[Split from] In conversation

[fac23]

No, populism is not a derisory term by liberal media. It's a term that's long been used in political science and left wing politicians like Bernie Sanders and Jeremy Corbin in the UK have also at times been tagged populists. What exactly are those "concerns of ordinary people"? (Also: Who exactly are ordinary people? How do populists aim to alleviate their concerns?)
Successful populists are rarely stupid (and it infuriates me more and more when I hear people call Trump stupid – if he were, he wouldn't be the president of the USA). Populist ideas are not necessarily stupid. Voting for populists and expecting actual solutions to the actual populace's problems might be called slightly stupid, though. When work is automated, jobs outsourced, unions (and thereby workers' rights) crushed, global companies and banks and stock markets saved with people's taxes - but "ordinary" people's incomes and savings stagnate or get eaten up – how does harassing minorities and closing borders (to people – not companies!) solve any f-ing problem? How long can you still your hunger by saluting the flag? I do not say that people's concerns are unfounded – however, I firmly believe that right wing populists instil hatred towards unrelated factors to mask their complicity in the cause of the issues. Big companies work to take rights away from people (the rights for clean air, water, safe workspaces, fair wages, etc) – the gay couple who can now marry doesn't take away any rights from a straight couple. But it's by far harder to fight against the former than the latter so it's convenient to redirect valid frustration. To just name a few areas.
By the way, "The Unwinding - Thirty Years of American Decline" by George Packer and of course "The View from Flyover Country" by Sarah Kendzior are great, eye-opening books that manage to describe issues without pointing fingers.

(So sorry about this. I've managed not to submit a post here three times already but I couldn't resist this time)

[glennjridge]

When you say "right wing populists instill hatred towards unrelated factors to mask their complicity in the cause of the issues"...you have to understand, to a righty like me, you sound like a member of the crips saying, can you believe how full of hate the bloods are? conservatives and liberals are the same animal using different weapons. there is zero high ground.

the liberals do the same thing,they use minorities as chess pieces and play the race card to instill hatred in blacks against republicans when the liberals themselves only care about them in as much as how many of them can they squeeze in a bus to drive to the polling places. also, I would lastly like to say I dont think Trump is saying close the borders, but simply make it so people come here legally. how anyone can have a problem with that is beyond me.

[NotInvisible]

Very wise words sir. Everyone is equal.

Many fools confuse this with the idea that all opinions are equal.

[NotInvisible]

play the race card to instill hatred in blacks against republicans

If you think black Americans don't hate Republicans due to racist Republican policies then you're a bigger idiot than I though.

[glennjridge]

What racist republican policies. our policies get created by the congress which is comprised of republicans and democrats.

[JSDOUVRES]

Better not get involved in this topic too much other than to say that it is a shame we live at a time where an ever-increasing number of people can't accept other opinions/beliefs etc without turning things into some kind of political correctness competition.

This forum was great back in the day even when some conversations got heated at least they were allowed to go on. Now they are hidden away in opt-in area's of the forum as not to 'offend' a minority of people whom it seems are incapable of ignoring and letting go things which they choose to find offensive for whatever reason. Being offended is all part of life and it is about time people learned to live with that but it has gone the other way sadly.

We have seen how diversive Trump and Brexit have been to some but they have both been great reminders about how good and importat democracy is and are a wake-up call for all of us about how life may or may not always go the way we want.

I disagree with a lot of what Neil Tennant says as much as I would do anybody else, however, that does not mean I think he is a bad person or anything like that, it just means he is a unique human being like the rest of us at the end of the day.

Anyway, it is true that the internet age has created a generation of opinionated bigots, especially Facebook where people tend to focus solely on topics they are interested in and political groups they support as well as having friends that tend to share their viewpoints also. Politics were never such an issue, sadly today things have gotten to a point where to some people with opposing viewpoints are seen as some kind of evil enemy and it is incredibly scary.

Probably get caned for this post but I really don't give a damn to be honest.

[ZiggyPSB]

Good luck with your loss of net neutrality.

We live in an age where YouTube stars think its OK to fist pump the air celebrating the murder of gay people. No-one has a sense of common decency anymore. They're not afraid to be c***bags in public because they know some people will agree with them in mass numbers

We live in an age where Roseanne can call someone an ape and a terrorist, and result in the White House press secretary saying Trump says Roseanne will have a place in the White House because she's not afraid to say what real Americans think. Really Americans think black people are apes and terrorists? OK. That's a nice world to live in alright. That's a wake up call alright.

[glennjridge]

I am going to assume you are amalgamating your over emotional personal views with something the press secretary/Trump said. because theres no way...the press secretary said it how you are typing it. so stop being silly. its pretty clear you either made that up or misunderstood what you heard/read.

[jasonjohn]

Moderators the Internet got in!

Yeah this has become off topic.

All because of what is probably just a working title for a song that will either never see the light of day or will end up with a drastically different title.

Is Neil just winding up the fanbase...

Didn't you hear? - the next album is also going to include a rock version of Building A Wall.

[retrofuturist]

Trump is the greatest president ever. A true icon and hero for liberty, peace and freedom. Truly a stable genius if ever there were one.