A late answer to:
viewtopic.php?p=753161#p753161Are they actually racist, homophobic, transphobic, etc...? Or just accused of these things (I honestly don't know)? There is a difference, because there are plenty of examples of both things, meaning actually racist people, and people who aren't but are accused of racism anyway.
Regarding the FPÖ and AfD, there are legitimate concerns about racism, homophobia, and transphobia. Both parties have members who have made openly racist and xenophobic statements, and their platforms often include anti-immigrant policies that disproportionately target specific groups. There’s a difference between accusations and reality, and in this case, many of these concerns are backed by documented statements and actions. They may deny these labels, but their policies and rhetoric often tell a different story.
A good example is Björn Höcke (Leader of Alternative for Germany in Thuringia) whom can legally be described as a "fascist," and has twice been convicted of using banned Nazi slogans.
The shift IS a mistake if the people were told it would reduce prices and the politicians believed it too. If instead the politicians lied, voting for them is suspect.
I don't know anything about anyone doing that.
Also I think It should be common knowledge that green transition comes with a short-term cost increase and that it’s also a long-term investment.
People certainly say those things about nuclear, I think they are overblown, though. And if I'm right, overblowing those risks is extremely damaging, because it makes people think the only low/no-CO2 option is extremely expensive, and unreliable wind and solar. As an aside, canceling coal was **** stupid. There are ways to make zero-emission coal-fired plants, and they aren't that expensive. I know, because I currently support a company whose technology does exactly this, but with harder generators than stationary coal plants. Why the **** wouldn't Germany use and further develop this technology?!? is it pure politics? stupidity? Reminder: 6th largest coal reserves on the planet, which can be converted, cheaply, to electricity, with almost no CO2 emissions at all.
Afaik Germany shut down nuclear, but not coal (just reduced it).
This looks very good imho:
While this transition has led to an increased dependency on natural gas in the past, the recent reduction in gas usage indicates a further move towards sustainable energy sources. This transition may have short-term costs, but it aligns with Germany's long-term environmental goals.
Voting Right tends to make things more expensive for the average person? I just want to point out the contradiction in what you just said, but only to demonstrate why some other people might disagree with your viewpoint. You just excused away a doubling of electricity costs, caused by the left, despite a promise of reductions. That also makes things more expensive for the average person. When politicians fail to do what they promise, it's easy to understand why people might vote opposite of you -> there's no trust, and frankly there should be no trust.
When it comes to cost-of-living issues, I agree that price increases hurt average people. But here in Europe, conservative parties often push for policies that benefit corporations and the wealthy, which can further widen the gap for everyone else.
And regarding electricity costs, one example in Austria is that energy prices in Austria, like much of Europe, surged significantly after the COVID-19 pandemic and particularly following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. However, the Austrian states governed by Social Democrats have implemented the most notable measures to reduce costs for consumers.
In the US (note: this is not the majority of Trump voters, who are in fact idiots with less than 2 brain cells), there are people who are voting for Trump, because they believe the risk of Trump (personality mostly) is lower than the damage Democrats will definitely do with their economic policies. I hope that sub-group of Trump voters is wrong, because otherwise I've been duped by the left into voting for policies I don't particularly like.
People will often vote based on what they feel impacts them directly, and everyone’s experience is valid. However, from a European perspective, both Republicans and Democrats are generally viewed as right-leaning parties. In Europe, there’s a stronger emphasis on social welfare, environmental policies, and broader social safety nets. My perspective is that economic policy needs to be balanced with social policy, especially when it affects issues like equality and the environment, to address not just immediate economic needs but also long-term societal well-being.