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While we may imagine a dystopian future of thought police, killer robots, and nuclear fallout, the real future predictions are much more boring. Instead of being brutally brainwashed and enslaved by fascist, authoritarian regimes, we have willingly enslaved ourselves. By allowing the top 1% to get exponentially richer, we drown in a sea of debts, tech, advertising, endless wars, environmental destruction, addictions, depression... the list goes on.

Brilliant, isn't it? But it's ok; there's always Facebook to scroll through (Bored Panda too, obvs), Netflix to watch, chemical-laden meals to consume, manufactured outrages over a mermaid's skin color to comment on. Who's got time for thoughtful resistance in this sick, sad world? Even those that think they are resisting by electing bigoted billionaires, bankers and Eton toffs to represent them are simply playing into their hands, as their dishonest, scaremongering claptrap divides us ever further over political, racial and gender lines!

Sometimes we need to take a step back and see the forest for the trees. This list, compiled by Bored Panda, contains some pretty terrifying examples of present-day dystopian society, things that make you realize that beyond all the distractions of trying to survive and thrive in the rat race, something's not quite right with this world.

So if you didn't find the sinister scenes of mindless automatons chanting “send her back” chilling enough, scroll down below to get a reality check on the spookily Orwellian society we are allowing to be constructed, and let's see if we can fix our near future in the comments! If you want to see even more proof of our dystopian world, be sure to check out our previous list!

The term 'boring dystopia was coined by the late academic and cultural theorist Mark Fisher in 2015. He used it to refer to the "bland, mildly coercive signs that abound in late-stage capitalist society, which foster a vague sense of isolation or unease."

He started a Facebook group that documented these signs as a way to develop consciousness about the world around us. "It was understood from the start to be a consciousness-raising exercise, encouraging people to perceive the actual state of Britain rather than the PR state," Fisher said in an interview with Vice. "Which is surprisingly hard, because there's this mixture of Silicon Valley ideology, PR and advertising which distracts us from our own aesthetic poverty, and the reality of what we have. Which is just all these crap robots…"

#2

This Is Caleb. Caleb Has A Degree In Zoology And Asks His Customers What Their Favorite Animal Is. He Gives Them Facts While Completing Their Orders!

This Is Caleb. Caleb Has A Degree In Zoology And Asks His Customers What Their Favorite Animal Is. He Gives Them Facts While Completing Their Orders!

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"Boring Dystopia was partly about the fact that no one can care about stuff any more," said Fisher. "It's not that they don't care, but in a city like London, or any intensely pressured urban metropolis—add to that the pressures of capitalist cyberspace and people just feel like they perpetually have no time."

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"Our resources for caring are depleted, and that has aesthetic consequences."

#4

Charity

Charity

JAFD74 Report

#5

Put The Blame Where It Belongs

Put The Blame Where It Belongs

RelevantSwimmer Report

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Kathie Leonetti
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Let's not forget the politicians and celebrities who fly all over who have huge SUVs .

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The Facebook group was short-lived, with Fisher quickly becoming disillusioned with Facebook itself. "For me the point at which the group started to go downhill was when it became like every other Facebook group. It was just recirculating 'content' and sending links, keeping people inside what I would call capitalist cyberspace instead of looking outside at their own environment. It felt like it was reinforcing the condition it was intended to displace," he explained.

"It didn't work at that scale, and you could feel that it wasn't the right place for it… It was just an experiment, and Facebook probably wasn't the right platform. I didn't want it to be diluted."

#6

A Child Can’t Stay On The Transplant List, Solely Because He’s Homeless

A Child Can’t Stay On The Transplant List, Solely Because He’s Homeless

livfenty Report

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Markus Holstein
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What's infuriating is not the transplant thing, but that the kid is homeless in the first place. Transplant organs don't exactly grow on trees and can only be given to patients who can be expected to be capable of sticking to a rigorous regime of immunosuppressants for the rest of their lifes - which I assume is hard to do when you live on the street. Fix your homelessness problem, America, and stories like this one will dissappear by themselves

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Turnip and a Frog
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It’s painful to admit, but in my country that boy couldn’t be adopted by a single parent. Or a gay couple. Or a couple that’s “too old”. Better to let him die than allow politics and religious views actually save him, is the view.

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Neo Conderson
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What country is that? Not the U.S. Plenty of states allow adoption by single parents or gay couples.

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Foxxy
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That’s hearbreaking, I hope the adoption is successful and the boy gets a transplant.

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hobbitly
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Good to hear his teacher stepped up so he can stay on the list. <3

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Carrie Brockmeier
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That is one awesome teacher. They say teachers go above and beyond. This is proof

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Pseudo Puppy
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This teacher, is a supreme example of what a good human is. I wish them both only good things. <3

neoconderson avatar
Neo Conderson
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No no no, you don't get it. This is supposed to be an example of how *dystopic* the world is.

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Danby Drongo
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

...actually, unless it is a conscious choice, anybody being homeless is tragic.

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Jen Love
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Canada its free. and if its serious he gets in right away.

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Monika Soffronow
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Seriously f****d up bureaucracy created problem. Is anyone in the "system" thinking at all?

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jknbt jknbt
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

actually one of the nicest, most socially beneficial things that have happened this year...both these men are great!

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Maomi Neven du Mont
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The teacher is a wonderful person but we have a terrible system! Every child is equal in the eyes and hearts of good people. Every country should have a health system to care for any sick child. It is a human right!

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Charley CharleyEx
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How many single-parent families do you guess there are. The kids have a tough row to hoe. Real responsible parents, i'd say.

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Grumble O'Pug
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This shows how medicine is a numbers game. A sad byproduct of it is this kind of thing

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Peta_C
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My heart just broke and was glued together with paste in one sentence.

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Loki’s Lil Butter Knife
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That is one amazing teacher, but it breaks my heart that it even has to come to this.

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Marika Stanway
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That teacher though! Much love to him. Other than that, what a stupid and incredibly cruel system.

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Kemal Açikgöz
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He is a teacher for us all. He is giving the lecture "how to be a decent human being" for free.

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Sandra Llewelyn
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How can the American people keep letting these things happen in what they claim to be the greatest country in the world.

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KT Trondsen
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

what!? How is this possible? Is this a safety precaution because of proper care isn't available on a homeless site? This is horrible

mtemple33 avatar
Jessica Temple
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What a wonderful Man to step up in such a highly needed way. props to you sir.

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TomiSmith
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is not just sad it’s disgusting. It’s not the child’s fault that he was born into poverty but to deny him a transplant because of it is so wrong on so many levels, it makes me sick just thinking about it.

neoconderson avatar
Neo Conderson
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So someone did a wonderful thing and that makes our country dystopic? You guys are triggering yourselves. Life just isn't as bad as you're making it out to be.

marymyers avatar
Mary Myers
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

See, there are still good and selfless people on Earth, just not enough. Also, the medical community shouldn't be run for profit, but rewarded for keeping patients well. This teen was very lucky that someone cared enough to step up to the plate. And a teacher, underpaid and under appreciated who already scrapes by on his salary, taking on another responsibility (and happily so). But the 1% will keep their money and turn a blind eye. All their money won't help them come judgement day!

sirrah_j avatar
Alex Craig
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Does this happen anywhere else in the world? I don't claim to understand the American health system but this just seems so messed up.

neoconderson avatar
Neo Conderson
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Teacher adopts boy so he can get a transplant. OMG, how dystopic! If anyone thinks this is dystopic, then his view of the world has been horribly twisted.

staceyknaak12 avatar
SMarriott
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Instant tears when I read this.. that teacher is an amazing man

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Brenda Pipher
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Again, not dystopian, common sense. A donated organ is only viable for a short period of time, like an hour or so, I can't remember the exact time frame but I know it isn't long. It makes sense that the transplant team would need to know where to find him at a moments notice so they can get him prepped for surgery before that organ is no longer usable.

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D.J. Thorb
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I empathize but also realize you need a mode of contact that will be reliable. Bravo to the teacher but what about the real parents?

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Anet Arteacher
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a great story of how somebody stepped in to save somebody else and in the process, greatly added to his own life. Not sad.

andvand avatar
Andrea Delden
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can understand this, as the follow up to the surgery is very important. There is no point in giving one of these precious organs only to have it rejected because the follow up instructions aren’t followed. Please sign your donor cards!

linda535 avatar
Linda D
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's realistic. How will the child get after-surgery care without a stable place to live. Transplant patients have severe problems with rejection and have to take medications that make them susceptible to illness. Imagine living in a car or in a homeless camp - it'd be a death sentence at worst and at best a horribly risky and complicated recovery.

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Aria FAFAT
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Although the pretext is very depressing, I think it's heartwarming that the teacher decided to adopt him.

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Marianne Contrino
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know I'm about to be attacked, but I do understand why they may not want to put a homeless person on the list. Initially I was just as angry as everyone else, but then I thought about it from their perspective. After someone has an organ transplant, they are going to need a lot of help recovering, from check ups, help bathing, walking, to anti rejection meds taken everyday for the rest of their lives for starters. Now if he's homeless, how is he going to recover on the streets, or in a shelter? How is he going to get to checkups? Who's going to pay for his meds? The chances of a person living on the streets surviving a transplant, are slim to non, and now you've wasted an organ. Imagine if your child was passed over to receive it, only to find out it went to someone who had ZERO chance of surviving the transplant. I'm not saying it's right, but I understand their decision not to put homeless people on the list. Bottom line is, I'm more outraged and saddened that we even have homeless people, especially kids, than I am by why they said no. And to my fellow teacher, well done.

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Sophia Trinh
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And nobody gives a d*mn that he may very well die homeless and transplant-less had the teacher not stepped in.

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Luis Mdáhuar
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Americans have become boring because their complex society, their white and black clean ethical codes.

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Freya the Wanderer
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A symptom of a sick society. Sometimes I wonder if we are headed straight for a complete meltdown.

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Robin Bates
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Parents have to give up their child so it can be allowed to live? Infuriatingly shameless.

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Gerry Higgins
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I find this unlikely. I'm not getting upset by a photo with caption I saw on the net, I need the whole story.

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Leo H
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not sad...there are tons of stupid conditions that will keep anyone off a transplant list...it really is supply vs demand. If this bothers you then good..get yourself a donor card

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Danby Drongo
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A lot of the world actually thinks you are a 3rd world country and rapidly heading towards a 4th world country... or worse. Partly because of Donald J(enius) Trump

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Rabbit Carrot
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Um no. Blame Republicans for shredding Obamacare and only passing the s****y parts of it.

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#7

Calling An Ambulance In USA

Calling An Ambulance In USA

thetrudz Report

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giovanna
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That is just RIDICULOUS. I really, honestly don't understand how come the American people are not crazy mad in the streets protesting about that. Like, protesting all the time.

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After Fisher's tragic death in 2017 at the age of 48, his work remains as his legacy and is as important and relevant as it's ever been. His 2009 book Capitalist Realism is a must-read for anyone wanting to understand the modern world, and his 'Boring Dystopia' group lives on mainly in the subreddit r/ABoringDystopia.

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What do you think? Are we truly living in a boring dystopia? Scroll down below to see the rest of the examples for yourself, and let us know what you think in the comments!

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#9

Need Books? Donate Plasma!

Need Books? Donate Plasma!

ContraMuffin Report

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Bill
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You are supposed to sell plasma for beer at that age. This isn't right

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#10

I Had To Pay $39.35 To Hold My Baby After He Was Born

I Had To Pay $39.35 To Hold My Baby After He Was Born

halfthrottle Report

#11

Anything Different Would Simply Be Un-American

Anything Different Would Simply Be Un-American

Tacoking Report

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Beverly
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There is one thing we can do: Get out and vote. Vote for the senators and representatives who aren't afraid to push for single-payer, universal health care. And if someone calls you a socialist, tell them to look at Japan, which a) is hardly socialist, b) has the world's longest life expectancy, and c) has a well-established universal health care system.

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#12

Health Care

Health Care

Lons Report

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Tamara Neimet
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don't have to wait for it. Come to Ukraine, we are constantly crowdfunding some sick child's care.

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#13

Watch This Advert Or Choke To Death

Watch This Advert Or Choke To Death

StephenMerchant Report

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María Hermida
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you need to watch a video before trying to do something to help, it doesn't matter whether there are ads or not; the person will probably die anyway. That's the reason why everybody should learn some very basic first aid skills, like the Hemilich Maneuver, at school, instead of soooo much useless rubbish.

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#14

Only In America Would A Restaurant Display On The Wall That They Don’t Pay Their Staff Enough To Live On

Only In America Would A Restaurant Display On The Wall That They Don’t Pay Their Staff Enough To Live On

M7plusoneequalsm8 Report

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nanashi
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I always wonder why they made it that it's the customer's job to make sure if the workers/servers are paid or not. does this system works?

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#15

Public Relations

Public Relations

JordanUhl Report

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Miklós Nagy
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And people working in the media industry earn way more than any manual laborer or most of the engineers, scientists, medical doctors...

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#17

"Today My Client Was Excited To Push The Elevator Buttons On The Way To Her First Deportation Hearing"

"Today My Client Was Excited To Push The Elevator Buttons On The Way To Her First Deportation Hearing"

LivingRaccoon Report

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Koalamonster
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My niece is 5. I cannot imagine her having to represent herself in any legal matters. I'm 30, and I can't imagine representing myself in any legal matters.

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#18

I Don't Like This Episode Of Black Mirror

I Don't Like This Episode Of Black Mirror

nokia621 Report

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Anne
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well.. we are too far in killing bees and the environment.. so.. we will need to do both at the same time. There is no planet B.

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#19

Capitalism In A Nutshell

Capitalism In A Nutshell

zechareyah Report

#20

Good Article. No Surprises. “It’s Not About Wanting A Pay Raise Or Extra Income, It’s Just About Wanting A Livable Wage”

Good Article. No Surprises. “It’s Not About Wanting A Pay Raise Or Extra Income, It’s Just About Wanting A Livable Wage”

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Daniel Morgan
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And yet Trump has the audacity to say how amazing the country is doing and how everyone is wealthier than ever. Prick.

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#21

Both Are In The Wrong But Look At How The Pictures Are Depicted

Both Are In The Wrong But Look At How The Pictures Are Depicted

Choreutic Report

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Wil Vanderheijden
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The blindfold of Lady Justice is eaten by the moths and she turns out to be a racist, conservative b!tch.

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#22

Not A Bad Plan

Not A Bad Plan

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Koalamonster
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I knew a girl who got Hep C from her ex-boyfriend. Her insurance would not pay to fix it unless she was very very ill. As far as I know she still has it. Had she gone to jail she would have been treated and it wouldn't be an issue anymore.

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#25

Teeth Are A Luxury Only Paying Customers Are Allowed

Teeth Are A Luxury Only Paying Customers Are Allowed

ItsDanSheehan Report

#26

Ambulances For 3k? Lets Just Call An Uber

Ambulances For 3k? Lets Just Call An Uber

deray Report

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Luis Milian
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

in the US, the cost for an ambulance to take you to the ER is as expensive as buying a new car.

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#29

This Is How Expensive It Is To Attempt Suicide In The US

This Is How Expensive It Is To Attempt Suicide In The US

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Care
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hope they're doing better now. Debt definitely doesn't help depression.

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#30

Open Office

Open Office

sweis Report

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Miklós Nagy
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The 90s when people were angry about their well paid, stable jobs and about their peaceful life...

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Note: this post originally had 62 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.