Could be…unfortunately in these uncertain times on the internet it’s anyone’s guess.

Concentration of population, wealth of state, corruption metrics of state and lobbying power established in state.

“Take for granted” is the expression, granted being something that does not need to be proved, to the extent it is a point given freely in a discussion or debate.

At the rate we’re going in the US, anti science and antisocial, clubbing one’s next meal or foes and eating the meat raw for lack of other tools is not far off current trajectory.

It’s the principle that short-term shareholders have priority above all else–which is a fallacy–that drives these behaviors, start-ups have also always been dependent on VC who require more onerous terms and the growth of tech has almost blended these two as to be inseparable this point.

Companies are required to act in the best interest of shareholders legally–but this does not define they must enshittify their product or service no matter what in the short term as it destroys in in the long run, from Boeing to Google. There is a clear case waiting a public company willing to be brave enough to fight it, that the long-term interest of shareholders should be equally(it not more heavily) weighted in decision-making. It would remove so much awfulness that companies approach the world with–from not caring about compliance, safety, quality,etc.

Not “a Catholic funeral”, the fucking Pope’s funeral. I’m not religious at all but only a right psychopath would not try to attend a funeral with some respect for those who are attending.

And who doesn’t feel at ease predicting stable employment for several decades for themselves? After all in a world of “at will” employment and executives that need to hit their numbers for that quarterly stock grant, barely any unions, deliberately anemic unemployment insurance benefits, who wouldn’t jump at the chance?

Moving into an eligible class of employees, e.g. working for the company and being full-time 30 hrs+/week (or whatever their benefit criteria are) is an event that allows for enrollment with insurers outside of the once per year Open Enrollment which is for existing, ongoing, already eligible an/or enrolled employees for the next plan year.

A waiting period for the start of the benefits, as others have mentioned, once being eligible, may apply to all new employees, e.g. first of next month/30/60 days. As someone who was associated with the company through a 3rd party already there may be separate or less criteria allowing you to enroll sooner than a normal new hire, or you may have the same waiting period. It all depends on the plan design which varies by company but has to meet federal minimum standards thanks to the affordable care act/Obamacare.

“There was nothing wrong with that name–until that no-talent, ass-clown started using it.”

Having a bunch of blue states be the ones to do this strikes me as a strategic miss. If it’s not bad enough hert to get the red states aboard, federally not much will change it anything. If they had waited until the pain in red states had the Republicans ready to take steps it wouldn’t allow it to be painted as partisan. Until Republicans for their party, their reps to demand change, blue states won’t be able to hold insanity in check against them as we’ve seen.

On the back of a wagon? More like back of a 🐉 we are dragonborn not some Falkreath yokel. Into 6 we go riding in style!

We are already there.

Not to disagree with your point about failing businesses but the context is so different here; the US government is functioning beautifully. Best functioning ever. Nationally, internationally, top marks. Economy, society, technology top marks. Personnel? Amazing, qualified, competent, trustworthy, discerning, strategic, long-term serious brains on these folks. Need I mention the utter rock-solid stability we’ve witnessed? It’s…hard to describe.

These fuckers will do anything to invent a flying machine except the proven model that works because they knoooow it gotta be possible with large square blocks of quarried marble tied to huskies. Just need more dogs. Or maybe more marble. mush! Ok add some more marble see if that works.

“People have a right to be heard by their politicians.”

This was a right that the people in the US fought for. Over the last 100 years or so, the mechanisms of government post FDR, have so thoroughly been absorbed by money and lobbying and lobbying money adding in new laws to pry the door of wealthy influence ever more open and close the door of democratic representation ever a smaller crack ajar.

What this means, practically, is that there are now several generations, indeed, entire careers for many of the disgusting nearly life-appointment “representatives”(see lobbying and money influence above) who do not even know that the people they represent don’t fly to DC in jets and visit them in suits to request legislation. After all, that is who has money, or who represents those with money, who drive campaigns, careers and power and influence. Constituents, largely no longer do.

Town halls? Dialogue? Not necessary when the playbook was written 50 or 90 years ago.

This does need to change and I’d guess much more likely than reversion to democracy, a full Pride Rock 🪨🦁 style recapture is what it will take to shake up the horror show.

Heretic!

Those dudes have radar like NASA used to and all he wants to do is talk and get attention. I imagine it was like figuring out who the quarterback was dating at a high school house party for them.

Expiring contract? You got traded to El Salvador for a 3rd round pick in 2048 and cash considerations.

Time to get a new agent for a real contract. Unions won them to begin with, which is why they’re a main target of every authoritarian regime.

Roll against your wisdom to not cast lvl 3 conjure gas line

If you fail your wisdom check You’ll need dex of 18 to not start a fire.

I just had my first thread that I came across today, after nearly 2 years here, that was collaboratively funny, creative, diverse and made me remember what lots of talent in a thread can do. Not just anti-establishment/political circle jerking, or a few tech categories that get enough visibility to get participation.

It was a /mildlyinteresting thread about giraffes being more likely to be struck by lightning. It immediately made me feel like I was finallly home again after 2 years and looking forward to more and more growth in Lemmy and the fediverse.