And They're Off! The Democratic Candidates for 2020

[ritter]

. I think my opinions are pretty normal in European context.

No, they're not....

[71 dB]

No, they're not....

Are you sure? Of course not every European agrees with me, but many do and Social democracy is what Nordic countries are about.

[ritter]

One can be for universal public healthcare, and not necessarily be appalled by the "US oligarchy" as you perceive it. But, since in every one of your posts, everything revolves around healthcare and is inextricably linked to it, and anyone who doesn't agree with you is a corporate brainwashed ignoramus, your opinion seems to be one and indivisible. Well, I got news for you: the vast majority of Europeans don't think in those "all or nothing" terms. And thank God for that!

[Mirror Image]

Are you sure? Of course not every European agrees with me, but many do and Social democracy is what Nordic countries are about.

And what you're about is insulting others who disagree with your political views and if they're an American who disagrees, you say they're brainwashed and ignorant. You want to come to this thread and give an opinion? Well, that's fine, but your way of doing it is not winning you any brownie points with anyone, especially those who are American, but it looks like you're pissing off other Europeans now. So what does that tell you?

[71 dB]

One can be for universal public healthcare, and not necessarily be appalled by the "US oligarchy" as you perceive it. But, since in every one of your posts, everything revolves around healthcare and is inextricably linked to it, and anyone who doesn't agree with you is a corporate brainwashed ignoramus, your opinion seems to be one and indivisible. Well, I got news for you: the vast majority of Europeans don't think in those "all or nothing" terms. And thank God for that!

Perhaps I am not as "all or nothing" as you think. If you don't want to talk about healthcare we can talk about something else, say living wage. Obama didn't raise minimum wage one cent.

[71 dB]

And what you're about is insulting others who disagree with your political views and if they're an American who disagrees, you say they're brainwashed and ignorant. You want to come to this thread and give an opinion? Well, that's fine, but your way of doing it is not winning you any brownie points with anyone, especially those who are American, but it looks like you're pissing off other Europeans now. So what does that tell you?

I'm bad at winning brownie points. I just don't have that talent.

[Mirror Image]

I'm bad at winning brownie points. I just don't have that talent.

No, you're bad at admitting you're wrong and the way you're going about doing things is completely wrong-headed. Your hatred for Americans is sickening.

[ritter]

Not all progressives are fanatics.

[71 dB]

No, you're bad at admitting you're wrong and the way you're going about doing things is completely wrong-headed. Your hatred for Americans is sickening.

I don't have hatred for Americans. If I did I would hope for the oligarchy to continue. Instead I am speaking against the oligarchy and how to end it by electing progressive left-leaning politicians.

Trillions of dollars have been given in the Covid-19 stimulus packages by Congress. How much of it went to regular people and how much to big corporations? Does it look like the politicians are working for the regular people or the oligarchs?

[SimonNZ]

Are you sure? Of course not every European agrees with me, but many do and Social democracy is what Nordic countries are about.

Here's how you test that: Go to political meetings of your favorite political party in Finland and/or become one of the door-knockers you admire. At meetings or gatherings of these supposedly like-minded people tell them your sweeping theories you're posting here and show them where you get your news about the world.

I think they'll be horrified. Every single one of them.

[SimonNZ]

71 db uses the language and methods of fanaticism. No wonder he's a progressive.

Said the Trumpist.

[Mirror Image]

I don't have hatred for Americans. If I did I would hope for the oligarchy to continue. Instead I am speaking against the oligarchy and how to end it by electing progressive left-leaning politicians.

Trillions of dollars have been given in the Covid-19 stimulus packages by Congress. How much of it went to regular people and how much to big corporations? Does it look like the politicians are working for the regular people or the oligarchs?

I think you need to forget about American politics and focus on something that gives you fulfillment, because you sound far too bitter to be arguing your opinions with anyone.

[greg]

I don't have hatred for Americans.

This is true, however, the off-putting thing that everyone is seeing is the attitude that you know better for other people. Saying that Americans are brainwashed might be interpreted as a mild form of contempt, even if you actually wish the best for them.

It reminds me of the ending of Game of Thrones, where:
spoilers


Besides the burning down of the city, the basic attitude Daenerys had painted her as the villain in the end. She says that "people don't get to have a choice," which is the same attitude as thinking she knew what's best for others.

[Karl Henning]

One can be for universal public healthcare, and not necessarily be appalled by the "US oligarchy" as you perceive it. But, since in every one of your posts, everything revolves around healthcare and is inextricably linked to it, and anyone who doesn't agree with you is a corporate brainwashed ignoramus, your opinion seems to be one and indivisible. Well, I got news for you: the vast majority of Europeans don't think in those "all or nothing" terms. And thank God for that!

Amen, brother!

[Karl Henning]

Not all progressives are fanatics.

Of course.

[Herman]

It's totally okay to be 'a progressive'. It's part of the spectrum of political views and the world would be much poorer if that part wasn't there.

Progressives aren't telling people to essentially go out and kill themselves as Trump is doing ("we have to be warriors"), so I think the term "radical" would rather more fitly be applied to people right of the center.

Also, people have been dumping on 71B with great gusto for at least one GMG page now, left, right and center. Let's not. He can be a little monotonous at times, but surely he's not the only one. We also know he someties is desperately unhappy, so let's go a little easy on him. We don't have to read his stuff, and we certainly don't have to fight everything he says.

And finally, indeed, a lot of people in Europe look at the USA health care system with puzzlement. I believe they're puzzled, too, in Canada. It's the world's most expensive system and yet a vast part of the population is left out.

[Florestan]

I will always uphold your right to do it too, but I don't call you an idiot.

Well, I apologize and I have removed my offensive posts.

[Herman]

"From the point of view of branding, the Democratic Party is a mess. Republicans, by contrast, understand the importance of party branding."

About the strange thing that the GOP is still, against all evidence, considered the safe option if it's about foreign policy or being fiscally / economically sound.

https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2020/05/28/brand-new-democrats/

[AlberichUndHagen]

Poju, your obsession with American politics shows traits of bad OCD. I myself have OCD as well, it was very bad a couple of years ago but eventually I conquered it. It is often found with Aspergers (such as myself). You can conquer this obsession, it may take time and patience. Luckily, there are countless ways to get rid of it or diminish its features so that they won't affect your life. You just have to find the best way.

[Karl Henning]

I will always uphold your right to do it too, but I don't call you an idiot.

So virtuous of someone who habitually calls those who reasonably disagree with him "brainwashed and ignorant."