Why Millions of Americans Vote Against Their Own Self-Interest

[@TypeAshton]

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[@Mike.Muc.3.1415]

Thanks for an important episode. Trump is the undisputed leader of the MAGA movement. MAGA is deeply and openly based on Christian nationalism. Christian nationalism is an highly dangerous and extremely toxic neo-fascist ideology. It is a fundamentalist far-right ideology, based on a strategic alliance between the far right and the fundamentalist Religious Right, aiming at establishing a US theocracy. It advocates for a society in which minority rule by white, conservative Christians is enshrined, democracy be damned. Annika Brockschmidt's Amerikas Gotteskrieger (America's Holy Warriors) (2021) is an excellent must-read on the topic.

[@alexbr550]

Full stop? The hell is that?

[@carlosandresmojicasanabria1272]

so, the Rusophobic germans said, Americans do not vote in favor, but when Biden supporting Genocide in Palestine, and do Absolutely nothing for the American People in 4 years, because Biden was obsessed only with the War in Ucraine, and nothing else. , This, for you, is bad , people vote for another person. let me laffing of you.

[@voidisyinyangvoidisyinyang885]

@@alexbr550 she's aging herself again. Only she made me feel even older. Reagan already was raiding social security and the CIA formed out of the Nazis - so kind of ironic she's holding up Germany as some nice model (when they're relying on parasitical debt payments from the PIGS).

[@wissen5410]

correction "Why Millions of Americans Vote IN Their Own Self-Interest"

[@alessandrocerioli2151]

I am old enough to remember when Dick Cheney was considered a sort of Satan, now seeing him as a moderate democrat gives me chills...

[@matt3024]

That happens all the time people thought that about Reagan too and the Republicans invested endless funds and elevating him to this godly position in history. Much of Reagan's achievements are exaggerated and because big money controlled the media at the time before we had internet they were able to pull it off. Cheney is still a thug but his daughter who is just as much a warmonger is he ever was has redeemed him due to her I will admit brave stand against the Republican party. But any of the nation who was alive at the time do remember and still understand that Dick Cheney is a slug.

[@mikeguilmette776]

He's neither. He's a neocon who has always dreamed of the U.S. and Russia going to war. He knew Trump wouldn't do that, but if he could trick Harris into making his daughter the Secretary of Defense, he would get his wish.

[@Caprikel-ov2od]

The only thing that changed is that the pro-war party became the democrats, hence why the pro-war psychopath switched to being a democrat.

[@CRYSTALTOUCHTON]

facts facts facts!

[@golagiswatchingyou2966]

it's not that he's a moderate democrat, it's that the democrates closer alline with the warmongering side of the regime.

[@Priestofgoddess]

Treating politics like team sport is quite unhealthy for democracy :(

[@Singlesix6]

That's true. And it is at the core of cancel culture. You play by the team's rules or you are shunned. The Democrats and Harris ran into a buzz saw of American independent thinking. For a wide variety of reasons, each voter decided that they weren't having anymore of what the Democrats were mandating and forcing down our throats..

[@alexbass4766]

US is a Constitional Republic

[@MsGiselle05]

This! That’s what’s happening!

[@Canonfudder]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nika_riots Tale as old as time

[@burninghard]

But pretty good for business interests.

[@olivermoore7020]

As a Brit, no one is beating us on voting against our self-interests...

[@Wolf-ln1ml]

There is _some_ making fun of your voting for Brexit, but nowhere near as much as the USA voting for Trump, yeah... My guess would be that for one, Britain is a tad less "important" on a global scale, but you're also far less... loud and arrogant...

[@olivermoore7020]

@Wolf-ln1ml I live in Sweden. Yes, generally, I would agree there is a lot more mockery and bewilderment of Trump in the US. Though I do get occasionally asked, "Why on earth did the UK do that?" (or variations thereof). My point was more that Brexit for the UK is far worse than Trump for the US. Brexit is permanent (or at least very long term), Trump could be removed in another four years.

[@guyro3373]

@@olivermoore7020We do not actually know exactly how bad Trump and his cabinet will be for the US and world-wide relationships. Remember that (at least for many), after the Brexit and before it became signed, things did not seem so bad for many in the UK…

[@etiennesharp]

Amen. Nothing like seeing a public school educated stockbroker railing against an 'elite' and folk buying it.

[@lukedogwalker]

Brexit wasn't so much a vote for something... many people who voted Leave were voting against something, as a protest. A lot of people didn't like the status quo and a lot of people were reading (and still are reading) disinformation about the EU in the right wing press and on social media (nothing changes). The EU was presented as a bad guy who was holding back the UK's prosperity. Finally, the class war perspective: most of those who consider themselves 'working class' which, ironically, includes a very large number of educated white collar workers, wanted to vote against the 'elites'. But challenge them to describe who these elites are and they struggle. They only know what Facebook told them. Brexit was the first battle of the disinformation age, and democracy lost. It has lost/is losing the subsequent battles, as well. But despite that, remember that each battle was a close run thing: Brexit was 48 to 52%. The last US election was almost a 50:50 split! Social media propaganda got it over the line in both cases, but only just.

[@87morpheus11]

I can confirm that Americans live in a bubble. When I tell my coworkers that I speak to people overseas all the time they are always surprised. Whenever I say anything that's happening in the world outside of America 9 times out of 10 I'm the only one who heard it

[@ParanormalUKNetwork]

It's not just in Germany. All of Europe pays close attention to what happens in the States. One point that I think you missed is the question of Freedom. I think that here in Europe, we have a different meaning for the word. In the States, it's "Freedom TO....xxx" , whatever that might be. In Europe, it's "Freedom FROM...xxx" And marks a significant difference in terms of mindset and outlook on life.

[@peter_meyer]

Oh, she didn't miss it. She did a whole video about it.

[@taraldomland8657]

Agree that all Europe follows. Almost feels like we should have a vote haha. Of course it’s not our country so no, but just the urge, the feeling that our future and domestic policy is decided by others

[@AC-cg4be]

True. In America, we say Americans have the freedom *to be* ignorant. The rest of the world seems to take the stance they should have freedom *from* ignorance.

[@taraldomland8657]

@@AC-cg4be America could be a bit wiser though

[@tommoore2012]

@@AC-cg4be Europeans are honestly pretty ignorant. They really aren't that much different than the American's they accuse.

[@ReskatorDZ]

"Socialism never took root in America because the poor see themselves not as an exploited proletariat but as temporarily embarrassed millionaires." (с) John Steinbeck

[@MarcelVolker]

The biggest trick that the likes of Trump and Musk play is that they keep the poor poor, while selling them the illusion that, by working hard in three underpaid jobs, one day they, too, might become billionaires.

[@hanzo2001]

Socialism never took anywhere because it doesn't work and where it has been tried, it has failed miserably and left everyone in misery, except the party in power guiding the "proletariat" to their new slave lives. Where growth is possible and hard work is rewarded, socialism will always have an impossibly steep hill to climb

[@bluebird3281]

@#$% Steinbeck and worldwide socialism

[@johnshelton1141]

It never took root in America, because it doesn't work, and is unjust and immoral.

[@jonschlottig9584]

Or maybe because Socialism fails miserably everywhere it is tried: see Norway for a real time example. How are things in the UK? 😂😂😂 y'all are too simple minded.

[@alphasigmaohioskibidi]

“we aren’t out of touch with the peoples interests, its the peoples interests that are out of touch with us!”

[@TheRavensOmen]

Sounds like a "quote" from the deep-state democrats.

[@jansix4287]

People are stupid.

[@gerogyzurkov2259]

@@alphasigmaohioskibidi That's like all groups point each other. What lines are drawn at that point.

[@Chux01]

You do realize you just contradict the first parth of your statement with the second part of your statement right?

[@greyborg3846]

I saw someone say "If republicans were turkeys, they would vote for Thanksgiving."

[@SeanCosgrove1]

"Hardly anyone switches parties" 27% of Latinos voted for Romney in 2012. 42% voted for Trump in 2024. Outside of California, it was likely a majority of Latinos voting for Trump.

[@blah9605]

it's a "shut the door" mentality. Those immigrants who already got naturalized do not want anyone else coming in.

[@andrewmichaelschaefferXIV]

We're not Europe We have principles and "self-interest" is not our sole motivation ❤

[@frankhanson9260]

this is the "come in and close the door behind you" mentality. the deeper idea behind maga is "No Immigration"

[@SeanCosgrove1]

@@andrewmichaelschaefferXIV European countries are going broke with their social welfare programs, even with the US protecting them. Imagine if the Americans stopped subsidizing their security and they had to spend money to protect themselves?

[@bloodwargaming3662]

To be fair voter turnout in big cities was way way low

[@t.a.k.palfrey3882]

Having lived on both sides of the Pond (in US and Canada as well as in UK, Germany, E Africa), the "self interest" idea varied dramatically between the US and every other democracy. Self-interest often comes down to perceived rights. In the US the rights to DO things are paramount. Elsewhere, the rights to NOT be threatened are far more important, so social, communal safety is accented rather than individual freedoms.

[@eksbocks9438]

I've seen it too. American culture does a lot to protect people who have "Main character syndrome." But the people who are affected aren't given much sympathy. "If you haven't succeeded in life. It must mean you haven't worked hard enough."

[@jamespppyacek342]

This is key. This should be pointed out by Dems every chance hey get.

[@randyg22152]

@@t.a.k.palfrey3882 speaking of the right not to be threatened, the massive surge in illegal immigration during the Biden administration, and the resulting rise in violent crime over the past four years, was a big election issue in the U.S., as only the Trump campaign had a plan to do something about it.

[@lohikarhu734]

"If you haven't succeeded in life. It must mean you haven't worked hard enough." I had a friend who had very much that attitude... Until he came down with a brain cancer; he saw all of the people at the clinic, and at chemo, and, no matter how successful, how tough, how hard they had worked, sitting in the waiting rooms, everyone against their own foe, all taking chemo, or desperate surgeries.... Doesn't matter who you *think you are*, you're all in a fight for your life. And, at least in Canada, you don't have to be rich, or lose your house, to be able to be in the fight.

[@paulsmythe7620]

@@eksbocks9438 Over half the population doesn't have the brain power to succeed even if they work hard. What's to be done with them?

[@SteveKitchens-gd4yg]

Many people would rather suffer than admit being wrong.

[@Deborah-u5k]

@@SteveKitchens-gd4yg I was born in America and have lived in Hong Kong for several decades and many Hong kongers would rather die than admit that they're wrong! This is no joke! They're my clients so I love to admit when I've made a mistake! It's like rubbing it in their being especially thin skinned and obsessed with loss of face! They're extremely tedious to say the least!

[@HealthyPlanet]

Yeah, that ol fear of death is the culprit.

[@americafirst3562]

​@@HealthyPlanet yup they are called Europeans

[@jimako6]

Stupid people don't know any better

[@paulaguenon1660]

True.

[@whobitmyname]

Fooling people is easy. Convincing them they've been fooled is dang near impossible.

[@peterwilkinson1975]

Yep but the only ones who are fooled are the other team lol.

[@edwinwise6751]

False equivalency . Like comparing the Nazis to the pta

[@Wartooth6]

surely you weren't fooled by anyone... surely.

[@errolchouest895]

This is a two street.

[@PigeonLaughter01]

Yup TDS is a clear sign of this.

[@TheLavachild]

The reason why the lowest income bracket favors welfare is they are receiving it. The reason the bracket just above the lowest is against welfare is they either earn too much to qualify or they have experienced the way welfare is structured. It isn't designed to phase out gently as you improve your financial situation. It cuts you off the moment you make ONE dollar too much and thus, that one additional dollar costs you hundreds of dollars in aid. You are likely to slip right back down into dependency. This is no accident, but by design.

[@1tzyb1tzel]

Yeah. That's a good design tho.

[@anniealexander9616]

The middle class is against it because we see it being abused.

[@TheLavachild]

@1tzyb1tzel if your goal is to trap people depending on the government, ya.

[@chiquita683]

You can tell shes a liberal trying to cope

[@KnucklesWTD]

@@anniealexander9616Yet they don’t seem to care about the 1% of the population that controls 50% of the wealth.

[@H7B2ify]

As an American I can say that I'm just so burnt out from the political scene. I'm tired to the constant heightened emotions of the past 8 years. I'm tired of how everyone lives in fear of the other now, whether it be of migrants and wokeness on the right, or of Trump himself on the left. It's just not healthy to live like this anymore. I can only hope for a major refactoring sooner rather than later, because politics being like this, where there's always vitriol and angst and tribalism, it's just not sustainable

[@lakrids-pibe]

I agree. It's exhausting. I blame social media in part. Social media is built to amplify controversy and arguments - it's all engangement. It gvenerates more clicks and ad views. And this media landscape can be exploited to spread misinformation and culture war nonsense. The 45th president (and future 47th) spend eight years accusing Barack Obama of not being born in the United States. An easily disproved claim. Obviously nonsense. But the facts don't matter. The truth doesn't matter. It's about the feeling, the vibe, the meme, the audacity to say what he thinks and stick to his version, even in the face og criticism from all the "elite" of experts. A lot of people connected with that vibe. They like hearing it. Me, I'm more inclined to think the experts are worth listening to. But that leaves me in a different reality to those people.

[@pumuckl0]

I left the US 12 years ago, and now I just see the politics as kind of a lost cause under the current system. Unless the system changes I think both parties are bad for the country. The trend is down regardless of who gets in office. I hope that changes.

[@stanleyshannon4408]

It's all by design. Humans are easy to manipulate unfortunately.

[@ChristiaanHW]

If they keep you busy and anxious with those small things you won't have the time and energy to demand real change. Like stopping the school/mass shootings (something that's only a problem in the US) the mass homelessness, the lack of worker rights, the bad food safety/quality or the for profit healthcare. It's seems like it's all by design. Keep the common people fighting amongst eachother, so they don't notice hiw they all get shafted by their overlords (the rich and/or powerful)

[@johanswede8200]

Stockholm, Sweden, here. Seems like the democrats know they need to change big time...All you guys need now is a massive Trump "fuck-up"...That hugely embarrasses his voters...Trump is never far away from "stupid". But, your old constitution and 2-party system might make significant changes impossible. Being a huge country doesn't help either. Looking at the US from afar...it looks almost comical❤❤❤

[@UlliStein]

In Germany we shouldn't look down on voters in the USA. There any so many here who make the same mistake. Sad but true.

[@lakrids-pibe]

In all of Europe.

[@theinsane4212]

@@lakrids-pibe Alas, but yeah, true.

[@peterhartwiger7235]

Du meinst das Gesindel das SPD oder Grüne wählt?

[@fabiusque4266]

its so funny how regardless of the topic, theres always that dude that just has to go for the "in germany, its even worse" route. Always. Usually an older dude who doesnt get that his generation is the one thats at fault for creating the situation we are now in.

[@mortuos557]

nah it's not worse than the US. just worse than expected...

[@Ranlac_the_Black]

Somebody said poor Americans doesn’t consider themselves poor, but temporarily inconvenienced millionaires.

[@larsg.2492]

That's why most of them are so vehemently against workers' rights and unions. Because they dream of some day being the boss and doing all the exploitin'.

[@dervideominister]

yeah, it's called the American dream! Similar to the State Lottery in "1984", a propaganda tool used by the Elites to distract and control the Proles. A very few winners, offering false hope while keeping the population docile and focused on illusions of wealth. And if people don't believe in it anymore, the given answer is, that it is because of "socialist missteps", so they cut even more hearth care and welfare programs...... the perfect lie! Very similar to the islamic fanatics...... if your life is bad, you are not religious enough, even though the fanaticism is the reason for the bad living conditions.

[@pumuckl0]

They're all millionaires, they just haven't manifested it through positive thought yet.

[@bigiron1990]

Im from America. I’ll be honest, I don’t know much about what I’m about to say but I have a feeling it’s more true than not. There is greater economic mobility in the US than anywhere else in the world. Your family might have been poor for generations here in America and all it takes is one family member to pop off to change it for ever. We are allowed to move between class if we work out how to do it. As opposed to other countries where you are more or less born into class.

[@stefanb6539]

@@bigiron1990 Sorry, to burst your bubble, but your claim about social mobility is flat out wrong. There have been smart people comparing social mobility between nations. The USA is a #27 out of 82 nations in the index, so there are a lot of plaes in the world, where hard work brings you up the ladder much quicker than in the US.. Search global social mobility index for yourself, if you don't believe me. You aren't completely horrible, but quite bad in comparison with most other developed nations.

[@brasidas2011]

You could just short hand the title to "Why Americans fear big government like Europeans never could".

[@friendlyfire7861]

But should, considering.

[@daanwolters3751]

@@friendlyfire7861 so we can get ruled by big corporations and APAIC like you guys? no thanks. Say about germany what you want but you are about 5 times less likely to get raped there, compared to the usa. Same for murder and quite frankly, all other crime rates. Hell, you have unlimited speed on the highway, and you are STILL less likely to get hit by another car. Now why should I abandon all of these things, just to have my life micromanaged by my employer?

[@Bafflementation]

Doesn't work. Just look at the first section of the video: as soon as their particular faction starts employing "Big Government" authority, suddenly the partisan American public like it.

[@samuelzuleger5134]

Easy. Tim Walz (yes, Harris's VP pick) unilaterally prohibited the practice of Christianity and Judaism in 2019 during the pandemic by restricting the number of attendees to religious services to 10 people, regardless of the size of the building or precautions taken. Odd that similar restrictions weren't placed on universities or mosques. If they violated the rule, they would face fines, lose tax-exempt status, and/or be arrested. I mean, it wouldn't have to do with the fact that university students and Somali immigrants vote overwhelmingly for DFL (Minnesota's Democrats), would it?

[@Coffeepanda294]

They are about to get big government under Dump. It'll be an all-encompassing, Christian fascist horror regime.

[@oscarvanschijndel4989]

Netherlands here. The big thing with us is "coalition government". Our nation has 20 political parties, four of them being part of the coalition. So if you disagree with the government's policy, you have 16 alternatives to choose from; from small to big, from left to right. Not one, like in the US. Instead of "bias", I would use the word "grudge" (NL: rancune). A lot of Americans were disappointed with the current "blue" government policy, so they voted "red", regardless what this choice would mean to them in the end. Main thing is not voting for someone, but voting against the enemy. 17:50 valid point. And that 4% coverage outside the US? War Russia/Ukraine, war Israel/Gaza/Lebanon, Chinese Uyghur suppression, Islamic terrorism, natural disaster all over the world. Seems to me everything is done to illustrate that the world outside the US is hell on Earth and to frame that the US is the best place to be.

[@cyclone8974]

You still end up with one coalition vs another coalition. You have the illusion of choice.

[@peterkoller3761]

the problem is: our democracy allows us only to vote for a party, not for or against suggested solutions to specific questions/problems.

[@dervideominister]

@@cyclone8974 of course - that is democracy! Compromises, balanced solutions, and considering different interests-this is how the diverse opinions within a society can be respected. Not one group forcing its interests on all others with all its might, as seen in the USA...

[@cyclone8974]

​@@dervideominister I think you are just upset that we do actually have choice not just European variations of the Democrat party.

[@wncjan]

@@peterkoller3761 That would be difficult if not impossible with maybe 100s of individual issues to vote about.

[@jjsmallpiece9234]

I think the problem with US politics is that there is only 2 parties. No other party/view point has a chance. Especially with the money required to fund a political campaign.

[@workinprogress3609]

We have more than two parties. The problem is that the media and the two parties are controlled by the elitists. The people are brainwashed that a person from any other party is "unelectable" and the media doesn't give any other parties any air time. The American vote is an illusion.

[@2011tbr]

But theres not 2 parties, theres more, they just dont have the same financial backing but could if they developed the following, but its like a mom and pop shop vs a corporation

[@churblefurbles]

@@2011tbr Lmao, I wonder if they would dare to talk about the only party, "the israel lobby".

[@longiusaescius2537]

@churblefurbles never would

[@billwalsh388]

It is definitely a problem. That's where the tribalism comes from.

[@juliashunda5037]

I grew up in Germany. I’ve lived in the US for a long time now. And one thing I will NEVER understand is the concept of „sick days“. Do Americans CHOOSE how long they are sick? And when? What is this? So the first time I got sick here: „are you sure you are ill enough to see a doctor?“ WHAT???

[@dmkuchins6646]

A lot of us do not even have sick days!!!!

[@JohnDorian-j7x]

What don't you understand about "sick days"?

[@marctestarossa]

@@JohnDorian-j7xhere in Germany you obviously get paid by your employer when you cant go to work because of your health. Up to 6 weeks straight. After that you get 60 % of your wages paid by your health insurance. So you don’t lose your income when you‘re sick or need to go to hospital. I don’t know how the regulations are in the US, but I beliebe there‘s nobody paying for your sick days.

[@shy404usernotfound]

Ummm.....What? You literally would just call into work and say you're sick. That's it. No questions asked. So idk wtf you're talking about. Sincerely -an actual American 🙄

[@Stefiiiz]

​​​@@JohnDorian-j7x I'm not the OP but I'm Polish and I can tell you (even though it's already explained in the original comment) since I feel the same way about this concept: the limited amount of "sick days" is bizzarre because health is not a matter of choice and people shouldn't be forced to "power through" a sickness still going to work (and spreading it among coworkers), i.e., sacrifice their health for the profit of the company. And it's bad enough for seasonal sickness like flu, but what about more serious stuff, requiring hospitalisstion? You basically get punished by the employer for suffering from something serious, and possibly even lose your job (which usually makes you lose the"benefit" of health insurance, so you end up not only jobless, but also in debt). And I know what many of you are thinking: "Why should the employer pay someone who isn't working?". The thing is, usually it's not the employer who pays, it's the insurer. And you do pay quite a lot of money for your insurance, don't you? For us it's the universal health insurance, but since you seem to be afraid of this basic commodity so much, I can't see why shouldn't the commercial insurer have that in their basic offer. Like, being sick is not something you choose because you're lazy, it's something that happens to you without your will. Isn't that what the insurance is for? I swear, your work "culture" is incomprehensable to me (and to most of the world, really).

[@tapeesa2866]

Didn’t Germany shut down all her nuclear power plants to buy more Russian gas?

[@JohnnyCBCS]

And didn’t Donald Trump himself warn them about it back in 2018, rightfully calling Germany "a hostage of russia"?

[@angr8799]

Yes, but that is only half true! The main reason for shutting down nuclear power plants was that it is common sense in Germany that the nuclear power plants have a not acceptable risc of failure, especially in such high-density populated area like mid-europe. Over that the problem of the nuclear waste storage is causing since decades discussions in our society. Bynow there are only 2 countries in the world that have plans to storage the nuclear waste safely for the next 100.000 years (and the US is not one of them). And simply dumping the waste in the oceans can't be a solution though many countries do that till today. The possibility of relying on cheap Russian gas was nevertheless too tempting and a big mistake. In that you are right. We should have had a better plan for the right decission.

[@gregorymalchuk272]

@angr8899 Nuclear energy is the single safest source of energy.

[@virgilius7036]

@@angr8799 Accidents have always been human errors, even in Fukushima because despite the frequency of tsunamis they did not foresee it! France has many and nothing happened!

[@jorgsiebert7778]

The truth is, nuclear power plants are too expensive.

[@anonygent]

We don't, we have a different definition of "self-interest". For Republicans, "give me more taxpayers' dollars" is not self-interest but wanting something for nothing... "Leave me the hell alone" is self-interest.

[@AlexsGoogleAccount]

Republicans have not been very "leave me alone" lately. Banning books from libraries that include LGBTQ+ characters or black characters from libraries and banning healthcare for trans people is not "leaving them alone".

[@elvenrights2428]

I think that cultural differences play a role in how Americans vote compared to how, Germans for example, vote. But some kind of tribalism is present in at least some European countries too. 2,5 years ago citizens of my country voted against their own interest (against even income tax reform which would increase their net salaries and purchase power) just because previous government which encted this income tax reform, wasn't "their". New government cancelled part of the income tax reform enacted by previous government and so, we are paying higher income tax due to this decision now.

[@snuffeldjuret]

he german mind cant comprehend the idea of loving your country :P

[@kylej4258]

@@snuffeldjuret germany is a shadow of it's former self, I don't even think it should be called germany anymore it died a long time ago

[@AnmEEE-e6g]

​@@kylej4258 1918

[@notgiven3114]

Your example is simplistic. Why don't you consider the fact that having government fund some things (like highways, law enforcement, courts, defence, etc.) is more practical and more financially efficient than is leaving it to private citizens? Lowering taxes doesn't lower the costs of such things. It would increase the costs of them to the public. The thing to focus on is control of the government. If we weren't paying the costs resulting from government corruption, and the government's expansion into areas that it's not legally permitted to expand into, taxes could be dramatically lowered.

[@WorthlessWinner]

Maybe, just maybe, they're actually voting in their own self interest and your political bias is blinding you

[@anette2050]

Unless you're Russian , Trump is not acting in your interest because he is a Russian asset and not even hiding it. He literally works for another country. Plus, he's a malignant narcisist. Good luck.

[@aldunlop4622]

Exactly.

[@AfriqueNY]

This I agree. MAGA def voted their own interest. They do not want competition from cultures who will outwork and achieve them. I get it.

[@WorthlessWinner]

@@AfriqueNY - do you say that to union workers too?

[@AfriqueNY]

@@WorthlessWinner of course I do. I'm in NY. Around nothing but union workers. They tell me to my face "I don't want the competition"

[@PaulHenning84]

Americans did vote for their own self interests in this election. They're just not European interests.

[@LuminairPrime]

tell us more about how voting for a president who supports the country with ballistic missile submarines hiding off the pacific and atlantic coasts with thousands of warheads aimed at americans is in american self interest

[@CoveyWill]

Modest-income citizens voting for a leader who gives tax breaks to the wealthy that screw over the rest is voting against self-interest. Someone who loves an undocumented person who voted for Trump is voting against their self interest. On it goes, for LGBGQ, women, parents of kids heading to college, parents of kids in public school. People who prefer breathable air and drinkable water.

[@bfd194]

No, a plurality voted to end democracy while the other half of us are thinking how stupid can you get.

[@PassifloraCerulea]

Indeed. My life got demonstrably worse under the current regime, whose party hates me for who I am. You're damn right I voted against that and for the guy who doesn't.

[@PaulHenning84]

@@bfd194 Democracy will still exist when Trump leaves office again, except you won't take account for your statement. This is another reason the dems lost.

[@Ed-ig1xc]

In my opinion, the worst thing that ever happened to this country was our two-party system. We basically have two options for the President and most higher-level positions. Yes there are a few independent politicians out there, but the vast majority of politicians are either Rep of Dem. For the President we give the Dems a term or two. Don’t like where the country is headed so we give the Reps a term or two. Don’t like where the country is headed so we go back to the Dems and give them a term or two. Then we give the Reps a term or two. Basically, we go back and forth between the parties and each time we expect a different result. Isn’t that the definition of insanity. Why we keep electing people who would rather call each other names than work together is beyond me. I don’t even think these two childish parties could agree on a what shade of white to paint a closet.

[@bobloblaw10001]

Jungle primary and ranked choice voting seems to be the answer

[@Dave-for-democracy]

You are right but that is common in democratic countries. The issues with having more than two main parties is that one party can win because people divide into the two other parties. Divide to conquest. Some countries solve this issue by having two rounds elections, 2nd round decide between the 2 stronger parties.

[@728huey]

The worst thing that ever happened to our country was the near complete genocide of native Americans and the institution of slavery which gave certain groups of people (white American males) political superiority based on the color of their skin. It's the one issue that has dictated our society since the founding of our country, and it will continue to do so until we collective come to terms with our shared humanity.

[@darienford860]

Have you actually voted here? You know we have more than a 2 party system and are you complaining about term limits being too short? Im confused on what youre getting at on that part. Do you know remember why we only allow 2 terms (FDR)? This just sounds preachy it was always about disagreement thats exactly what this country along with others were built on

[@anthonybonawitz444]

Besides everything you're saying being correct the other thing that unfortunate is regardless if they say they put America first that's a lie it's (party) first America second and both sides do it in spades. Case in point like how the Republicans put an end to the border bill. Instead of trump making sure they got passed then he can run on saying look what I did before I was even president I was doing things to make it better now that I am president I'm going to continue on that. How is that not the better option especially if you're saying America first?

[@Cbreal4973]

This is like a vegan telling normal people that eating meat is against Thier self interests. No, it's against YOUR interest not the person you are projecting on.

[@AlexsGoogleAccount]

No. In this analogy, it's a vegan telling other people that supporting the de-regulation of the meat industry is against their best interests. De-regulating the meat industry won't directly affect the vegan, but it is objectively against the best interests of meat eaters.

[@justsomenobody889]

I only came to this video to marvel at the absurd arrogance of such a video title. As if any of us could accurately predict the subjective experience of hundreds of millions of Americans in the coming years! One can clearly make an argument for either side, but it's ultimately hollow speculation as to how things will unfold, since no one really knows who you can trust, how randomness will affect outcomes, or which strategies will fall flat or have unforeseen consequences...

[@bomaniigloo]

​@@AlexsGoogleAccountcheaper meat is against the self interest of meat eaters? K.

[@bomaniigloo]

​@@justsomenobody889its europoor cope. They've been living in a reality of kuckoldry for so long, they don't know where their wife begins and the bull ends.

[@Jimraynor45]

@@AlexsGoogleAccount So, when your friends or family cook you meat or any food, would you say it's in your best interest to hire a professional food inspector to inspect their kitchen before every meal and after the meal is cooked, to make sure the food is safe? That you would pay for of, course. Although I would dispute the idea in general that regulations always make things safer, even if we grant such a thing, you still have to accept that such regulations come at the cost of freedom and resources. You are making a value judgement and imposing that on others. There's nothing objectively true about that. That is what *you* believe is in the best interests of others.

[@syryously]

The DNC is not left

[@AlexsGoogleAccount]

Say it again for the people in the back.

[@samuelzuleger5134]

If by "Left," you mean Maoist, then no. If you mean social welfare, big budgets, globalist, interventionist, and operated by and for the "educated" elite...you might want to reconsider. Might explain why half of Trump's current cabinet picks were once DNC members (including Trump), but left when the California wing of the DNC took over in the late 2000s. Also, RNC isn't right-wing.

[@roborobo3340]

They voted against Europe's self-interest.

[@bluefalconssuck5881]

Foreigners telling Americans what their "best interests" should be is hubris personified... Have they considered that American interests don't line up with their interests??? As a foreign person, that means the following policy is in effect... *Your opinions are duely noted and summarally dismissed.*

[@aldunlop4622]

Mate I'm Australian and I back you. This person is a goose. Americans shouldn't be ashamed of acting in their own self-interest, whilst helping others when they can and supporting their friends (like us), lol.

[@paarthurnax8519]

Agreed. It's not that I don't believe she has some good points in her videos, but to say they "vote against their best interests" is really pretentious.

[@benthomas9776]

Did you actually watch the video? The vast majority of the video is based around explaining why people vote against their best interests without taking a side on which party represents America's "best interests". She also points out that American values and Western European values are different, and that sometimes it only "seems" that Americans are voting against their own interests. It's fine to accept that sometimes you can benefit from hearing an outside perspective.

[@bluefalconssuck5881]

@@aldunlop4622 Mate, I love my Ozie friends. Want to know something funny??? I've met most of them at Gun Ranges in the US. Most had rented a pistol or 2, but then I invite them over to play with my managorie of cordless hole punchers and give them impromptu classes on any they want to shoot. It's both sad and happy to watch their faces as they're having fun, then them realising that they can't do it at home. I have a soft spot for you guys, probably from working with the 1st RAR back in the day in Somollia... They were "good in a scrum" and they certainly weren't there to f*ck spiders. 😘

[@aldunlop4622]

@@bluefalconssuck5881 I grew up in Sydney and I had a few guns - a semi-auto .22 Magnum rifle, a .223 bolt action and a pump action 12 gauge. Used to buy bullets at K-Mart on the way to this rural area where I used kangaroos, foxes and rabbits for farmers. The .223 is still legal, they only banned semi-autos and pump. It's a lot harder to get a gun license though, you need to have a rural address or be sponsored by a farm owner. There are still many guns in Australia, most city dwellers wouldn't know though. If you went to a farm out in the bush, say Bathurst or Orange or Wellington, Dubbo etc. you'd find most people on farms still have guns.

[@rynoman3688]

Oh yes, because Germany is well known for electing good leaders..

[@HealthyPlanet]

I am an american who lived in germany for two years. Most people of germany are ashamed to have a past leader like dictator Hitler. They learned a lesson, and are understandably alarmed at the similarities of dictatorship that Trump openly displays.

[@PassifloraCerulea]

@@HealthyPlanet I wasn't even thinking of him...

[@udonnaucheji4032]

@@PassifloraCerulea yeah German president are mostly incompetent

[@alextian9185]

I voted for Trump because my kids wanted me to vote for Harris and I just wanted to troll them.

[@jikan-o6x]

thats the stupidest shit ive ever heard

[@Sarcasmarkus]

😂😂

[@ejaypozo84]

You also need to include the fact that much of the American memory of America was after WW 2 and the economic gains that this country experienced. Yeah during this period people could buy a home and had a great quality of life.

[@TheSkeletonjelly]

5:17 It doesn't beg the question, it raises the question. "Begs the question" means to assume the answer.

[@fragwagon]

Thank you. This is a huge pet peeve of mine!

[@ShadowAkatora]

I mean you can either vote for the people who don't know what a woman is, or the guy who is clearly not part of the establishment.

[@xtron1234]

The arrogance of this European trying to explain my own country to me, trying to tell me why I should vote against my own interests. Every day I see Europeans insulting us for our failing systems and lack of standards compared to your continent. And then when we vote for a man who, despite his flaws, promises to rectify some of these issues, you tell us we are voting against our interests. It's baffling, honestly. People live here, in America, it may shock you to find out. And we read and hear what you say about us. And it is definitely contributing towards the reasons why people in America are voting the way we do. Would you like us to leave NATO as well? So we don't bother you with our peasant simplicities, your highness? Of course you wouldn't want that. We've only been defending your continent from the godforsaken communists and now again the Russians for the better part of a century now, who would've happily rolled over all of you and crushed what you hold dear with an iron fist if it wasn't for what we do for you. Have some gratitude, at the very least, for the billions we spend on your defense. You're welcome. Please do not attempt to "explain" America again. You're really bad at it. Thank you.

[@ifoundthewords]

I lived in Europe, specifically Germany for several years. I studied at one of their universities and then worked there for a couple years. It’s funny, going in I thought I would have to try so hard to keep up with their educational standards. I thought there would be so much more high quality food. I thought everybody would be health conscious. What I found is that students at their universities barely pass their exams. I breezed through their calculus courses in particular, whereas the majority of my peers had to retake exams twice, three times before passing. The sheer amount of variety of organic and natural foods in America cannot be found in Germany, Sweden, Hungary or the UK (the countries I lived in after Germany). People there consume sugar just as much as in the US. I was actually on a no sugar diet so it struck me even more how hooked everybody was. You cannot escape the smokers, EVERYWHERE. Even in indoor clubs, the air is totally consumed by smoke. No exaggeration, nearly every German my age (early - late twenties) was a smoker. Of cigarettes. On top of all this, people were so arrogant towards me. I went in rather unaware of the European superiority complex, so I was very open and eager to connect with everybody. I received a nonstop deluge of sarcastic comments, questions about why my country was so fucked up, why can’t we fix our racism problem? What’s funny is if you’ve ever spent a lot of time around Europeans, you’ll realize they have absolutely no clue what racism is - I’ve had well-educated peers casually say things like they’d never hire a gypsy, or if a little white boy and a little black boy were both drowning, they’d save the little white boy first (why even think of something like that)? These are things that would get you beaten up for saying in the US. I was shocked. Clearly I also loved being in Europe, I am fluent in two of their languages, married one of them, and I still spend much of every year there. But it’s almost like this election coincided with a sudden “wake up” for me. I am absolutely sick and tired of this ridiculously unwarranted and unfounded arrogance from Europeans. Is it jealousy? Or just decades of hearing from their media how superior they are, and the good natured Americans not bothering to argue? I’ve just gotten so tired of it. America has bailed you out and rebuilt your continent. Has protected you against utter destruction. You guys aren’t more intelligent. Your countries by and large don’t have as much to offer as the US has. Your much touted education honestly is very lackluster. You’ve been coasting on the goodwill of Americans and America’s generous strength for decades. Wherefore the arrogance?

[@physicswithpark3r-x3x]

_promises to rectify some of these issues_ good luck with that!

[@JosephEustaquio-c9n]

It’s because we’re idiots. Too proud to admit when we’ve been duped. We double down and even triple down on our stupidity!

[@robertheinrich2994]

it's cute that all my comments got deleted. reasonably discussing? no chance. why is youtube such a dumpsterfire.

[@ChristiaanHW]

Because it's a US company that owns/operates it. And the US has a lot of rules about censoring stuff. Look at all the words that have to be "bleeped out" because the people can't handle to hear them.

[@robertheinrich2994]

​@@ChristiaanHW but I just said, that youtube is tri-xx-erhappy. and in another posting, I wrote that austria is also going towards a 3- party coalition.

[@ChristiaanHW]

@@robertheinrich2994 i don't really know what is grounds for deleting comments. Sometimes i'm not even able to write any country name. And other can use terms like g3nocid3 without problems. Really youtube's censoring makes having normal conversations in the comments almost impossible

[@robertheinrich2994]

@@ChristiaanHW yes, I am really inclined to not write anything. they say, X is bad?

[@ChristiaanHW]

@@robertheinrich2994 i'm not a fan of social media, so KZbin is the only one i'm on. But yes, what i hear is that X is like an echo chamber (just like Facebook) where you stay in you bubble and you get more and more radical in those beliefs. Same can happen here, but that's why i delete my history every few weeks.

[@GainingDespair]

Speak for yourself, I along with the majority of Americans voted exactly in our own interest.

[@JohnnyCBCS]

What I find extremely baffling is how so many people still fall for the anti-Trump propaganda like it’s still 2015…….

[@KiyoPapi]

exactly, they try to talk down on us because we voted based on logic instead of petty emotions and identity politics bs

[@I_Be_Major]

You idiots wish high tariffs were in your best interest but you will see in the coming years.

[@eugrizzi]

Thanks for proving the point the video makes.

[@GainingDespair]

@@eugrizzi ah yes the iron clad logic of "if you agree with me I'm correct" and "if you disagree with me I'm correct".

[@bomaniigloo]

Voting for someone who never won a single delegate that could not outline a single policy position, who was anti 2A, who has a track record of imprisoning minorities for minor drug violations en masse was my best interest? Whooaaa

[@michelleautore2945]

You sound like a damn fool. But, you'll find out- if you don't earn upwards of 360k per yr. FAFO.

[@bomaniigloo]

@michelleautore2945 cope harder. You lost. :)

[@michelleautore2945]

@@bomaniigloo You're funny and stupid! I can't wait for Trump to be sworn in!

[@udomann9271]

Dear Ashton, again a wonderful research on the situation inside USA. The "problem" is, that Americans do not like to pay in a financial system, what is called "social", they do not like to pay for the cure of sicknesses of other people ("Why should I pay for the bad habits of other people?").

[@estebanlara3702]

Why should my taxes go to billionaires who offer poor paying jobs?

[@johnbaxter5358]

Weird topic to invoke when Americans just voted for their own self-interests more so than any other time in decades.

[@HealthyPlanet]

I encourage everyone to please be aware of your brain’s ability at incompletely thinking about and then feeling entitled to publicly proclaim misleading and vague over-generalizations.

[@jdk050507]

Oh no, you mean inflows of 10m illegal immigrants a year isn't in our own best interest? Who'da thunk it? The left is like the opposite of sky net, by 2050 they will be 100% completely un-selfaware.

[@apple1231230]

yea im confused at the title, i think they meant to say "why did americans vote for their own self interest" must be a typo

[@luckyday8522]

Higher prices and less access to government-funded programs that are in place to help those struggling the most. That’s what y’all voted for.

[@jdk050507]

​@luckyday8522 less access to government programs? That's disappointing. I was voting for no access to government programs.

[@bobsacamano7653]

Policies are vastly different between Republicans and Democrats.

[@VincentPope-hy3qb]

Republicans have no policies. This is why we are here. They have Mtg. L Boebert, and the like.😮. America has become brain 🧠 dead.

[@spencera1129]

Oh yea? Which ones lol

[@Warbum492]

@@spencera1129 lol dummy

[@ridemywheelie]

​@@spencera1129childhood sex change surgeries and hormones for one.

[@Lumi_Lumi13]

@@spencera1129 I don't see the democrats trying to strip away bodily autonomy from everyone with a uterus. Repubicvnts did that. Democrats aren't trying to strip away rights, protections, freedoms & liberties from the LGBTQ+ community. But republicvnts have & are. I don't hear democrats talking about abolishing the right to same sex, or interfaith, or mixed race marriages but republicvnts are. I don't hear democrats denying climate change but I DO hear republicvnts denying it. Need I go on?

[@unbreakable7633]

Voting for either party is voting against your own self-interest if you ask me. Both parties hate the Constitution, just depends on which parts.

[@keybraker]

You have missed the point about USAns. The system is what makes them vote this way. Unfortunately it is just a bad implementation of democracy. Even on the surface if you think about it, it is a winner takes all vote, so 50% of people in the current election will not get their voice heard.

[@mickhofman]

You are completely clueless, and this as Gemany implodes economically which is the hillarious part..

[@VersDarkmoor]

The view you're presenting comes from the assumption, that the big government and social programs are good, which is simply not true in a lot of cases. Having a level of mistrust towards your government and how their power gets executed is a very healthy thing. I would argue the european nations have given too much control to their governing body and in particular to the EU commission, that is continuously trying to consolidate even more of the power. American's view on this is easily represented by B.Franklin's words: "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety"

[@DaemonC]

What an incredibly condescending title, regardless of which party you voted for.

[@MegInWhispers]

How so? It's true.

[@Sarcasmarkus]

Yes

[@Worldaffairslover]

The truth hurts, huh

[@richardhosea8650]

The forest was shrinking but the trees kept voting for the axe, for the axe was clever and convinced the trees that because his handle was made of wood he was one of them…

[@javiersaugar376]

And who decides what our self-interests are as Americans? You? This kind of attitude is exactly why the country would vote for the living embodiment of the Middle Finger. 😂

[@bp4187]

A revenge vote. Part of the never-ending song of the whining white class in the USA

[@enriquegonzales8186]

"Living embodiment of the middle finger" Lmfao wow that is such a great way of summing up Trump to the world lol because he really is.

[@benreaction96]

Sooo someone is about to explain how everyone feel and what their interest it is as if they know them well. Something democrats have been doin bit to well just to lose.

[@tylermcfadden2000]

A better title for this video: “The majority of Americans just voted contrary to my worldview and instead of me reflecting on why they voted that way I’ll just make a condescending video as opposed to wrestling with the uncomfortable possibility my ideology is broken.”

[@lukeannett]

Nailed it.

[@Sarcasmarkus]

Exactly!

[@edisanapinab2974]

the title is actually "how idiotic Americans are"

[@RicardoDirani]

Europeans also vote “against their own self interest” in the view of the leftist. It’s only that they represent a smaller percentage of the population than in America.

[@Why-D]

When I was in the army in a mission abroad, I occasionally talked in the evening with another soldier from my federal state, who usually voted for the other big party in Germany. And even, when we both had different parties we usually voted for, we agreed on most things, that were important for Germany and even on most decisions, by the one or other party in the federal or state government, if they were good or bad. And even, when we disagrred on some topic, that was no issue and we were still good comrades.

[@d.f.9064]

Now imagine if one of you didn't believe in reality, listened to low IQ scammers who perfected propaganda aimed at emotions instead of intellect, and were voting to end what Germany stood for.

[@patrickderp1044]

trying to ban AFD is not camraderie

[@eksbocks9438]

That's the difference. There's not a lot of judgement or bullying. For having a different opinion on something.

[@justTyping]

Because we have some more parties they also have some points multiple parties agree on. In the USA they separate each other more and more, which makes it much harder to have a calm discussion. Two party system is an issue.

[@xziaah6j63kx9]

such a calm logical people. no wonder you dont have extermists at all. oh wait. you have AFD. ultra MAGA-like neonazi party.

[@axer3515]

Can someone explain to me how this woman has anyone following her? The way she described the two parties is so far off that it can't be reconciled with fact. Low uncome people who vote republican are the working class and are separate from people on welfare who overwhelmingly vote demcrate. The working class people vote republican because they believe that they will keep income tax low and control social programs like welfare. They go to work everyday and see their neighbors on welfare staying home and living the same lifestyle that they have. They resent free rent lke section 8, free food with snap cards, and free medical care by state and federal progeams for people who sit at home enjoying cable TV with all their free time. They tend to believe in time limits on welfare and many believe that some families will be generational receiving welfare. Those are the lower economic members of the republican party. The aforementioned welfare recipients are the low tier of the democrat party. So her statement about the people voting against their own interests is built on a false premise. Furthermore the workingpoor are often young and their income will increase as the progress in their careers. They will get promoted or learn skills that raises their income to a more middle class level. The truth about the working class is it s often a transitional stage,and in the past those workers would often join the middle class. This has become harder due to wage stagnation and housing cost, but it still happens.

[@AngelVasquez-nw8zf]

Have you ever met those democrats in real life? The only people I know receiving SNAP benefits are a Trump supporting couple who voted for him because he said "God" a couple of times in his speeches.

[@hechizzerox]

You sir, are totally right.

[@AfriqueNY]

That's a bunch of BS. Poor people on welfare DO NOT VOTE. The most reliable group of voters are middle class old people. Poor people don't vote. The working class votes on social issues and economics. That's how you get Bush and Iraq war. Expecting a plumber to understand complex foreign affairs is laughable

[@AfriqueNY]

Go check the stats. You are dead wrong. If welfare recipients ever voted all Democrat Republicans would never win another election again. And that's in red states like Alabama and Mississippi

[@HealthyPlanet]

Please refrain from posting not-well researched and misleading information as though it is factual. This is an opinion and it helps us only by making it possible to understand better the mistakes in thinking people made and that led them to vote for Donald. People of all political stripes have received and receive government assistance, including tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires, including Don. This is factual. Currently, the aging Boomer generation of all political stripes is receiving a large portion of government assistance. This is factual, understandable and is merciful. I do not know of anyone healthy and able who is on welfare just so they can be doing whatever anyone envies they could be doing too. If they are sitting around, it could be that they have an illness. I have a masters degree in public administration, and worked in several different government agencies. And I am well aware of how strictly screened people are before receiving food stamps. I went through the process myself years ago. If anyone here has not been financially assisted by the government in someway, please let everyone here know.

[@goferlp7011]

In my personal subjective opinion, the US corporate propaganda is highly effective on the people, slowly spiraling into a capitalist dystopia. Like i said my personal opinion.

[@Coffeepanda294]

I'm still fuming at the media covering Biden's health 24/7, but nearly totally ignoring Project 2025 and the SCOTUS ruling to essentially make the President immune from prosecution. Both should've gotten exactly the same kind of intense coverage. This feels like a conspiracy theory, but it's like the media wanted it to be a close race because Dump is good for ratings. And still the trumpkins whine and cry on autopilot about a 'biased leftist media' like the sect members that they are.

[@Sarcasmarkus]

Yeppers!

[@realvuldin]

This analysis seems to focus on Americans being overwhelmingly partisan. But this masks the reality of a (broken, massively flawed) two-party system: many people are just voting for the "lesser of two evils". And one or the other is seen so unbelievably bad that you ignore anything negative about the other side for as long as it takes to cast your ballot. Is it partisan to not truly be for either of the two parties, but be staunchly against one of them? If so, then yes I'm 100% partisan. But I don't think this definition fits what is being described in this video (and what many assume it means).

[@LexGoyle]

Not to mention our Democrat party has swung so far left it cannot honestly be called Liberal anymore.

[@WillemPK]

I’m European but I’m not convinced about Trump being bad for the interest of Americans. Let’s be honest, Trump is a clown but the democrats are a whole circus lately…… I would have voted Trump if I was a American. Not because I’m a Trump fan but just because the democrats lost it.

[@aldunlop4622]

I'm Australian and very Centrist. I support both Left and Right leaning policies but overall, I tend to be Conservative because most of the Left leaning policies already exist in Australia. Union workers have high wages, healthcare is covered by taxes somewhat. I mean you can see a GP or go to a public hospital and not pay a cent, but if you need a specialist, it's only subsidised. For example, I had spinal surgery that cost $A10K (`$7KUS). But I usually vote Conservative because I believe in a strong border and defence force, free market, low taxes and minimal government. What Australia desperately needs is a DOGE-style intervention because we have SOOOOOO many rules and regulations in Australia, and the cost of living is bad.

[@HealthyPlanet]

Go deeper into understanding that your brain commented here because it perceived a threat, and then it chose to try and minimize feeling the fear of death by choosing trump. Your brain perceived him as a safer choice for its physical survival, even though this choice is not realistically the better choice. Remember. Trump is more like an aggressive, impulsive, chaotic and physically destructive WWE wrestler. He appears like a Strong & Invincible Man. He is not. He is also not a level-headed, wisely cautious, mentally stable, experienced statesman, which is what humans need more of. This mature leadership behavior represented in the US government reduces human death anxiety worldwide.

[@iVo42928f]

The situation in the US that you paint sounds like the reverse of what happened in the Netherlands after WW2, the phenomenon of 'pillarization' (verzuiling in Dutch). The Catholics, Protestants, Socialists, and Liberals mostly had their own schools, shops, (sports) associations etc and barely saw people from other 'pillars'. This made people vote consistently for the same party, and young voters often voted in line with their upbringing. Nowadays the separation of these groups is far less and I'd say pillarization is mostly no more. The Biblebelt and a part of the Turkish/Muslim community are probably the most pillarized and inward parts of our society now, and their characteristic parties hold 3 seats out of 150 each.

[@estherbosbach377]

Liberals won.

[@zacharythomas8617]

Europe has a lot of opinions on America.

[@frmcf]

Yes, and especially on the US. It is so present in Europe due to its massive cultural output, and military and economic influence, that many Europeans feel a connection to it and even a stake in it.

[@lakrids-pibe]

It's not bad to have an international perspective. USA is the world's richest country, dominating the world economically, culturally, militarily... it has a huge political influence on Europe. The same culture war nonsense is happening here in Europe. We SHOULD pay attention.

[@larsg.2492]

Because it's a car crash you can't look away from. Leads to a lot of water cooler moments and facepalming... Like the others said, the US is big enough to disrupt world trade on it's own. And a lot of far right groups in other countries are too eager to adopt the same culture war ralking points that make US citizens such an easy mark for grifters. And don't forget, there is the fear Trump could flip to Putin's side at any moment, like he did in the past, forcing the middle and western European countries into a war for survival.

[@fabiusque4266]

Thats true, but mostly due to the fact that the US is so huge and tries to influence the rest of the world as much as they can. What happens there WILL affect the rest of the world and especially the EU, so of cause they will be interested in what happens in the US. If the US would not try to force its opinions onto everyone elese, no on would care about a country that is a third wolrd country in quite a few areas but refuses to acknowledge that there might be other countries that are better at something.

[@longiusaescius2537]

@lakrids-pibe have you tried remigration?

[@thebigt3706]

It's simple. They vote against these safety nets because they arent being offered these safety nets by the other side

[@magicdolphin3090]

unfortunately, none of this is simple.

[@dexterwestin3747]

Great, another European giving their take on Americans. Ad nauseum.

[@TypeAshton]

Passport card carrying American citizen. 😁

[@trolslovenski]

Did we hurt your exceptionalistic feelings? 😂😂😂 Another stupid meriburger take🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

[@Tar.o]

@@trolslovenski Look, yet another eurocuck opinion, lmao.

[@dexterwestin3747]

@@trolslovenski My Exceptionalistic feelings? Are you serious? Meriburger? What is this nonsense? How pathetic does your life have to be to let some other country live rent free in your head?

[@dexterwestin3747]

@@trolslovenski Don't know why my reply comment was deleted but this is obviously some trolling because nobody sounds this dumb irl. Exceptionalistic feelings? Meriburger? Lol - is this for real?

[@howlingdin9332]

Trump's first term had no new wars, a record-low unemployment and fuel prices, tax cuts, reductions in drug smuggling, child trafficking and the illegal immigration which these things were concealed under. The economy was good before the pandemic. The timing and premise of this video are strange because Americans have voted for their own self-interest.

[@jikan-o6x]

tax cuts for the wealthy lol not working class people

[@SeanWaters1120]

Who gets to decide what is my self interest?

[@Llortnerof]

You. We're just evaluating how your voting doesn't match what you say is important to you.

[@SeanWaters1120]

@@Llortnerof Do you know what’s important for me?

[@Jimraynor45]

This is the key question to ask before all this nonsense. Who decides? Should government decide for us or should we decide for ourselves how our lives will be governed? The left isn't interested in asking this question, because they are like animals. They are like a mouse who only wants to get to the end of the maze and get their cheese. They don't care how they get through the maze, what moral or principles they may have to violate, as long as they get their piece. For them, the means justify the end. And if it means you desires get lost in the mess, it's the last thing on their mind. However, good reasonable people of the world must summon the strength, wisdom and courage to resist the allure of easy or quick solutions, for there are none. Men and women are not like keys on a piano or gears in a machine to be pulled or spun. We are individuals with our own goals and desires and we should do all we can uphold basic individual rights and freedom. We are *not* rats in a maze.

[@Sora8740]

@@SeanWaters1120 Well, what *is* important to you?

[@darienford860]

Yea this is how the "I know whats best for you" mentality comes from. And it pisses off a lot of Americans. We are sick of celebrities, politicians, and influencers insulting us because we dont immediately vote their way

[@the_CineCita]

i think y'all missed something with american voters. um, i'd happily vote for another viable party....but we only have 2 real choices, so why would i vote for another side that has nothing to offer me. it's not that i'm partisan, i don't have much of a choice.

[@Sarcasmarkus]

👍yep, Then the lady in this video is trying to say the the independents are just lying to themselves and really just partisans as if millions of people didn't not show up to vote as a middle finger to both sides, lol.

[@jerrymiller9039]

They are voting for their interests not against them.

[@tiffany.Elizabeth.]

Exactly

[@moiraesfate1]

No, they aren't. Americans are caught in their bubbles. And when it pops, it's going to hurt.

[@HealthyPlanet]

I hear you. Yet, voting for Donald is still not going to prevent death from happening, no matter what human brains invent.

[@dingleberrysnigglefritz]

Define my own self interest?

[@reidnoseworthy-eb4cr]

Health care decreased social security

[@Tar.o]

@@reidnoseworthy-eb4cr brown people ?

[@Mike-f7d8k]

In short, Americans don't vote for their own self-interest. Instead, they vote on their principles.

[@wesleygordon1645]

Those principles can be quite perverse!

[@Mike-f7d8k]

@@wesleygordon1645 Sure, depending on what you mean by perverse and on what your referencing.

[@Unreality-q9z]

​@wesleygordon1645 What is the definition of woman?

[@ozballa]

Or lack thereof.

[@yoyoma17]

@@wesleygordon1645 Free speech, sensible immigration policy, low crime, fair trade deals, agasint racism... yeah sooo perverse.

[@kangarooninja2594]

One thing I often see that Europeans don't understand is that the US is made of 50 states who each have their own interests and don't want their policies being dictated by other states or a federal government that have conflicting interests. Does France want their energy policy dictated by other European countries? Does Italy want their immigration policy dictated by others? The real divide is between those who want more centralized authority and those who want to live according to their own local values.

[@jgw1846]

Because the majority of Americans still love god, guns and their country. We’re not socialist stooges who need big daddy government to help them.

[@martinhughes2637]

Fundamentally it all boils down to this: no, we do not vote against our self interests. The question just reveals how arrogant that questioner is, in assuming they know what other people’s self interest is or should be.

[@theaccountant5846]

Well, the median income according to the first Google search I did appears to be $37,585 , and by that statistic, the majority would not benefit from trumps tax reforms or removal of the ACA. That's not even mentioning the effects of tariffs (definitely negative) and mass deportations (likely negative).

[@BigDLord5657]

@@theaccountant5846all left wing talking points you guys yelled this hard b4 the election, lost in a landslide and the best u have is you don’t know what u voted 4 after years long heated debates 😂 im enjoying this arrogant sore looser version of the left it just guarantees more GOP victories America will never be a communist country, cry 😂

[@theaccountant5846]

@BigDLord5657 Can you refute any of my talking points though? If that's the median income, then most people will likely be negatively affected by his tax policies as they were last time. Personally, I've been converted. I no longer care about safety nets for poor people. If the poor want to vote for less money, let them have it. If they want me to have a tax break while increasing their taxes, go for it. I'm with you. I'm fine, my house is increasing in value, I'm not having kids, and my stock portfolio is doing fine. Why on gods green earth would I want communism? I own property FFS. Do you even know what communism is? You think you're hurting me, but you're actually helping and I'm done fighting against it.

[@BigDLord5657]

@@theaccountant5846 this is a battle of ideals, you believe the way to help the working class is through social programs (socialism, “tax the rich”), others believe the best way is the provide lots of opportunities and cut red tape (regulations) trump has already been president and his policies did not negatively affect anyone (this point was argued heavily b4 the election), he gave the biggest tax cuts in American history (all classes), lowest poverty rate, low inflation, no new wars and great economy the naïveté of the left is that they avoided this fact and it is why trump won people had the chance to analyze two administrations and choose which one they prefer, its really that simple, this was a results election, the result of the trump administration vs biden-harris and it wasn’t even close. trump flipped 49 of 50 states redder kamala didn’t flip one single county and trump won the popular vote 4 the first time they rejected the current administration i didn’t refute u because you’re argument wasn’t grounded in logic or precedent the only precedent we have of a trump economy is resounding success the rest is democrat fear mongering which ironically to me is the brainwashing that the video is trying to insinuate happened to republicans, but can’t see it in herself cause she’s programmed

[@amen4ramen]

a lot of us wanted less taxes and no more wars. we need peace.. it's peace and prosperity.

[@kylehansbrockmann848]

Almost nothing you said aligns with the data - a great many people did seem to switch parties this time around. And you didn't address the core claim of the title - that they voted "against their own self-interest." As best I can tell, your thesis is that a social democracy is the ultimate and most civilized form of government. Perhaps you should interrogate your own biases first.

[@ibubezi7685]

Yeah, as if uber-socialist European Union is doing so well.... Relying on NATO for defense - 98% funded by the US (since WWII !!!) and then shitting on the US for spending "too much on defense" - which is true - which is why Trump should cut NATO - have Brussels sort it out themselves. So far they haven't even been able to stop unarmed invaders in rubber boats...

[@tmarbut]

I hope Germans don't come away thinking that these relatively esoteric ideas about economic interests, welfare, socialism, etc. were the deciding factor in our 2024 election. They're definitely interesting ideas, but the election this year was decided *in spite of* Democrats' own attempts to rebrand themselves away from the public perception of their party, and further toward the center. The deciding factor was this: the far extremes of each party have different characteristics. On the right, the extreme people are small in number, are largely silenced from media (even social media, and reasonably so), and control or exert control on no major institutions like higher ed, media, government agencies, and private companies. The extreme people on the left are comparatively numerous, are amplified on social media through cancel culture and algorithmic boosting, and largely control (or exert massive control over) higher ed, media, government institutions, and even private companies. As a result, median voters see far more far-left vitriol than far-right vitriol day-to-day. This video argues that people rarely switch parties, which might be true, but they definitely switch their intention of whether or not to vote altogether, if not their party affiliation. And in this election, despite Democrats' best efforts, the rabid fringe of their party wrote their identity for them, and they were the party of "defund the police", boys in girls' sports and girls' locker rooms, everything is racist, border security is racist, DEI is the only societal value, and "from to the river to the sea"/"globalize the intifada". Yikes. And "yikes" said a couple million median voters, who weren't presented with the counterpoint of the far right because it just isn't in their face every day. Some exit polling at this point suggests that these social issues and a reaction to the far left were indeed the most impactful social currents in this election. Indeed, the Trump campaign spent nearly 1/3 of its total ad budget in many swing states on an ad that said, "Trump's for you. Kamala is for they/them." after Harris refused to walk back her public position from 2019 that tax dollars should be used to fund gender reassignment surgery for illegal immigrants (a position she no doubt held, or expressed, in fear of the cancel culture cudgel held by the far left). And you can be sure that when a campaign spends dozens or even hundreds of millions of dollars on a single ad, exhaustive focus group studies have determined that it's effective. TL;DR - the vociferous far left and their rabid social policy ambitions (and the public reaction to them) decided this election, not peoples' lofty ideals about economics, or even actual policy positions of candidates.

[@insidethedoors6998]

Self interest lol aka not wanting to be a second class citizen in their own country…Americans voted right

[@JohnnyCBCS]

What I find extremely baffling is how so many people still buy into the anti-Trump propaganda like it’s still 2015……

[@StateofBeingness]

Ashton purports to understand American politics, yet she is among the most biased and most indoctrinated of the DW journalists.

[@davida.vudragovich923]

i think more us citizens are leaning towards voting for who is going to screw the country up the least

[@matt-xo2vr]

more like voting against europe's self-interest

[@WHATISUTUBE]

You've said a lot in so little. A lot of Western Europeans don't understand working class Americans so their mindset is either 'they're all stupid'' or 'I know what's good for them'. Very typical 1%'er logic. I know what's good for you.

[@johnyancey9082]

Im glad we have examples like Germany and other western/central European countries experiencing rapid societal decline to provide guidance on what to avoid moving forward.

[@emmanuelobodozie713]

"I am much smarter than you, you are stupid and should listen to me because i am smarter and better than you and know what you need more than you yourself" -you 2024

[@CKski-23]

😂 yeah it's difficult to hear anything else when that sentiment is literally stated in the title. It's sad that she had to lead with that type of belittling statement.

[@toochaotic7752]

@@CKski-23 You realise, don't you, that she is referring to a question that is asked by many people OUTSIDE OF THE U.S. ? Look under the heading. She says: "Kicking off a series called "Americans, explained" I answer the single most commented question by Europeans on my videos: why do Americans vote against their own self interest? " This video is not aimed at telling Americans about themselves. But I am not surprised at the responses of the Americans here. Anyone telling you that you are not the best country in the world ever, is immediately discredited.

[@thejanssen6030]

@@toochaotic7752 And telling non-Americans what Americans' self-interests are is better? It's not. It's worse. Esp when she has decided American self-interests are German social services because capitalism is wrong

[@charleskroeger5735]

@@thejanssen6030 Ashton is trying to help you to think by showing a comparison of her experience as an American and a German. I don't think she has a particular bias or agenda like most of the wingers here. You're not listening. You don't really have any facts like she is presenting you only understand some notion of your own interest but probably could not articulate anything meaningful. (I'm listening if you care to try) You also appear to have this existential dread of inferiority and you should, because you are crippled by propaganda and old tired nationalistic slogans that are dusted off every 60 years or so to be sprung on a new generation. This tedious methodology also works on the older uneducated ones too. You them and they should be listening too because if humans are not 'very' careful in the next few years then this planet may not be able to support more than a third of its present population, and Sapiens can join in the 6th extinction they created. You them and they won't be going to Mars with Elon Musk and Peter Thiel. Wake up and be afraid of this destructive force you've elected. Division and economic chaos is what you elected. This will endanger everyone and the future of the USA as an important player in the fight against global warming. Tariffs for instance are blunt instruments used by poor undeveloped countries to prevent themselves from being economically steam rolled. They are an admission that the US can no longer compete with its own contracted trading partners. I think for instance the Mexicans and Canadians can do the USA more economic damage than we can bring to them. I just have that feeling. Tariffs are tools of stagnation and higher prices for the local consumer unless you want to purchase a used pickup that gets 12 miles to the gallon. The chickens are circling and blotting out the day. (with a nod to Kay Ryan who wrote that great poem, "Home to Roost" )

[@thejanssen6030]

@charleskroeger5735 wow. You're about as delusional and egotistical as they come. "Existential dread"? Good times. You typed all of those words, but you couldn't manage one comment to address mine. Let me know if you want to try again.

[@JML6988]

In theory, lower income would benefit from Dem policies while the wealthy benefit from the GOP. However, has theory translated to reality when the government is controlled by one party? If not, other factors like partisan bickering intra-party may factor into the success or failure of policy implementation. Also, each party accepts huge amounts of corporate donations and it's the height of gullibility to believe that there are no strings attached to these legalized bribes (er, donations).

[@dlewis9760]

Not even close which party cleaned up in corporate donations. You think it's the GOP. How cute.

[@Funky-Joe]

​@@dlewis9760 your gullible.

[@snekysnek8068]

@@Funky-Joe No, that info is readily available. It wasn't close.

[@Funky-Joe]

@snekysnek8068 then explain too me how Obama wasn't the one who created "trumps great economy"

[@Athair48]

​@@dlewis9760 there's no way you believe the party that funds all the mainstream media that's owned by massive corporations actually cares about the poor. Would the party that supports the poor really get the most funding in the 2024 election? I would have thought the corporate overlords would would have overwhelmingly funded the candidate that benefits them. Wait they did. They funded Kamala.

[@SamMcKinley]

Thank You for this video. I don’t understand people. You have immigrants that just got hear and barely speak English saying that there are too many immigrants and they need to leave. I’ve had people personally tell me this. Makes no sense

[@AdrianFahrenheitTepes]

If you’re an immigrant. Don’t murder, don’t r$pe kids, don’t go robbing people’s businesses, don’t get involved in the black market. That’s what gets you arrested, jailed, and deported.

[@texasforever7887]

I want a job and to be able to spend my earnings how I choose. Not a handout.

[@michaelpearl-r8w]

But if , through circumstances beyond your control, you can't get a job, would you accept that you might starve. Why not pay slightly more in tax to protect you and your family from destitution?.

[@kevak1236]

Why not pay a bit more in tax, have no health insurance and be able to see a doctor or get an operation for free? When you factor in co-pays, deductibles & the actual insurance it's probably not much different in cost and everyone in the country is covered. Saw a meme om social media, Universal Healthcare is so hard to figure out that every single country in the developed world has universal healthcare, except for USA. Even Russia has universal healthcare...........

[@texasforever7887]

@@michaelpearl-r8w because freedom from the tyranny that is government and the theft that is tax.

[@texasforever7887]

@@kevak1236 the question is how do we pay for it. Personally I vote that we need to stop subsidizing the European social welfare system with our military protection and use that savings on ourselves. That's mainly how they have been able to afford it.

[@AfriqueNY]

So does everyone else? I don't understand this statement

[@qmaniac3539]

German here who is just sitting in a hotel room in California jet lagged at 4am. Last time I visited the US was 2017 and before that on various business trips many times. Now, after 7 years of abstinence I am here again and I have to admit that I was shoked when I arrived yesterday at the airport and was driving to the hotel. Everything is so torn down - all the highways and interstates are covered in trash, the concrete on the streets is broken and so bad, we would have a million construction sites in Germany, the tap water is smelling heavily chlorined and so on. Additionally everything got so much more expensive that for a low-income family it must be really tough. And although I know of the "American Exceptionalism" as explained in the video, I simply don't understand how such living conditions are not challenged by more Americans. And I am talking about southern California, one of the wealthiest parts of the US. For the first time, I kind of understand why people voted for someone who gives the simple answers and tells everyone that things will get better the easy way. Although I doubt that American democracy is strong enough to withstand him a second term and in a completely unhinged state of mind. I truely hope that I am wrong, but I am afraid that this will not get any better.

[@freekvarossieau9666]

You saw 16 years of Democratic rule in SoCal. The last 4 years just accelerated the decline.

[@LexGoyle]

That's Democrat rule in California. It was better under Republican leadership. I don't regret leaving.

[@conman1374]

There's a saying that I like that sums this up very well: It may be hard to argue with a smart individual, but it is damn near IMPOSSIBLE to argue with an idiot.

[@mousegw2415]

"The people voted wrong, they just don't know it" yikes. Next cope video please 😂

[@panthekirb7561]

Germany sucks Greetings from Poland

[@kpg1973]

Self interest means importing 60 trillion pajeeeets

[@1OO_k]

@@kpg1973 INDIA NUMBA ONE SAAR! ✊🏿👳🏾‍♀️✨💩

[@leroirobinson-grant5885]

Yes, this is only for Europeans. I don't know many if any of those who are considered minorities in America that would agree with even half of the studies or opinions.

[@indricotherium4802]

How can you be sure the coverage German media gives to American issues is out of natural, "organic" curiosity rather than inserted and cultivated over time by American interests? The Americans have the wherewithal and the cash to market themselves and their interests very effectively all over the globe. Creating the impression that the American way is to be aspired to and normalised is an investment that keeps profits and dividends flowing back in their direction.

[@yamerojones]

Yea EU media, especially state media are just second hand vassal subordinate media.

[@РамзанКадыров1]

Exactly. The German media is full of sh*t just like any other.

[@zwegertpeter8770]

Like an obscure social media marketing mechanism that is auctioning off our screentime based on interest buckets. The socials are the anarcho capitalist gate to the underworld. I like how quickly people disparage the work of real journalist, who learned that stuff over years and are obsessed about getting it right. Countries act out of self interest. Sanctioned Institutions in those countries usually help the broad interest of the countries. Even if they are not under direct control. This is not scary! It is by design. Democracies tend to destroy themselves if people are stupid. There is an inherent need to inform people. Eroding the existence of facts, makes debates and political discourse impossible. You do realize that Germany is not a harmless player on the international scene. It is an act and we used it to our benefit

[@1.percent_everyday]

the youtuber lady is untrustable because 100% she saw whatever far left news in germany and is spewing their propoganda delusionally believing she understood anything.

[@michaelburggraf2822]

There's probably a quite healthy balance regarding that concern. After all, even within Europe and the EU, we tend to suspect that others are trying to take disproportionate advantage of us quite often.

[@chrisburnett9905]

You assume in this video that living in a society that works to benefit the group at the cost of personal freedom to fail or succeed is somehow better. I don't own a gun, but I want to have the ability to have one. I want the freedom to decide whether to wear my seat belt when driving, and not fear a fine from government if I don't. Above all, I take pride in the fact I have lived my adult life providing for my family and not taking government benefits, getting a paycheck and paying my taxes. I don't assume government bureaucracies are going to promote my personal freedom or make life better for me or others. I don't see why any of this is hard to understand.

[@claudeyaz]

Good comment

[@claudeyaz]

Like im disabled..can barely take care of myself..but i also see how the path we were going on..was damaging our personal rights. We. Have more rights than are in the bill of rights...people dont realize that. Voting trump may have hurt my personal interests...but is beneficial for the American experiment. Usa creates innovations and advancements cause of that atmosphere of freedom... Eu creates philosophers... Different values in life . Like the idea of gun buybacks or registers? We think EU people are CRAZY FOR that

[@HealthyPlanet]

Then if anyone values being honorably heroic and in control of themselves, why chose for a U.S. president someone who has bankruptcies, felonies, repeatedly lies, and behaves like a destructive WWE wrestler?

[@mudchair16]

Imagine listening to a post-1960 German about anything... Some of the most morally debased people on the planet.

[@Bill-im6nt]

Because they think "It's only going to happen to "Them", not "Us".

[@dennyawright21]

This entire video hinges on a Cambridge (don’t get me started 😂)study which we get very limited details about. This is 2024. We know more than half of “studies” are BS or cannot be replicated. What levels of income were surveyed? What age ranges and ethnicities? What is the actual breakdown of tax differences before and after the tax cuts. Taxes aren’t the only indicator for economic well being. Low inflation, plentiful jobs, increasing wages. Those things also factor into the “Are we better off question” just look at the last 4 years…😂 This is a waste of 19 minutes because of a bad assumption. Also, why do we think taxes are all good? Someone else spending someone else’s money is the least efficient way to spend money. Our yearly budget is over 6 trillion. Debt is over 32 trillion. If we don’t get responsible we WILL have near zero dollar value with hyper inflation because that’s the only way to shrink our budget. I see no economists were involved with this video.

[@tykemorris]

Now $36 trillion dollar debt, fueling inflation to a breaking point.

[@viinisaari]

You, sir, are a waste of good air that good people could breathe instead.

[@thomasparker7305]

If the right was drifting from the center, why are so many on the left joining the right? Could it be that the left is drifting so far left that the only way they can stay where they see them self is to go to the right. The left seems to have gone so far to the left they can no longer see the center. But but at least the right can still see what was the center?

[@morphos2]

5:22 Back to you! How do YOU confront your own biases?

[@stevendrumm4957]

Americans used to engage in ticket-splitting and cross-over voting to a much greater extent than they do now.

[@stevo728822]

Germany did well from cheap Russian oil and gas. That was far more influential than being a social democracy. Now the Russian supply has been turned off, Germany is reverting to its true form.

[@crueljimi]

The term “Highly educated” is a disingenuous misnomer and no we are not seemingly voting against our self interests that’s just a disingenuous out of touch “highly educated” take…your sheer ignorance and childlike naivety is only dwarfed by your misguided hubris…the vocal fry doesn’t help bolster your argument either…

[@Wartooth6]

highly educated = highly brainwashed

[@ryanzacsanders]

Why millions of Americans voted against their interest by voting for Harris..

[@JerseyJersey100]

In the south and Midwest of America you are born into voting right wing because that’s what your grandfather, father etc all voted for…so you too must pridefully vote that way because to them how you vote is your culture, not something you weigh out and decide. To them the South votes one way and only northerners or Union folks vote D. Yea the politicians still push the divisive civil war mentality. Seriously, down here in SC if you even attempt to discuss the issues they literally glitch out because they just fundamentally do not know how to critically think. If you push them you will get the most surface level talking points devoid of even the slightest nuance. And I am talking about educated, successful and disciplined folks I know at my gym at the beach in SC not uneducated country dopes.