Democracy under threat

I don't doubt you are right MOnica.

However, I'm not sure if you think we should, therefore, just let it happen or if you think we should try to find the truth and, if necessary, stand against the attacks on our democracy.

Or you could have felt you were just trying to balancing the discussion ...

Democracy has always been based, if not on lies, then on at least doctoring the truth. Trump is not be the first leader to get in on a populist vote and certainly will not be the last.

Galaxy

I think you will find that it was democracy that led to Trumps victory, it is always awful when people wont vote the way you want them to isnt it.

I think you will find that democracy based on lies is no democracy, but an opportunistic or unscrupulous power grab for dictatorship.

It seems they want to add empire building to this as well.

KateW19

What is it that appeals to you about Nigel Farage? Is it that he seems approachable? Or is it specific pledges that you feel would improve yours or your family’s lives?

He " tells it as it is" , likes a pint, dislikes brown people and wants to make Britain Great again.

There you go!

And that's part of the problem! (Response to Petra)

KateW19

They’re banning various books in right leaning states across the US, anything considered too progressive by the right wing so called Christian populists

And 🤷‍♀️ I think you’ll find that the majority of the British population don’t give a FF what happens in the US.

My concern is with the growing influence of social media, and Musk controls and influences a great deal of that.
I don't believe many of the populace has an education 'level' of nine, but increasing numbers of people rely on quick news flashes for information rather than reading articles , journals, books etc and watching and listening to the news and thinking, before repeating it as fact.

Interesting to see the responses on this thread!
There is a constant battle between those who have their own agenda and those who want decency and common sense to prevail. Presently it is between globalists and nationalists. Too many people want to dispense with individual countries and create one world. They have been watching too much Star Trek. It just won't work and the sooner they face up to that, the better.

Good link here on reasons for populism surge since 2000: theconversation.com/populist-parties-thrive-on-discontent-the-data-proves-it-242278

TerriBull

Well my under developed brain seems to think that both the far right and the far left present similar threats to democracy, in free speech and authoritarianism. What do I know though, my 9 year old brain is still in Year 5 and it's way past my bedtime. My Enid Blyton awaits. Tonight it's 5 Go To Mar a Lago.

Which 5 is it this week?

It’s not the teachers fault, it’s underfunding

Galaxy

Maybe he doesnt call them thick.

It doesn't say a lot for secondary school teachers, does it, if the educational attainment of so many voters is only age 9.

Yes, she did. And St Clares.
The Chalet School was Elinor Brent Dyer.

I used to love the Malory Towers books when I was a girl.
Did Enid Blyton write them?
I can’t remember.

Maybe he doesnt call them thick.

I can't think, can't think, it's too hard.
Way past my bedtime.

My Enid Blyton awaits. Tonight it's 5 Go To Mar a Lago.
😂😂😂

I'm reading about Darrell Rivers having fun at Malory Trump Towers.
It's ever so good.

No answers yet as to what it is about Farage that appeals to a certain minority of the voting public, maybe it’s his cheery approachable personality, his choice of far right populist mates, his self serving interests? It’s anyone’s guess :D

Well my under developed brain seems to think that both the far right and the far left present similar threats to democracy, in free speech and authoritarianism. What do I know though, my 9 year old brain is still in Year 5 and it's way past my bedtime. My Enid Blyton awaits. Tonight it's 5 Go To Mar a Lago.

But you arent challenging, you are just calling voters thick, that's not challenging or original. What country are you talking about? We have a labour government currently in the UK, in America, the Democrats have been running the joint for 4 years, so for some of the last decade there wasnt a worshipping of far right muscle men as you describe it.

FriedGreenTomatoes2

And vote for Reform. I attended an all girls grammar school. I read quite a lot and although I wouldn’t consider myself any kind of an intellectual I wouldn’t say I was thick either.

I must be a thorn in your side for you to single me out.
Fame at last.
😁

I think your portrait has been hung in the GN Hall of Fame.
Or Rogues Gallery.

One or t'other.

I'm puzzled, I thought we were living in a democracy or was I dreaming whenever I've voted in the last 10 years?

Blimey KateW19 for a newbie you certainly don’t hide your light under a bushel.
But do remember - self praise is no recommendation girl.

And vote for Reform. I attended an all girls grammar school. I read quite a lot and although I wouldn’t consider myself any kind of an intellectual I wouldn’t say I was thick either.

I must be a thorn in your side for you to single me out.
Fame at last.
😁

What the far right hate more than anything despite their demanding total free speech, is ever being challenged. I’ll continue to call it out on any politics thread as we’ve had 10 miserable years of having to tolerate racism, isolationism, mindless worship of far right muscle men millionaires, and the sorry mess it is making of what used to be peaceful society from all walks of life. Democracy is far too important, lest we forget as the great saying goes

It is hard but people are allowed to have different opinions.

I now this is hard but people are allowed to read the telegraph.