I don't understand how decisions like these align with the supposed "America First" rhetoric coming from the same side. Specifically - this deal is being led by the son of the president of the USA who was elected on promises of "bringing jobs back to America" and prioritizing domestic investments.
Seems to me like they say one thing, do another, and all of us hold the bag at the end of it all.
As a former staunch Republican, if there's one thing I've learned, it's that both parties have sold us out. I disagree with a lot of the Left's policies and many on the Right as well, but both parties advocate, in theory, for several things that would benefit all Americans -- yet it never happens. Republicans advocate for fiscal responsibility -- never happens. Democrats advocate for things like healthcare and cancelling student loans -- never happens. The Democrats held the House, Senate, and Presidency in 2021 for two years. The Republicans currently hold the House, Senate, and Presidency right now.
They're in power for themselves and their disregard for us is by design.
What did Republican appointees on the Supreme Court have to say about student loan forgiveness?
Who not only fights tooth and nail against healthcare improvements but actively took money from existing programs to fund a national police and detainment apparatus?
Which party produced the most meaningful (albeit not far enough) healthcare reform of the 21st century in the US?
Those examples in particular are quite rough to try and both sides.
If republicans took control of a household, they would just not buy groceries, cleaning supplies, ignore the utility bill, and not put gas in the car. They'd say "look how much we saved! We don't need any of that!" Then when the next person comes along and pays the bills they'd cry "tax and spend! Wasteful!" Pretending they've ever given a damn about fiscal responsibility is absurd. Fiscal responsibility is providing healthcare, education, and social safety nets because it's far far more expensive not to. But sure, buying more police and not addressing the root cause of crime is totally a net savings. They are like this with every single issue that matters.
> Republicans advocate for fiscal responsibility -- never happens. Democrats advocate for things like healthcare and cancelling student loans -- never happens.
From what I've seen, Republicans don't bother trying. Democrats try and get blocked by the GOP; not sure if they can 'try harder' or find ways around the blocking. Biden certainly tried on student loans and got shot down:
> Democrats advocate for things like healthcare and cancelling student loans -- never happens
Obama got Obamacare done in the single 6-month window in this century when Democrats could pass legislation without Republicans blocking them. Biden tried to cancel student loans and was blocked in court because surprise, surprise, Republicans wouldn't allow it to go through Congress.
> The Democrats held the House, Senate, and Presidency in 2021 for two years
Read up on the Senate filibuster to understand why Republicans could block student loan cancellation (and anything else Democrats wanted) despite this.
In theory both parties are part of the same system and complicit and corrupt. In actual practice one party is much worse than the other. By a lot.
Republicans win elections by blocking anything that's good for ordinary Americans, and blaming Democrats for their lives getting worse as a result. Voters are too dumb and distracted to see the con.
That's because the people who sincerely voted for "America First" were sold a bill of goods. They wanted a nationalist dictatorship but instead they got a bunch of pillagers who are going to take everything of value and leave a steaming heap.
Yeah, election promises and post-election behavior aren't really correlated in general. I think this administration is worse than the average, but still.
Past talking points are not indicative of future behavior.
At least in part, they legitimately see Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Israel, and now Syria, as part of the American empire. I would argue this is a bipartisan elite belief as well, you see Dem current and former elected's lobbying and giving talks where policy is dictated in those countries all the time, investing and being invested in by those countries all the time.
It's funny to me that the average American is Islamophobic, but the US government sharply divides middle eastern countries based on alliances (and how rich they are). Qatari Emir? You're a friend of the US government. Poor Pakistani? Enemy. Lebanese farmer? We'll think about it.
UAE sends dollars back to Paramount shareholders in the US to "own" a piece Paramount.
Is it "foreign owned"? Do they really own anything? What are they really going to do with it? I don't know. I inhabit a world of nuance, I don't take rhetoric at face value, that's a waste of time.
You're right to be confused when you assume good faith on their part, it's utterly predictable when you take every public statement to be the exact opposite of what will happen: "small government", "fiscal responsibility", "tough on crime", "no new wars", "America will be respected again", etc. etc.
I'm very familiar with political slogans always being largely bullshit, but the degree to which 'America First' or 'Make America Great Again' seem to be diametrically opposed to the real intentions is breathtaking.
They align with the actual motives of the people involved, which is lining their pockets. "America first" is for the rubes.
The same is true of "fiscal responsibility." The GOP runs on this, but when they get into power they spend like drunks and run the deficit up. This has been true since Reagan, though Trump represents a huge escalation.
The same has been true with the whole "we're going to get rid of these DEI hires and be purely meritocratic." Okay, then why does the head of the FBI need to blow in a tube to start his car and why are a bunch of unqualified former pundits and podcasters in positions of high authority? Why is the head of the CDC a crackpot who can barely talk?
"A thing is what it does." Ignore rhetoric, look at results. BTW the same rule applies to rhetoric from the other side.
I mean, Trump was telling people to take Hydroxocloroquine for Covid 19. The list goes on-and-on. You’re actually surprised? He’s literally the definition of a narcissist.
People voted for him anyway because the manosphere told them too.
> Saudi Arabia’s Private Investment Fund will have the largest share of the three Middle Eastern funds, a greater equity piece than Qatar or Abu Dhabi. Together, the three Persian Gulf states are putting $24 billion into the new company.
They likely will but even for them it will be a long fight. State AGs are suing to stop this acquisition in droves. Even if States lose, which I expect they will, I don't anticipate they will get CNN before midterms like they want.
I don't think most people understand how the times have changed here. CNN's prime time shows get fewer views than a mid-tier YouTuber, literally. They hit < 1mil at prime time. And their demographic is, again literally, dying off as they have a median viewer age of 67 [1], which is steadily increasing presumably due to a lack of new viewers. On the bright side for them that puts them on the 'younger' side of most cable news networks.
Cable news is basically dead, but I think most of us missed the funeral. It used to be a relatively big deal decades ago, but those times are long since passed.
>The stat came to light in a request Monday by Paramount for approval of the foreign ownership stake by the FCC. The company said the arrangement, including a 38.5% holding shared by three Middle East investment funds, will give the combined company “greater access to capital.” The infusion of financial resources will enable Paramount to “compete more effectively in the provision of television broadcast services and in the broader video programming marketplace,” the filing said. Saudi Arabia’s Private Investment Fund will have the largest share of the three Middle Eastern funds, a greater equity piece than Qatar or Abu Dhabi. Together, the three Persian Gulf states are putting $24 billion into the new company.
So, let me get this straight.
Here's a guy worth hundreds of billions through his founding of a company that supports surveilence capitalism, and is considered to be a leech on the government. Doesn't pay his taxes. He fires people by the thousands.
This guy has donated over $30 million dollars to a nuclear-armed foreign nation's military....One that has currently got our military engaged in a quagmire in Iran....and has attacked our ships in the past (USS Liberty).
He wants to buy one of the largest news organizations in the country, one that happens to be diametrically opposed to his political beliefs and donations.
Instead of financing it all himself, he's turning to Saudi Arabia, a nation that has sponsored terrorist attacks against us within the last 30 years, and has used its money and resources to spread a violent sect of Islam all around the world (Wahhabi).
This entity will control one of this country's most storied film studios (WB), and one of this country's major news networks...the only one on its "side" of the political spectrum.
I'm sorry...but what the fuck?
EDIT: this appeared to touch a nerve with some. Great! Ellison is an asshole and Oracle sucks. Ellison should pay his taxes. Israel has nukes and some of their interests aren't parallel to ours, and we shouldn't give them money to further their genocidal interests. The Saudis' money and actions don't support the US at times which has cost us money and lives - they should not own our media. Ellison should use his own money to buy shit if he wants it so badly.
Seems to me like they say one thing, do another, and all of us hold the bag at the end of it all.
Yup.
It's the same lie that the GOP cares about deficits and debt… except when they're in power and want to do tax cuts for the rich.
They're in power for themselves and their disregard for us is by design.
Who not only fights tooth and nail against healthcare improvements but actively took money from existing programs to fund a national police and detainment apparatus?
Which party produced the most meaningful (albeit not far enough) healthcare reform of the 21st century in the US?
Those examples in particular are quite rough to try and both sides.
From what I've seen, Republicans don't bother trying. Democrats try and get blocked by the GOP; not sure if they can 'try harder' or find ways around the blocking. Biden certainly tried on student loans and got shot down:
* https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/white-house-press-...
After trying to be bi-partisan with the ACA/Obamacare the Democrats just went forward with it
Obama got Obamacare done in the single 6-month window in this century when Democrats could pass legislation without Republicans blocking them. Biden tried to cancel student loans and was blocked in court because surprise, surprise, Republicans wouldn't allow it to go through Congress.
> The Democrats held the House, Senate, and Presidency in 2021 for two years
Read up on the Senate filibuster to understand why Republicans could block student loan cancellation (and anything else Democrats wanted) despite this.
In theory both parties are part of the same system and complicit and corrupt. In actual practice one party is much worse than the other. By a lot.
Republicans win elections by blocking anything that's good for ordinary Americans, and blaming Democrats for their lives getting worse as a result. Voters are too dumb and distracted to see the con.
https://www.milwaukeeindependent.com/featured/two-santas-str...
Past talking points are not indicative of future behavior.
And I don't think de-prioritizing foreign investments is part of that policy.
US uses dollars to buy oil from UAE.
UAE sends dollars back to Paramount shareholders in the US to "own" a piece Paramount.
Is it "foreign owned"? Do they really own anything? What are they really going to do with it? I don't know. I inhabit a world of nuance, I don't take rhetoric at face value, that's a waste of time.
They simply lie.
The same is true of "fiscal responsibility." The GOP runs on this, but when they get into power they spend like drunks and run the deficit up. This has been true since Reagan, though Trump represents a huge escalation.
The same has been true with the whole "we're going to get rid of these DEI hires and be purely meritocratic." Okay, then why does the head of the FBI need to blow in a tube to start his car and why are a bunch of unqualified former pundits and podcasters in positions of high authority? Why is the head of the CDC a crackpot who can barely talk?
"A thing is what it does." Ignore rhetoric, look at results. BTW the same rule applies to rhetoric from the other side.
On the other hand they kept their promises of deporting and killing immigrants, and of getting rid of woke ideas like science and education.
People voted for him anyway because the manosphere told them too.
Cable news is basically dead, but I think most of us missed the funeral. It used to be a relatively big deal decades ago, but those times are long since passed.
[1] - https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/20...
>The stat came to light in a request Monday by Paramount for approval of the foreign ownership stake by the FCC. The company said the arrangement, including a 38.5% holding shared by three Middle East investment funds, will give the combined company “greater access to capital.” The infusion of financial resources will enable Paramount to “compete more effectively in the provision of television broadcast services and in the broader video programming marketplace,” the filing said. Saudi Arabia’s Private Investment Fund will have the largest share of the three Middle Eastern funds, a greater equity piece than Qatar or Abu Dhabi. Together, the three Persian Gulf states are putting $24 billion into the new company.
So, let me get this straight.
Here's a guy worth hundreds of billions through his founding of a company that supports surveilence capitalism, and is considered to be a leech on the government. Doesn't pay his taxes. He fires people by the thousands.
This guy has donated over $30 million dollars to a nuclear-armed foreign nation's military....One that has currently got our military engaged in a quagmire in Iran....and has attacked our ships in the past (USS Liberty).
He wants to buy one of the largest news organizations in the country, one that happens to be diametrically opposed to his political beliefs and donations.
Instead of financing it all himself, he's turning to Saudi Arabia, a nation that has sponsored terrorist attacks against us within the last 30 years, and has used its money and resources to spread a violent sect of Islam all around the world (Wahhabi).
This entity will control one of this country's most storied film studios (WB), and one of this country's major news networks...the only one on its "side" of the political spectrum.
I'm sorry...but what the fuck?
EDIT: this appeared to touch a nerve with some. Great! Ellison is an asshole and Oracle sucks. Ellison should pay his taxes. Israel has nukes and some of their interests aren't parallel to ours, and we shouldn't give them money to further their genocidal interests. The Saudis' money and actions don't support the US at times which has cost us money and lives - they should not own our media. Ellison should use his own money to buy shit if he wants it so badly.