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Maher says Biden’s disapproval is so high ‘because many Americans like living with their head in the toilet’

March 16, 2024 | | Print Article

Liberal comedian Bill Maher dubiously claimed Friday that President Joe Biden’s favorability rating is so low because “Americans like to live with their head in the toilet,” not because America under Biden sucks.

Speaking on his HBO show, “Real Time,” he essentially made the case that America is doing great under Biden, but that Americans see things differently for mental health reasons.

Listen:

“I’ve been thinking a lot lately about a puzzle many are struggling with: Why are Biden’s approval ratings so low when things are generally pretty good?” he began. “Of course, there are problems. America’s a big place, but wages are rising, unemployment is negligible, the stock market is soaring, [and] we somehow brushed off both a Trump presidency and a pandemic.”

“Yes, inflation persists for a lot of things, but an actual good, nice-sized TV now costs $60. Who gets credit for that? We’ve got next-day shipping, stuffed-crust pizza, legal weed, GPS, and porn on the phone. Cheer the f–k up, [and] stop acting like life in America in 2024 is unbearable. Biden’s ratings are in the toilet not because he’s doing such a bad job, but because a lot of Americans like to live with their head in the toilet.”

Perhaps he should tell that to Americans struggling to pay their rent.

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@oranotrita I know I’m not the only dealing with this rn. Like how are we suppose to do this? I don’t understand. #lifestyleblogger #growthmindset #mindsetmotivation #lifeupdate ♬ original sound – Ora Hardesty

Continuing his rant, Maher then seemed to attribute the president’s poor favorability rating to an increase in mental health diagnoses, particularly for depression.

“While depression is, of course, a very real thing, it’s also true that earlier generations never suffered from the expectation that you’re supposed to feel good all the time,” he said. “And the kids? The newest TikTok challenge is self-diagnosis of mental problems, because what’s more of a hotbed of mental health than TikTok?”

“Now, without a doubt, antidepressants can be life-saving for those who need them, but here’s the thing: About three-quarters of Americans who are on them haven’t been diagnosed with depression at all. They just want a magic pill. … [T]he people who really shouldn’t be that bummed out, but are acting like it anyway, are exactly who you think, white women,” he added.

Especially young, liberal white women, ironically enough.

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Maher then suggested that these diagnoses are all incorrect.

“[E]very bad feeling isn’t a disease, and Americans really need to stop pathologizing everything,” he said. “No one’s just sad anymore; they’re clinically depressed. They don’t really worry; they have chronic anxiety. Do you like things neat and organized? That’s OCD. You’re bummed when it’s cold out? Seasonal depression. Hate being alone? Separation anxiety. Bored? That’s ADHD. Shy? Social Anxiety Disorder. Why, because you don’t want to go to the office party? Nobody does.”

“Are you moody? No, you’re bipolar. And some people are bipolar and some people are on the spectrum. But sometimes, on the spectrum is just a hall pass for being a jerk. … Yes, you are on the spectrum, but so is everyone else alive. That’s why they call it a spectrum. And it’s not noble to glom on to the soft end of it. PTSD is for people who fought in Iraq, not for people who want to bring their dog on a plane.”

Concluding his rant, he admitted that some people are genuinely ill but stressed that, in his opinion, most aren’t.

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“There are people in America with real problems who deserve to feel sad,” he said. “But sometimes a bad day is just a bad day. When you constantly reinforce this message that no one’s just a normal human with normal struggles [and] we’re all permanently f–cked in the head, it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Maybe the solution is much simpler, and you just went a week without sleep or sunlight. Maybe you have problems that could be solved with vegetables or exercise.”

Responding to his screed, members of the public were highly critical:

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Vivek Saxena
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