Schlagwort: #Democracy

AMERICA IS LOSING IT! – Museums Censored, Art Banned – More and More Germans Are Fighting Back: BOYCOTT Against U.S. BRANDS!

A post by

#Mirko #Lange.

What’s happening in the U.S. right now deeply troubles me—just like it probably troubles everyone here.

When governments start restructuring museums, banning exhibitions, and deliberately removing critical art and literature, that’s no longer conservative politics—it’s authoritarian. Totalitarian. Fascist.

Anyone who ideologically “cleanses” culture is attacking the very core of an open society.

From now on, I will boycott American products—at least as far as I reasonably can. Not out of hostility, not even out of outrage. But out of responsibility and a desire to feel empowered. A complete boycott isn’t realistic, but targeted choices where alternatives exist are absolutely possible.

Big corporations, in particular, are sensitive to public signals. This isn’t about moral purity—it’s about making an impact. I’ll also reward those who openly oppose Trump—whether companies, voices, or creatives.

Some possible #boycott targets include:

  • Streaming & Digital Subscriptions

    Apple TV+, Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube Premium

    → Cancel or pause subscriptions. Use alternatives like Arte, Magenta, or public broadcasting media libraries.
  • Technology – Hardware & Devices

    Apple (iPhone, Mac), Microsoft (Surface), Google (Pixel), Amazon (Alexa, Kindle)

    → Consider European or Asian alternatives when buying new devices. Repair instead of replace.
  • Automotive & Mobility

    Tesla, Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge, Uber, Lime, Bird, Spin (U.S.-based locations)

    → Switch to European or Asian models. Buy used instead of new. Support public transportation.
  • Fashion & Lifestyle

    Nike, Levi’s, GAP, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Converse, New Balance, Victoria’s Secret

    → Prefer sustainable European brands. Shop second-hand.
  • Food & Snacks

    Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Kellogg’s, Mars, Mondelez (Oreo, Milka), Heinz, Hershey’s

    → Shop locally and support smaller brands.
  • U.S. Chains & Restaurants

    McDonald’s, Burger King, Starbucks, KFC, Subway, Dunkin’

    → Support regional eateries and local cafés. Avoid fast food.
  • Travel & Tourism

    U.S. travel and U.S. airlines (e.g., Delta, American Airlines, United)

    → Choose destinations with liberal cultural policies. Fly with European carriers.
  • Finance & Payment Services

    Visa, Mastercard, PayPal

    → Where possible, switch to European alternatives or use direct bank transfers.

I know this won’t be convenient. And it remains contradictory—I’m posting this on LinkedIn, a U.S. platform.

But that’s precisely the point: I’m using its reach to raise awareness. A silent boycott only works if it becomes visible. Also: much of this might benefit both body and mind.

If you feel the same, share this post with your own statement.

P.S. The “BIC” in the photo is incorrect. I can’t change the image anymore.

Of course, the first step is to cut out all U.S. products that are (perhaps even easily) replaceable. And if it’s easy, maybe 20 million others will follow.

Comment by

Werner Hoffmann.


– Democracy of the Center, because extremist wings destroy the nation –

Thank you, Mirko, for this clear and courageous post!

I fully agree:

Democratic countries must become much more aware of their market power.

The U.S. has around 330 million people – impressive, sure.
But the European Union already has over 450 million, plus:

  • 67 million in the UK,
  • 39 million in Canada,
  • Over 1.4 billion in India,
  • 126 million in Japan,
  • 52 million in South Korea,
  • 26 million in Australia,
  • And nearly 5 million in New Zealand.

Altogether, this “coalition of willing democracies” represents more than 2.5 billion people living in free, democratic societies—and thus wields enormous economic, cultural, and political power.

Trump and his supporters need to realize: we don’t depend on them—they depend on us.

The defense of democracy doesn’t start in the voting booth alone—it begins with our daily behavior.

And yes, that includes our consumption. Those who consciously choose products that stand for democratic values (or avoid those that trample them) are taking real, tangible responsibility.

Of course, no one has to throw their iPhone in the trash. But when buying the next one, you can explore alternatives. And let’s be honest: no one needs Coca-Cola or Pepsi to survive.

I, too, started keeping a personal boycott list years ago—initially for Russia, but now it has expanded significantly. I’ve published two articles outlining my thoughts and criteria:

  1. My Personal Sanctions List: These Countries I Avoid as a Democrat and European

    → Link below *
  2. Every Purchase Funds Autocrats! Why We Must Radically Change Our Consumer Habits—And How My Personal Sanctions List Helps

    → Link below **

It’s not just about the U.S., but also about German companies that:

  • Continue doing business with autocracies like Russia,
  • Promote or tolerate anti-democratic or far-right ideologies,
  • Engage in tax avoidance that actively harms the state—and all of us.

Democracy starts at the checkout counter. And the more visible this silent boycott becomes, the greater its impact.
Thank you for raising this crucial issue!

Links to the Articles Mentioned Above

Erdoğan Locks Up His Rival – Afraid of the Man the People Want!

Democracy in Chains – Erdoğan Has the Most Popular Mayor Arrested!

A commentary by

Werner Hoffmann – Democracy of the center, because political extremes are tearing the country apart. –

Political Repression in Turkey: Erdoğan Has Istanbul’s Mayor İmamoğlu Arrested

The political situation in Turkey is escalating dramatically:

On March 19, 2025, Ekrem İmamoğlu, the Mayor of Istanbul and one of the most promising opposition candidates for the 2028 presidential election, was arrested on questionable charges.

YouTube player

He is accused of corruption, supporting a terrorist organization, and being a member of a criminal group — allegations that İmamoğlu and his supporters strongly deny.

Macit Karaahmetoğlu on WELT:

The arrest came just days before he was to be officially nominated by the main opposition party, CHP.

Observers see the move as a deliberate political blow aimed at eliminating a threatening rival.

Polls have shown that İmamoğlu has surpassed President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in popularity — a fact that seemingly led Erdoğan to use the judiciary to neutralize his challenger.

Erdoğan, who has repeatedly acted in authoritarian ways toward critics in the past, is once again proving that he fears real democratic competition.

This latest move bears strong resemblance to the tactics of authoritarian leaders such as:

– Vladimir Putin in Russia,

– and Alexander Lukashenko in Belarus,

who secure their power through sham trials and the imprisonment of political opponents.

The situation in Turkey is becoming increasingly clear:

Anyone who poses a threat to Erdoğan ends up behind bars.

Despite a nationwide ban on demonstrations, tens of thousands of people took to the streets in cities across Turkey to protest the arrest.

Police responded with violence — using tear gas, water cannons, and rubber bullets.

But the protests continue. Many citizens now see İmamoğlu as a symbol of hope for democratic change.

The international response has been swift and critical.

The Council of Europe called the arrest an attack on the democratic will of the Turkish people.

Human rights organizations are demanding the immediate release of İmamoğlu and a return to the rule of law in Turkey.

With this move, Erdoğan has once again proven:

He is not a democrat — he is determined to cling to power at any cost, even if it means destroying the last remnants of democratic culture in the country.

Trump Lets Putin Have His Way: Investigations into Russian Child Abductions Halted – Sabotage of Justice?

And this is the kind of U.S. President 2.0 who believes he deserves the #NobelPeacePrize? How far gone is Trump?

A contribution by

Werner Hoffmann – Democracy of the Center, because extremist wings destroy the country. –

It is an unbelievable scandal: Donald Trump has halted a crucial program aimed at investigating the mass abduction of Ukrainian children by Russia.

Not only does this destroy vital evidence of Putin’s war crimes, but it also abandons thousands of abducted children to their fate.

Observers are calling this a direct sabotage of international investigations – in favor of the Kremlin.

Child Theft as a Weapon of War: Putin’s Heinous Crime

Since the start of the war, Russia has systematically abducted Ukrainian children – over 30,000 children have been torn from their families, taken to Russian camps, re-educated, and put up for adoption.

This is a brutal strategy aimed at erasing Ukrainian identity and turning these children into Russian soldiers or loyal citizens. Reports confirm that many of these children have been subjected to abuse and psychological terror.

Two Autocrats Negotiate Over Ukraine.


A Yale University program, which documented these crimes using satellite imagery, biometric data, and witness testimonies, was one of the few ways to uncover the scale of these atrocities.

This is the very program Trump has now shut down – destroying evidence that could have been used to indict Vladimir Putin at the International Criminal Court.

Why is Trump Siding with Putin?
The question now is:
Why is Trump protecting Putin and his accomplices?
Why is he ending a program that helps rescue abducted children?

Critics suspect a sinister strategy:
Trump wants Putin’s support – and is willing to sacrifice international justice for it.
His admiration for the Kremlin leader has been well-known for years.
As far back as 2007, he wrote to Putin:
“As you probably heard, I am a big fan of yours.”

Even after his presidency, Trump maintained contact with Putin and secretly sent him COVID-19 tests during the pandemic.

Now, as he fights for power again, Trump seems to be counting on Putin’s goodwill – at the cost of thousands of abducted children.

The decision to halt the Yale program is not only a political monstrosity but also a betrayal of the innocent victims of this war.

Will the world stand by and watch as Trump destroys evidence of Putin’s war crimes?

And this is the kind of U.S. President 2.0 who believes he deserves the #NobelPeacePrize? How far gone is Trump?

——

Comment by X

A Geopolitical Power Play at the Expense of Ukraine and Europe?

The Perfidy of Trump and Vance’s Staged Show Against Zelenskyy in the Oval Office

A Contribution by

Werner Hoffmann
– Democracy of the Center, Because Extremist Wings Destroy the Country –

Trump’s Strategy: A Geopolitical Power Play at the Expense of Ukraine and Europe?

Recent events surrounding the meeting between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Washington once again raise questions about Trump’s geopolitical agenda.

His provocative statements and his demonstrative show of power towards the Ukrainian president suggest that he is pursuing a deliberate strategy—one that could have far-reaching consequences for Europe and the global security order.

Zelenskyy on a “Leash”?

Even before the meeting, Trump had labeled Zelenskyy a “dictator”—a deliberate attempt to discredit the Ukrainian president’s political legitimacy. His accusation was based on the fact that Zelenskyy had not held elections during the war. However, Trump conveniently ignored Ukraine’s constitution, which prohibits elections during wartime.

Even more alarming is Trump’s assertion that it was not Russia but Zelenskyy who started the war. This distortion of facts aligns perfectly with the Kremlin’s narrative. Such statements may indicate that Trump is already laying the groundwork for a shift in U.S. policy—with severe consequences for Ukraine and Europe.

A U.S. Withdrawal? Trump’s True Intentions

Trump may be planning to halt U.S. arms supplies to Ukraine, effectively giving Russia a free hand. This would force Europe to provide even greater support to Ukraine—a significant financial and military burden that could weaken the European Union.

A weakened Europe serves the interests of both Putin and Trump. While Putin aims to dismantle the EU as a geopolitical rival, Trump could use this situation as a pretext to withdraw from European defense commitments and instead focus on China and the Middle East.

Fossil Fuels as a Geopolitical Tool

Europe’s transition to renewable energy is a thorn in the side of the fossil fuel industry.

Particularly, the push for renewable energy in Europe threatens both the U.S. and Russian fossil fuel export markets.

Russia’s economy heavily depends on fossil fuel exports, while the U.S. also benefits from its energy exports. A weakened Europe could become more reliant on fossil fuels from Russia and the U.S.—a scenario that would benefit both the Russian and American fossil fuel lobbies.

It is no coincidence that there are massive campaigns against renewable energy in the U.S.—a clear sign that powerful economic interests are working against a sustainable energy transition.

A Secret Deal Between Trump and Putin?

Given these developments, a possible arrangement between Trump and Putin seems plausible. A potential scenario:

   •   Trump could claim certain geopolitical influence zones for himself—such as Greenland and parts of the Arctic, which are becoming increasingly important for strategic resources and trade routes.

   •   In exchange, Putin could regain long-term influence over Eastern Europe.

   •   The rest of the EU would be weakened and left with little power to resist this geopolitical realignment.

Such an agreement would lead to a dangerous dismantling of the Western order—with Ukraine as the first victim.

Hope Lies in the U.S. Elections

Ukraine’s future over the next two years will be heavily influenced by political developments in the U.S.

The next U.S. House of Representatives elections will take place in 2026.

The entire House of Representatives (all 435 seats) is re-elected every two years, while one-third of the Senate’s seats are up for election.

On November 3, 2026, the next House of Representatives elections will be held.

In the U.S. Senate, 34 out of 100 seats will be contested in 2026.

If the Democrats manage to regain a majority, they could significantly limit Trump’s foreign policy ambitions.

Until then, Ukraine must hold on and continue to receive international support. Today’s meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy will go down in history—as a moment that could determine the future of the global geopolitical order.

The European Union Must Reorganize Itself

It is not just the European Union that is being weakened by Trump and Putin.

It is time for a democratic alliance to counterbalance this geopolitical shift.

Trump aims to use tariffs as leverage—forcing foreign companies to manufacture in the U.S. or even pressuring countries like Canada to become the 51st state of the U.S.

This would effectively dismantle free trade in many sectors.

Trump’s game will only work as long as other nations allow it to happen.

It is high time for Germany and all democratic European nations to unite with other democracies to organize their imports and exports without the U.S.

Expanding Trade Among Democratic Nations

Democratic countries in the EU, which do not want to promote business with either Trump or Putin, could expand trade with:

   •   Non-EU European countries (Sweden, Norway, Finland, the UK)

   •   Canada

   •   Australia

   •   Mercosur countries (Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay)

   •   India

   •   Japan

   •   Others

Conclusion

The geopolitical power struggle surrounding Ukraine and Europe is intensifying. Trump’s actions suggest a calculated effort to reshape the global balance of power—one that would weaken Europe while strengthening the U.S. and Russia’s control over key regions.

The only way forward is for democratic nations to stand together—forming an economic and geopolitical counterweight to Trump and Putin’s ambitions.

The coming years will determine whether democracy and free trade survive or whether the world descends into a new era of authoritarian power games.

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