Politics

[mdwest]

That is because you do not understand the complex European political spectrum and how things work here. We do not have a two party system. Everything is worked out in the shadows and by conflicting interests, businesses.

Most of the population is fed up with politics and want change. In most countries almost three quarters is against immigration but the governments are not listening.

In several countries parties are banned or there is a cordon sanitaire. Change will come but is it already too late is the question.

Every time I get pissed about our 2 Party system (it is definitely flawed), I remind myself that the parliamentary system found in most of Europe and in Canada sucks just as bad... and that none of us seem very happy with our governments..

Sadly I dont know what the solution is..

 

[CJW]

Spot on regarding Wikipedia.

On the other point. We care but not as much as people think.

Also a lot of Europe is far more conservative than America. Maybe set a foot outside it once in a while and you'll see what the real world looks like.

What is America? A simulation?

Most of Europe seems to be doing everything in its power to make sure we don't want to visit it so.....

 

[DieJager]

Every time I get pissed about our 2 Party system (it is definitely flawed), I remind myself that the parliamentary system found in most of Europe and in Canada sucks just as bad... and that none of us seem very happy with our governments..

Sadly I dont know what the solution is..

True. We have even monarchists in several European countries that want to do away with democracy and put back a king on the throne.
Problem is always what if you get a crazy one.
Those are not serious solutions.

I think the way of Bukele and judicial reforms are the way. Too much power is in Europe with unelected bureaucrats and judges and especially the European Courts.

 

[DieJager]

What is America? A simulation?

Most of Europe seems to be doing everything in its power to make sure we don't want to visit it so.....

Please enlighten me. I truly do not understand what you are trying to say?

I think most of Europe is welcoming to Americans and think positively about them.

 

[VertigoBE]

Every time I get pissed about our 2 Party system (it is definitely flawed), I remind myself that the parliamentary system found in most of Europe and in Canada sucks just as bad... and that none of us seem very happy with our governments..

Sadly I dont know what the solution is..

I think a system where winner takes all, for the duration of an election cycle, is at least preferable to a system which consists of all political parties above a certain threshold, and needs endless compromise.

 

[Betterinthebush]

I read your post and then re-read it in my best Col Nathan Jessup imitation. I mean that is a respectful way. I respect your opinion, just don't completely agree with it, with regards to Sen Kelly.

View attachment 737612

I read your replies and I couldn’t imitate the same voice (not built that way) but, dang, my mental image of your responses was of a split-tail.

 

[VertigoBE]

But the real thing I'm madly jealous of, is the US constitution and bill of rights, with its amendments. Nothing even close like it exists in Europe.

 

[Rocked and Loaded]

Far right..pro Putin/Russia.. But I guess that is ok with you Trump supporters..who like Trump and Vance dont give a fuck about Europe..

Do you really mean that Germany should give in to Russia..and please Trump by deporting immigrants with german passports..??

AfD pro-Russia movement - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

That’s a deflection and didn’t answer the question.

You were asked if Germany had any other solution beside the AfD? If not and if the AfD is as bad as you suggest, then why not?

It’s sounds like the fault, dear Brutus, is not in the stars but in yourselves. If no other party steps up then it seems as though you will end up with the AfD sooner or later, no matter how bad they are.

 

[Foxi]

I agree this is bad Foxi..but is AfD really the solution..?

Pondoro,
unfortunately, no.
If the AFD were to govern here, Germany would drown in a sea of red flags.
Then nothing would work anymore. We are sinking under the left-wing agenda and not even notice.
Foxi
P.S. Berlin has always been a failed state.

 

[Wheels]

But the real thing I'm madly jealous of, is the US constitution and bill of rights, with its amendments. Nothing even close like it exists in Europe.

Americans are truly blessed to have those documents as the foundation of the country.

 

[Rocked and Loaded]

Like I said.. I dont agree with it either..

but.. I understand it..

And, while Trump looks a whole lot different on the surface.. Im not convinced he isnt purposefully continuing with the Biden approach..

I think the core of it is that Trump inherited a problem he doesn’t want in Ukraine. If he pulls out he gets blamed for the loss and he doesn’t want to risk making it a direct conflict.

He isn’t an idealist. He wants to be able to point to clean wins when he leaves office. Politically I think it’s probably a sound strategy for the administration. While the average poster here probably cares more about geopolitics, I don’t think the voting base of America cares nearly as much. I think that’s indicated by no one in the political opposition really taking up the issue in a meaningful way. The DNC cares more about ICE raids than Russia. They’ll pay lip service to the issue but I don’t see any real campaigning on it.

 

[mdwest]

Pondoro,
unfortunately, no.
If the AFD were to govern here, Germany would drown in a sea of red flags.
Then nothing would work anymore. We are sinking under the left-wing agenda and not even notice.
Foxi
P.S. Berlin has always been a failed state.

I admit I know nothing about German politics.. But... I believe you are correct..

extremes, whether left wing or right wing, are rarely a good solution for anyone..

 

[Pondoro]

That’s a deflection and didn’t answer the question.

You were asked if Germany had any other solution beside the AfD? If not and if the AfD is as bad as you suggest, then why not?

It’s sounds like the fault, dear Brutus, is in not in the stars but in yourselves. If no other party steps up then it seems as though you will end up with the AfD sooner or later, no matter how bad they are.

Germany has multiple political parties...and more or less all european states are taking measurers towards halting immigration. The problem is that many immigrants, now citizens are muslims that wount assimilate into western culture. But the law prohibits re-immigration of citizens..so unless the german people, via elections, choose to change that, AfD´s re-immigration talk is futile..

In addition to that, AfD is anti EU and pro Russia like Viktor Urban of Hungary.. There is also anti-NATO feelings in AfD:

The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has recently questioned Germany's membership in NATO, suggesting that the alliance may not serve the country's interests.

Key​

1. Tino Chrupalla's Critique: The co-leader of the AfD, Tino Chrupalla, has publicly stated that NATO is no longer functioning as a true defense alliance. He argues that Europe has been compelled to implement U.S. interests, which he rejects. Chrupalla emphasized that NATO must respect the interests of all European countries, including Russia, and suggested that if NATO cannot ensure this, Germany should reconsider its membership in the alliance.

 

[Wheels]

Pondoro,
unfortunately, no.
If the AFD were to govern here, Germany would drown in a sea of red flags.
Then nothing would work anymore. We are sinking under the left-wing agenda and not even notice.
Foxi
P.S. Berlin has always been a failed state.

As an outsider looking in, it is unfortunate that none of the other political parties are listening to the German people regarding the immigration problems.

 

[rigbymauser]

What is America? A simulation?

Most of Europe seems to be doing everything in its power to make sure we don't want to visit it so.....

So far its more troublesome for a european to visit the US. Too many proceedures and even if you pass on-line forms they can still reject entery when arriving to JFK for-what-ever. For an american to visit EU can just arrive without pre-applicationforms. A valid passport is enough.

I have suggested it should go both ways but so far the establishment go silent when suggesting. This however may change now...

 

[CJW]

Please enlighten me. I truly do not understand what you are trying to say?

I think most of Europe is welcoming to Americans and think positively about them.

I believe you might be a bit disingenuous when you say you don't know what I mean, but I'm a good guy so I'll endulge you. I never said some or most Europeans don't think positively of us. Though some things I have read in repetition in this very thread would lead me to believe that some of you think we couldn't locate Europe on a map, can't breathe out of our noses and use our shirt sleeves as napkins. To be fair most of this comes after some perceived slight by one of you folks across the pond.

Your current, accelerating demographic nightmare and everything that goes along with it seems endearing and Lord knows I love a good day away in jail hanging out with some tyrants for saying some hurty words or even just saying a quiet or even silent, private prayer, but some might not. If in your opinion it's going well for you, your offspring and subsequent generations, please keep it up. Meanwhile, America has vast rolling plains, mountains topping 14,000 ft, rainforest, desert, vast ocean coastline, tundra, wetlands, seemingly bottomless lakes, the 1st and 2nd amendment, etc. We can stay here and have a good time.

 

[mdwest]

The DNC cares more about ICE raids than Russia. They’ll pay lip service to the issue but I don’t see any real campaigning on it.

100% correct..

they'll use anything they can get their hands on if it avails itself to them.. if there is a particularly bad thing that happens in Ukraine, or if there is another mass shooting in the American heartland, etc.. but you can tell whats really important to them by what headlines the daily news cycles..

Ukraine barely gets a byline most days at this point.. unless things truly get crazy there in the next 8 months it will have little to no impact on the mid terms..

Funny how a year ago the administration killing DEI was at the top of their agenda... until they realized that everyone other than the extreme left wanted it gone since its inception.. now anytime its brought up the reported remind the person they are interviewing to stay focused on the future.. they dont want to dredge up the past..

DOGE was going to kill America too... until they realized that once again, pretty much everyone other than the extreme left wants government to clean itself up, reduce its wasteful spending, and really doesnt support the US spending millions in Boliva to promote gay marriage, etc..etc.. so today when it gets brought up (saw this on a CNN clip just earlier this morning) its countered with "lets focus on today and not waste our time with the past"...

I think theyre going to find out pretty quickly that the immigration thing is going to be their demise as well.. no one other than the extreme left supports their position.. and their historical base of minorities is REALLY OPPOSED to it, because they are who are the most negatively impacted by in large.. liberal, middle class, white women are all for open borders... but.. middle class white men have largely woken up and arent following their wives/girlfriends to the polls... and the minorities are leaving the D party at an alarming rate (Hispanics voted 74% D in 2020, but only 60% D in 2024.. Blacks are down from 89% to 83% supporting the D party.. and Asians are down from 71% to 62%)..

Were I a D looking at facing a close race during the mid terms, Id be thinking very hard about what issues I want to make my stand on, and where I'd stay quiet, and where I would let people know I dont agree with my party..

Its one thing if theyre running in the inner city of the 10 largest cities in the country, or if they are on the West Coast.. but quite another if theyre in the mid-west or any other flyover state..

I dont think its a coincidence that Dick Durbin, Gary Peters, and Tina Smith.. all senators in the mid west, all whose seats are up for grabs in 2026, have decided to not run for re-election..

 

[Brent in Az]

Rick Scott is predicting the fall of the Cuban regime.

 

[CJW]

So far its more troublesome for a european to visit the US. Too many proceedures and even if you pass on-line forms they can still reject entery when arriving to JFK for-what-ever. For an american to visit EU can just arrive without pre-applicationforms. A valid passport is enough.

I have suggested it should go both ways but so far the establishment go silent when suggesting. This however may change now...

Ok

 

[Tanks]

While the average poster here probably cares more about geopolitics, I don’t think the voting base of America cares nearly as much.

Voting base of America has always been about "what have you done for me lately" with no thought to future beyond the next day. Hence, why we keep electing populists that promise everything and deliver nothing. Mamdani is looking to be a prime example of that, though Trump also did the same thing.

For an american to visit EU can just arrive without pre-applicationforms. A valid passport is enough.

ETIAS got postponed to end of 2026, so for now you are correct.