Trump! The Neo what?

[Lune]

Originally Posted by Lurikeen [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

Wow. You're an angry old guy, aren't you?

Let me fill you in on a few points and maybe you can understand them?

It doesn't matter if Hitler would've looked down upon Trump. That is a pretty stupid argument as a matter of fact. Hitler looked down even on other NAZI party members. He had some of them murdered. Of course, history isn't your strong suit, so how would you have known?

Your third paragraph is simply incoherent. If I didn't know better you've had a few Tom Collins too many, or whatever your favorite drink you imbibe in.

Your last paragraph is absolutely laughable. Coming from a socialist, who wrongly thinks Germany is a socialist state to be admired, you can't discern conservative principles in any other way, since they are all so far removed to the right of you. I mean, gosh, it could very well be that Trump is a leftist to your right and he would certainly look like a Reagan from where you sit.

Did you have anything else you wanted to share?

Hitler looking down on Trump is incidental and is hardly my argument.

My argument consisted of me defining what Fascism actually is to you because you clearly have no idea in spite of paying tens of thousands of dollars for a degree on the subject.

Also I never said Germany was socialist, they aren't. But should we be more like Germany? Absolutely. Your average German citizen is happier, healthier, and just generally better off than your average American citizen. I mean they actually exercise political control over their own government, that's a plus, right?

[Lurikeen]

Originally Posted by Lune [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

My argument consisted of me defining what Fascism actually is...

Well, no, you failed to do so. That was my point which you failed to get.

Was there something intelligible you wanted to say? Obviously you THINK you know what you're talking about, but I haven't seen someone who is so arrogantly mistaken as yourself.

I don't mind listening, but don't expect the guy with the four year poly-sci degree to cut someone as arrogant as you slack.

Edit: I suppose I should answer your confused question. You ask, " I mean they actually exercise political control over their own government, that's a plus, right?" Yes, ALL governments "exercise political control over their own government" that is what governments do there champ. Did you have another "tautological question" to ask in your effort to look smart? If so, I'll come back in some hours from now and check it out. Peace, dude. [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

[Lune]

Originally Posted by Lurikeen [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

Edit: I suppose I should answer your confused question. You ask, " I mean they actually exercise political control over their own government, that's a plus, right?" Yes, ALL governments "exercise political control over their own government" that is what governments do there champ. Did you have another "tautological question" to ask in your effort to look smart? If so, I'll come back in some hours from now and check it out. Peace, dude. [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

You think I'm asking whether their government controls itself? You need to challenge yourself more; if you're going to invent questions for yourself, invent harder ones.

Let's think about that one for a minute.

What would someone mean when they say "they actually exercise political control over their own government." I don't know, the German people maybe? And that's in direct contrast to the United States whose government answers primarily to the wealthy and powerful, and basic political representation has become dangerously meddled by gerrymandering, apathy, cynicism, tribalism, and the buying of politicians.

TL;DR if you still don't get it: Your average German citizen has more political power than your average American citizen.

[Lurikeen]

Originally Posted by Lune [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

You think I'm asking whether their government controls itself? You need to challenge yourself more; if you're going to invent questions for yourself, invent harder ones.

Let's think about that one for a minute.

What would someone mean when they say "they actually exercise political control over their own government." I don't know, the German people maybe? And that's in direct contrast to the United States whose government answers primarily to the wealthy and powerful, and basic political representation has become dangerously meddled by gerrymandering, apathy, cynicism, tribalism, and the buying of politicians.

TL;DR if you still don't get it: Your average German citizen has more political power than your average American citizen.

No, I get it. "Know it alls" such as yourself have a difficult time letting go of even the most ridiculous assertions and will continue to defend them so as to appear "smart."

The solution for your envy is to move to Deutschland and gain citizenship. Do the rest of us a favor and stop trying to make the USA your idealistic, European, world. Have a nice day.

[Raev]

Originally Posted by Lune [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

Your average German citizen is happier, healthier, and just generally better off than your average American citizen. I mean they actually exercise political control over their own government, that's a plus, right?

I don't think this statement is factually correct (the German government is currently fucking over its citizens by inviting millions of Syrians in and paying for their food and lodging), enlightening (if the Germans have more control over their government, it's probably because Germany is smaller and, until recently, more culturally homogeneous), or grammatically correct (it's a runon sentence) but it is completely coherent.

[Lune]

Originally Posted by Raev [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

I don't think this statement is factually correct (the German government is currently fucking over its citizens by inviting millions of Syrians in and paying for their food and lodging), enlightening (if the Germans have more control over their government, it's probably because Germany is smaller and, until recently, more culturally homogeneous), or grammatically correct (it's a runon sentence) but it is completely coherent.

As much as I disagree with the policy, I'm not sure I'd agree that Germany inviting in what amounts to 1.25% of its population completely fucks over the country to the extent that it's suddenly not "happier and healthier" than the US. It's still a drop in the bucket compared to the parallel societies we have going here in the US. Yes, 'happier' isn't a rigorous term, I'm only using it as a synthesis of all the various metrics for human welfare in which Germany surpasses the USA (HDI, GINI, life expectancy, education, corruption, social mobility, etc).

With regard to differences between the political systems of USA and Germany... it's complicated. Our problems date back to the 1700's and profound cultural and ideological differences between segments of our population, and it's an oversimplification of me to say "If we want to improve our political process, we should just copy Germany!". It's apples and oranges. But I do believe we have good options on the table, stuff like WolfPAC and real campaign finance / gerrymandering reform, and when I say we should be more like Germany, I mean we should fix our system so it works as well as theirs, not emulate their political process. I'm not convinced representative democracy can't work with 300 million people but can with 80 or 127 million. Heterogeneity is a real problem though.

That said, Germany is by no means perfect, and I think I use European systems too much as a way to demonstrate more leftist policies producing better outcomes. It's obviously a flawed and tired approach and there are dozens of things you can justifiably nitpick about it. It's just lazy.

[Jorgam]

I've got family in Bavaria. There are a lot of small towns in Germany still and when you drop 7k Syrians in a town that formerly had 1,500 living in it.. well it's going to obliterate the native culture. 7k Syrians in Berlin would be a drop in the bucket with minimal alteration to the parent culture.

[maerilith]

Originally Posted by Jorgam [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

I've got family in Bavaria. There are a lot of small towns in Germany still and when you drop 7k Syrians in a town that formerly had 1,500 living in it.. well it's going to obliterate the native culture. 7k Syrians in Berlin would be a drop in the bucket with minimal alteration to the parent culture.

I don't think anyone sane would consider dropping 7k syrians on a town of 1500 with a totally alien culture.

[Lune]

Originally Posted by maerilith [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

I don't think anyone sane would consider dropping 7k syrians on a town of 1500 with a totally alien culture.

May not be sane, but I think it happens.

[Jorgam]

Originally Posted by Lune [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

May not be sane, but I think it happens.

Yep, and if you even notice, let alone speak out about the fact that your culture is going to be destroyed, you are labeled a racist and xenophobe.