I think it will be no longer than 10 years at this point.
Unless the U.S. finds another way to give itself a shot in the arm and hobble along for another 25 years (which is possible, I guess) - this country is cooked. It is already so much different than even 2 years ago, just in terms of general consciousness, that if this trend continues, it will fall within our lifetime. Like others have said the contradictions are becoming ever stronger, other countries are increasingly powerful and most notably China and the global south are rapidly growing.
The U.S. will not be able to win a war without deploying nuclear weapons and obliterating the entire world along with itself. I wouldn't put it past them to try if/when it comes to that, but the period of domination where they could fend for themselves is gone. Recruitment rates are in the shitter and again, the general population is extremely unhappy with the way things are going. Class consciousness still has a way to go, but we're getting there. It's not like it takes a whole country to complete the initial stages of a revolution, and more and more people are getting radicalized by the minute.
Ultimately, it's going to take a serious world event that weakens and splits the bourgeois of this country (which is already kind of happening) and the swift action of the masses to take advantage of that when the time comes. It absolutely has to be soon, not only do I believe that it will be, but it has to be, or climate change and the US lashing out will genuinely cause hell.
In our lifetime ain't just a saying, people. Get out there
Pretty sure you don't have to pay the third party if they buy the debt. Could be wrong.
At this rate it probably won't lmao
Yessss I was waiting for someone to confirm that <3 get fucked empire
I wouldn't really use the word "agrees" to be honest. It's a great thing, undoubtedly, but I think they wouldn't do this if they weren't de facto forced to because they're stretched so unimaginably thin. This country truly is on the brink.
The escalation comes more than six months into Israel’s war on Gaza amid heightened tensions across the region.
Jellyfish highly underrated imo
Not sure if I'm blind but elephant is not there, should be S+ minimum
Otherwise pretty good. Bee should be higher, depending on the type. Hornets are F- but actual pollination homies high up
I can't lie I wasn't very active last year so I'm a bit out of the loop, but I do remember some beefy comment threads with you involved. Never with me directly tho.
I'm sure people will welcome you back with open arms. We all make mistakes and get hot-headed
I think this is a solid line of thinking. A terrifying one, but solid.
I know things have been much better under Biden!
checks notes
erm... more deportations than 45... border wall construction... more oil drilling than anyone ever... killed rail strikes... prison population all time high... one tiny COVID relief check... Roe struck down during his term... GENOCIDE FUNDING... Etc. Etc. Etc.
Before you scream "BAHHHH BIDEN CAN'T CONTROL IT ALL" let it be known that he does control the first 4 things and the very last one. He has bypassed congress to give weaponry to Israel and Ukraine, and done many of those things solo. The Democratic party could minimize or end all of the rest. Roe could have been codified like 50 times in the last 30 years and it wasn't. Now they want to blame the SCOTUS for doing what they've wanted to do forever instead of just codifying it. Democrats are funding and creating cop cities. They don't pass anything genuinely beneficial for more than 0.05% of the population. Even for those people, it isn't enough most of the time.
They're really not that different. Sure, they don't OPENLY say they want to kill trans people. They don't care if it happens though. These establishment fucks are bought by the exact same people the Republicans are. It's time you start believing you live in a fascist dictatorship, you're in one.
I'm sure we will be treated much better by the other right wing fascism 💀
Kids these days just don't know discipline... back in my day we used to get beat up by our parents and I could beat my wife no questions asked... tired of this Vladimir Marxist bull shit... I can fart whenever I want... but I need to find a bathroom before shitting... land of the free... yeah right
Nah fr though, should be considered abuse deadass. Negative impacts all around. Everyone here touched on it all already. Don't mean to make light of it
Right? Here I get excited and the regular 'Ole dopamine rush, on reddit I'm preparing to he shit on and lose 500 karma because I said "hey maybe Xi Jinping isn't literally throwing babies out windows" lol
Yesss lol
I just left as well. Been a lot better and had more engaging interactions on the internet since
I will check it out for sure. I can imagine the messages it gives and it being helpful.
I like this, thank you. That does help, framing it as the enemy of my past experiences and just brain chemistry.
I went to the gym a few hours ago and just got back. It's a little better now. I kind of annoyed my partner again because of the state I was in before I went and she was getting ready for work. Gotta talk to her tonight.
I'm getting increasingly sour about this whole situation though, I fear. She isn't being the most understanding (which I guess I get but still, I'm asking her to have patience while I work on it and she still calls me dramatic) and so I find myself sometimes questioning our relationship entirely. I know that's not what I actually want but y'know. I also just am looking at it from my entire life standpoint, it's been over a decade of this shit. Shit being mental health crises. Heavy anxiety to be replaced with extreme MDD and suicidality, to be replaced with hard drug addiction, and now that I got the two lethal beasts dealt with (MDD and addiction) I'm back to this fucking constant distress. It's not fair lmao
He absolutely has brought up attachment styles and my childhood experiences, and it definitely is rooted from there. I've been in therapy for years and have experience with CBT and DBT. Never heard of EMDR tho.
Back at you, and at you all.
Lovely community, pivotal part of a long journey getting me to where I am today - clean, organized, motivated.
First part makes definite sense. Completely unacceptable to have that kind of thing just laying around for anyone, especially considering the pettiness that is sometimes present within leftist organizing lol.
Last part also good point. Yeah, I mean, shit we don't really know until we are there. But I think we can get more and more of an idea and closer to saying yes as we get more involved in this organizing. We are in danger for before the feds have us in the cell. But yet we continue. That to me signals something brave
I see it this way too I mean I certainly will not look down on anyone for being spiritual or not. I think it'd be a bit harder to justify/reconcile being an explicit theist or specific follower of a specific religion, but even then I have respect for it. The important piece to me is working to do the right thing down here in the real world.
Idk I'm low-key tweaking right now just because a lovely comrade pointed out it's my cake day on the 'Grad and holy shit it really has been two years. I mean that's genuinely insane like that's where I mark officially becoming a MLMZT subscriber, joining this instance and the GenZedong bans.
I really like you all (except those libs that keep sneaking here to downvote every post...) and I give you all heavy credit for getting me on the proper path and organized to where I am today. Truly had it not been for this site and its warm welcomes I may not have arrived at the ideological position I am today and not been able to shake the anti-communist propaganda. One of the most important things in my case was realizing we (communists) are humans and not some monolith that will cook you if you ask a stupid question or say something wrong. I mean, we will cook bad faith libs but that's a different story. I remember being so fucking scared to comment in here because I had no idea what I was on about and people really helped me. I wouldn't say I'm an OG on here but certainly have a lot of history now and it's just good to see this community thriving.
Thanks comrades love u all ❤️
This is a very weird question, so no worries if y'all don't have great answers because I have exactly zero answers myself.
I've been thinking recently about how I am a dedicated ML, and do subscribe to materialism. But I also have a spiritual tinge to me, one that was pretty fired up by psychedelic use and the listening to some Buddhist audios along with Duncan Trussell and Alan Watts.
I guess I'm just wondering if there's any serious contradictions by subscribing to MLMZT while also getting a little deeper into the metaphysical aspect of philosophy? I have always found the Buddhist outlook and the lenses that I look at life through propelled by psychedelic use very useful, interesting, motivating, and just fun.
Like, I can recognize when there's people just saying extremely vague things and selling a "get enlightened NOW" course for $999.99, so don't get the idea that I'm like falling into some culty shit. I just enjoy the hope-core, insightful/philosophical takes that don't seem to fall directly in line with Marxism.
The Egg story (Kurg video on YT ironically enough, the Gates funded channel) being an example, or Duncan Trussells "The Midnight Gospel" (which I haven't actually watched but just saw the one famous clip of the mother being sucked away into death as she talked about the ego, reincarnation, the universe just being love, etc.)
Interestingly, I actually got involved with Marxism originally partly because of psychedelic use and the shock it sent through my philosophical/world outlook.
Anyways yap over, THIRD PARAGRAPH IS THE MEAT OF THE POST!!! thx in advance <3
This shit is so annoying, even the "communist" subs are filled with ultras and liberals. They're all so chronically online and just obnoxious
I'm getting more involved with FRSO shit anyways, so I'll have less time to spend on there. Never was useful anyways.
Fuck these idiots
This is not me saying at all that Trump is better than Biden; it's more of an equalization argument that I truthfully can't see a fiscal difference.
It's been well known by people like us that the two bourgeois parties are basically the same, but I never really understood how close they were until the last like, 6 months.
Maybe it's JUST Biden that's super similar. But regardless, I just don't see the difference. He spews nice words about trans rights, workers, all of these good things. But the exact same shit that happened under Trump basically happened under Biden. Funding for genocidal states, proxy war funding, funding police, loss of abortion federal protection, separation of kids and parents at the border, etc.
People keep saying Biden is marginally better, where?
I don't know. I can't bring myself to vote for any of these guys this time around.
Dude. I just got a 200 dollar ticket for running a red light that was turning yellow to red. Like it was red as the back half of my car passed under the far light, it was close but I was in a hurry with my girlfriend and this fucking pig whips out of his speed trap and says he "has to" give me a ticket for that.
Like, okay, even if I BLATANTLY ran it I can't even justify 200 fucking dollars for it. The asshole must have needed to fill a quota or something because oh my god.
So anyways, I can't afford this right now. What are the chances I get in deeper trouble if I "forget" about it and never pay or pay late?
There probably will be a time in the future where I can afford it and then I'll pay but if not like what am I supposed to do lol? Can you imagine someone in a worse position than me getting that shit? Anyways fuck these assholes any normal person would've just let me off with a verbal warning but no USian fucking pigs have to funnel their money up
*their job is to kill and oppress working class people, specifically racialized ones.
They did their job. They almost did it better than they ever have.
Obviously it's a process that is always brewing under capitalism but you know what I mean. Do you think we are close, like within 5 to 10 years close to a major declaration of war between the imperial core and the periphery or something of the sort? Would you argue it's already started?
I see Palestine liberating itself, I see solidarity with them along the people, I see the ripples that the Ukraine conflict has started, I see more and more revolutionary sentiment building. Could be an experience bias because now I'm more involved in real life so I see it more, but things just seem to be accelerating and I'm here for it. Much work needs to be done to capitalize and educate/funnel us all towards a progressive revolution and not a reactionary one, but I'm ready
I remember when I was very young (don't actually remember I was like 2) when Katrina hit Florida and New Orleans and Bush left our people to starve and die, didn't rebuild shit and allocated like a few million at most for aid.
Chad China response to natural disasters sending out the whole PLA and disaster teams to find every single citizen in sub-zero weather
Comrades who have been/live in China, I'm visiting sometime next year! I've commented about this before but it's coming up on the new year so.
Any advice on where to go, how to behave, what to see, do? Any information would be appreciated, I'm so excited
I'm curious about the validity of the claim that anarchism is an acceptable form of anti-status quo politics in the US because they're not actually a threat.
Is this true? Have anarchist groups not been infiltrated as often as MLs have? Is it easier to take them down?
I only ask because I feel like any form of left wing/anti-capitalist thought would be heavily suppressed here but I don't know
It's Joever for the Democrats no lie. I know polls are still pretty even and something could happen to give them a shot in the arm but honestly all the videos I've been watching and conversations I've been having IRL are just pointing to a complete anti-Democrat vibe. Watching a few videos that are saying the same thing and it could just be algorithm bias but idk. I don't even mean just for 2024 election like long term this party is fucked. I used to think they were going to be bent over and moved out of the way by the Republicans (consequently establishing a further fascist government) because Dems are spineless but they're actually doing such a terrible job that they're going to get voted out and allow the Republicans to further fascist-ize the US if that's even possible.
I'm low-key here for it, going to be interesting but I'm very scared for marginalized people and the proleys in general.
I hope you're all doing well. I really enjoy this community and you all bring something nice to my day. I love getting Lemmygrad notifications, compared to deep fear of reddit notifications because I know I'm going to be shit on for no reason lol. But even beyond that I just like you all!
We will end this machine! Keep your heads up and DM me any time if you need anything :)
I dropped Spanish which was the only language offered during my high school years. I regret it, and now I'm embarrassed to start learning as a uni-aged guy. I want to learn Mandarin because then I would know English and Mandarin which would cover like 50% of the populations speaking abilities.
Basically I just feel like a dumb American and being a Marxist I need to know another language.
I can't upload all the pictures and videos because they're too big apparently! But it was fucking awesome. At least 150,000 people were there marching for Palestine and SCREAMING the "Biden, Biden, you can't hide, you're funding a genocide" chants. It was genuinely so hopeful and refreshing. It was made very clear that this was only the beginning of more direct action that will have consequences and force the hand of our dictators of capital. We spray painted a McDonald's window "GAZA" (in minecraft of course) and screamed "Fuck McDonald's" because we're boycotting Starbucks and McDonald's. I met a few pretty relevant tiktokers and Karina Garcia, the PSL's presidential candidate's VP!
Overall a fucking wonderful experience and I'm going to bring this energy back home. Like I said this is only the beginning and it really is showing some serious dedication and revolutionary intent.
Check out answercoalition on Instagram to see the size of the crowd and some of the speeches. I'll see if I can link pictures in the comments below.
FUCK THE AMERICAN WAR MACHINE, WE WILL SEE A FREE PALESTINE AND A SOCIALIST WORLD IN OUR LIFETIME
I'm seriously getting really disillusioned with everyone around me. I love my family and friends, but they are Ameri-brained as fuck and it's hard to ignore.
First, yesterday I went to a sports game. The US national anthem was played and I stayed seated and played on my phone as always. Nothing special, I don't make a scene or anything, just refuse to participate. Everyone else of course is looking at me weird and one of my friends was like "dude points at flag stand up" and I just shrug and say "I'm good" and go back to what I was doing. He didn't give me too much shit but he rolled his eyes and the usual. Just couldn't get past how people can know what my country is doing (I post about it a lot) and still show such blind support. It's not a huge deal, obviously just a fucking flag but still.
Second, was talking to my family about revolution and change and they made some good points. They pointed out that a lot of people in USA are too well-off materially to put their necks out regarding serious change. But then they kinda started defending it like that was justified. They brought up people losing scholarships at Harvard because of the Palestine support rally. That's shitty, but I still honestly feel like that's what I would do and what the right thing is. Fuck my "successful" future, a successful future is making change any means necessary. The people in Gaza don't have scholarships to lose and try telling them you didn't speak up because you were afraid of losing it. Idk. Maybe I'm inconsiderate and it's easy for me to say because I'm younger and have less to lose but it's just like bro why are people so hesitant? I can't imagine sticking my head in the sand, regardless of my material reality. I have a great life materially right now and I am willing to lose it for change. Not trying to be like moral high ground but just ye.
"If you're asked to make a commitment at the age of 20 and you say I don't want to make that commitment only because of the simple reason that I'm too young to die I want to live a little bit longer, what you did is you're dead already" - Fred Hampton
Idk maybe too ranty but I just feel like I'm the only one that I know irl who's really about it like that. Outside of my comrades organizing ofc I mean like personal life. But then again comrades = best friends so anyways I'll stfu thx
Contemplating flying out to this. Hopefully I'll see some of you there...
Put on by the PSL and other organizations. Going to be big, I think.
I've had this question for quite awhile but don't really know who to consult about it.
I've revealed that I'm a university-aged guy on here and so there's a lot of talk surrounding what people want to do with their lives. Naturally, I've gotten some less than desirable answers. I don't know how to go about responding.
For example, some people want to be cops or work for a three letter agency (I'm in the US). We can obviously see how that's not a good thing. I'm just torn on how I should respond. I'm not going to shit on these people, they're fundamentally good, just misinformed. But my morals cannot allow me in good faith to be like "oh cool yeah!"
How should I respond when someone wants to work for the oppressive state (assuming they're naive/ignorant about it and not like, openly fascist)
