General Discussion

indusurb

(197 posts) Thu Jul 3, 2025, 09:25 AM Jul 3

When did we, as a country, become this cruel? [View all]

I recognize that America has always had a large streak of cruelty running through it, from cruel, senseless wars abroad, to the evils of racism, homophobia and misogyny at home. Yet over the past twenty years, especially the past ten, something's changed, and I don't think it's just Trump being in office. I think Trump has given people permission to be increasingly cruel, but where did that drive come from in the first place? Millions of families being ripped apart, millions dying, at home and abroad because of our actions, yet most people seem to either not to want to acknowledge it, or are downright cheering it on.

I don't get it, where has this cruelty and callousness come from? Why the sudden increase in it?

Whatever the answer, it greatly saddens me, driving me to despair, everyday seems like some new hit comes along, and no matter what you and I do, the hits just keep coming, with no relief, no recourse in sight. Two weeks ago we participated in the largest nationwide protest in our history, yet within a couple of days it was gone, buried without a trace, and now we're on the cusp of seeing one of the cruelest bills in history becoming law. We write our representatives and senators, to no avail.

The cruelty is increasing, and nothing we do seems to be able to rein it in. Tomorrow is the Fourth, but I won't be celebrating. The pride in my country is gone, leaving only despair, fear and questions. How did we come to this cruel point in our history?

72 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

When did we, as a country, become this cruel? [View all] indusurb Jul 3 OP

The dominance of RW media get the red out Jul 3 #1

Since right wing radio took over. Ferrets are Cool Jul 3 #2

Bingo GaYellowDawg Jul 3 #24

They have won the long game. Ferrets are Cool Jul 3 #69

I know. GaYellowDawg Jul 3 #70

Newtie began calling Dems enemies LSparkle Jul 3 #57

Yes we have become a nation of cruel sadists. Irish_Dem Jul 3 #3

The internet kozar Jul 3 #4

My elderly mother understood it this way 10 years ago Captain Zero Jul 3 #5

During President Obama J-9 Jul 3 #52

Well, surely putting twenty people to death because some teenage girl called them witches is a good starting point. Aristus Jul 3 #6

+1000 Just_Vote_Dem Jul 3 #10

Or "The 1619 Project" A HERETIC I AM Jul 3 #28

I will check out "The 1619 Project", thanks for that n/t Just_Vote_Dem Jul 3 #30

It is extraordinarily well written A HERETIC I AM Jul 3 #34

Unfortunately 3auld6phart Jul 3 #7

Don't forget the Spanish, who basically did mwmisses4289 Jul 3 #62

Message auto-removed Name removed Jul 3 #8

What flavour pizza do you like? niyad Jul 3 #11

Right from the beginning, including slavery and slaughter of natives lostnfound Jul 3 #9

I think the cruel streak has always been here genxlib Jul 3 #12

We have always been this cruel. kentuck Jul 3 #13

Always. Ask NAs, ask AAs. nt eppur_se_muova Jul 3 #17

I told my DH, years ago Bettie Jul 3 #14

Yes, the very reason unions were demonized and demoralized mountain grammy Jul 3 #22

Far too many people are now Bettie Jul 3 #27

Have a great day mountain grammy Jul 3 #65

1776...or earlier, really... Wounded Bear Jul 3 #15

May 14th, 1607 when colonists landed at Jamestown. Ray Bruns Jul 3 #41

Reagan (nt) Heidi Jul 3 #16

I agree. MLWR Jul 3 #61

But "Just say NO" to self-medication after you've had all Heidi Jul 3 #64

All of a sudden Sadism has become an American value to... S/V Loner Jul 3 #18

We, as a collection of human beings, are no better than any other collection Ocelot II Jul 3 #19

Excellent essay, and spot-on! Martin Eden Jul 3 #66

When Obama won in 2008. ... aggiesal Jul 3 #20

Do you know why MAGATs LOVE Donald Trump? Martin Eden Jul 3 #21

They see some of themselves in him. Also, the rest is what they want to be. Oneironaut Jul 3 #35

"structured in classes" reminds me of a quote by LBJ: Martin Eden Jul 3 #49

Trump's campaign and presidencies brought out the worst in people IronLionZion Jul 3 #23

The Original Sin was that Europeans stole this land from the rightful inhabitants Wicked Blue Jul 3 #25

The prosperity of the US that grew so exponentially in the early years Ocelot II Jul 3 #39

Trump, Rebl2 Jul 3 #26

Actually 3auld6phart Jul 3 #56

Absolutely! Rebl2 Jul 3 #72

Rush Limbaugh planted the seeds..it is now in full bloom ashredux Jul 3 #29

It's always been there. JMCKUSICK Jul 3 #31

It's racism. LuvLoogie Jul 3 #32

I remember the GOP guy who pulled the pony tail of the female protester at the 2004 Rethug Convention. John1956PA Jul 3 #33

I have theories about the evolution of the human brain... CaptainTruth Jul 3 #36

I think it started to get bad with Tree Lady Jul 3 #37

I think it started with Rush Limbaugh and Newt Gingrich, surfered Jul 3 #38

When haven't we been this cruel? BlueTsunami2018 Jul 3 #40

When NAZIs were welcomed to America via the post-World War II Ratlines. Kid Berwyn Jul 3 #42

May 14th, 1607 when colonists landed at Jamestown. Ray Bruns Jul 3 #43

Humanity has always had streaks of cruelty EdmondDantes_ Jul 3 #44

Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. Voltaire Ping Tung Jul 3 #45

I don't think this is the entire answer, evemac Jul 3 #46

It's always been there orangecrush Jul 3 #47

This country has always been cruel SocialDemocrat61 Jul 3 #48

Maybe all the women who were burned as witches can answer that. GoCubsGo Jul 3 #50

You and I are of like minds. The cruelty is nothing new, just reported better with our new technology Attilatheblond Jul 3 #54

A big % of Americans have ALWAYS been cruel. RW media fed that tendency to cruelty. More media exposed that cruelty Attilatheblond Jul 3 #51

We've been that way Mblaze Jul 3 #53

I understand and agree, but that is not the question Eliot Rosewater Jul 3 #55

Growing up in SC, I was astonished by enigmania Jul 3 #58

It was always cruel Kali999 Jul 3 #59

1619 When the country was intialy settled AStern Jul 3 #60

True.. the people who came here came because of inequality and cruelty and brought it with them. Srkdqltr Jul 3 #67

Democrats want to do things... 3catwoman3 Jul 3 #63

Resources and expectations Marthe48 Jul 3 #68

It's in the original DNA SineQuaNon001 Jul 3 #71