[redpoint5]

Although I don't follow politics, there's a certain amount absorbed through osmosis. I had the impression at the last election that Bern and Don were similar in that they don't hold back their opinion. They come as advertised and make no apologies about it.

I don't know who Meghan is. Based on the context, I'd guess governor of BC.

I've heard snippets of Veritasium and I don't let it color my opinion too much of the "typical" Bernie supporter. You interview enough people in any camp, and you're bound to find some crazies, especially if your aim is to find them.

Sure, Bernie has a certain (large) amount of cognitive dissonance to maintain his concept of how communism has will work out, but he's simply tapping into an observation that Prager brings up; that the natural inclination of people is to be taken care of. You find many willing to surrender liberty and freedom in exchange for not having to be responsible for their actions. Prager brings up the story of the Israelites fleeing Egyption slavery, and then immediately thinking fondly of how nice it was being "taken care of" as slaves in Egypt. I get this and it makes total sense. There are aspects of prison that are appealing to me because it drastically simplifies living. You don't have to think about what to wear or how to buy it, what to eat or how to prepare it, when to wake up or go to bed... with difficult decisions all made for you, it leaves a few freedoms to intensely focus on. I chose working out, reading, and engaging in deep discussion to focus on, and I still miss all of those things. The thing is, there's no future in prison, and likewise, there's no future in communism.

The Israelites had to "wander" for 40 years before they adapted to taking responsibility for themselves. I wonder if it will take a similar amount of time for the Russians to get it together? Freedom doesn't automatically create prosperity, it merely leaves that as an option.

Anyhow, that's the double-edge sword of power and authority, even over oneself, that it also conveys an equal measure of responsibility. Being responsible is terrifying because that means things that don't work out are your fault. It's perfectly understandable to think a group of well regarded people know how to run my life better than me, especially if I'm particularly bad at it.