Our Democracy, our Freedoms, and the soul of our Country are all on the line in November!
President Biden’s State of the Union address was very inspiring to me, and I hope, very inspiring to most of my fellow Americans. Joe Biden has been the President for all Americans not just the Americans who agree with him! He brought with him the true grit of a leader who truly cares about the people, the country and the world. And, his greatest characteristic, he is Humble and Kind. Something his predecessor NEVER HAD & NEVER WILL HAVE!
His predecessor is a dictator wannabe who, like an AR-15 with a bump stock, shoots down our country, our institutions, and his “best people” who finally wake up and turn against him, every chance he gets! He praises dictators who he admires and is envious of. He just entertained Victor Orbán @ Mar a Lago!
Does anyone really believe he wants to close the borders after telling his Republican party, do not vote for that bipartisan border bill because I want to run on it for my campaign! Did anyone believe it when Trump said he and his party will repeal Obamacare and replace it with my healthcare bill that will be much better!
Michael Cohen, who worked for Trump for over 10 years said that before Trump became president, he didn’t really want the job. It was only going to be an infomercial for adding more populism and of course more money! Michael also said if he loses to Biden in 2020 he will never concede! Very few people believed Trump would be that bold and ruthless.
Personally I am baffled that there are so many Americans who look at this insurrectionist and think, yep he’s my guy!
Because he's convinced them he can fix everything and they believe he will keep his promises. And sadly, many of his supporters are white supremacists too let's face it. Whether they admit it or not. They support Project25. It's frightening as hell. I believe in the end we will prevail like Robert said. But Add in the Evangelicals and there you go. There's his Base. Which btw he hasn't added to and Nikki took a 1/3 of. So more Voters for us to peel off.
I looked over the recent Heritage Foundation’s (est. 1973) Mandate for Leadership The Conservative Promise -Project 2025 (published 2023) at the weekend. It is a repetitive 920 page neo liberal polemic made up of bare plurals. A charter calling for personal privateering through the flouting of precedent based rule of law. Quite literally UnAmerican.
The original Mandate of 1973/80 in support of the Powell Amendment is claimed to be the book that ‘literally put the conservative movement and Reagan on the same page’.
The key takeaway came from the introduction and it’s Four Pillars. Specifically Three and Four, which promise to create a Presidential Academy and a Playbook to educate individuals in politically correct thinking. Also a call to create The Playbook which will offer a text to legally bind their political coalition players to their very own new American constitution.
The Heritage Foundation (DC) are also presently politically informing the UK’s Conservative and Unionist government. In fact, I would argue their takeover of the democratic state institutions is far more advanced here than in the States. This week Prime Minister Sunak is introducing new legislation regarding the definition of political extremism. It is a clever Trojan Horse carrying within it the power to legally blacklist all political
opponents from participating in any democratic institution, effectively achieving the Heritage Foundation’s aforementioned Pillars Three and Four with the stroke of a pen. 🔥
Thank you for posting this informative comment. I have not read Project 2025, but I have been hearing a lot about it. Since this is the master plan of the Republican vision for our future, it is important that the rest of us know what it says. We need our own strong vision of a future to counter this dark, harsh and selfish vision of Project 2025. As Robert Reich has put forth here, our vision is one where diversity is both strength and beauty and we are motivated by love more than fear.
Substacker Andra Watkins has Project 2025. She has the 1,000 page document and is dissecting & decoding it each day on her substack, she is a survivor of Christian nationalism, she knows exactly how they think, she decodes their whole Manifesto. I recommend checking her out.
Substacker Andra Watkins reports on Project 2025. She has the 1,000 page document and is dissecting & decoding it each day on her substack, she is a survivor of Christian nationalism, she knows exactly how they think, she decodes their whole Manifesto. I recommend checking her out.
The “party” is the legal system. One of the branches of government. With 91 indictments in multiple jurisdictions, blaming a political party shows you are probably a Putin Troll.
I’m confused about your position on who lies and cheats versus who doesn’t (Trump does, just for a start). Also your reference to Bernie—is success of Biden, Hillary, or Obama, over Bernie—YOUR sour grapes? Bernie deserved to win, we agree, just as any presidential candidate with the most votes, having WON the popular vote, DESERVES to be declared the winner—but, though you and I are Bernie fans, “he didn’t win” does not suggest leadership was STOLEN from him, a theme MAGAs are sadly seriously stuck on, considering “most-votes” versus College votes, has meant so many have lost when they “won.”
Uhhh, legitimate crimes were not only committed for all to see, grand juries were convened and presented with actual evidence, making their decisions accordingly! None of that(including gas prices and supermarket price gouging, for that matter)has ANYTHING to do with the Biden administration or anything else political for that matter! Period. Full stop. I can't understand why it is so hard for many of us to understand that any president has always had very little control over those specific issues directly. Also, our president is NOT the president of any other nation, including Israel! Biden can only do so much to facilitate ceasefires and humanitarian aid. Israel needs to also do their part, which can be hard if they are no better than 45.
"The yeti" committed crimes against ALL of us, INCLUDING his most loyal followers; forcing them to vote against their own interests time and time again!
Everything happening to 45 is completely his own fault..period! He truly hates our nation and it is painfully obvious to anyone who has commis informed, has some simple common sense, a little education, self respect, and is capable of thinking critically.
At this point in time, there is more than enough proof out there!
Listen back to all the speeches and rallies...
Who in their right mind would want that as a role model for their children?
Whew. That is sure scary. Project25 is a nightmare beyond my comprehension. No wonder it feels like 1930's Germany at times. Except it's 2024. Lord help us. I've never prayed so hard in my life.
LOL. A prayer doesn't cost you anything and has the benefit of releasing or sharing your burden. It's like a hail Mary pass in football, threw it out there and hope for the best!
He is such a conundrum of a person. His very Jewish family is even gobsmacked by him, unable to fathom what can be driving him, other than an overwhelming addiction to POWER.
Miller is 19 years younger than me, and I did not know him, however, he and I attended and graduated from the same high school: Santa Monica High (SAMOHI), in Southern California. It’s unfathomable to me. How he came from such a liberal city, and from such a Jewish family, is mind blowing.
Just like so many of his fellow Republican nasties, I suspect he's possessed by a dybbuk and its fellow minions. Of course that sounds like medieval thinking, but in those superstitious times,exorcism was a satisfying accepted custom.
I didn't know that Miller went to Samo. I went to BHHS--'52-'56 so I'm the dinosaur here I guess. But look at Bibi---he's a Hitler clone. One wonders don't they and I think the only answer is sociopaths and psychopaths can turn like that.
When I read Project 2025 it seems to be a dystopian and weird version of Lenin’s “dictatorship of the proletariat”. It seems that the R party has essentially bought into the Soviet manifesto. No doubt with a little help from the troll factories.
There’s little difference between the NAZI Right and the Stalinist Left.
Don’t nobody kid yerselfs — Putin is every bit as NAZI as anybody in the Third Reich. Oligarchs and autocrats want to own everything and rule everybody, and they all use the same tools. “Communist Dictators” look just like fascists to me.
And Fascist Dictators look f-ing scary!!!
The Project 2025 tells us who they are! We need to believe them.
We need to be ready for this next segment of our election, because we don’t think they’re going to play “fair,” do we? Or even “by the rules”?
That’s not the point, for them. Winning for the likes of Trump is justification for doing “anything it takes to win.” That’s what his father taught him — be a “killer” — do what it takes.
Democrats, yes, maintain your integrity, but don’t be patsies. Be wary.
I disagree, Paul. Democrats have not ALWAYS acted with integrity in all things, but they have OFTEN acted with integrity in cases of voting rights and respecting the rule of law within our country, among many other aspects of their influence in our public life. {and the rank-and-file of Democrats most often act with integrity — they are mostly good people looking for a way to live well with each other}.
If you would like to point to Democratic Party domestic policies that lack integrity, in this day and age {I know the Democratic Party was the champion of slavery at one time}, let me know what you are thinking. If you are looking at the Clinton years, I’ll have to agree with you — there was too much done there that we should be ashamed of, though not everything.
What we are witnessing today is the logical culmination of the Conservative Revolution launched by Newt Gingrich in the 1990s. Newt was a practitioner and an advocate of Leninist tactics. The Nazis also used Leninist tactics.
That is going to play a big part in my nightmares, Monnina!! Thank you for the information. I didn't know that much about Project 25. Now that I do, I will work even harder to elect Democrats up and down the ballot!!! Vote Blue, America!!!
Good point, Lisa! In Professor Reich's post he pointed out that many MAGAs are "older, whiter, straighter, without college degrees and male". These are exactly the type of people who want to turn back time. They are scared because they aren't all powerful anymore. They aren't the "masters" anymore and people of all races, cultures, and religions are finding their home here in America. Whites need to get over themselves and understand they are becoming a minority. They can either learn to accept and navigate the times we live in or sit inside their home afraid of every little change that comes along!!!
I remember one of these guys sitting around a dinner table in Chicago back in the 60s, complaining about Women’s Lib and the Civil Rights movement, and college agitators.
At one point, he said something to the effect that all he needed was a meal on the table and an obedient woman in his bed and he was happy.
A woman in the room said that sounded like enough to make any pig happy.
Per Dr Reich "Republicans comprise only 28 percent of voting Americans." It's hard to extrapolate from that to a percent of white Americans. MAGA Republicans have been better organized and much louder because they feel more threatened and are easier marks for grifters. People who are afraid are easy to control.
According to current sources: They are 40% of the Voting public, and are unified around Trump, unlike the Dems who are petulant children if their agenda, their project, their ethnicity is not satisfied.
Dems have proven that they will sulk, and not vote or vote uncommitted,thus handing victory to those that will gleefully oppress and if possible obliterate them.
I understand what you're saying, Lee, and don't entirely disagree but Republicans have perfected petulance *and* childishness. Whether or not they're in lockstep let's not forget that.
Unfortunately petulance and childishness is not monopolized by the right.
There is also quite a bit of that on the left as well. Enough, mind you, that if they don't get a grip soon, Trump will be the next President and it will be all over for those petulant and childish leftists/liberals/progressives.
Susan, that is so untrue!! Democrats want gun control. They aren't saying they are coming for your guns, they are saying it is time to stop the killing of our children!! There needs to be laws that prevent guns getting into the hands of crazies who will go out and kill for absolute no reason!! trump says that to scare people. We must speak truth and let everyone know we are not out to take all guns away!! trump is ludicrous!!
No- you misunderstood- people following Trump believe his comments - “ the Dems are coming for your guns “ - I don’t believe that. The democrats want gun legislation to keep guns out of the hands of unstable people.
I agree with you, Susan. I don't believe trump's nonsense either; however, he scares people with that kind of talk and makes them not want to vote for President Biden. I agree with Democrats about legislation that keeps guns out of the hands of unstable people!
Paul, I don't have any problem with "responsible" gun ownership. My family have been hunters and had respect for owning a gun. I just have a problem with people with mental issues being able to obtain a gun and without regard to human life use it on complete strangers. Those strangers were somebody's mother, dad, daughter, son, sibling. They had nothing whatsoever to do with whatever mental issues the shooter was experiencing. It just seems to me that human life is just expendable and no one seems to care anymore. They have become desensitized to death! I agree with you that these drugs that have psychotic side effects need to be monitored more closely. Taking care of the gun situation is a huge task and I guess we will make small steps toward a solution everyone can live with.
It is not guns Susan, it is the fear and anguish of loss of societal and familial control, on the part of insecure males (not just white ones either) and camp following females who deem themselves the beneficiary of the status quo, meaning the patriarchy which is perceived to be under threat from feminists, atheists, gays, and liberals.
Yes!! That is a HUGE one with some of the younger Maga supporters I know. Men in their 30's and 40's who support Trump. They are terrified of losing their guns. Even when I bring up an Assault weapon ban, my one friend freaks out because it's the "slippery slope". So there's that. They don't trust the Democrats at all not to take their guns. Propaganda had been very successful in this way.
I know believe me. The sad part is they have so damn many guns we need them to protect ourselves from them. It's so insane!! If I had my way we'd go the way of other countries and regulate them all.
Good point, Lisa. Libertarians are using the gun issue as part of their Reich-Fauci, et al. conspiracy theory. They claim that it is all part of an agenda, using the "common good" as cover, to promote socialism, secularism, collectivism, homosexuality, Big Pharma, and deprive us of individual freedom. Depriving us of individual freedom and human rights is precisely what they want to do. They are brazen, greedy, unprincipled fascists.
I make a silly pun, but I know what you're saying about people that can't accept what might be different from their viewpoint, faith, ideology, precepts be an equal person of standing.
Yes, Jacko, it is! I vented because I am tired of these magas acting all "manly" or so they think. I'm sorry, I am not talking about all older, whiter, straighter, without college degrees males! I am talking about these crazies that think males should be dominant and the most important. We are all equal. Male, female, white, black, hispanic, asian, muslim, LGBQT, and everyone else in case I left anyone out. The sooner republicans realize none of us will sit back and let them dictate our lives, the better our country will become. With an open mind, the possibilities are endless! Please forgive me if I got carried away. It was not my intent to insult anyone!
Allow me to apologize. I couldn't resist pointing it out but intending to invoke humour not criticism. We of open minds are open to many ideologies, expressions, different beliefs, and concepts, and you're right the MAGA's don't have that.
Peggy, they don't sit at home. They drive their big fat dually trucks jacked up (like they are) and flapping double Trump flags. You can even see the Neanderthal look on their faces. ( sorry, prehistoric folks.) Then complain about gas prices, etc.! I just want to scream 😱
Silly?!! Really?! I wouldn't say Project25 is silly in the least. It is terrifying and traitorous!! Why are you really here? To find common ground or to spy? Inquiring minds would like to know.
Paul, of course you are entitled to vote your choice. I also find it amusing that you zeroed in on sitting in your home afraid of every little change. Why bother talking about it if you have decided on who you will vote for? trump, for me, is not a good choice for president. That's my choice so we can agree to disagree. Enjoy your sunset years, Paul!
Exactly, he will fix everything, but he won’t say how. He refused to debate Nikki. He has no actual plan, other than getting himself out of trouble. I am Canadian and I, too, feel nauseous about Trump. I have American friends, who also worry about the results of the election. Also, I fear for the global implications of another Trump term in office. His love of dictators and distain for NATO. Plus all the other changes for the worse that took place due to republicans. Why does he need to make America great again? He obviously didn’t accomplish that when he actually had the chance. I too, am cautiously optimistic. Americans did the right thing in 2020. They can do it again.
Who are these people with no brains that fall for the carnival huckster Trump? He’s shown no plans for America only demented lies about everyone else - this man is very sick. How can republicans just hand over their party to a clown with no credibility?
The USA’s source of weakness is its culture of advertising. We have been conditioned to consider the false promises of Madison Avenue as true for product after product. Did you know that one of the first items to be sold via direct mail was a $1 bill? It sold for $2 and advertised as a “fine etching” of George Washington.
You answered your own question, Susan. "People with no brains." Trump's clownish hucksterism should not be taken literally; He is only the Republicans puppet being used as a foil for their deeply evil agenda. when they are done with him, he will be thrown away like used toilet paper.
Lisa, I too would welcome the future outcome of 2024 and beyond that Reich (a genuine American hero) lays out, but unless the outcome of the election resembles the defeat of Goldwater there is a likelihood that things will become very ugly, yes even with a Biden victory.
Besides . .Stomping The Vermin! is just Kidding . . the new Pro Wrestling Politics . He wouldn't Ackshully do Camps .. even if little neonutsie American Carnage Steve . .
is in The Day One Cabinet . .. # amirite? or . . .
I was relieved to learn that the ecumenical group Faithful America includes lots of evangelicals who don’t buy into Christian nationalism. This group and several others Are speaking out and fighting back against what they view as a high jacking of their faith for political power.
From one Bob to another, what is happening in our country is enough to make the stomach of any good person begin to churn. That nauseous feeling you get every morning when you grab the paper and begin to count the number of times Trump's name appears just on the front page alone is perfectly natural. Its nature's form of ipecac syrup, guaranteed to empty the contents of anyone's guy. To think, the man has enough power to make another human puck, just by thinking of the creep.
The uneducated are high on tfg's childish hate of anyone else's authority or rules, except tRump's illegitimate, undisciplined power! he can destroy what has been built , in terms of precedent and norms,; and take advantage of the weaknesses in our laws made by the Tea party and successive unpopular 'presidents' ( who lost the popular vote). and their erosions of norms and thumbing their noses at the law.
Jaime Ramirez ; tfg just got some major blowback just the same. Joe Biden is still viable and paying attention, and the majority, even disaffected Republicans who had their party hijacked, are planning to vote for him!
Coverage of Trump by the corporate media, Jaime, is financially rewarding, both in the present, and if he is elected,in the future so they think.
Geman papers thought the same about Adolph, boy did they have a big surprise. The Hungarian media should be a prime example for our media, but they have apparently chose to ignore the fact, that Orban has taken over the Hungarian media, just as Putin has the Russian media.
“Nauseous Optimism” describes my feelings to a T! The stakes for this election are so incredibly high. Seemingly, so many Americans are oblivious to the danger the Trump represents that I often find myself angry and disgusted to the point of having a churning stomach. And, as others have said, the Court is betraying us. So it’s up to the majority of the voters to rescue our democracy-and I have to believe they will. The alternative is unthinkable.
Bacco, I invested in a large supply of Pepto Bismol this year because I knew I was going to experience a lot of stomach upsets because of the little orange man!!
Bacco, I just had to hit my Pepto stash!! I saw an article where the little orange man ridiculed President Biden about his stutter and his slobbering cult followers laughed and encouraged more!! President Biden has shown empathy and compassion for people who have speech problems. He helped that young man who just wanted to talk to him about his speech. President Biden is kind and very comforting. He lifts people up and encourages them. Meidas Touch put out an ad that showed the little orange man making fun of President Biden and showed President Biden talking to the young boy about his speech. The contrast was extraordinary!! I don't want someone in the White House who laughs at others, makes fun of others, and encourages bullying and ridicule of others. That is not a president. That is a sick person.
You know, Peggy, I find Trump's mocking of Biden's stutter pretty rich considering how fat, ugly, and stupid he (Trump) is. You would think a guy so concerned with appearances would at least lose some weight and try to look good but he's so lazy and self-indulgent that he can't be bothered. What an unbelievable phony. And what a sadist.
You are so so right!! I'm a survivor of that epidemic too. Barely escaped with my life because of my chronic pain. I remember when Purdue's new meds came out. "Oh these aren't addictive". Yeah right. They even FedEx-Ed them right to your house. I was on their MSContin 5 years before I even knew it was morphine. I'm so thankful I survived and am in recovery today. I hate that company with a passion!!! Grrrr.
Thank you. I almost didn't make it. More than once. I'm a walking miracle for sure. There but for the Grace of God goeth I....Which is a good part of what motivates me to do what I'm doing now. My way of giving back. ❤️🇺🇸💙
Victor, I think they’re born that way. I’m no expert,
but once I became aware that such people exist
and began to observe them (even in my own family)
it seems to me like it’s a genetic trait. I’m not saying
everyone born with this trait will become a mass murderer—far from it. But I do think the way a person is raised can modify their behavior. I believe
this trait manifests on a continuum or spectrum of
severity. Their brains are “wired” differently
causing their perceptions to deviate from the norm.
What has helped me understand is the realization that everything these people see and hear passes through a filter of sorts that distorts their perception, and I think their distorted perceptions
start at birth.
The problem, or part of the problem, is that people
aren’t taught to recognize behavior patterns that
are abnormal, or at the very least, not the usual
reactions most people have. Others might say a
person is hard to get along with, and we all know people like that. But there’s ‘hard to get along with’ and then there’s, a pattern of mis-perception that makes someone hard to get along with. These people think about things differently than most
"Personally I am baffled that there are so many Americans who look at this insurrectionist and think, yep he’s my guy!"
That's because he isn't attacked viscerally.
If the media were on top of the election, they would have reported the speech Jill Biden gave in Pennsylvania when she, daughter and mother of veterans, said the magic words that convert (or marginalize) MAGATS: "not sucker or losers."
I can't wait to hear her say "Trump hates dogs" and "Trump stole from kids with cancer."
Jeez, Trump sounds just like George Santos or whatever his name is! Trump envy’s President Biden in many ways including that President Biden has a First Lady.
Daniel, It will do little good, because Trump has skillfully used denial both as tactic and strategy. Once you buy into denial the guy owns you, and denials acts like a drug.
I was appalled he made it to the ballot in 2016....and was "told" he'd never be President...don't worry about it!! I did then and I do now! Biden came out swinging on Thursday and it was great!! Let's keep the momentum going. Mr. Reich does give me hope and optimism...albeit with a nervous edge.
I am not baffled Keith. There are three forces at work pulling for Trump
1. Religious fanatacism, (not limited to Christianity either)
2. Patriarchalism, manifested in the form of female submission, male dominance.
3. Fear, fear of loss of power, fear of loss of control and Trump and the fascists have the fearful by the short and curlies. As Nixon said, grab them by the balls and their hearts and minds will follow.
I watched Ayman yesterday on MSNBC, the guest was a 2nd Generation Mexican, Mayra Flores from South Texas running for Senator. She is a hard right fantatic, when asked questions, she resorted to the tried and true tactic of the right wing, she didn't answer the question, but use the question to launch into a filbuster regurgitating the compalints of the right.
She did say one thing that was true, Latino's are social conservatives, that is patriarchs, and most vote that way. Those that have citizenship and green cards, don't care about the migrants, but like Joe Arpaio of Arizona, hate them, because the illegals make them look bad.
It is the I got mine, screw you mentality.
The Muslims are flipping their finger to Biden and the Dems, as are young black males (which has relevancy in Pennsylvania).
The election will be won and lost in five swing states, AR, NV, MI, PA, WI
They have 61 electoral votes, MI, which houses the most Muslims 100,000 voted uncommittted, and PA where Philadelphia has a majority black population (46%, the rest being Asian, White, Hispanic, Muslim), Could toss the election to Trump.
If that happens the Musliims and Blacks will find themselves on the short end of the Trump stick. He has promised to deport Muslims, even those born here, and as dictator as he promised, backed by a right wing Judiciary system and especially SCOTUS, he can deliver.
Nothing like cutting off one's nose to spite one's face.
I suspect many MAGAs are simply people who feel devalued and excluded from the "American Dream", while they see others rewarded beyond all need or reason -- and now just want to burn the whole system down.
Most of tfg followers are gun toting men. High school dropouts that cant read the instructions on how to operate a toaster. They don’t know the word fascist or how a government runs especially a democracy. Most are unaware of how our senate operates with a fillibuster. If you don’t know the basics how can you make a decision on who to vote for ? Most of his followers are homophobic and think women are too weak or dumb to lead and should be in a KITCHEN cooking or in the bedroom. They think with their ba**s not with their brains. Neanderthal comes to mind. My biggest confusion is why pick this pathetic girlie man Trump- he’s hardly masculine and doesn’t speak with force - in fact his speech is “ whiny” and incoherent. I guess because he uses “ bully language” to threaten people just like Hitler, Putin, Orban and all DICKtators. These magas are damaged people that want a bully to put their agendas first even if they are wrong. That’s not the American way.
You're exactly right Bill Miller. That's how they feel. Totally disenfranchised. They believe the lies about Biden from Fox and the right that he is old, demented and corrupt. Trump promises to "Drain the swamp" and to "Make America Great Again". He preys on their fears and hate. After 8 long years I finally have figured out his appeal. For the evangelicals it was the repeal of Roe.
Lisa, abortion and homosexuality are major issues not only for the people we call "evangelicals" but also for many influential Catholics. Let's not forget that fascist had strong Catholic support in Italy, Spain, Chile, and the USA, and, yes, they hate fellow Catholics such as Pelosi and Pope Francis.
Exactly. Not to mention the whole Transgender and LGBTQ issues.The churches in my city are still fighting over that. To include or not include. We finally do have a Gay Pastor here though. Which is huge where I live. So progess is happening slowly. I hate to think what would happen to him if Trump were to win though. It makes me very afraid. For myself as well.
The biggest reason they are devalued is because of the greedy billionaires and greedy corporations! Trump’s buddies. They need to join us and become part of the solution. Stop electing people who are easily manipulated and corruptible. There are good people out there who want to see our country succeed and President Biden is one of them.
Bill and Susan and Paula, Yes, a lot of MAGAs are HS educated at best. However, they likely saw that is more than adequate as they grew up under parents working in now non-existent factories that have been gone for 40 years. The mid 70’s decimated the American workforce as jobs went overseas.
These are aggrieved and bitter people who see the “other” getting largess, which they are too proud to take. It is something they “know” is true, but they have never seen the recipients, because their towns typically are 95% Whites.
By the time we get past the 80’s with Oxycontin and Alcohol that fails to remove that loser feeling to hear Hillary Clinton sing the praises of the Meritocratic Society that more or less states that those who don’t rise up in the system are in the “L” column.
The very idea of a Comm College at 37 seems utterly absurd. Training in web development, with a class of 18 year old starry eyed kids, you’ve got to be kidding.
Our current nightmare was fueled by the Clintons along with the “Artisan Cake Shop” solutions from assholes like Steven Pinkner.
Keith ; ignorance is bliss! rooting for the "home team" is easy, until it isn't anymore. It would be interesting to be able to do time travel into a would be scenario of the future after a tRump 'win'. It would not be pretty. Kind of like Russia, with Putin holding court at his 55 foot long table, with his most trusted associates, far away from him! Lot's of mutual respect and trust there , huh? The thrill is long gone by then! and those are the ones 'on top!". Look at what Russian lifestyles are! No freedom of speech at all! a muted press only allowed to lie! few freedoms for most! Or maybe it would be like what Kim Jong Un has in North Korea, which for most ;citizens' is a jail from which they are not allowed to leave! The very expression on your face could get you killed!
I believe that right now Trump and his fascist friends are looking for foolproof ways to rig the election! The SCOTUS should have ruled that Trump is an insurrectionist and should be removed from the ballot in all 50 states. By prolonging his reign of terror it going to get worse every day!
Yes, Keith ; it is concerning as to what will they try! What is and where is "homeland Security"? Is that something W. Bush and his friends designed to keep himself and his minions safe? It has nothing to do with protecting US from Domestic terror! Over three years later, and we keep hearing about the threats and attacks on everyone, from young children in schools, those at worship, shopping, sleeping, at the hospital, prosecuting cases, sitting on the bench as a judge, running for office, volunteering to help run elections, even upper level Secretaries of State and other election officials! Doctors! any one and everyone tRump does not like! Journalists! Celebrities! Dogs! How bad does it have to get before he is locked up? or simply ignored! those in Congress and the Senate who take his orders should be disqualified! Section 3 of the 14th amendment is still valid! the attempt by corrupt judges to change the law in our Constitution is invalid! The three Stooges, and the illegitimate judges in the 'supermajority' are disqualified, too! We need to take our country back!
Janine ; I have been asking this since before the Jan 6th attack. The documents case alone should have immediately jailed him for a long time. Now there is one of his many appointees to the court in Florida sitting on that case like a nesting bird. We stupidly and powerlessly await the 11th circuit to swoop in and 'bench slap' her to save the day. But the media tell us that the 11th circuit is "conservative'. They also call MAGAts 'conservative'. Retired judge J. Michael Luttig , who is a conservative's conservative, has said that he is not identifying with their idea of conservatism at all. As far as I can see ; they are radicals. There is nothing conservative about them, and has not been for a long time. Very concerning indeed!
This corrupt SCOTUS should be impeached! one at a time, if necessary! RICO case, if at all possible! Crime is crime, no matter who does it! This is an Emergency! Joe Biden should look into a case for stopping such criminality, and putting US in danger of having an enemy takeover! Trump works for Putin, Victor Orban and other dictators in this world! and don't anyone say "it would look improper, because Biden is his opponent!" Evidence abounds as to just what is happening! Trump is disabled and disqualified several times over ! The sold out "justices" should be tried for High Treason!!! ENOUGH!
Keith ; any 'news media", whether they pose as 'entertainment' or not, who run lies and propaganda to mislead the voting public should face charges for harming our Republic! No settling out of Court either, or judge shopping, or using 'white collar crime' courts, lawyers, prosecutors and judges! This farce of "Equality Under the Law" must stop!!! the next time I hear "No one is above the law" from a pundit. (or anyoneI), 'Im going to puke! This is sickening for a reason! we are in danger!
Keith ; All, of his sycophants in government are disqualified for office! Clarence Thomas needs to be impeached and his wife investigated, There is proof / text messages she made to those in congress and others that she was actively plotting to steal the 2020 election! Now the Current MAGA Congress members are following tRump's orders to not fund our allies in Ukraine. they made and reneged on the Border deal, to keep the false claim that Biden and the Democrats are to blame for the problems with immigration and at the Southern border. Any of those running for office that tRump has approved that is an election denier or law breaker should not be on the ballot for a federal election, if they are disqualified !
The biggest risk is because we are ignoring the minor party candidates. I am surprised that Professor Reich doesn’t mention that.
There will be a few choices in the ballot for those who are progressive and are anti-trump and anti-fascist.
We need to inoculate the voters against seeing any vote but for the Blue candidates as meaningful. Protest votes are a big mistake. Show who is funding them and do so before they have any more momentum than they now have. Complacency or knowing Trump has less than 50% and thinking he therefore can’t win is what will be our nightmare.
We must be careful not to celebrate too soon. I celebrated in 2016 when the access Hollywood tape came out. Boy was I wrong.
Keith, that was an inspiring read!! Enjoyed it and agree with every single word in it!! You are right, it is so baffling that Americans who should know and understand the price other Americans paid so that we could live free are willing to throw all of that away for the little orange man!!!
This is pre-ZACT-ly my point, problem, and perspective. These reactionary maga Republicans are the worst, most unAmerican citizens imaginable. They don’t love our country. They love their privilege and trample the principles of our Founders and the namesake of their expressed faith. Hypocrites and cowards are what they are, not patriots.
An long-time friend of mine and a new-ish neighbor have both speculated that any messaging against the MAGA 'faithful', i.e. followers of the Orange Jesus - is wasted. tRump has been placed by God to be the leader of their epic battle of good (Red Party) vs. evil (Democratic socialists). Their beliefs are spiritually based and solid to the core.
Throughout the Bible, the broken and lost had a moment of conversion and became messengers/followers of the Kingdom. To thinking individuals - and I would include some Christians - tRump is broken, a false prophet.
Nice discussion in this week's episode of 'Left, Right & Center' (my fave!) on why/how people gravitate toward an authoritarian strongman. They don't veer off into the above comments, but rather discuss how people of all political stripes are looking at the dysfunction in Congress and thinking maybe a strongman is what we need.
Trump validates peoples prejudices about immigrants and other groups (LGBTQ) and their misinformation about the economy and his real impacts on our country. Trump along with right wing media have been building anger that they can't see beyond. I am convinced this group is hopeless and we need to focus on those with a more open mind.
Yes, it is complicated and depends on perspective. I lived through the peaceful revolution in former East Germany. The regime called it an insurrection and lots of other things. So I can see where the other side is coming from. Regimes held down opposition leaders by blaming them insurrectionists. The US is so divided that what one side thinks is insurrection the other side thinks is a desperate fight for their liberty. And if you are desperate all tools suffice. It is a sad state to be in especially when leaders manipulate people instead of helping them see. Biden was right. Nr 45 brings out the deepest instincts and vices. Unfortunately on both sides!
Thank you for sharing your experience. Yes change can be challenging. When I read Toffler's Future Shock I thought it was greatly exaggerated. I've changed my mind since.
Good stuff, Mr. Reich -- comprehensive, thorough, punching. Thanks. I'm not able to think seriously of TFG in the WH again. What I really hope for is that during my lifetime (I'm older than you) I will no longer have to see his name in print daily or mute the news because some editor thinks he said something I should hear. I want him gone from the nat'l stage and gone from my consciousness. I'll celebrate the day he's no longer considered good copy by MSM.
I am appalled that this MAGA movement came to be so strong in America! I want him out of our lives too, but I’m afraid the movement has infiltrated many places. We will be fighting it for some time. We must keep vigilant and keep the MAGAs out of any public office and the SCOTUS
The corporate media needs a horse race because it makes them rich. They CLEARLY don’t treat the candidates with equal scrutiny. They don’t require any accountability of MAGA for their vapid exclamations backed by no evidence or facts. Media has played a huge role in reinforcing an alternate reality. Where MAGA is patriotism and self righteous MAGA is the moral authority for EVERYONE ELSE. The media has been manipulated by Russian psychological operations and money. There has been meddling from Saudi Arabia, China, Hungary, Turkey and surely others using the propaganda value of broadcast and online media to disrupt, distract and dismantle democracy and the clarity of values needed to support a diverse democracy in our country.
Trump has said that he welcomes support from abroad. He should have been impeached in 2017, but Bill Barr covered his ass. He should have been impeached in 2021, but McConnell covered his ass. Fascist "strong men" win when traditional conservatives back them.
Conservative oligarchs are partnering with the religious right because they can depend on them to go berserk about their button-pushing issues. Together these relative few billionaires and fearful right-wing fanatics are attempting to herd our country into a position where we will bend to what they want and need, which is protection of their wealth.
These billionaires don’t want publicly so they depend upon the loud-mouth religious right to make all the noise and keep the conservative base screaming and accusing as a smoke screen.
As long as the media is focused on the religious right and their paid for reps, they aren’t paying attention to who’s pulling the strings with the big bucks needed to keep funding crazy’s like Trump.
We set up the corporations to maximize profit and have largely given them the environment to do it. They everyone cries out against the evil corporations. But the fault, dear Brutus,...was it Brutis ?
True, Midwest. We must stay ever vigilant because this movement didn't just start up when the orange man rode down the escalator, it began long before that and has grown because of republican policies that made the divide between the haves and the have nots so much wider!!! MAGAs don't realize but the things they hate, hate, hate were started by republicans and their oligarch friends!!!
I'm sure you're aware of Bill Eigel. The next step down in Reich's devolution cartoon. For those unaware, this guy might be the next Missouri governor. Guys like him are a bigger threat than the Robinson's of the world, IMO.
You are right. My mailbox is full of pleas for time, money and support for voter's rights here in MO. I do get signatures and attend rallies. But outside my preferred bubble this is what I run into:
Long ago in college I took a psychology class. One of the books we read described "normalization of deviance" I think was the term. How people explain away upsetting behavior rather than naming it and providing treatment or control. Can't look it up. Went in tge recycle pile at tge Half Price Books. But that is what is going on with Trump. Quoting people who should know better, "Oh he doesn't mean it " "He just says that to get the Libs mad.""The liberal press just take things out of context." But when I ask do you believe it? Yes they do. They are the same people who skulk away from union organizing for fear of their jobs, who cultivate "happy worker" memes to keep the jobs they need to take care of their families. Sad. For them. Fascists are not happy.
Lisa, the gospel writers demonized Judas and the Pharisees, because they did not tolerate criticism. Let's not forget that Christianity eventually became something entirely different from what Jesus preached, hence the Protestants, themselves cruel and intolerant , even today, in some quarters.
So you're saying I'm wrong and he WOULD have approved? Nah, she's profiting on his name (ignoring the words attributed to him) and he probably would have whipped her right out of the temple. The way I read the bible.
I'm not religious so I don't have any first-hand knowledge what goes on in the churches, but Hungary is a hugely Catholic country and Catholics tend to be quite conservatives, so probably. For example, I understand if someone wants an abortion, they are advised to go to Austria for one. Gotta fight them fascists everywhere, apparently.
I am cautiously (with some slight nausea if I'm honest...😆) optimistic. Much more so than I was last week at this time. I think we have many more reasons to hope than we did. Here's my two cents for what it's worth:
1.) Biden shattered the age narrative with his SOTU speech. Now he just has to keep it up. Pound it over and over. Trump is getting tired. You can tell.
2.) Trump never expanded his Base and is losing Voters. Plus Nikki took 1/3 of them so far. We can peel those off. Many said they wouldn't vote for Trump. Especially if he were convicted of a felony. Since his first criminal trial starts 2 weeks from today that is great news!!
3.) Endorsements aren't promised. My Indiana Senator Todd Young refused to endorse Trump this year he said on Friday. I called and thanked him. I'm sure he appreciated it since I imagine he's getting lots of hate. If you think about it this week maybe give his Office a call and thank him too. Took a lot of guts to do that.
4.) Trump and the RNC are broke right now. That's a big plus. We are way ahead in Fundraising. I was noticing too on Facebook earlier how many women support Biden and are monthly donors. All good news.
So right now we are on offense. We cannot let up. Russia and Saudi Arabia could possibly collude to manipulate oil prices in the Fall to hurt Biden so we must stay vigilant!!
Thank you Dr. Reich as always for your great writing, your words of wisdom and your cool drawings too. I'm so honored to be working with you. Hope you have a great week!! ❤️🇺🇸💙
Your last point is correct. Russia and Saudi Arabia will definitely try to swing the election toward TFG starting in September and October with reduced production and increased prices for crude oil.
But the biggest tool they have is the Motiva oil refinery in Port Arthur, Texas. Motiva’s Port Arthur Manufacturing Complex ranks as the nation’s largest refining operation and can process a staggering 607,000 BPD. Motiva is wholly owned by Saudi Aramco, Saudi Arabia’s state owned oil company.
All they need to do is have an “unplanned” maintenance closure in October. This will skyrocket gasoline prices. The California oil refineries have had colluded simultaneous “unplanned” maintenance closures every few years for decades. Such a disruption could increase nationwide gasoline prices by a minimum of $2 per gallon, some have speculated as much as $3 more. (Thom Hartmann had a posting on this a while back.)
Many American voters are incredibly myopic and only have short term memories, so a Motiva disruption could do the trick.
However, don’t lose hope, there is a remedy, that would immediately help Biden, send crude oil domestic prices and gasoline prices back down, and make Big Oil scream. Biden can rescind the federal government policy that allows for export of U.S. produced crude oil and gasoline. That would more than make up for reduced foreign imports. And with good communication on the issue, he’ll shame that refinery to a quick fix.
for all of us in the progressive movement, and -- dare i say -- for all of us who simply care about human rights, justice and equality domestically and all across the world, the quintessential key is to have HOPE ...
right now, there is so much sheer helplessness -- whether it be over the wars in ukraine and gaza, with the climate crisis, or even (just writing this feels dystopian) over the rights for women in america to have over their own bodies ... there are so many more issues (specifically here in america) that have the majority of support amongst our population, yet have no forseeable way forward beyond the gridlock of an imperfect and, frankly, anti-democratic system (i'm looking at you, the electoral college; i'm also looking at you, the senatorial filibuster), that our helplessness can easily morph into hopelessness ...
my message to all progressives and to anyone who cares about humanity is that we cannot allow our helplessness to fester into hopelessness ... we must continue the fight ... we are marching on the shoulders of the bravest giants (gandhi, martin luther king jr, rosa parks, nelson mandela, harvey milk, alexei navalny ... just to name a very few) ... we have to remain active because it is up to us to save democracy across the world ...
it is not an easy fight ... it drains us, depletes us, sometimes incarcerates or even assassinates us ... and yet, the alternative is not acceptable ... so we need to have the HOPE to keep our fight going for the future of our planet and for the future of humanity ...
i felt that hope with president biden's state of the union address, and i feel that hope from your latest brilliance mr. reich ... thank you ...
if we lose our hope, then we have lost everything ... keep the faith, my friends !!!
I am at that point as people say I am like Chicken Little saying, “The sky is falling.” Telling me what I was saying was “inappropriate” and I needed “boundaries.”
I told her my dad fought in WWII to stop Hitler, not to welcome a Hitler. I said I was going to make sure his efforts and the efforts of all those who fought and died for our freedoms wasn’t in vein.
You are so right, VR!! We must cling to our hope and use it to keep fighting for what we believe America is and should be!! I have faith in my country. Vote Blue, America!!!
I am a professional historian who specializes in the rise of the extreme right in France in the 1930s and during the war. I taught in California for 31 years. These two facts about me are salient here because they illustrate both my concerns about MAGA, and my cautious optimism. It is exactly correct that the rise of MAGA is a backlash against the demographic changes in the United States, as it comes to look more and more like, well, California. People from more conservative, white, and rural regions, along with the wealthy elite of this country, tend to support Trump precisely because they fear changes that will transfer wealth and power to younger, more ethnically diverse, and urban populations. Many of the grievances of the poorer rural MAGA supporters, whites and non-whites alike, are well-founded. When the Clintons came to power and began touting globalization, I agreed with their analysis that is was inevitable, but I disagreed with their insouciance regarding it's likely impact on Middle Class Americans. Much more should have been done to aid those who were the losers in globalizing the economy. Unions are a big help (I joined the union soon after I began my job in California), and so is retraining, but neither is enough.
And like the extreme right of 1930s France, MAGA appeals to those who feel that urban elites have supported automatisation and exportation of jobs and encouraged immigration that in their view drives down wages. Moreover, the regime of Maréchal Pétain substituted for "Liberty, Equality, and Brotherhood," the slogan of the French Revolution, a new slogan, "Work, Family, and Nation." This was well-suited to the conservative politics of those supporting Pétain's authoritarian regime, which was based on a sort of Christian nationalism similar to that of Franco's regime in Spain. These values appeal to traditionalists, especially rural folks who tend to view themselves as the founders and moral bedrock of the nation, including in the Unites States. These folks feel not only that they have been "downgraded" economically, but that their values should triumph because they are the "original" values of the country. That is why MAGA supporters, Trump's base, tend to be so utterly and unshakably devoted to him, no matter what he does or says. He is their champion in what they view as a moral crusade to "save" America, even if it means disenfranchising everyone who disagrees with them. And that is the real danger of the MAGA movement, and all its opportunistic fellow travelers. Like the Puritans, they believe in democracy only for the morally "pure." Trump appeals to them because he gives them the illusion of democracy while encouraging their sense of grievance and conviction that their opponents are not "real" Americans.
Returning to the theme of cautious optimism, and the looming danger at the same time, it is important to remember that people often flock to an autocrat precisely because they know they cannot win power in a free and fair vote. Pétain came to power in France only because of the German invasion. France in the 1930s was on the brink of a civil war, a reaction to the election in 1936 of the left-leaning Popular Front government. Franco won the civil war in Spain with the help of the Nazis. It was they, not Franco, who bombed Guernica. And the war broke out, again, as a reaction to the election in Spain of another Popular Front government, similar to that in France. In other words, MAGA Republicans (and even not so MAGA ones like Mitch McConnell) resort to authoritarian "lite" tactics such as disenfranchising voters or making it harder for the supporters of their opponents to register to vote or get to the polls, gerrymandering districts, and using threats of violence to intimidate their opponents precisely because they know they are in the minority and will lose in a free and fair election.
Trump did not win the popular vote in 2016. He won because of the anti-democratic electoral college. He will not will in the popular vote in 2024 either. If he becomes president, it will be because of anti-democratic tactics and the electoral college. But, most of all, it will because of apathy from too many who oppose him but are lukewarm to Biden. This is one reason why in encouraging my friends and acquaintances to vote, I point out constantly that the election is not just about the president. It is also about Congress. A Trump presidency with a Democratic Congress would still be a problem, but the damage he could do would be greatly reduced. The electoral college, even though it skews the vote in favor of the MAGA-majority states, can be won if enough people turn out everywhere. And meanwhile, if you use your vote to ensure that Trump cannot control Congress, you are also protecting the social programs, including Social Security, that you treasure. (Social Security, btw, cannot be protected just by ensuring that Trump doesn't cut it. The contributions cap must be raised to $250,000 of income per year, now, and that won't happen unless Democrats control Congress. But that's a discussion for another day.)
You described the Trump/MAGA dilemma so succinctly. Many do feel disenfranchised and look to Trump for salvation. Many are also white supremacists. Then add in the evangelicals and you have his Base. Great post Gayle. Thank you. ❤️
Fear of non-white power, that you alluded to, as well as dog whistles implying that non-whites don’t value hard work and take advantage of social safety net lead middle and lower income voters to vote again their own interests.
The nausea comes from our inability to apply Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. We should not have to worry about whether he will win back the Oval Office. He should not be eligible for the position. We've all but coronated him.
Regarding "our inability to apply", means many influential people simply do not know how to read the English language. Or they are lying about what they did read. Astounding!
SCOTUS R’s claim to be “originalists” and “textualists”. Let me translate. They are bullshit artists. Let them “interpret” that not so original epithet as they squander yet another opportunity to put us back on a course for democracy’s revival.
I was as well. I haven’t read the opinion but I would surmise that it rests on the 14 th amendment sec 3 clause that states that Congress may waive the prohibition. On the other hand sec 5 says they have the power to pass laws to enforce. The 14th amendment…not that they must. So I am shocked!
As I read it, this section of the 14th Amendment is self-enforcing, & Congress's part is, if they choose to (not mandatory), they can, by a 2/3 vote by both chambers, decide to keep the culprit in office.
Excellent point. I’m not aware of any yet congress passes laws that are consistent with the constitution. So why is the 14th Amendment? Just seems to add wiggle room.
I hope the people to whom you refer won't stoop any lower than they already have by framing their bullshit artwork and hanging it on the court's bathroom walls.
It's true that reading comprehension skills are very scarce in today's job market. I find myself having to repeat basic points again and again before my technical support cases can even get on track to resolution. But on SCOTUS, they're wordsmithing the Constitution to nullify the provisions that stand in the way of their taskmasters. This is very destructive in a legal system built on precedence, because their wordsmithed interpretations become precedent. Well, they overturned Roe v. Wade, so I suppose that in the future we can overturn this and restore and reinvigorate Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. We also need to start screening and barring narcopaths, psychopaths and their minions from government office. That too needs to be enshrined in the Constitution. Socrates would have killed for the psychoanalytical knowledge to do this, which is at our fingertips in the modern world.
You said, "It's true that reading comprehension skills are very scarce". My mother had a Master's degree in Reading Comprehension. I wish she were still alive today so I could talk to her about what you said.
I don't think it's negligence. The politicians on SCOTUS are running the errands they were sent to run. I took a hint from Biden's SOTU speech that he's committed to expanding the bench ASAP so that we can overwhelm the errand boys and girls for the next 40 years, by which time the GOP as we know it today should be relegated to the footnotes and appendixes of our history books where they belong. Let the Libertarians or the Green party take their place. Someone has to keep Democrats honest but the GOP just keeps us all dumb.
The difference between "negligence" & words with similar meanings as "ignorance" or "neglect" is the implication of intentionality &/or recklessness in "negligence", so I do think it's the appropriate word.
The GOP would have crumbled long ago if not for the infusion of so much corporate money & a highly sophisticated disinformational propaganda machine.
not all of us. They’ve been paying some of his legal bills and now that his ex daughter in law is taking over the reins of the GOP they are doomed…I hope.
That is my frustration. After that happened I wrote to my congressman and Senator Feinstein - my congressman resigned and then my district - redistricted and the congressperson now is pro Trump and Feinstein passed away. Very frustrated that the Trump trial is not underway.
over the last few years I've been of the opinion that many people in positions of power in the government are simply not doing their job, and I don't think it's just an ideological issue at play.
Hi Robert, as often I think you are right on and common sense will prevail it the end but it will be a tough and hot road for Biden and the Dems as Trump a his autocrat gang , supported by a super hypocrite GOP, big money and big Business . THey will throw everhyting at their opponent, legally and illegally, because he obviously is fighting for his personal survival eg stay out of jail, not for America. I have given up on US media few years ago and since they seem to have become even more supportive of Trump, at least giving him the benefit of the doubt. Any positive comment on Biden is often followed by a "but" and while accusing him of behaviours normal for Trump they completely ignore Trump's usual bad behaviours. I guess there is too much money in it for them and that what this all seems to about. Money in the end seems to make the difference in American politics......Not being an American and not living in US, I still am very concerned about the outcome in November because if it goes Trump's way, it will have a huge negative impact on the rest of the world in so many aspects.....
I’m afraid a trump win would mean death camps to certain populations. After seeing the way they dealt with Covid, I would say the elderly will have their social security taken away, their retirement funds and healthcare grifted away
notice the date of the film along with who made it and where it was made. I've considered it allegorical to Reagan's rise ever since. From cowboy actor to reality TV "star."
I don't believe in "god." Nor do I "trust in a god..." Not all americans do and to make a blanket statement like this is unfair and corrals all americans into a faith based coalition that simply doesn't represent reality. You may believe whatever you choose but don't shove your stuff down my throat or make broad assumptions about the rest of us.
I believe in democracy.
I believe in the founding principles of this country.
I believe in a progressive role of government.
I believe in the rule of law.
BUT, I don't believe in "god" nor do I trust in some imaginary amorphous entity as the saving grace of anything.
Please don't include me in your religious community.
Professor, While I largely subscribe to your reasons for feeling hopeful, I am particularly enamored with you suggesting that we all be part of building a nationwide pro-democracy movement, which, in my view, would be rooted in its fidelity to the rule of law and the Constitution and in a fundamental truth: that whatever one’s first issue of concern, however pressing, rising up for freedom and democracy had better be a close second; for without preserving our constitutional republic, progress of any kind is doomed.
The foregoing notwithstanding, I, further, would submit, that while a great deal of prosecutorial attention has been focused on the attempt to overthrow the 2020 election, perhaps we would be well-served were we focused at least as much on what is happening, as we speak, to lay the groundwork for Trump and his allies to hold power whether or not they win enough votes.
I do hope that there are people working on this. Can we rely on the FBI, etc?
In the red state where I live, the GOP have introduced a bill to ban any type of rank choice voting. They are also, once again, attacking the citizen’s initiative process. These crazy people had tried to defund our libraries a few years ago. They have organized a small Freedom Caucus to mimic that in the federal gov.
The GOP supermajority passed a bill to gut the Missouri constitutional right for citizens to petition their government. This will be on the ballot in Nov.
This is a BIG DEAL. They tried to add ballot candy on the ballot measure with a lead-off in the ballot language like "Only US citizens will be able to vote".
Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Right now the GOP in Missouri has a supermajority in both Houses, the governorship, and all statewide offices (atty general, etc).
@Midwest, About two years ago, former Protect Democracy Executive Director Ian Bassin named a 4-part effort, all of which interlock, and were then already underway to undermine the next election. First, was the informational part, the big lie used to convince people that elections are corrupt and that 2024, as with 2020, also will be stolen. Second was to use “the big lie” as groundwork for the legal part to change laws. For the past two years, GOP controlled state legislatures across the country have been changing state election rules to change who can be in charge, how votes are counted, and how they’re certified. (Here I would note that the High Court recently had decided it would not rule against gerrymandering unless the re-drawing of district lines was intentionally discriminatory. In other words, were a group disproportionately represented, as long as that outcome was unintended, the re-districted map could stand.) Third was the personnel effort to remove people who didn’t submit to directives in 2020 aimed at de-certifying votes. And fourth was the violent effort seen by at least 30% of Republicans who say violence might be necessary to protect the country.
Bassin, clearly, is not alone in concluding that 2020 was mere practice for 2024 unless we engage now in the necessary actions to protect our democracy. As a final point, I would note Republicans have continued to seek ways of suppressing/ nullifying votes since Bassin’s views were aired.
Steve, Just the opposite. I view the 4-part effort Bassin presents as a 4 alarm fire that ought to compel us all to train ourselves and acquire the knowledge and strength to rob those who would seek to control us of any relevance.
I’m at a loss as to how to do that. In the current circumstances, we must vote, but voting also seems inadequate to this onslaught, particularly in the red states. I’m sorely lacking in resistance knowledge. I’ve heard of the French resistance but that was before the digital age…of course, not being digital would be harder for the authoritarians to track.
Az, Regrettably, I am unaware of any instances wherein Biden could pass laws without the approval of both federal chambers. I also would add, not included in my reply to Midwest, there’s a plan currently underway not to seat incoming Democratic House members before January 6th (not impermissible). Accordingly, regardless of the vote, Mike Johnson would remain Speaker, and House members could challenge a sufficient number of votes so no presidential candidate would reach the requisite 270 electoral votes, leaving the presidential election to be decided by the House. Unlike 2000, when no Senator would sign onto a House challenge, that would not be a problem in 2024. Given that Republicans control 25 House delegations, Democrats 23, and 2 are tied, with each delegation getting 1 vote, were the election to be decided by the House, Trump would become President.
My point is that the guardrails are gone. We have only ourselves to save our democracy. Hence, we have to do everything possible to overwhelm Republicans with a devastating defeat, making it as difficult as possible to cheat. Speaking solely for myself, I am laser-focused on the largest bloc of 2020 eligible voters—people who didn’t vote.
Kayla, I view driving home the point that whatever safeguards had existed are now gone to be among our most pressing objectives if we are to reach the largest bloc of people from 2020—eligible voters who didn’t vote.
3/11/24. Just heard the news that the RNC are cleaning house. Since the trump duo now co-chair. At least 60 fired. Probably considered RINO or adhering to the laws.
Az, In my view, there no longer is a Republican Party. There’s only MAGA. Republicans no longer willing to comply either resign or are voted out. The ones who stay mostly stick with the script, certainly in numbers large enough to execute their plan.
Seeing Trump has absorbed the Congress and largely the judiciary, if we’re to save our democracy, I believe we have only ourselves and one another.
Josh Hawley and other MO GOP reps have recently attacked my MO 2d district Republican representative (centrist in appearance, MAGA mostly in voting) Ann Wagner and I have to wonder if this is not part of an overall strategy to eliminate all non-MAGA still in the Party. Her district was gerrymandered for 2022 to include more red rural which helps her stay in office in the general, but also makes her more vulnerable to being primaried from the right and hence more controllable by the Party.
I once thought that not all Rs are reprehensible. When the MAGAs overthrew the Rs, I believe the actual conservatives have become the Lincoln Project and still hold the Constitution to be the law of the land.
The breathtaking idiocy of these people would be reassuring (who needs clever, reality-oriented adversaries? Sounds exhausting 🙄) if they weren't so well 'represented' by corporate fascists of the Charles Koch mentality...
I completely agree with your message, Professor, but I wish you had honored the distinction between "nauseated" and "nauseous." We progressives are nauseated because Trump and the GOP are nauseous.
I'm aware of the meaning of "noxious." That's not what I was addressing. In everyday speech, Americans often use "nauseous" as Professor Reich uses it here: to mean "queasy" or "experiencing the physical sensation that one is about to vomit." But "nauseous" is more correctly understood as "something or something that CAUSES nausea" -- very akin to your "noxious" but more specific.The word for feeling ill is "nauseated." So the proper coinage would be "nauseated optimism." As far as I know, optimism has never made anyone feel the need to upchuck.
I have the sense that you made your comment to scold me, but I haven't a clue why. Would you kindly explain?
Needed support here from Reich and reminders like who was in office when that immigrant girl was raped - G.W. Bush. Republicans are pushing immigration fiercely to create fear. The nausea part, it is sickening that anybody would vote for Trump…pathetic, too. I know President Biden gave a wonderful, surprising SOTU speech. Republicans are now on a frenzy to knock it down…Katie was disgusting, a liar (like all Republicans) one article explained her response reminded him of the “The Handmaidens” and that was scary! Congressman Tom Cotton ripped (tried to) into Biden’s SOTU calling Him a liar. Mark Robinson from NC - totally off-the-wall. We know this bull will keep up, but here’s one old woman that won’t be swayed by any of it. I’m a Democrat all the way!
AMERICA, LOVE IT OR LEAVE!
Our Democracy, our Freedoms, and the soul of our Country are all on the line in November!
President Biden’s State of the Union address was very inspiring to me, and I hope, very inspiring to most of my fellow Americans. Joe Biden has been the President for all Americans not just the Americans who agree with him! He brought with him the true grit of a leader who truly cares about the people, the country and the world. And, his greatest characteristic, he is Humble and Kind. Something his predecessor NEVER HAD & NEVER WILL HAVE!
His predecessor is a dictator wannabe who, like an AR-15 with a bump stock, shoots down our country, our institutions, and his “best people” who finally wake up and turn against him, every chance he gets! He praises dictators who he admires and is envious of. He just entertained Victor Orbán @ Mar a Lago!
Does anyone really believe he wants to close the borders after telling his Republican party, do not vote for that bipartisan border bill because I want to run on it for my campaign! Did anyone believe it when Trump said he and his party will repeal Obamacare and replace it with my healthcare bill that will be much better!
Michael Cohen, who worked for Trump for over 10 years said that before Trump became president, he didn’t really want the job. It was only going to be an infomercial for adding more populism and of course more money! Michael also said if he loses to Biden in 2020 he will never concede! Very few people believed Trump would be that bold and ruthless.
Personally I am baffled that there are so many Americans who look at this insurrectionist and think, yep he’s my guy!
Because he's convinced them he can fix everything and they believe he will keep his promises. And sadly, many of his supporters are white supremacists too let's face it. Whether they admit it or not. They support Project25. It's frightening as hell. I believe in the end we will prevail like Robert said. But Add in the Evangelicals and there you go. There's his Base. Which btw he hasn't added to and Nikki took a 1/3 of. So more Voters for us to peel off.
I looked over the recent Heritage Foundation’s (est. 1973) Mandate for Leadership The Conservative Promise -Project 2025 (published 2023) at the weekend. It is a repetitive 920 page neo liberal polemic made up of bare plurals. A charter calling for personal privateering through the flouting of precedent based rule of law. Quite literally UnAmerican.
The original Mandate of 1973/80 in support of the Powell Amendment is claimed to be the book that ‘literally put the conservative movement and Reagan on the same page’.
The key takeaway came from the introduction and it’s Four Pillars. Specifically Three and Four, which promise to create a Presidential Academy and a Playbook to educate individuals in politically correct thinking. Also a call to create The Playbook which will offer a text to legally bind their political coalition players to their very own new American constitution.
The Heritage Foundation (DC) are also presently politically informing the UK’s Conservative and Unionist government. In fact, I would argue their takeover of the democratic state institutions is far more advanced here than in the States. This week Prime Minister Sunak is introducing new legislation regarding the definition of political extremism. It is a clever Trojan Horse carrying within it the power to legally blacklist all political
opponents from participating in any democratic institution, effectively achieving the Heritage Foundation’s aforementioned Pillars Three and Four with the stroke of a pen. 🔥
Thank you for posting this informative comment. I have not read Project 2025, but I have been hearing a lot about it. Since this is the master plan of the Republican vision for our future, it is important that the rest of us know what it says. We need our own strong vision of a future to counter this dark, harsh and selfish vision of Project 2025. As Robert Reich has put forth here, our vision is one where diversity is both strength and beauty and we are motivated by love more than fear.
Substacker Andra Watkins has Project 2025. She has the 1,000 page document and is dissecting & decoding it each day on her substack, she is a survivor of Christian nationalism, she knows exactly how they think, she decodes their whole Manifesto. I recommend checking her out.
🙏
I have just downloaded Project 2025, and this will be my reading material for the next few days…
Substacker Andra Watkins reports on Project 2025. She has the 1,000 page document and is dissecting & decoding it each day on her substack, she is a survivor of Christian nationalism, she knows exactly how they think, she decodes their whole Manifesto. I recommend checking her out.
The “party” is the legal system. One of the branches of government. With 91 indictments in multiple jurisdictions, blaming a political party shows you are probably a Putin Troll.
I’m confused about your position on who lies and cheats versus who doesn’t (Trump does, just for a start). Also your reference to Bernie—is success of Biden, Hillary, or Obama, over Bernie—YOUR sour grapes? Bernie deserved to win, we agree, just as any presidential candidate with the most votes, having WON the popular vote, DESERVES to be declared the winner—but, though you and I are Bernie fans, “he didn’t win” does not suggest leadership was STOLEN from him, a theme MAGAs are sadly seriously stuck on, considering “most-votes” versus College votes, has meant so many have lost when they “won.”
Uhhh, legitimate crimes were not only committed for all to see, grand juries were convened and presented with actual evidence, making their decisions accordingly! None of that(including gas prices and supermarket price gouging, for that matter)has ANYTHING to do with the Biden administration or anything else political for that matter! Period. Full stop. I can't understand why it is so hard for many of us to understand that any president has always had very little control over those specific issues directly. Also, our president is NOT the president of any other nation, including Israel! Biden can only do so much to facilitate ceasefires and humanitarian aid. Israel needs to also do their part, which can be hard if they are no better than 45.
"The yeti" committed crimes against ALL of us, INCLUDING his most loyal followers; forcing them to vote against their own interests time and time again!
Everything happening to 45 is completely his own fault..period! He truly hates our nation and it is painfully obvious to anyone who has commis informed, has some simple common sense, a little education, self respect, and is capable of thinking critically.
At this point in time, there is more than enough proof out there!
Listen back to all the speeches and rallies...
Who in their right mind would want that as a role model for their children?
Whew. That is sure scary. Project25 is a nightmare beyond my comprehension. No wonder it feels like 1930's Germany at times. Except it's 2024. Lord help us. I've never prayed so hard in my life.
I'm an atheist, and I'M praying!
Good for you! We all are!
LOL. A prayer doesn't cost you anything and has the benefit of releasing or sharing your burden. It's like a hail Mary pass in football, threw it out there and hope for the best!
Yeah. We can't pray our way out of a problem an excess of prayer got us into to begin with.
Stephen Miller scary as HELL!
He looks like a nazi pediphile. 😱
He is such a conundrum of a person. His very Jewish family is even gobsmacked by him, unable to fathom what can be driving him, other than an overwhelming addiction to POWER.
Miller is 19 years younger than me, and I did not know him, however, he and I attended and graduated from the same high school: Santa Monica High (SAMOHI), in Southern California. It’s unfathomable to me. How he came from such a liberal city, and from such a Jewish family, is mind blowing.
Just like so many of his fellow Republican nasties, I suspect he's possessed by a dybbuk and its fellow minions. Of course that sounds like medieval thinking, but in those superstitious times,exorcism was a satisfying accepted custom.
I didn't know that Miller went to Samo. I went to BHHS--'52-'56 so I'm the dinosaur here I guess. But look at Bibi---he's a Hitler clone. One wonders don't they and I think the only answer is sociopaths and psychopaths can turn like that.
Mitzi, I went to Uni High in West LA. We're neighbors!! 😀
Silly me. I thought we were going to be done with Stephen Miller on January 20, 2021.
When I read Project 2025 it seems to be a dystopian and weird version of Lenin’s “dictatorship of the proletariat”. It seems that the R party has essentially bought into the Soviet manifesto. No doubt with a little help from the troll factories.
There’s little difference between the NAZI Right and the Stalinist Left.
Don’t nobody kid yerselfs — Putin is every bit as NAZI as anybody in the Third Reich. Oligarchs and autocrats want to own everything and rule everybody, and they all use the same tools. “Communist Dictators” look just like fascists to me.
And Fascist Dictators look f-ing scary!!!
The Project 2025 tells us who they are! We need to believe them.
We need to be ready for this next segment of our election, because we don’t think they’re going to play “fair,” do we? Or even “by the rules”?
That’s not the point, for them. Winning for the likes of Trump is justification for doing “anything it takes to win.” That’s what his father taught him — be a “killer” — do what it takes.
Democrats, yes, maintain your integrity, but don’t be patsies. Be wary.
I disagree, Paul. Democrats have not ALWAYS acted with integrity in all things, but they have OFTEN acted with integrity in cases of voting rights and respecting the rule of law within our country, among many other aspects of their influence in our public life. {and the rank-and-file of Democrats most often act with integrity — they are mostly good people looking for a way to live well with each other}.
If you would like to point to Democratic Party domestic policies that lack integrity, in this day and age {I know the Democratic Party was the champion of slavery at one time}, let me know what you are thinking. If you are looking at the Clinton years, I’ll have to agree with you — there was too much done there that we should be ashamed of, though not everything.
Thx.
What we are witnessing today is the logical culmination of the Conservative Revolution launched by Newt Gingrich in the 1990s. Newt was a practitioner and an advocate of Leninist tactics. The Nazis also used Leninist tactics.
That is going to play a big part in my nightmares, Monnina!! Thank you for the information. I didn't know that much about Project 25. Now that I do, I will work even harder to elect Democrats up and down the ballot!!! Vote Blue, America!!!
I write post cards, sign petitions, talk to friends and neighbors, and when I am able I do give money to campaigns.
Thankfully the Tories will likely loose big in this years' general election. Fingers crossed.
If Trump's member could see, the guy would be considered a "Cock-eyed" optimist, right "Mitzi."
You're at it again, Donald. 🤣🤣🤣
Paula--A product of a misspent youth.
😀
Liz Truss’s epic failure showed how bad Tory and Republican leadership is. Her unfunded tax cut for the wealthy nearly tanked the British economy.
Scary stuff
I hope the good people of the UK can defeat them!
This is very frightening!
Creepy.
Very sad news.
Good point, Lisa! In Professor Reich's post he pointed out that many MAGAs are "older, whiter, straighter, without college degrees and male". These are exactly the type of people who want to turn back time. They are scared because they aren't all powerful anymore. They aren't the "masters" anymore and people of all races, cultures, and religions are finding their home here in America. Whites need to get over themselves and understand they are becoming a minority. They can either learn to accept and navigate the times we live in or sit inside their home afraid of every little change that comes along!!!
I remember one of these guys sitting around a dinner table in Chicago back in the 60s, complaining about Women’s Lib and the Civil Rights movement, and college agitators.
At one point, he said something to the effect that all he needed was a meal on the table and an obedient woman in his bed and he was happy.
A woman in the room said that sounded like enough to make any pig happy.
We thought she was insulting pigs.
Hahahahahaha!! Good for that woman!!
That might be worth a laugh, if it were funny.
I’m old enough to remember when women were second-class citizens.
Who the HELL are you and why are you on this
website?? You are a pro-Trumper? Ugh!
I wonder what % of white Americans are Magas. Don’t know but bet it is a minority. A very dangerous minority.
Per Dr Reich "Republicans comprise only 28 percent of voting Americans." It's hard to extrapolate from that to a percent of white Americans. MAGA Republicans have been better organized and much louder because they feel more threatened and are easier marks for grifters. People who are afraid are easy to control.
According to current sources: They are 40% of the Voting public, and are unified around Trump, unlike the Dems who are petulant children if their agenda, their project, their ethnicity is not satisfied.
Dems have proven that they will sulk, and not vote or vote uncommitted,thus handing victory to those that will gleefully oppress and if possible obliterate them.
I understand what you're saying, Lee, and don't entirely disagree but Republicans have perfected petulance *and* childishness. Whether or not they're in lockstep let's not forget that.
Unfortunately petulance and childishness is not monopolized by the right.
There is also quite a bit of that on the left as well. Enough, mind you, that if they don't get a grip soon, Trump will be the next President and it will be all over for those petulant and childish leftists/liberals/progressives.
I didn't figure out anything. I just take Trump at his word, and he promised all of that and more.
Guns are the reason- Trump keeps saying they (Dems) are coming for your guns
Susan, that is so untrue!! Democrats want gun control. They aren't saying they are coming for your guns, they are saying it is time to stop the killing of our children!! There needs to be laws that prevent guns getting into the hands of crazies who will go out and kill for absolute no reason!! trump says that to scare people. We must speak truth and let everyone know we are not out to take all guns away!! trump is ludicrous!!
No- you misunderstood- people following Trump believe his comments - “ the Dems are coming for your guns “ - I don’t believe that. The democrats want gun legislation to keep guns out of the hands of unstable people.
I agree with you, Susan. I don't believe trump's nonsense either; however, he scares people with that kind of talk and makes them not want to vote for President Biden. I agree with Democrats about legislation that keeps guns out of the hands of unstable people!
Paul, I don't have any problem with "responsible" gun ownership. My family have been hunters and had respect for owning a gun. I just have a problem with people with mental issues being able to obtain a gun and without regard to human life use it on complete strangers. Those strangers were somebody's mother, dad, daughter, son, sibling. They had nothing whatsoever to do with whatever mental issues the shooter was experiencing. It just seems to me that human life is just expendable and no one seems to care anymore. They have become desensitized to death! I agree with you that these drugs that have psychotic side effects need to be monitored more closely. Taking care of the gun situation is a huge task and I guess we will make small steps toward a solution everyone can live with.
It is not guns Susan, it is the fear and anguish of loss of societal and familial control, on the part of insecure males (not just white ones either) and camp following females who deem themselves the beneficiary of the status quo, meaning the patriarchy which is perceived to be under threat from feminists, atheists, gays, and liberals.
Yes. You've nailed it, Lee.
Admitting your faults are the 1st step to recovery. There is hope for you.
Yes!! That is a HUGE one with some of the younger Maga supporters I know. Men in their 30's and 40's who support Trump. They are terrified of losing their guns. Even when I bring up an Assault weapon ban, my one friend freaks out because it's the "slippery slope". So there's that. They don't trust the Democrats at all not to take their guns. Propaganda had been very successful in this way.
No one needs a gun, Lisa. The whole fetish is so out of control and idiotic.
I know believe me. The sad part is they have so damn many guns we need them to protect ourselves from them. It's so insane!! If I had my way we'd go the way of other countries and regulate them all.
Good point, Lisa. Libertarians are using the gun issue as part of their Reich-Fauci, et al. conspiracy theory. They claim that it is all part of an agenda, using the "common good" as cover, to promote socialism, secularism, collectivism, homosexuality, Big Pharma, and deprive us of individual freedom. Depriving us of individual freedom and human rights is precisely what they want to do. They are brazen, greedy, unprincipled fascists.
Yikes!! I'm a Liberal in MAGA's clothing.
I make a silly pun, but I know what you're saying about people that can't accept what might be different from their viewpoint, faith, ideology, precepts be an equal person of standing.
It's all about having an open mind.
Yes, Jacko, it is! I vented because I am tired of these magas acting all "manly" or so they think. I'm sorry, I am not talking about all older, whiter, straighter, without college degrees males! I am talking about these crazies that think males should be dominant and the most important. We are all equal. Male, female, white, black, hispanic, asian, muslim, LGBQT, and everyone else in case I left anyone out. The sooner republicans realize none of us will sit back and let them dictate our lives, the better our country will become. With an open mind, the possibilities are endless! Please forgive me if I got carried away. It was not my intent to insult anyone!
Allow me to apologize. I couldn't resist pointing it out but intending to invoke humour not criticism. We of open minds are open to many ideologies, expressions, different beliefs, and concepts, and you're right the MAGA's don't have that.
Have a good day🙂
You too, Jacko!!
Peggy, they don't sit at home. They drive their big fat dually trucks jacked up (like they are) and flapping double Trump flags. You can even see the Neanderthal look on their faces. ( sorry, prehistoric folks.) Then complain about gas prices, etc.! I just want to scream 😱
Silly?!! Really?! I wouldn't say Project25 is silly in the least. It is terrifying and traitorous!! Why are you really here? To find common ground or to spy? Inquiring minds would like to know.
Paul, of course you are entitled to vote your choice. I also find it amusing that you zeroed in on sitting in your home afraid of every little change. Why bother talking about it if you have decided on who you will vote for? trump, for me, is not a good choice for president. That's my choice so we can agree to disagree. Enjoy your sunset years, Paul!
Exactly, he will fix everything, but he won’t say how. He refused to debate Nikki. He has no actual plan, other than getting himself out of trouble. I am Canadian and I, too, feel nauseous about Trump. I have American friends, who also worry about the results of the election. Also, I fear for the global implications of another Trump term in office. His love of dictators and distain for NATO. Plus all the other changes for the worse that took place due to republicans. Why does he need to make America great again? He obviously didn’t accomplish that when he actually had the chance. I too, am cautiously optimistic. Americans did the right thing in 2020. They can do it again.
Who are these people with no brains that fall for the carnival huckster Trump? He’s shown no plans for America only demented lies about everyone else - this man is very sick. How can republicans just hand over their party to a clown with no credibility?
The USA’s source of weakness is its culture of advertising. We have been conditioned to consider the false promises of Madison Avenue as true for product after product. Did you know that one of the first items to be sold via direct mail was a $1 bill? It sold for $2 and advertised as a “fine etching” of George Washington.
Geez. That tells us a lot.
You answered your own question, Susan. "People with no brains." Trump's clownish hucksterism should not be taken literally; He is only the Republicans puppet being used as a foil for their deeply evil agenda. when they are done with him, he will be thrown away like used toilet paper.
Lisa, I too would welcome the future outcome of 2024 and beyond that Reich (a genuine American hero) lays out, but unless the outcome of the election resembles the defeat of Goldwater there is a likelihood that things will become very ugly, yes even with a Biden victory.
I posit the reasons in my substack:
https://open.substack.com/pub/olflawriduhcracker/p/its-like-deja-vu-all-over-again?r=38b45&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
P.S. not trying to poach here, I have under 100 subscribers 🤣 ✌️
There is going to be an uprising that's for sure In my opinion and the national guard has ro be really beefed up and ready to quash and uprising
I'm very worried about this.
Besides . .Stomping The Vermin! is just Kidding . . the new Pro Wrestling Politics . He wouldn't Ackshully do Camps .. even if little neonutsie American Carnage Steve . .
is in The Day One Cabinet . .. # amirite? or . . .
No I think he will do camps if he gets the chance. Which is why we have to stop him.
The camp system is already in place, it just needs to be expanded ala along the Texas SW border.
I was relieved to learn that the ecumenical group Faithful America includes lots of evangelicals who don’t buy into Christian nationalism. This group and several others Are speaking out and fighting back against what they view as a high jacking of their faith for political power.
From one Bob to another, what is happening in our country is enough to make the stomach of any good person begin to churn. That nauseous feeling you get every morning when you grab the paper and begin to count the number of times Trump's name appears just on the front page alone is perfectly natural. Its nature's form of ipecac syrup, guaranteed to empty the contents of anyone's guy. To think, the man has enough power to make another human puck, just by thinking of the creep.
Has there ever been a case when a former president so dominated the current president in the news? Not in my life!
Most of the stations are controlled by right wing conservatives, now MAGA cult followers!
The uneducated are high on tfg's childish hate of anyone else's authority or rules, except tRump's illegitimate, undisciplined power! he can destroy what has been built , in terms of precedent and norms,; and take advantage of the weaknesses in our laws made by the Tea party and successive unpopular 'presidents' ( who lost the popular vote). and their erosions of norms and thumbing their noses at the law.
Sandra, there is a big difference between Fox News and the rest.
I think we sane people recognize evil when we see it
Recognizing needs to be followed by effective resistance.
I'm now wondering if enough of us are sane.
Jaime Ramirez ; tfg just got some major blowback just the same. Joe Biden is still viable and paying attention, and the majority, even disaffected Republicans who had their party hijacked, are planning to vote for him!
Jaime--It's as if someone passed the Kool-Aid.
Trump and Bannon.
Coverage of Trump by the corporate media, Jaime, is financially rewarding, both in the present, and if he is elected,in the future so they think.
Geman papers thought the same about Adolph, boy did they have a big surprise. The Hungarian media should be a prime example for our media, but they have apparently chose to ignore the fact, that Orban has taken over the Hungarian media, just as Putin has the Russian media.
I hate how journalism has been coopted.
The media owners want twice as many trillions as they got from tfg last time!
Jaime, you’re right. Main-stream Media, or perhaps
I should say corporate media- doesn’t cover Biden
properly. After observing this it for a long time, I
honestly believe it’s a quid pro quo situation. Trump
must have made a deal with corporate media— he probably told corporate media something like this:
If you help me get elected, I’ll cut your taxes again.
Thank Fox News&Co.
Trump dominates all news organizations from left to right.
I’m an atheist, and Trump makes me believe in the Devil.
Pat-That is a revaluation.
Donald, I can’t figure out why he gets away with everything, given what a dolt he is.
A pact with the Devil is the only logical answer, even though it isn’t logical.
Reading this is so validating thank you
Understood, Donald, I said as I returned from the bathroom!!!
Peggy==😊
Love the reference to ipecac!
Stan--LOL😊
Don, that's the way I felt when I watched K. Britt's reply to Biden. I calmed by telling myself "This is just a commercial."
Victor--It couldn't possibly be commissarial, no company on the face of this planet would ever hire such a dweeb.
How wrong you are!
“Nauseous Optimism” describes my feelings to a T! The stakes for this election are so incredibly high. Seemingly, so many Americans are oblivious to the danger the Trump represents that I often find myself angry and disgusted to the point of having a churning stomach. And, as others have said, the Court is betraying us. So it’s up to the majority of the voters to rescue our democracy-and I have to believe they will. The alternative is unthinkable.
I will say that more & more Americans are waking up to the peril Trump poses to our democracy. Not as fast as I'd like, but the progress is palpable.
It needs to speed up
Bacco, I invested in a large supply of Pepto Bismol this year because I knew I was going to experience a lot of stomach upsets because of the little orange man!!
Bacco, I just had to hit my Pepto stash!! I saw an article where the little orange man ridiculed President Biden about his stutter and his slobbering cult followers laughed and encouraged more!! President Biden has shown empathy and compassion for people who have speech problems. He helped that young man who just wanted to talk to him about his speech. President Biden is kind and very comforting. He lifts people up and encourages them. Meidas Touch put out an ad that showed the little orange man making fun of President Biden and showed President Biden talking to the young boy about his speech. The contrast was extraordinary!! I don't want someone in the White House who laughs at others, makes fun of others, and encourages bullying and ridicule of others. That is not a president. That is a sick person.
You know, Peggy, I find Trump's mocking of Biden's stutter pretty rich considering how fat, ugly, and stupid he (Trump) is. You would think a guy so concerned with appearances would at least lose some weight and try to look good but he's so lazy and self-indulgent that he can't be bothered. What an unbelievable phony. And what a sadist.
This is exactly how I’m
Feeling
Exactly!
You are so so right!! I'm a survivor of that epidemic too. Barely escaped with my life because of my chronic pain. I remember when Purdue's new meds came out. "Oh these aren't addictive". Yeah right. They even FedEx-Ed them right to your house. I was on their MSContin 5 years before I even knew it was morphine. I'm so thankful I survived and am in recovery today. I hate that company with a passion!!! Grrrr.
Glad to hear you still here.
Sad to read how it has been done!
Thank you. I almost didn't make it. More than once. I'm a walking miracle for sure. There but for the Grace of God goeth I....Which is a good part of what motivates me to do what I'm doing now. My way of giving back. ❤️🇺🇸💙
More power to you, Lisa! And more long life …
Sounds good!! ❤️🇺🇸💙
Isn't amazing that some individuals can cause the deaths of thousands and feel nothing? I wonder what kind of upbringing produces such monsters.
Victor, I think many of them are narcissists like Trump—devoid of even an ounce of compassion.
They think of people (us) as if we are objects to
be manipulated.
Are they made that way, or are they born that way?
Victor, I think they’re born that way. I’m no expert,
but once I became aware that such people exist
and began to observe them (even in my own family)
it seems to me like it’s a genetic trait. I’m not saying
everyone born with this trait will become a mass murderer—far from it. But I do think the way a person is raised can modify their behavior. I believe
this trait manifests on a continuum or spectrum of
severity. Their brains are “wired” differently
causing their perceptions to deviate from the norm.
What has helped me understand is the realization that everything these people see and hear passes through a filter of sorts that distorts their perception, and I think their distorted perceptions
start at birth.
The problem, or part of the problem, is that people
aren’t taught to recognize behavior patterns that
are abnormal, or at the very least, not the usual
reactions most people have. Others might say a
person is hard to get along with, and we all know people like that. But there’s ‘hard to get along with’ and then there’s, a pattern of mis-perception that makes someone hard to get along with. These people think about things differently than most
people do and we should train our children to
recognize that and be cautious around them.
🤣🤣🤣 👍
"Personally I am baffled that there are so many Americans who look at this insurrectionist and think, yep he’s my guy!"
That's because he isn't attacked viscerally.
If the media were on top of the election, they would have reported the speech Jill Biden gave in Pennsylvania when she, daughter and mother of veterans, said the magic words that convert (or marginalize) MAGATS: "not sucker or losers."
I can't wait to hear her say "Trump hates dogs" and "Trump stole from kids with cancer."
I go onto trumps media site daily and post Trump hates dogs and veterans like John McCain - I don’t know if it’s getting thru
I do it on animal charity sites. Lots of support.
On military and veterans; sites many supporters are saying it's effective.
The only thing being marginalized by the corrupt media now is Truth.
Jeez, Trump sounds just like George Santos or whatever his name is! Trump envy’s President Biden in many ways including that President Biden has a First Lady.
The only thing being marginalized now by the corrupt media is truth.
Actually Daniel, Trump hates dogs, took money from kids with cancer and has no sense of humor— a
trifecta of personal flaws that aren’t mentioned very
often, probably because people are overwhelmed
by his incessant lying, amoral behavior and inability to feel compassion.
NOT MENTIONED BECAUSE THE MEDIA WANTS A HORSERACE!
Trump did steal from kids with cancer. I haven’t heard anything about how he feels about dogs.
If he hates them it’s probably because dogs are
often a good judge of character.
Daniel, It will do little good, because Trump has skillfully used denial both as tactic and strategy. Once you buy into denial the guy owns you, and denials acts like a drug.
I have proof otherwise. I'm in discussion groups with some of them.
Take a look at what happened when Haley went viral. This stuff is far more effective.
Only takes a small number to spread the word.
Well said! I completely agree with you.
I was appalled he made it to the ballot in 2016....and was "told" he'd never be President...don't worry about it!! I did then and I do now! Biden came out swinging on Thursday and it was great!! Let's keep the momentum going. Mr. Reich does give me hope and optimism...albeit with a nervous edge.
"Biden gave a powerful State of the Union address last Thursday evening — feisty, bold, energetic, and upbeat."
I couldn't agree more. I'm still reelilng from how far he knocked it out ofthe ballpark. And this is the week following it!
Here's what I shared with the President, in response, which you can view before it comes down:
https://66a15c69-7119-4b1b-9da1-64f21ac565f3.usrfiles.com/ugd/66a15c_2de82f7299f944e38c489c15555730a2.pdf
I'd also like to point out his phrasing: Again and again, he called for all of us, the American
people, to "send me a Congress that ... and I will ...
https://www.whitehouse.gov/state-of-the-union-2024/
This is someone who filfills his promises. So far, already, he has signed into law an astonishing over 400 bipartisan bills.
Same
If Trump is the missing link, then our chain has no future because it has no strength.
Trump has no future.
Marlo--None that we would want to be a part of.
I am not baffled Keith. There are three forces at work pulling for Trump
1. Religious fanatacism, (not limited to Christianity either)
2. Patriarchalism, manifested in the form of female submission, male dominance.
3. Fear, fear of loss of power, fear of loss of control and Trump and the fascists have the fearful by the short and curlies. As Nixon said, grab them by the balls and their hearts and minds will follow.
I watched Ayman yesterday on MSNBC, the guest was a 2nd Generation Mexican, Mayra Flores from South Texas running for Senator. She is a hard right fantatic, when asked questions, she resorted to the tried and true tactic of the right wing, she didn't answer the question, but use the question to launch into a filbuster regurgitating the compalints of the right.
She did say one thing that was true, Latino's are social conservatives, that is patriarchs, and most vote that way. Those that have citizenship and green cards, don't care about the migrants, but like Joe Arpaio of Arizona, hate them, because the illegals make them look bad.
It is the I got mine, screw you mentality.
The Muslims are flipping their finger to Biden and the Dems, as are young black males (which has relevancy in Pennsylvania).
The election will be won and lost in five swing states, AR, NV, MI, PA, WI
They have 61 electoral votes, MI, which houses the most Muslims 100,000 voted uncommittted, and PA where Philadelphia has a majority black population (46%, the rest being Asian, White, Hispanic, Muslim), Could toss the election to Trump.
If that happens the Musliims and Blacks will find themselves on the short end of the Trump stick. He has promised to deport Muslims, even those born here, and as dictator as he promised, backed by a right wing Judiciary system and especially SCOTUS, he can deliver.
Nothing like cutting off one's nose to spite one's face.
I suspect many MAGAs are simply people who feel devalued and excluded from the "American Dream", while they see others rewarded beyond all need or reason -- and now just want to burn the whole system down.
Most of tfg followers are gun toting men. High school dropouts that cant read the instructions on how to operate a toaster. They don’t know the word fascist or how a government runs especially a democracy. Most are unaware of how our senate operates with a fillibuster. If you don’t know the basics how can you make a decision on who to vote for ? Most of his followers are homophobic and think women are too weak or dumb to lead and should be in a KITCHEN cooking or in the bedroom. They think with their ba**s not with their brains. Neanderthal comes to mind. My biggest confusion is why pick this pathetic girlie man Trump- he’s hardly masculine and doesn’t speak with force - in fact his speech is “ whiny” and incoherent. I guess because he uses “ bully language” to threaten people just like Hitler, Putin, Orban and all DICKtators. These magas are damaged people that want a bully to put their agendas first even if they are wrong. That’s not the American way.
A real indictment of the American education system, Susan. By the end of high school they should know a lot more.
You're exactly right Bill Miller. That's how they feel. Totally disenfranchised. They believe the lies about Biden from Fox and the right that he is old, demented and corrupt. Trump promises to "Drain the swamp" and to "Make America Great Again". He preys on their fears and hate. After 8 long years I finally have figured out his appeal. For the evangelicals it was the repeal of Roe.
Lisa, abortion and homosexuality are major issues not only for the people we call "evangelicals" but also for many influential Catholics. Let's not forget that fascist had strong Catholic support in Italy, Spain, Chile, and the USA, and, yes, they hate fellow Catholics such as Pelosi and Pope Francis.
Exactly. Not to mention the whole Transgender and LGBTQ issues.The churches in my city are still fighting over that. To include or not include. We finally do have a Gay Pastor here though. Which is huge where I live. So progess is happening slowly. I hate to think what would happen to him if Trump were to win though. It makes me very afraid. For myself as well.
The biggest reason they are devalued is because of the greedy billionaires and greedy corporations! Trump’s buddies. They need to join us and become part of the solution. Stop electing people who are easily manipulated and corruptible. There are good people out there who want to see our country succeed and President Biden is one of them.
Bill, this part of the appeal of fascism.
Bill and Susan and Paula, Yes, a lot of MAGAs are HS educated at best. However, they likely saw that is more than adequate as they grew up under parents working in now non-existent factories that have been gone for 40 years. The mid 70’s decimated the American workforce as jobs went overseas.
These are aggrieved and bitter people who see the “other” getting largess, which they are too proud to take. It is something they “know” is true, but they have never seen the recipients, because their towns typically are 95% Whites.
By the time we get past the 80’s with Oxycontin and Alcohol that fails to remove that loser feeling to hear Hillary Clinton sing the praises of the Meritocratic Society that more or less states that those who don’t rise up in the system are in the “L” column.
The very idea of a Comm College at 37 seems utterly absurd. Training in web development, with a class of 18 year old starry eyed kids, you’ve got to be kidding.
Our current nightmare was fueled by the Clintons along with the “Artisan Cake Shop” solutions from assholes like Steven Pinkner.
Keith ; ignorance is bliss! rooting for the "home team" is easy, until it isn't anymore. It would be interesting to be able to do time travel into a would be scenario of the future after a tRump 'win'. It would not be pretty. Kind of like Russia, with Putin holding court at his 55 foot long table, with his most trusted associates, far away from him! Lot's of mutual respect and trust there , huh? The thrill is long gone by then! and those are the ones 'on top!". Look at what Russian lifestyles are! No freedom of speech at all! a muted press only allowed to lie! few freedoms for most! Or maybe it would be like what Kim Jong Un has in North Korea, which for most ;citizens' is a jail from which they are not allowed to leave! The very expression on your face could get you killed!
I believe that right now Trump and his fascist friends are looking for foolproof ways to rig the election! The SCOTUS should have ruled that Trump is an insurrectionist and should be removed from the ballot in all 50 states. By prolonging his reign of terror it going to get worse every day!
Yes, Keith ; it is concerning as to what will they try! What is and where is "homeland Security"? Is that something W. Bush and his friends designed to keep himself and his minions safe? It has nothing to do with protecting US from Domestic terror! Over three years later, and we keep hearing about the threats and attacks on everyone, from young children in schools, those at worship, shopping, sleeping, at the hospital, prosecuting cases, sitting on the bench as a judge, running for office, volunteering to help run elections, even upper level Secretaries of State and other election officials! Doctors! any one and everyone tRump does not like! Journalists! Celebrities! Dogs! How bad does it have to get before he is locked up? or simply ignored! those in Congress and the Senate who take his orders should be disqualified! Section 3 of the 14th amendment is still valid! the attempt by corrupt judges to change the law in our Constitution is invalid! The three Stooges, and the illegitimate judges in the 'supermajority' are disqualified, too! We need to take our country back!
I was literally just saying this to my mom this morning
HOW is he Not in JAIL???
Janine ; I have been asking this since before the Jan 6th attack. The documents case alone should have immediately jailed him for a long time. Now there is one of his many appointees to the court in Florida sitting on that case like a nesting bird. We stupidly and powerlessly await the 11th circuit to swoop in and 'bench slap' her to save the day. But the media tell us that the 11th circuit is "conservative'. They also call MAGAts 'conservative'. Retired judge J. Michael Luttig , who is a conservative's conservative, has said that he is not identifying with their idea of conservatism at all. As far as I can see ; they are radicals. There is nothing conservative about them, and has not been for a long time. Very concerning indeed!
This corrupt SCOTUS should be impeached! one at a time, if necessary! RICO case, if at all possible! Crime is crime, no matter who does it! This is an Emergency! Joe Biden should look into a case for stopping such criminality, and putting US in danger of having an enemy takeover! Trump works for Putin, Victor Orban and other dictators in this world! and don't anyone say "it would look improper, because Biden is his opponent!" Evidence abounds as to just what is happening! Trump is disabled and disqualified several times over ! The sold out "justices" should be tried for High Treason!!! ENOUGH!
if only
Keith ; any 'news media", whether they pose as 'entertainment' or not, who run lies and propaganda to mislead the voting public should face charges for harming our Republic! No settling out of Court either, or judge shopping, or using 'white collar crime' courts, lawyers, prosecutors and judges! This farce of "Equality Under the Law" must stop!!! the next time I hear "No one is above the law" from a pundit. (or anyoneI), 'Im going to puke! This is sickening for a reason! we are in danger!
Keith ; All, of his sycophants in government are disqualified for office! Clarence Thomas needs to be impeached and his wife investigated, There is proof / text messages she made to those in congress and others that she was actively plotting to steal the 2020 election! Now the Current MAGA Congress members are following tRump's orders to not fund our allies in Ukraine. they made and reneged on the Border deal, to keep the false claim that Biden and the Democrats are to blame for the problems with immigration and at the Southern border. Any of those running for office that tRump has approved that is an election denier or law breaker should not be on the ballot for a federal election, if they are disqualified !
Oh yes. Trump lawyers are already working in the cities of swing states trying to purge Voter rolls. It's happening as we speak.
Keith Olson ; Very well said! I hope those in Justice are paying attention!
The biggest risk is because we are ignoring the minor party candidates. I am surprised that Professor Reich doesn’t mention that.
There will be a few choices in the ballot for those who are progressive and are anti-trump and anti-fascist.
We need to inoculate the voters against seeing any vote but for the Blue candidates as meaningful. Protest votes are a big mistake. Show who is funding them and do so before they have any more momentum than they now have. Complacency or knowing Trump has less than 50% and thinking he therefore can’t win is what will be our nightmare.
We must be careful not to celebrate too soon. I celebrated in 2016 when the access Hollywood tape came out. Boy was I wrong.
I felt all along Trump would simply implode before 2016 election. I got that wrong.
Keith, that was an inspiring read!! Enjoyed it and agree with every single word in it!! You are right, it is so baffling that Americans who should know and understand the price other Americans paid so that we could live free are willing to throw all of that away for the little orange man!!!
This is pre-ZACT-ly my point, problem, and perspective. These reactionary maga Republicans are the worst, most unAmerican citizens imaginable. They don’t love our country. They love their privilege and trample the principles of our Founders and the namesake of their expressed faith. Hypocrites and cowards are what they are, not patriots.
An long-time friend of mine and a new-ish neighbor have both speculated that any messaging against the MAGA 'faithful', i.e. followers of the Orange Jesus - is wasted. tRump has been placed by God to be the leader of their epic battle of good (Red Party) vs. evil (Democratic socialists). Their beliefs are spiritually based and solid to the core.
Throughout the Bible, the broken and lost had a moment of conversion and became messengers/followers of the Kingdom. To thinking individuals - and I would include some Christians - tRump is broken, a false prophet.
Nice discussion in this week's episode of 'Left, Right & Center' (my fave!) on why/how people gravitate toward an authoritarian strongman. They don't veer off into the above comments, but rather discuss how people of all political stripes are looking at the dysfunction in Congress and thinking maybe a strongman is what we need.
https://www.kcrw.com/news/shows/left-right-center (Approx. 52 min.)
Trump validates peoples prejudices about immigrants and other groups (LGBTQ) and their misinformation about the economy and his real impacts on our country. Trump along with right wing media have been building anger that they can't see beyond. I am convinced this group is hopeless and we need to focus on those with a more open mind.
Yes, it is complicated and depends on perspective. I lived through the peaceful revolution in former East Germany. The regime called it an insurrection and lots of other things. So I can see where the other side is coming from. Regimes held down opposition leaders by blaming them insurrectionists. The US is so divided that what one side thinks is insurrection the other side thinks is a desperate fight for their liberty. And if you are desperate all tools suffice. It is a sad state to be in especially when leaders manipulate people instead of helping them see. Biden was right. Nr 45 brings out the deepest instincts and vices. Unfortunately on both sides!
Thank you for sharing your experience. Yes change can be challenging. When I read Toffler's Future Shock I thought it was greatly exaggerated. I've changed my mind since.
Wish it was true!
I was saying it's a miracle!!!!!
Good stuff, Mr. Reich -- comprehensive, thorough, punching. Thanks. I'm not able to think seriously of TFG in the WH again. What I really hope for is that during my lifetime (I'm older than you) I will no longer have to see his name in print daily or mute the news because some editor thinks he said something I should hear. I want him gone from the nat'l stage and gone from my consciousness. I'll celebrate the day he's no longer considered good copy by MSM.
Amen!! I live for the day he is GONE.
I am appalled that this MAGA movement came to be so strong in America! I want him out of our lives too, but I’m afraid the movement has infiltrated many places. We will be fighting it for some time. We must keep vigilant and keep the MAGAs out of any public office and the SCOTUS
The corporate media needs a horse race because it makes them rich. They CLEARLY don’t treat the candidates with equal scrutiny. They don’t require any accountability of MAGA for their vapid exclamations backed by no evidence or facts. Media has played a huge role in reinforcing an alternate reality. Where MAGA is patriotism and self righteous MAGA is the moral authority for EVERYONE ELSE. The media has been manipulated by Russian psychological operations and money. There has been meddling from Saudi Arabia, China, Hungary, Turkey and surely others using the propaganda value of broadcast and online media to disrupt, distract and dismantle democracy and the clarity of values needed to support a diverse democracy in our country.
Trump has said that he welcomes support from abroad. He should have been impeached in 2017, but Bill Barr covered his ass. He should have been impeached in 2021, but McConnell covered his ass. Fascist "strong men" win when traditional conservatives back them.
Conservative oligarchs are partnering with the religious right because they can depend on them to go berserk about their button-pushing issues. Together these relative few billionaires and fearful right-wing fanatics are attempting to herd our country into a position where we will bend to what they want and need, which is protection of their wealth.
These billionaires don’t want publicly so they depend upon the loud-mouth religious right to make all the noise and keep the conservative base screaming and accusing as a smoke screen.
As long as the media is focused on the religious right and their paid for reps, they aren’t paying attention to who’s pulling the strings with the big bucks needed to keep funding crazy’s like Trump.
We set up the corporations to maximize profit and have largely given them the environment to do it. They everyone cries out against the evil corporations. But the fault, dear Brutus,...was it Brutis ?
True, Midwest. We must stay ever vigilant because this movement didn't just start up when the orange man rode down the escalator, it began long before that and has grown because of republican policies that made the divide between the haves and the have nots so much wider!!! MAGAs don't realize but the things they hate, hate, hate were started by republicans and their oligarch friends!!!
I'm sure you're aware of Bill Eigel. The next step down in Reich's devolution cartoon. For those unaware, this guy might be the next Missouri governor. Guys like him are a bigger threat than the Robinson's of the world, IMO.
You are right. My mailbox is full of pleas for time, money and support for voter's rights here in MO. I do get signatures and attend rallies. But outside my preferred bubble this is what I run into:
Long ago in college I took a psychology class. One of the books we read described "normalization of deviance" I think was the term. How people explain away upsetting behavior rather than naming it and providing treatment or control. Can't look it up. Went in tge recycle pile at tge Half Price Books. But that is what is going on with Trump. Quoting people who should know better, "Oh he doesn't mean it " "He just says that to get the Libs mad.""The liberal press just take things out of context." But when I ask do you believe it? Yes they do. They are the same people who skulk away from union organizing for fear of their jobs, who cultivate "happy worker" memes to keep the jobs they need to take care of their families. Sad. For them. Fascists are not happy.
Isn’t he involved in forming the Freedom Caucus in Missouri? Missouri goes from bad to worse!
I can't hit mute fast enough to shut Trump up.
"Biden gave a powerful State of the Union address last Thursday evening — feisty, bold, energetic, and upbeat."
I couldn't agree more. I'm still reelilng from how far he knocked it out ofthe ballpark. And this is the week following it!
Here's what I shared with the President, in response, which you can view before it comes down:
https://66a15c69-7119-4b1b-9da1-64f21ac565f3.usrfiles.com/ugd/66a15c_2de82f7299f944e38c489c15555730a2.pdf
I'd also like to point out his phrasing: Again and again, he called for all of us, the American
people, to "send me a Congress that ... and I will ...
https://www.whitehouse.gov/state-of-the-union-2024/
This is someone who filfills his promises. So far, already, he has signed into law an astonishing over 400 bipartisan bills.
Remember after the 2018 election when Dems controlled the House again? More than 400 bills went to the Senate — & died there thx to McConnell.
How much news is there about what Biden has done? I had no idea he’d signed so many bills.
As will I celebrate his removal at 78.
My "Case for Optimism" lies with 1. Women 2. Men who support women 3. Young people.
https://www.fieldteam6.org/volunteer-ops/actions
Yes!!
I'm sure Jesus would have totally approved wearing a diamond-encrusted crucifix while supporting a known rapist, cheat, and idiot. /s
Actually, the way I read the Bible, Jesus would have shown her some compassion and told her to go and sin no more.
True maybe but he mightve admonished her for lying through her teeth and threw her off the set. He hated sin. I was thinking of the Pharisees.
Lisa, the gospel writers demonized Judas and the Pharisees, because they did not tolerate criticism. Let's not forget that Christianity eventually became something entirely different from what Jesus preached, hence the Protestants, themselves cruel and intolerant , even today, in some quarters.
So you're saying I'm wrong and he WOULD have approved? Nah, she's profiting on his name (ignoring the words attributed to him) and he probably would have whipped her right out of the temple. The way I read the bible.
Budapest?
I live in Budapest, yes.
Does Orban have religious suppport?
I'm not religious so I don't have any first-hand knowledge what goes on in the churches, but Hungary is a hugely Catholic country and Catholics tend to be quite conservatives, so probably. For example, I understand if someone wants an abortion, they are advised to go to Austria for one. Gotta fight them fascists everywhere, apparently.
I am cautiously (with some slight nausea if I'm honest...😆) optimistic. Much more so than I was last week at this time. I think we have many more reasons to hope than we did. Here's my two cents for what it's worth:
1.) Biden shattered the age narrative with his SOTU speech. Now he just has to keep it up. Pound it over and over. Trump is getting tired. You can tell.
2.) Trump never expanded his Base and is losing Voters. Plus Nikki took 1/3 of them so far. We can peel those off. Many said they wouldn't vote for Trump. Especially if he were convicted of a felony. Since his first criminal trial starts 2 weeks from today that is great news!!
3.) Endorsements aren't promised. My Indiana Senator Todd Young refused to endorse Trump this year he said on Friday. I called and thanked him. I'm sure he appreciated it since I imagine he's getting lots of hate. If you think about it this week maybe give his Office a call and thank him too. Took a lot of guts to do that.
4.) Trump and the RNC are broke right now. That's a big plus. We are way ahead in Fundraising. I was noticing too on Facebook earlier how many women support Biden and are monthly donors. All good news.
So right now we are on offense. We cannot let up. Russia and Saudi Arabia could possibly collude to manipulate oil prices in the Fall to hurt Biden so we must stay vigilant!!
Thank you Dr. Reich as always for your great writing, your words of wisdom and your cool drawings too. I'm so honored to be working with you. Hope you have a great week!! ❤️🇺🇸💙
Your last point is correct. Russia and Saudi Arabia will definitely try to swing the election toward TFG starting in September and October with reduced production and increased prices for crude oil.
But the biggest tool they have is the Motiva oil refinery in Port Arthur, Texas. Motiva’s Port Arthur Manufacturing Complex ranks as the nation’s largest refining operation and can process a staggering 607,000 BPD. Motiva is wholly owned by Saudi Aramco, Saudi Arabia’s state owned oil company.
All they need to do is have an “unplanned” maintenance closure in October. This will skyrocket gasoline prices. The California oil refineries have had colluded simultaneous “unplanned” maintenance closures every few years for decades. Such a disruption could increase nationwide gasoline prices by a minimum of $2 per gallon, some have speculated as much as $3 more. (Thom Hartmann had a posting on this a while back.)
Many American voters are incredibly myopic and only have short term memories, so a Motiva disruption could do the trick.
However, don’t lose hope, there is a remedy, that would immediately help Biden, send crude oil domestic prices and gasoline prices back down, and make Big Oil scream. Biden can rescind the federal government policy that allows for export of U.S. produced crude oil and gasoline. That would more than make up for reduced foreign imports. And with good communication on the issue, he’ll shame that refinery to a quick fix.
Well That's good to know. That there's a remedy anyway. Thanks for the information. ❤️🇺🇸💙
Lisa, thank you for sharing this encouraging information.
for all of us in the progressive movement, and -- dare i say -- for all of us who simply care about human rights, justice and equality domestically and all across the world, the quintessential key is to have HOPE ...
right now, there is so much sheer helplessness -- whether it be over the wars in ukraine and gaza, with the climate crisis, or even (just writing this feels dystopian) over the rights for women in america to have over their own bodies ... there are so many more issues (specifically here in america) that have the majority of support amongst our population, yet have no forseeable way forward beyond the gridlock of an imperfect and, frankly, anti-democratic system (i'm looking at you, the electoral college; i'm also looking at you, the senatorial filibuster), that our helplessness can easily morph into hopelessness ...
my message to all progressives and to anyone who cares about humanity is that we cannot allow our helplessness to fester into hopelessness ... we must continue the fight ... we are marching on the shoulders of the bravest giants (gandhi, martin luther king jr, rosa parks, nelson mandela, harvey milk, alexei navalny ... just to name a very few) ... we have to remain active because it is up to us to save democracy across the world ...
it is not an easy fight ... it drains us, depletes us, sometimes incarcerates or even assassinates us ... and yet, the alternative is not acceptable ... so we need to have the HOPE to keep our fight going for the future of our planet and for the future of humanity ...
i felt that hope with president biden's state of the union address, and i feel that hope from your latest brilliance mr. reich ... thank you ...
if we lose our hope, then we have lost everything ... keep the faith, my friends !!!
I am at that point as people say I am like Chicken Little saying, “The sky is falling.” Telling me what I was saying was “inappropriate” and I needed “boundaries.”
I told her my dad fought in WWII to stop Hitler, not to welcome a Hitler. I said I was going to make sure his efforts and the efforts of all those who fought and died for our freedoms wasn’t in vein.
And go easy on the media consumption. There is so much fear and doom peddled.
You are so right, VR!! We must cling to our hope and use it to keep fighting for what we believe America is and should be!! I have faith in my country. Vote Blue, America!!!
The cartoon by Randy Molton was a perfect illustration of today’s GOP
I am a professional historian who specializes in the rise of the extreme right in France in the 1930s and during the war. I taught in California for 31 years. These two facts about me are salient here because they illustrate both my concerns about MAGA, and my cautious optimism. It is exactly correct that the rise of MAGA is a backlash against the demographic changes in the United States, as it comes to look more and more like, well, California. People from more conservative, white, and rural regions, along with the wealthy elite of this country, tend to support Trump precisely because they fear changes that will transfer wealth and power to younger, more ethnically diverse, and urban populations. Many of the grievances of the poorer rural MAGA supporters, whites and non-whites alike, are well-founded. When the Clintons came to power and began touting globalization, I agreed with their analysis that is was inevitable, but I disagreed with their insouciance regarding it's likely impact on Middle Class Americans. Much more should have been done to aid those who were the losers in globalizing the economy. Unions are a big help (I joined the union soon after I began my job in California), and so is retraining, but neither is enough.
And like the extreme right of 1930s France, MAGA appeals to those who feel that urban elites have supported automatisation and exportation of jobs and encouraged immigration that in their view drives down wages. Moreover, the regime of Maréchal Pétain substituted for "Liberty, Equality, and Brotherhood," the slogan of the French Revolution, a new slogan, "Work, Family, and Nation." This was well-suited to the conservative politics of those supporting Pétain's authoritarian regime, which was based on a sort of Christian nationalism similar to that of Franco's regime in Spain. These values appeal to traditionalists, especially rural folks who tend to view themselves as the founders and moral bedrock of the nation, including in the Unites States. These folks feel not only that they have been "downgraded" economically, but that their values should triumph because they are the "original" values of the country. That is why MAGA supporters, Trump's base, tend to be so utterly and unshakably devoted to him, no matter what he does or says. He is their champion in what they view as a moral crusade to "save" America, even if it means disenfranchising everyone who disagrees with them. And that is the real danger of the MAGA movement, and all its opportunistic fellow travelers. Like the Puritans, they believe in democracy only for the morally "pure." Trump appeals to them because he gives them the illusion of democracy while encouraging their sense of grievance and conviction that their opponents are not "real" Americans.
Returning to the theme of cautious optimism, and the looming danger at the same time, it is important to remember that people often flock to an autocrat precisely because they know they cannot win power in a free and fair vote. Pétain came to power in France only because of the German invasion. France in the 1930s was on the brink of a civil war, a reaction to the election in 1936 of the left-leaning Popular Front government. Franco won the civil war in Spain with the help of the Nazis. It was they, not Franco, who bombed Guernica. And the war broke out, again, as a reaction to the election in Spain of another Popular Front government, similar to that in France. In other words, MAGA Republicans (and even not so MAGA ones like Mitch McConnell) resort to authoritarian "lite" tactics such as disenfranchising voters or making it harder for the supporters of their opponents to register to vote or get to the polls, gerrymandering districts, and using threats of violence to intimidate their opponents precisely because they know they are in the minority and will lose in a free and fair election.
Trump did not win the popular vote in 2016. He won because of the anti-democratic electoral college. He will not will in the popular vote in 2024 either. If he becomes president, it will be because of anti-democratic tactics and the electoral college. But, most of all, it will because of apathy from too many who oppose him but are lukewarm to Biden. This is one reason why in encouraging my friends and acquaintances to vote, I point out constantly that the election is not just about the president. It is also about Congress. A Trump presidency with a Democratic Congress would still be a problem, but the damage he could do would be greatly reduced. The electoral college, even though it skews the vote in favor of the MAGA-majority states, can be won if enough people turn out everywhere. And meanwhile, if you use your vote to ensure that Trump cannot control Congress, you are also protecting the social programs, including Social Security, that you treasure. (Social Security, btw, cannot be protected just by ensuring that Trump doesn't cut it. The contributions cap must be raised to $250,000 of income per year, now, and that won't happen unless Democrats control Congress. But that's a discussion for another day.)
You described the Trump/MAGA dilemma so succinctly. Many do feel disenfranchised and look to Trump for salvation. Many are also white supremacists. Then add in the evangelicals and you have his Base. Great post Gayle. Thank you. ❤️
Fear of non-white power, that you alluded to, as well as dog whistles implying that non-whites don’t value hard work and take advantage of social safety net lead middle and lower income voters to vote again their own interests.
The nausea comes from our inability to apply Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. We should not have to worry about whether he will win back the Oval Office. He should not be eligible for the position. We've all but coronated him.
Regarding "our inability to apply", means many influential people simply do not know how to read the English language. Or they are lying about what they did read. Astounding!
SCOTUS R’s claim to be “originalists” and “textualists”. Let me translate. They are bullshit artists. Let them “interpret” that not so original epithet as they squander yet another opportunity to put us back on a course for democracy’s revival.
I was shocked that all 9 were in agreement.
I was as well. I haven’t read the opinion but I would surmise that it rests on the 14 th amendment sec 3 clause that states that Congress may waive the prohibition. On the other hand sec 5 says they have the power to pass laws to enforce. The 14th amendment…not that they must. So I am shocked!
As I read it, this section of the 14th Amendment is self-enforcing, & Congress's part is, if they choose to (not mandatory), they can, by a 2/3 vote by both chambers, decide to keep the culprit in office.
Agree. I plan to read the opinion. I must be missing something given that all 9 agreed (credit to Marlo for pointing that out).
yeah, so the question raised to me is what other parts of the Constitution need enabling laws to be in effect.
Yours is a profound question. Will "enabling laws" become the new legal frontier for nefarious people of the Trump era?
Excellent point. I’m not aware of any yet congress passes laws that are consistent with the constitution. So why is the 14th Amendment? Just seems to add wiggle room.
The -3- not agreeing completely should have spoken LOUDER
I hope the people to whom you refer won't stoop any lower than they already have by framing their bullshit artwork and hanging it on the court's bathroom walls.
It's true that reading comprehension skills are very scarce in today's job market. I find myself having to repeat basic points again and again before my technical support cases can even get on track to resolution. But on SCOTUS, they're wordsmithing the Constitution to nullify the provisions that stand in the way of their taskmasters. This is very destructive in a legal system built on precedence, because their wordsmithed interpretations become precedent. Well, they overturned Roe v. Wade, so I suppose that in the future we can overturn this and restore and reinvigorate Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. We also need to start screening and barring narcopaths, psychopaths and their minions from government office. That too needs to be enshrined in the Constitution. Socrates would have killed for the psychoanalytical knowledge to do this, which is at our fingertips in the modern world.
You said, "It's true that reading comprehension skills are very scarce". My mother had a Master's degree in Reading Comprehension. I wish she were still alive today so I could talk to her about what you said.
That section of the amendment is, as I read it, self-enacting. Likewise numerous members of Congress should already have been expelled.
Never known a Supreme Court to be so negligent as to the word as well as the spirit of the Constitution.
I don't think it's negligence. The politicians on SCOTUS are running the errands they were sent to run. I took a hint from Biden's SOTU speech that he's committed to expanding the bench ASAP so that we can overwhelm the errand boys and girls for the next 40 years, by which time the GOP as we know it today should be relegated to the footnotes and appendixes of our history books where they belong. Let the Libertarians or the Green party take their place. Someone has to keep Democrats honest but the GOP just keeps us all dumb.
The difference between "negligence" & words with similar meanings as "ignorance" or "neglect" is the implication of intentionality &/or recklessness in "negligence", so I do think it's the appropriate word.
The GOP would have crumbled long ago if not for the infusion of so much corporate money & a highly sophisticated disinformational propaganda machine.
David, the republican party has coronated Trump,
not all of us. They’ve been paying some of his legal bills and now that his ex daughter in law is taking over the reins of the GOP they are doomed…I hope.
That is my frustration. After that happened I wrote to my congressman and Senator Feinstein - my congressman resigned and then my district - redistricted and the congressperson now is pro Trump and Feinstein passed away. Very frustrated that the Trump trial is not underway.
over the last few years I've been of the opinion that many people in positions of power in the government are simply not doing their job, and I don't think it's just an ideological issue at play.
Hi Robert, as often I think you are right on and common sense will prevail it the end but it will be a tough and hot road for Biden and the Dems as Trump a his autocrat gang , supported by a super hypocrite GOP, big money and big Business . THey will throw everhyting at their opponent, legally and illegally, because he obviously is fighting for his personal survival eg stay out of jail, not for America. I have given up on US media few years ago and since they seem to have become even more supportive of Trump, at least giving him the benefit of the doubt. Any positive comment on Biden is often followed by a "but" and while accusing him of behaviours normal for Trump they completely ignore Trump's usual bad behaviours. I guess there is too much money in it for them and that what this all seems to about. Money in the end seems to make the difference in American politics......Not being an American and not living in US, I still am very concerned about the outcome in November because if it goes Trump's way, it will have a huge negative impact on the rest of the world in so many aspects.....
I’m afraid a trump win would mean death camps to certain populations. After seeing the way they dealt with Covid, I would say the elderly will have their social security taken away, their retirement funds and healthcare grifted away
I hope the elderly soon become aware of this possibility.
This elderly has been aware of the possibility since Reagan, thinking: "A cowboy actor ‽ Really ‽
Consider:
"Reagan's tenure as the 40th president of the United States began with his first inauguration on January 20, 1981, and ended on January 20, 1989."
Compare with:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mephisto_(1981_film)
notice the date of the film along with who made it and where it was made. I've considered it allegorical to Reagan's rise ever since. From cowboy actor to reality TV "star."
I recommend giving it a watch: https://www.amazon.com/Mephisto-Klaus-Maria-Brandauer/dp/B0CK4NMFDL/ref=sr_1_4?crid=1CPH6K5PVUVBX&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.hkMDKw8FdrKqAzqEmudy9q2ur2CcYOd0S8SyyQpZ4jE3t3lLQvnjOi4-LdQhWxH0c99lOME4sPVzIdlfqZtkhCJcu4MzT1fildcv1cF6Zk00T50R5BNsIkk3q7zHLSsD4cWDYgo3-0IFAKBsnkp-FQrMBVbK-7eoASmocC373_quTQ5gqieOqeJqf1ZeRhLOjONePw72TKUtP0kMHNLX180lBBUDSFsiZWwDp2D9GZ0.ty4jD4CNJPzc-HlB5FOXYCMi1BmoVU-Nrcf3bFcdnf0&dib_tag=se&keywords=mephisto&qid=1710162289&s=movies-tv&sprefix=mephisto%2Cmovies-tv%2C165&sr=1-4
(Besides, it's a good movie and Brandauer <better known as the villain in "Never Say Never Again> is perfect in the lead role.)
Interesting...
Money in the end seems to make the difference in America. You could stop right there.
Hello and happy salutations dear Professor Reich and all!
What a wonderful gift this morning to read of your optimism about our beloved Nation.
It is our belief that good defeats evil.
The goodness of President Biden is self evident to those with eyes that can see, ears that can hear the truth, and a heart that loves righteousness!
We believe in America.
We believe that there is no compulsion in religion.
We believe in E Pluribus Unum.
We believe in God. In God We Trust.
Thank you once again for your true patriotism through your optimistic attitude!
🇺🇸
I don't believe in "god." Nor do I "trust in a god..." Not all americans do and to make a blanket statement like this is unfair and corrals all americans into a faith based coalition that simply doesn't represent reality. You may believe whatever you choose but don't shove your stuff down my throat or make broad assumptions about the rest of us.
I believe in democracy.
I believe in the founding principles of this country.
I believe in a progressive role of government.
I believe in the rule of law.
BUT, I don't believe in "god" nor do I trust in some imaginary amorphous entity as the saving grace of anything.
Please don't include me in your religious community.
Try "God is....Whatever"
Serves me.
nikhilesh
No.
But it's a nice try.
Professor, While I largely subscribe to your reasons for feeling hopeful, I am particularly enamored with you suggesting that we all be part of building a nationwide pro-democracy movement, which, in my view, would be rooted in its fidelity to the rule of law and the Constitution and in a fundamental truth: that whatever one’s first issue of concern, however pressing, rising up for freedom and democracy had better be a close second; for without preserving our constitutional republic, progress of any kind is doomed.
The foregoing notwithstanding, I, further, would submit, that while a great deal of prosecutorial attention has been focused on the attempt to overthrow the 2020 election, perhaps we would be well-served were we focused at least as much on what is happening, as we speak, to lay the groundwork for Trump and his allies to hold power whether or not they win enough votes.
I do hope that there are people working on this. Can we rely on the FBI, etc?
In the red state where I live, the GOP have introduced a bill to ban any type of rank choice voting. They are also, once again, attacking the citizen’s initiative process. These crazy people had tried to defund our libraries a few years ago. They have organized a small Freedom Caucus to mimic that in the federal gov.
The GOP supermajority passed a bill to gut the Missouri constitutional right for citizens to petition their government. This will be on the ballot in Nov.
This is a BIG DEAL. They tried to add ballot candy on the ballot measure with a lead-off in the ballot language like "Only US citizens will be able to vote".
Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Right now the GOP in Missouri has a supermajority in both Houses, the governorship, and all statewide offices (atty general, etc).
https://www.ksmu.org/news/2024-02-06/as-few-as-1-in-5-voters-could-defeat-initiative-petitions-under-missouri-senate-proposal
It’s very disheartening. I can’t believe that if people knew about it, that they would support it.
Saw my first Bill Eigel for Governor bumper sticker today. Yuck.
@Midwest, About two years ago, former Protect Democracy Executive Director Ian Bassin named a 4-part effort, all of which interlock, and were then already underway to undermine the next election. First, was the informational part, the big lie used to convince people that elections are corrupt and that 2024, as with 2020, also will be stolen. Second was to use “the big lie” as groundwork for the legal part to change laws. For the past two years, GOP controlled state legislatures across the country have been changing state election rules to change who can be in charge, how votes are counted, and how they’re certified. (Here I would note that the High Court recently had decided it would not rule against gerrymandering unless the re-drawing of district lines was intentionally discriminatory. In other words, were a group disproportionately represented, as long as that outcome was unintended, the re-districted map could stand.) Third was the personnel effort to remove people who didn’t submit to directives in 2020 aimed at de-certifying votes. And fourth was the violent effort seen by at least 30% of Republicans who say violence might be necessary to protect the country.
Bassin, clearly, is not alone in concluding that 2020 was mere practice for 2024 unless we engage now in the necessary actions to protect our democracy. As a final point, I would note Republicans have continued to seek ways of suppressing/ nullifying votes since Bassin’s views were aired.
They tout themselves as anti-authoritarian, the good guys. You're saying this is a cover. https://protectdemocracy.org/about/
Steve, Just the opposite. I view the 4-part effort Bassin presents as a 4 alarm fire that ought to compel us all to train ourselves and acquire the knowledge and strength to rob those who would seek to control us of any relevance.
I’m at a loss as to how to do that. In the current circumstances, we must vote, but voting also seems inadequate to this onslaught, particularly in the red states. I’m sorely lacking in resistance knowledge. I’ve heard of the French resistance but that was before the digital age…of course, not being digital would be harder for the authoritarians to track.
and yet a 501c3 org
Az, Regrettably, I am unaware of any instances wherein Biden could pass laws without the approval of both federal chambers. I also would add, not included in my reply to Midwest, there’s a plan currently underway not to seat incoming Democratic House members before January 6th (not impermissible). Accordingly, regardless of the vote, Mike Johnson would remain Speaker, and House members could challenge a sufficient number of votes so no presidential candidate would reach the requisite 270 electoral votes, leaving the presidential election to be decided by the House. Unlike 2000, when no Senator would sign onto a House challenge, that would not be a problem in 2024. Given that Republicans control 25 House delegations, Democrats 23, and 2 are tied, with each delegation getting 1 vote, were the election to be decided by the House, Trump would become President.
My point is that the guardrails are gone. We have only ourselves to save our democracy. Hence, we have to do everything possible to overwhelm Republicans with a devastating defeat, making it as difficult as possible to cheat. Speaking solely for myself, I am laser-focused on the largest bloc of 2020 eligible voters—people who didn’t vote.
Interesting and upsetting about the guardrails.
Kayla, I view driving home the point that whatever safeguards had existed are now gone to be among our most pressing objectives if we are to reach the largest bloc of people from 2020—eligible voters who didn’t vote.
3/11/24. Just heard the news that the RNC are cleaning house. Since the trump duo now co-chair. At least 60 fired. Probably considered RINO or adhering to the laws.
Az, In my view, there no longer is a Republican Party. There’s only MAGA. Republicans no longer willing to comply either resign or are voted out. The ones who stay mostly stick with the script, certainly in numbers large enough to execute their plan.
Seeing Trump has absorbed the Congress and largely the judiciary, if we’re to save our democracy, I believe we have only ourselves and one another.
Josh Hawley and other MO GOP reps have recently attacked my MO 2d district Republican representative (centrist in appearance, MAGA mostly in voting) Ann Wagner and I have to wonder if this is not part of an overall strategy to eliminate all non-MAGA still in the Party. Her district was gerrymandered for 2022 to include more red rural which helps her stay in office in the general, but also makes her more vulnerable to being primaried from the right and hence more controllable by the Party.
I once thought that not all Rs are reprehensible. When the MAGAs overthrew the Rs, I believe the actual conservatives have become the Lincoln Project and still hold the Constitution to be the law of the land.
A terrific post. You should write campaign speeches. Bravo.
The breathtaking idiocy of these people would be reassuring (who needs clever, reality-oriented adversaries? Sounds exhausting 🙄) if they weren't so well 'represented' by corporate fascists of the Charles Koch mentality...
I completely agree with your message, Professor, but I wish you had honored the distinction between "nauseated" and "nauseous." We progressives are nauseated because Trump and the GOP are nauseous.
My mother always pointed out that difference
Do check out the difference between noxious and nauseous.
I'm aware of the meaning of "noxious." That's not what I was addressing. In everyday speech, Americans often use "nauseous" as Professor Reich uses it here: to mean "queasy" or "experiencing the physical sensation that one is about to vomit." But "nauseous" is more correctly understood as "something or something that CAUSES nausea" -- very akin to your "noxious" but more specific.The word for feeling ill is "nauseated." So the proper coinage would be "nauseated optimism." As far as I know, optimism has never made anyone feel the need to upchuck.
I have the sense that you made your comment to scold me, but I haven't a clue why. Would you kindly explain?
Needed support here from Reich and reminders like who was in office when that immigrant girl was raped - G.W. Bush. Republicans are pushing immigration fiercely to create fear. The nausea part, it is sickening that anybody would vote for Trump…pathetic, too. I know President Biden gave a wonderful, surprising SOTU speech. Republicans are now on a frenzy to knock it down…Katie was disgusting, a liar (like all Republicans) one article explained her response reminded him of the “The Handmaidens” and that was scary! Congressman Tom Cotton ripped (tried to) into Biden’s SOTU calling Him a liar. Mark Robinson from NC - totally off-the-wall. We know this bull will keep up, but here’s one old woman that won’t be swayed by any of it. I’m a Democrat all the way!