Offside Chat Archives (2014-2021)

I’d say they basically just kept Karamarko in that position for another year, if you ask me.

restlesssurfer97 said:I’d say they basically just kept Karamarko in that position for another year, if you ask me.

I wouldn't quite put it that way. If it weren't for that coalition with the Bridge Party, that badger might still be running the whole country today.

Jessica Gonzalez said:Well, I suppose Dobrović is actually a top expert in his field here in the States, but it's hard to focus on organizing waste collection and recycling when people like the Bandis are running the cities. Orepić also seems like a pretty practical guy, I guess.

Orepic only looks serious because he’s got that mustache, but I haven't seen him actually move the needle, other than seemingly stopping the Republican Party from stuffing their own people into his department.

Dobrovic seemed like a real specialist to me, though it's hard to judge since I don't know much about that field. At least he isn't a complete outsider or an amateur like Zmajlovic...

That whole Bridge Party crew feels more like they're just playing opposition while sitting right there in the government, eventually signing off on everything after making a little bit of noise. Kind of like someone trying to act hard-to-get on a first date, but by the second or third one, they're down for anything...

I guess he actually settled that whole silly debate about the new license plates quite simply, and he also opened three more locations in Washington, D.C. where you can pick up documents. Anyone who’s had to wait in line on Heinzelov probably thinks this might be a pretty good move.

I think the guy with the mustache is actually pretty charming and charismatic, honestly, I feel like they should be betting on him because he really seems to have what it takes to be a high-quality leader.

If Petrov had gone along with Milanovic, Karamarko would have been totally finished, and I mean like a year before it even happened.

To me, Petrov and Grmoja just seem like exactly who they are—a psychiatrist and a teacher who are basically just lost in the middle of everything else, especially Grmoja.

restlesssurfer97 said:Cut the whole "it's better this way than that" nonsense, just give us some actual, concrete details about what they've actually accomplished, anything at all, just share whatever hope you're holding onto with the rest of us.

Well, here this is what I’m hoping they leave behind after their four-year term. Look, Dobrovic and Orepic seem like decent enough people, but as someone pointed out above, is it really realistic to expect fifteen representatives to stage a full-blown revolution in a country filled with millions of little Bandics? Even if they play the opposition role against the Republican Party—which they are technically in power with—at least they've secured control over the police and the judiciary. That’s still a step up from letting the Republican Party have absolute, unchecked authority. As for that whole situation with Karamarko, it's one of those things that won't be recorded in our political history regardless of how anyone tries to spin or downplay it. The way the Republican Party was selected was a total disgrace, but then again, the Democratic Party under Zoki had an opportunity unlike any other to actually accomplish something significant, yet they blew it and squandered their power for what will likely be a very long time.

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm no fanboy; I don't care for them one way or the other. But I am trying to frame my expectations within the realm of reality. Personally, I’d love to see them wielding more actual power—more legislative mandate in Parliament—because, quite frankly, you simply can't get anything substantial done without it.

That’s just one more thing they claim to be "working on," and honestly, that's exactly what I'm talking about here.

And what happened to those seven specific guarantees that were supposedly required before anyone would even sit down at the table to discuss the coalition, because it feels like everyone just completely wiped them from their memory, so does anyone actually know if even a single one of those conditions has been met yet?

As a two-time voter for the Bridge Party, I really have to find myself agreeing with what Carlitov was saying... it's just all getting to be way too much...

restlesssurfer97 said:I think the guy with the mustache is actually pretty charming and charismatic, honestly, I feel like they should be betting on him because he really seems to have what it takes to be a high-quality leader.

If Petrov had gone along with Milanovic, Karamarko would have been totally finished, and I mean like a year before it even happened.

To me, Petrov and Grmoja just seem like exactly who they are—a psychiatrist and a teacher who are basically just lost in the middle of everything else, especially Grmoja.

It’s unlikely Petrov would go with Milanovic. Back then, it might have sounded like the perfect combo to take down Karamarkov's Republican Party, but the Democratic Party and the Bridge Party really don't share much common ground. A bunch of the less prominent Bridge Party folks come from circles that are polar opposites to the Democrats, and honestly, the Democratic Party ended up feeling like a party for nothing. I know some members who even head up certain small municipalities, and it's wild what kind of characters they are. The Democratic Party feels like it's ready to just fade away.

Jessica Gonzalez said:I guess he actually settled that whole silly debate about the new license plates quite simply, and he also opened three more locations in Washington, D.C. where you can pick up documents. Anyone who’s had to wait in line on Heinzelov probably thinks this might be a pretty good move.

Exactly. You’ve pretty much captured the whole essence of the Bridge Party right there—all that posturing about changing the country, only for their main contribution to be settling some minor dispute over license plates while they simultaneously push through legislation for Walmart. It’s the same story with the Department of Justice; he hasn't even touched the real issues. For instance, this is a country where grandmas get penalized for not using crosswalks, yet major criminals face zero consequences. Look at how someone like Horvatinčić could hurt so many people with all sorts of weapons and still walk free, let alone continue driving. That’s clearly an issue for the justice system, but also for the pressure the police should be applying...

People have a vision for fixing a few objectively trivial things to keep the government running, but when it comes to the truly important matters, they lack both the vision and the capacity. They make big declarations, but they don't have the actual will to act. In my opinion, if they actually had the drive and the expertise, they should have taken the Prime Minister position when Milanovic offered it and actually fixed something, or just broken up that Coalition if they were being obstructed...

But yeah, I suppose having the Bridge Party and the Republican Party in power is better than just the Republican Party alone, though I fear it might all end badly regardless...

James Anderson5 said:Exactly. You’ve pretty much captured the whole essence of the Bridge Party right there—all that posturing about changing the country, only for their main contribution to be settling some minor dispute over license plates while they simultaneously push through legislation for Walmart. It’s the same story with the Department of Justice; he hasn't even touched the real issues. For instance, this is a country where grandmas get penalized for not using crosswalks, yet major criminals face zero consequences. Look at how someone like Horvatinčić could hurt so many people with all sorts of weapons and still walk free, let alone continue driving. That’s clearly an issue for the justice system, but also for the pressure the police should be applying...

People have a vision for fixing a few objectively trivial things to keep the government running, but when it comes to the truly important matters, they lack both the vision and the capacity. They make big declarations, but they don't have the actual will to act. In my opinion, if they actually had the drive and the expertise, they should have taken the Prime Minister position when Milanovic offered it and actually fixed something, or just broken up that Coalition if they were being obstructed...

But yeah, I suppose having the Bridge Party and the Republican Party in power is better than just the Republican Party alone, though I fear it might all end badly regardless...

I don't really see where Milanovic fits into that equation. The Democratic Party isn't offering anything—neither changes nor solutions to problems. If they were involved, maybe the Bridge Party would struggle, but the Democratic Party is a party without perspective or any real power; even the Liberal Party managed to completely derail them within a year. The Liberal Party wasn't even a factor a year ago. I guess you can just forget about Milanovic and the Democratic Party; that chapter seems closed.

Honestly, going with Milanovic was miles ahead of anything involving Karamarko, there’s really no contest there because Karamarko shouldn't have been allowed near the reins of power under any circumstances.
I mean, look, the Democratic Party is pretty much useless, and yeah, I totally agree with you on that, but they actually started—albeit in a super timid, lukewarm, and honestly unconvincing way—trying to clean up the mess and bring some actual order to things. And if the Bridge Party had stepped in back then with those six ministries they were offering, they would've accomplished way more than what we're seeing right now.
Plus, the Republican Party would have put Plenkovic in charge even back then, and he would have spent his first four years just trying to fix the party's internal chaos instead of being stuck doing what he's doing now, trying to manage both the government and the whole Republican Party at once, which is basically an uphill battle where it's hard to see him doing anything good at all. That is, assuming he even has good intentions, but I won't get into that since I don't really know. And you have to admit, Sanders was actually modern and popular back in the day.

Carol Lewis said:As a two-time voter for the Bridge Party, I really have to find myself agreeing with what Carlitov was saying... it's just all getting to be way too much...

I’m on the same page, and honestly, the decision by the Republican Party didn't sit right with me either—even though, by some strange logic, I'm not exactly a Democratic Party voter. Who knows how much truth there is in these theories about them trying to fracture the opposition? If we look at the seat count, that would have been much easier for the Democrats to pull off than for the Republicans. But then again, who knows how much weight those conspiracy theories actually carry when they claim they aren't a factor?

But here's the thing: looking at how the seats were distributed, they could have easily stayed in an opposition where nobody bothered to ask their opinion, remaining completely irrelevant like a living wall. Or, they could have stepped up and tried to make something happen, even if it was lukewarm at best. You can't stage a revolution with 15 out of 150 representatives; that’s just simple math, isn't it?

Edit: To actually achieve what everyone expected from them, you’d need half of the Parliament and the people out in the streets whenever the big bosses from the structures that have been playing this game for 25 years start making threats...

As someone who votes for the Bridge Party, I have to admit I’m feeling pretty disillusioned; though, if we’re being honest, is it really fair to demand immediate miracles from a group trying to dismantle a political establishment that has held onto power for twenty-five years—or more, for that matter? A dynasty that just won't quit.

I do give Karamarko some credit; they had plenty of opportunities during that first term to sell out for some serious cash, yet they managed to hold their ground.

On the flip side, I am completely fed up with these populist stunts, like when Petrovljev filed that criminal complaint against Todoric just a few days ago. Is a legal filing really supposed to fix everything right now?

I think I'll give them a little more breathing room to see if they actually follow through on their principles. But even if I can't get my own specific ideas passed, shouldn't I be seeing mountains of indictments by this point, considering there's corruption to be found everywhere you look? And yet, somehow, there's nothing.

Total scam from the entire Bridge Sect, hands down...

Americans—man, we're politically illiterate. On top of that, people just don't give a damn about their own neighborhoods, which is wild because that's supposed to be the whole foundation of politics.

So then you've got people trying to solve massive national issues for a crowd that’s spent twenty years voting for the likes of "Bandic, Obersnel, Baldasar, and Glavas"—and that's just looking at the four biggest cities. If I tried to tell someone outside the US what happens in small towns along the coast with how they flip zoning laws and land use? Nobody would believe me. Like, how is this even possible in the 21st century within the US?

It’s basically just Groundhog Day. Today it’s the Bridge Party, tomorrow it’s some "Smart" movement, the day after it’s whoever else shows up... and we all know who's going to take the fall.

Jessica Gonzalez said:I don't really see where Milanovic fits into that equation. The Democratic Party isn't offering anything—neither changes nor solutions to problems. If they were involved, maybe the Bridge Party would struggle, but the Democratic Party is a party without perspective or any real power; even the Liberal Party managed to completely derail them within a year. The Liberal Party wasn't even a factor a year ago. I guess you can just forget about Milanovic and the Democratic Party; that chapter seems closed.

I think you're missing the point. While the Democratic Party might not offer much (just like the Republican Party or the Bridge Party), being Prime Minister means you hold the reins and decide how things go. If they tried to obstruct you, you could just walk away from the coalition whenever you wanted. You can't get a better position than Prime Minister if you actually want to make moves. If the Bridge Party really had any ambition or a plan, they should have taken that deal...

Personally, I think the Democratic Party would be more willing to compromise and push for change than the Republican Party, mostly because they’re chasing small political perks and have less skin in the game when it comes to keeping local politics exactly as it is...

But everything has changed now because the Democratic Party lost its entire vision once Zoki left...

Can anyone give me a quick rundown on what’s actually written in the Lex Todoric? And honestly, how much of this noise about the government swooping in to save him and bail out his debts is just pure theater? Is this really about preventing the entire economy from going down the drain, or is there a more sensible way to handle this? I'm looking at 🤷

James Anderson5 said:I think you're missing the point. While the Democratic Party might not offer much (just like the Republican Party or the Bridge Party), being Prime Minister means you hold the reins and decide how things go. If they tried to obstruct you, you could just walk away from the coalition whenever you wanted. You can't get a better position than Prime Minister if you actually want to make moves. If the Bridge Party really had any ambition or a plan, they should have taken that deal...

Personally, I think the Democratic Party would be more willing to compromise and push for change than the Republican Party, mostly because they’re chasing small political perks and have less skin in the game when it comes to keeping local politics exactly as it is...

But everything has changed now because the Democratic Party lost its entire vision once Zoki left...

Let’s be real here—the Democratic Party was never actually a player in this game. Not during the first round, and certainly not after the second. Let's not kid ourselves!

Charles Chase4 said:Can anyone give me a quick rundown on what’s actually written in the Lex Todoric? And honestly, how much of this noise about the government swooping in to save him and bail out his debts is just pure theater? Is this really about preventing the entire economy from going down the drain, or is there a more sensible way to handle this? I'm looking at 🤷

I've only skimmed through it, but honestly, I don't see any provision where the government would be obligated to pay anything based on the law itself.

When you look at the whole thing, it’s essentially just a standard bankruptcy proceeding, except they've given it a different name and granted the Government more direct influence over the process than they would have in a normal bankruptcy case. There are a few tweaks, like giving new creditors priority in repayment for recent loans, but that's about it.

In essence, this is just pulling companies like this out of the standard pre-bankruptcy and bankruptcy tracks, which feels like the state is admitting that those existing legal procedures are pretty much useless.

It is quite funny, though, how they decided which group of companies this law applies to; it isn't even necessary to have 5,000 employees in the US, you could have them in Canada for all it matters. Similarly, if you're set up as an LLC, this law doesn't touch you, even if you own half of America and employ a million people.🙏🙏