We've seen such a dramatic escalation here in the US in the last few days. Twitter is banning Trump-supporting accounts, ABC news is now calling for "cleansing," Biden is comparing us to Hitler. It really feels like something bad is coming...
What's it like around the rest of the world? Conservatives and patriots in other countries, how have things changed for you in the last few days? Is just American conservatism and liberty being suppressed, or is it happening everywhere?
Aussie here...
Depends who you talk to. The media here is biased as hell and has always treated Trump either as an idiot who bumbled his way into office or some power mad dictator.
TBH, I've never met anyone yet who is Pro-Biden. Met plenty of Pro-Trump and Anti-Trump but no Pro-Biden or at least, Pro-Biden in the sense he isn't Trump.
I'm sure like everywhere else, the mass majority don't actually keep informed (scrolling headlines is enough) and roll with whatever is socially agreeable. Like how it was a "joke" to think Trump would win his first term. LOTS said this not because of their own belief but because everyone else was saying it and didn't want to be outcasts. If George Clooney can declare that "He'll never be President" that counted as enough research for many here.
I recall back in 2015 / 2016. Anyone who was a Trump supporter would only whisper it to you. It was a hushed thing.
Lots here don't like to think for themselves (although plenty do) because of "Tall Poppy Syndrome". If Trump delivers something that showed the corruption and became a hero, you watch how many people here who were Anti-Trump will flip and pretend they were on his side all along.
As to Biden that's pretty similar to how people view him (and Kamala) in the states. He was way less popular than Bernie Sanders or even some of the others, but was seemingly selected. Probably due to corruption or they thought that Sanders wouldn't win, but I have a funny feeling that the Dems would've nominated a ham sandwich if they had to. The election was 100% about Trump, nothing about Biden. He was no Obama and that makes the election results even more ridiculous to look at.
I looked up Tall Poppy Syndrome, as I had seen it before but wasn't familiar with it. Looks like it's mainly a political term in Australia/NZ so my understanding is limited, but from what I can tell, it has to do with thinking you're better than others. Though in my mind that doesn't quite relate to thinking for yourself, or to having a differing political opinion, but terms and concepts tend to get abused and applied where they don't belong.
Good to hear other perspectives.
Tall Poppy Syndrome is a very AU/NZ thing, it is kind of akin to "Crabs in a Barrel". Straying from the pack too much, success, differing opinions are treated as something that needs to brought down from time to time.
It's an intellectually dishonest concept which, for example, would treat a persons confidence as them projecting "You think you're better than me?" or that if you reach a level of success it is expected that you should share that wealth amongst your friends lest you be considered a tightass.
People who hold these beliefs, should they find themselves with success or a contrarian opinion will always have a reason to "jusify" why they are an exception to the same rules they use on others.