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chris_wot ◴[] No.44604778[source]
I’ve never understood why America doesn’t have a decent health care system. And then America voted for Trump, and everyone appears shocked at what he has done…

There is something very wrong with American attitudes.

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tenacious_tuna ◴[] No.44604912[source]
I don't think we (Americans) have a solid understanding of political cause and effect. You see this in low turnout for local/state elections (vs federal), and just a lack of understanding of how the various political mechanics work.

My mother is an elementary school teacher in a conservative Michigan town. She generally doesn't talk politics at work, but a coworker mentioned that the school's "no questions asked" free breakfast and lunch policy was ending next year due to federal education cuts. My mom's co-teacher, who voted for Trump, expressed surprise, saying she didn't realize that was something likely to be cut, or that the states would make up the shortfall.

Anyone remotely following US politics wouldn't be surprised, and would know that most states are fairly strapped for cash. (Whether that's societally optimal is besides the point.) This is a pattern I see over and over again, on both sides of the line: you see Trump voters surprised that cuts to the FDA result in higher food recalls, and you see Democratic voters saying that nothing got done over the last four years.

It baffles me. I have more awareness of the local politics in our small Canadian town than I did when I lived in Chicago, and it all just comes from listening to my friends talk about current events. It's a wild feeling.

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1. giantg2 ◴[] No.44610442[source]
Most people vote based on pre-established party identity or single issues. The main problem is that a two party system ends up with the parties being opposed to each other, providing voters with only 2 real choices. If you don't agree with your party's stance on every issue, then you inevitably end up voting for someone who will do things you are opposed to.