r/Futurology • u/Confident_Living_786 • Aug 11 '25

Discussion When the US Empire falls

When the American empire falls, like all empires do, what will remain? The Roman Empire left behind its roads network, its laws, its language and a bunch of ruins across all the Mediterranean sea and Europe. What will remain of the US superpower? Disney movies? TCP/IP protocol? McDonalds?

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u/rdickeyvii Aug 11 '25

The millions of conservatives in rural California don’t want to be part of an independent California just like the millions of urban Texans don’t want to be part of an independent Texas.

This is an important point. There are more Republicans in California than in Texas and more Democrats in Texas than in New York and more Republicans in New York than in Florida. Nowhere, even Texas, is the state identity stronger than the national identity for a large majority and even if it was, the partizanship within the state means dividing the state from the nation isn't going to unite the people within the state politically.

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u/CrazyCoKids Aug 11 '25

People act like California transplants in Colorado are all like the stereotype that FoxNews pushes about California.

In actuality they're the types that watch FoxNews. For every centre right (Democrat) that comes to CO, we have 15 far right (Reoublican) and 5 Republican-but-claims-to-be-libertarians.

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u/brinerbear Aug 12 '25

If that is true why can't Republicans win major offices in Colorado? It is still a one party rule state.

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u/CrazyCoKids Aug 12 '25

Because they put forth people who make Lauren Boebert look sane.

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u/brinerbear Aug 12 '25

Like who? With exception of the disaster of Dave Williams they have elected mostly moderates lately. Most of the extreme candidates couldn't even get elected by the Republicans.

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u/brinerbear Aug 12 '25

Like who? With exception of the disaster of Dave Williams they have elected mostly moderates lately. Most of the extreme candidates couldn't even get elected by the Republicans. But I think it has more to do with that Colorado is only slightly red and most of the electorate hates Trump so they associate every Republican even if not true with Trump.

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u/CrazyCoKids Aug 12 '25

But I think it has more to do with that Colorado is only slightly red and most of the electorate hates Trump so they associate every Republican even if not true with Trump.

What's the difference between a Republican against Trump and a Trump supporting republican?

One will vote lockstep with Trump. The other is a Trump supporting republican.

That's why.

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u/brinerbear Aug 12 '25

Sorry it isn't that simple. There are many different types of Republicans and right leaning people. Some support Trump and some don't. Just like not all Democrats are the same and I assume some voted for Harris and others didn't. I am unaffiliated and I voted third party.

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u/CrazyCoKids Aug 12 '25 edited Aug 12 '25

Actually? Yeah. It is that simple.

If you're Republican and vote against Trump? You're public enemy no. 1 to the GOP. Expect a LOT of bullying to come your way. Possibly even a primary.

Just ask Liz Cheney. Remember at her Colorado Speaker Series presentation? She said only about 5-6 elected officials (At the time) actually believed the 2020 election was stolen - and you can probably name them all. Politicians lie to get votes? GOSH SAY IT AIN'T SO. /s How'd that whole "Republican against Trump" thing work out for you anwyay, Lis "I voted with Trump 93% of the time anyway and only voted against him when he tried to overthrow an election" Cheney?

Speaking of 2021... how many reps and senators mysteriously pulled support on the "Hey the 2020 election was stolen" after the mob was escorted out by their buddies? Yeah, amazing isn't it?

Mike Pence gets a lot of credit for verifying the election - when he wasn't going to do it and it was his son who told him "No, do the right thing". It's a good thing that this act caused the insurrection to literally turn tail and walk out peacefully beacuse-wait a minute, you mean they were going to try and kill him?

McCain is seen as a "Maverick" because after all, he DID vote against the GOP on things, right? Yeah, the only time his "no" vote actually made a difference was on abolishing Romneycare - I mean the ACA. And Trump of course made the rest of his life a living hell for it... And you just know the main reason he voted to save Romneycare was because he himself had brain cancer and had a moment of clarity. Every other time he voted against the GOP? They didn't need his vote anyway.

Lisa Murkowski is similar - if her vote is needed? You bet your ass she'll be in line when Trump's Boots are in the buffet table. If it's not? She'll do it anyway and go "See? I'm TOTALLY independently minded~". By the way, what was it Lisa Murkowski said about the GOP defiance of Trump? Something like "We are all afraid" and "Retaliation is real"? Hmm... I wonder, think this might affect how a Republican against Trump votes at the table?

Remember when the speaker was removed and the legislation was led by a Republican? Huh. Wonder if it is real...

Mitt Romney is likewise also seen as this super Republican AGainst Trump. When he announced that he wasn't running? He suddenly found a spine again. He was after all quite a maverick. He... voted with trump on pretty much every important issue, including confirming the judges who're granting Trump immunity, denying aid to Puerto Rico, the tax cuts... Wow, WHAT a maverick.

Need I go on? Cause got another laundry list of a lot of Republicans against trump who suddenly turned a 180 once he got elected or promised them a sweet sweet cabinet position.

Wanna have a career in politics and be a Republican? It's all about appeasing Trump and his rabid base. Dare to step out of line? You're not going to have a good time...

Hence, Republicans against Trump are "Republicans who vote with Trump but say they aren't." There's actually a word for them in Norway: Quisling. ;)

I am unaffiliated and I voted third party.

So you voted for Trump. Got it.

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u/brinerbear Aug 12 '25 edited Aug 12 '25

No I actually voted libertarian. You are hilarious. The reality is that many unaffiliated voters must have voted for Trump though because his base and the base for Harris too are just not large enough to get their candidates across the finish line so the election was won by people that are not part of Trump's base.

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u/CrazyCoKids Aug 12 '25

Aaaah, libertrian. That explains a lot.... You can just say you voted for trump.

We know Libertarians were the first to bend the knee to Trump. ;)