this post was submitted on 28 Sep 2024
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Showerthoughts

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A "Showerthought" is a simple term used to describe the thoughts that pop into your head while you're doing everyday things like taking a shower, driving, or just daydreaming. A showerthought should offer a unique perspective on an ordinary part of life.

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[–] hesusingthespiritbomb@lemmy.world 86 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Honestly this is sort of ridiculous.

  • Biden is a Washington insider now, but that's because he had a lifetime to make something of himself. He grew up in the middle class
  • I think we can all agree Obama was an outsider without any sort of elaboration
  • Bill Clinton grew up dirt poor in a state that basically only makes the news when something stupid happens.

All three had to climb the ladder in a huge way, that simply wouldn't have been possible in a lot of other countries.

I also feel like Trump embodies the whole "anyone can be president" in his own sort of fucked up way. Trump obviously was born into immense wealth and enjoyed tremendous status, but he was in no way ever considered leadership material by America's political elite. His election was a complete "wtf" moment and wouldn't have happened in most countries. In a more rigid system we'd probably have had something like a Hillary Clinton v Jeb Bush election, which strictly speaking would have been better than what we got but also let's be real we would have all hated it.

I'm not saying America is some pure meritocracy. Bush was a third generation political dynasty member. His opponents were also pretty well connected. It's just that he's only one of several presidents to get elected in the past 30 years.

[–] turtletracks@lemmy.zip 8 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

Something about him still winning despite losing the popular vote should've been an eye opening moment, but I guess they didn't care when it happened with Al Gore either

I was in college when this happened. Absolutely nobody thought he could win until Florida was called. Trump himself seemed mildly surprised in his victory speech.