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I don't post all that often, though don't mistake that for not enjoying this board's discourse, OUsucks/Texags point and laughs, and quality original content on a frequent basis. I haven't felt this sort of enthusiasm about the future of the country in over eight years. Same for my wife. We've been on a road trip the last two days and as such have gotten to digest this with each other seeing the news, subsequent endorsements, and then today's speech. Let me backtrack a few weeks... The despair really came to fruition the night of the debate. It wasn't THAT bad, it was the worst possible performance other than pissing yourself on stage. Watching it that night, my wife and I first shared feelings of shock. Again, it wasn't as bad as it had been rumored, it was somehow worse. We (and the entire country) knew that night that the only way Biden could win the election would be to get enough anti-Trump people to GOTV. However, that was going to be next to impossible given the level of enthusiasm with the campaign as soon as they walked off the stage that night. We realized that night that Trump had gone from likely longshot odds to win, to a position where even he probably couldn't screw up the next few months bad enough to lose. Those feelings were soon replaced by frustration and anger. Anger at the DNC for forcing Biden to run again and not spending his term as a true transitional leader and prepare the next generation to lead. Let's be 100% honest: There is nothing about "what the people want" less than forcing two basically octogenarians onto us for the choice to lead the free world for the next four years. Two candidates who wouldn't live long enough to see the effectiveness (or lack thereof) of their policies. Two candidates who should be retired, not running for the most stressful job in the world. Between Daycare and Health Insurance premiums, we are close to $30,000/year, and that's assuming everyone stays healthy. That's our floor. People on Medicare with a supplement pay usually no more than $5k/year, and that's their ceiling. So when the debate question about Childcare got skipped over completely with nary a word related to the topic at all from either candidate, further resignation and apathy about the ridiculousness of how parts of our country operate set in. As a Millennial, going through 9/11 in high school (Biology class when the news hit), graduating college into the Great Recession and competing against literal MBAs for entry level jobs, to finally COVID. How fortunate are we to live through three "once in a generation" events between the times most of us are between the ages of 20 and 40, in our prime earning years. We know that the "Dad was a milkman and supported a family of four in a 3/2 suburbia and vacationed every year" was a literal thing. We know how far behind we are, thanks to decades of policy decisions that just continued to cut the bottom rungs off of the ladder one at a time. In exchange for going through that, our choices for the next four years were these two guys... again... just four years older. In what world are Millennials and Gen Z supposed to think that the American Dream exists in any fashion whatsoever? While older generations expressed dismay at Gen Z not savings and spending for experiences now, us Millennials were like "Ya... we get it. We probably should have done more of that ourselves at your age." The "We're Not Going Back" line is great. We don't want to go back to the same old drawing board of "Thoughts & Prayers about your most recent shooting" and "It'll trickle down this time, we promise!". It hasn't worked, it isn't working, and it won't work. Is Kamala perfect? No. Will she deliver on half of her campaign promises? Doubtful, depends on the down ballot results mostly. Is she a breath of fresh air to anyone begging for a choice to vote for someone else? Abso-fucking-lutely. Somehow, Nikki Haley likely had it right when said "The first party to retire their 80-year old candidate will win this election." Even if she only delivers on 25% of her promises, that would be a substantial step forward, compared to the regression we'd see under Trump. I didn't expect this post to be this long. In a way, it was sort of cathartic to write out the generalized frustrations of the last several years. But oddly... that desire to write this out is because I'm finally, FINALLY optimistic about our future in a real way. In a way where there might be a chance that I won't have to worry about my son in school doing active shooter drills, where we might not benefit from Universal Child Care, but future generations will, because they should. Where if someone changes jobs they aren't risking financial ruin before their next set of benefits kicks in, because again, be honest... no one pays the ridiculous COBRA premiums unless they are already in a situation where it's needed. Stop trying to fix the old ladder. Just build a fucking new one.

Last night, 44,000 black women participated in a historic zoom call during which 1.6 million was raised in 2 hours for the Harris campaign. Tonight, I participated in the black men’s version of the same call. It was an awesome experience to hear national politicians, activists and very conscious black male celebrities talk passionately about the importance of this election. Black Greek organizations were well represented as were trade unionists, working class laborers, academics and Biden administration representatives, famous actors and comedians. We heard moving personal stories from some who know Kamala. Black men who are paying attention are all in for her. In a little over three hours, we raised 1.4 million for the campaign from 16,000 donors. Honestly, it felt like 2008 all over again.

I love the "we are not going back" line. That needs to be a huge centerpiece. That's how you frame what Trumpism is exactly. It's going back to a time we don't need to return to. I'm telling you, this is the shot in the arm the country needed.

Elmo backs out of $45 million per month pledge https://fortune.com/2024/07/23/elon-musk-backs-down-from-45-million-a-month-pledge-to-trump-says-he-doesnt-subscribe-to-cult-of-personality/ lol bitch

When things are going great and you're definitely not worried.

That's the saddest thing that's ever been posted on this website.

I don't want to be a dick, and certainly don't want to put the cart before the horse, BUT.... do those of you who spent weeks saying "Biden gives us the best chance to win" now realize how ridiculous that was?

My 89 year old dad said something to me on the phone just now that I think would be a great Kamala campaign slogan" "We men have had the Presidency 46 times in a row. Maybe it's time we give the broads a chance." "Give the broads a chance!" My T-shirt slogan: Harris 2024. Give the Broads a Chance!

Can we organize a White Men for Trump call and record it?

Kamala exudes a joyfulness that is desperately needed right now. So far, she is light years ahead of where she was 4 years ago.

My father in law is a Republican who watches Fox News but he’s not MAGA. He tells me Kamala seems like a fun person and it’s nice to see someone in politics who isn’t a grumpy asshole.

Yes.

This is going to be an epic landslide.

He's doing the thing!

Chuckles. Good luck, Mike

There won't be enough managers for each of them to speak to.

It’s all just the N word.

INTO MY VEINS

correct, it needs to be moved further down 22 time Club Champ !!!!!

Starting to see White women on social media say they need to have a call similar to what the Black women did. I think Latina and Asian women are organizing something similar.

I was at an incredible low a week ago. Trump’s espionage case was dropped. And I still had enormous frustration over the Democrats not effectively using the pounds of material available on Trump to destroy him via effective messaging. Those who know that I dip into cloak room periodically also know I’ve been complaining about Democrat messaging for a few years now. I can’t help it. It’s my marketing background and it’s made me miserable. But suddenly, today, we are finally starting to hear some of that material. For Christ’s sake his entire cabinet said he’s unfit for office. Use that data!!!!! I’m really starting to get fired up that we may not have to face the dystopian future that was before us only three days ago. I am really jazzed.

Nikki, none of us can hear you from down there, on your knees and kissing the ring. This is America, we don't speak "I submit to the king." So STFU, you spineless piece of shit.

I said it yesterday - Kamala doesn't have a Benghazi + 12 hours of being grilled by Congress. No Whitewater, no email scandal, no Vince Foster. No Rush Limbaugh / Fox News 20 year hate campaign. No Clinton Crime Syndicate, Clinton charity scandal, Clinton Body Count. None of that exists today with Kamala. And there isn't going to be an October letter from the FBI. No contentious "DNC rigged it for Kamala" bot/troll campaign. Everyone has basically said "a younger candidate will absolutely beat Trump in November" - well there she is. This country elected a black man twice and a female VP. They just wouldn't elect Hillary Clinton.

See here's the thing and I'll argue this with my wife who claims America won't vote for a woman to be president based on what happened with Hillary. America wasn't ready to vote for that woman. Hillary had 2 decades of baggage attached to her. Kamala does not. Kamala expresses hope. Her life is exactly why immigrants come here and have children here. She resonates with people. She is the face of a changing country and people, mostly white and male, will fear that. But she has the message people need to hear in these times. She's the anti-Trump. Biden wasn't going to be able to bring the same message she can.

This is actually really important. Politics, and this campaign, has been demoralizing and exhausting. Just constant awfulness and shittiness. It wears on people. Just setting a different tone, and offering that as a MUCH better alternative, is a damned good strategy. Let Trump continue to be angry and ragey....while that fires up the hateful base, it just exhausts and wears on everyone else. As my daughter texted me this morning, "Honestly the sudden burst of energy gives me hope. Feels like the whole vibe has changed." Vibes matters. Vibes get people fired up to go to the polls. Keep that vibe rolling. Don't be afraid to acknowledge things that we should be angry about, but offer a totally different tone and vibe. "I'm here to help us all make things better. Won't that be great?"...with a smile on her face.

I'm not that upset with her

Man, so much world changing news, yet a huge chunk of this board isn’t posting on it at all. I’m sure it’s not because they’re ashamed to be backing a bunch of racists. It’s mainly because they’re above politics. Rightttttt

The only thing dangerous about South Texas/RGV is you might run into a jabroni Yankees fan in a silver chain and black t-shirt and drown due to all the wet panties around you.

Say what you will about couches, you don’t need to pay them hush money.