I will say something strange now: it may be that in the long run, this Trump administration could be good for the U.S.A. America, since it's independence, has more or less always been a democracy. It has never directly experienced any other type of government. Unlike European countries, (I write from Spain), where we have had democracies, then lost them, then regained them again, the U.S. has always been the land of the free. We truly appreciate and protect our democratic political systems and we are constantly watching out for any possible return to an authoritarian government. When the Trump era ends, (and end it will) Americans may then truly understand the gift of freedom they were given, they may then protect and cherish their democracy. It may also give them more insight into the suffering of people who have lived for decades under a dangerous tyranical dictator. One more word: I believe the real threat to America as we know and love her, is Elon Musk. A ruthless, powerful creature, whose unimaginable wealth makes him a danger to all the free Western world. Don't turn your back on him.
I've noted that Spain hasn't moved to the right like its EU counterparts. I know Sanchez stepped down, but I don't think the right is dominating or emerging. I thought to myself recently, "Well, Franco died in 1975, so those people still get it. They remember."
Pedro Sanchez is still the President of Spain. The next elections are scheduled for 2027. You are right that many people here still have close relatives who remember life under Franco. My own father-in-law was a political prisoner for 8 years simply for having a different ideology and world view. Look after your freedom.
It is obvious that much of the country, indeed the world, will trade (the illusion of?) safety, order, conservatism, marxism, for true freedom. This can apply to the left or the right, but there are plenty of Spaniards who praised Franco for the cleanliness of the streets (although most despised him, and I know plenty of Catalans!), and I'm sure plenty of conservatives are thrilled with Orbán's Hungary. The old adage, "Then they came for me," is critical here. I am a left-leaning centrist who esteems the fiscal social democratism of Northern Europe, but I wasn't thrilled with the Biden administration on things like unchecked border crossings, centering radical trans ideology (I mean stuff like taking the word woman out of medical journals and calling mothers "birthing people"), and catch and release. However it's obvious to me that once you give the reins to a self-admitted authoritarian, you're rolling the dice with American democracy and liberal ideals. That MAGA is cheering Trump's esteem of Putin and deplorable untruths about Ukraine (they started the war, Zelensky is a dictator), shows their willingness to deny the truth in order to have their needs met (Christian nationalism, white dominance, etc). It's such a foolish move notwithstanding the ethics.
You make a persuasive and impassioned plea, but I feel that the certainty of your tone is unreasonable. There's a difference between suggesting plausible acts, pointing to their danger, and making these sound like future facts. I'm inclined to share your pessimistic view of Trump's and Musk's motivations, but I doubt either of us actually know. It's hard to make predictions, especially about the future.
Things don't look too good, but I'm still inclined to defend my core points. It's really hard to make predictions, especially about the future. We're arguably entering the early stages of a revolution. This frightens me, because I'm a strong believer in the virtue of American institutions and liberal democracy, but where it's going is hard to see.
I will say something strange now: it may be that in the long run, this Trump administration could be good for the U.S.A. America, since it's independence, has more or less always been a democracy. It has never directly experienced any other type of government. Unlike European countries, (I write from Spain), where we have had democracies, then lost them, then regained them again, the U.S. has always been the land of the free. We truly appreciate and protect our democratic political systems and we are constantly watching out for any possible return to an authoritarian government. When the Trump era ends, (and end it will) Americans may then truly understand the gift of freedom they were given, they may then protect and cherish their democracy. It may also give them more insight into the suffering of people who have lived for decades under a dangerous tyranical dictator. One more word: I believe the real threat to America as we know and love her, is Elon Musk. A ruthless, powerful creature, whose unimaginable wealth makes him a danger to all the free Western world. Don't turn your back on him.
I've noted that Spain hasn't moved to the right like its EU counterparts. I know Sanchez stepped down, but I don't think the right is dominating or emerging. I thought to myself recently, "Well, Franco died in 1975, so those people still get it. They remember."
Pedro Sanchez is still the President of Spain. The next elections are scheduled for 2027. You are right that many people here still have close relatives who remember life under Franco. My own father-in-law was a political prisoner for 8 years simply for having a different ideology and world view. Look after your freedom.
It is obvious that much of the country, indeed the world, will trade (the illusion of?) safety, order, conservatism, marxism, for true freedom. This can apply to the left or the right, but there are plenty of Spaniards who praised Franco for the cleanliness of the streets (although most despised him, and I know plenty of Catalans!), and I'm sure plenty of conservatives are thrilled with Orbán's Hungary. The old adage, "Then they came for me," is critical here. I am a left-leaning centrist who esteems the fiscal social democratism of Northern Europe, but I wasn't thrilled with the Biden administration on things like unchecked border crossings, centering radical trans ideology (I mean stuff like taking the word woman out of medical journals and calling mothers "birthing people"), and catch and release. However it's obvious to me that once you give the reins to a self-admitted authoritarian, you're rolling the dice with American democracy and liberal ideals. That MAGA is cheering Trump's esteem of Putin and deplorable untruths about Ukraine (they started the war, Zelensky is a dictator), shows their willingness to deny the truth in order to have their needs met (Christian nationalism, white dominance, etc). It's such a foolish move notwithstanding the ethics.
You make a persuasive and impassioned plea, but I feel that the certainty of your tone is unreasonable. There's a difference between suggesting plausible acts, pointing to their danger, and making these sound like future facts. I'm inclined to share your pessimistic view of Trump's and Musk's motivations, but I doubt either of us actually know. It's hard to make predictions, especially about the future.
How do you feel now Richard?
Things don't look too good, but I'm still inclined to defend my core points. It's really hard to make predictions, especially about the future. We're arguably entering the early stages of a revolution. This frightens me, because I'm a strong believer in the virtue of American institutions and liberal democracy, but where it's going is hard to see.