this post was submitted on 18 Jul 2026
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Late Stage Capitalism

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[–] arin@lemmy.world 31 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Not even capitalism right now, it's full on fascism.

[–] theparadox@lemmy.world 23 points 2 months ago (2 children)

Fascism is the inevitable result of capitalism.

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[–] Dryad@lemmy.world 24 points 2 months ago (1 children)

…so can we try the socialism now…?

[–] Lemminary@lemmy.world 6 points 2 months ago (2 children)

Ask the republicans and centrists.

[–] Dryad@lemmy.world 5 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Problem is America doesn’t really have a centrist party. Even America’s left, anywhere else in the world, would be right of center.

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[–] Tango@piefed.ca 21 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (4 children)

I broadly agree, but the idea that the USA doesn't have protests at all is overstating the case to an obvious degree, given the widespread coverage each No Kings protest gets, with particular emphasis on how large the crowds are. One could argue that these protests are ineffective, but the phrasing in the OP is "no protests", which is provably wrong.

I point this out because in my experience, when attempting to persuade, it's better to make 99 good points than to make 99 good points and 1 weak one. Because people hostile to your overall argument will focus on that 1 weak point and make it seem (to casual observers) like your entire argument must be that weak.

[–] moustachio@lemmy.world 11 points 2 months ago

If the protest is meaningless then it is effectively the same as not even being allowed. One could argue it’s almost worse because it gives the illusion of the right.

[–] UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world 8 points 2 months ago (4 children)

the idea that the USA doesn’t have protests at all is overstating the case

Misuse of crowd-control weapons on ICE protesters led to blindings and traumatic brain injuries, report finds. Doctors and human rights experts documented hundreds of incidents from June 2025 through May 2026 and estimate true number is ‘far greater’

One could argue that these protests are ineffective

I believe the argument is that they are functionally criminalized.

[–] Tango@piefed.ca 2 points 2 months ago

Either way, neither argument is the same as "no protests".

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[–] OldChicoAle@lemmy.world 3 points 2 months ago (1 children)

How about no protests where you don't feel like your government is putting you on a list?

[–] Tango@piefed.ca 2 points 2 months ago

Sure, but my point is that if that's what you mean then that's what you should say. It's important to keep a message simple, but not at the expense of honesty. Otherwise a lot of people tune out.

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[–] BeKindRewind@lemmy.world 19 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

We can still protest. We still have a legal right to free speech. It's not worth the hyperbole. It also perpetuates a misconception that authoritarianism doesn't allow for protests and free speech.

The model we are emulating is competitive authoritarianism. For the past four decades it has been an increasingly popular form of government.

There will be elections. There will be protests. There will be opposing parties and anti-government speech.

But the tables will be tilted heavily. They will allow small opposition wins, but the majority will stay with one party.

Speech won't be illegal, but you will be harassed. Asked questions by law enforcement. Press will be sued.

They will leverage the private/public surveillance apparatus to monitor public sentiment on all topics and how far they can push (and release pressure when needed) and what opposition to monitor/harass. Decades of data from political science, sociology, and psychology will make this an art.

It's dangerous if we perpetuate the idea that authoritarianism only exists when we can't protest or say anti-government things. The underlying institutional foundations are being changed now. The referees are being captured now. Press and citizens can legally say what they want, but the chilling effect is happening now.

We need more mobilization. Hyperbolic takes and not being clear on what authoritarianism actually looks like in the 21st century will make it harder.

[–] whereitsat@lemmy.zip 3 points 2 months ago (1 children)

this nerdy declaration of facts serves what purpose? the OP's points would ring true with your average american and make them think deeper about the culture they live in and the dynamics swirling around them.

right-wingers don't care about facts and it would appear year after year after year that militantly pointing to all these obvious contradictions and mistruths never accomplishes anything, no more than it does to the religious zealot that ignores the gospels.

but anyone left of center is expected to lay down absolute undisputable facts at all times.

who does that help?

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[–] brachiosaurus@mander.xyz 12 points 2 months ago

And every product looks the same and has shitty quality

[–] andros_rex@lemmy.world 9 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Finally got my full bill for my no-insurance emergency “we have to do this or you die” surgery from a month ago. (At least I think that’s it - who knows if I’ll get more random “I was in the room for five minutes that’ll be $1000” bills)

$24,000. That’s after the self-pay discount from something like $300,000. I’m making around $2400 this month.

[–] JoeBigelow@lemmy.ca 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Hey hey! 29k just a month ago! I cried until I laughed because that's absurd, I'll literally never pay that off

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[–] Jake_Farm@sopuli.xyz 7 points 2 months ago (3 children)
[–] SaltyAmerican@lemmy.world 22 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Get too loud and they will shut you down

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[–] OwOarchist@pawb.social 11 points 2 months ago (2 children)

Approved, permitted, non-violent, non-disruptive protests only.

[–] floquant@lemmy.dbzer0.com 14 points 2 months ago

Aka parades

[–] mursejoy@lemmy.zip 10 points 2 months ago (2 children)

God forbid you exercise your Second Amendment right and bring a gun to that protest to protect yourself. You’ll be shot dead before it ever leaves your holster just like Alex Pretti. An Intensive Care Unit nurse who was brutally murdered in our streets on camera by ICE. The man never reached for his gun but they shot him several times. Then proceeded to lie about circumstances before video evidence was revealed.

[–] OwOarchist@pawb.social 7 points 2 months ago

God forbid you exercise your Second Amendment right and bring a gun to that protest to protect yourself.

It's a well known fact that you're only allowed to exercise one right at a time.

(The number drops to zero if you're not white.)

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[–] Bloomcole@lemmy.world 6 points 2 months ago

Yes, the hardcore american way of doing resistance with edgy signs.
A joke to the world

[–] ZILtoid1991@lemmy.world 7 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Give it a few years, and we won't even have porn...

[–] SaltyAmerican@lemmy.world 6 points 2 months ago

Come to Texas, it's nearly like that. A VPN is required to get porn

[–] TheBrideWoreCrimson@sopuli.xyz 4 points 2 months ago

Whoever said that socialism meant "No healthcare" or "Unaffordable food and housing" was lying BIG time.
It was quite the opposite.

[–] Daft_ish@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

This is only because we have fire departments.

[–] teslasaur@lemmy.world 4 points 2 months ago

The pot is calling the kettle black.

[–] Birch@sh.itjust.works 3 points 2 months ago

In the US, but every european country seems to aspire to do the same

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