cowboycwr said:

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4th and Inches said:

---

cowboycwr said:

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Oldbear83 said:

---

cowboycwr said:

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4th and Inches said:

---

cowboycwr said:

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4th and Inches said:

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cowboycwr said:

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The poor are 5 times more likely to get an audit according to IRS numbers.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/irs-audit-eitc-five-times-as-likely-to-get-audited/

And the number of audits on people over $1mil or $10 mil has DROPPED over the years.

---

I would bet that a significant number of audited tax returns are ones that are not done by CPAs

---

Why would you think that?

---

CPA are more likely to understand tax law and how to apply it. People who dont understand tax law and how to apply it are more likely to make a mistake and are more likely to be bullied into admitting they messed up whether they did or not during an audit.

Tax returns done by CPAs will absolutely be audited but CPAs win tax audits more than people who dont have CPA background.

Those guys are looking for wins, they will take the easy wins all day long.

---

That part I understand but is the IRS able to tell a return is done by a CPA before they start the audit process? Like is it flagged in their system in a way that they know to skip over it? If so that makes it even less "random" then they claim it is supposed to be.

---

Well, there is a section where you tell the IRS whether you prepared your own taxes, or someone did it for you. So it wouldn't be hard to sort out the ones that mean more work for the auditor.

---

Yes. As I have said several times now I get that part.

But the IRS states the reasons they audit like for errors, missing income, etc. The IRS also states they do random audits. If they are excluding returns done by a professional then that is not random or at least only random among a select group.

---

When I used to do healthcare chart
Audits- there were certain flags we looked for.. if they were there then we dug deeper. If more flags popped then we really dig into everything that provider was doing/billing. One bad chart would lead to a dozen more charts done by that provider and staff members. If those had issues, we halted billing from that and pulled all the charts. Auditors by nature pull threads and see what unravels.

I am sure IRS has an internal system for their randoms that if they clear a base check, then they move on.. if flags appear, they dig.

---

Seems to me that any with flags would fall into the category of errors causing an audit not the random category. But it is a government agency so maybe I am thinking to hard on the meaning of random.

---

ours audits never started as flagged charts- they are randoms as required by OIG compliance protocol.

Sam Lowry said:

---

The problem is that when populists are done corrupting the political institutions, the apolitical institutions will still be just as corrupt as before.

---

Serious question:

Teddy Roosevelt was a populist. What institutions did he corrupt?

Thanks for your answer.

Golem said:

---

Sam Lowry said:

---

The problem is that when populists are done corrupting the political institutions, the apolitical institutions will still be just as corrupt as before.

---

It's not populists who corrupt institutions. It's leftists. From weaponizing the DOJ, to politicizing the CDC, to hollowing out universities and wearing their skin like woke zombies, the left corrupts everything it touches. And that corruption is elitist power consolidation at the expense of logic, reason and individual liberty.

---

+ 1


And the Dems are intentionally importing hundreds of thousands of leftists every single month .

And no one is standing up screaming …..STOP IT .

Sam Lowry said:

---

The problem is that when populists are done corrupting the political institutions, the apolitical institutions will still be just as corrupt as before.

---

Cause effect error.

Populism doesn't corrupt institutions. Populism happens because institutions are already corrupted.

whiterock said:

---

Sam Lowry said:

---

The problem is that when populists are done corrupting the political institutions, the apolitical institutions will still be just as corrupt as before.

---

Cause effect error.

Populism doesn't corrupt institutions. Populism happens because institutions are already corrupted.

---

We still have a democracy, if we can keep it.

Sam Lowry said:

---

whiterock said:

---

Sam Lowry said:

---

The problem is that when populists are done corrupting the political institutions, the apolitical institutions will still be just as corrupt as before.

---

Cause effect error.

Populism doesn't corrupt institutions. Populism happens because institutions are already corrupted.

---

We still have a democracy, if we can keep it.

---

Whether or not we keep it depends on how well we reform the societal institutions which have become the most direct threat to it.

whiterock said:

---

Sam Lowry said:

---

whiterock said:

---

Sam Lowry said:

---

The problem is that when populists are done corrupting the political institutions, the apolitical institutions will still be just as corrupt as before.

---

Cause effect error.

Populism doesn't corrupt institutions. Populism happens because institutions are already corrupted.

---

We still have a democracy, if we can keep it.

---

Whether or not we keep it depends on how well we reform the societal institutions which have become the most direct threat to it.

---

This is not "reform."

whiterock said:

---

Sam Lowry said:

---

whiterock said:

---

Sam Lowry said:

---

The problem is that when populists are done corrupting the political institutions, the apolitical institutions will still be just as corrupt as before.

---

Cause effect error.

Populism doesn't corrupt institutions. Populism happens because institutions are already corrupted.

---

We still have a democracy, if we can keep it.

---

Whether or not we keep it depends on how well we reform the societal institutions which have become the most direct threat to it.

---

One elected position is the controlling entity of multiple societal institutions. Break that power monopoly, and the rest resolves itself.

Oldbear83 said:

---

Sam Lowry said:

---

The problem is that when populists are done corrupting the political institutions, the apolitical institutions will still be just as corrupt as before.

---

Serious question:

Teddy Roosevelt was a populist. What institutions did he corrupt?

Thanks for your answer.

---

He carried the torch of executive authority forward by leaps and bounds. Many new government agencies and regulations sprouted from the Teddy Roosevelt administration. Probably the most active to that point since our founding.

4th and Inches said:

---

Sam Lowry said:

---

whiterock said:

---

Sam Lowry said:

---

whiterock said:

---

Sam Lowry said:

---

The problem is that when populists are done corrupting the political institutions, the apolitical institutions will still be just as corrupt as before.

---

Cause effect error.

Populism doesn't corrupt institutions. Populism happens because institutions are already corrupted.

---

We still have a democracy, if we can keep it.

---

Whether or not we keep it depends on how well we reform the societal institutions which have become the most direct threat to it.

---

This is not "reform."

---

no, its a rowdy tourist.. a rioter.. a dude in jail.. a misguided soul who believed his vote didnt matter due to cheating.. Nancy Pelosi might call it "democracy in action"

It is also a deflection from the topic at hand.

---

It's right on topic, and your tender description of the anti-democratic "reformers" shows exactly why. MAGA is wedded to revolutionaries at this point. Even if you don't love what they do, you can't quit them.

Sam Lowry said:

---

4th and Inches said:

---

Sam Lowry said:

---

whiterock said:

---

Sam Lowry said:

---

whiterock said:

---

Sam Lowry said:

---

The problem is that when populists are done corrupting the political institutions, the apolitical institutions will still be just as corrupt as before.

---

Cause effect error.

Populism doesn't corrupt institutions. Populism happens because institutions are already corrupted.

---

We still have a democracy, if we can keep it.

---

Whether or not we keep it depends on how well we reform the societal institutions which have become the most direct threat to it.

---

This is not "reform."

---

no, its a rowdy tourist.. a rioter.. a dude in jail.. a misguided soul who believed his vote didnt matter due to cheating.. Nancy Pelosi might call it "democracy in action"

It is also a deflection from the topic at hand.

---

It's right on topic, and your tender description of the anti-democratic "reformers" shows exactly why. MAGA is wedded to seditionists at this point. Even if you don't love what they do, you can't quit them.

---

its easy to quit the "seditionists" which are less than 1% of MAGA.. the GOP cant seperate MAGA because its what grew the party while the NeoCons and never trumpers sat on their votes.

Still funny to watch how some never trumpers claim the reason they didnt vote for Trump was all the stuff that happened after election day..

4th and Inches said:

---

Sam Lowry said:

---

4th and Inches said:

---

Sam Lowry said:

---

whiterock said:

---

Sam Lowry said:

---

whiterock said:

---

Sam Lowry said:

---

The problem is that when populists are done corrupting the political institutions, the apolitical institutions will still be just as corrupt as before.

---

Cause effect error.

Populism doesn't corrupt institutions. Populism happens because institutions are already corrupted.

---

We still have a democracy, if we can keep it.

---

Whether or not we keep it depends on how well we reform the societal institutions which have become the most direct threat to it.

---

This is not "reform."

---

no, its a rowdy tourist.. a rioter.. a dude in jail.. a misguided soul who believed his vote didnt matter due to cheating.. Nancy Pelosi might call it "democracy in action"

It is also a deflection from the topic at hand.

---

It's right on topic, and your tender description of the anti-democratic "reformers" shows exactly why. MAGA is wedded to seditionists at this point. Even if you don't love what they do, you can't quit them.

---

its easy to quit the "seditionists" which are less than 1% of MAGA..

---

Prove it.

Sam Lowry said:

---

4th and Inches said:

---

Sam Lowry said:

---

4th and Inches said:

---

Sam Lowry said:

---

whiterock said:

---

Sam Lowry said:

---

whiterock said:

---

Sam Lowry said:

---

The problem is that when populists are done corrupting the political institutions, the apolitical institutions will still be just as corrupt as before.

---

Cause effect error.

Populism doesn't corrupt institutions. Populism happens because institutions are already corrupted.

---

We still have a democracy, if we can keep it.

---

Whether or not we keep it depends on how well we reform the societal institutions which have become the most direct threat to it.

---

This is not "reform."

---

no, its a rowdy tourist.. a rioter.. a dude in jail.. a misguided soul who believed his vote didnt matter due to cheating.. Nancy Pelosi might call it "democracy in action"

It is also a deflection from the topic at hand.

---

It's right on topic, and your tender description of the anti-democratic "reformers" shows exactly why. MAGA is wedded to seditionists at this point. Even if you don't love what they do, you can't quit them.

---

its easy to quit the "seditionists" which are less than 1% of MAGA..

---

Prove it.

---

prove you can join MAGA

4th and Inches said:

---

Sam Lowry said:

---

4th and Inches said:

---

Sam Lowry said:

---

4th and Inches said:

---

Sam Lowry said:

---

whiterock said:

---

Sam Lowry said:

---

whiterock said:

---

Sam Lowry said:

---

The problem is that when populists are done corrupting the political institutions, the apolitical institutions will still be just as corrupt as before.

---

Cause effect error.

Populism doesn't corrupt institutions. Populism happens because institutions are already corrupted.

---

We still have a democracy, if we can keep it.

---

Whether or not we keep it depends on how well we reform the societal institutions which have become the most direct threat to it.

---

This is not "reform."

---

no, its a rowdy tourist.. a rioter.. a dude in jail.. a misguided soul who believed his vote didnt matter due to cheating.. Nancy Pelosi might call it "democracy in action"

It is also a deflection from the topic at hand.

---

It's right on topic, and your tender description of the anti-democratic "reformers" shows exactly why. MAGA is wedded to seditionists at this point. Even if you don't love what they do, you can't quit them.

---

its easy to quit the "seditionists" which are less than 1% of MAGA..

---

Prove it.

---

prove you can join MAGA

---

Been there and done that.

ATL Bear said:

---

whiterock said:

---

Sam Lowry said:

---

whiterock said:

---

Sam Lowry said:

---

The problem is that when populists are done corrupting the political institutions, the apolitical institutions will still be just as corrupt as before.

---

Cause effect error.

Populism doesn't corrupt institutions. Populism happens because institutions are already corrupted.

---

We still have a democracy, if we can keep it.

---

Whether or not we keep it depends on how well we reform the societal institutions which have become the most direct threat to it.

---

One elected position is the controlling entity of multiple societal institutions. Break that power monopoly, and the rest resolves itself.

---

hmm. didn't happen in 2000. or 2004. or 2016.

You don't have good grasp of societal institutions.

4th and Inches said:

---

Sam Lowry said:

---

whiterock said:

---

Sam Lowry said:

---

whiterock said:

---

Sam Lowry said:

---

The problem is that when populists are done corrupting the political institutions, the apolitical institutions will still be just as corrupt as before.

---

Cause effect error.

Populism doesn't corrupt institutions. Populism happens because institutions are already corrupted.

---

We still have a democracy, if we can keep it.

---

Whether or not we keep it depends on how well we reform the societal institutions which have become the most direct threat to it.

---

This is not "reform."

---

no, its a rowdy tourist.. a rioter.. a dude in jail.. a misguided soul who believed his vote didnt matter due to cheating.. Nancy Pelosi might call it "democracy in action"

It is also a deflection from the topic at hand.

---

it's a lack of respect for an elected body which hasn't served the public well the last few decades.

as Sam illustrates, "lack of respect" for an institutions can be perceived as revolutionary by those institutions. And when that happens, it is a sure sign the institutions are in fact a contributor to, if not primary cause of the problem.

whiterock said:

---

4th and Inches said:

---

Sam Lowry said:

---

whiterock said:

---

Sam Lowry said:

---

whiterock said:

---

Sam Lowry said:

---

The problem is that when populists are done corrupting the political institutions, the apolitical institutions will still be just as corrupt as before.

---

Cause effect error.

Populism doesn't corrupt institutions. Populism happens because institutions are already corrupted.

---

We still have a democracy, if we can keep it.

---

Whether or not we keep it depends on how well we reform the societal institutions which have become the most direct threat to it.

---

This is not "reform."

---

no, its a rowdy tourist.. a rioter.. a dude in jail.. a misguided soul who believed his vote didnt matter due to cheating.. Nancy Pelosi might call it "democracy in action"

It is also a deflection from the topic at hand.

---

it's a lack of respect for an elected body which hasn't served the public well the last few decades.

as Sam illustrates, "lack of respect" for an institutions can be perceived as revolutionary by those institutions. And when that happens, it is a sure sign the institutions are in fact a contributor to, if not primary cause of the problem.

---

Who here is speaking for the institutions? Not me. I'm just taking people at their word.

Sam Lowry said:

---

4th and Inches said:

---

Sam Lowry said:

---

4th and Inches said:

---

Sam Lowry said:

---

whiterock said:

---

Sam Lowry said:

---

whiterock said:

---

Sam Lowry said:

---

The problem is that when populists are done corrupting the political institutions, the apolitical institutions will still be just as corrupt as before.

---

Cause effect error.

Populism doesn't corrupt institutions. Populism happens because institutions are already corrupted.

---

We still have a democracy, if we can keep it.

---

Whether or not we keep it depends on how well we reform the societal institutions which have become the most direct threat to it.

---

This is not "reform."

---

no, its a rowdy tourist.. a rioter.. a dude in jail.. a misguided soul who believed his vote didnt matter due to cheating.. Nancy Pelosi might call it "democracy in action"

It is also a deflection from the topic at hand.

---

It's right on topic, and your tender description of the anti-democratic "reformers" shows exactly why. MAGA is wedded to seditionists at this point. Even if you don't love what they do, you can't quit them.

---

its easy to quit the "seditionists" which are less than 1% of MAGA..

---

I can't let go of my obsession with Trump

---

Translated from Lowry to Reality

ATL Bear said:

---

Oldbear83 said:

---

Sam Lowry said:

---

The problem is that when populists are done corrupting the political institutions, the apolitical institutions will still be just as corrupt as before.

---

Serious question:

Teddy Roosevelt was a populist. What institutions did he corrupt?

Thanks for your answer.

---

He carried the torch of executive authority forward by leaps and bounds. Many new government agencies and regulations sprouted from the Teddy Roosevelt administration. Probably the most active to that point since our founding.

---

I'd say Wilson was much, much worse. And he was no populist.

whiterock said:

---

ATL Bear said:

---

whiterock said:

---

Sam Lowry said:

---

whiterock said:

---

Sam Lowry said:

---

The problem is that when populists are done corrupting the political institutions, the apolitical institutions will still be just as corrupt as before.

---

Cause effect error.

Populism doesn't corrupt institutions. Populism happens because institutions are already corrupted.

---

We still have a democracy, if we can keep it.

---

Whether or not we keep it depends on how well we reform the societal institutions which have become the most direct threat to it.

---

One elected position is the controlling entity of multiple societal institutions. Break that power monopoly, and the rest resolves itself.

---

hmm. didn't happen in 2000. or 2004. or 2016.

You don't have good grasp of societal institutions.

---

Is government not a societal institution?

Golem said:

---

Sam Lowry said:

---

whiterock said:

---

Sam Lowry said:

---

The problem is that when populists are done corrupting the political institutions, the apolitical institutions will still be just as corrupt as before.

---

Cause effect error.

Populism doesn't corrupt institutions. Populism happens because institutions are already corrupted.

---

We still have a democracy, if we can keep it.

---

No.

"A republic, if you can keep it." - Ben Franklin

The problem is, you leftists want a tyranny of lifelong gerrymandered political hacks, masquerading as a democracy. What you don't want is a Republic run by citizen statesmen who serve for a limited time, aim to fix the problems they will go back to living with, and don't spend 40+ years enriching themselves.

---

Bingo.

ATL Bear said:

---

whiterock said:

---

ATL Bear said:

---

whiterock said:

---

Sam Lowry said:

---

whiterock said:

---

Sam Lowry said:

---

The problem is that when populists are done corrupting the political institutions, the apolitical institutions will still be just as corrupt as before.

---

Cause effect error.

Populism doesn't corrupt institutions. Populism happens because institutions are already corrupted.

---

We still have a democracy, if we can keep it.

---

Whether or not we keep it depends on how well we reform the societal institutions which have become the most direct threat to it.

---

One elected position is the controlling entity of multiple societal institutions. Break that power monopoly, and the rest resolves itself.

---

hmm. didn't happen in 2000. or 2004. or 2016.

You don't have good grasp of societal institutions.

---

Is government not a societal institution?

---

your argument assumes it is the only one.

whiterock said:

---

ATL Bear said:

---

whiterock said:

---

ATL Bear said:

---

whiterock said:

---

Sam Lowry said:

---

whiterock said:

---

Sam Lowry said:

---

The problem is that when populists are done corrupting the political institutions, the apolitical institutions will still be just as corrupt as before.

---

Cause effect error.

Populism doesn't corrupt institutions. Populism happens because institutions are already corrupted.

---

We still have a democracy, if we can keep it.

---

Whether or not we keep it depends on how well we reform the societal institutions which have become the most direct threat to it.

---

One elected position is the controlling entity of multiple societal institutions. Break that power monopoly, and the rest resolves itself.

---

hmm. didn't happen in 2000. or 2004. or 2016.

You don't have good grasp of societal institutions.

---

Is government not a societal institution?

---

your argument assumes it is the only one.

---

No. My argument is that we've allowed it to be the most powerful influencer of all other institutions to the point it is indelibly integrated into them. And the agencies, assets, and people that do so are managed primarily by a single branch with one all powerful elected official.

ATL Bear said:

---

whiterock said:

---

ATL Bear said:

---

whiterock said:

---

ATL Bear said:

---

whiterock said:

---

Sam Lowry said:

---

whiterock said:

---

Sam Lowry said:

---

The problem is that when populists are done corrupting the political institutions, the apolitical institutions will still be just as corrupt as before.

---

Cause effect error.

Populism doesn't corrupt institutions. Populism happens because institutions are already corrupted.

---

We still have a democracy, if we can keep it.

---

Whether or not we keep it depends on how well we reform the societal institutions which have become the most direct threat to it.

---

One elected position is the controlling entity of multiple societal institutions. Break that power monopoly, and the rest resolves itself.

---

hmm. didn't happen in 2000. or 2004. or 2016.

You don't have good grasp of societal institutions.

---

Is government not a societal institution?

---

your argument assumes it is the only one.

---

No. My argument is that we've allowed it to be the most powerful influencer of all other institutions to the point it is indelibly integrated into them. And the agencies, assets, and people that do so are managed primarily by a single branch with one all powerful elected official.

---

Correct. An idiot Democrat in a buffalo costume is not a THREAT TO DEMOCRACY. A bloated bureaucracy with virtually unlimited power given to unelected, lifelong bureaucrats that is quickly moving more towards authoritarianism and fascism is the actual threat to democracy fueled by a corporate regime propaganda institution that pumps out daily disinformation.

ATL Bear said:

---

whiterock said:

---

ATL Bear said:

---

whiterock said:

---

ATL Bear said:

---

whiterock said:

---

Sam Lowry said:

---

whiterock said:

---

Sam Lowry said:

---

The problem is that when populists are done corrupting the political institutions, the apolitical institutions will still be just as corrupt as before.

---

Cause effect error.

Populism doesn't corrupt institutions. Populism happens because institutions are already corrupted.

---

We still have a democracy, if we can keep it.

---

Whether or not we keep it depends on how well we reform the societal institutions which have become the most direct threat to it.

---

One elected position is the controlling entity of multiple societal institutions. Break that power monopoly, and the rest resolves itself.

---

hmm. didn't happen in 2000. or 2004. or 2016.

You don't have good grasp of societal institutions.

---

Is government not a societal institution?

---

your argument assumes it is the only one.

---

No. My argument is that we've allowed it to be the most powerful influencer of all other institutions to the point it is indelibly integrated into them. And the agencies, assets, and people that do so are managed primarily by a single branch with one all powerful elected official.

---

Disagree. Completely. If that were true, cancel culture would cut both ways, and we wouldn't see junior high school field trips to drag shows.

Most societal institutions have become partisan and push substantial pieces of leftism totally outside of govt institutions. The public is powerless to stop it. Those institutions partner with one party and fight the other tooth and nail.

Look at HB's "Clown World" thread. No statute or executive order order made that change happen.

whiterock said:

---

ATL Bear said:

---

whiterock said:

---

ATL Bear said:

---

whiterock said:

---

ATL Bear said:

---

whiterock said:

---

Sam Lowry said:

---

whiterock said:

---

Sam Lowry said:

---

The problem is that when populists are done corrupting the political institutions, the apolitical institutions will still be just as corrupt as before.

---

Cause effect error.

Populism doesn't corrupt institutions. Populism happens because institutions are already corrupted.

---

We still have a democracy, if we can keep it.

---

Whether or not we keep it depends on how well we reform the societal institutions which have become the most direct threat to it.

---

One elected position is the controlling entity of multiple societal institutions. Break that power monopoly, and the rest resolves itself.

---

hmm. didn't happen in 2000. or 2004. or 2016.

You don't have good grasp of societal institutions.

---

Is government not a societal institution?

---

your argument assumes it is the only one.

---

No. My argument is that we've allowed it to be the most powerful influencer of all other institutions to the point it is indelibly integrated into them. And the agencies, assets, and people that do so are managed primarily by a single branch with one all powerful elected official.

---

Disagree. Completely. If that were true, cancel culture would cut both ways, and we wouldn't see junior high school field trips to drag shows.

Most societal institutions have become partisan and push substantial pieces of leftism totally outside of govt institutions. The public is powerless to stop it. Those institutions partner with one party and fight the other tooth and nail.

---

Partisanship is the precursor to official action. It's been a steady stream of government influence and action for well over a century. Even the institutions of religion and family, which should be the furthest from government purview, have been breached extensively through legislation, regulation, and the intertwining mix of other institutions like education, media, and economic institutions. I have no idea how you could disagree with this. What institution do you think allows for Junior High drag shows, and what department is it part of?

If you're simply stating it's been a leftward trail, then I agree. But to say the public has been powerless is wrong. it's only because these opposing interests have more effectively used populism to influence and direct the power of government's role that changes are more broad and difficult to alter. And the primary power behind it is managed through a matrix of agencies reporting to a single elected official.

4th and Inches said:

---

Sam Lowry said:

---

4th and Inches said:

---

Sam Lowry said:

---

whiterock said:

---

Sam Lowry said:

---

whiterock said:

---

Sam Lowry said:

---

The problem is that when populists are done corrupting the political institutions, the apolitical institutions will still be just as corrupt as before.

---

Cause effect error.

Populism doesn't corrupt institutions. Populism happens because institutions are already corrupted.

---

We still have a democracy, if we can keep it.

---

Whether or not we keep it depends on how well we reform the societal institutions which have become the most direct threat to it.

---

This is not "reform."

---

no, its a rowdy tourist.. a rioter.. a dude in jail.. a misguided soul who believed his vote didnt matter due to cheating.. Nancy Pelosi might call it "democracy in action"

It is also a deflection from the topic at hand.

---

It's right on topic, and your tender description of the anti-democratic "reformers" shows exactly why. MAGA is wedded to seditionists at this point. Even if you don't love what they do, you can't quit them.

---

its easy to quit the "seditionists" which are less than 1% of MAGA.. the GOP cant seperate MAGA because its what grew the party while the NeoCons and never trumpers sat on their votes.

Still funny to watch how some never trumpers claim the reason they didnt vote for Trump was all the stuff that happened after election day..

---

No, I really like to deal in facts. If you are a GOPr, he lost thePresidency, Congress and the Senate and was impeached twice! Nuff said! Furthermore, he is a miserable human and all you evangelicals that think you and he are likeminded.....His actions say he isn't a Christian. He is pimping you people just like that grifting mfer has done all his life. That why I'm a never Trumper, but a conservative. Oh, and how about that debt ceiling that he piled on (not concerviative) that we are now dealing with.

J.R. said:

---

4th and Inches said:

---

Sam Lowry said:

---

4th and Inches said:

---

Sam Lowry said:

---

whiterock said:

---

Sam Lowry said:

---

whiterock said:

---

Sam Lowry said:

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The problem is that when populists are done corrupting the political institutions, the apolitical institutions will still be just as corrupt as before.

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Cause effect error.

Populism doesn't corrupt institutions. Populism happens because institutions are already corrupted.

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We still have a democracy, if we can keep it.

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Whether or not we keep it depends on how well we reform the societal institutions which have become the most direct threat to it.

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This is not "reform."

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no, its a rowdy tourist.. a rioter.. a dude in jail.. a misguided soul who believed his vote didnt matter due to cheating.. Nancy Pelosi might call it "democracy in action"

It is also a deflection from the topic at hand.

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It's right on topic, and your tender description of the anti-democratic "reformers" shows exactly why. MAGA is wedded to seditionists at this point. Even if you don't love what they do, you can't quit them.

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its easy to quit the "seditionists" which are less than 1% of MAGA.. the GOP cant seperate MAGA because its what grew the party while the NeoCons and never trumpers sat on their votes.

Still funny to watch how some never trumpers claim the reason they didnt vote for Trump was all the stuff that happened after election day..

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No, I really like to deal in facts. If you are a GOPr, he lost thePresidency, Congress and the Senate and was impeached twice! Nuff said! Furthermore, he is a miserable human and all you evangelicals that think you and he are likeminded.....His actions say he isn't a Christian. He is pimping you people just like that grifting mfer has done all his life. That why I'm a never Trumper, but a conservative. Oh, and how about that debt ceiling that he piled on (not concerviative) that we are now dealing with.

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who claimed Trump was a conservative? He was the better choice in 2016, he was the better choice in 2020.. God only knows what 2024 will bring.

The amount of true conservatives in congress is like maybe 20% of GOP. Too many moderate voters for true conservatives to Flourish in politics

whiterock said:

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Look at HB's "Clown World" thread. No statute or executive order order made that change happen.

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Ironically that change is related to HHS rules under new gender and sex discrimination requirements. Look up HHS section 1557 regs.

J.R. said:

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4th and Inches said:

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Sam Lowry said:

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4th and Inches said:

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Sam Lowry said:

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whiterock said:

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Sam Lowry said:

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whiterock said:

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Sam Lowry said:

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The problem is that when populists are done corrupting the political institutions, the apolitical institutions will still be just as corrupt as before.

---

Cause effect error.

Populism doesn't corrupt institutions. Populism happens because institutions are already corrupted.

---

We still have a democracy, if we can keep it.

---

Whether or not we keep it depends on how well we reform the societal institutions which have become the most direct threat to it.

---

This is not "reform."

---

no, its a rowdy tourist.. a rioter.. a dude in jail.. a misguided soul who believed his vote didnt matter due to cheating.. Nancy Pelosi might call it "democracy in action"

It is also a deflection from the topic at hand.

---

It's right on topic, and your tender description of the anti-democratic "reformers" shows exactly why. MAGA is wedded to seditionists at this point. Even if you don't love what they do, you can't quit them.

---

its easy to quit the "seditionists" which are less than 1% of MAGA.. the GOP cant seperate MAGA because its what grew the party while the NeoCons and never trumpers sat on their votes.

Still funny to watch how some never trumpers claim the reason they didnt vote for Trump was all the stuff that happened after election day..

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No, I really like to deal in facts. If you are a GOPr, he lost thePresidency, Congress and the Senate and was impeached twice! Nuff said! Furthermore, he is a miserable human and all you evangelicals that think you and he are likeminded.....His actions say he isn't a Christian. He is pimping you people just like that grifting mfer has done all his life. That why I'm a never Trumper, but a conservative. Oh, and how about that debt ceiling that he piled on (not concerviative) that we are now dealing with.

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Admire your business acumen.

But after enjoying your comments for many years would have never guessed you to be a conservative.

Trump version , rhino, or any other type of conservative.

ATL Bear said:

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whiterock said:

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Look at HB's "Clown World" thread. No statute or executive order order made that change happen.

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Ironically that change is related to HHS rules under new gender and sex discrimination requirements. Look up HHS section 1557 regs.

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Think not. Just updated info at three different medical practices this month. Forms still binary. Not all regs are requirement. Many are guidance.

No statute requires DEI. Or CRT. Or Queer Theory. Or praxis of same in public schools. Teachers unions are primary driving forces, with sympathetic administrators, who go to workshops held by interest PACs, all of which (and more) make it very difficult for a school board to do anything to stop it (even were they so inclined, which until recently they were not). Examples abound throughout society. (particularly VA, where praxis in public schools was literally the driving force in Youngkin's win.)

I do not disagree with your point that govt overreach in general and expanding executive power specifically is a problem. I'm merely trying to point out that the problem is far larger than that. Most OTHER societal institutions are either pursuing progressive partisan agendas, or pandering to them, in ways that make it very, very difficult for the electorate to have its grievances redressed.

Populism is never a problem of enchantment of masses by some glib Pied Piper, as societal elites need to believe. There is always an underlying discontent that has gone long addressed. On the left, the loud voices get co-opted. On the right, they get cancelled. It is the purpose of societal institutions to diffuse and moderate such tensions, to rise above politics and build a sense of community, to remind us that the political issue of the day is not necessarily the most important. Today, fewer are fewer societal institutions are fulfilling that role. (or slowly withering away.) Increasingly, they are joining one agenda or the other (mostly progressive). That is an enormous problem, and the single biggest factor why we saw personages like Trump and Sanders in 2016. Nothing has quelled that energy. It lays there, unrequited. Even the centrists are increasingly disgustipated at what the future holds After 4 years of Trump, and 4 years of Biden, the electorate is at a "you mean I shaved my legs for this? moment. (see that dynamic here on this board).

We have lost a common understanding of the common good. And policy is not serving the needs of ordinary people.
THAT is why we see surging populism.

whiterock said:

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ATL Bear said:

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whiterock said:

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Look at HB's "Clown World" thread. No statute or executive order order made that change happen.

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Ironically that change is related to HHS rules under new gender and sex discrimination requirements. Look up HHS section 1557 regs.

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Populism is never a problem of enchantment of masses by some glib Pied Piper, as societal elites need to believe. There is always an underlying discontent that has gone long addressed.

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It's both.