The Politics Thread

[janea4old]

 

[Cat]

As a voter in the US also,what strikes me about France vs the UK vs the US is that all 3 countries are dealing with similar problems (post-industrialisation, etc) -- and have similar, entrenched far-right (and sometimes extreme left) political forces. With US/UK, the centre-right parties responded by going further right and courting those far-right votes (Brexit with the UK Tories, Trump and the Reps). They felt if they didn't, another party or movement would render them obsolete. 

In France, what Macron did was to wipe out both the centre-left Socialist party and centre-right Gaullists in one blow -- by occupying the centre, point-blank. With policies coming a little bit from the left, a little from the right. This works fine for someone like me who likes balance in politics and doesn't like extremes. But by recouping the moderates, this left a void on either ends which were filled by the hard-left and hard-right. And it bred a hatred of moderation in general.

In a democracy, do you acknowledge that extremism exists? That it has a political right to express itself? Do you make room for radical viewpoints? Do you absorb them into your own, initially moderate party, and shift more hard-right or hard-left? The established centre is viewed as having failed people since 9/11 and all the crises thereafter, right up until today.

It's hard and complicated, and I don't have an answer to this. With the US, I fear the coming of an ideological fascism which does away with democracy and implements law which will codify once and for all a hierarchy based on race, gender, religion, wealth. 

 

And on that cheery note (!)...

IMO, Melenchon loves to be praised and feted. He also loves the idea of being kingmaker, with his portion of the votes a swayable force. That means he can dictate some policy without the responsibility of administering it -- or getting backlash for it. Melenchon's party La France Insoumise (France Unbowed) has resonated with a lot of young people and poor immigrant communities stuck in public housing estates isolated from everyone. It speaks to their feelings of being disenfranchised, despised (especially if they are Muslim) and forgotten. For that, I tip my hat to the young organisers of La France Insoumise, who went all over the place to talk to members of their own communities in large part, hear their concerns and formulate policies to meet those concerns. Melenchon has been able to take that vital feedback and promise fairness and justice, a level playing field, better public welfare handouts, improved living conditions, etc. He points to these campaign promises as proof that he is the Nice Guy and that his party is the Nice Party. Who wouldn't want to vote for all these things?

However, there is always the issue of How Do Make These Things Happen in a democracy? And How Do You Pay For This? The fact is, many working people are crumbling under the weight of an already-significant tax burden -- an issue the gilets jaunes movement raised in 2019 and 2020. So who pays? Can workers and small business owners afford to give up much more of their incomes? This is preventing people from saving for the future or investing in their businesses. And breeding resentment of those who pay less tax or 'choose not to work' by claiming welfare. Melenchon would no doubt raise taxes, he says, on the rich. The problem is, what is his definition of 'rich'? Back in 2017, Melenchon pledged to tax 100% of salaries of E+400K (roughly US$400K too). Most French people don't make this level anyway, but it would effectively cap all wage rises at this amount. Also a 100% tax on salary? Is not feasible in the real world. 

Consequently, I feel Melenchon works in the sweet spot where he can call for more to be done without actually having to enact his promises himself.

Moreover, until very recently, Melenchon was an admirer of Putin, and liked to dabble in dog-whistle anti-semitic conspiracy theories. He also believes in an all-powerful state to the obliteration of anything else. Personally, I don't believe in a one-party state controlling all the economic levers. It breeds egregious corruption, for one thing. So, I cannot vote for him.

Sorry for writing such a long-winded post!

Edited April 26, 2022 by Cat

[Khan]

No need to apologize, @Cat.  I always love getting the perspective on politics and other events outside our own country.  The US media can't seem to report on anything outside its' borders without bias.

[marceline]

@Cat  I agree with Khan. I love hearing from people on the ground.

[DramatistDreamer]

The news about the governor of Texas trying to rattle President Biden by having migrants bused into D.C., all expenses paid by the Texas taxpayers, only to have the appreciative migrants be welcomed into D.C. just sends me.

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[DramatistDreamer]

Finally.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/brainard-wins-senate-confirmation-to-be-feds-vice-chair/ar-AAWCEt3

[DRW50]

That reminds of the news that what the Florida legislature and that  pig DeSantis did has helped Disney:

It' all about the theater, never about the reality. And so many people just don't see it, or don't want to see it.

[dragonflies]

No words, none

 

 

[Khan]

It's easy to forget that hayseeds like those have always represented the true, ignorant heart of America.

[DRW50]

Another day, another media dump on Miss Madison.

 

[Juliajms]

I never forget it because I grew up around it. Things make a lot more sense when you remember the average IQ is 100. That means that 50% of the population has an IQ under 100. Add that to our poor education system and you see what you get. Now I agree with Momma Gump, stupid is as stupid does. I'm just saying people are not that smart. That's true everywhere, but at least in some countries the population is better educated.

Seriously though, maybe that dumb ass accidentally came up with a good idea. Border states might be overwhelmed but I think there are plenty of places that would gladly take immigrants right now. We do have a worker shortage, which I am enjoying immensely by the way.

Still, there are a ton of people on the border who need a place to go and I put that above the joy I feel watching big business scramble for workers and be forced to pay a living wage.  If Biden can declare an amnesty he should do that as soon as he can because God knows what will happen if the Trumpers get control again. Not that I'm sure Biden would even want to do that. He seems to have dragged his feet on some of these issues.

[Vee]

Stick a fork in Cawthorn. He's not coming back from those Venmo screenshots.

[Wendy]

It's red North Carolina. I rule NOTHING out. See 2016 and Trump. People just don't care anymore.

[Khan]

So...is he gay (or bisexual)?

[Wendy]

Yes. 

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He seems to try way too hard. But then we have Lindsey Graham, so in all seriousness, even if he was, that wouldn't/shouldn't be an issue. But then, both are in a party that wants to send the gay community back to the 1950s, so I can only assume they hate themselves. (Well, Lindsey. Not sure if Cawthorn really is gay or bi. But it wouldn't surprise me.)