@raymondpert Isn't it clear as #mastosunDay now, that "lobbying" has practically become a euphemism for legalized bribery? And, that #bigmoney lobbies have finally succeeded in gaming #US presidential #politics? If so, it probably comes as no surprise to see "legalized" extortion, corruption, etc shenanigans during tRump2.0, ain't it? The existential question imho is: when and how the US comes back to true #universalsuffrage, ungamed by $$$? Maybe not in my lifetime, sadly.

#MastoSunday #inspiration

'We cannot serve money': #Singapore #family with 4 children live on #singleincome without tuition or travel
""We've always felt that money must serve us. We cannot serve money. So we must first know what we really want." For the couple, this is inculcating in their children #values such as #resilience, #curiosity & #caring for others.. Large #families like hers are the minority, w just 18% of women here having 3 or more #children in 2024"
https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/we-cannot-serve-money-singapore-family-4-children-live-single-income-without-tuition-or

#corydoctorow on #MastoSunday #MustShare
Bluesky & enshittification
"to resist #enshittification, you've to impose #switchingcosts on yourself. Tt's where #federation comes in. On #Mastodon u can easily leave one #server & go to another, & everyone u follow & everyone who follows u will move over to e new server.. I don't know why #Bluesky hasn't added e federation systems tt wld enable #freedom of exit.. So long as Bluesky can be a trap, I won't let myself be tempted"
https://pluralistic.net/2024/11/02/ulysses-pact/#tie-yourself-to-a-federated-mast

#MastoSunday #autumn
One of the great pleasures of visiting #Hokkaido is one can enjoy #dairy products made with the highest quality #milk from well-loved jersey cows that are free-range #grassfed, like this #Jozankei-only soft serve #icecream from #LocaleJZK #SoftCream & More #ロケール定山渓
#定山渓 #北海道 #Japan #onsen

Despite being somewhat warmer than is usual for October, the weather this morning was still conducive for the #Sapporo #Marathon, #Hokkaido, #Japan. #北海道 #MastoSunday

Good #Sunday dear #tuskers
May we all revel in our unique experiences whether mundane or significant, consider others and our thoughts openly, and embrace life's diversity and surprises joyfully with confidence.
Because, conversely, when ideology drives one's thoughts, becomes calcified in one's mind, one may have become another talking, walking fossil, and, if left unchecked, our public squares may degenerate into tyrannized ruins, like that square we #Xited from..
#MastoSunday #fediverse

May we all have a restful and mindful #Sunday
#MastoSunday