is being charged with corruption now. You should definitely change that photo of Lula to a photo of Bolsonaro to make it an accurate statement, otherwise you're just spreading disinformation. C'mon guys.
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There's a massive mistake and factual error in your video. At 5: 14, while Tommy points out that prosecuting former presidents who were corrupt has happened in other countries, you presented a photo if Lula da Silva, Brazil's current president, who was/is never found to be corrupt. However, the former president, Bolsonaro, is being charged with corruption now. You should definitely change that photo of Lula to a photo of Bolsonaro to make it an accurate statement, otherwise you're just spreading disinformation. C'mon guys.
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OGGinsburg
Well, first, the fact you don't know we have a republic and not a democracy is why you idiots deserve all the bad crap happening to our country. And, you wannabe experts can't even understand there is no LAWFUL constitutional power for a popular vote to elect the President, at all. The President is elected by freemen representing their States called Electors. Electors are a titled position, not a thing to be handed out. The President works for the States under the Congress. Not the general public. Mindless dregs.
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Well, first, the fact you don't know we have a republic and not a democracy is why you idiots deserve all the bad crap happening to our country. And, you wannabe experts can't even understand there is no LAWFUL constitutional power for a popular vote to elect the President, at all. The President is elected by freemen representing their States called Electors. Electors are a titled position, not a thing to be handed out. The President works for the States under the Congress. Not the general public. Mindless dregs.
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marigeobrien
Fun fact: Not sure this is done any longer (it's been years since my children were in school) but when I was a child, because schools were very often used as polling places for elections, it was a national holiday for school children. I think it would be great to make it a holiday for everyone.
BTW I cannot help but mention that, while I do agree that all those gun laws should be federal, the fact is, all of those laws (as well as a few more) already are state laws in many states, including my own (NJ.
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Fun fact: Not sure this is done any longer (it's been years since my children were in school) but when I was a child, because schools were very often used as polling places for elections, it was a national holiday for school children. I think it would be great to make it a holiday for everyone.
BTW I cannot help but mention that, while I do agree that all those gun laws should be federal, the fact is, all of those laws (as well as a few more) already are state laws in many states, including my own (NJ.
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QueenetBowie
Why are gun laws so hard to change.
Because they’re literally protected under the constitution. Changing anything which has some level of constitutional protections is always going to be extremely difficult bc the constitution is supposed to be hard to change bc it’s supposed to give us our rights so politicians can’t easily mess with them.
That’s not saying we should or shouldn’t, but it is a constitutional right so that’s why it’s difficult.
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Why are gun laws so hard to change.
Because they’re literally protected under the constitution. Changing anything which has some level of constitutional protections is always going to be extremely difficult bc the constitution is supposed to be hard to change bc it’s supposed to give us our rights so politicians can’t easily mess with them.
That’s not saying we should or shouldn’t, but it is a constitutional right so that’s why it’s difficult.
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inmanis2924
nservatives enacted Citizens United.
why can’t we get rid of the electoral college
conservatives refuse a constitutional amendment.
why can’t we enact gun control
conservatives refuse.
why can’t washington DC or puerto rico have representation in the government
conservatives block their efforts to.
is the republic talking point of voting integrity a suppression tactic
yes. unequivocally.
i’m seeing one common issue here.
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nservatives enacted Citizens United.
why can’t we get rid of the electoral college
conservatives refuse a constitutional amendment.
why can’t we enact gun control
conservatives refuse.
why can’t washington DC or puerto rico have representation in the government
conservatives block their efforts to.
is the republic talking point of voting integrity a suppression tactic
yes. unequivocally.
i’m seeing one common issue here.
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Biga101011
I was conservative, but would consider myself a moderate and independent since at least 2016. I don't know who I will vote for. I follow the candidates closely, but am very disillusioned by the political parties in the US. My entire life they have both done or said anything in raw pursuit of political power. We really need to push ranked choice systems, but both parties have proven that they are unwilling to give up the duopoly.
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I was conservative, but would consider myself a moderate and independent since at least 2016. I don't know who I will vote for. I follow the candidates closely, but am very disillusioned by the political parties in the US. My entire life they have both done or said anything in raw pursuit of political power. We really need to push ranked choice systems, but both parties have proven that they are unwilling to give up the duopoly.
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anonymouschicken20
I mean, instead of Election Day, you could have the thing we do in Greece where we literally put a Sunday to be the Election Day. They also make it a 4-day weekend by eliminating the Friday and Monday of the Election Weekend, so people can travel to their designated areas (which might be in their villages.
NOBODY can miss Election Day. They can only try or put a white paper if they don't want to vote.
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I mean, instead of Election Day, you could have the thing we do in Greece where we literally put a Sunday to be the Election Day. They also make it a 4-day weekend by eliminating the Friday and Monday of the Election Weekend, so people can travel to their designated areas (which might be in their villages.
NOBODY can miss Election Day. They can only try or put a white paper if they don't want to vote.
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JT-fd3tf
On Project 2025 which they discuss at 10: 45, I don't see why everyone is saying Trump might use it as his framework. One of the two things he achieved in his 1st term was appointing a ton pf young, conservative judges. He didn't come up with that list. The Federalist Society did. Project 2025 is Trump's plan to make the same impact--not just in the courts but across the entire federal government.
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On Project 2025 which they discuss at 10: 45, I don't see why everyone is saying Trump might use it as his framework. One of the two things he achieved in his 1st term was appointing a ton pf young, conservative judges. He didn't come up with that list. The Federalist Society did. Project 2025 is Trump's plan to make the same impact--not just in the courts but across the entire federal government.
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Ash-gv7uj
How can they get so much wrong in such a short amount of time The whole project 2025 thing has been completely debunked. DC can’t be represented as a state. Trump was never charged with insurrection and there was no actual evidence that he could have been.
WIRED you have let yourself down having these two clowns on, they’re answering questions, but they should be asking questions.
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How can they get so much wrong in such a short amount of time The whole project 2025 thing has been completely debunked. DC can’t be represented as a state. Trump was never charged with insurrection and there was no actual evidence that he could have been.
WIRED you have let yourself down having these two clowns on, they’re answering questions, but they should be asking questions.
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PhantomBanker
When it comes to the history of the Electoral College, I think it’s important to emphasize that it’s not the size of the state that influences it; it’s the size of the state’s population. Pointing out Wyoming as an example doesn’t make sense, because it’s a huge state geographically. Looking at a map, it’s easy to forget that dirt doesn’t vote.
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When it comes to the history of the Electoral College, I think it’s important to emphasize that it’s not the size of the state that influences it; it’s the size of the state’s population. Pointing out Wyoming as an example doesn’t make sense, because it’s a huge state geographically. Looking at a map, it’s easy to forget that dirt doesn’t vote.
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pearljamin
Who in this country can afford a day off for election I would appreciate if people could not harass and threaten us about voting. I’d it if there were not slam ads. Tell me why to vote for you. I don’t want to hear why you think I should not vote for someone else. Also, stop blowing money flying all over the place. Do your current job and quit wasting money
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Who in this country can afford a day off for election I would appreciate if people could not harass and threaten us about voting. I’d it if there were not slam ads. Tell me why to vote for you. I don’t want to hear why you think I should not vote for someone else. Also, stop blowing money flying all over the place. Do your current job and quit wasting money
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JGG3345
I live in the UK, I havr lived in London and Cambridge and Manchester and now live in the countryside, not only have I never had to queue to vote either outside the building where the voting is taking place or inside to get to a voting booth, 75% of the time there's only me and and the two election workers in the building. Why does the US have massive long lines
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I live in the UK, I havr lived in London and Cambridge and Manchester and now live in the countryside, not only have I never had to queue to vote either outside the building where the voting is taking place or inside to get to a voting booth, 75% of the time there's only me and and the two election workers in the building. Why does the US have massive long lines
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ahillmann
It's so nice to live in a country which is not in perpetual election mode. The candidates are announced six weeks before the election, then they start campaigning. After the election, we wait for almost six years before the next election starts. Unlike in the US in which the campaign for the next president starts the very next day after the election.
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It's so nice to live in a country which is not in perpetual election mode. The candidates are announced six weeks before the election, then they start campaigning. After the election, we wait for almost six years before the next election starts. Unlike in the US in which the campaign for the next president starts the very next day after the election.
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shenhurst
I watched this to see how they explained the electoral vote versus the popular vote. I wish they had gone over how it's theoretically possible to win the electoral vote with something like 20% of the national popular vote, if 51% of the population of each of the least populous states voted for you and no one in the most populous states voted for you.
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I watched this to see how they explained the electoral vote versus the popular vote. I wish they had gone over how it's theoretically possible to win the electoral vote with something like 20% of the national popular vote, if 51% of the population of each of the least populous states voted for you and no one in the most populous states voted for you.
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