Author | Lightnews

The Centrist and Independent Voice @thecentristvoice.bsky.social · 6h

@ccarlsson.bsky.social Consider this:

For decades, billionaires such as Donald Trump were seen as the epitome of the #AmericanDream of upward mobility...and Congress was seen as the guarantor of said Dream.

Nowadays, billionaires are seen as AT BEST detrimental to the Dream.

The Tennessee Holler @thetnholler.bsky.social · 21h

Congress basically doesn’t exist at this point

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The Centrist and Independent Voice @thecentristvoice.bsky.social · 6h

While watching her videos on Russian xenophobia, it had me think:

Could one reason why racism is endemic in Russia is not DESPITE its limited involvement in the Transatlantic slave trade or the Scramble for Africa etc., but rather BECAUSE of it, since they had little contact with other races?

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The Centrist and Independent Voice @thecentristvoice.bsky.social · 6h

Voici un élément à prendre en considération :

Que pensez-vous de la soi-disant « lassitude face aux conflits » concernant l'Ukraine et le Moyen-Orient, alors que les médias américains ne parlent pratiquement pas des conflits au Soudan et en RDC ?

FRANCE 24 @france24.com · 6h

Au Soudan, les paramilitaires des FSR revendiquent le contrôle d'El-Facher

Les Forces de soutien rapide ont affirmé, dimanche, avoir fait tomber la ville d'El-Facher, au Soudan. Dans la dernière grande ville qui échappait à leur contrôle, ils ont annoncé avoir pris le quartier général de l'armée. De son côté, l'armée soudanaise est restée silencieuse, mais le comité de résistance populaire dit résister "face aux milices".

f24.my

The Centrist and Independent Voice @thecentristvoice.bsky.social · 6h

@crankyoldcrackpot.bsky.social

In case you were interested, here is a video from #TheMilitaryShow suggesting that the #WarInUkraine might result in the breakup of the Russian Federation due to separatist movements in the Caucasus and Siberia.

What are your thoughts? 🇷🇺🇺🇦🇨🇳🇪🇺

youtu.be/Lafx2IUgIMg?...

Soviet Collapse 2.0... Putin Is LOSING CONTROL of Russia

YouTube video by The Military Show

youtu.be

The Centrist and Independent Voice @thecentristvoice.bsky.social · 6h

Today is October 26, 2025.

This Friday, it will be #Halloween, but a lot of Americans are likely to going to watch their money this #Halloween for candy and costumes.

Then again, the day AFTER #Halloween, #SNAPBenefits are going to be halted for millions of Americans - a VERY REAL and SCARY fact.

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The Centrist and Independent Voice @thecentristvoice.bsky.social · 6h

You're welcome.

In case you were interested, here is Bary's video on how the fallout of the #WarInUkraine might affect Siberia and the various ethnic groups living there (e.g., Buryats, Yakuts, Tuvans, etc.).

🇷🇺🇺🇦🇨🇳🇲🇳🇯🇵🇰🇵🇺🇸

youtu.be/MbXqY0jG1lc?...

Siberia Without Russia: Would It Survive a Day?

YouTube video by Elvira Bary

youtu.be

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The Centrist and Independent Voice @thecentristvoice.bsky.social · 7h

@judi999.bsky.social In addition, have you ever heard of @elvirabary.bsky.social?

If not, she is a Russian immigrant who hosts a YouTube channel covering misconceptions that Westerners (especially Americans) tend to have about Russia.

Here is one video from her.

youtu.be/ifY1mT0uslM?...

What Happens to Russia the Day After the War in Ukraine Ends?

YouTube video by Elvira Bary

youtu.be

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The Centrist and Independent Voice @thecentristvoice.bsky.social · 7h

@judi999.bsky.social Do you want to know what these maps have also caused me to think about?

Just think: Most of the men in the Russian Armed Forces fighting in Ukraine are from Siberia and the Caucasus - fighting for a cause that doesn't really benefit them. 🇷🇺🇺🇦

bsky.app/profile/thec...

The Centrist and Independent Voice @thecentristvoice.bsky.social · 8h

Here is something that these maps cause me to think about:

Among many Americans, their default image of a Russian is that of a White, Orthodox Christian - even the ethnic diversity of Russia (especially in Siberia and the Northern Caucasus) demonstrates that NOTHING could be further from the truth.

Brilliant Maps @brilliantmaps.bsky.social · 11h

The Wild West vs Wild East: American vs Russian Expansion 1300 to 1914

More about them both: brilliantmaps.com/wild-west...

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The Centrist and Independent Voice @thecentristvoice.bsky.social · 8h

Here is the great irony of this:

All of the money that Trump has given to ICE could be used to finance education, housing, and infrastructure (among other things) - and all of those could have given the American Dream FAR MORE CREDIBILITY than ICE could have ever done.

🎀FANCY🎀 @fancysplace.bsky.social · 10h

🎀🎀

The Centrist and Independent Voice @thecentristvoice.bsky.social · 8h

Here is something that these maps cause me to think about:

Among many Americans, their default image of a Russian is that of a White, Orthodox Christian - even the ethnic diversity of Russia (especially in Siberia and the Northern Caucasus) demonstrates that NOTHING could be further from the truth.

Brilliant Maps @brilliantmaps.bsky.social · 11h

The Wild West vs Wild East: American vs Russian Expansion 1300 to 1914

More about them both: brilliantmaps.com/wild-west...

1

The Centrist and Independent Voice @thecentristvoice.bsky.social · 8h

Personally, I think one reason why independent voters are often seen as a "fringe" movement is because at least some independent voters tend to advocate for political causes that are often ignored by both parties (e.g., ranked choice voting, non-interventionism in foreign policy, etc.).

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The Centrist and Independent Voice @thecentristvoice.bsky.social · 8h

Consider this:

One reason why Trump has a considerable affinity for many of the Gulf states (namely, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE) is because they speak the main languages that he does:

Money and power.

Republicans Against Trumpism @rpsagainsttrump.bsky.social · 18h

The Emir of Qatar boarded Air Force One during a refueling stop to speak with Trump

Bribing Trump with a $400 million jet turned out to be money well spent for the Qataris.

The Centrist and Independent Voice @thecentristvoice.bsky.social · 18h

The reason why I asked the question is because, for decades, independent/NPA voters had long been seen as a fringe movement, simply because they did not identify as Democrats OR Republicans.

If 30-50% of registered voters identify as Independent/NPA, can you realistically call that "fringe"?

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The Centrist and Independent Voice @thecentristvoice.bsky.social · 18h

In all seriousness, let me ask you this:

If Barack Obama had even MUSED on the prospects of running for a third term, how would the American Right as a whole react to that?

Dr Lisa 🇰🇳🇨🇦🏳️‍🌈❤️🥳🧘🏽‍♀️🎸🏝💃🏽🛸 @xitter-refugee.bsky.social · 19h

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The Centrist and Independent Voice @thecentristvoice.bsky.social · 18h

Here is another question I have to ask about (and to) #Independent voters:

If #Independent voters collectively formed a legitimate party in its own right (and not just a vague label applied to anyone who was NOT Democrat or Republican), how powerful would it be in challenging the two-party system?

The Centrist and Independent Voice @thecentristvoice.bsky.social · 18h

Here is something to consider over the next three years (especially during BOTH the 2026 midterm AND 2028 presidential elections):

So far, 30-50% of registered voters identify as #Independent voters.

Based on that, is the argument of #Independents being a "fringe" base no longer true, if it was?

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The Centrist and Independent Voice @thecentristvoice.bsky.social · 18h

Here is something to consider over the next three years (especially during BOTH the 2026 midterm AND 2028 presidential elections):

So far, 30-50% of registered voters identify as #Independent voters.

Based on that, is the argument of #Independents being a "fringe" base no longer true, if it was?

The Centrist and Independent Voice @thecentristvoice.bsky.social · 19h

Tonight, I watched this video from Johnny Harris on the history of gold and humanity's fascination with it and the power and prestige associated with it.

What are your thoughts?

Here is another question: In all seriousness, should he do a video on silver?

youtu.be/JMObz0Dgq7M?...

Gold Explained, Finally

YouTube video by Johnny Harris

youtu.be

The Centrist and Independent Voice @thecentristvoice.bsky.social · 1d

I just watched this video from #GeographyByGeoff explaining the sheer geography of the Russian Federation. While watching this (among other videos), it had me think:

What are some facts that Russia's geography that you think get lost upon most Americans?

1. youtu.be/S_k-mxF6xhQ?...

15 Geographic Realities That Shape Russia

YouTube video by Geography By Geoff

youtu.be

The Centrist and Independent Voice @thecentristvoice.bsky.social · 1d

Here is something to consider regarding the 2026 midterm elections:

Who do you think will be benefit from the #TrumpShutdown: Democrats (as it substantiates their case about Trump being uninterested in governance), or the Republicans (as it would allow them to deliver on cutting the welfare state)?

The Centrist and Independent Voice @thecentristvoice.bsky.social · 2d

Here's something that this map should make you think about:

Could one reason for the overall ignorance of Alaska and Hawaii's socioeconomic issues on the part of mainland Americans be due to their distance from the so-called "Lower 48"?

Out of sight, out of mind?

#US #AK #HI

Brilliant Maps @brilliantmaps.bsky.social · 2d

Hawaii’s Nearest Neighbor Is Alaska

brilliantmaps.com/hawaiis-a...

The Centrist and Independent Voice @thecentristvoice.bsky.social · 2d

Do you want to know something that this map has caused me to think about?

A few decades after this map was released by the Portuguese government, ALL of those territories would be lost to independence movements.

Here is a video for more information.

🇵🇹🇲🇿🇦🇴🇨🇻🇸🇹🇬🇼🇲🇴🇮🇳

youtu.be/bFng3zuBYYw?...

Reposted by The Centrist and Independent Voice

Kepano Kolohe @alala55.bsky.social · 2d

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The Centrist and Independent Voice @thecentristvoice.bsky.social · 2d

This week, I watched this video by @elvirabary.bsky.social, and it had me think:

Could one reason for the endemic racism in Russia be not DESPITE Russia's limited involvement in the Transatlantic slave trade and the Scramble for Africa, but rather BECAUSE of it?

youtu.be/0UPGkG4yQ0U?...

Racism in Russia: Why It’s Not What You Think

YouTube video by Elvira Bary

youtu.be

The Centrist and Independent Voice @thecentristvoice.bsky.social · 2d

Here is a question that should be asked (both from AND towards) all Americans:

How many Americans can truthfully claim that their political party of choice represents 100% of their values or interests?

Realistically, I would say that their parties represent AT MOST 75%.

#IndependentVoterBluesky

Gloria @gbhatx.com · 4d

A home for independent voters! 🇺🇸🗳️

#IndependentVoters #PoliticalReform

Independent Center @independentcenter.bsky.social · Sep 17

Waiting for Washington to save us? Our politicians?

For politics that truly reflects the best of us, with respect, empathy and new ideas, join the Independent Center at independentcenter.org

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The Centrist and Independent Voice @thecentristvoice.bsky.social · 2d

Here is something to consider regarding Trump's destruction of the East Wing:

Could one reason why Trump thinks that he can get away with it is because, since he has already won his 2nd term, he doesn't have to be held accountable for this (and other controversies) at the ballot box in 2028?

Molly Jong-Fast @mollyjongfast.bsky.social · 2d

Here are the companies destroying the east wing of the White House