miami and the keys picture post

[amw]

Okay. I am something like 15 hours removed from my flight to Panama. I really hope that they don't institute some new bullshit COVID restrictions in the next day because the US and Canada both did. I could very well end up stuck down there without an easy way to get out of the country due to omicron, but i think i'd rather be stuck in a weird

Comments

[opakele]

I have appreciated your perspective and commentary on your journey.

I am grateful to live in 'one of them blue states', but COVID has highlighted how divided the rural is with the more suburban areas of Washington.

I fear we are watching the demise of democracy.

All for money and greed.

Safe travels. If you ever need anything, I will do what I can to help.

[amw]

I'm not sure if America is currently in "the demise of democracy" so much as that the American political system always had its problems, but perhaps Americans overlooked them for a long time because of American exceptionalism. I think now people understand that due to gerrymandering the house doesn't really represent the people (same problem as many democratic countries) and due to population distribution the senate and the presidency don't really represent the people either (more a uniquely American problem). Then there are other weird things like politicized judge appointments, federal elections that are managed on the state level and so on. Unfortunately American democracy was structured in such a way that it's hard to change any of this, and the people who currently benefit from the status quo will resist any attempt, so it's frustrating.