US Politics |OT|

[RolStoppable]

Regarding the January 6 pardons, I wonder how long it will take until one of them commits a murder by targeting a perceived enemy from within, because the logical takeaway from these pardons is that there is no crime if it's committed in Trump's name.

Trump's first presidency was mostly funny because of how inept it all was; then COVID-19 came and brought serious consequences for Americans, up to and including death. But Trump's second term picks up right there where he left off, with it being a real danger that Americans will die because of all the crazy stuff he does and enables.

Also, why does the far-right embrace leaders that betray their supposed values on the surface already? One underlying theme is a return to proper manliness, yet it's so common that this isn't represented by the most prominent members of the parties. In France and Italy you have women in charge. In Germany it's a lesbian woman. In the Neatherlands and the UK you have men that are recognized as douchebags based on their looks alone. And in the USA you have Trump and Vance who wear make-up and would like to have the Village People's most popular gay song as the national anthem.

Not that it's much better in Austria. After the coalition talks between conservatives, social democrats and financial liberals have failed, our far-right party is back in play. I must say that I was positively surprised that our conservative chancellor stuck to his word and didn't enter a coalition with the far-right, because a spine isn't something that you associate with conservatives. But at the same time it doesn't mean much when his own party sacks him as a consequence in order to enter coalition talks with the far-right. They've made quick progress so far and could agree on no new taxes for the rich while scratching the climate bonus for all citizens. For those who may not know, the climate bonus was an automatic tax return that amounted to ~€200 a year, done for the purpose of reimbursement for the CO² tax. In Austria a government term lasts five years, so this new government (if they can form a coalition, talks are still ongoing) is taking ~€1,000 away from everyone, surprisingly hurting those people the most who are the most likely to vote for conservatives or the far-right.

Not that this is much of a consolation for Americans, the knowledge that voters in other countries are idiots too.