Personally, I believe this is a fairly big reason as to why the majority of people are disillusioned with politics and would rather not discuss it. I mean no offense to you or your comment. Truly, I only mean that in the grand scheme of things, your reply has many words that don't address any substantial problems.

Surely wanting an equally free, comfortable, and good quality of life for as many as possible while using empirical data is not the same as spreading hate and disinformation?

I'm not a political science major, local politician... hell, I'm not even a political activist as much as I'd love to convince myself that I am. I'm a multiracial guy from two immigrants who was raised in a melting pot of a city, being told my whole childhoold that I live in the greatest country in the world and I can never question it.

From a quick search, populism is a political doctrine that supports the rights and powers of the common people in their struggle with the privileged elite. From my interpretation of the definition, Trumpism is not populism, but capitalism under the guise of populism. That being said, at the end of the day, I prefer to use as little labels as possible (politician names, political parties, ideologies, etc). Everyone has their own interpretation, experiences, biases, and understanding of such labels. It feels almost self-defeating to discuss politics using labels instead of discussing the actual issues, at least to me.

If you don't mind, I'd rather discuss the core problem: Trump was able to exploit the working-class people who have, for whatever reason, felt disillusioned by both parties. It was a ruse that many people saw through, but many also did not. In the past few decades, wealth has been further distributed to those few that control most media, corporations, and legislation. The minimum wage has remained the same despite the massive increase in the cost of living. More and more people are feeling less and less fulfilled. More and more people are less and less likely to be able to retire. I can go on and on. That has been a slow, persisting threat that has spread throughout several administrations representing both parties.

Whatever you choose to call my beliefs is on you, I'm simply offering my perspective to anyone who's interested in listening. I'm just a random guy who doesn't mean shit compared to the people in charge and sees the silent suffering of the people around me that I love and care about. And the people who I don't know that are going through the same exact shit. Maybe all this is just my way of coping with the chaos of the world, but to me, it feels like more people agree than we're led to believe.

"All" it takes is for people to get tired of it and have a massive strike.

Unfortunately, it's really difficult due to a dystopian mixture of:

• elite-owned and operated media

• a "golden era" of distractions (phones, movies, television shows, video games) (see above)

• overwork and exhaustion

• struggle to survive and make ends meet

• warranted desire for a quiet life for one's children

• fear

• general negativity and toxic stances from one person to another

• dramatic lack of funding and support for mental healthcare

• abysmal lack of funding and support for healthcare. period.

• Massive amount of debt and lack of financial freedom

• lack of bodily autonomy and a safety net for unplanned pregnancies

• failure of making people of other genders, cultures, and beliefs feel safe, instead threatening and taking their lives

plus many other things. I tend to be generally positive and optimistic, and I'm very hopeful that we, the people, will change things incrementally... but it's also hard to ignore how shit things are right now.

Let's just remember that it wasn't a single person or party that got us here. It's been decades of systemic ~~failures~~ choices by the ruling class, from people far beyond party lines, behind closed doors. Lobbyism is bipartisan, at least as far as some of the most powerful people in Congress go. Those ~~failures~~ choices led to the rise of fake populism in the form of Trumpism, and other equally disturbing movements.

At the end of the day, I personally don't think anything is going to happen for us. Instead, the people at large need to decide that they're ready for it. I'm hopeful that it's going to happen, but it won't be easy.

it feels like the "promises" (read: lies) of neoliberalism have screwed over many first world nations.

a lot of what you excellently described is going on in the United States as well, for the most part.

many kudos to our French brothers and sisters and their massive protests. I'm not sure what needs to be done, but I hope that people around the world can take back what is rightfully theirs: equality, true freedom from oppressive, corrupt governments, and an honest living

I hope you understand that you're getting downvoted because your reply is very low-effort that refuses to go into any detail. Therefore, it comes across as malicious, arrogant, and dismissive.

please explain

"just do this or that."

while I appreciate the attempt to help and provide options, I think your reply largely misses the point of discussing this. Google is going to keep shutting down those options until there aren't any left, just like Reddit with Libreddit / Safereddit.

links exist. I just don't know how to use them lol

I understand people's concerns and criticism over the use of Google-based ads, but I have no issue paying for no ads knowing how much work has been put into the app. I'm glad we have some great FOSS options as well (shoutout to Infinity and Thunder, among others!)

what's the point of judging? Sync is the only app so far that has full, thoughtful support for foldable phones and the dev genuinely has been putting in a lot of work into it. I bought the No Ads IAP and I'm perfectly happy with it, but there are so many good options now for those that want something completely free.

$20 to remove ads on an app I'll probably use daily seems to be fair price, from my perspective. But the subscription rubs me the wrong way.

This seems completely over-the-top when the person is literally trying to have a discussion about something that they have admitted to not knowing much about. "Attempts" is the terminology being used by the DDG app, which explains why OP is using the same wording.

This whole thread has a weird, defensive and "reinforce my purchase" type of vibe. LJDawson has been pretty transparent about this and has worked hard on the app, so I sorta get it, but come on.

"In fact, misleading is putting it lightly."

How about we all calm down before starting to throw personal accusations out there?

I don't think living "off-the-grid" is a stupid choice, but doing so without planning and preparation is just plain irresponsible.