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Rivalry between two groups and leaders. The state and parties. Two major political parties dominate the political landscape. Government shutdown. Inability of legislators to negotiate.

<figure id="figure-aoz1p23p3jmfnf5hf6"><img id="aoz1p23p3jmfnf5hf6" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1145700115/photo/turkish-debate-concept-3d-rendering-isolated-on-white-background.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=z8C-E8QpuB_rbv9VvgQ_iDKwmL2Lbu2y6IVgSQcs_94=" alt="Turkish Debate concept, 3D rendering isolated on white background" title="Turkish Debate concept, 3D rendering isolated on white background" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-lg md:rounded-xl lg:rounded-2xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1145700115/photo/turkish-debate-concept-3d-rendering-isolated-on-white-background.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=z8C-E8QpuB_rbv9VvgQ_iDKwmL2Lbu2y6IVgSQcs_94=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure>Conservatism and leftism represent starkly different visions for society, with profound implications for human freedom, relationships, and rational thought. While conservatism champions the unique individuality of each person and their right to free expression, leftism imposes a controlling framework that prioritizes collective identities, often stifling personal autonomy and fostering division. Furthermore, leftism’s emotional and irrational tendencies contrast sharply with conservatism’s commitment to reason and science, exacerbating its harmful impact on human relations. At its core, conservatism celebrates the distinctiveness of every human being, viewing individuals as unique agents capable of shaping their own lives. It upholds free speech as a sacred right, allowing people to express their thoughts, challenge ideas, and engage in open debate without fear of censorship. This emphasis on individual liberty is paired with a belief in limited government, which exists to protect personal freedoms rather than dictate how individuals should live or think. By fostering an environment where diverse perspectives can coexist, conservatism encourages creativity, innovation, and mutual respect among individuals, grounded in reason and scientific inquiry. <span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(18px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal);" data-mce-style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(18px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal);">It trusts that rational discourse and evidence-based thinking lead to progress, prioritizing objective truth over subjective feelings.Leftism, in contrast, is a controlling ideology that undermines human individuality by reducing people to rigid collective identities based on race, class, gender, or other markers. This collectivist mindset erases personal uniqueness, treating individuals as mere representatives of their group’s perceived grievances or privileges. By framing society as a battleground of competing collectives, leftism fosters resentment and division, poisoning human relations. Rather than encouraging unity through shared individuality, it pits groups against each other, amplifying mistrust and hostility. For example, policies rooted in leftist ideology—such as quotas or reparative measures—often prioritize group equity over individual merit, breeding resentment and undermining personal agency. Leftism’s obsession with collective identities also fuels its restrictive stance on free speech. Unlike conservatism, which defends even controversial speech as essential to truth-seeking, leftism frequently seeks to censor or suppress expression deemed offensive to certain groups. This controlling impulse reflects an emotional and irrational approach, where feelings of harm or offense take precedence over open dialogue or reasoned debate. Such restrictions not only stifle individual voices but also hinder society’s ability to grapple with complex issues through rational discourse, as leftism often dismisses evidence or logic that contradicts its ideological narrative. Moreover, leftism’s reliance on emotion over reason manifests in its advocacy for expansive government control. While conservatism trusts individuals to make their own choices within a framework of minimal state intervention, leftism pushes for heavy-handed policies to enforce its vision of group-based justice. This can include sweeping regulations, wealth redistribution, or social engineering, all of which encroach on personal freedom and treat individuals as cogs in a collective machine. By prioritizing emotional appeals—such as outrage over perceived injustices—over scientific evidence or reasoned analysis, leftism risks implementing policies that are ineffective or counterproductive, further straining social cohesion. In conclusion, conservatism and leftism stand in stark opposition. Conservatism’s commitment to individual uniqueness, free speech, and limited government fosters a society where reason and science guide progress, and human relations thrive on mutual respect. Leftism, however, imposes a controlling framework that erases individuality in favor of divisive collective identities, suppresses free expression, and leans on emotional irrationality over reasoned thought. By prioritizing group dynamics and state intervention, leftism harms human relations, sowing discord and undermining the very freedoms that allow individuals to flourish. The choice between these ideologies is a choice between liberty and control, reason and emotion, unity and division.

Conservatism vs. Leftism: Freedom vs. Collectivism

Headstones at Black Hills National Cemetery, Sturgis, South Dakota

<h2>The Charlie Kirk Murder</h2>In the wake of Charlie Kirk’s tragic murder—a heinous act driven by leftist hatred for his bold conservative voice—Russ stood tall, unafraid, and unyielding. In the days that followed he poured out his heart on social media, fiercely condemning the violence and confronting those in our community who dared to claim Charlie "deserved" it. Russ didn’t just mourn; he fought back with words and action, donating to Turning Point USA to support Charlie’s family and honoring his legacy with a heartfelt public tribute to Charlie Kirk.&nbsp;But where was Cliff? On his Facebook page, a single, hollow post: “Charlie was a passionate voice and leader for the conservative movement. My prayers are with Charlie and his family.” That was it. More days passed, the truth of Charlie’s murder by a leftist extremist became undeniable, and still—silence from Cliff. No outrage. No condemnation of the hateful rhetoric fueling this violence. No call to investigate radical leftist groups that may be fanning these flames. Just business as usual in Congress, as if a conservative hero hadn’t been gunned down for his beliefs. This is the heart of the difference between Cliff and Russ. Russ is a warrior for conservative values—values he lives, breathes, and defends with every fiber of his being. A U.S. Marine veteran, Russ doesn’t cower in the face of opposition. Russ would not cancel town halls because of leftist intimidation, as Cliff has done. He will show up, look his constituents in the eye, and stand firm for what’s right—no matter how loud the haters scream. Political violence has no place in America, and it has no place in Oregon. Russ knows this, and he’s not afraid to say it. He’ll fight for our values, our safety, and our freedom of speech - because that’s who he is. Cliff’s silence speaks volumes. Elect Russ McAlmond for your warrior to fight against the hate and violence of the left with everything he has.&nbsp;

The Fighting Marine Conservative Oregon Deserves

<h2>Oregon Deserves Better</h2>I am running against incumbent Congressman Cliff Bentz because he has failed to engage with the people of Oregon’s 2nd District in a manner befitting a public servant. As a Republican, I supported Bentz when he was elected four years ago. However, since taking office, he has been virtually absent from our communities. I, like many of you, have received no meaningful communication from his office—no emails, no updates, no outreach. It’s as if he was elected and then vanished for two terms.&nbsp;Most concerning is Bentz’s refusal to hold in-person town halls. He has cited the rudeness of some attendees as his excuse, but this is unacceptable. Representing Oregonians means facing tough questions and engaging directly with constituents, regardless of their tone. It’s a fundamental part of the job—one that other members of Oregon’s congressional delegation have embraced, despite occasional criticism or complaints. They show up, explain their votes, and listen to the people they serve.Cliff Bentz’s unwillingness to hold in-person town halls and account for his votes in Congress demonstrates a disconnect from the voters who elected him. I’m running to restore transparency, accountability, and accessibility to this office. The people of our district deserve a representative who will show up, listen, and explain their actions—because that’s what leadership demands. <figure id="figure-9fgjqmf4bnmfkb8inb" class=""><img id="9fgjqmf4bnmfkb8inb" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1401779849/photo/americans-voting-in-an-election.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=ae1sZCFmmIfP0oOIDo652TO6QXnlS6-EX4MMg7ZXUGU=" alt="voting booth" class="object-cover bg-gray-100" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1401779849/photo/americans-voting-in-an-election.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=ae1sZCFmmIfP0oOIDo652TO6QXnlS6-EX4MMg7ZXUGU=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></figure><h2> </h2>

Russ for Congress

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Conservatism vs. Leftism: Freedom vs. Collectivism

The Fighting Marine Conservative Oregon Deserves

Understanding why Russ is running for Congress