We’re manipulated yes but it’s not that easy. The propaganda machine is big, incessant and expensive. Saying this not so much as a consolation but as a reminder to take the manipulation very seriously.

Millions of us think in sound bites provided by propaganda.

Our universities teach flawed unsustainable economic theory as reality.

Our politicians are at the forefront of the science of dividing voters into two equal parts attacking each other and voting on non-essential issues.

Please see the work of George Lakoff on framing - it is crucial.

THis is true, for a lot - not All, of us :)

I've been part of campaigns where the leader actually had the brains to act right. Power, sometimes, can be tricky to handle. BUt NOtfor ALL.

There are times, when those in power, acting with not so complete picture of this situation - or the information, are prone to look stupid with hindsight. NOT the case with all, but a minority of leaders!

Gen-Z are absolute rockstars. I like to think that part of the surprise win for Dems in 2022 was boomers passing away (possibly accelerated due to anti-vax COVID deaths) and Gen-Z really coming out in the hopes of some sort of college loan relief.

Hopefully down the road the millennials and gen-z become a large enough collective that they finally push out the garbage...although the establishment wont go down without a massive fight.

Lets take a look at these three homes.

1. 221 Van Patten Parkway, Burlington Vermont: purchased for ? in 1981 currently valued ~$405k

2. 311 4th St NE, Washington, D.C.: purchased for ~$490k in 07 valued at ~$736k

3. 310 Stone Gate Lane, North Hero, Vermont: purchased for ~575k in 2016

I'd like to think that a senator that is 81 years old could have done much better given this is the bulk of his worth. In fact many developers here working for FAANG will probably exceed how he turned out if they haven't already.

All US senators and reps should have a residence in their home territory and DC (they need to understand their constituents' area and they need to be in DC a lot). Bernie's is a 1 bedroom in DC, so those two are a given imo and nothing to be concerned about. His third is a $575k rural lake house; probably a country retreat from being in the cities of Burlington and DC all the time. So while getting a little extravagant for the average American, it's certainly not very unusual for many people in the US to have a modest rural retreat "cabin." I've seen many blue collar families in that circumstance, even in California. And I say this as someone who wouldn't vote for Bernie.