Progressives will not underperform with independents. But they WILL underperform with the people who say they are moderate, but secretly have reactionary opinions they are in denial about.

Sam Altman is straight up saying the government is like insurance for investors, to encourage people to keep feeding into the AI bubble.

Tax cuts, bailouts, subsidies.. tax payers and workers are a piggy bank for the rich.

*my prediction anyway. that's how so many somewhat conservative commentators act as soon as they get a heat little heat for spewing recycled, odious, culture-war slop.

This is actually a horrible idea: this means people who rely on that paycheck can be held hostage by people who have family businesses or friendly corporate backers- other means of income.

Do you think Rick Scott needs that paycheck? No, but someone representing a poor community might.

Paleontology is as far zoomed out as you can be, and every other field- from archaeology to history to biology to sociology- just adds proof to what you've said in their own ways.

That's also how they manage to justify all these wars.

By keeping politicians and old people terrified. Through endless funding and cop/soldier worship. Cocaine. Drunk and roided out cops. White supremacy. And ENDLESS economic stimulus through the Defense Industry.

Obviously the subtext is "if you're not rich, white, Western." These things depend heavily on race, zip code, citizenship, etc.