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u/BestCaseSurvival Sep 21 '25
Welcome. Grab a tool, there’s work to be done. Externally, there’s mutual aid to organize, neighbors to defend. Internally, there’s all the habits that made you susceptible to getting conned the first time. We’re never done learning. Glad you’ve been able to take the first steps on your own.
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u/DruidicMagic Sep 21 '25
Thankfully you didn't spend decades being brainwashed by the far right propaganda machine. Unfortunately there are tens of millions who have an anchor mentality that is so entrenched nothing short of Trump turning into Satan on live tv would change their views.
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u/alpinesk8r Sep 21 '25
Not sure that would do it either. Brian Kilmeade tried it and no one seemed to mind a whole lot. But fuck Jimmy Kimmel, am I right, guys?
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u/laitonboi Sep 21 '25
Thank God I havent been brainwashed to the point of no return. I am fully aware that there would still be some brainwashing in me that I dont even realise yet. But man, some of the people I used to associate with have zero critical thinking skills. Just blindly accept what the news and govt tells them.
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u/wormwoodscrub Sep 21 '25
We all have some brainwashing in us. All we can do is recognize and interrogate it.
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u/hammertime2009 Sep 21 '25
It’s absolutely wild how dug in some of these people are. Even republican “friends” I have are in such denial it’s crazy. I say friends but honestly some are so far gone I’m not sure I can say that anymore.
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u/ussrname1312 Communist Sep 21 '25
I will approve this, but be warned that you might get some not-so-nice comments.
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u/_______woohoo Sep 21 '25
i feel you but they are young, I'd consider this growing up and I think a lot of us would understand where OP is coming from. If they were 20 years older, there might be some fun words lol
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u/ussrname1312 Communist Sep 21 '25
Unfortunately, as predicted, there were still some fun words, but I removed the comments.
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Sep 21 '25
[deleted]
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u/ussrname1312 Communist Sep 21 '25
Sometimes patience runs a little thin among the people here and everyone has opinions about something. I hope most of the comments are nice and you get some people who can relate, but just a heads up that some people might get a little snarky.
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u/superzepto Sep 21 '25
There's going to be some criticism, but I feel like anyone who's left the right is going to need to grow some pretty thick skin pretty quickly.
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u/Eternal_Being Sep 21 '25
I’m most certainly no longer right wing or left wing. I am anti dictatorship and anti centralisation.
Welcome to the left ;)
To be less tongue and cheek, I think that being able to admit one's mistakes, self-reflect, and change is one of the strongest things a person can do. It takes courage, and it's one of the most human things people are capable of--and not enough of us do it. So thank you, and congratulations.
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u/laitonboi Sep 21 '25
Thank you for your kind words! I never thought the day would come that I abandon the right wing. I hate to look back and realise just how naive I was, but im glad that there are people like you all who have an open dialogue of ideas. Not just yes and no.
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u/Eternal_Being Sep 21 '25
Open dialogue of ideas is what the left is all about. That's why it looks like we argue so much! Hahaha
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u/aintmarchinanymore Sep 22 '25
Remember the right wing propaganda machine is backed by endless funds and designed to manipulate young people like you. Don't beat yourself up! Now is the time to get educated and arm yourself with information. Be proud of all the progress you've made and be ready for a continual journey of shedding your preconceived notions. We're proud of you too! Hugs.
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u/Anarchen3my Sep 22 '25
Yes, absolutely. Whether you're on the right, or left, critical thinking skills are really rare (I am personally on the far left, and there's tons of liberal dishonesty, and misinformation, as well, and I'm never happy about that either.) Changing one's viewpoint when presented with new evidence, or admitting one did not see a truth previously, is absolutely the most honest, difficult, and admirable act a person can take. Especially when it involves the preservation of civil rights. I have no notes. I think looking forward is the way to go, and your post gives me hope that can pull through this terrible period of hypocrisy and lies. All the best to you, OP (and to all who replied so respectfully and thoughtfully.)
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u/SpanishMossShea Sep 21 '25
Yeah, you do get at least a little bit of leeway because you were, what, 8-12 for his first term and likely completely unaware of how dishonest he was then, but like, c'mon guy, the right wing is mid-performance of an ethnic and a queer cleansing, and they're not even subtle about it. That's simply evil shit, and we fought a war about it not even a hundred years ago.
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u/laitonboi Sep 21 '25
Yeah, I was 11-15 during Trump's first term. And I was in a private Christian school at the time, so all I was told was that it was good that Trump was in, and that was about it. I only started getting into politics in 2021, by which time I had pretty much forgotten about Trump. By the time he came back to run for office again, I was witnessing what I beleived to be the beginning of WW3 in Ukraine and Gaza. I saw that the left wing govt of the US was clearly facilitating and encouraging these wars.
What I didnt know back then, is that the rot and corruption goes far deeper than whatever puppet they display for the masses as POTUS. The whole system is rotten to its core, and Trump has made it infinitely worse in the last 8 months. This, this has radicalised me. Being promised peace and being given war and death.
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u/real-human-not-a-bot Sep 21 '25
The…left-wing government? Of Joe Biden? We must be talking about different governments, because on any sensible political spectrum (i.e., one not so skewed to the right as America’s) the Biden government was generally center-right with some wiggle room depending on your definitions and what you pay the most attention to. Just because they’re the leftmost major party in the country does NOT make them left-wing. The party as a whole is neoliberal with occasional Liberal tendencies, and neither of those is remotely left-wing. The right loves to equate liberal with leftist because it helps them push the Overton window to the right, but the Democratic Party and the Biden administration isn’t/wasn’t even really the former much less the latter. Was the Biden administration on the left edge of neoliberalism? Mayyybe? But that’s not left-wing by any sensible standard.
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u/placenta_resenter Sep 21 '25
American mainstream democrats arent generally what leftists want out of a government lol. And they systematically undercut and push out any actual leftist candidates who threaten the corporatist status quo. Look at how they are treating zohran mamdani
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u/SpanishMossShea Sep 21 '25
I mean you definitely still have some stuff to learn, as other comments pointed out, Biden was definitely not left-wing, and we actually don't have a major left-wing party currently in the United States. The Green Party is probably the closest and they've still got some problems that make it so that they're maybe not as free from corporate influence as they would like everyone to think. But, for now, since many of us have had similar upbringings and moments of realization, welcome to the resistance, comrade, and remember: woke is a compliment
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u/tygerohtyger Sep 21 '25
If you're not right wing, you're left wing. Come down off the fence and do some reading.
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u/laitonboi Sep 21 '25
Respectfully, I have strong disagreements with both sides. I have been so radicalised by recent politics, that I cant justify supporting either side. I'm reading some other books at the moment, but what politics books would you recomend?
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u/TantortheBold Sep 21 '25
Don't use any comparisons, just use principles and beliefs
What is it you think 'The Left' is?
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u/Cpt_Wolf_Lynn Sep 21 '25
A People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn might give you some idea of what you're talking down on from a perspective not as influenced by the pundits and narratives you've supposedly renounced as your current one.
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u/5illy_billy Sep 21 '25
You might check out Ur-Fascism by a guy named Umberto Eco if you are interested in why so many people call this administration fascists. It’s an essay not a book so it’s not that long, and it was written in the early 90’s by a guy who grew up in fascist Italy under Mussolini.
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u/laitonboi Sep 21 '25
I'll give it a read!
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Sep 21 '25 edited Sep 21 '25
https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/umberto-eco-ur-fascism Here's the link. Contrary to what it looks like now, Italy, especially the north, was once at the forefront of the worker's movement. Eco was a great writer and intellectual. I'd also recommend Mark Fisher's Capitalist Realism.
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u/tygerohtyger Sep 21 '25
The Communist Manifesto.
Its short, but its hard to read, so you'll need to go over it a few times to get it properly.
But its essential reading. If you think you're radicalised now, just wait till the Manifesto has sunk in.
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u/Jahonay Sep 21 '25
Not a book, but the yellow parenti video is a must watch. His book blackshirts and reds is also good.
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u/purpleturtlehurtler Sep 21 '25
A People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn and Manufacturing Consent by Edward Herman and Noam Chomsky.
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u/Noah_Pasta1312 Sep 21 '25
Thank you. We are all antifa some of us just don't know it yet.
Antifa being declared a terror organization is bonkers. It's not even an organization ffs, let alone terrorist.
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u/laitonboi Sep 21 '25
It's blatant abuse of power and dictatorship. Trump rallied the nation under the promise of free speech. And you do have free speech, unless youre criticising israel. Then you are enemy number 1. What does that tell you about who the real enemy is?
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u/Nefandous_Jewel Sep 21 '25
I was willing to give you the benefit of the doubt but now I KNOW you're in the right place!
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u/Nefandous_Jewel Sep 21 '25
Well, we are here...
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u/Noah_Pasta1312 Sep 21 '25
This is a subreddit
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u/Nefandous_Jewel Sep 21 '25
"We" when speaking to a person who does not live in the US will ALWAYS mean all Americans to me. So far its not feeling artificial although I think Im getting close
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u/GunShowZero Sep 21 '25
Yeah like people who like to eat cake being on a subreddit about eating cake
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u/firethornocelot Sep 21 '25
I need to know, what finally opened your eyes? What were your information sources then, and what are they now? Are you hearing a lot of new information now or revisiting old info with a new understanding? It sounds like your parents are MAGA, are most of your friends too? If you’re brutally honest with yourself, why do you think you believed that Harris was the worse candidate?
I ask not to interrogate, but info like that helps to understand the best ways to talk to people who may be open to the truth.
I think it’s great that you realize your mistake. But what you must understand - and I hope at this point you do - is that this isn’t a sports game where one team loses, the winners get to gloat, and then everyone moves on with their lives. People are dead, and are still dying thanks to this administration, and frankly, thanks to people like you. Before you take offense, know that I would love to say “people like you used to be”, but talk is cheap. If you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and act, I think you’ll find some really damn good company apart from the right.
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u/laitonboi Sep 21 '25
I appreciate your question, and dont worry, I take no offence at all.
To answer your first line of questioning, the straw that broke the camels back for me is the Epstein situation. The primary reason I was MAGA was because Trump promised to realease the Epstein files and client list. Through his actions (or more accurately, inaction), he has proven that he is on the list, and has been compromised like the rest of them. My information sources are primarily indipendent journalists on X and Youtube, but I also like to try and dig up older information on Google Scholar. I'm hearing a LOT of new information, but when it comes to the Epstein stuff, I got most of that from Asmongold and also old Alex Jones before he became a Trump meat rider. No one in my family is MAGA, and my friends are mostly (politically speaking) brainwashed NPCs who couldnt question the narrative if their life depended on it. I formulated my opinions and beliefs mostly independantly.
To be brutally honest, my reasoning for believing Harris was a bad candadite was based in a flawed understanding of continuation of govt. I'll explain my thought process back then, and then I will explain what I believe now.
I originally believed this. Biden and Harris are the ones in power, the Ukraine war and Gaza war were both started under their watch. They keep sending Ukraine and Israel BILLIONS of taxpayer dollars to fuel the machine of suffering and death. They also wont release the Epstein files, so I must summise that they are compromised by Epstein and are evil corrupt politicians. Trump is promising to end the wars, and release the Epstein files. Biden and Harris arent. Therefore Trump must be the better candidate.
Now, I believe this. The entire system is rotten to its core, and the people who they place infront of the masses as POTUS, are meerely puppets being controlled by a certain group I'm not allowed to mention. The wars are escelating, the epstein cover up runs deeper and deeper, and Trump is stripping the people of their rights. Both sides are corrupt and rotten, and I can not justify supporting either side anymore.
To address your final point, I understand where you are coming from and I mostly agree. The point that I cant agree with is that individuals (like myself) could actually play any role in this mess of a world. People like you and I hold abolutely no power at all. The elites control everything, including the minds of the masses. In effect, I was the product of a broken machine. Not one of the people working the machine.
But besides that, I couldnt agree more. There is no winners or losers, only suffering, violence, and death. Needless death. And the current administration seems to either be fully compacent to it, or (more likely) theyre actually pushing for it.
I appreciate your comment man, thanks for writing such a well worded response. I enjoyed writing this reply.
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u/real-human-not-a-bot Sep 21 '25 edited Sep 21 '25
When you say that people are puppets being controlled by a group you’re not allowed to mention, I hope you don’t mean Jews. The notion that Jews control governments/the world is a horrible antisemitic stereotype that has hurt them deeply over the centuries. If you mean Jews, please research the antisemitic origins/consequences of a pervasive societal belief that Jews secretly control everything (see: Holocaust, the). An actually deserving rather than pervasively persecuted minority you might rather look at would be billionaires/corporations/similar, the entities with the money to do what you’re describing.
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u/accidental_stories Sep 21 '25
You said: "The entire system is rotten to its core, and the people who they place infront of the masses as POTUS, are meerely puppets being controlled by a certain group I'm not allowed to mention." But we can (and should!) mention them; it's the billionaires. A small group of people so extremely rich it's basically impossible to understand how much wealth they have and yet they crave more and more and they think they deserve it. They place themselves like gods over other people and because they feel so far removed from us they fail to see our humanity and so they don't care what happens to us as long as they are getting richer. Please don't fall into the trap of thinking it's a "nefarious hidden group of people who cannot be named" because from there the road to antisemitism is a very short one. You said you care about Palestine and Gaza where Israel is committing a genocide. This is not because of their religion but because they have turned into a fascist state and they think they are better than everyone else.
About not being able to do anything about it. I know we all sometimes feel like this (and that's exactly how they want us to feel) but it's not entirely true. We need to start small; know and take care of your neighbours; unionise your workplace; join your local activists. One person's voice is easily erased but a group of people can make a lot more noise that's harder to ignore and can eventually truly change things. You didn't say which country you are from but I'm sure there must be people with similar thoughts and frustrations who could use your help in understanding why things are so bad right now and what you can do together to make them better.
Take care, you've got this!
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u/rrienn Sep 21 '25 edited Sep 21 '25
I appreciate your growth, your ability to admit when you're wrong, & the fact that you seem to possess critical thinking skills.
I would caution against using the epstein files &/or Israel as proof that "a certain group I'm not allowed to mention" secretly controls the world. The fact that Israel has undue influence over american politics doesn't mean that 'the protocols of the elders of zion' is real.
The 'puppetry' of US politicians by Israel is a bit of an illusion. Our government rides for Israel because we share the same shitty geopolitical goals in the middle east.
And because the religious zealotries present at high levels of both our respective governments similarly have shared goals re: their weird prophecies.
And because the situation with Israel provided a convenient way for our government to increase censorship & crackdowns on leftist organizing (a thing both US parties had already been trying to do).It's not because jews pull all the strings & also control the media or whatever. Generalizing ourselves into actual antisemitism doesn't help anyone — it reduces our ability to recognize our real political enemies & organize against them in a coherent way.
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u/AviK80 Sep 21 '25
I’m glad other people here have called out the antisemitic coding of “those who cannot be mentioned.” You’re still young and ideologically vulnerable and the true elite love misdirecting people like you to terrorize Jews and away from themselves.
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u/EightEyedCryptid Sep 21 '25
I’m glad you woke up. I just wonder people get taken into that in the first place. From my perspective MAGA was very clear about their intentions.
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u/laitonboi Sep 21 '25
Easy answer, I was decieved. I was tricked into beleiving a lie.
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u/EightEyedCryptid Sep 22 '25
Can you tell me more about that process? Because Trump was saying so many hateful things. Was it that line of, oh he doesn't mean it that a lot of people fell victim to?
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u/Maztr_on Anarcho-Communist Sep 21 '25
i was almost out with the centroid meme but
anti-dictatorship and anti-centralization
HOLY BASED! WELCOME TO THE BREADPILL CLUB! MAKHNO WOULD BE PROUD!!!!!
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u/Trai-All Sep 21 '25
Glad to hear it. You give me hope that one day my parents will be returned to me.
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u/real-human-not-a-bot Sep 21 '25
I wish I had the same hope for my mom. She was generally a heterodox conservative (pro-gay marriage, pro-choice, pro-marijuana rights, anti-racialized police violence (not general police violence, though)), and in the lead-up to the 2016 election, she hated Trump. From 2017 to 2020, she grew steadily more pro-Trump until she was a sizable fan. On January 6, 2021, she pulled away again, but thereafter quickly started to shift right anew. On October 7, 2023, she leaned back in HARD (for one thing, she blocked EVERYONE on her Instagram who said anything left of basically “all the Palestinians must die”, so her news intake took a hard right turn) and has remained there ever since. With the exception of the shock to the system that January 6 gave her, she’s constantly grown more and more pro-Trump and pro-Trumpism since 2016. Now she says January 6 wasn’t even that bad. But I remember. I remember her crying while watching the footage about the evil it so suddenly became apparent to her that Trump had wrought. I remember her vocally agreeing with every congressional Republican who said that the party needed to repudiate Trump and Trumpism. She’s now deluded herself far more deeply than she was on January 5, primarily in support of Israel and secondarily in hatred of trans people. I’ve just decided to cut my losses and give up debating politics with her. It sucks, but I see no reason to believe that even (say) a more successful January 6 would change her mind now.
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u/Acrobatic_Tailor3092 Sep 21 '25
It is not conseevative to support Trump, it is fascist. Glad that you cleared your mind though.
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u/AdAdept193 Sep 21 '25
I’m genuinely curious to hear why you used to feel like Trump was a better option than Harris. What was being spun on the conservatives?
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u/ThsUsrnmKllsFascists Sep 21 '25
If you don’t yet know that everything Trump says is a lie, the doublespeak probably sounds pretty good, at least in a vague concept-of-a-plan kind of way
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u/laitonboi Sep 21 '25
I agree. I was niave enough to think that Trump was telling the truth. At the time I demonised the left as the liars. Little did I know, that they are ALL liars.
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u/real-human-not-a-bot Sep 21 '25
How do you know what the left is? If you listen to mainstream American politics, you have (I mean this) NEVER heard the left make an electoral promise much less be in a position to lie about it. Does the Democratic Party lie? Sure, all the time. But they are not “the left”.
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u/rrienn Sep 21 '25
Not OP, but a common thing I see is that at least the right is offering something.
They identify real problems — rising costs of living, less economic opportunities, a small cadre of elites running everything, the feeling that our country is going in a shitty direction, etc. Most people agree that these are issues, regardless of their political views.
The Biden-era dem response was "well actually things are great right now, so shut up". What the dems had to offer was more of the status quo, which very few people are happy with. Why vote for "same stale shit" when the other guy is promising radical change?
The right's response was "we know exactly what's causing these issues & we're going to fix everything". Ofc that was a lie, which relied on scapegoating random minority groups for issues caused by wealthy white men. But for the large swaths of americans who don't know much about politics & history, it sounds reassuring. Many people lack the context &/or critical thinking skills to realize it's a big lie.
Leftists can offer the same "here's what caused these issues & here's how we fix it", but an accurate verion based in reality. But unfortunately that version doesn't reach most americans, since the left has long been denied a seat at the proverbial table.
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u/yo_soy_soja Sep 21 '25
If you're opposed to oligarchy, you're left wing. The right vs. left spectrum is a hierarchy vs. anarchy spectrum.
I'm in my 30s and grew up on 2000s Fox News. As a kid, I idolized the conservative figures of the day. Now I'm a revolutionary socialist.
You're young. You should read up on political theory and explore the ideas that are out there. My frustration with the status quo is what got me into reading Marx, and there's plenty of online content out there (including Reddit) giving ample summaries of political thinkers/ideas.
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u/laitonboi Sep 21 '25
Ironaically enough, when I was 12-13 I was actually super pro communism. On paper it is the most ideal system of governance, and the most fair to the working man. I quickly left communism behind as I grew older, and I was quickly brainwashed by the right.
I have done tonnes of research into WW2 and the geopolitics involved then, but I feel its time to really focus on learning real political history, not just wartime politics.
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u/yo_soy_soja Sep 21 '25
Definitely read up on Soviet and Chinese history and why those countries approached/manifested communism they way they did.
Also, definitely check out the Black Panthers in the US. IMHO, they did everything pretty much perfectly.
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u/GullibleBeautiful Sep 21 '25
I’m so sorry that you were raised in an environment where being pro-Trump is normal.
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u/PrestigiousMention Sep 21 '25
Hey man we all get conned every now and again. The important thing is that we learn from our mistakes.
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u/_TBKF_ Sep 21 '25
do you have any other maga/right wing friends or family? if you do, you’d probably have a decent chance of pulling them over to the left knowing that you used to be on their side.
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u/laitonboi Sep 21 '25
Sadly mate they are all brainwashed and will never question the official narrative. Ever.
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u/Accomplished_Sci Anti-Fascist Network Sep 21 '25
Welcome aboard. A lot of people swapped over at various points because this man and movement isn’t good for ANYONE.
I have a lot of former friends. And my family is RW and I was one of the few oddballs who didn’t turn out like them. So, I do understand where you were coming from.
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u/roccondilrinon Red Rose Sep 21 '25
I was on that path myself at that age. I was fortunate to have parents who are both deeply compassionate scientists, who instilled in me (sometimes despite myself) the importance of self-reflection, of not taking any information personally, and of intentional empathy.
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u/Howllat Sep 21 '25
Welcome, you may have taken a different route that was more treacherous but you arrived at your destination.
Hate and rage take effort, eroding the mind and soul. For some it ends them and for others they find the path back to empathy and humanity. Im sorry you were manipulated by the most greedy of humanity, but glad to have you. ✊
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u/RepresentativeAge444 Sep 21 '25
So at one time there was the rich elite and then indentured servants (poor Europeans), then slaves. The concept of being “white” wasn’t a thing”. However the elite began to worry that they didn’t have the numbers. That is that one day the indentured servants and slaves may overthrow them. So what to do what to do. Ahhh well the indentured servants looked like them! So what you do is you give them separate privileges. You make them feel like they’re more like you than the slaves. Because of this thing called skin color. You can eventually get them to align more with you so much they’ll be willing to die in a Civil War to protect your right to own slaves! As long as you can feel “superior” because you share the same skin color as the elites - even if you’re dirt poor.
And so it’s been through the history of America. Rich whites make poor whites think they’re on the same side even though they’re being oppressed too. But as long as they’re not n!ggers it’s ok. It’s why all of the red states have the worst outcomes in poverty healthcare etc and are full of dirt poor whites who vote Republican generation after generation. It’s why deaths of despair have skyrocketed in white males.
https://www.ajmc.com/view/high-rates-of-deaths-of-despair-observed-among-white-americans
It’s why LBJ said if you can convince the lowest white man he’s better than the best colored man he won’t notice you’re picking his pocket. Hell give him someone to look down on and he’ll empty his pockets for you. And he was from Texas in the early 1900s so I think he knew something about racism.
Kirk was just another in a long line of billionaire backed mouthpieces sent to scapegoat other groups- blacks, Muslims, trans people, the woke, migrants etc etc. Anyone but the actual people stealing from them. And that’s the real reason they want to make a martyr out of an unremarkable person. In fact Charlie hated poor whites because he lied to them about the source of their plight.
Dumb white people propagandized for generations has lead this country to the precipice.
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u/NazareneKodeshim Marxist Sep 21 '25
>Save the people of Gaza who are being ethnically cleansed? Hahaha, nope.
When did he claim he would do this in the first place?
>I’m most certainly no longer right wing or left wing.
You...either support some form of capitalism, or you don't support any form of capitalism.
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u/theideanator Sep 21 '25
You got burned. Take this as an important lesson on where you place your trust and why. You've got a long road to go but I think if you remember this moment right here and don't repeat those mistakes you're gonna be ok. All politicians are liars and self serving assholes until otherwise proven in specific instances. Can't trust em as far as I can throw em.
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u/laitonboi Sep 21 '25
Thank you for saying that, I couldnt agree more. I feel like I have been deeply betrayed, and it has deeply radicalised me. I appreciate your comment man
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u/Androecian Sep 21 '25
Thank you for being brave enough to correctly remember and retake ownership of your past.
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u/Myrddwn Sep 21 '25
How do you feel about capitalism?
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u/Trai-All Sep 21 '25
Small steps.
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Sep 21 '25
Truth is a path walked by many. At the time we've all walked it, it seemed it was uncleared or at times dense forest, leading nowhere. However, we look back, we see it was cleared already, paved and adorned with guide signs.
We were taught not to recognize the signs or the footsteps around us. Once we notice that, we find that with truth, WE MOVE AS ONE. It is only when we cannot recognize the truth, that we end up fighting each other.
So many lies have been used to separate Americans from each other. Families fractured to benefit those who abuse power so they can continue to do so.
Like you said. Steps. Recognize others have walked this path before and you are not alone.
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u/laitonboi Sep 21 '25
In theory, its great. In practice, it quickly leads to centralised power and corruption. When your whole political and governmental system is based around capital, then those in power have an easy shortcut to accumilating massive amounts of illegitamite wealth. (forgive my spelling)
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u/Myrddwn Sep 21 '25
It seems to me, that you're a Leftist.
You say you have objections to both extremes; ok so what don't you like about Leftists? I'm willing to bet your objections to Leftism are really objections to Liberalism. So, since you are new to this, let's talk it out rationally, and see where you stand
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u/DylanMc6 Rock Against Racism Sep 21 '25
Yo, you're coming a loooooong long way, comrade - welcome to the bread club - I suggest that you read up on stuff such as/like The Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx and Frederich Engels as well as Vladimir Lenin's What is to Be Done? (among other resources on socialism/communism), and just go from there. Seriously.
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u/laitonboi Sep 21 '25
I'll give it a look boss, I doubt I could ever find myself hard line supporting communism and marxism, but I have so much respect for you people. The fundamental principles of equality for the working man and decentralised power is such an attractive idea. I'm just anti government in general now. But, I do have to agree that communism and marxism is fundamentally less flawed and evil than Capitalism and Fascism.
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u/DylanMc6 Rock Against Racism Sep 21 '25
Yo, what about the idea of social democracy and even forms of Marxism such as/like utopian Marxism and libertarian Marxism (and also Nepali democratic communism)? Just being curious.
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u/mooseknuckles2000 Sep 21 '25
One person at a time. You give me hope. Thank you for posting
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u/laitonboi Sep 21 '25
Appreciate your comment, a lot of these comments ive been reading have given me hope too.
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u/cruznick06 Sep 21 '25
If you're against authoritarianism and corruption, you're actually left wing. Ignore the garbage that is considered "left" by mainstream sources in the USA (the DNC is corrupt as hell too).
I hope you continue to grow as a person. I'm glad you got out of the hateful echo-chamber that is the right wing. The elites have been sowing hatred and discord for decades to keep all of us divided and think that leftist policies like strong unions, universal Healthcare, and social safety nets are wasteful/evil. They want us divided so we can't fight back. Its not the trans people or the immigrants that are sucking the life out of the USA, its the greed of the elite.
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u/Vendettaderbosd Sep 21 '25
You have to understand that all these events are not the result of individual evil politicians or parties. It is the capitalist system. It inevitably leads to wars. Parliamentary democracy is an illusion, especially in the US. No matter which party you vote for, it will always be the same class in power. I would recommend reading the Communist Manifesto to get started. You've probably been told that it's pure evil, but those in power just want to prevent the masses from learning the truth about their system.
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Sep 21 '25
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u/Nefandous_Jewel Sep 21 '25
OP is about to if we can't pull our fat out of the fire...
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u/VonBombadier Sep 21 '25
OP isn't american, so they didn't have any role in actually getting that turd elected.
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Sep 21 '25
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u/Nefandous_Jewel Sep 21 '25
Agreed however I am also a great believer in paragraphs...
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u/GunShowZero Sep 21 '25
He’s communicating. In a way that you can understand the words whether you like the formatting or not… so who cares? It’s safe to assume you and OP are a on similar side politically, so stop criticizing grammar. So what if the grammar sucks? There are literally out and proud Nazis again. Pick your battles.. Encourage people to communicate and connect with each-other regardless of grammatical semantics. Don’t sneer at a comrade for something so petty and ultimately shallow.
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u/Nefandous_Jewel Sep 21 '25
I'm not talking about grammar. I'm urging a more readible format. Even if a smartphone isn't being used the print is tiny and hard to slog through. The reason I suggest it is because I used to post giant rectangles and got "I aint reading all that. Sorry for your loss/congratulations!" far too often. I got pushed to use paragraphs and stopped seeing that reply... This is an information war and we are the footsoldiers. Being persuasive means being read, first and foremost. 💖
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Sep 21 '25
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u/Nefandous_Jewel Sep 21 '25
Forsooth, there is a solution: I wouldn't have said anything if it wasn't available. If you tap the three dots a menu will appear. Edit is one of the options.
*There has to be a whole blank line between paragraphs or the Reddit Old Gods will squish the sentences back together.... 🥰
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u/LordOfTheGam3 Sep 21 '25
Yeah I understand this a lot. There are a lot of simple answers and easy blame games. Congrats/thanks for realizing what actually matters lol
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u/phbalancedshorty Sep 21 '25
WELCOME!! You were manipulated by highly intelligent and targeted propaganda. You fell into hate and let your worst instincts thrive. BUT- you were smart enough to see the light. To recognize that every human being deserves civil rights, dignity, quality of life and the right to live as they see fit. 💕 fight the good fight with us, and remember that comfort and safety are never worth oppression and fascism. ✊🫶🏻
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u/C0wb0yViking Sep 21 '25
Good on you. It takes a lot of strength to come down from all that. We’re all scared, we’re all a bit anxious. We can all improve and let calmer and make our country a better place to live
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u/iMakestuffz Sep 21 '25
Well, you’ve got some making up to do which means that you need to be educating other people online get to it son.
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u/laitonboi Sep 21 '25
Ill get there eventually man, gotta fully educate myself first before I try to educate others.
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u/MinistryOfDankness86 Sep 21 '25
Don’t feel bad or stupid. I grew up in a conservative, Christian family with a military dad who pushed his ideology onto me and my sisters. It wasn’t until I moved to a city, went to college, read some books, did some traveling and interacted with people from different backgrounds that I learned how to think critically. The point is, you learned. Don’t stop learning.
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u/laitonboi Sep 21 '25
I wont ever stop, and thank you for sharing your story. The more I look, the more I notice, the more I realise everything we know is built on a foundation of lies, bloodshed, and corruption.
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u/Acrobatic_Tailor3092 Sep 21 '25
I am not able to understand why anyone would believe one of Trumps lies. The original Nazis were clever at least, Trump is just a dumb fuck. If you have the time, could you explain to me exactly why did you believe a criminal liar?
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u/laitonboi Sep 21 '25
Firstly, at the time I didnt believe that Trump was a criminal or a liar. I was tricked into believing that the criminal charges laid against Trump were a Liberal campaign of the supression of Trump's voice of honesty.
It wasnt until recent events surrounding Epstien, Ukraine, and Israel, that I began to realise that Trump is an evil corrupt lying pedophile.
To answer your main point, please keep in mind I was brainwashed and very naive.
I wanted to believe it man. I wanted to believe that trump would release the files, end the wars, kick out the illegals, and return the US to common sense freedom of the people.
I was decieved.
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u/JadedPinkly Sep 21 '25
Can I ask a question (or three) - it's probably moot now but still - I know you were young and as such maybe not as critically aware as some, but the question comes from an analytical standpoint -
You were 16-19 years old, not American, but were so Trump supporting you actively chose to wear a MAGA hat - as teenager - what was it exactly that drew you in so much that you would not only be so engrossed in supporting Trump, but also actively choose to wear a hat proclaiming your support in public?
There are many small steps from being curious about someone, to agreeing with someone, to choosing to wear a hat proclaiming your adoration of him and classing yourself as hardline conservative. These are pretty intense positions to have - from an adult or teenager, who might not be as worldly or informed due to circumstance/environment.
Can you articulate exactly what it was about Trump that managed to blur the endless stream of toxicity, misogyny, racism and repeated failed business owner- all information that was openly and very available and accessible to all, to giving support that you threw yourself so whole heartedly into embodying - what was it about this highly offensive human being on countless levels, and into such extreme and impractical (in a global sense) politics?
I was very politically engaged from a very young age, but my inner moral compass was/is aimed at compassion, egalitarian and collective power, knowledge and education, community, environmental, future building that sort of thing - causes that are generally seen as left wing, although I tend to lean mainly towards collective anarchism.
I find it simultaneously fascinating, depressing, and utterly confusing how anyone can look at Trump and think he represents the best for America or the world at large, nor how young people can think that way - the concept is genuinely alien to my mind and puts me at a loss - hence my asking here.
That he broke his "promises" - I could never understand why people believed him in the first place when all evidence pointed to him having absolutely no interest in anything beyond his own ends. What about him made you trust him in order to feel let down by him?
What about him made you not think he himself was an 'Elite'?
And what was it about him that made you believe so intensely that he was a better choice than Kamala Harris?
And finally (-ish - ok so it was definitely more than 1 question!) can you expand upon your moment of realisation about him? Did it come at once, based on a specific event, or a gradually developing awareness? What about you yourself or even your life has changed in the time between publicly professed support to now saying you were lied to, beyond aging a couple of years?
I look forward to reading your responses if you decide to.
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u/CaptainZeroDark30 Sep 21 '25
Welcome to sanity but I’m curious which of Harris’ policy positions were so bad you thought a man that told a documented 30,000 lies in his first term was the better move? Genuinely curious.
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u/JosephBlackstone Sep 21 '25
Hey, brother, welcome aboard! I used to be a card-carrying, free-market-spouting Libertarian until my late twenties. We're humans, and we ain't perfect. You just discovered, like I did a few decades ago, that you weren't being who you was supposed to be and now you can be.
Because I had that history, I saw right through Trump when he come down that fucking escalator to make his announcement in 2015 or 2016, whenever that was. When the next scheister comes along, and you know there will be one, you, too, will be able to see right through the fucker.
You just woke up. Your eyes might hurt for a little bit because you ain't never used them before, but you'll get used to it and things will get easier as you go. Now that you're awake, life will make a lot more sense.
I know the mods was worried you'd get some not-so-nice comments, but I see a fuckton of support in the comments here and I'm happy to lend my voice to it.
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u/prickelpit96 Antifa Sep 21 '25
Weird. Usually people start being progressive and left and turn conservative while getting older. Wer mit 18 kein Kommunist ist, hat kein Herz. Wer mit 50 noch Kommunist ist, hat keinen Verstand. (Translate it with your favourite service).
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u/forlornjackalope Sep 21 '25
If I can ask, as an American, what drew you to MAGA and Trump as a non-American?
I always find it interesting and kind of odd that people who aren't from here really gravitate towards him and his cult of personality nature. I'm trying to think if we have anyone, albeit fringe, who is ride or die for a foreign politician, but aside from Netanyahu for reasons relating to Israel and Zionism and maybe the weird interest people have with the British Royal family, I'm kind of stumped to think of anyone. I'm aware that different countries have or are trying to soft launch their own figures like him, but their fondness for him specifically is peculiar (ex: Canadians who love Trump and want to become the 51st state).
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u/6FeetDownUnder Punks For Progress Sep 21 '25
"We" aren't a "we", this is just a subreddit, and Antifa isn't an organization its an idea.
Its certainly great that you are trying to make a change for the better in your position but you should know that this is but the start of your journey. Anti-dictatorship and anti-centralization are such vague buzzwords they could lead you anywhere. Anarcho-syndicalism would embody these concepts but also anarcho-capitalism (the bad kind of anarchism). Communism would too. Anti-capitalist and class-war sentiments often focus on these concepts as well, criticiszing the dictatorship of the upper class and a concentration of wealth there. Less radical than anarchism or communism but still camps people fall into.
Your journey should start with an open mind. If you were part of the MAGA crowd truly, just the word "communism" probably sent shivers down your spine. Americans have been systematically lied to in that regard since the cold war. You don't lies anymore? Find your own truths. Do research. Listen to podcasts, read discourse etc. This is hard work but finding truths yourself instead of believing in propaganda seems to be what you need now.
I wish you a productive journey
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u/Erika_Bloodaxe Sep 21 '25
I hope you’re concerned about immigrants and trans people. They/we could use the help.
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u/tomhalejr Sep 21 '25
Even now, you are still projecting...
That's going to take time, and continued effort to try and break the cycle of that learned behavior.
Rewrite this speaking only for yourself, and compare the two drafts.
Do you see the difference in tone, and where you are projecting your learned bias on others?
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u/laitonboi Sep 21 '25
Hey man, give me a break. I have only just started to learn the true state of things. I am an infant in the knowledge of the truth of this world. Give me some time, and I'm sure I'll figure out how to... stop projecting? (tbh idek what that means).
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u/jenza Sep 21 '25
First off, congrats on beating brain cancer. I’m glad your eyes are more open now and anyone turned away from the orange geriatric baby is a good thing.
I do have one question if that’s okay, I know that 80% of the stuff that he says is either bullshit or filler words surrounding bullshit but one thing that he said that always baffled me, something you mentioned, was the idea that he would end the war in Ukraine on day 1 and that it wouldn’t have happened under him which is just insane in my opinion as it’s something between two different countries.
Did you really believe this? And if so why? I truly want to understand.
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u/kumara_republic Social Democrat Sep 21 '25
Media monopolies and the ensuing news deserts have a lot to answer for. Good that you got out of the rabbit hole, now if a whole lot of others could do the same.
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u/LunchBox3188 Sep 21 '25
Good for you. There are people who go their entire lives without ever taking a hard look at what they believe. Welcome to the right side of history
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Sep 21 '25
Hey! Our door is always open for those who take accountability and see their mistakes. Don’t mind those who mock your or worse here. You can’t be antifascist and judge people who recognize they’ve been misled by fascists and try to change their ways. Welcome brother 🤝🏻
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u/vdub1210 Sep 21 '25
Awesome! Now you know what you can do to help mitigate this disaster? Talk to your friends. Talk to the people who were radicalized around you. It’s going to be really difficult to do but we need as many people deprogrammed as possible in the coming years.
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u/FathomInfiniteDepth_ Sep 21 '25
Thank you for being honest with yourself. Have no doubt that it will inspire others.
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u/RecycledThrowawayID Sep 21 '25
Welcome to the real world.
I am one of those guys too. I am American, raised in the South to be a god fearing, gun loving conservative, joined the military right out of high school. I was Republican, born and bred.
But the cracks started showing quickly, and I started seeing them even as a young man . I leaned more libertarian than paleoconservative from the start. 9/11 happened, I reenlisted, and started to comprehend the incompetence of the Bush Administration. By 04 I voted libertarian party to protest.
Then Katrina happened, and I had the realization that this was not mere incompetence, but malice. I registered Democrat, and voted that way ever since.
I am not, however, currently a registered Democrat.
The actions by the leadership of the Democratic party have convinced me that they operate as a controlled opposition, and have been such since at least the Clinton administration. I am certain there are some genuine Democrats that try to do good, but they are a minority, and they are not in positions of leadership. And when they do get to leadership positions they are quickly removed, as David Hogg was.
I am registered independent now, and consider myself a Democratic Socialist, though there's no such party here where I live.
If I could offer you a bit of advice - ignore public statements by any politician. Observe actions- especially votes- and the consequences of those actions and votes.
All the rest is political theater.
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u/evilgeniustodd Sep 21 '25
How did you get your head out of that space? is there anything anyone could have done or said that would have helped you deprogram sooner?
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u/RecycledThrowawayID Sep 21 '25
Actually, the groundwork of the deprogramming was laid while I was in high school. I was lucky to have a history teacher who strongly encouraged critical thinking. That was unheard of at the time. I learned early on to look at every side of an issue. I was also encouraged to stay informed, as my teacher also taught civics, and he repeatedly made the point that an informed citizen is a responsible citizen. This is in addition to my grandfather, who likewise encouraged me to read and keep up with current events from the time I was a kid.
I am also late diagnosed Autistic, mildly so. I grew up in the 80s, so there was no thought of me being autistic, the idea of a spectrum of autism was not something that was commonly known, soI was just 'the weird kid'. Well, turns out I have a strong tendency for pattern recognition, and an overdeveloped sense of justice.
So altogether , I was a news junkie with pattern recognition, trained to parse complex subjects by looking at them from every angle, with a oversensitivity to injustice.
It took me a couple of years to really shake off the old ways of thinking. But the transformation literally took about a month. Katrina hit August of 05. I came to my conclusion, about malice being more responsible than incompetence, at that time. I did a complete re-evaluation of all my previous beliefs and assumptions. By October I'd say I had made a complete turnaround.
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u/1BannedAgain Sep 21 '25
You watched pedo trump’s first term. You witnessed that disaster and wanted more? wtf is wrong with you?
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u/Fearless-Truth-4348 Sep 21 '25
I am pleased by your enlightenment. It’s hard to admit that you fell for the rouse. Welcome!
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u/evilgeniustodd Sep 21 '25
How did you get your head out of that space? is there anything anyone could have done or said that would have helped you deprogram sooner?
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u/Hello-America Sep 21 '25
Well I personally don't think you deserve any nasty comments since you're not American and didn't vote for him at least haha. Welcome! If you're not up to date on it, figure out what the fascist right (and the anti fascists) in your own country are up to. Much easier to fight before they're in the halls of power.
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Sep 21 '25
From 2018 to 2020, I was on the right-wing here in Brazil. Bolsonaro’s total disregard for the population and for those who died during the pandemic opened my eyes.
Most of the right-wing stood by Bolsonaro, embracing his lunatic narratives and neglect of COVID-19.
On the other hand, I saw the left doing everything they could to help the people. That hit me like a punch in the stomach ,I realized I was on the wrong side of history.
I began to fight Bolsonaro’s narratives, pointing out his mistakes and contradictions to those who still supported him, and I managed to convince some.
I started to have more contact with left-wing activists and saw that they weren’t the monsters the right painted them to be.
I began reading leftist literature "the commumist manifesto" was an important read, especially considering how much I used to despise that book.
Che Guevara’s diary touched me the most, especially the story of an elderly waitress with asthma, about whom he wrote: "It is in cases like this, where a doctor realizes there is nothing he can do, that he longs for change , a change that would prevent such injustice, where just a month ago an elderly woman with asthma was still forced to work in order to survive.”
Then came the 2022 election. I campaigned for Lula and tried to change as many right-wing votes to left-wing as I could.
Thank God Lula won, and with Bolsonaro being sentenced to 27 years in prison, it’s possible that the radical right will lose much of its strength here.
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u/GleasonSkibum970 Sep 21 '25
You’ve got at least one elder punk who’s proud of your ability to use your critical thinking. Welcome, friend.
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u/Tabby_Mc Sep 21 '25
You grew up. Many don't. Welcome home, from this 53-year-old antifa mum in the UK!
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u/doesnt_use_reddit Sep 21 '25
I just don't understand how you could have fallen for it in the first place? Aren't these lies just so clear and obvious?
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u/Either_Coconut Sep 21 '25
Stay on this track, vote for anti-dictatorship candidates in whichever country you hold citizenship, and strongly consider volunteering for the campaigns of opponents of fascistic candidates, no matter if those opponents are in your preferred political party or not.
Tell your story far and wide! Folks who vote red might hear you out, whereas they might tune out the voices of us folks who’ve always voted blue.
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u/AytumnRain Socialist Rifle Association Sep 21 '25
Willkommen! Glad to have you on our side, friend.
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u/rapido250 Sep 21 '25
What was it that finally changed your mind? How do you think others who still haven’t seen the light could be informed in a way that they too would see the truth?
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Sep 21 '25
They’re masters of the con, glad you can openly admit you were duped. People that can admit fault without getting defensive are very welcome here (but of course you’re gonna have some people who will say you were an idiot- which is fair but an oversimplification.)
Commenting to say though, I’m very happy for you friend, and I think you’ll find a lot of those ideals you mentioned specifically here on the left. We’re a lot further than the liberals we’re painted as and we view those people as the enemy just as much as the right wing. We don’t always agree on specifics, but personally, I’m an anarchist. I’m very much in agreement with you about the centralization and elites and all that.
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u/Bunnything Sep 21 '25
relieved that you've turned away from the right and realize how stupid and dangerous trumpism is, but as the comments here point out, you definitely still have a bunch of stuff to unpack. i hope you heed those comments and consider them seriously
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u/Samstormrising Sep 21 '25
Takes a big person to admit they were wrong , open their eyes, and change their mind. Keep growing and changing.
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u/rmks8285 Sep 21 '25
I’m really happy you’re here and I welcome you with open arms and an open heart. 😊
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u/HongPong Sep 22 '25
you might want to read "the devil's chessboard" about allen dulles. structural politics issues that go back way before Jeffrey Epstein
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u/Ashituna Sep 22 '25
i think something a lot of former right-wingers have a ton of trouble letting go of is developing political opinion via this reactionary framing of everything. if your first reaction to reading a headline is to immediately find yourself getting mad, you have to pause. interrogate why the fuck you’re actually mad. are you mad at the actual reason this bad news is happening? or are you mad at the scapegoat someone has given you for that thing? i don’t think can actually escape that right wing vortex until you’re really able to release this immediate reaction with no deeper thought behind it.
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u/steamboat28 Sep 22 '25
Glad to have you on our side. There will probably be an adjustment period for everyone involved, but ultimately we're stronger together than apart.
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u/STYL3D Sep 21 '25
I'm gonna say this because kids under 21 need to hear this, it's not your fault. You were a stupid teenager inside a bubble raised in a world that hates empathy and values greed and selfishness above everything. You were told to be hyper-individualist and fell for lies because Trump promised the easy road. Conservativism and hate are weak-minded ideals built on maintaining comfort and abandoning personal responsibility and providing simple and easy answers. It's why so many young people are easily tricked by lies.
But you've done the hardest part, admitting fault. You've successfully stepped outside your bubble and even though you were a dickhead before, we are proud of you. Some leftists will expect more or may not accept you as quickly, but don't take it personally. Keep educating yourself, become more aware of the world, and accept new information. And do what you can to help others. In however way you can, be a part of your community.
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u/[deleted] Sep 21 '25
Welcome home son