Republican Atheists’ President featured in national Swedish media
Republican Atheists’ President, Lauren Ell, was recently featured in national Swedish media to discuss the 2020 US election while representing the organization Republicans Overseas.
Ell relocated to Sweden from California in 2016 to live with her Swedish partner. Since living abroad, Ell has become active in the organization Republicans Overseas, and has also started her own organization, known as Nordic Republicans. Ell has become a noted name to Swedish media because it is difficult to come across outspoken Republicans in Sweden (Ell has her own insight on why this is).
On October 11, 2020, over ten Swedish media outlets published an interview featuring Ell as a representative of Republicans Overseas, and a woman, also an American living in Sweden, who represents Democrats Abroad. The interview features questions that were answered by both participants separately. The content was originally produced by TT Nyhetsbyrån, the largest news company in Sweden.
Here is a link to the interview – https://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/a/AldGbq/svenskamerikaner-om-valet-chock-och-splittring
The interview has been translated to English below –
One is worried, the other is excited about the presidential election in his home country. Two US-born Swedes talk about their widely differing feelings for and views on American politics and what it is like to be American in Sweden.
Lauren Ell comes from California but lives in Gällivare. She voted for Republican Donald Trump in the last presidential election and will do so this year as well. Lisa George-Svahn lives in Solna, just over a hundred miles south. She was born in Connecticut and will cast her vote for Democrat Joe Biden.
TT has interviewed them individually about how they view the election and the political development in the United States.
TT: How do you feel about the election?
– It is worrying that Trump refuses to answer whether he will accept the election result in the event of a loss. I have never experienced anything like this in my life. Every day is a state of shock, says Democrat Lisa George-Svahn.
– I am excited and wish there were elections already today. Unfortunately, I will not be able to be in the US this time. I remember how cool it was when the result came in the last election. Then I was at home in California, says Republican Lauren Ell.
TT: How do you view the political climate in the United States?
– In the past, it has been possible to discuss politics in a civilized way. We have been in the same room, so to speak. We do not do that anymore. Many families feel that it is not possible to talk politics without it becoming infected, says Lisa George-Svahn.
– The United States is a divided country. People feel strongly about their own opinions and refuse to listen to others. However, it has gotten better. Now Trump has been in power for four years and democratic voters have begun to accept dissent, says Lauren Ell.
TT: How do you see the other side?
– I understood why many unemployed people voted for Trump in 2016. He promised new jobs in, among other things, the coal industry. But the job failed. Today, my only conclusion is that people who vote for Trump do so because they agree with his racist statements and want a United States where everyone is white, says Lisa George-Svahn.
– You vote based on your priorities. I respect those who vote for Biden because of his values. Then there are people who only vote for him because they want to oust Trump, says Laruen Ell.
TT: Do you have family members who vote differently than you?
– Dad unfortunately votes for Trump. He comes from India and since he has managed to establish himself in the United States, he sympathizes with the Republicans’ original philosophy that hard work pays off. Our conversations usually result in disappointment, says Lisa George-Svahn.
– My sister is a Democrat. We try not to talk politics, but we both share political content on social media so sometimes it gets hot, says Lauren Ell.
TT: What are your most important questions in the election?
– Racism and police violence, the climate and health insurance, says Lisa George-Svahn.
– I want to hear more about law and order, considering the riots in, for example, Minneapolis, Chicago, Seattle and Portland. Another important issue is how the economy should recover. Then I want to know what to do about companies moving from states such as California, says Lauren Ell.
TT: What do you think will happen after the election?
– Both the polarization and the atmosphere that Trump has created will remain regardless of who wins. It now appears that Ruth Bader Ginsburg (judge of the US Supreme Court who passed away recently, editor’s note) will be replaced before the election. If the Supreme Court is uneven, the conservatives can restrict the right to abortion and tear up health care reforms, says Lisa George-Svahn.
– The validity of the election will be discussed. After the last election, there was talk of Russian interference. Now there is talk of the risk of Chinese interference. In addition, there is a discussion about how social media and search engines can influence the choice, says Lauren Ell.
TT: How do you view the Swedish media ‘coverage of the US election?
– I find nothing in Swedish media that I can not read in American newspapers. That makes me a little disappointed. I wish I could get more in-depth information. However, the Swedish reporting is objective, which is positive, says Lisa George-Svahn.
– I do not feel that the reporting is objective. On Swedish television, Hillary Clinton is portrayed as a kind of ideal woman. She smiles and looks successful and the pictures are accompanied by atmospheric music. Trump is instead portrayed as an angry villain from a rich family and in the background unpleasant music is played, says Lauren Ell.
TT: How do you feel about talking to Swedes about American politics?
– My experience is that the Swedes are behind the democratic party. Biden may not arouse much enthusiasm, but it is obvious to many to stand behind him in this election, says Lisa George-Svahn.
– My husband is Swedish and likes Trump, so we get along well. Otherwise, I tend to not talk openly about American politics. I have talked to a few here in Gällivare and of course there are some who cheer for Trump, but the majority do not. It is more accepted to be a democrat than a republican in Sweden, says Lauren Ell.
Photo credit: TT
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