# A tipping point. Historians will write on this in 20 years

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-tipping-point-historians-will-write-on-this-in-20-years/1013210>\
**Category:** Politics & Elections\
**Tags:** trump\
**Created:** [January 21, 2025, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-tipping-point-historians-will-write-on-this-in-20-years/1013210 "2025-01-21T13:06:28Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 2

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Jay\_Z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Jay\_Z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jay_Z)\
**Post date:** [January 22, 2025, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-tipping-point-historians-will-write-on-this-in-20-years/1013210/21 "2025-01-22T01:38:35Z")

</div>

There have been many corrupt periods in the nation’s history. The 1920s and in particular the Harding administration, plus Prohibition on top of all that.

Despite many protestations that we live in a very negative time, I think that both sides of the spectrum are profoundly idealistic at this moment, and that idealism is causing a lot of the problems.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![scudsucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scudsucker/32/14101_2.png) [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\
**Post date:** [January 22, 2025, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-tipping-point-historians-will-write-on-this-in-20-years/1013210/22 "2025-01-22T02:09:31Z")

</div>

> [@Aeschines](#):
>
> George W. Bush was immensely more damaging to the US than Trump has been up to this point.

I agree. Trump is all bluster and bullshit. W was actively evil (speaking from a non US point of view).

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![TeroSunbear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terosunbear/32/14748_2.png) [@TeroSunbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TeroSunbear)\
**Post date:** [January 22, 2025, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-tipping-point-historians-will-write-on-this-in-20-years/1013210/23 "2025-01-22T02:33:57Z")

</div>

I vaguely remember the Bush stumbling speeches. Once he said he runs the executive department, “he is the executor.”

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![TeroSunbear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terosunbear/32/14748_2.png) [@TeroSunbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TeroSunbear)\
**Post date:** [January 22, 2025, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-tipping-point-historians-will-write-on-this-in-20-years/1013210/24 "2025-01-22T02:38:38Z")

</div>

Well, nothing will change global markets any time soon. Trump “bringing back jobs” will not happen. Carrrier will stay in Mexico. Shoes will be made in Vietnam. We might still make some leather work boots, not much.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\
**Post date:** [January 22, 2025, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-tipping-point-historians-will-write-on-this-in-20-years/1013210/25 "2025-01-22T03:09:13Z")

</div>

> [@TeroSunbear](#):
>
> The voters are not happy and part of it is that the US Constitution is no longer working for us citizens the way it did in the 1900s, even through the Reagan years.

The voters arent happy _as eggs are too expensive._ That is pretty much the reason trump won, with xenophobia and lies about an “open border” coming in a distant second.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\
**Post date:** [January 22, 2025, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-tipping-point-historians-will-write-on-this-in-20-years/1013210/26 "2025-01-22T03:29:14Z")

</div>

> [@TeroSunbear](#):
>
> The voters are not happy and part of it is that the US Constitution is no longer working for us citizens the way it did in the 1900s, even through the Reagan years.

Given who they voted for, I’m reasonably sure that they aren’t happen that the Constitution is working _at all,_ and want to see it destroyed. The Constitution is full of things Republican voters hate, like civil rights, women being allowed to vote, prohibitions agaisnt slavery, free speech and so on. The sorts of things that get in the way of turning the US into the hybrid of the Confederacy, Nazi Germany and the Republic of Gilead that they want to turn it into.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![StringsandHammers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stringsandhammers/32/17933_2.png) [@StringsandHammers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StringsandHammers)\
**Post date:** [January 22, 2025, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-tipping-point-historians-will-write-on-this-in-20-years/1013210/27 "2025-01-22T04:10:43Z")

</div>

It won’t really matter what historian write in 20 years because we’ll be in the middle of a full societal collapse.

At least that’s what MIT believes and MIT is NEVER wrong.

MIT predicted society would collapse by 2040. New data tells how we’re doing  
[https://thehill.com/changing-america/sustainability/climate-change/563497-mit-predicted-society-would-collapse-by-2040/](https://thehill.com/changing-america/sustainability/climate-change/563497-mit-predicted-society-would-collapse-by-2040/)

Sleep well tonight guys…

☹

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Aeschines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aeschines/32/16251_2.png) [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\
**Post date:** [January 22, 2025, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-tipping-point-historians-will-write-on-this-in-20-years/1013210/28 "2025-01-22T05:21:36Z")

</div>

Funny, I had this premonition/prediction in high school that the US would end in 2040…

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\
**Post date:** [January 22, 2025, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-tipping-point-historians-will-write-on-this-in-20-years/1013210/29 "2025-01-22T06:01:34Z")

</div>

> [@Aeschines](#):
>
> Funny, I had this premonition/prediction in high school that the US would end in 2040…

Hopefully I will be long gone before then.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\
**Post date:** [January 22, 2025, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-tipping-point-historians-will-write-on-this-in-20-years/1013210/30 "2025-01-22T06:04:47Z")

</div>

Fine, then there’s no point to discussing this. There’s no point to discussing anything. Why are we even here?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![scudsucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scudsucker/32/14101_2.png) [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\
**Post date:** [January 22, 2025, 9:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-tipping-point-historians-will-write-on-this-in-20-years/1013210/31 "2025-01-22T09:21:47Z")

</div>

> [@DrDeth](#):
>
> as eggs are too expensive

Eggs are US$1,30 for 12, in this particular shithole country. Feel free to immigrate.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![StringsandHammers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stringsandhammers/32/17933_2.png) [@StringsandHammers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StringsandHammers)\
**Post date:** [January 22, 2025, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-tipping-point-historians-will-write-on-this-in-20-years/1013210/32 "2025-01-22T11:57:02Z")

</div>

> [@Leaper](#):
>
> Fine, then there’s no point to discussing this. There’s no point to discussing anything. Why are we even here?

My sentiments exactly, not that I am particularily fond of the idea. I’ve given a lot to help this country succeed and always wanted the best for it… but if MIT says the sky is red then they’re probably right and I’m wrong. Despite what I might think/hope.

MIT contends there’s still a small chance we may avoid this terrible calamity if we change course and we’re wise with the allocation our resources but as far as I see we’re being as dumb and irresponsible as ever.

Shocking really…

The Collapse Is Coming. Will Humanity Adapt?

> **[The Collapse Is Coming. Will Humanity Adapt?](https://thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/the-collapse-is-coming-will-humanity-adapt/)**
>
> An evolutionary biologist and a science fiction writer walk into a bar... and mull over survival.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\
**Post date:** [January 22, 2025, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-tipping-point-historians-will-write-on-this-in-20-years/1013210/33 "2025-01-22T12:20:39Z")

</div>

> [@scudsucker](#):
>
> W was actively evil (speaking from a non US point of view).

From my POV, W was a clueless maroon, who was willing to be puppeted by truly evil folk.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![TeroSunbear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terosunbear/32/14748_2.png) [@TeroSunbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TeroSunbear)\
**Post date:** [January 22, 2025, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-tipping-point-historians-will-write-on-this-in-20-years/1013210/34 "2025-01-22T12:43:29Z")

</div>

I ordered that. I give some classes to seniors. Might come in handy. I need some video to go with it so it is interesting. Unfortunately I now have to deal with ads on Youtube, if I use the class computer.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![StringsandHammers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stringsandhammers/32/17933_2.png) [@StringsandHammers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StringsandHammers)\
**Post date:** [January 22, 2025, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-tipping-point-historians-will-write-on-this-in-20-years/1013210/35 "2025-01-22T13:04:37Z")

</div>

Good luck. I teach music to students. It’s light hearted and positive. Kids walk out with smiles. The impending societal collapse not so much.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Jay\_Z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Jay\_Z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jay_Z)\
**Post date:** [January 22, 2025, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-tipping-point-historians-will-write-on-this-in-20-years/1013210/36 "2025-01-22T13:50:51Z")

</div>

> [@Dinsdale](#):
>
> From my POV, W was a clueless maroon, who was willing to be puppeted by truly evil folk.

All reports indicate he was much more strong and decisive privately than his public image. I don’t think he was puppeted by anyone.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\
**Post date:** [January 22, 2025, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-tipping-point-historians-will-write-on-this-in-20-years/1013210/37 "2025-01-22T14:00:52Z")

</div>

> [@Jay\_Z](#):
>
> All reports indicate he was much more strong and decisive privately than his public image. I don’t think he was puppeted by anyone.

Well, he DID declare himself “the Decider”! 🙄

Please dispel my ignorance and direct me to a few of these “all reports.” I’m not saying they don’t exist, just that I am not aware of them.

Slightly different but related: recently I have heard more than one liberal refer to W as a decent human, largely because he was not a Trump worshipper. I never bought into that, because I held him responsible for our post 9/11 actions occurring under his watch. But I never thought him “actively evil” as the previous poster described him. Just a mediocre person who made it far above his competency and, once there, allowed himself to be manipulated.

(Apologies if this is a hijack, but this thread does not seem to have a laser focus.)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\
**Post date:** [January 22, 2025, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-tipping-point-historians-will-write-on-this-in-20-years/1013210/38 "2025-01-22T14:39:21Z")

</div>

> [@Dinsdale](#):
>
> Well, he DID declare himself “the Decider”! 🙄

I’ll never forget one of his war justifications: “that’s the guy who tried to kill my dad!” That’s taking it personally.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\
**Post date:** [January 22, 2025, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-tipping-point-historians-will-write-on-this-in-20-years/1013210/39 "2025-01-22T14:51:25Z")

</div>

One major damage that Trump has done to our standing in the world, is that it has become clear that the US is no longer a reliable partner who can be trusted to keep to their agreements.

Trumps willingness to ignore previous treaties and start from square one, means that all agreements with the US have an automatic sunset clause at the end of the current administration. After Trump 1.0 it could be viewed by the world powers as a one time anomaly. But with his reelection it became clear that this is a chronic condition.

Also although we won’t hear about it, I suspect that Trumps handling of classified documents has meant that intelligence sharing with our allies has gone dark, since the US can no longer be trusted to keep a secret.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![survinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@survinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/survinga)\
**Post date:** [January 22, 2025, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-tipping-point-historians-will-write-on-this-in-20-years/1013210/40 "2025-01-22T14:59:36Z")

</div>

> [@Buck\_Godot](#):
>
> One major damage that Trump has done to our standing in the world, is that it has become clear that the US is no longer a reliable partner who can be trusted to keep to their agreements.

THIS!!!

The US will now be going forward into the world as an unreliable former partner to other nations. We’ll be seen as a competitor, and not an ally.

This is the end of an 80-year time in history when the US drove international cooperation on a number of fronts.

No more.

And we will be weakened because of it. This would be a good time for the EU & countries like Canada, Australia, New Zealand, etc, to step forward to try to carry the light of democracy & cooperation with nations. But I have a feeling the rest of the world will fracture. Into the darkness will step China and a basket of deplorable countries wreaking havoc all over the planet.

[Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-tipping-point-historians-will-write-on-this-in-20-years/1013210.md?page=1)

[Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-tipping-point-historians-will-write-on-this-in-20-years/1013210.md?page=3)
