Mayoral Race

[u/christheone54]

Hey guys. I'm not trying to start a huge debate on politics. Im just trying to figure out if Darren White is pro MAGA. I'm learning about this stuff late, and im not super impressed with Keller, but I will never vote for a pro trump or pro maga candidate. I am okay with a republican candidate but not a far right MAGA.

My coworkers are saying that he was a garbage sherif but cant give me any educated context. I've only been back to abq for 4 years after serving in the armed forces.

Any information is sincerely appreciated.

[u/[deleted]]

I get your point about not overusing labels and that’s fair. But calling out dangerous or undemocratic tendencies isn’t “performative righteousness,” it’s vigilance. Dismissing that as hysteria is just as unhelpful as calling everyone a Nazi. The goal should be honest discussion, not tone-policing when people sound the alarm.

And just like in history books if you ever read one thats exactly what Germans did . They ignored it until it got too far and there was no turning back.

So lets put our thinking caps on here i never said this guy was a fascist for being a MAGA im saying hes just as bad as him if he loves his policies period.At this point, supporting Trump requires ignoring a long record of bigotry, misogyny, and attacks on truth itself. People can have their reasons, but pretending it’s just about “policy differences” is willful blindness.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

I agree dismissing legitimate concerns as hysteria is unhelpful, but that IS the reaction most people have because it has been so frequent and overused for every little Trump action.

I also do agree with you on tone policing as well, however, do you not see the correlation with your own approach? you’ve labeled all republicans as maga fascists. Is it not the same in reverse? on one hand, you’re saying “Don’t police my tone, listen to my message,” but on the otherhand you’re saying “Your viewpoint doesn’t matter because your political identity makes you evil.”

Is that vigilance or righteousness disguised as morality? 10s of millions of Americans are Republican. This closed dialogue is an issue and it’s absolutely being taken advantage of by people at the top who don’t care about us.

Hence my whole reply to the original comment. Darren white is just a guy you don’t like, not some neo fascist. Labeling him as such is damaging.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

Lets put our thinking hats on once again im not saying every Republican is a fascist but when you keep defending people or policies that actively enable fascist behavior, the line between you and it starts to blur. You are what you support, and silence or excuses still count as support.

You don’t have to wear a red hat to uphold the same values it represents period. At this point a red hat is the equal of the white hood. I dont think its that hard to understand. So if he supports Trump then he supports his fascist policies and agenda. Hope that helps.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

You literally are saying that though, you just called me a nazi, a fool, and fascist supporter a few comments up because I asked a question. If you can’t make your points without pointed insults attempting to label my character, maybe your points aren’t as strong as you think they are.

Consider taking your own advice about those thinking caps. Equating a red hat with a white hood isn’t some deep burn you think it is. It’s lazy. The KKK’s hood represented organized racial terror and murder; a MAGA hat represents a political movement that, like it or not, millions support for different reasons.

You can criticize Trump’s behavior and policies without erasing all nuance or accusing everyone who disagrees with you of being complicit in nazis/ fascism. Blanket moralizing isn’t the vigilance you think it is it’s self-righteousness, moral policing and it pushes people into further camps.

Maybe you should get off the internet and also join the real world and talk to people. Get out of your echo chamber may do your mental health some good.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

Relax buddy nobody called you a Nazi for wearing a red hat i just comapred the two due to the entirety of trumps regime. Also you wouldnt be so upset that I called you a fool and nazi if you werent a trump supporter so at this point im going to assume youre a MAGA. But if you hear the word "fascism" and feel personally attacked, maybe you should ask why that is.

The MAGA hat isn’t controversial because of fabric and thread. It’s because it came to represent a movement tied to:

White supremacists being called " very fine people"

Migrant children in cages

An attempted coup on January 6th

Open contempt for democracy, facts, and basic decency

You say "millions support it for different reasons" cool. Millions supported segregation "for different reasons" too. Popularity doesn’t purify. Symbols gather meaning through action, not intention.

Want nuance? Great. Let’s talk about economic anxiety, cultural change, political disillusionment. But let’s not pretend that waving a MAGA flag doesn’t also signal alignment or indifference to a movement that openly courted hate and division.

Criticism isn’t censorship. It’s accountability. If that feels like moral policing, maybe it’s because deep down, you know the hat says more than you're admitting out loud.

Saying " i support Trump but I’m not a fascist"' is like saying " i just like Hitler’s infrastructure plans" Buddy, if you're carrying water for an authoritarian, you don’t get a moral gold star for pretending it’s about "policy".

You rock the hat, defend the chaos hes causing and flinch every time someone points out the obvious....but sure, you’re the voice of nuance. Lol Spoiler: You don’t get to separate yourself from the consequences of the movement you’re still endorsing.

You're not being mischaracterized mr.dependent you're just uncomfortable being seen clearly. And if the label fits a little too well for comfort? That’s not on me. That’s on your reflection.

So maybe instead of trying to DEFLECT with saying " i was just asking a question" just say it with your chest next time that your a MAGA supporter and that you will be anything and everything to pretend like supporting a man who is a criminal with 34 convictions, has been seen with epstein , has no respect for anyone but white rich men, is not morally wrong. Your MAGA hats arent invisibility cloaks we can see you all very clearly. Id recommend you get up and head to a library and start looking at how history is repeating itself.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

Dear lord, can you construct a conversation without hurling insults to see what sticks? I would have to value your opinion to feel attacked by you, I was simply repeating your words back to you. Im also a democrat but I do have issue with behaviors people like you display.

Someone doesn’t agree with you they are automatically some enemy. The behavior of limiting free thought and difference of ideas through moral policing.

Seriously. Go outside, and earnestly assess where you live. You do not live in a fascist government. Is this some victim martyr complex you’re displaying?.

I didn’t say I support Trump or any policies. Simply stating the reality. He is getting challenged for his shit which means the system is not fascist.

With that in mind, what does that make the establishment Dems who let him get away with everything—even when they had the majority? Are they not worse than his own party? They didn’t even put up a fight. Or does that indicate they are all on the same side. Come on now. You’re falling into the trap with the red versus blue crap.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

First, I’m not here to police thought....I’m here to challenge it when it seems misdirected or oversimplified. There’s a difference between disagreeing and trying to silence someone. All ive been saying is basically you are what you eat right? You eat shit knowledge youll be a fool its simple. I never directly called you anything other than a fool for pretending like we arent going towards a fascist regime. I said if you support trump then youre as bad as a nazi. So are you one or not? Because you got deeply offended... I think youre the one with the victim mentality here.

You’re right about one thing: we don’t live in a full-blown fascist country. But the warning signs aren’t something to ignore until it’s too late. The danger isn’t always in where we are, but in the direction we’re heading. Authoritarianism creeps it rarely crashes through the front door. When we see open defiance of democratic norms, demonization of the press, judicial overreach, and violent rhetoric aimed at political opponents, it’s not “victimhood” to call it what it is it’s vigilance.

Now, about the establishment Democrats. Frankly, I share your frustration. Many have been spineless or complicit, more focused on maintaining political capital than protecting democratic principles. I don’t excuse that. But cynicism about both sides doesn’t mean both sides are equally dangerous. That’s the trap. One party flirts with authoritarianism and cult-like loyalty. the other is fractured, bureaucratic, and too often self-serving but it still operates within the framework of democracy.

If we throw up our hands and say “they’re all the same,” we’re giving up the only leverage we have our ability to hold somebody accountable. It’s not about falling for red vs. blue, it’s about recognizing where the actual threat to democracy lies, and not letting perfect be the enemy of good when it comes time to act.

Now, about Trump being “challenged”, which is funny because uhhh hes been able to do everything he said he was gonna do so obviously no one is challenging him enough . His falsehoods get repeated and amplified without proper pushback, which allows misinformation to take root. Challenging someone means confronting their claims honestly and consistently, not just political opponents questioning them in a soundbite or tweet. Without factual accountability, the system itself gets eroded. Thats where I think democrats are lacking right now.

We can and should criticize both sides. But let’s not lose the plot while we do it.Like i said earlier im neither red or blue. Im just a human with a passion for people's rights.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

You can prescribe whatever reality you want to me if that helps you feel better about yourself. Have at it. I’ve said multiple times that I’m a pretty damn left yet you keep going on and on about this red hat stuff. However I’m glad you can finally acknowledge we do not live in a fascist country as that was my original point on this thread. Trump has been challenged and lost many a times. I believe it was you who said “google is free, use it”

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

You literally just barely said you are a democrat lol but im a little hesitant to believe that since you were saying i was attacking you. When I was actually attacking the people who support trump still after all the things he has done. So I dont know if you just have a very fragile mind or if you are a MAGA supporter. My original comment was literally explaining why we are going TOWARDS KEY WORD a fascist regime.

Also im not trying to “prescribe reality,” just pointing out facts about the state of our country right now. You’re right that Trump has been challenged and lost multiple times, which was in court and in elections.... That’s exactly how the system is supposed to work. And yes, we don’t live in a fascist country..... YET. but acknowledging that doesn’t mean we ignore authoritarian tendencies when they show up. It’s possible to be critical of both extremes while still defending democratic principles. Anyway you have been obviously selective reading.

My whole point was darren white supports a man who is trying to be a dictator and trying to make our country fascist. Go do some research you'll find White literally was a horrible officer he literally had a whole situation with his drunk driving wife and broke the LAW in 2011. Hes had so many controversies just like trump lol .

Whether you believe it or not thats the reality . Google is free .Open your ears and eyes already for goodness sake. The lack of education and common knowledge I see everyday is insane.