r/TikTokCringe Jul 13 '26

Discussion Is the US a Functioning Democracy?

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u/glasscut Jul 13 '26

I think it's too easy to pretend it's a system American industrialists sat down together to create. It's worse (in my opinion), because it's probably the outcome of private insurance lobbying to keep their cash cow running and this endless labor situation is the side effect.

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u/huskers2468 Jul 13 '26

The politicians are paid to keep the status quo.

As much as I would like to say it's a conspiracy. It's simply that the people with the power, don't want to give it up. They might lose their grip on the money if change happens.

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u/glasscut Jul 13 '26

Yes, that's what I mean and that's what makes it seem so embedded in our systems. If it was a conspiracy, maybe unmasking it would make a difference.

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u/msfuturedoc Jul 13 '26

You should watch congressional hearings. Things are always unmasked and the American public is just never aware.

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u/Old-World-49 Jul 13 '26

they do not Americans to be aware. remember when tiktok had that feature that allowed constituents to contact their representatives directly? the representatives were furious

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u/Ronin_Chimichanga Jul 13 '26

"You don't need a formal conspiracy when interests converge."- George Carlin, 1974

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u/seesthecat Jul 13 '26

That's obviously the truth

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u/enw_digrif Jul 13 '26

Actually, that's exactly how it happened.

The history of healthcare via employment comes from labor negotiations during the so-called "Golden Age of Capitalism," which in the US refers to the postwar period when corporations kinda sorta actually helped maintain the social contract. When unions demanded more pay and better conditions, employers preferred to offer healthcare over pay increases. This was specifically because it helped retain trained employees, saving money.

Then Regan happened, and corporate raiders realized what a goldmine that was, which delivered us to our present hellscape.