this post was submitted on 20 Feb 2026
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The Cold War? Child's play compared to what lies ahead, according to U.S. historian Robert Kagan. Trump, he says, is leading the world into the most dangerous era since 1945.

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[–] Raglesnarf@lemmy.world 64 points 1 day ago (5 children)

I've mentioned this before to others whenever this comes up. most or a great majority of people in the US have it "good enough" to not "risk it all".

Things over here "aren't bad enough" for people to full-on revolt. I'd say we're kinda close but modern, white, boring america just doesn't want to get caught in the shit storm. They understand it might come for them at some point but that time isn't now so why "stick their neck out"

[–] newthrowaway20@lemmy.world 54 points 1 day ago (1 children)

most or a great majority of people in the US have it "good enough" to not "risk it all".

Most of the people I know are barely hanging on and desperate to keep the little they have. When you're barely getting by, like 60% of Americans currently living paycheck to paycheck, you can't afford to risk anything.

They're too busy making sure their kids don't starve, or making sure they can stretch the last bit of money until the next check. Doesn't help that all we do is exploit these people any chance we can.

And I'd bet a lot of people in that situation don't really care to help repair a system that never really worked for them in the first place.

It's not the right approach, you and I know that. But desperate people don't act rationally. They act emotionally. And our society has gotten really good at manipulating peoples emotions.

[–] jaaake@lemmy.world 29 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

The people living paycheck to paycheck are ones who would make the most impact by striking, but are least able to as they will starve, be evicted, lose utilities/cell/internet if they do.

The people who are making enough money to be comfortable are afraid that if they upset the people above them, they will become the people living paycheck to paycheck.

The independently wealthy and top tier capitalists are the ones that have the most financial freedom to protest, but have the least reason to, are the smallest group, and are mostly fine with how things are (at best) or actively making things worse (most likely).

[–] CosmicTurtle0@lemmy.dbzer0.com 12 points 1 day ago (1 children)

We have a lot of people willing to fight for a better future.

We don't have nearly enough people willing to die for a better future.

[–] peopleproblems@lemmy.world 7 points 1 day ago (1 children)

The reason why is because it's quite literally the last resort. Most of us aren't there yet.

[–] Typhoon@lemmy.ca -2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Most of us aren’t there yet.

By the time you are it'll be too late.

[–] peopleproblems@lemmy.world 1 points 11 hours ago

Sure. Most of us recognize it too. You realize the entire country is built around keeping us tied to an employer right?

Without a job, I have no health insurance, I have no roof over my head, I have no food. Those of us helping with the community orgs can only do so because we can afford it.

Good luck inspiring people to go die while they have those basic needs being provided.

[–] MedicPigBabySaver@lemmy.world 8 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Absolutely. I'm very aware of my "white privilege".

I vote. I've protested and will again.

Yet, I'm going away for long weekends and I have a very big vacation coming in 2 months. I'm sure many people find that selfish and offensive. However, I consider it my personal survival technique.

Best of luck to everyone.

[–] CH3DD4R_G0BL1N@sh.itjust.works 4 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

I view it more as I might as well spend my money while it still has buying power.

Oh, I am... My GF and I are logging at least one day of OT per week to pay for that big vacation. I'll be @ 54 hrs this week by end of today's shift. And my company pays "critical staffing" bonus of $10/hr on top of my 1.5X OT rate.

[–] D_C@sh.itjust.works 10 points 1 day ago (2 children)

First they came for the 'illegals', but I did not do anything as I wasn't an illegal.
Then they came for the trans, but I did not speak up for I wasn't trans.
Then they came for etc etc etc.

Waiting for dictators to do the right thing is never ever a good idea.

[–] lolola@lemmy.blahaj.zone 5 points 1 day ago (1 children)

first they came for the immigrants, and i'm freaking out because i'm trans and i'm worried we'll be next, but everyone's telling me to calm down. wonder what they'll say to me when they come for the trans.

[–] D_C@sh.itjust.works 3 points 1 day ago

They'll say, "Where's lolola gone? ...Oh, ohh, ohhhhhh. Oh well, never mind, I'm not trans. I'm just gay, they'll never come for me."
{Flashing lights outside. Knock on the door}
"Whoever could that be?...oh, hello officer, how can I help yo...why are you handcuffing me? Help! Help! No one could ever have seen this coming!!"

[–] WanderWisley@lemmy.world 9 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Sadly yes, when it finally does get to the point where most of America says “we’ve had enough!” I feel the water will be boiling and the frog will be almost cooked.

[–] hector@lemmy.today 4 points 1 day ago (1 children)

The water is so full of toxins we won't even have to wait for it to boil. Endocrine disruptors and whatever else have turned us into compliant slaves of the ruling class without a fight. I'm serious about that, something dosing us is making us compliant, I'm convinced of it, it could be endocrine disruptors perhaps, which are everywhere.

[–] WanderWisley@lemmy.world 4 points 1 day ago

If the micro plastics don’t get us global warming will for sure wipe us all out.