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Trump campaigns on a patriotic platform about making America great and then immediately bends over to the US's traditional enemy, and starts to stiff US allies wherever he can.
It must be confusing for those MAGA supporters to keep up with who's on whose side.
In the UK, Brexit largely led by Farage was also largely about patriotism. Lot's of talk of treachery etc.
But now Starmer is playing the role of international statesman trying to lead 'the West' against tyranny, and Farage is floundering - tied up in knots over his closeness to Trump and some of the synpathetic remarks he's made about Putin in the past.
History shows us that many politicians of many hues have used "patriotism" as a rallying cry to support (usually) their own vision of the UK and version of the truth. The saying that patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel is absolutely true.
Farage plays on that xenophobic trait that most of us have. He builds up the possible dangers of allowing our society to become "overwhelmed" with whatever group it is this week and says that only his ideas can save us. Sadly, because many people chose not to think for themselves but prefer others to do that and then tell them what to think, much of his nonsense is swallowed and repeated.
The "mainstream" parties are not much better. Labour's message is hopelessly mangled by their poor communication. The Tories under KB are desperately searching for an identity that is not Reform. The Lib Dems? Enough said.
Into that vacuum, any party with a string message which can be couched as "vote for us and defend your country" will pick up support.
It is also the case that the younger generations feel disconnected with all this. They seem to care little about our history and more about either having a good time or being "kind" to everybody. The "patriot" message is largely lost on them and so we will eventually see those wishing to be elected adopt a different message which will not be patriotic.
In the meantime, I think for Trump the "make America great again" slogan suits him because it's short, he can remember it and it gives him an excuse to do anything so long as dollars roll into the USA (and his account). From what some of my redneck friends tell me, his personal popularity and the Republican party's poll numbers are close to their lowest ever and if the economy tips over into recession they will only get worse. What value is a "patriot" call to arms when nobody can afford to buy any?
Over the years we needed saving from The Irish Commonwealth people The unemployed Single mothers Gay people Aids victims The unions Disabled people Woke Green activists Trans people Refugees There's always some minority group being offered up as sacrifice on the alter of patriotism.
Intellectuals Communists Green Peace French fishing boats Spanish fishing boats Icelandic fishing boats Brown people Slightly off white people Pompey fans
Intellectuals Communists Green Peace French fishing boats Spanish fishing boats Icelandic fishing boats Brown people Slightly off white people Pompey fans
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