The precedent that the Trump admin sets must be making it harder to maintain decency....

[Locut0s]

The precedent that the Trump admin sets must be making it harder to maintain decency and the rule of law elsewhere in general American society.

I'm not just talking about hate crimes, xenophobia, etc. We know for a fact that there has been a huge spike in that. I'm talking about a lowering of the general level of discourse, and those choosing to break the law. Companies scamming customers, breaking the law with hiring and firing practices, embezzling and laundering money. Police brutality. Misogynistic practices. And much more. Certainly people who wish to do evil don't need an excuse but precedent also makes a big difference. It's certainly no excuse at all, but it's also difficult to uphold the law and common rules of decency when the very presidency of the country is a criminal, a liar, a misogynist, and a racist.

Many people are going to look to him and say well if we accept that, what grounds do you have to stand on to say I can't do the same?

I'm curious, what have people noticed in terms of the atmosphere in the US in general? Have you noticed a change in tone?

[slumcamper]

1. Yes, this is setting the bar extremely low.

This is the current culmination of a fairly profound degradation of the body politic. It was on grand display at the start of Obama's term when McConnell proclaimed the GOP's goalwas to make him a 1-term president. Then the infamous "YOU LIE" comment by Barton at the SOTU address. Decorum has broken down, ideological rigidity and intransigence has set in deeply, and the electorate has grown bitter, disillusioned, antagonistic and angry. The shadow government of oligarchs exerts its will over states, progress on every front is blocked or eliminated by decree, citizen participation at the ballot box is obstructed, and we plunge into a reactionary conservative spiral. That's how I see it. Others may see if differently depending on where they are.

[marked50]

2. Yes. This can be seen in all the stories about people

that now feel "liberated" from the concept of political correctness. Society is held together by social norms that facilitate cooperation. Those include being tolerant, understanding, kind and forgiving. When it is viewed that those in power positions can just throw those things aside then the people who felt constrained have their justification because they will no longer be shunned. Society is now on a downward spiral.

[titaniumsalute]

3. I can only control me

I have been going 100% out of my way to be nicer to people. DOnating more time and money to charity. Simply saying hello to everyone I walk past with a smile. WTF maybe it helps?