Besides that, wouldn’t it count as taxable wages and need a W-2 OR 1099 if it’s not a lottery or gift?

Thanks. I may be garbage, trash, or cancer depending on the situation, but I do try to not be a bigot. I’m also thankful it isn’t very hard.

There is not much else to say. I got a text from “my bank” that a payment was due. They shorthanded the bank name, spoofed the correct area code, and even knew my normal payment date. Nothing is sacred and that’s the new reality.

I tried to have something else lined up each time, but tbh the financial hit from quitting a job where I was overworked was not nearly as bad as how I felt after my job each day. If you have some skills, offer to do oddjobs. Offer to detail friend’s cars, mow lawns, and pump up the quantity of applications.

Easy to figure out? But that plays right into their scheme of making the other party look like they were comitting fraud. /s

Agree. Not enough info for me to judge. Maybe Lemmings shouldn’t make this site into one for snap judgements and witch hints.

Ok, surely we have to be in a media bubble by this point right? I know Lemmy leans left, but still. Where are the articles quoting non-fabricated stuff Democrats have said that makes them look bad? It can’t be that I only see atricles quoting Republican politicians because only they say the dumbest, brain-worm hot takes out loud, right?

You haven’t met some of my coworkers.

Maybe not fired for a first offense. That’s a bit extreme imo.

In a different scenario, what would you think if it was UPS or another private company worker instead of federal?

It is a complex issue and deserves a full conversation. It’s hard to say what I would do in her shoes, but it probably would be to copy a personal letter a bunch of times. The context of the letter would, of course, be a general warning about circulating hate speech mail trying to misinform people, and be wary of what you read.

I’m not who you asked, but I often think of supression tactics against forms of free speech used in the US that some countries in the EU do less. Not all of them (UK online speech policing and arrests as a counterexample), but voter supression, union busting, and law enforcement response to protests have been handled in various countries in ways I consider more free for the citizens.

TLDR: Intimidation tactics and biased response happens less in other countries.

Controlling media and having a fact-checker pop up are two different things. Let people spout their nonsense, but flag sources of misinformation as unreliable.

Very interesting “democracy or philosipher-king” point, though maybe another option in between is possible. I believe it is people’s responisibility to self govern and that noone has the right to take that away. I don’t want people to be told what to think, but I also don’t trust them in our current system. I’m saying we need an apolitical tool for flagging lies to help people not accept everything that fits their current worldview. Also, on your point later in the comment chain, I firmly believe elected officials should be suspended and imprisoned if they call for violence and then someone else performs that violence. Rhetoric has power and using that irresponsibly shouldn’t go unpunished. Majority rule with respect to the minority is my most important principle.

Nah bruv, as an american, the people are too dumb to not need some sort of protection from hate speech and ideas. A fact checker needs to be a mandatory public service at this point. I feel the same way about the homeless bum who shouts at everyone downtown that their participation in consummerism is destroying everything. If they called for violence, it would be a step too far.

Ahh, thank you for clarifying. Your point didn’t come across clearly the first time. Most people do only vote for their political party. I don’t agree that it is the prime reason, and there is probably analysis on key issues and primary involvement that could show why people don’t vote split tickets, but it would be nice if we could openly criticise candidates we plan to vote for without it being used destructively online. Tribalism is at it’s peak with social media.

I have no clue why you chose to point at OP’s opinion to claim their thinking is flawed. They clearly have put thought into this post instead of just planning to vote for who has the “right color banner” and are asking for reasons why someone would vote Trump. Why not point out the “slew of baggage” with Harris that would sway you or someone you know to vote for Trump instead of just listing something undistiguishing and then going non sequitur? I’d love to hear it as well tbh.

Rhetoric about scapegoats that distract people from the real causes of their issues, a cult of personality, and lots of money. Additionally, a lot of his voters thought he started to expose the truth behind how things actually run in the government instead of seeing how he is playing them for fools just as much (or more than) other politicians. Mostly though, it’s the money.

Not feeling like that proves selective outrage, as Trump would support and likely increase involvement with the genocide.

I hope Lemmy continues to grow as other sites keep getting worse. That will probably help round out the content. I’m only too well aware of how widespread American politics is as I have dealt with it my whole American life. I don’t blame you for avoiding it, and have only started recently engaging with it. Though, compared to other social media, I find Lemmy to be more mild in the intensity and range being pushed around the site. I expect it will increase over the next few months. As for advice, if it makes you angry/upset, then yeah, keep political instances blocked. I learned how to ignore it, but that took time. 196 is still pretty great tho. Hope you find your peace and enjoyment from the community. Ask more questions, and you’ll probably find what you’re looking for.

It sounds like you feel very strongly about this. Instead of shouting online in a way that accomplishes nothing (which, again, you feel very strongly about) why not volunteer your time to reach out to the group you think should be focused on? You’ll help what you think is important and maybe get some coaching on how to effectively persuade people.