About Populists

I’m American and I am amazed at how Zelenskyy has gathered support from other countries and is sharing military experience with others in return for support. And above all else I consider him a statesman and most importantly a gentleman.

I agree with Wilhelm's perspective that pushes back on Denys' opinion that politics is always hypocrisy, that politicians are ugly people, and that he has no interest in participating. Here in the US we have plenty of terrible, "ugly" politicians--as you all have seen--who are in politics to feel powerful, to enrich themselves and their friends, and who do whatever they need to do to stay in office. But we also have many politicians who work to advance the lives of the people they represent, and the health of our democracy, and have a record of doing so. Regarding participation, if we as citizens who accurately inform ourselves about our government and politicians are not involved in politics and political activities, if we don't make our voices heard in the political arena, if we don't support and vote for the politicians who have OUR best interests as their primary goals, if we aren't compelled, when we feel it's necessary, to BECOME politicians, then we hand all the political power to those who would oppress us. I myself don't particularly enjoy the work, although I appreciate the sense of purpose and solidarity. But like it or not, politics is the system of governance and law in our representative democracy, and it relies on active political participation to protect the rights and freedoms granted by our constitution and laws. It's a messy (swampy), imperfect system, but as Winston Churchill said, "Democracy is the worst form of government except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time." Here are a few other salient quotes: "A functioning, robust democracy requires a healthy, educated, participatory followership, and an educated, morally grounded leadership." - Chinua Achebe, Nigerian novelist, poet, and critic "The most important political office is that of the private citizen." - Former US Supreme Court Justice Louis D. Brandeis "Liberty and equality will be best attained when all persons alike share in the government to the utmost." - Aristotle

"This guy" is a particularly brilliant airline pilot who has been giving most of his waking hours to paying attention and writing/video creating about it. He knows more than most of us, not just the Trumpers. In general, people who are not Americans, but who stay informed, know a hell of a lot more than most of us.

💯 No lies detected