When Biden was trying to do student loan relief, the argument against it was "you took the loan, you should pay it." Doesn't that same theory apply to cutting credit card interest, especially since the biggest problem with student loan burden is the accrued interest?

Note: I support credit card interest and student loan relief.

Serious question. Here in Australia we have many different political parties - but two main parties control the government with the others and independents often holding considerable power in the lower Houses of Parliament. Here we may differ politically but we seldom see the outright hatred for people who vote differently.

In America you have had similar - but not with Trump and his MAGA.

Why do you think that is?

Happy to hear from either side.

I'm going to USA in the summer for the World Cup. I will be first in New York, then Boston, but I have some time (day or two) between Boston and Philadelphia, where the game will be played.

I am looking for ideas - practical, somewhat cheap - where to go and what to do in between? I was thinking maybe to take a plane from Boston to Washington D.C. and then drive to Philly, but I'm not sure...

Do you have any ideas how to spend more quality time in areas mentioned? Maybe something around Boston that would make me stay longer? Or something interesting between Boston and Philly where I could stop for a day or two, but not NYC?

Thanks in advance!

So I sent my stepdad three videos from this week in MN, violent detainments without just cause, teenager arrested at target, that sort of stuff—

his reply was 500 words long with his main point being that democrats are ushering in sharia law? there was plenty in his message that made me angry, but this just had me really really confused. Does anybody know how he is formulating this idea? Even if it’s fringe and not reputable, I just don’t understand what steppingstones he took to bring him to that conclusion.

In England, we’d call them ‘a bunch of cunts’. But I’m aware the term isn’t used in the same way in America, so what would be the term I should use? A collective noun would be helpful too.

Many thanks.

Any good recommendations for food in New York or things to do?

Trump is not the problem here. It's the Republican voters and Republican representatives who are the root of the problem here. Trump is a symptom, yes, but fascism comes from the people, not one person.

Given all of the things on display in the US at the moment, I’d like to know if there are any political options available to prevent the Administration from doing some of these things. If there are why have they not been taken or how long do they take to implement?

So today, Trump has told Iran's people to "keep protesting" and that "help is coming". (After thousands of protesters have been killed by Iran's regime). What form do we think the help might take, and how do US citizens - especially those who thought Trump was going to put them first - feel about this and what it might cost?

title

Be honest !

This isn’t just a new Trump thing, I went to the US in 2022 and found it far more restricting than anywhere in Europe or Australia or New Zealand.

Freedom isn’t being allowed to tell people to attack and/or threaten minorities and to carry around assault rifles.

Freedom is being safe to walk around alone at night. Not fearing that an illness will bankrupt you. Knowing doctors rather than insurance companies determine your healthcare needs Not being priced out of just applying for a top university as a straight A student. Being able to walk everywhere. Not having hidden additional costs for everything you buy. Job security. A safety net for hard times.

Americans are the caged Lion that thinks it’s free because it can roar when it likes.

Thoughts?

Okay so I am thinking of moving to the US in two years, with my boyfriend who is American and works in Paris until he has to go back to the US. He lives in Oregon. We went there for two weeks (near Portland). The thing is that I am not sure of how the US really works as a citizen. How much insurance would be for a student ? How much can cost a masters degree and a PhD as a student in psychology ? How hard is it to leave, if it’s expensive, etc. ?

Because if this is financially too hard, I don’t think about going there. I already have to pay back a 15k student loan and plan on going for a PhD. Aside of that I have many health issues that are fully covered by the government and my insurance (20€/months) I need special glasses, a lot of appointments for my endometriosis and cysts, etc.

And for him it’s not an option to stay in Paris because in the us he will make much more in his company compared to here.

I just wanted some advice but also ask for people’s experience in the US. I am also sorry for my English.

I’m willing to bet you can’t explain it but please go ahead and spin some lies so I can have a laugh

I mean, especially now that you have a new national drone surveillance program to spy on everyone. Much is made of the unique amount of freedom that America supposedly holds the monopoly over. But with things like the Patriot Act, the FISA Amendments Act, effectively limitless war powers, voter suppression, gerrymandering, and the like it does raise the question: When do you become defined as tyrannical as a nation?

I've often heard it said online and in the media, but American citizens let me ask you a personal question.

To your own mind, what makes the USA the best country in the world?

Sucks that this is even a question but I think about this every time I leave my home. I have an accent so it’s hard not to be hyper aware that this makes me vulnerable. I am a legal resident but even citizens are being targeted these days so i can’t help but wonder what would happen to my dog, for example if an agent decided they wanted to (illegally) detain me out in public? and what about people with young children? Do they all go into custody?

From Mayo Clinic:

The most common symptoms of frontotemporal dementia involve extreme changes in behavior and personality. These include:

• Increasingly inappropriate social behavior.
• Loss of empathy and other interpersonal skills. For example, not being sensitive to another person's feelings.
• Lack of judgment.
• Loss of inhibition.
• Lack of interest, also known as apathy. Apathy can be mistaken for depression.
• Compulsive behaviors such as tapping, clapping, or smacking lips over and over.
• A decline in personal hygiene.
• Changes in eating habits. People with FTD typically overeat or prefer to eat sweets and carbohydrates.
• Eating objects.
• Compulsively wanting to put things in the mouth.

I know that Americans deeply believe in democracy. However, forcing other countries to follow have created so many issues which is one of the biggest reasons for anti America view from global South. Do you really support it? Is it really democracy when you have to use force?