Over the years, I’ve been called a lot of things because of my posts and my writing: braggart, liar, chauvinist, leftist, “brainwashed by the West,” “deluded”—the full package. People have said this about my lifestyle posts, my book, and my political views. Sometimes they write these things in the comments, sometimes they say them to my face. And it hurts the most when it comes from people I consider friends. They, of all people, should understand me, right? They should know how I think, where I come from, and who I am.
When it comes to my lifestyle stories, I’ll say this for the thousandth time: I have actually lived these experiences, and I write them as they happened. Many people never allow themselves to have adventures. They pull the plug before things even begin. Sometimes out of convenience. Sometimes out of fear. Sometimes because their friends or partner say “Better don’t do this!”
I, on the other hand, have always thrown myself into adventure—and, more than once, nearly crashed and burned. But I got lucky. Or maybe by now I just have enough life experience to always come out the other side—intact, and with a story to tell.
And there are things I’ve been through that I can’t write about. If I did, I’d get into serious trouble. And believe me, I’m a realist, not some paranoid drama queen. I’m not saying this because it sounds good in a story. The truth is simple: If you don’t take the risk, you don’t get the experience. That’s just how it is. And yeah, then you might have to start making things up. That’s something I can’t do. My literary agent—yes, I have one—once advised me to write a novel. I even came up with a story and started writing, but I just couldn’t finish it. Inventing a plot? Not my thing.
So much for that. Let’s talk about politics.
My Political Perspective
I grew up in the ’80s near Bamberg. The “Iron Curtain,” with its landmines and automatic gun turrets, was only 60 kilometers away. Back then, Bamberg was home to one of the largest U.S. Army bases in Germany. When I biked to school in the mornings, U.S. soldiers were lying in the roadside ditches with rifles. Behind them, battle tanks were stationed in the forest. The Soviet threat and the fear of a third world war were very real. At six years old, I had nightmares of mushroom clouds and firestorms consuming everything.
Despite that, I had a childhood full of freedom. I learned that you can say and do whatever you want—as long as you respect the rights of others.
In my youth, I moved between different groups. First, I hung out with metalheads, then with punks, then briefly with Nazi skinheads in combat boots. I didn’t have a political stance yet, but one thing was clear to me: my freedom was sacred—and still is.
After school, I wanted to join the police force to become a helicopter pilot. That’s when I was confronted once again with the ideology of fascists. Most of my instructors, with few exceptions, were deep black to brown politically. Two of my bunkmates would listen to Hitler and Goebbels speeches at night while writing love letters to their girlfriends. Sounds insane? It was.
Then they hung up the Reichskriegsflagge at our shared table. That was my breaking point. I reported them to the unit leader, the flag came down—and from that moment on, 80% of my colleagues hated me. I was “the leftist” again.
Me? Leftist?
I sometimes jokingly call myself left-wing, but that’s nonsense. I stand in the middle—or maybe even above all of it. I don’t let myself be put into a box. There are values that matter to me. Values that have only grown more important over the years. And almost all centrist parties share these values—some more, some less.
What Values Matter?
A free and fair society needs a strong foundation. Values that enable coexistence, resolve conflicts, and balance individual freedom with the common good. Here are some of the most important ones:
1. Freedom – Everyone should have the right to shape their own life without state or societal interference. That includes freedom of speech, press, assembly, travel, and economic choice. But freedom is not anarchy—it ends where it infringes on the rights of others.
2. Rule of Law and Justice – Laws must apply equally to all, whether rich or poor, influential or not. A truly independent judiciary is essential, free from political pressure or corporate interests.
3. Democracy and Political Participation – Democracy isn’t just about voting every few years. It’s about civic engagement, transparency, and preventing abuses of power.
4. Social Justice – A degree of equality is necessary for stability. Those who work hard should be rewarded, but equal opportunity is key. Nobody should live in poverty while a handful of elites hoard wealth.
5. Education and Critical Thinking – Without an educated population, democracy cannot function. Education should teach independent thinking and protect against manipulation by media, populists, or conspiracy theorists.
6. Diversity and Tolerance – A society is made up of different people from different backgrounds. This diversity should not just be tolerated but embraced. Racism and discrimination erode social cohesion.
7. Solidarity and Community – Society only works when people support each other—whether through social security systems, community aid, or international cooperation. A culture of selfishness leads to collapse.
8. Sustainability and Future Responsibility – We can’t just live for the present; we must think about future generations. Economic, environmental, and social sustainability matter.
9. Truth and Transparency – Lies and propaganda destroy trust in institutions. A healthy society needs honest communication from politicians, businesses, and media.
10. Innovation and Progress – Standing still means falling behind. Technological, economic, and social progress keeps a society alive. But it must be responsible and ethical.
A free society must balance these values. Too much freedom without justice leads to inequality and chaos. Too much security without freedom leads to surveillance and oppression. A democracy without education becomes an empty shell.
Why I Write
Not to show off.
Not to prove how clever or insightful I am.
I write because I know I don’t have all the answers. There are people out there smarter than me, with more knowledge, deeper understanding. I’m open to learning and engaging in discussions based on facts and arguments.
But then there’s another type of person. You know them, too. The ones without any style, but who think they’re the greatest. The ones so self-confident that they don’t even question themselves. Have they even looked in the mirror today?
That’s fine. The real problem begins when this same attitude extends to intelligence and life experience. When people who have never looked beyond their bubble start explaining the world to you. Often, they cherry-pick facts that support their views—or they just make things up entirely.
Try to debate them, and they lash out. Suddenly, you’re “brainwashed by the system,” engaging in “thought policing,” or “pushing a narrative.” And then the shouting starts.
I know that I know nothing.
I have to question my own views constantly. It’s exhausting. Of course, it would be easier to just scroll mindlessly through social media and parrot whatever slogans are trending.
But I have my values. Values shaped by my family, the Cold War, and my travels. I’ve met countless people, listened to their perspectives. My moral compass is set. And that’s why I had to leave Russia after 19 years—because what’s happening there no longer aligns with my values.
Now, I see the same things creeping into the West.
Power-hungry leaders trying to reshape states in their image. The result? Less wealth, less freedom—for regular people. Germany isn’t doing much better. People are disillusioned. They no longer trust the political center. And the alternatives? Mostly disastrous. Some are even backed by Russia or the new power brokers in the U.S.
And Now?
I have no solution.
I want to fight. For my values. For my freedom.
But start a political party? No thanks.
I’ll probably leave Germany again soon. Until then, I’ll keep writing. Because ideas are like viruses—they spread from mind to mind.
No matter where you stand: Defend your freedom before it’s taken from you.
At the very least, I can share my thoughts with you.
What you do with them is up to you.
Glad you made it to the end.
Photo by Alex Schelbert
