[–] -1 points 1 week ago*

The rubber stamp Congress for the left in the US gave you the great society reforms, and Medicaid is still in place as a safety net for a huge number of Americans, and has been for 60 years. Even if the system is imperfect, it’s had a massive positive influence on the lives of Americans who’ve suffered under the current medical system. The point is that there hasn’t been consistent support for democrats over a number of elections since — Obama, Clinton and Biden is all there’s been over the past 60 years, so it’s clear that the American electorate that votes, both inside and outside the Democrat party, prefers republicans or republican-lites. So you end up with republican-lite or fascists because of apathy.

For a UK example, until recently the triple lock on pensions has sat untouched for far too long because it was considered electoral suicide to try and prise money from pensioners grasp because they vote consistently, despite broad consensus that it was a good idea.

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  • [–] 38 points 1 week ago (6 children)

    Also voting is a way to shift the Overton window. If the left wing party has a thumping majority, those in the party with more radical views (like being against genocide /s) actually have room to manoeuvre and pressure their leader, or even to split off and form their own party.

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  • [–] 14 points 1 week ago* (2 children)

    It’s hard to tell from photos, but given they’re guaranteed to be saprotrophic (breaking down wood) and look to have decurrent gills + a certain size + grey/brown caps, i can’t think of anything they could be other than oysters (UK-based)

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  • Freeman at 13 (feddit.uk)
     

    A lot of the conversation around Freeman at 13 that I’ve seen hinges around ‘we have better options there’, and I don’t disagree that right now and long term Lawrence is the choice.

    However, I have seen very few people mention the fact that Freeman being a world class winger who can also play 13 (and 15 in a pinch) adds a hell of a lot to both Freeman’s personal longevity (how often have we seen Daly make a squad due to his versatility?) and to England’s flexibility in being able to get (potentially) a 7-1 bench come the World Cup.

    In the case where we have M Smith and Freeman in, Earl can play the Kwagga Smith role of centre cover in the forwards, that gives the ability to reshuffle to cover pretty much any eventuality, needing just a 9 replacement on the bench.

     

    Sitting somewhere between folk, techno and dance music are the Peatbog Faeries. I’ve seen them live and they are incredible.

    Couple of songs: Caberdrone: high tempo dance number, with bagpipes

    Humours of Ardnamurchan: probably one of my favourite of theirs, from their newest album. Incredible fiddle playing.

    Dragon’s Apprentice: slower track, for variety.

    I know a few other bands in that genre, if anyone particularly likes it. Fairly niche!

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