#Political Alternatives

[tmarshconnors]

Biden and Trump First TV Debate

As I watch Biden and Trump face off in their first televised debate, I can't help but reflect on a country that has a population of 333.3 million people (as of 2022). With so many citizens, one would think there would be a wealth of candidates eager to run for the highest office in the land. Yet, here we are again, faced with a choice between Joe Biden and Donald Trump.

I am no fan of Joe Biden by any means, and I am not saying that Donald Trump is the "savior" of America either. The reality is far more complex. Surely, there must be more people who can run for office, bringing fresh perspectives and new energy to our political landscape. Instead, we seem trapped in a cycle of familiar faces and entrenched political battles.

The Problem with the Status Quo

No matter who wins the upcoming election, one thing is certain: the American people will lose out. This isn't just a uniquely American problem, either. Over in the United Kingdom, we're facing a similar scenario. Our general election on the 4th of July this year feels like a rerun of old political dramas, with little hope for real change.

In both countries, the political landscape seems devoid of truly inspiring leaders. We see the same names, the same faces, and hear the same tired rhetoric. It's as if our political systems are designed to recycle the past rather than innovate for the future.

Where Are the Fresh Faces?

One of the biggest questions is why we aren't seeing more new faces in politics. With so many intelligent, capable, and passionate individuals in both the U.S. and the U.K., why do so few step up to run for office? The reasons are multifaceted:

The Financial Barrier: Running for office is incredibly expensive. Campaigns require vast amounts of money, which often means that only those with substantial financial backing or connections can realistically consider running.

Political Entrenchment: Established politicians have a stronghold on their positions, making it difficult for newcomers to break through. The political machinery often favors incumbents, who have name recognition and a network of support.

Public Disillusionment: Many potential candidates are dissuaded by the current state of politics. The negativity, polarization, and media scrutiny can be overwhelming. This discourages fresh talent from entering the fray, preferring to make a difference in less public, and perhaps less contentious, ways.

The Impact on Democracy

The lack of diversity in our political candidates has a direct impact on democracy. When voters are presented with limited choices, it undermines the very principles of democratic governance. Democracy thrives on variety and choice, enabling the electorate to select leaders who truly represent their values and aspirations.

In the absence of this variety, elections become exercises in choosing the lesser of two evils rather than selecting the best possible leader. This, in turn, leads to widespread disillusionment and apathy among the electorate. When people feel that their vote won't bring about meaningful change, they are less likely to participate in the democratic process.

Looking Forward

As we watch Biden and Trump debate, we should be asking ourselves what we can do to encourage more people to run for office. How can we lower the financial barriers, dismantle the entrenched political systems, and inspire a new generation of leaders?

We need to foster a political culture that values innovation, inclusivity, and genuine public service. This means supporting candidates from diverse backgrounds and with new ideas. It also means holding our current leaders accountable and demanding more from them.

In the end, the future of our democracy depends on our ability to broaden the pool of candidates and ensure that our political systems are open to fresh voices and new perspectives. Only then can we hope to elect leaders who truly represent the will of the people and can bring about the change that so many of us desire.

In both the United States and the United Kingdom, the time for political renewal is now. Let's hope that the next debate, and the next election, will feature a more diverse and inspiring lineup of candidates, giving us all a reason to believe in the future of our democracy.

[daily-spooky]

[biggest-gaudiest-patronuses]

Of the 19 hijackers who carried out the Sept 11 attacks:

15 were from Saudi Arabia (a powerful/oil-rich country the U.S. works hard to maintain diplomatic relations with)

2 were from the United Arab Emirates (also a powerful/oil-rich country the U.S. works hard to maintain diplomatic relations with)

1 was from Egypt, 1 from Lebanon.

None of the hijackers were from Iraq.

None of the Sept 11 hijackers were Iraqi.

None of the 9/11 hijackers were from Iraq.

[jugganautism]

i've come to a realization i never posted my lotus eating AU on here. let's speedrun this ——

part 1

part 2

part 3

part 4

[deathtokillian]

Why am I seeing tiktok “punks” criticizing other punks vest, jackets, and pants because they don’t have any punk bands patches on them? You know you don’t need to have band patches right? Who tf are you the punk police?

[onwednesday-we-wear-pink]

Being emo/punk/goth etc and not being "political" is like dressing like a priest and being surprised when people think you're religious.

[your-worst-boy]

from punkwithacamera

not being paid to promote anything, I just genuinely love punkwithacamera and thought it was so fuckin funny they already have shirts for this lmao

[bugbear55]

“mercy saga” au

name is a work in progress but its what im tagging all of this au under. anyways, AU is basically;

Odysseus’ arc goes in reverse. He starts off as a monster and learns mercy. also au is sorta ooc, also referenced from the odyssey

Anyways,

TROY SAGA

the musical starts with The Horse and the Infant, followed by Just a Man.

No changes to THatI. Just a man is less of a ballad and more of a villain song. With Odysseus dropping the infant, he establishes how he will do anything to get home. He has minimal hesitation, unlike the original song. Odysseus is already a monster.

then, we have Full Speed Ahead, and Warrior of the Mind

In Full Speed Ahead, we meet two major characters. Eurylochus, Odysseus’ second in command, and Polites, his best friend. They’re running out of food. Eurylochus suggests they dock on the island ahead and raid for food. Odysseus agrees.

There, they find the Lotus Eaters, a large group of men and women who are more than willing to share their fruit after some back and forth with Polites.

Unfortunately, Odysseus does not recognize the fruit.

In Warrior of The Mind, Athena appears and forces Odysseus to reject the fruit from his body. She sobers him up by reminding him of his role as a warrior of the mind and his goal to get home.

Unfortunately, Odysseus’s men have also consumed the fruit. Some are harder to sober up than others.

The final song of the Troy Saga is Cope With That.

In this song, Elpenor, a crew member, reveals his friend Perimedes is depressed. He asks that they leave him on the island, because he is happier under the lotus’ effects.

Unfortunately, Athena urges Odysseus to refuse. And he does.

Odysseus forces all of the men to return to the ship, including those still under the effects of the lotus, like Perimedes.

He threatens the lotus eaters, asking where they can get other food, and is directed to a nearby cave.

next up..

cyclops saga

[open arms is NOT removed, just moved to a later time]

[safesoundxswift]

happy rishi sunak unemployment day to all who celebrate

[save-my-children]

Please Help my Innocent Children Survive the Cold in Gaza💔💔

Dear kind-hearted souls,

I ask you to read these words with your heart. You’ve likely seen many stories of suffering from Gaza, and while every story is a tragedy, I beg you not to become desensitized to the pain. Please, for my children, consider this with the utmost urgency.

I am reaching out after 15 months of unbearable hardship—months that have broken my spirit. In these 14 months, we’ve lost everything: our home, our livelihood, our safety. We’ve endured countless evacuations, bombings, hunger, and a lack of shelter. Now, with winter hitting us hard, it’s tearing me apart to see my children shivering in the freezing cold. They can’t sleep, and their little bodies have only thin clothing and blankets to protect them in a tent that offers no relief from the elements.

As a father, my heart is shattered to see them suffer. I’m asking you—please, see my children as your own. They deserve a chance at survival.

Please help us with the basics: food, clothing, and shelter. Your generosity can make all the difference in keeping my children safe and warm through this brutal winter.

https://gofund.me/ac467492

[daily-spooky]

[zippyskyfalls]

I desperately need Polites/Hades art. Like, those two are gossiping over tea while their friends and family are consistently banging each other.

I'm naming it FallenArms.

There's my Platonic crackship, tag me in art.

[jugganautism]

appetite but if it was based

[deathtokillian]

You're not punk if you're

Racist

Homophobic

Sexist

Transphobic

Ableist

You can't claim to be apart of the punk subculture and be a bigoted asshole

[spyboy2000]

𝙅𝙪𝙗𝙞𝙡𝙚𝙚 1978