I'm convinced it's part of state sponsored propaganda and influence campaigns. The tactic is to always belittle any idea, frame everything as pointless, and divide opposition.

So many comments like, "if you can't even get people to go vote, how do you think they'll resist?"

I'm tired of it. I think the only way to combat it is to set up heavily moderated areas where cynicism is flagged and removed. But man, even that's a slippery slope, to easy for mods to take over to enforce discussion only around what they want.

But however it's going to be done, I want people ready to act. And stop with this cynical, defeatist BS.

Cynicism seems smart even when it's not. That seems to be the way it works, and I think I read it's been shown scientifically.

Beat me to it. I would love to have some place where I could go without having to read anything about US related.

It's definitely aimed at promoting learned helplessness.

This didn’t stop with Venezuela and won’t stop with Iran.

Very little has actually changed in Venezuela, besides some manipulation of the oil market.

Here's the thing. Regardless of where Trump is attacking, the US can inflict state terror by aerial bombardment, which is costly in money terms but doesn't lead to many US casualties. But if the goal is actual regime change, rather than just destruction of infrastructure and a high civilian body count, that requires occupation. Boots on the ground lead to high casualties and Americans coming home in body bags. So far, Trump hasn't gone there, because (despite his incompetence, narcissism and greed) he is also very concerned about his popularity.

Yeah they are built different. And so are we. Imagine these southerners invade us in the winter lol

"Taking" Venezuala cost us money and won't net a profit for decades, if ever. GTFO with your doomerism BS, bot!

So you just pointed out the reason why you SHOULDN'T capitulate. Because you'll just be another piggy bank that the USA will bleed dry too for endless wars. Then you'll be worse off than the average USA citizen.

They haven't taken anything. The US oil companies have zero interest in Venezuela primarily because setting up operations would be prohibitively expensive.

Cost benefit analysis is a thing and the Trump administration are far too stupid to be able to cope with it. Essentially it may not actually be worth exploiting another country, this being a concept that Trump cannot understand because he has the brain of a chronically depressed fruit fly.

People are advocating not turning over for the fascists like they did in the 1930s. But I can see how it's appealing to let concentration camps, public executions, and a country that will bleed you dry do so.