• @OpenStars
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    -12 months ago

    The “best I can do” language is not meant to be taken at literal face value, but is instead a common meme language, often used in a derogatory manner, e.g.:

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    (Not a great example bc it’s so mild though)

    What that wording really (usually) conveys is the apathy of the speaker to the plight of the complaintant, in this case a hypothetical abstract one representing democracy in the USA, as in that is most decidedly not the best that could be done, but instead rather all that is being offered. i.e. it becomes merely a counter-offer as if in some kind of negotiation, usually in the context of a strong imbalance of power e.g. a landlord to a tenant. At that point, a weak person may just accept the offer… though a strong one may offer another counter of their own… such as actual repercussions for failure to comply:-).

    Example of a hypothetical exchange:

    person A: I want democracy

    person B: lol how about no, best I can offer are elections that don’t mean anything!

    person A: okay that’s fine, well if that’s the best you can do, then let me introduce you to my wooden friends…

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