#populist

[dosesofcommonsense]

A Whose Who of War Pig, NeoCon, Greedy RINOs

For those still unaware, the Republican Party is a pendulum of conservatism. On the far left of that conservatism, which sits in the grey zone of the overall political pendulum, sits the RINOs (Republican in name only). These asshats put America last and their pockets first (and I realize I put the Bush clan in this mix. Thanks to the Bushs, we ceded more of the US to the NWO [Bush Sr] and removed freedom from Americans through the Patriot Act. This group of people send our money, our kids, our people, and our blood overseas and get kickbacks for it through their 3rd party US contractors and contracts. This group also has key “assets” who further divide the party and the nation.

The far right of the conservatism pendulum is the populist/nationalist group (Trump). Everything is America and Americans FIRST. We love our country and its citizenry. We’re proud of the country. We want to ensure our children get to experience the joys of living here. That’s the MAGA coalition. We don’t care about your skin color, gender, race, ethnicity, ideologies. We all have our differences, but in the push for unity, we’re better defined by our similarities. We want to band together and find common ground, because we are stronger together than we are divided apart. We’re Americans, and we want a safer, wealthier, stronger, and greater America for everyone.

How MAGA are you? The RINOs are globalists hiding under the Republican Umbrella. They’re not MAGA; they’re not for us; they’re for themselves and only Republicans when people elect them as Republicans. Republican in name only = RINOs = Globalists. The Old Guard, RINO Party is going away. The Populist Republican Party is on the rise.

If you think I’m blowing smoke up your ass, that’s not me. I’m not about snake oil or deception. If you don’t believe me, check it out for yourself. Watch the RNC live; stream it. Get it right from the source without commentary. Look at the past days speakers and such. See if the party really is evil like the MSM and content creators have told you. See for yourself and think for yourself. Your life depends on it.

[memenewsdotcom]

[howifeltabouthim]

They fill their pages with apologies and write everybody's language but their own.

Iris Murdoch, from A Fairly Honourable Defeat

[critical-skeptic]

There Are No Gods or Kings, Only Man

A Scathing Critique of Trumpism and the Rise of Populist Extremism

The era of Donald Trump has left an indelible mark on the political landscape, both in the United States and globally. The ascent of Trumpism, with its cult-like fervor, has emboldened extremist rhetoric and actions reminiscent of a nascent Fourth Reich. This dangerous trend has profound implications, and it is crucial to dissect its roots, impacts, and the broader issues it reveals about contemporary society.

The Cult of Personality

Donald Trump's presidency was characterized by an unprecedented cult of personality. His followers, often referred to as the MAGA (Make America Great Again) crowd, elevated him to an almost god-like status. This idolization is antithetical to the principle that "there are no gods or kings, only man." By placing Trump on a pedestal, his supporters disregarded his numerous failings and embraced a narrative built on lies and demagoguery.

Trump's appeal lay in his ability to present himself as an anti-establishment figure, a billionaire who spoke for the "common man." However, this facade masked his true nature as a self-serving opportunist. The QAnon conspiracy theory, which flourished under his watch, further exemplifies the dangers of blind faith in a singular figure. QAnon followers believed in a shadowy "deep state" and saw Trump as their savior, leading to real-world violence and a distortion of democratic discourse.

Populist Rhetoric and Authoritarian Tendencies

Trump's rhetoric was marked by extreme populism, scapegoating minorities, immigrants, and political opponents. This us-versus-them mentality fostered division and hatred, eroding the social fabric. His infamous slogan, "Make America Great Again," harkened back to an idealized past that never truly existed, promoting a reactionary agenda that sought to roll back civil rights and social progress.

The rise of Trumpism also saw an alarming embrace of authoritarian tendencies. Trump's frequent attacks on the media, judiciary, and other democratic institutions undermined the checks and balances essential to a functioning democracy. His refusal to accept the results of the 2020 election and the subsequent insurrection at the Capitol on January 6, 2021, highlighted the dangers of a leader who refuses to relinquish power and incites violence.

Global Impact: A Fourth Reich in the Making?

The impact of Trumpism has not been confined to the United States. Around the world, populist leaders have drawn inspiration from Trump's playbook. Figures like Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil, Viktor Orbán in Hungary, and Narendra Modi in India have adopted similar tactics, leveraging nationalism, xenophobia, and disinformation to consolidate power. These leaders, emboldened by Trump's example, pose a significant threat to global stability and democratic norms.

The comparison to the rise of a Fourth Reich is not hyperbolic. The parallels between the current wave of populism and the conditions that led to the rise of fascism in the 20th century are stark. Economic uncertainty, social fragmentation, and a distrust of established institutions create a fertile ground for demagogues who promise simple solutions to complex problems. The dangerous combination of charismatic leadership and a disaffected populace can lead to the erosion of democratic principles and the rise of autocratic regimes.

The Broader Problems: Idolatry and Centralization of Power

The rise of Trumpism and global populism underscores a broader issue: the human propensity for idolatry and the centralization of power. In times of crisis, people often seek strong leaders to provide direction and reassurance. This tendency, however, can lead to the elevation of deeply flawed individuals to positions of immense power, exacerbating the very issues they purport to solve.

The idolization of leaders like Trump distracts from the reality that they are mere mortals, subject to the same flaws and limitations as anyone else. This deification creates a dangerous feedback loop, where leaders are emboldened by their followers' unwavering support, leading to increasingly authoritarian behavior. The principle that "there are no gods or kings, only man" serves as a reminder that power should be dispersed and accountable, not concentrated in the hands of a few.

The Way Forward: Embracing Rationalism and Egalitarianism

Addressing the rise of populist extremism requires a fundamental shift in how society approaches leadership and governance. First and foremost, it is essential to reject the notion of infallible leaders. Political discourse should be grounded in rationalism, critical thinking, and empirical evidence, not in blind faith and conspiracy theories.

Egalitarianism must also be a guiding principle. A healthy democracy thrives on diversity of thought and a robust system of checks and balances. Power should be decentralized, with strong institutions that hold leaders accountable and protect the rights of all citizens. Education plays a crucial role in this endeavor, fostering a populace that is informed, critical, and resistant to demagoguery.

In conclusion, the era of Trump and the rise of populist extremism serve as a stark reminder of the dangers of idolatry and the centralization of power. The quote "there are no gods or kings, only man" encapsulates the need for a more rational, egalitarian approach to leadership and governance. By embracing these principles, society can resist the allure of authoritarianism and build a more just and democratic world.

[hicapacity]

Ez szép volt Dave!

Egy NERnyi debil,

milliónyi fidesznyik devil,

és ezek inaktiválàsa! Ezen

dolgozik mindenki , aki még nem steril!

Kerűl, amibe kerül! 😎

Keletkezzen lárma 🤟

🌈☮️

[kyotocop]

Musk recommends non dark skinned people having more children instead of dark skinned immigration to combat demographic change.

No, racist Elon, infinite population growth is just as stupid and harmful as the false belief in infinite economic growth.

[acurtist]

People are not enslaved to power,

So much as they suffer from sheer stupidity.

Regardless of who a person is,

No one is correct in their assessments for a 100% of the time.

Sometimes, it seems like as if disagreeing with one or a few opinions of a person is equal to completely discrediting everything else they have achieved.

It's entirely possible to be able to disregard someone's hyper-personalized ideas regarding one person or matter without needing to villanize every aspect of their life.

Only in the black and white world of ignorance, it's impossible to see a person as an balanced amalgamation of both good and bad qualities.

I see people complaining about unfair policies, lack of equality, inflation, lawlessness, and overall "harsh" realities of the world.

The very same people don't take the initiative or have guts to at least not fall victim to propaganda.

The race of mindless algorithm chasing has made people just say things that could earn them a few extra scraps and pennies at the cost of someone's well-being.

At the very least, people can have the courage to admit that they don't know about a certain matter and refrain from jumping into it.

I mean becoming so blind to mindless narratives is worst than being a creature without thumbs.

In the age of so-called digital connectivity and freedom of expression.

How difficult it is to have a unique voice? And how easy it is to customize the zeitgeist?

It's just depressing reality that people know but still feel unable to practice IRL.

No wonder people call cellphone zombie-makers. 🥲

A wiseman once said that the worst form of slavery is convincing people that they are free.

No words. 😱

[postcard-from-the-past]

Portrait of Sibylle Aimée Marie-Antoinette Gabrielle de Riquetti de Mirabeau, Comtesse de Martel de Janville, French writer who wrote under the pseudonym Gyp. She hated republicanism, populist democracy, and party shenanigans. She was a fanatical anti-Semite, in fact, while testifying at a court case in 1899 she gave her profession as "anti-Semite" rather than "writer".

French vintage postcard

[ppcbug]

Mad Max😛

[bopinion]

2023 / 23

Aperçu of the Week:

"Courage is knowing it might hurt, and doing it anyway. Stupidity is the same. And that's why life is hard."

(Jeremy Goldberg, 1958 born English historian at the University of York)

Bad News of the Week - A selection because I could not decide:

The right-wing populist party Alternative for Germany (Alternative für Deutschland / AfD) comes in at 18% in polls for the first time, putting it in second place after the Conservatives and ahead of the Social Democrats. 65% of AfD voters considered immigration to be the biggest current problem - excuse me?1? Germany needs 500,000 migrants - every year. Otherwise our over-aged society will collapse, where no one wants to work at the garbage collection. The alternative? More children of right-wingers? Please don't...

The dam burst, whatever its cause, on the Dnipro River in the southern Ukrainian region of Kherson, is a disaster of inconceivable proportions. Huge masses of water have been pouring out of the destroyed Kakhovka dam since Tuesday, serious environmental destruction is occurring, tens of thousands have to be evacuated, and the regional supply of electricity and drinking water is limited. The suffering adds a new dimension to this war.

I have a high respect for police officers - my stepfather is (was) one. But the East German police are, unfortunately, largely right-wing. That's why a few days ago in Leipzig there were violent riots with the left, who took to the streets after a court ruling against their symbolic figure Lina E. (convicted of attacking right-wing extremists and neo-Nazis). A demonstration that was initially authorized but then withdrawn. According to independent media reports, the escalation was sought by the police and not by the protesters.

An unprecedented scale of wildfires in Canada is not only destroying millions of acres of nature, but affecting people thousands of miles away. In New York City, the sky is orange and the population is told to stay indoors as breathing outside is difficult even for healthy people. In Greenland and Iceland, too, air quality is dropping noticeably, and this weekend the smoke will reach even northern Europe. And no one knows what the situation is like in Siberia right now, where there is equally severe drought.

Small and medium-sized businesses in the European Union are becoming increasingly dependent on the "marketplace" offerings of Amazon, the online retailer that dominates by a wide margin. The analysis of the Dutch think tank Somo, which will be published in a few days, comes to a simple conclusion: effective antitrust proceedings would have to lead to a break-up. Otherwise, healthy competition would fall by the wayside.

Good News of the Week - A selection because I could not decide:

The European Court of Justice has ruled: Poland's judicial reform, which effectively abolishes the independence of the judiciary, violates EU law. Therefore, billions of EU funds remain frozen - and democratic values defended.

Brazil unveils an ambitious plan to combat deforestation of the Amazon rainforest. Already since Lula da Silva took office, the destruction - almost all of it illegal - of one of the world's most important ecosystems has reportedly already fallen by a third.

Former U.S. President Trump has been indicted again. The judiciary accuses him of 37 counts surrounding the classified documents he unlawfully took from the White House. Theoretically, he can be punished with up to ten years in prison in this regard. It's the first federal indictment of an ex-president. And that's a good thing: no one is above the law. That goes for Boris "The haircut" Johnson, too, by the way.

The EU has finally come to a so-called asylum compromise. Even though many aspects of this compromise - such as the treatment of unaccompanied minors from so-called "safe countries of origin," including Kosovo, for example - upset me because of its inhumane harshness, it is better than nothing. Because until now, there was simply no Europe-wide mechanism at all, and the countries at the EU's external borders were simply left to fend for themselves.

"Operation Hope" lived up to its name: after forty days, four children who had gone missing after the crash of a small plane were found by soldiers in the Colombian jungle. They had survived with the help of indigenous people.

Young adults from Germany and France are to travel and get to know their respective neighboring countries in order to strengthen relations between the two countries. To this end, the transport ministers of Germany and France have launched the Franco-German Friendship Pass - 60,000 can travel free of charge for a month.

Personal happy moment of the week:

As a foreigner, my wife regularly has to prove her residence status to various official bodies, including the bank. Last week it was time again. On this occasion, her customer advisor noticed that she has been married to a German since the end of December 2022 - namely to me. Therefore, she was not only warmly congratulated, but also received a gift: a high-quality set of barbecue tools. It was a great pleasure to receive congratulations again. A good 15 months after the wedding.

I couldn't care less...

...that now former US Vice President Mike Pence has also thrown his hat into the ring. Or the ex-governor of New Jersey Chris Christie. Because all observers agree on one thing: the more internal competition there is among the Republicans for the U.S. presidential candidacy, the better for Donald Trump. And the worse for the whole world.

As I write this...

... I'm amazed: The plant fruit Okra is one of the oldest vegetables in the world, cultivated in the highlands of Abyssinia more than 4,000 years ago. The annual harvest yields over 10 million tons - and I first heard about it in a crossword puzzle.

Post Scriptum

On June 5, 1972, World Environment Day was established. Since then, every year on this date, there are different events around the world that aim to raise people's ecological awareness. A total of around 150 countries participate in this day of action. In Germany, this year's motto is "Strengthen nature - protect the climate". Never heard about it? Maybe that's the problem...

[elysiawynters]

The Wizard of Oz is rebel propaganda.

- some kid in my class

[raum-e]

Popular Science > Populist Science

[deepjuillet]

The Nokia Moment in Politics: Lessons for Progressives

Continued from previous blog: Trump’s re-election Echoes of a Dystopian Past A few weeks ago, I received a survey from YouGov regarding the theory of deep state and whether I believed it was a hoax mainly spread by the right-wing media about the conspiracy to prevent the right-wing nationalist parties’ ascension to power. Whilst I wasn’t very sure about the deep state coming in the way of the…

[howifeltabouthim]

. . . the riddle of how what sells is rarely good and what's good rarely sells.

Catherine Lacey, from Biography of X

[thedepressedjuggalette]

The Democrat Leaders finally realized they weren't listening to what we wanted and were too spineless to fight against billionaires and had thus shunned Bernie Sanders.

[a-typical]

Disillusionment with established parties provides fertile ground for radical right parties to exploit.

While centrist politicians may feel compelled to adopt anti-immigrant stances in response, copying the rhetoric of radical right parties risks alienating their base.

But once in office, and without clear solutions to the local economic and quality-of-life declines that emigration has set in motion, party officials will likely face the same voter discontent fueling their current success.

Ironically, the forces that have increased the appeal of the far right’s anti-immigrant ideologies – falling birth rates, labor shortages and a lack of new businesses and services – are most feasibly addressed by increasing immigration.

By following the right’s lead to tighten borders, parties closer to the center may condemn industrialized nations to a political doom loop.

Instead, centrist parties may find it pays more dividends to focus attention on addressing the root causes.