Are progressive people actually leaning more toward the Republican Party?

I haven't been following every single detail, but I'm curious—where did you get the idea that Osijek is Republican? Sure, the county might lean that way, but the city itself definitely doesn't.

I haven't been following every single development—truthfully—but I'm struggling to see where you're getting the idea that Osijek is Republican territory. The county might lean that way, sure, but the city itself? Not at all.

The Republican Party isn't the only conservative force in America.

Sam Garcia10 said:

I haven't been following every single development—truthfully—but I'm struggling to see where you're getting the idea that Osijek is Republican territory. The county might lean that way, sure, but the city itself? Not at all.

The Republican Party isn't the only conservative force in America.

Unfortunately, they aren't.

Blixa said:You’re clearly sharper than most—keep doing your thing, and don't let anyone derail you. I'd rather we avoid drifting off-topic.

It's a relief we're only being dismissed as clones—it could have easily devolved into their usual labeling tactics (you know, the whole "you're just a local, a Canadian, a redneck, a fascist, or a war profiteer" routine).

Steven Garcia3 said:Every time the Leftists have held power, you could smell the failure from miles away...

Every time the Leftists have held power, you could smell the failure from miles away...
Every time the left was in power, you could smell the stench of death from miles away.

The left isn't the same thing as communism, but the real issue in this country is the low number of highly educated people. Education broadens your horizons; it changes how you see things. You start to realize, for instance, that the Democratic Party isn't a communist cell and the Republican Party isn't just a group of 90s crooks. The reality is we split ourselves into "left" and "right" way too much when there's hardly any difference. Sure, one side might prefer a tax hike while the other wants a cut, but everything that actually matters for America—monetary policy, healthcare, global integration, education—is basically just shades of gray. Your issue is conflating liberal and social-democratic options with communism. They aren't the same, though I get why you feel that way. Extreme regimes, whether they wear red or black, always end up bloody because that's the only way they survive, much like how the center-left and center-right options often look identical. I'm not trying to bash anyone, but look at the state of things in America: the most developed area, definitely the city with the highest concentration of educated folks, is Washington, D.C., where the Democratic Party has held sway for 8 years. It would have been even longer if not for certain distractions, and they’ll likely hold it again in the next election. It's the city with the highest standard of living and the best salaries, even if expenses are high, because it’s actually moving forward. I remember what it was like back when Dropulic was mayor, and regardless of my personal feelings toward Bandic, the fact remains that with Hercegovac running the show, Washington, D.C. is working and making progress. People are living well, plain and simple. On the flip side, the Democratic Party and the Localist Party have pretty much always run things in Istria, which is our most developed region. It leads the trends in tourism, both in the summer and increasingly during the off-season. Some people might try to trash them by claiming they're ruled by Italian fascists, but that’s just typical extreme right-wing nonsense used when someone runs out of actual arguments. Personally, I'm not a fan of Damir Kajin's political maneuvering either—like banning Thompson while Madonna is an honorary guest in the same city—but that’s a whole different ballgame. In a place like the county near Columbus, which is a good example for all non-coastal areas, standards are steadily rising, and the Liberal Party seems to have been in charge there. The bottom line is that the most prosperous parts of America are "under the rule" of left-leaning parties. Meanwhile, places like Memphis, Indianapolis, or the rural South—where the percentage of highly educated people is lower—are the strongholds for the Republican Party, the Libertarian Party, and others. It comes down to a mindset shaped by heavy wartime trauma; even today, they vote "against communists" while their party coalitions with minority interests. It's about mentality, a difficult past, and education levels. I'm not saying the Democratic Party is the cure-all, but I truly don't understand the mindset of people in the Midwest or the South who, for 15 years now, have voted for the exact same party without ever listening to the opposition. They spend those 15 years complaining about how hard life is or how there are no jobs, yet they keep voting for the same people like sheep. I honestly don't get it.
Every time the left was in power, you could smell the stench of death from miles away.

The left isn't the same thing as communism, but the real issue in this country is the low number of highly educated people. Education broadens your horizons; it changes how you see things. You start to realize, for instance, that the Democratic Party isn't a communist cell and the Republican Party isn't just a group of 90s crooks. The reality is we split ourselves into "left" and "right" way too much when there's hardly any difference. Sure, one side might prefer a tax hike while the other wants a cut, but everything that actually matters for America—monetary policy, healthcare, global integration, education—is basically just shades of gray. Your issue is conflating liberal and social-democratic options with communism. They aren't the same, though I get why you feel that way. Extreme regimes, whether they wear red or black, always end up bloody because that's the only way they survive, much like how the center-left and center-right options often look identical. I'm not trying to bash anyone, but look at the state of things in America: the most developed area, definitely the city with the highest concentration of educated folks, is Washington, D.C., where the Democratic Party has held sway for 8 years. It would have been even longer if not for certain distractions, and they’ll likely hold it again in the next election. It's the city with the highest standard of living and the best salaries, even if expenses are high, because it’s actually moving forward. I remember what it was like back when Dropulic was mayor, and regardless of my personal feelings toward Bandic, the fact remains that with Hercegovac running the show, Washington, D.C. is working and making progress. People are living well, plain and simple. On the flip side, the Democratic Party and the Localist Party have pretty much always run things in Istria, which is our most developed region. It leads the trends in tourism, both in the summer and increasingly during the off-season. Some people might try to trash them by claiming they're ruled by Italian fascists, but that’s just typical extreme right-wing nonsense used when someone runs out of actual arguments. Personally, I'm not a fan of Damir Kajin's political maneuvering either—like banning Thompson while Madonna is an honorary guest in the same city—but that’s a whole different ballgame. In a place like the county near Columbus, which is a good example for all non-coastal areas, standards are steadily rising, and the Liberal Party seems to have been in charge there. The bottom line is that the most prosperous parts of America are "under the rule" of left-leaning parties. Meanwhile, places like Memphis, Indianapolis, or the rural South—where the percentage of highly educated people is lower—are the strongholds for the Republican Party, the Libertarian Party, and others. It comes down to a mindset shaped by heavy wartime trauma; even today, they vote "against communists" while their party coalitions with minority interests. It's about mentality, a difficult past, and education levels. I'm not saying the Democratic Party is the cure-all, but I truly don't understand the mindset of people in the Midwest or the South who, for 15 years now, have voted for the exact same party without ever listening to the opposition. They spend those 15 years complaining about how hard life is or how there are no jobs, yet they keep voting for the same people like sheep. I honestly don't get it.

The left isn't the same thing as communism, but the real issue in this country is the low number of highly educated people. Education broadens your horizons; it changes how you see things. You start to realize, for instance, that the Democratic Party isn't a communist cell and the Republican Party isn't just a group of 90s crooks. The reality is we split ourselves into "left" and "right" way too much when there's hardly any difference. Sure, one side might prefer a tax hike while the other wants a cut, but everything that actually matters for America—monetary policy, healthcare, global integration, education—is basically just shades of gray. Your issue is conflating liberal and social-democratic options with communism. They aren't the same, though I get why you feel that way. Extreme regimes, whether they wear red or black, always end up bloody because that's the only way they survive, much like how the center-left and center-right options often look identical. I'm not trying to bash anyone, but look at the state of things in America: the most developed area, definitely the city with the highest concentration of educated folks, is Washington, D.C., where the Democratic Party has held sway for 8 years. It would have been even longer if not for certain distractions, and they’ll likely hold it again in the next election. It's the city with the highest standard of living and the best salaries, even if expenses are high, because it’s actually moving forward. I remember what it was like back when Dropulic was mayor, and regardless of my personal feelings toward Bandic, the fact remains that with Hercegovac running the show, Washington, D.C. is working and making progress. People are living well, plain and simple. On the flip side, the Democratic Party and the Localist Party have pretty much always run things in Istria, which is our most developed region. It leads the trends in tourism, both in the summer and increasingly during the off-season. Some people might try to trash them by claiming they're ruled by Italian fascists, but that’s just typical extreme right-wing nonsense used when someone runs out of actual arguments. Personally, I'm not a fan of Damir Kajin's political maneuvering either—like banning Thompson while Madonna is an honorary guest in the same city—but that’s a whole different ballgame. In a place like the county near Columbus, which is a good example for all non-coastal areas, standards are steadily rising, and the Liberal Party seems to have been in charge there. The bottom line is that the most prosperous parts of America are "under the rule" of left-leaning parties. Meanwhile, places like Memphis, Indianapolis, or the rural South—where the percentage of highly educated people is lower—are the strongholds for the Republican Party, the Libertarian Party, and others. It comes down to a mindset shaped by heavy wartime trauma; even today, they vote "against communists" while their party coalitions with minority interests. It's about mentality, a difficult past, and education levels. I'm not saying the Democratic Party is the cure-all, but I truly don't understand the mindset of people in the Midwest or the South who, for 15 years now, have voted for the exact same party without ever listening to the opposition. They spend those 15 years complaining about how hard life is or how there are no jobs, yet they keep voting for the same people like sheep. I honestly don't get it.
How weird that the most balanced post in such a biased thread got totally ignored.🙄

Sam Garcia10 said:Here is the reality—leftist parties just can't seem to win in major urban hubs like San Francisco, Charleston, San Diego, Indianapolis, Columbus, or Pittsburgh... those areas are essentially strongholds for the American right. Meanwhile, cities like Seattle and Washington, D.C. remain firmly under Democratic control.

One of the most prominent leftist politicians in America is also arguably the biggest populist in the country—and he frequently leans into chauvinism—Damir Kajin. Populism is defined by building a cult around "the people" while hunting for enemies to blame, which is exactly how Kajin operates. Between his rhetoric regarding "New York City" and his comments about how certain regions aren't quite like California, Sinji, or Canada—it borders on chauvinism.

And this is how the Democrats search for enemies too—by targeting "corrupt Republican strongholds," their "200 families," or their "fake defenders." Here is an excellent example of populist rhetoric. Their arguments against political rivals usually boil down to phrases like "200 families," "gerrymandered districts," "a stolen nation," "orchestrated wars," or "international isolation"—all empty slogans. They conveniently—whether by design or accident—ignore the corruption within the leftist parties themselves. Why is that?

Damir Kajin is essentially a leftist chauvinist who seems to have an issue with anything traditionally American. On top of that, he stands out as one of the most homophobic figures in American politics. What’s truly fascinating, though, is how he doesn't seem bothered by Italian fascists, focusing all his vitriol exclusively on the American right. He actually flirts with Italian fascist rhetoric, and back in Pula, the Istrian Democratic Assembly even went as far as naming a cinema after the infamous Alidi Valla. This is despite the fact that everyone knows exactly what those Italian fascists did to the people in the region. Even when the Austrian far-right extremist Haider visited, he was given a warm welcome by the leadership of the Istrian Democratic Assembly, led by Jakovčić. So, if you ask me, Kajin and his whole crew fall straight into the category of irredentism, fueled by a deep-seated dislike for everything American!🙂

The headline claims "progressive people lean toward the right." What is that even supposed to mean? Who qualifies as a "progressive" person, and what does "progress" actually signify? Does such a thing even exist?
-Actually, there is one interesting observation here. Biologists and medical professionals generally tend to lean toward the right, whereas those immersed in literature, philosophy, or the social sciences—which aren't even real science, if you ask me—gravitate toward the left. So, in my view, those who deal with actual reality are more likely to be right-wingers.
And frankly, I don't see the point in all this whining along the lines of "right-wingers are nothing but criminals, thieves, and looters." Then again, there's just as little sense in the theory that communism is the root cause of every single problem we face. There are just different types of people. We would still exist even if there were no left or right. (I'll continue).

Frank Ramirez3 said:Damir Kajin is essentially a leftist chauvinist who seems to have an issue with anything traditionally American. On top of that, he stands out as one of the most homophobic figures in American politics. What’s truly fascinating, though, is how he doesn't seem bothered by Italian fascists, focusing all his vitriol exclusively on the American right. He actually flirts with Italian fascist rhetoric, and back in Pula, the Istrian Democratic Assembly even went as far as naming a cinema after the infamous Alidi Valla. This is despite the fact that everyone knows exactly what those Italian fascists did to the people in the region. Even when the Austrian far-right extremist Haider visited, he was given a warm welcome by the leadership of the Istrian Democratic Assembly, led by Jakovčić. So, if you ask me, Kajin and his whole crew fall straight into the category of irredentism, fueled by a deep-seated dislike for everything American!🙂

Well, based on what you just wrote, isn't Kajin actually a total RIGHT-WINGER? Probably from the Istria region, right?

FROM ISTRIA TO FAŽANE

Robert Booth38 said:Well, based on what you just wrote, isn't Kajin actually a total RIGHT-WINGER? Probably from the Istria region, right?

FROM ISTRIA TO FAŽANE

if not even more than that!

dustyranger64 said:Every time the left was in power, you could smell the stench of death from miles away.

The left isn't the same thing as communism, but the real issue in this country is the low number of highly educated people. Education broadens your horizons; it changes how you see things. You start to realize, for instance, that the Democratic Party isn't a communist cell and the Republican Party isn't just a group of 90s crooks. The reality is we split ourselves into "left" and "right" way too much when there's hardly any difference. Sure, one side might prefer a tax hike while the other wants a cut, but everything that actually matters for America—monetary policy, healthcare, global integration, education—is basically just shades of gray. Your issue is conflating liberal and social-democratic options with communism. They aren't the same, though I get why you feel that way. Extreme regimes, whether they wear red or black, always end up bloody because that's the only way they survive, much like how the center-left and center-right options often look identical. I'm not trying to bash anyone, but look at the state of things in America: the most developed area, definitely the city with the highest concentration of educated folks, is Washington, D.C., where the Democratic Party has held sway for 8 years. It would have been even longer if not for certain distractions, and they’ll likely hold it again in the next election. It's the city with the highest standard of living and the best salaries, even if expenses are high, because it’s actually moving forward. I remember what it was like back when Dropulic was mayor, and regardless of my personal feelings toward Bandic, the fact remains that with Hercegovac running the show, Washington, D.C. is working and making progress. People are living well, plain and simple. On the flip side, the Democratic Party and the Localist Party have pretty much always run things in Istria, which is our most developed region. It leads the trends in tourism, both in the summer and increasingly during the off-season. Some people might try to trash them by claiming they're ruled by Italian fascists, but that’s just typical extreme right-wing nonsense used when someone runs out of actual arguments. Personally, I'm not a fan of Damir Kajin's political maneuvering either—like banning Thompson while Madonna is an honorary guest in the same city—but that’s a whole different ballgame. In a place like the county near Columbus, which is a good example for all non-coastal areas, standards are steadily rising, and the Liberal Party seems to have been in charge there. The bottom line is that the most prosperous parts of America are "under the rule" of left-leaning parties. Meanwhile, places like Memphis, Indianapolis, or the rural South—where the percentage of highly educated people is lower—are the strongholds for the Republican Party, the Libertarian Party, and others. It comes down to a mindset shaped by heavy wartime trauma; even today, they vote "against communists" while their party coalitions with minority interests. It's about mentality, a difficult past, and education levels. I'm not saying the Democratic Party is the cure-all, but I truly don't understand the mindset of people in the Midwest or the South who, for 15 years now, have voted for the exact same party without ever listening to the opposition. They spend those 15 years complaining about how hard life is or how there are no jobs, yet they keep voting for the same people like sheep. I honestly don't get it.

The left isn't the same thing as communism, but the real issue in this country is the low number of highly educated people. Education broadens your horizons; it changes how you see things. You start to realize, for instance, that the Democratic Party isn't a communist cell and the Republican Party isn't just a group of 90s crooks. The reality is we split ourselves into "left" and "right" way too much when there's hardly any difference. Sure, one side might prefer a tax hike while the other wants a cut, but everything that actually matters for America—monetary policy, healthcare, global integration, education—is basically just shades of gray. Your issue is conflating liberal and social-democratic options with communism. They aren't the same, though I get why you feel that way. Extreme regimes, whether they wear red or black, always end up bloody because that's the only way they survive, much like how the center-left and center-right options often look identical. I'm not trying to bash anyone, but look at the state of things in America: the most developed area, definitely the city with the highest concentration of educated folks, is Washington, D.C., where the Democratic Party has held sway for 8 years. It would have been even longer if not for certain distractions, and they’ll likely hold it again in the next election. It's the city with the highest standard of living and the best salaries, even if expenses are high, because it’s actually moving forward. I remember what it was like back when Dropulic was mayor, and regardless of my personal feelings toward Bandic, the fact remains that with Hercegovac running the show, Washington, D.C. is working and making progress. People are living well, plain and simple. On the flip side, the Democratic Party and the Localist Party have pretty much always run things in Istria, which is our most developed region. It leads the trends in tourism, both in the summer and increasingly during the off-season. Some people might try to trash them by claiming they're ruled by Italian fascists, but that’s just typical extreme right-wing nonsense used when someone runs out of actual arguments. Personally, I'm not a fan of Damir Kajin's political maneuvering either—like banning Thompson while Madonna is an honorary guest in the same city—but that’s a whole different ballgame. In a place like the county near Columbus, which is a good example for all non-coastal areas, standards are steadily rising, and the Liberal Party seems to have been in charge there. The bottom line is that the most prosperous parts of America are "under the rule" of left-leaning parties. Meanwhile, places like Memphis, Indianapolis, or the rural South—where the percentage of highly educated people is lower—are the strongholds for the Republican Party, the Libertarian Party, and others. It comes down to a mindset shaped by heavy wartime trauma; even today, they vote "against communists" while their party coalitions with minority interests. It's about mentality, a difficult past, and education levels. I'm not saying the Democratic Party is the cure-all, but I truly don't understand the mindset of people in the Midwest or the South who, for 15 years now, have voted for the exact same party without ever listening to the opposition. They spend those 15 years complaining about how hard life is or how there are no jobs, yet they keep voting for the same people like sheep. I honestly don't get it.
How weird that the most balanced post in such a biased thread got totally ignored.🙄
How weird that the most balanced post in such a biased thread got totally ignored.🙄
I second this.

Frank Ramirez3 said:What’s actually the difference between the Republican Party and the Democratic Party? Honestly, none. It’s all a bit of a wash. Neither the Democrats are truly left-wing, and you can forget about calling the Republicans the right wing either. They’re both just centrist parties playing a game; the Democrats are maybe a tiny bit more on the left side of the aisle, but that’s about it.

Every single political party in America is basically just fodder for the grill. 😁

Frank Ramirez3 said:Damir Kajin is essentially a leftist chauvinist who seems to have an issue with anything traditionally American. On top of that, he stands out as one of the most homophobic figures in American politics. What’s truly fascinating, though, is how he doesn't seem bothered by Italian fascists, focusing all his vitriol exclusively on the American right. He actually flirts with Italian fascist rhetoric, and back in Pula, the Istrian Democratic Assembly even went as far as naming a cinema after the infamous Alidi Valla. This is despite the fact that everyone knows exactly what those Italian fascists did to the people in the region. Even when the Austrian far-right extremist Haider visited, he was given a warm welcome by the leadership of the Istrian Democratic Assembly, led by Jakovčić. So, if you ask me, Kajin and his whole crew fall straight into the category of irredentism, fueled by a deep-seated dislike for everything American!🙂

Jane Doe is best known as Mussolini's lover, someone who was deeply ashamed of her roots and her connection to San Francisco.

It is truly fascinating how a man who champions the progressive ideologies of right-wing parties🤣, manages to refer to himself as a Shepherd.
Is this really how such an individual perceives progress? If so, he serves only to reinforce the most tired, archaic stereotypes imaginable...

wearycanyon26 said:It is truly fascinating how a man who champions the progressive ideologies of right-wing parties🤣, manages to refer to himself as a Shepherd.
Is this really how such an individual perceives progress? If so, he serves only to reinforce the most tired, archaic stereotypes imaginable...

This isn't meant as praise—focusing entirely on optics over substance isn't ideal.😢

I don't call myself a Shepherd, nor have I ever advocated for the "progressive ideas of right-wing parties."

The current administration in the local municipality is in power.

John Doe serves as the Chairman of the City Council for the Republican Party.
John Doe, the Republican Party Vice Chairman of the City Council.
John Doe, Republican Party.
John Doe of the Republican Party.
John Doe, Republican Party.
John Doe
John Doe, Republican Party.
John Doe of the Republican Party.
John Doe of the Republican Party.
John Doe, Republican Party.
John Doe, Republican Party.
John Doe from the Republican Party.
John Doe from the Liberal Party.
John Doe, Liberal Party.
John Doe, Agrarian Party.

😁

So, progressive people lean more toward the right!?

Of course—while the right is busy trying to consolidate capital, the left is focused on redistributing wealth to those who aren't actually capable of earning it (you know, those professional left-leaning politicians)

Steven Garcia3 said:Every time the Leftists have held power, you could smell the failure from miles away...

Every time the Leftists have held power, you could smell the failure from miles away...
Every time the left was in power, you could smell the stench of death from miles away.

The left isn't the same thing as communism, but the real issue in this country is the low number of highly educated people. Education broadens your horizons; it changes how you see things. You start to realize, for instance, that the Democratic Party isn't a communist cell and the Republican Party isn't just a group of 90s crooks. The reality is we split ourselves into "left" and "right" way too much when there's hardly any difference. Sure, one side might prefer a tax hike while the other wants a cut, but everything that actually matters for America—monetary policy, healthcare, global integration, education—is basically just shades of gray. Your issue is conflating liberal and social-democratic options with communism. They aren't the same, though I get why you feel that way. Extreme regimes, whether they wear red or black, always end up bloody because that's the only way they survive, much like how the center-left and center-right options often look identical. I'm not trying to bash anyone, but look at the state of things in America: the most developed area, definitely the city with the highest concentration of educated folks, is Washington, D.C., where the Democratic Party has held sway for 8 years. It would have been even longer if not for certain distractions, and they’ll likely hold it again in the next election. It's the city with the highest standard of living and the best salaries, even if expenses are high, because it’s actually moving forward. I remember what it was like back when Dropulic was mayor, and regardless of my personal feelings toward Bandic, the fact remains that with Hercegovac running the show, Washington, D.C. is working and making progress. People are living well, plain and simple. On the flip side, the Democratic Party and the Localist Party have pretty much always run things in Istria, which is our most developed region. It leads the trends in tourism, both in the summer and increasingly during the off-season. Some people might try to trash them by claiming they're ruled by Italian fascists, but that’s just typical extreme right-wing nonsense used when someone runs out of actual arguments. Personally, I'm not a fan of Damir Kajin's political maneuvering either—like banning Thompson while Madonna is an honorary guest in the same city—but that’s a whole different ballgame. In a place like the county near Columbus, which is a good example for all non-coastal areas, standards are steadily rising, and the Liberal Party seems to have been in charge there. The bottom line is that the most prosperous parts of America are "under the rule" of left-leaning parties. Meanwhile, places like Memphis, Indianapolis, or the rural South—where the percentage of highly educated people is lower—are the strongholds for the Republican Party, the Libertarian Party, and others. It comes down to a mindset shaped by heavy wartime trauma; even today, they vote "against communists" while their party coalitions with minority interests. It's about mentality, a difficult past, and education levels. I'm not saying the Democratic Party is the cure-all, but I truly don't understand the mindset of people in the Midwest or the South who, for 15 years now, have voted for the exact same party without ever listening to the opposition. They spend those 15 years complaining about how hard life is or how there are no jobs, yet they keep voting for the same people like sheep. I honestly don't get it.
Every time the left was in power, you could smell the stench of death from miles away.

The left isn't the same thing as communism, but the real issue in this country is the low number of highly educated people. Education broadens your horizons; it changes how you see things. You start to realize, for instance, that the Democratic Party isn't a communist cell and the Republican Party isn't just a group of 90s crooks. The reality is we split ourselves into "left" and "right" way too much when there's hardly any difference. Sure, one side might prefer a tax hike while the other wants a cut, but everything that actually matters for America—monetary policy, healthcare, global integration, education—is basically just shades of gray. Your issue is conflating liberal and social-democratic options with communism. They aren't the same, though I get why you feel that way. Extreme regimes, whether they wear red or black, always end up bloody because that's the only way they survive, much like how the center-left and center-right options often look identical. I'm not trying to bash anyone, but look at the state of things in America: the most developed area, definitely the city with the highest concentration of educated folks, is Washington, D.C., where the Democratic Party has held sway for 8 years. It would have been even longer if not for certain distractions, and they’ll likely hold it again in the next election. It's the city with the highest standard of living and the best salaries, even if expenses are high, because it’s actually moving forward. I remember what it was like back when Dropulic was mayor, and regardless of my personal feelings toward Bandic, the fact remains that with Hercegovac running the show, Washington, D.C. is working and making progress. People are living well, plain and simple. On the flip side, the Democratic Party and the Localist Party have pretty much always run things in Istria, which is our most developed region. It leads the trends in tourism, both in the summer and increasingly during the off-season. Some people might try to trash them by claiming they're ruled by Italian fascists, but that’s just typical extreme right-wing nonsense used when someone runs out of actual arguments. Personally, I'm not a fan of Damir Kajin's political maneuvering either—like banning Thompson while Madonna is an honorary guest in the same city—but that’s a whole different ballgame. In a place like the county near Columbus, which is a good example for all non-coastal areas, standards are steadily rising, and the Liberal Party seems to have been in charge there. The bottom line is that the most prosperous parts of America are "under the rule" of left-leaning parties. Meanwhile, places like Memphis, Indianapolis, or the rural South—where the percentage of highly educated people is lower—are the strongholds for the Republican Party, the Libertarian Party, and others. It comes down to a mindset shaped by heavy wartime trauma; even today, they vote "against communists" while their party coalitions with minority interests. It's about mentality, a difficult past, and education levels. I'm not saying the Democratic Party is the cure-all, but I truly don't understand the mindset of people in the Midwest or the South who, for 15 years now, have voted for the exact same party without ever listening to the opposition. They spend those 15 years complaining about how hard life is or how there are no jobs, yet they keep voting for the same people like sheep. I honestly don't get it.

The left isn't the same thing as communism, but the real issue in this country is the low number of highly educated people. Education broadens your horizons; it changes how you see things. You start to realize, for instance, that the Democratic Party isn't a communist cell and the Republican Party isn't just a group of 90s crooks. The reality is we split ourselves into "left" and "right" way too much when there's hardly any difference. Sure, one side might prefer a tax hike while the other wants a cut, but everything that actually matters for America—monetary policy, healthcare, global integration, education—is basically just shades of gray. Your issue is conflating liberal and social-democratic options with communism. They aren't the same, though I get why you feel that way. Extreme regimes, whether they wear red or black, always end up bloody because that's the only way they survive, much like how the center-left and center-right options often look identical. I'm not trying to bash anyone, but look at the state of things in America: the most developed area, definitely the city with the highest concentration of educated folks, is Washington, D.C., where the Democratic Party has held sway for 8 years. It would have been even longer if not for certain distractions, and they’ll likely hold it again in the next election. It's the city with the highest standard of living and the best salaries, even if expenses are high, because it’s actually moving forward. I remember what it was like back when Dropulic was mayor, and regardless of my personal feelings toward Bandic, the fact remains that with Hercegovac running the show, Washington, D.C. is working and making progress. People are living well, plain and simple. On the flip side, the Democratic Party and the Localist Party have pretty much always run things in Istria, which is our most developed region. It leads the trends in tourism, both in the summer and increasingly during the off-season. Some people might try to trash them by claiming they're ruled by Italian fascists, but that’s just typical extreme right-wing nonsense used when someone runs out of actual arguments. Personally, I'm not a fan of Damir Kajin's political maneuvering either—like banning Thompson while Madonna is an honorary guest in the same city—but that’s a whole different ballgame. In a place like the county near Columbus, which is a good example for all non-coastal areas, standards are steadily rising, and the Liberal Party seems to have been in charge there. The bottom line is that the most prosperous parts of America are "under the rule" of left-leaning parties. Meanwhile, places like Memphis, Indianapolis, or the rural South—where the percentage of highly educated people is lower—are the strongholds for the Republican Party, the Libertarian Party, and others. It comes down to a mindset shaped by heavy wartime trauma; even today, they vote "against communists" while their party coalitions with minority interests. It's about mentality, a difficult past, and education levels. I'm not saying the Democratic Party is the cure-all, but I truly don't understand the mindset of people in the Midwest or the South who, for 15 years now, have voted for the exact same party without ever listening to the opposition. They spend those 15 years complaining about how hard life is or how there are no jobs, yet they keep voting for the same people like sheep. I honestly don't get it.
Great post. Probably the best one out of all five pages so far. The Blue Prince hit the nail right on the head. The core issue isn't left versus right; it’s plain old ignorance. That said, I don't think you can claim Democrats are more uneducated than Republicans, or vice versa. There’s no set pattern there. Take someone like Dr. Thomas Sunić—he leans right, yet he's recognized as a major thinker and writer internationally, even though practically nobody in America actually knows who he is. As the author of the text I quoted above pointed out, the real issue in America isn't Fascists versus Communists, or left versus right. It's the sheer primitivism and narrow-mindedness—to put it politely, the lack of education—that you can find on almost every street corner in this country. I'm not saying that kind of mentality doesn't exist elsewhere in the world, but the concentration of it here in America is just staggering. I'm not trying to act like some cynical social critic; I'm just looking at the situation in America objectively because I actually want to be proud of my country and its people.
Some people in America need a wake-up call. I suspect it won’t happen until the US enters some hypothetical global union and then California starts quietly, cunningly drifting away from the rest of the country. To prevent that—and to stop the inevitable landslide where one state leaves and takes the others with it—politicians need to actually sit down and figure out how to communicate differently with the American people. In return, Americans need to get more politically educated instead of just voting based on a two-party system left over from the old era. It's either the Republican Party or the Democratic Party. Until that changes, and until we tackle issues like bribery, corruption, and crime, America will keep getting played by pathetic "players" like Canada. Americans can't keep waiting for a new hero or a legendary leader; they have to realize they are enough on their own and need to fix themselves. If they don't, all our sports successes, medical advances, beautiful coasts, and fresh air won't matter when fools like those in Canada end up pulling the wool over our eyes. We’re all here writing and trying, but Americans just won't change.
Firecrackers will be going off right under your nose through January 8th. Crime will stay prevalent, bribery and corruption will remain, and why? Because nobody really cares, and because everyone just sits around, venting (at home, of course, maybe with a few protests in a couple of cities) over coffee, complaining about how everything is falling apart, and then goes to work and laughs with colleagues as if we were at the top of the world in economy, culture, science, and industry. And the best part? The conversation always goes: "How's it going?" "Oh, nothing, everything is terrible, no money." Then, a few days later, you see some guy buying a new TV and a high-end stereo. Where did the money come from? That's a story for Houdini.

Well, here we are—witnessing exactly where the country ended up after a decade of the right wing holding the reins. They’re calling it one of the worst administrations ever, with the US economy teetering on the edge of the biggest collapse in history. On top of that, they kicked off a war without any real justification, and now they're just sinking deeper into the mire, much like how things went down back in Vietnam... and if we had even one more year, I guess they probably would have started another conflict against Iran. So much for the benefits of having the Republican Party in charge.

And I suppose we could also take a look at the supposed "benefits" that the regime of Francisco Franco brought to Spain, or what Salazar's regime did for Portugal.