Strange Scandinavian politics

[Valjean]

Yes, and this is also a problem in France, the UK, etc. Here in the States, we've had less of a problem along these lines.

Hasn't the U.S. had a series of nativist panics through its history -- Chinese, Irish, &c?

In recent decades politicians have discovered the political utility of manufactured threats from various "others." I remember, back in the '70s, people who actually believed there were Nicaraguan militias poised to invade the U.S. Today it seems to be an invasion of 'rapists, drug dealers and criminals' pouring over the Mexican border that has certain groups calling for drastic action.

 

[Jumi]

Nobody gives a crap about the ministers.

I found it interesting and you said it was a lie. So at least the two of us "gave a crap".

The point is gay people are extremely rarely on the right wing for the very reason that the right wing is never on their side.

You feel strongly about partisan politics.

 

[Lyndon]

Well its pretty clear that without the left wing, we wouldn't have gay rights as we know them today!!

 

[Jumi]

Well its pretty clear that without the left wing, we wouldn't have gay rights as we know them today!!

True, otherwise it wouldn't be strange and interesting that Italy has two gay right-wing ministers.

 

[Estro Felino]

Well its pretty clear that without the left wing, we wouldn't have gay rights as we know them today!!

Very true...gays can get married here thanks to the left.
But unlike in the US, politicians here don't mind coming out....

 

[metis]

Hasn't the U.S. had a series of nativist panics through its history -- Chinese, Irish, &c?

Absolutely. But what has also increasingly happened is we've very gradually become more and more of a melting pot, and we see this here with a greater acceptance of our Muslim population than what you see in western Europe. I live next to one of the largest Middle Eastern communities outside the Middle East itself and yet we have far fewer problems than my relatives in Sweden and France have.

Trump, unfortunately and unethically, is trying to reverse this overall trend, but I think he's likely to end up just being a wart in our history that'll eventually just go away once we resume sanity in the White House.

Today it seems to be an invasion of 'rapists, drug dealers and criminals' pouring over the Mexican border that has certain groups calling for drastic action.

Yes, and I worry in the short run but not as much in the long run. We're so used to diversity here that we'll not go backward too far-- at least I certainly hope not!