Politics & Stuff

[cosmicway 1,300]

7 minutes ago, Vesper said:

I said NOTHING about 'forced equality' for everyone.

 

I advocate reducing overall wealth inequality, which is spiralling out of control.

 

World’s five richest men double their money as poorest get poorer

 

Oxfam predicts first trillionaire within a decade, with gap between rich and poor likely to increase

 

https://www.theguardian.com/inequality/2024/jan/15/worlds-five-richest-men-double-their-money-as-poorest-get-poorer

Mon 15 Jan 2024 

The world’s five richest men have more than doubled their fortunes to $869bn (£681.5bn) since 2020, while the world’s poorest 60% – almost 5 billion people – have lost money. (my add: the 5 richest are now, as of October 2, 2024, realtime, worth $1.05 TRILLION)

The details come in a report by Oxfam as the world’s richest people gather from Monday in Davos, Switzerland, for the annual World Economic Forum meeting of political leaders, corporate executives and the super-rich.

The yawning gap between rich and poor is likely to increase, the report says, and will lead to the world crowning its first trillionaire within a decade. At the same time, it warns, if current trends continue, world poverty will not be eradicated for another 229 years.

Highlighting a dramatic increase in inequality since the Covid pandemic, Oxfam said the world’s billionaires were $3.3tn (£2.6tn) richer than in 2020, and their wealth had grown three times faster than the rate of inflation.

The report, Inequality Inc., finds that seven out of 10 of the world’s biggest corporations have a billionaire as CEO or principal shareholder, despite stagnation in living standards for millions of workers around the world.

snip

I don't know if it is spiralling out of control as bad as that, but to reduce economic inequality you have to lower the unfair taxes against the poor first.
This is not in any socialist party's agenda, or indeed in any Tory like party's agenda.
As for the communists - fellow travelers they want universal poverty and the prohibition of any sort of individual endeavour.
That's what's burning them more than anything else and if I did n't know them I would n't be writing this.

[Vesper 28,418]

Trump backs out of "60 Minutes" interview after appearing "scattered" and incoherent in Wisconsin

Trump's decision to pull out of the event came after he made confused and incoherent remarks on Tuesday

https://www.salon.com/2024/10/02/backs-out-of-60-minutes-interview-after-appearing-confused-at-wisconsin-rally/

Former President Donald Trump backed out of an interview with "60 Minutes," bucking a decades-long tradition for presidential candidates appearing on the program, CBS announced Tuesday.

The news station said both Vice President Kamala Harris and Trump had previously agreed to appear on the special, airing Oct. 7 special.

“After initially accepting 60 Minutes' request for an interview with Scott Pelley, former President Trump's campaign has decided not to participate. Pelley will address this Monday evening. Our election special will broadcast the Harris interview on Monday as planned,” the network said in a statement.

Trump’s campaign communication director Steven Cheung claimed Trump never agreed to the show in the first place, an assertion challenged by sources familiar with the matter. 

“Fake News. 60 Minutes begged for an interview, even after they were caught lying about Hunter Biden's laptop back in 2020,” he said in a post on X. “There were initial discussions, but nothing was ever scheduled or locked in. They also insisted on doing live fact checking, which is unprecedented.”

But sources told CNN that CBS news anchor Scott Kelley was indeed scheduled to interview Trump at his Mar-a-Logo club on Thursday, as well as attend a Trump rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday.

Trump appeared on "60 Minutes" multiple times before he launched his political career and again as a presidential candidate in 2016 and in 2020, when he walked out on host Leslie Stahl after getting frustrated with her questions. The former president said he is still waiting for an apology from CBS.

"Where's my apology? They should apologize. They were wrong on everything. So I'd like to get an apology,” Trump said at a press conference in Milwaukee on Tuesday in which he repeatedly fumbled his words and showed signs of potential cognitive decline.

The 78-year-old first confused the leaders of North Korea and Iran, and then suggested that 34 soldiers who suffered traumatic brain injuries from an Iranian attack during his presidency were merely experiencing "headaches." 

As The Washington Post reported, Trump "was especially scattered and hard to follow" at Tuesday's event. Several of his remarks were unintelligible, including a claim that Democrats want to "keep Black and Hispanic children trapped in family government."

In a post on X, Sen. Brian Shatz, D-Hawaii, said Trump's confused speech in Milwaukee, along with his withdrawal from "60 Minutes," is enough raise questions about the former president's health.

"I think it’s reasonable to watch this clip, add the withdrawal from a 60 minutes interview, and wonder if there’s something actually going on. I don’t know- maybe he’s fine, but it’s not a wacky or nasty thing to inquire about," he wrote, linking to video of Trump's speech.

With just over a month until the election, Harris and Trump have no other debates scheduled. Harris' interview with CBS correspondent Bill Whittaker will air as scheduled on Oct. 7, CBS announced.

Related

“Meandering and confusing”: Trump showed cognitive decline in interviews, author says

[Vesper 28,418]

Just now, cosmicway said:

the unfair taxes against the poor first.

of course

I am 100 per cent against regressive taxes that impact the lowest half (or more) in societies (ie regressive sales taxes, rapacious loan rates (for exmple some APRs for payday loans are over 200 percent), across the board tariffs (like Trump insanely wants to do), upside-down income taxes wherein labour is taxed, as percenatge of income, far higher than capital gains and speculation are taxed at (we have this problem to a HUGE degree here in Sweden), caps on taxes that fund the social safety net (such as in the US, where you aren't required to pay the Social Security tax on any income beyond the Social Security wage base limit. In 2024, this limit rises to $168,600) etc etc)

To drive home that last example, in the US, if I made (in regular AGI ie Adjusted Gross Income) $1,168,600 in 2024, there is 1 MILLION USD that is not at all taxed for Social Security, BUT if I make $168,600, then ALL of my income (AGI) is taxed at a total rate of 12.4% (20,906.40 USD), half paid by me directly, and half paid by my employer (who is thus incentivised to pay me less, as they will have to pay in less).

The cap needs to GO.

The rich in the US scream about cutting Social Security, claim it is running out of cash, and howl to privatise it (the truly HUGE money grab) yet all the while they are paying a TINY sliver of taxes for it versus their massive wealth and incomes.

It is a giant wealth extraction scheme, regressive AF. Same for their for-profit health care system.

 

 

[cosmicway 1,300]

1 minute ago, Vesper said:

of course

I am 100 per cent against regressive taxes that impact the lowest half (or more) in societies (ie regressive sales taxes, rapacious loan rates (for exmple some APRs for payday loans are over 200 percent), across the board tariffs (like Trump insanely wants to do), upside-down income taxes wherein labour is taxed, as percenatge of income, far higher than capital gains and speculation are taxed at (we have this problem to a HUGE degree here in Sweden), caps on taxes that fund the social safety net (such as in the US, where you aren't required to pay the Social Security tax on any income beyond the Social Security wage base limit. In 2024, this limit rises to $168,600) etc etc)

To drive home that last example, in the US, if I made (in regular AGI ie Adjusted Gross Income) $1,168,600 in 2024, there is 1 MILLION USD that is not at all taxed for Social Security, BUT if I make $168,600, then ALL of my income (AGI) is taxed at a total rate of 12.4% (20,906.40 USD), half paid by me directly, and half paid by my employer (who is thus incentivised to pay me less, as they will have to pay in less).

The cap needs to GO.

The rich in the US scream about cutting Social Security, claim it is running out of cash, and howl to privatise it (the truly HUGE money grab) yet all the while they are paying a TINY sliver of taxes for it versus their massive wealth and incomes.

It is a giant wealth extraction scheme, regressive AF. Same for their for-profit health care system.

 

 

Well then those petitions should be about that first and foremostly.
To be frank all my life I have n't been denied anything by Citroen - Mercedes Benz - Opel - Toyota but from those.

[Vesper 28,418]

Just now, cosmicway said:

Well then those petitions should be about that first and foremostly.
 

Of course the groups and parties behind initiatives like the one I posted are for that (ending regressiveness in taxe schemes), it is all part of trying to put down wealth inequality, which includes not only lowering the regressive nature of taxes and their impact on the poor and working classes, but also making the richest in society pay their fair share (which they certainly are not now).

One actionable focal point does not preclude the other in any way. Both can (and must) be done.

 

[Fulham Broadway 16,713]

1 hour ago, Vesper said:

fucking Israel is now attacking a Russian air base in Syria (and also residential areas in Syria)

Netanyahu and the zio fascists are madmen

 

 

They seem determined to start WW3 -thats if it hasnt already started.

The damage the Israelis are doing to their own people - they have literally created millions of people that will seek revenge for their dead babies, chidren, families.

One day the US will cut off all the weapons and billions of US tax payers dollars that allow them to occupy, enable apartheid, and commit genocide with impunity...

Just read none of the Bedouin arabs in israel are allowed in any bomb shelters....

 

[Vesper 28,418]

Israel now bombing the shit out of Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, and Syria, including major residential areas, often with no warning.

Destroyed buildings in Dahiya, a densely populated area south of Beirut in Lebanon. Diego Ibarra Sanchez for The New York Times

Rescuers from Palestinian Civil Defense extracting a body from a collapsed building in Khan Younis, in southern Gaza, on Wednesday.Credit...Bashar Taleb/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

Bachoura neighborhood of Beirut on Wednesday night. Hussein Malla/Associated Press
 

 

Bachoura neighborhood of Beirut on Wednesday night. Ibrahim Amro/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday night. Amr Abdallah Dalsh/Reuters

Damascus, Syria / Louai Beshara/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

Southern Lebanon town of Maroun al-Ras Atef Safadi/EPA, via Shutterstock

Israeli military vehicles in a staging area near the border with Lebanon on Tuesday. Credit...Avishag Shaar-Yashuv for The New York Times

People gathered around a fallen projectile that had been moved to the center of a square in the village of Dura in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday. Credit...Hazem Bader/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

 

Dahiya, Lebanon on Wednesday evening. Amr Abdallah Dalsh/Reuters

 

Beruit Lebanon, Tuesday  Diego Ibarra Sanchez for The New York Times

 

A man walking through the rubble of buildings in Baalbek, Lebanon, after Israeli airstrikes Monday. Credit...Diego Ibarra Sanchez for The New York Times

 

The aftermath on Wednesday of Israeli airstrikes in the southern suburbs of Beirut.Credit...David Guttenfelder for The New York Times

[Vesper 28,418]

4 minutes ago, Fulham Broadway said:

One day the US will cut off all the weapons and billions of US tax payers dollars that allow them to occupy, enable apartheid, and commit genocide with impunity...

I would not hold my breath on that

The hyper Zionists have the yank governemt on a short leash, no matter what party is in power, sadly to say.

Biden is all in atm (gutless cunt), and Harris may get there (I so hope not, but the pressure will be insane).

Trump will likely let Israel slaughter as many as they want.

Jared Kushner and his fellow zio bankers/billionaires already are eyeing up all the new beachfront property they can grab from Gaza, and likely now are seeing if they can take a nice chunk of Lebanon too.

[Vesper 28,418]

"One rough hour": Experts say Trump's call for a "violent" purge should be taken as a serious threat

Experts on authoritarianism told Salon that Trump's support for police brutality should not be dismissed

https://www.salon.com/2024/10/02/one-rough-hour-experts-say-call-for-a-violent-purge-should-be-taken-as-a-serious/

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump recently claimed that "one real tough, nasty" and "violent" day of police brutality would bring an immediate end to crime in the nation, raising alarms for experts on authoritarianism about the danger to democracy should Trump's remarks ever translate into policy.

The former president's comments came during a Sept. 29 campaign rally in Erie, Pa., as he bemoaned what he falsely claimed is "rampant" crime plaguing the nation. Specifically highlighting incidents of theft from stores, he called for police to be able to "do their job" and crack down on the perpetrators, lamenting that the "liberal left won't let them do it."

"One rough hour — and I mean real rough — the word will get out and it will end immediately. End immediately," he told the crowd after falsely linking crime to migration. Recent FBI data shows that overall crime in the U.S. has dipped in recent years, while analyses of historical crime data indicate immigrants commit fewer crimes than native-born Americans.  

Related

"Remarkable": Despite GOP fear-mongering, experts say new crime data shows US "safest" in decades

 

Geoff Eley, a University of Michigan professor of contemporary history who studies nationalism and the far-right, told Salon that Americans should take Trump's comments seriously even if it's often hard to know his true intent. 

"We need to take his comments very, very seriously, partly because this time he's bull-in-a-china-shop determined to get his way, partly because (by contrast with 2016) he's surrounded by a core of smart and ruthlessly committed helpers and ideologues, whose ideas are most definitely coherent, thought-through and focused," Eley said in an email.

Trump's "political accomplishment," Eley said, has been in imparting to large swaths of the country that "democracy, proceduralism, civility, speaking across differences, and the rule of law have outlived their purposes — they're fictions, illusions, tricks, and they no longer matter."

Despite Trump's insistence both at the rally and throughout his campaign that crime "has gone through the roof," data indicates that the opposite is true.

Recently released FBI stats show a 2.4% decrease in property crime between 2022 and 2023. Preliminary data comparing periods of 2024 ranging from the first quarter to the first half to the same periods of 2023 also indicated a drop in violent crime following the COVID-19 isolation-era uptick, suggesting this year will see a continued decline in the nation's crime rate. 

While the FBI stats reflect a jump in shoplifting — from 999,394 recorded incidents in 2022 to 1,149,336 in 2023 — those values roughly mirror the numbers reported before the pandemic in 2019, according to NBC News. A July Council on Criminal Justice report found that incidents of shoplifting during the first half of this year were 24% higher than the same period last year, but just 10% higher than during the same period in 2019. 

Trump's linking of crime to the rise in immigrants attempting to cross the border also appears to sidestep the data. A 2023 Northwestern study, which used incarceration as a proxy for crime, found that immigrants are less likely than U.S.-born Americans to commit crimes. 

Sheri Berman, a professor of political science at Barnard College and Columbia University who studies democracy and authoritarianism, said that the bottom line of Trump's Sunday comments — and likely the interpretation of the ordinary American voter — is that Trump is "doing what all politicians do: trying to paint his opponents as ineffective, ineffectual, and him as being able to come in and solve these problems."

"Trump understands the kinds of things that rile his supporters up and that worry them, so crime, disorder, these are things that not just his supporters, but generally Americans, are quite concerned about," she said in an interview. "The more he emphasizes them, the better it is for him, especially because, over the last three and a half, almost four years now, the country's been run by Democrats."

In an effort to bolster his appeal to voters, he's creating "this image of disorder and crime that is not entirely out of touch with reality" but is juxtaposed with misinformation through his assertion of "exploding crime" and placement of blame on immigrants, Berman explained.

The difficulty in parsing exactly what the former president means also makes it hard to determine how literally to take him, even if his comments do inspire worry. Berman quoted reporter and columnist Salina Zeto's 2016 assessment that the press took Trump "literally, but not seriously" while his supporters took him "seriously, but not literally." 

"This is why rhetoric matters but should be taken differently than actual behavior," she said. "You want to listen to what people say because it tells you something about what they're thinking, but you want to be able to differentiate that from actual actions."

Trump, who had been impeached twice and was convicted of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in New York earlier this year, has a documented history of inflaming his base through violent rhetoric. His Jan. 6, 2021 speech at the Ellipse, claiming a stolen election following his 2020 defeat, resulted in hundreds of people storming the U.S. Capitol.

Last month, his repeating an inflammatory conspiracy theory falsely accusing Haitian residents of Springfield, Ohio, of abducting and eating pets during the presidential debate sparked unrest in the city, which received dozens of violent threats in the following days and is still recovering from the unwanted spotlight. 

The former president has also previously voiced support for police violence, once calling the police response to the nationwide social unrest in the wake of George Floyd's 2020 murder "a beautiful thing to watch." In 2017, he also said: "When you see these thugs being thrown into the back of a paddy wagon, you just see them thrown in, rough. I said, ‘Please don’t be too nice.’”

Trump's presidency reflected this endorsement of police violence. During the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests, he deployed federal agents to Portland, Ore., to forcefully quash the demonstrations. Department of Homeland Security officials went on to break up crowds with stun grenades and tear gas, pelt protesters with impact munitions and detain demonstrators in unmarked vans.

That October, Trump also praised the actions of the federal task force that killed Michael Reinoehl, a Portland antifa activist who had been wanted for fatally shooting Aaron J. Danielson, a supporter of the far-right group Patriot Prayer. According to The New York Times, a reconstruction of Reinoehl's death based on witness and officer accounts raises questions about whether the officers made any serious attempt to arrest him before opening fire. 

Trump's comments resemble the "strategy of tension" of Italian neo-fascists of the 1970s, or what is contemporarily known as "acceleration," Eley said. Where the GOP presidential candidate aligns is in his use of "provocations and 'plain speaking,'" in effect giving voice to beliefs once considered too inflammatory to be spoken, to "ramp up the tension with the conscious hope that things will fall apart and open the space for the truly effective MAGA-related breakthrough," he speculated.

"As I've argued in my writings about fascism, this is the really frightening breach — the willingness to embrace the necessity (and virtue) of political violence," Eley argued. "As January 6 dramatically showed, this is where we've actually arrived."

The Trump campaign has sought to downplay the Republican candidate's remarks, with spokesman Steven Cheung telling Politico that Trump was “clearly just floating it in jest."

“President Trump has always been the law and order President and he continues to reiterate the importance of enforcing existing laws,” Cheung said in the statement.

Still, Berman, also a visiting scholar at the Harvard Center for European Studies, said that she worries upon hearing Trump make comments like his "violent day" remarks because the action they could reflect should they be literal is "obviously, not only ludicrous but profoundly non-democratic, illiberal, non-constitutional." Even if the language remains just that, such rhetoric evinces "some lack of understanding of what can actually be done within the rule of law," she said.

"Even if [immigration or crime] is a legitimate concern of yours, nobody should want a government — nobody should want a president who seems to indicate that he might be willing to engage in large-scale violence or semi-lawful acts in order to deal with this issue," she said.

She noted that voters who take Trump seriously and not literally are more likely to take his comments as him voicing a commitment to addressing their concerns over crime should he become president again. 

"What his supporters would like is someone who takes crime and immigration seriously. Totally fair within the rules of the game," she said. "But you should sanction — that is to say, criticize, threaten, not vote for — someone who says, 'Look, I'm going to take these legitimate concerns of yours, and I am going to address them in ways that go beyond the framework of the Constitution, that go beyond the boundaries of the rule of law, that stress the norms and institutions of our democracy.'"

[Fulham Broadway 16,713]

5 minutes ago, Vesper said:

I would not hold my breath on that

The hyper Zionists have the yank governemt on a short leash, no matter what party is in power, sadly to say.

Biden is all in atm (gutless cunt), and Harris may get there (I so hope not, but the pressure will be insane).

Trump will likely let Israel slaughter as many as they want.

Jared Kushner and his fellow zio bankers/billionaires already are eyeing up all the new beachfront property they can grab from Gaza, and likely now are seeing if they can take a nice chunk of Lebanon too.

Yeah thats the reality - more wishful thinking on my part.  Zio Lobby boasts about running US foreign policy regardless of which administration is there. They also boast about steering  European policies in the Middle east. Challenge it ? Youre being anti Semitic....

[Fulham Broadway 16,713]

Lowkey shows Pierced Organ who he actually works for - paid by an organisation that fund West bank Settlements. Morgan is shown up and embarrassed

 

[NikkiCFC 7,907]

Israel has the right to defend themselves. Yes, civilian casualties are very unfortunate and sad but it happens in all wars and on all sides. I wish they are more careful with that but flip flop terrorists hiding behind civilians doesn't help. 

Israel is first line of defense for Europe. They are fighting for whole continent indirectly. Didn't see much being done after all those attacks in Paris, Belgium, London, Manchester... Even people of Lebanon and Syria and region should be thanking Isreal and in grand scheme of things they will because Israel will liberate them and give them a chance for fresh start without these organizations running their countries. In fact, intellectual and democratic people there already know who their real enemy is. I feel such a awe for Isreal and Jewish people. There, I said it. Unpopular opinion but I'm sure future president of USA has exactly the same one. 

Edited 21 hours ago by NikkiCFC

[cosmicway 1,300]

1 hour ago, Vesper said:

Of course the groups and parties behind initiatives like the one I posted are for that (ending regressiveness in taxe schemes), it is all part of trying to put down wealth inequality, which includes not only lowering the regressive nature of taxes and their impact on the poor and working classes, but also making the richest in society pay their fair share (which they certainly are not now).

One actionable focal point does not preclude the other in any way. Both can (and must) be done.

 

Rich man is relative.
I knew one and one day I bumped on him, in the centrum, Zonar's cafe.
He says "do you know any dentists around here ? I 'm selling old periodicals for their waiting rooms".
Meanwhile I have seen a gift or two from rich cats - from the socialists nada.
Their Grim's tales are coming out of my ears.

[Vesper 28,418]

Far-Right surge in Austria: Is Europe headed for an authoritarian wave?

Robert Misik 3rd October 2024

Austria’s far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) has surged to dominance in national elections, with major implications for democracy and political stability.

https://www.socialeurope.eu/far-right-surge-in-austria-is-europe-headed-for-an-authoritarian-wave

 

After the shocking election results in the German „Länder“ of Saxony, Brandenburg and Thuringia, it is now Austria’s turn. The far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) has become the dominant political force with 28.9 per cent of the vote, followed closely by the Conservatives with 26.3 per cent. The Social Democrats, in a distant third place, secured only 21.1 per cent, marking the poorest results in the party’s history.

A right-wing wave is sweeping through Europe, impacting countries from Austria to Italy to the Netherlands. While the Austrian result was somewhat expected, the scale of it is shocking. It represents a democratic, human rights, and politico-cultural disaster.

Years of toxic discourse, driven by the media, a paranoid tabloid agenda, and a culture of fake news on social networks, have laid the groundwork for this turn. Topics such as migration, crime, and security dominate the headlines to such an extent that immigration and violence are treated as if they were synonymous. A paranoid mindset has become entrenched in Austrian political culture.

Compounding this were the persistent psychological scars left by the COVID-19 pandemic. During this period, anti-pandemic measures were denounced by the far-right as “human rights violations,” labelling governmental actions as “tyrannical” and “dictatorial” for supposedly “imprisoning” citizens or “forcing” vaccinations. As radical ideas gradually became normalised, people increasingly accepted them as standard. The economic crises of recent years—particularly the inflation crisis—further exacerbated this situation. A bleak outlook on the present and the future serves as fertile ground for the radical right, as exemplified by the FPÖ’s slogan just days before the election: “On election Sunday, we will bring down the system.”

If you speak to FPÖ voters, it becomes evident why they cast their ballots for the party: concerns over excessive migration. They point to school classes composed solely of immigrant children, many of whom lack proficiency in German. They cite the strain on infrastructure, as well as a sense of “cultural panic” surrounding Islam. Issues such as crime, stabbing attacks, and the threat of terrorism are often exaggerated, leading to an accumulation of fictitious horrors atop real concerns. This fosters a social climate that misrepresents reality, creating the impression that Austria is a failed state.

Another significant issue for these voters was the pandemic. The FPÖ effectively instilled a belief among many that they were deliberately imprisoned and harassed by malevolent elites during the COVID-19 crisis. The already mentioned reframing had its effect. This agitation feeds a narrative of hostility towards science and medicine, framing the world in a simplistic dichotomy: on one side, the helpless and powerless ordinary citizens, and on the other, a shadowy global elite—referred to as “globalists”—that oppresses them.

It’s important to remember, though, that only 29 per cent of the electorate supported the FPÖ, while 71 per cent did not. However, for the first time, the FPÖ has emerged as the strongest party in various segments of society, including first-time voters, young people, and the working and middle classes. Notably, women and men have voted for the FPÖ almost equally. The urban-rural divide has deepened: rural areas and small communities are now predominantly blue (the party colour of the far-right), while larger cities, particularly the metropolis of Vienna, consistently support social democracy and progressive majorities. Only among those aged over 60 do the conservative People’s Party and the Social Democrats retain a clear majority.

One particularly disappointing aspect of this election result is the failure of the SPÖ. Sixteen months ago, the Social Democrats addressed the challenge of right-wing populism and ethno-nationalism by appointing a popular, grounded, left-wing small-town mayor, Andreas Babler, as their party leader. Coming from “outside the system,” he seemed well-placed to benefit from the contemporary anti-elite sentiments or at least to neutralise them. His rhetoric and election campaign focused on the social hardships faced by the underprivileged, economic issues, and social topics such as inflation, healthcare, and pensions. As a down-to-earth individual with a proletarian attitude, he could have embodied these concerns effectively.

However, none of this materialised. In fact, not a single vote was garnered from the “angry” and “forgotten” demographics. Even more concerning, while the social democrats gained votes from the left-leaning Greens, they lost an equivalent number to non-voters. To put it plainly: even in the face of a potential extreme-right majority, hundreds of thousands of social democratic voters opted to stay at home on election day. This is a disaster. The party’s internal divisions and conflicts have undoubtedly contributed significantly to this fiasco.

As it stands, no one seems to have long-term solutions or practical strategies for countering right-wing extremism. The immediate question now is how to move forward. Conservatives and right-wing extremists have previously formed a coalition twice, in 2000 and again in 2017; however, since then, the FPÖ has become even more radicalised. Now, having emerged as the strongest party, it is likely that right-wing extremists will take the lead instead of the conservatives. Another possibility — perhaps the more probable one — is a renewed alliance between the conservatives and social democrats to keep the far right out of government. The ÖVP and SPÖ could form a narrow majority, while a three-party coalition with the liberal NEOS would provide a more comfortable one.

Karl Nehammer, the sitting Federal Chancellor, and SPÖ leader Andreas Babler now face a pivotal moment in history. It is their responsibility to prevent the country from descending into an authoritarian, aggressive right-wing regime, as has already occurred in Hungary and Slovakia. If they wish to push back against the far right, they must form an exceptional government that eschews mediocrity and the habit of working against each other in coalition settings, while also attracting capable and dynamic individuals to key government positions. The jury is out. And the stakes are high.

[Vesper 28,418]

Making Europe weak again

Joschka Fischer 3rd October 2024

As the US election looms, Europe’s far-right surge threatens its democratic stability and unity amid rising global challenges.

https://www.socialeurope.eu/making-europe-weak-again

People walk toward a banner advertising the European elections outside the European Parliament in Brussels (photo: Alexandros Michailidis/shutterstock.com)

 

After November 5, the world will know whether Americans have turned away from global leadership or decided to maintain it, along with their country’s commitment to longstanding alliances such as NATO. These are the stark alternatives represented by the isolationist Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, respectively. 

But as the world fretfully watches the US election unfold, Europeans, in a sense, have already voted. Recent elections in the two largest European Union member states, France and Germany, were disheartening, to say the least, resulting in significant gains for the anti-Western, anti-European far right. 

Although the far right was denied an outright parliamentary majority in both countries, its gains were too substantial to be ignored. Looking ahead, it will be more difficult in either country to form a stable majority of democratic forces, and thus easier for the far right eventually to gain power through electoral channels. 

In France, after the political centre’s demoralising defeat in the June European elections, President Emmanuel Macron unexpectedly dissolved the National Assembly and called a snap election. But far from clarifying matters, this resulted in a hung parliament. Although an alliance of left-wing parties won the most seats, they fell far short of securing a majority. 

For his part, Macron refused to cooperate with either the far left or with Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally, which had won the most seats in the European elections. With little other choice, he appointed a prime minister from the ranks of the Gaullist center-right Republicans, which has shrunk to a minor party in parliament. His choice, Michel Barnier, previously led the EU’s Brexit negotiations with the United Kingdom, and is seen as a steady hand. But, in fact, Macron has opened the door to indirect government participation by National Rally, by dint of Macron’s dependence on the party’s tacit support for Barnier. 

A similar situation now looms in Germany, where state elections in Thuringia and Saxony also failed to produce majorities in the center. As a result, the only way to keep the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) out of state government is to include the newly formed Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW), a pro-Russia party whose main goal is to end the war in Ukraine by pursuing “peace” on Vladimir Putin’s terms. 

Notwithstanding the centre-left Social Democratic Party’s narrow victory in Brandenburg, Germany’s recent state elections bode ill for the federal elections next September. For now, the weakness of the democratic centre in both France and Germany could effectively give Putin a seat at the cabinet table in both countries. 

Of course, politically, France and Germany are not Hungary or Slovakia. But nor are Hungary and Slovakia as central to the future of the EU as France and Germany are. If the French and Germans falter because they cannot form a majority government of the center, the broader EU is almost certain to stagnate and become paralyzed in the face of Putin’s war of conquest. Worse, in a rapidly changing world order that is increasingly defined by great-power rivalries, Europe would effectively be pushed off the global stage. 

In other words, Europe faces a triple threat – one that came into sharper focus following this year’s elections. Its democratic order is threatened by nationalism from within, violent revisionism from without, and the potential return of an American president who holds NATO (and the security it has delivered) in contempt. 

Nationalism has been resurgent across Europe for at least a decade, having delivered its first big, dangerous result with the UK’s Brexit referendum in 2016. But the consequences of this revival continue to shock wherever they emerge. The significance of the far right making strong electoral gains in Germany cannot be overstated. Such developments are and will remain deeply debilitating for the EU as it navigates an increasingly challenging geopolitical environment. 

A Europe that remains ideologically beholden to the era of nation-states will not be able to pursue further integration, which is necessary for preserving its sovereignty in today’s world. Nor will it be able to devise effective, coherent policies to manage issues such as immigration, even though Europe needs newcomers to address its demographic crisis. If Europeans continue to support neo-nationalist parties, they will undermine themselves. 

Europe’s only chance in today’s dangerous world is to show strength through unity. The stronger that nationalist forces become, the weaker Europe will be.

[Fernando 6,423]

1 hour ago, NikkiCFC said:

Israel has the right to defend themselves. Yes, civilian casualties are very unfortunate and sad but it happens in all wars and on all sides. I wish they are more careful with that but flip flop terrorists hiding behind civilians doesn't help. 

Israel is first line of defense for Europe. They are fighting for whole continent indirectly. Didn't see much being done after all those attacks in Paris, Belgium, London, Manchester... Even people of Lebanon and Syria and region should be thanking Isreal and in grand scheme of things they will because Israel will liberate them and give them a chance for fresh start without these organizations running their countries. In fact, intellectual and democratic people there already know who their real enemy is. I feel such a awe for Isreal and Jewish people. There, I said it. Unpopular opinion but I'm sure future president of USA has exactly the same one. 

I think that is the issue, there is no easy way to resolved the issue with the terrorism all around Israel. 

It kind of of reminds me of the human rights criticize Bukele because how he handle the gangs in el Salvador.....

Now not to say Israel is a saint because it's not, they done some bad stuff, but the world does not do much. 

Again similar to Russia, all they do is talk and nothing is done. In el Salvador was nothing but talk but someone had to come in and do the dirty work. 

With Russia is all talk and no one is stepping in. 

With Israel is all talk and no one is stepping in and dealing with the situation. 

This world is all just talk and nothing else. No one takes a stand to do any really good. 

[Vesper 28,418]

 

[Vesper 28,418]

3 hours ago, NikkiCFC said:

Israel will liberate them

Yes, liberate them from their land.

Pro tip:

If you don’t want to be attacked, don't illegally take people's land.

Israel is not Europe's first line of defence, they are a systemic controller-contrived entity that puts much of Europe under the cosh with their zio fascist actions.

And fuck the USA for being the zio's bitch.

I have zero love for murderous Islamic terrorists and their religion is arguably the worst on the planet, but Israel is every bit as much to blame as the other side.

One of the most ludicrous statements I have ever heard in international relations is when the Zionists and their bought and paid for American shills say that Israel is the US's greatest ally.

Israel and it's hyper Zionist diaspera has, since day one, committed, against the US, olympian level industrial espionage and intellectual property theft, systemic bankster manipulation at a myriad number of levels, blackmail, spying, selling out US assets, etc etc, all the while bleeding the US for hundreds of billions of dollars and putting the yanks in geo-military and  geo-economic  jeopardy over and over and over again. 

With 'allies' like the zio-fascists, who needs enemies?