Once again, I think we are paying far too much attention to Donald Trump and not enough to the Republican Party as well as that portion of Americans who find both appealing. Donald Trump was, and is, patently unfit to be president of the United States. He is also a criminal who needs to answer for his crimes. But the real culprit isn’t Trump its the Republican Party. Donald Trump may be the tumor, but the cancer is the GOP as well as the frighteningly sizable portion of Americans who support what both stand for. Further, no one who associates with that man, or who subscribes to what the Republican Party stands for can be considered “normal”. Not at least if one values democratic governance, inclusion, and a dedication to solving America’s problems in ways the benefit the greatest number. Can we truly say anyone who works for any despot is acceptable? After all, we routinely condemn those surrounding Viktor Orban or Vladimir Putin. Is someone like William Barr any different? Each of these brigands who first enabled Trump’s worst excesses then called Trump out for doing what he did, have made it clear they’ll vote for him if he runs again. Is that really normal? I fear that because of Trump’s ability to attract attention we are once more taking our eye off the ball and are going to be worse off for having done so.
Silence is complicity. The Republican Party is completely complicit with these actions-their silence is deafening. And what does that say about those who elect and support those leaders? How has racism, misogyny, bias, and hatred become so normalized?
"How has racism, misogyny, bias, and hatred become so normalized?"
Many espousing it today have found ways to justify it with bible verses, and their interpretation of them. Observe the ones trying to put the blame on the victims of the killings in a Colorado Springs nightclub. Truth means nothing to them except something to twist to justify their actions.
Yes, Thomas, that is in line with the Republicans who made jokes about 83 year old Paul Pelosi getting his scull cracked by a thug with a hammer! Whether one liked Nancy or not, that was beneath the pit, and unjustified in a civil society.
Thank you Laurie for bringing that despicable event back into attention. Paul Pelosi is a gentleman and a decent human being, The GOP maggots are unworthy of any position
The ones holding office who voted against certifying Joe Biden's win should not be in office. There are investigations of some of these people that should have consequences. The ones giving tours to insurrectionists planning to attack the people's house should definitely be removed.
Hatred is as American as apple pie. Rachel Maddow’s new podcast “Ultra” tells the story of American fascism in the 1930s and 40s — a history that most of us didn’t know about.
I'm on part 5 of Ultra. HIGHLY recommended. Coming from Michigan, I was certainly familiar with the anti-Semitic rants of Fr. Charles Coughlin as a part of our local history, but never realized how much it was of the fabric of all that was taking place.
Stan....that is very true. We had a very active communist party and fascist party in the USA in the 30's. The fascists were big business guys and billionaires. They got off free, but the communists paid for the next 40 years.
After the Red scare, Communism was made illegal. Why? Free country, my ass. Communism was ruined by dictators but right now Capitalism is a big failure too.
Stan....you might be right, but what about Proud Boys or Oath Keepers? Our right wing ruling class has always been paranoid about reds but fine with the fascists. You look at Communist Party platform and it reads like democratic party platform.
Watch The U.S. and the Holocaust | New Documentary ... - PBShttps://www.pbs.org › kenburns › us-and-the-holocaust
There is extensive coverage of fascism and the many Hitler sympathizers and "look the other way" denials of what he was doing, not to mention famous people like Henry Ford and Charles Lindbergh who were if not ranting, at least talking about Nazism, reminding me of the Charlottesville crowd's "many fine people" shouting "Jews will not replace us"! I think Trump IS a white supremacist to his core, despite the fact that he has a Jewish son-in-law and ostensibly a convert in his daughter. And BTW how did neither of them speak up about his tacit approval of these haters? The Kushners are either complicit or spineless hypocrites. Everything they do is just for show. There's not a one of them that hold any beliefs of any moral value - not ONE of the whole T**** clan!
When things get tough in so-called Christain countries they always get around to blaming the Jews. The Jews are so handy to have someone to point the finger at as in Europe during the Black Death. Blame the Christ killing Jews.
You might be interested in this: "Behold America: A History of America First and the American Dream," Bloomsbury Publishing, 2018. It traces the origins of the 2 phrases from their Progressive beginnings (late 19th Century) through the 1930's.
"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your [precious] spices. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. "
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when you have succeeded, you make them twice as much a child of hell as you are."
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence."
That's some Bible talk. Pharisee was Aramaic for Trump Supporter.
Another Bible-y guy - “That which is hateful unto you, do not do unto your friend, the rest [of the Law] is commentary, go and learn.”
Just watch Fox or Newsmax and you will hear it all. I watch David Pacman at night . He shows clips from Fox and the hate stations. He showed Nick Fuentes raving on one night. These people are dangerous.
Will there be another uprising when candidate trump loses and claims voter fraud. Absolutely.
Do we need to worry?
Not so much.
Perpetrators will be arrested, charged, tried, and convicted. The rule of law will prevail. Some say there are too many sympathizers among police, National Guard, Army. As much as they may agree with rioters, they won't risk their paychecks, loss of lifetime service-related benefits (health benefits, pension), or jail. They may grumble, but they'll do their damned job.
What I see: Trump won't get the nomination, yet his narcissism won't allow him to bow out. He'll start his own party and split the Repub vote. Four more Democratic years.
Racism, misogyny, bias have always been there. I was born in 1955. It was the norm for years. Rarely could there be a conversation without someone calling blacks-n****s. That was the way the olds talked back then. It was normal and accepted.
My gut reaction is to say that we didn’t accept those things, either, but when I take a step back, I do see that the entire culture has changed since I was born in 1959. Women, poc, lgbtq-it was a different time with different levels of acceptance. Hate speech was not tolerated in my suburban Philly home but we were products of the culture at that time. I’ve learned so much from my daughters who appreciate cultural diversity and from reading and learning as I have grown older. I’m proud to be woke and I pray I will get more woke the older I get. Living in Florida is a real eye opener as to how sick and sad the bias and hatred truly are.
I guess I’m uncomfortable with talking about erasing people-too genocide-y for me-but I’d love to see all those who promote hate to be sidelined and removed from positions of power in government, business, and society. Bye bye, Desantis!
I totally get that. The hostility and viciousness they exhibit is so very toxic and their actions literally put us all in jeopardy-all because of their greed and lust for power. It’s all been so normalized. That’s why I love this group because people here want decency, honesty, and a better society. It gives me hope! 😊. Peace be yours, my friend!
Why is normalization of hatred happening at this point in American history ? not the proximate cause like a Donald Trump who made it okay for some people to openly Express their bigotry,but what made a Donald Trump phenomenon possible in the first place ?
I think the worship of money and successful grifting elevated high profile tRump enough to get noticed by those who could use him in the office of president of the United States. He was crass and criminal enough to bilk people trying to get a college education with his Trump University. He had the corner on glamor with his beauty pageants and fancy hotels. He was not even afraid of ripping people off from their charitable contributions, and now is not even allowed to run a charity! He had so much nerve and narcissism that it was only a matter of time when the wealthy criminal class would see an opportunity. What did these backers get once he was in the Oval ? Trillions! Our weak enforcement of laws made it easy! Corrupt, greedy lawyers and other officials helped too.Add to that angry citizens who wanted to believe he was their vengeful savior, who would make things 'fair' and drain the obvious swamp and limit the numbers of 'others' and here we are.
Jim Giardina ; I think it is important to follow the investigations and charges against those who voted against the certification of Biden's presidency. They should not hold a seat in our government. The 'justices' who will not support voting rights for human citizens should be taken off the 'Supreme' court as well.
Unfortunately, this SCOTUS will be around for a long time. The devil's in the detail, and the "culture wars" will continue attempt keeping them exactly where they are. That's been the whole game for at last 50 years, by my reckoning. Nitwitted voters have >no idea< what they've brought down on their legacy.
DZK ; It would be interesting if the approval rating of the SC gets low enough to be not only scandalous. But dangerous. Isn't there a remedy If they are 'bad' ? Don't they take an oath?
That's a double edged strength/weakness of how The Constitution sets up the SCOTUS. The thinking is that SCOTUS justices, appointed for life, could afford to hold themselves aloof from political consideration. The down side is that they're appointed by whoever is president and confirmed by whoever is in charge of the Senate.
In recent months, I've come across language regarding impeaching one or another SCOTUS, that I've never heard of before, but that doesn't mean anything. I'm not that knowledgeable in such procedures. However, if an impeachment path exists, the Democrats sure as hell have no access to it for at least 2 years, assuming they can flip the House, and hold both the Senate and presidency. Remember. The House can only accuse someone of being a dirty guy. It requires a Senate trial to >actually convict< said dirty guy of being a dirty guy and then legislatively removing said dirty guy from office, and the sitting president signing off on it - unless it's the sitting president who was convicted, whereupon it falls to the VP, because that person automatically got a promotion.
For the moment, we're stuck, and any other language is pie in the sky, or cesspool if you prefer. You might want to direct that question to Mr Solomon. I'm satisfied he really knows what the devil he's talking about regarding legal processes.
Yes, Justices take an oath, but it would be next to impossible to remove one for violating it -- it's too general. Justices have to be impeached; inappropriate conduct is about the only guideline (I think...).
Same as for impeaching a president -- charges brought by the House and conviction following a trial in the Senate. I doubt it will ever happen, but the path is there.
Speaking of the crazies, I suspect the times Hartman refers to at the beginning of this comment is what is considered "great" by MAGA leaders: https://youtu.be/C3X14QligcA It was all a result of the industrial revolution. We're now in the midst of a "silicon revolution."
Pay close attention. He also mentions exactly why I'm kind'a unconvinced by the argument that Democrats take contributions from "big money." Oh how Ohio has shamed itself, these days - they clearly once knew better! Note: the original progressives were >Republicans!< Screw the libertarians and populists!
Republican Party. Many cult members are predisposed to white supremacy and/or anti-Semitism. Consider their collective racial subconscious.
But most are more concerned with power over Democrats. For wahatever reason, many have NO consciousness. Lumpen Republicans.
In terms of the industrial revolution, more in common with Luddites.
Ohio. Consider Peter Thiel. "Silicon" revolutionist? His money made a difference. He is personally a walking contradiction. A homosexual who opposes "liberalism." Thiel and Musk were partners. Musk says stuff like the greatest threat to the world is a LOW birth rate. IMHO they would rather destroy society than improve it.
Trump remains a marketing genius. The media is the message.
Oh, I find a little historic context enlightening, particularly when I'm repeatedly being told black is yellow, red is purple, and green is white. That's why I >know< the current gaggle are essentially neo-Confederates. They were previously Southern Democrats, who defected to the Republicans in response to the "Southern Strategy" - remember Jesse Helms? That was in response to Black Americans becoming Democrats in droves to nobble them politically. Thanks for the specifics you cite here, and I completely agree. One exception. The once Luddites embraced the technology and are now wielding it like a hammer. You're more likely to find a traditional Luddite among those our age - not so much in the more youthful.
"Trump remains a marketing genius." Or, he may be demented. No less dangerous, because he will only get worse - until it becomes obvious to all that he has lost his rather average mind.
I actually like civil law before criminal law. In criminal the burden of proof is severe. In civil law, Trump can lose all his worldly possessions. I'm waiting for his DNA results. He's playing whackamole in NY.
IMHO he will rue having brought the conspiracy case in Florida that had already been tossed and that is already the basis for sanctions. Abuse of process. Imagine Trump under cross examination by Hilary Clinton.
Daniel, we created the monsters by keeping in so-called centrist Democrats (really rt wing) who kowtowed to Gun Groups, unethical and unconstitutional practices etc. And they failed by bending over backwards to call deadly threats, free speech.
And IF the Democrats attempt to address problems, they first form committees that last for years…long enough for the Dems to be pushed out and powerless.
Our government is based on compromise. There used to be liberal Republicans, Dixiecrats.
SCOTUS, to its credit, brought government into the 20th Century. Ended Plessy. Incorporated 14th Amendment to the states. On SCOTUS the most "liberal" justices like Warren and Brennan were appointed by Republicans. Our demise started when we permitted people like Powell, an outright Confederate to SCOTUS. Scalia, the Federalist Society et al would not compromise.
Yes Daniel, we had a mandate. The people elected Al Gore, Hillary Clinton, but did not get a voice at all.
The Democrats let opportunities slide..Obama, not getting a SCOTUS pick a full year before departing office, Trump was selecting weeks before leaving office.
Democrats win most of the popular votes (in past 7 elections) but nothing catered to the base on the left.
Our government is no longer based on compromise as you well know. The ideals of 1800s are not being applied today. The government is based on money.
I'm with you on the committee thing.If they put me in charge here is what I would do. every week the national Head Shed should have a teleconference with all 50 plus State committee chairs to review actions to achieve goals. the state chairs should do the same more or less for their County Chairs. They should empower organizations to do what they need to do without repeatedly asking for committee approvals. that does not mean democratic committee's don't continue to have some measure of oversight.
So true! Imo Dem. senatorial "committees" have been one of the worst things about congressional gridlock for decades (one of my Senators is a BIG fan of committees).
Like you, I believe TFG is far craftier than many realize. Note that he feigns (innocent) ignorance while openly welcoming those labeled as "the crazies." He knows exactly what he is doing. Narcissist though he is, TFG is also a master of messaging. He doesn't have a broad-or even a small- fund of knowledge, but he is a master of media.
That's djt's tired m.o. Always feigns ignorance when called on encouraging white supremacist support. E.g., claimed he didn't know who KKK leader David Dukes was, later proven a lie.
We treat the disease that the patient is sick with. Once diagnosis is complete, the treatment begins promptly. Hand-wringing and fear is human; set it aside and commence with treatment.
Play good defence. Either reason, sanity and justice will prevail, common sense will win out - or if the world's gone that crazy, maybe not. I'm betting on the quiet majority of people with common sense and resolve, to prevail.
Watch the ramparts, let them throw themselves upon the walls. Trump's power comes from eliciting the loyalty of traitors, the earnestness of the lazy, the seekers of magic. Those traits cannot long sustain any movement.
As for tfg, the difference between him and Adolf was that Adolf had a work ethic, organizational skills, and the ability to elicit a sense of trust from the people he was screwing. tfg aint got. Even if he commanded Hannibal's force at the gates, he'd screw that up. I've opined in "Donald J. Superhero" that he's such a force for screwing up bad plans, he's almost a superhero. https://steveocally.substack.com/p/donald-j-superhero Even if he had the forces behind him, he's a predictable loser.
The patient is the worried American society; the treatment is "For God's Sake, don't just do something, STAND THERE!"
1. The Reasonables. These are people who are rightly appalled at the antics of the former guy and his supporters (see 3). These folks are on MSNBC daily speaking out about the depths that the party has sunk to. Some no longer consider themselves Republicans.
2. The Enablers. These are people like McConnell, McCarthy, etc. who may be privately appalled but are publicly supporting the former guy for fear of losing the voted of the third category.
3. The Supporters (aka crazies). These are the people who actually believe that a) the elections were in fact "stolen" or "rigged", b) He was "the greatest President ever" and c) are racist, misogynist, anti-Semitic, anti-immigrant, etc. These the are the insurrectionists who attacked the Capitol on 1/6/21, who plotted to kidnap Governor Whitmer, and who still plot to overthrow the government and/or sue if they don't win elections (Kari Lake?).
The only ones I can even consider as sane are the Reasonables. Sadly, they are not reaching the people in the other two categories because they are only speaking to those of us who already know what's really true.
Every so called journalist should be asking every Republicans about their Leader? Everyday ask them if they agree the constitution should be suspended. Especially the ones that voted against to certify the election. I want to know if the GOP is a Nazi organization? I want the Republicans to denounce every unAmerican comment and views of the white supremacy.
Calling them out and being outraged isn’t enough. We as citizens can put forward candidates and elect public servants who will sideline the GOP smoke and mirrors culture warriors and actually help people solve what concerns them. Meanwhile the wheels of justice will turn for at least the next two years to hold criminals accountable under the law. The hard part is getting overworked people and those who have tuned out to vote. This gets back, again, to hearing their concerns through deep canvassing and town halls, and in whatever other ways we can.
Definitely the case, and DeSantis is not too far from Trump in his beliefs and "policies." The Republicans will run DeSantis, if possible, thereby still adhering to the hate and racism that mark Trump's beliefs. The Republicans are neo-fascists, and they do not disguise themselves.
Definitely. Many Trumpfers around here STILL have their yard signs and flags out. Many bumper stickers and lately profile decals of the Dumpsterfire in truck windows as if he’s riding along. The in your face Trumpf sort thing. The Repuglycans as a whole are approving and many comment on how much he’s done for them yet can’t specify when asked just what it is.
"The real culprit." In March of 2019, Nancy Pelosi gave an interview in which she openly admitted that trump was unfit ethically, intellectually, etc., to be president, but also that he was not worth impeachment.
As Walt Kelly's character Pogo once famously said: "We have met the enemy, and he is us."
The "real culprit" -- the true root cause of the issue -- is that one party is given free reign to play the traitors and call it patriotism -- while the other party just hopes it will all go away with the next election.
Yet ol' Tweety was twice impeached, Pelosi is stepping down, and the AG has just sicced a honeybadger on ol' Tweety. I'm inclined to agree that the "silent" Republicans were facilitators, as they continue to remain silent - in the historic "know nothings" tradition.
Interesting piece Janet. And with TFG anything is believable when it comes to crime & mafia connections. It’s how he was placed in the White House as far as I’m concerned.
He notably lost the popular vote by almost 3 MILLION more votes in the popular vote!! I have NO doubts that was a stolen election. That is how corrupted the system is. This was a travesty in so many ways. And we know Putin despised Hillary. But the people of this country did elect her!
The entire GOP is dangerous. DeSantis is dangerous because he’s smarter than the former occupant of the People’s House. At the same time, I am grateful that more and more ReThugs are distancing themselves from TFG.
I shudder to think of what January will bring with the new Congress.
I am so grateful that Biden is at the helm and that we control the Senate… it could be so much worse.
Segue… We are fighting our own war in this country against guns and mass shooters who have only to walk into a store and purchase a pistol without any background checks or waiting periods. I wish to God Congress would finally enact stricter legislation. ~rant just beginning~
I live in Florida and I agree that DeSantis is more dangerous than Trump. The GOP created Trump who in turn created a worse problem with DeSantis. Now the GOP wants to distance themselves from TFG because they want DeSantis in because they know he’s going to get some of the Independent vote because of his Covid policies. People think he’s been great because the right wing corporate owned media has played it this way. He’s all about corporate greed and Florida has the highest cost of living it has ever seen and has outrageously low wages. High insurance rates for homes and cars as well. Basically a very Wild West atmosphere. Let’s also throw in his bigotry.
It’s going to be interesting to see what happens but I feel this TFG drama is just a distraction for the large % of Americans who feed off of this media propaganda and don’t pay attention to what is really going on. Our education system has failed us tremendously.
I live in Florida, too. You are spot on. Educational experts have labeled Desantis’ policies here as raising a next generation of racist and ignorant members of his base. I shudder to think of him and his wife in the White House and what that would mean for those who are not white, wealthy, pseudo-Christian, hetero members of our society. He does not believe the law applies to him. He is a clear and present threat to Democracy.
Jan Schaefer ; plus DeSantis can't wait to throw as many of those who oppose him into jail cells as he can. No doubt he has a lucrative deal for private pri$on$ along with private militia$, too.
“Our education system has failed us tremendously.” I think that’s up for debate. Unfortunately Public education and funding are often pawns for one philosophy, movement or even political party. Yet, it’s possible the distractions beyond education are more powerful than the time children sit at a desk. Out of control media and lies are as influential or more so. And the legacy of voting family and community. RELIGION. Teaching Civics and problem solving helps but in some schools the curriculum is tightly controlled by repubs, no CRT, no truth. Back to the Scopes days? Is it possible our political system has failed us?
Anne, I totally agree! We are not addressing the multitude of murders and slaughters because we’re busy giving TFG all the attention he craves. Not a peep about removing guns from society. I don’t want yo hear anyone say…it will never happen. The restaurant & bar assoc said not allowing cigarettes & smoking will never happen! Businesses will fail because of it! BS!
We look frighteningly nutty to the rest of the world with our lack of action against slaughter if children in school or in their homes! We are WAY PAST “gun control”. These words are NRA propaganda. Stop saying it.
Thank you for your response. I stand corrected on the use of the words “gun control.”
You are absolutely right on no one saying anything about removing guns from society. Unfortunately, when this great experiment was formed and the framers wrote the 2nd Amendment times were drastically different. Geez… times are drastically different from when I was born and there were three billion people on Earth compared to its eight billion today - Yikes! And don’t even get me started on the NRA. I find it horrid & contemptible. I wish it could be obliterated.
Your second paragraph is almost exactly what I think about often. I know that we are no longer the greatest country in the world. Many of my European friends have no desire to visit anymore. If I live abroad I might not, either.
I like your username! Keep yourself healthy and safe.
I actually meant, no one should say gun control, not meaning to admonish you, sorry about that. We clearly cannot control guns and with the last batch of Fascist-MAGAs controlling the government, we (as a nation) cannot continue to pretend “gun control” is a viable solution.
I live in Chicago and you would be shocked at how many children are killed from a bullet entering the home but intended for another target, which strapped in to car seats in a car with their parents or grandparents, it’s so frequent, there is no national news about it.
How many school shootings do we have? It is mind-boggling that we get NOWHERE even when multiple mass shootings occur at school. No other advanced nation in this planet allows guns the way we do. 44k gun deaths per year. Our response: NO CHANGE!
Australia used to be as wild west gun slinger as the US. After one mass shooting, they recalled guns from citizens and put new laws in place.
This is one of many gigantic disgraces for this country.
Perhaps Mr. Reich will lead the way and tell us how We The People can take action. I have written to my congressman and my senator. There must be more…
Oh, and no offense taken at all. I appreciate constructive criticism even if it was just a general statement.
I live outside of DC and our local news isn’t quite as terrifying as yours must be but the thing is, I cannot turn a blind eye or “get used” to this. *sigh*
I simply shudder when I hear “ he is smart” when people describe DeSantis. He is cruel and vindictive and simply responds like a weasel when caught in a trap. “Harvard does not equal smart. Harvard equals bias and privilege for power. People who carefully digest the facts and then carefully think through the meaning are smart. They also seem to have a purpose greater than power and or corruption.
Thank you Anne for allowing my irritable diatribe.
Jean(Muriel) ~ There are sooooooo many worse irritants to consider than your comment, which isn’t irritating in the least, to me.
I would like to make it clear that I said DeSantis is “smarter than the former guy” but in no way do I mean that he is smart. He’s a sly, wily and cunning sort.
I also agree that folks who carefully think things through are the ones who have meaningful purpose in their lives.
Thank you for replying, and keep yourself healthy and safe.
It's long been a source of frustration for me that the "normals" hid their true observations from the public for so long. And, that they did not join together to stop the orange blowhard in 2020. I'm talking about all of the people who departed his administration, after having seen first hand what a dangerous sociopath that muddahfacka is. All of these corporatists and all of these Republican politicians who enabled him by their silence or their failure to convict him upon impeachment - twice! - will go down in history as spineless, self-interested traitors of the Constitution they swore to defend.
Professor, While my intent is not to diminish your justified concerns, I continue to take heart from the midterm results and view our work as building on our accomplishments at the federal, state, and local levels. I am particularly relieved that not one election denier (liar) won statewide election in a battleground state.
Additionally, between now and Jan. 3rd, nothing seems as important as working for Warnock (my contacts tell me voter enthusiasm has permeated much of the State), as curing ballots, and as pressing the Senate, in particular, in the final session to move on 3 issues: 1) completing their work reforming the Electoral Count Act, 2) prophylactically raising the debt ceiling as a protective measure against a 23-24 Republican House seeking to extract concessions by threatening to default on the national debt, and 3) advancing legislation, already passed by the House, banning high capacity assault weapons and instating both universal background checks and nationwide red flag laws.
I’m going to argue another point of view, and I hope that I am onto something. It is possible that tfg’s showing himself even more obviously unhinged is a sign of the fever breaking. The midterm elections highlighted more Republicans and independents voting against the MAGA con and for more normal candidates. The Republican establishment has clearly seen that Dump leads them to defeat. In our local congressional contest, we flipped a red district blue and denied office to a Steve Bannon acolyte. Our winning candidate, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, ran an authentic blue collar campaign that was pro-choice but didn’t challenge the Republican and rural gun culture other than to promote raising the age of purchasing assault weapons to age 21 -- not my preference, but she won over the needed support. 2nd amendment “rights” also speak to conservative fear that’s been stoked against crime and (falsely) advocates the ability to protect their families instead of being outgunned by criminals.
Dump’s hosting loudmouth hate mongers may also signal his desperation as prosecutors close in. His fantasy may be that he would recruit violent defenders. But legitimate authorities are onto this and tracking it, and militias have been put on notice that if they attack government agencies and officials prison awaits.
Democrats now need to pivot away from culture wars, as Marie Perez did, and address the everyday needs of less educated, hardworking people who feel the “system” has abandoned them. That may also help to quell the MAGA fever.
Yes, DeSantis in some ways even more dangerous because of his ivy -league-educated veneer, his ability to control himself and the absence thus far of psychopathic sycophants. While he lacks the "charisma" of the orange sewer rat, he is actually the next iteration of the Republican Party if the mega donors keep the faith. Of course, the Cheney faction could be even worse in my estimation. Now they've got the creds of the Jan 6 committee and seem like the "real" Patriots. Hang on Gary S -- this gonna be some ride.
I certainly hope you are right Gary about the fever.but as long as the source of dissatisfaction (which I see as economic inequality) for so many exist I think the fever may keep breaking out. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marie_Gluesenkamp_Perez
she won by 1% against a non-incumbent. a win is a win
There are many reasons MAGAs are dissatisfied. Yes, many people are outraged that they can't get ahead or struggle to keep up in a rigged economy. But is Elon Musk's rightward swing caused by economics? What about Koch? How about the many well-to-do who don't want anyone to tell them what to do, even if it's wearing a mask at the doctor's office?
Winning by less than 1% in our district after it's been Republican for 12 years is a big win that kept a dangerous MAGA out of power.
The media and the dark money funders of the past and present would do well to understand the story of Fritz Thyssen, who funded the rise of a bombastic, anti-Semantic, leader in 1933. Thyssen found, as noted by one reviewer or his book, that it did not work out well for him.
"Thyssen was one of those German industrialists who supported the [Party] during the early years of the movement, only to discover that once in power their Frankenstein had no intention of setting up a corporative state in which the function of the storm troopers would be merely to keep labor in subjection for the convenience of big business." - Foreign Affairs, January 1942.
Thyssen and his wife ended up in multiple concentration camps before surviving the war.
Gaining control over the massive military, industrial, police complex of the U.S. would be the wildest dream of an authoritarian group that would have no bounds. It would be a total horror for the world.
Media, STOP covering this stuff just because it creates clicks!!!
Dr Doug, the problem is that we already let ownership of all major media go into the hands of the ultra right. The worst nightmare the US let happen. And that is why we see the preposterous keep happening.
@SeekingReason Yes, largely that is true in terms of audience size.
What could be a leverage point would be to substantially scale back the Section 230 protections for social media and media using the posts. That would mean if a libelous social media post was copied into a new article, the media outlet would be on the hook for damages.
There would be a rapid policing of content and reduction of bots, trolls, and nefarious postings on the platforms almost overnight if there was a severe economic cost to republishing that content.
It also addresses the lazy news media issue that is plaguing us.
I suggest that this be done during the Lame Duck session!
Robert I agree with the article and what you are saying. One term that is used several times includes crazy in singular or plural. That is a term in the mental health field is working hard of getting rid of. Why? Because people with mental illness have asked us to. They consider it disrespectful. I don’t believe that the people you are referring to have a mental illness. They are of hate because they are of for expediency. I’m wondering if you would be willing to use a different term. I am an active follower of yours. I think you’re brilliant and have educated yourself on all of your subject matter. In is an honor to read your work
The term cultist definitely fits. It seems maga/magaq were originally a vague political ideology. Saying Make America Great Again, yet doing nothing in a positive sense to do so. Now, it’s past political ideology to fanaticism and in q, a quasi right wing evangelical movement.
I wonder if that word will ever be ditched. The mental health community is well-understood to dislike it and not use it, and I concur there, but I wonder if our society will stop using it to refer to outrageously out-of-kilter attitudes. DJT himself does have a mental disorder -- it’s a personality disorder, and it toxic narcissism. I don’t call him “crazy,” because I know some terms that date back to the days of “snake pits’ for hospitals don’t serve the mental health community well -- but I wonder if the word “crazy” is too entrenched to ever go away for the general lexicon as referring to off-the-wall ludicrous and dangerous. What strong, affective term do we have that will convey the full connotation of “crazy”? I say this most seriously , because framing in the minds of people we talk to is important and CONNOTATION is as important as DENOTATION in the use of language. The subliminal messages our communications convey are sometimes more important than the literal statements we make, as they are where attitudes and emotional reactions are formed, and those will move and change people at their core, as much as any logical argument people might agree with.
I have personal reasons to agree with our culture NOT “otherizing” and ostracizing communities of people who deserve our care, respect, and a helping hand. I completely and vehemently support ditching the R world for intellectually developmentally delayed individuals, and I’m glad it has become anathema to use it. But whatever new words we use, they morph into ways for ableists to abuse. So I wonder what will develop of this score for the word “crazy.”
I don’t have the perfect solution to this. I do think that making people clearly grasp the full impact of these unhinged individuals is of paramount importance, and effective language is needed to do it. What language will we morph to that will do the job?
@PG. You said what I meant to say. Thank you. but let's avoid coining any terms, and avoid re-use of offensive words. Let's just say morally compromised criminals? And let's use the rich vocabulary available to describe con men, flim-flam artists, liars, cheaters and exploiters?
Well, crazy is the correct term for people who are in an alternate reality. People who have a diagnosed mental illness are seldom referred to as crazy! Please stop the political correct bullshit! Trump followers are in an alternate reality with undiagnosed and in treated mental illness!
What are you talking about. I worked in the field for 45 years. I know what I’m talking about.
It has nothing to do with political correctness. You apparently don’t know that people who truly have mental illness have been called crazy their whole lives. Trump are not crazy they live in Trump world where whatever they believe or are told is true. That does not make them crazy. It makes them foolish and more.
@Ruth. Only history prevents us from using proper descriptives for people suffering from poor mental health and using the word "crazies" to describe objectively sane people who perform activities and say things far from normal and acceptable behavior and speech.
To boil it down further: A presidential candidate who would welcome Nick Fuentes and Kanye West to dinner is a candidate who would welcome flames throughout the country, broken bodies, and cracked heads, if his next bid for the presidency fails.
I don’t know why Trump’s dinner at Mar-a-Lago with an anti-Semite and a white Supremacist surprised you. Trump is a lunatic and so are they, none of whom are tethered to reality in the least. My question is why did anyone from the press bother to write about the dinner? It wasn’t news. Ignore the a**hole and his crazy cult followers.
I think we ignore such alliances to our own peril. Yes, TFG has always gotten too much press, but to me this seems worth reporting. I don’t think RR was surprised at Trump’s support of these people, but it seems surprising that TFG doesn’t have people to safeguard him more, as RR pointed out.
After reading “American Psychosis “, if most of the book is true, we as a country have always had these underlying issues. Our so called leaders are to blame for the majority of our problems!
The FPOTUS is the result of mismanagement! If Congress actually did it’s job which is to Form a more perfect Union instead of obstructing each other ......
One could reasonably say that the presidential model as defined in the U.S. is the fatal defect that creates the vulnerability to foreign and dark money to do their work.
There are other, more modern and safer models of governance. If the U.S. cannot come to a point of rebalancing the powers through some pretty deep structure reforms, a future is not guaranteed.
YESSS, I wish we were a parliamentary system that allowed for “forming a government” from among numerous parties --not merely bicameral and one of two parties calls the shots in either house ...But I worry about ditching what we have in hopes of crafting something better -- all bets are off that we’d come out ahead. We could fall down the rabbit hole even worse ...
It might take a bit of game theory and developing a poison pill in the negotiations. If NY and Cal. said "be reasonable or we go", the folks from the dependent states of America might have to reconsider.
Have you heard Rachel Maddow’s podcast, ULTRA? There are so many great sources of information out today.. I refuse to purchase anything written post administration by those who waited to tell what they saw tfg do or say and then expect to make money off of holding that info. I’m looking at you Mike Pence, and others I can’t think of right now. American Psychosis is next on my reading list.
There is warning people and then there is fearmongering and this sounds more like the latter. IMO you do too much of this.
It was inevitable and has been obvious for some time that anyone with any sense would get away from him because he doesn't listen to them.
We HAVE to STOP doing this "OMG what is trump gonna do" shit!
All this accomplishes is scaring people and there's too many of them already. There are already too many people who do nothing because they're scared of the crazies and that shit has to stop as well. I've seen and heard from too many of them and it is frankly infuriating.
We should focus our attention instead on doing whatever necessary (within the law and protesting and fighting back when the law's not working) to keep him and the other crazies (DeSantis)from running or gaining control of more seats or the White House.
Action is the ONLY way to check fear. Guarding our democracy is the goal here, not shrinking in fear of that narcissistic shitstain and his cult.
I think I understand your point, but I think fear is now appropriate and that fear can motivate action. It does for me. I think RR does effectively and continuously focus on what you mentioned.
I completely agree with your concerns regarding the coming months and live in fear of more violence. I’ve had entirely enough of Trump’s unhinged and now predictable behavior, ensuring nothing but his attempt to regain control of our government in any way he finds useful. While I try to retain President Biden’s faith and optimism about the future of Democracy, and am grateful for the appointment of Jack Smith to speed indictments, it doesn’t help me sleep at night when looking back at historical similarities or ahead to impending chaos. I suppose we simply support one another in this time of crisis as it is indeed looming closer, the “headlights of the oncoming train” in our sights. Prayers for peace everyone to whatever entity you choose to be helpful. Thank you, Professor Reich for your insightful analysis.
The underlying issue here is that there are no rules for the personal suitability of candidates who run for high office! Even CEOs applying for new jobs go through background and psychological and cognitive discernment by the company , much more than political parties vet their candidates. In this case everyone knew what an egotistical narcissist Trump was (except brain washed Q anon MAGA fans) but Trump waves the money flag and the RNC fell for it like idiots. They thought they could control him, because they always did have some sway over their candidates, but the more power Trump thought he had the more uncontrollable he became- of course! The same thing could happen to Democratic candidates. Republicans fell for power and money before reason- more fool them! Trump would be better off in court for his many crimes because nothing will stop this crazy man otherwise!!!
You are such a great communicator. As a former readability editor, I greatly appreciate your easy-to-read style, with short paragraphs and short sentences. Too bad you don’t teach writing courses for many other writers who lose readers and influence with their ponderous sentences and long paragraphs. You’re a great example of how being highly intelligent and educated does not mean one becomes out of touch with the general population.
Once again, I think we are paying far too much attention to Donald Trump and not enough to the Republican Party as well as that portion of Americans who find both appealing. Donald Trump was, and is, patently unfit to be president of the United States. He is also a criminal who needs to answer for his crimes. But the real culprit isn’t Trump its the Republican Party. Donald Trump may be the tumor, but the cancer is the GOP as well as the frighteningly sizable portion of Americans who support what both stand for. Further, no one who associates with that man, or who subscribes to what the Republican Party stands for can be considered “normal”. Not at least if one values democratic governance, inclusion, and a dedication to solving America’s problems in ways the benefit the greatest number. Can we truly say anyone who works for any despot is acceptable? After all, we routinely condemn those surrounding Viktor Orban or Vladimir Putin. Is someone like William Barr any different? Each of these brigands who first enabled Trump’s worst excesses then called Trump out for doing what he did, have made it clear they’ll vote for him if he runs again. Is that really normal? I fear that because of Trump’s ability to attract attention we are once more taking our eye off the ball and are going to be worse off for having done so.
Silence is complicity. The Republican Party is completely complicit with these actions-their silence is deafening. And what does that say about those who elect and support those leaders? How has racism, misogyny, bias, and hatred become so normalized?
"How has racism, misogyny, bias, and hatred become so normalized?"
Many espousing it today have found ways to justify it with bible verses, and their interpretation of them. Observe the ones trying to put the blame on the victims of the killings in a Colorado Springs nightclub. Truth means nothing to them except something to twist to justify their actions.
Yes, Thomas, that is in line with the Republicans who made jokes about 83 year old Paul Pelosi getting his scull cracked by a thug with a hammer! Whether one liked Nancy or not, that was beneath the pit, and unjustified in a civil society.
Thank you Laurie for bringing that despicable event back into attention. Paul Pelosi is a gentleman and a decent human being, The GOP maggots are unworthy of any position
The ones holding office who voted against certifying Joe Biden's win should not be in office. There are investigations of some of these people that should have consequences. The ones giving tours to insurrectionists planning to attack the people's house should definitely be removed.
It is such an outrage Laurie, that these criminals will likely be seated. We no longer apply laws to the privileged criminals.
We should NEVER forget this.
Agreed, but with Republicans now controlling the House, no matter how slim, it's unlikely to happen
Hatred is as American as apple pie. Rachel Maddow’s new podcast “Ultra” tells the story of American fascism in the 1930s and 40s — a history that most of us didn’t know about.
I'm on part 5 of Ultra. HIGHLY recommended. Coming from Michigan, I was certainly familiar with the anti-Semitic rants of Fr. Charles Coughlin as a part of our local history, but never realized how much it was of the fabric of all that was taking place.
Stan....that is very true. We had a very active communist party and fascist party in the USA in the 30's. The fascists were big business guys and billionaires. They got off free, but the communists paid for the next 40 years.
I suspect that the majority of the membership of the Communist Party-USA are the secret police.
After the Red scare, Communism was made illegal. Why? Free country, my ass. Communism was ruined by dictators but right now Capitalism is a big failure too.
Stan....you might be right, but what about Proud Boys or Oath Keepers? Our right wing ruling class has always been paranoid about reds but fine with the fascists. You look at Communist Party platform and it reads like democratic party platform.
Also please watch Ken Burns'
Watch The U.S. and the Holocaust | New Documentary ... - PBShttps://www.pbs.org › kenburns › us-and-the-holocaust
There is extensive coverage of fascism and the many Hitler sympathizers and "look the other way" denials of what he was doing, not to mention famous people like Henry Ford and Charles Lindbergh who were if not ranting, at least talking about Nazism, reminding me of the Charlottesville crowd's "many fine people" shouting "Jews will not replace us"! I think Trump IS a white supremacist to his core, despite the fact that he has a Jewish son-in-law and ostensibly a convert in his daughter. And BTW how did neither of them speak up about his tacit approval of these haters? The Kushners are either complicit or spineless hypocrites. Everything they do is just for show. There's not a one of them that hold any beliefs of any moral value - not ONE of the whole T**** clan!
When things get tough in so-called Christain countries they always get around to blaming the Jews. The Jews are so handy to have someone to point the finger at as in Europe during the Black Death. Blame the Christ killing Jews.
You might be interested in this: "Behold America: A History of America First and the American Dream," Bloomsbury Publishing, 2018. It traces the origins of the 2 phrases from their Progressive beginnings (late 19th Century) through the 1930's.
Here's a few that got missed -
"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your [precious] spices. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. "
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when you have succeeded, you make them twice as much a child of hell as you are."
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence."
That's some Bible talk. Pharisee was Aramaic for Trump Supporter.
Another Bible-y guy - “That which is hateful unto you, do not do unto your friend, the rest [of the Law] is commentary, go and learn.”
Just watch Fox or Newsmax and you will hear it all. I watch David Pacman at night . He shows clips from Fox and the hate stations. He showed Nick Fuentes raving on one night. These people are dangerous.
Will there be another uprising when candidate trump loses and claims voter fraud. Absolutely.
Do we need to worry?
Not so much.
Perpetrators will be arrested, charged, tried, and convicted. The rule of law will prevail. Some say there are too many sympathizers among police, National Guard, Army. As much as they may agree with rioters, they won't risk their paychecks, loss of lifetime service-related benefits (health benefits, pension), or jail. They may grumble, but they'll do their damned job.
What I see: Trump won't get the nomination, yet his narcissism won't allow him to bow out. He'll start his own party and split the Repub vote. Four more Democratic years.
Racism, misogyny, bias have always been there. I was born in 1955. It was the norm for years. Rarely could there be a conversation without someone calling blacks-n****s. That was the way the olds talked back then. It was normal and accepted.
Not where I lived and I’m an “old”.
My gut reaction is to say that we didn’t accept those things, either, but when I take a step back, I do see that the entire culture has changed since I was born in 1959. Women, poc, lgbtq-it was a different time with different levels of acceptance. Hate speech was not tolerated in my suburban Philly home but we were products of the culture at that time. I’ve learned so much from my daughters who appreciate cultural diversity and from reading and learning as I have grown older. I’m proud to be woke and I pray I will get more woke the older I get. Living in Florida is a real eye opener as to how sick and sad the bias and hatred truly are.
Some places were 'safer', I imagine.
Anyone who pushed back was in peril.
These people should be erased. Trouble is they mostly run corporate America.
I guess I’m uncomfortable with talking about erasing people-too genocide-y for me-but I’d love to see all those who promote hate to be sidelined and removed from positions of power in government, business, and society. Bye bye, Desantis!
I just get so pissed off at these right wingers I start to sound like them.
I totally get that. The hostility and viciousness they exhibit is so very toxic and their actions literally put us all in jeopardy-all because of their greed and lust for power. It’s all been so normalized. That’s why I love this group because people here want decency, honesty, and a better society. It gives me hope! 😊. Peace be yours, my friend!
because too often their open expression was a winner at election time.I don't think this is complicated. now this leads to the next question.
Which is?
Why is normalization of hatred happening at this point in American history ? not the proximate cause like a Donald Trump who made it okay for some people to openly Express their bigotry,but what made a Donald Trump phenomenon possible in the first place ?
I think the worship of money and successful grifting elevated high profile tRump enough to get noticed by those who could use him in the office of president of the United States. He was crass and criminal enough to bilk people trying to get a college education with his Trump University. He had the corner on glamor with his beauty pageants and fancy hotels. He was not even afraid of ripping people off from their charitable contributions, and now is not even allowed to run a charity! He had so much nerve and narcissism that it was only a matter of time when the wealthy criminal class would see an opportunity. What did these backers get once he was in the Oval ? Trillions! Our weak enforcement of laws made it easy! Corrupt, greedy lawyers and other officials helped too.Add to that angry citizens who wanted to believe he was their vengeful savior, who would make things 'fair' and drain the obvious swamp and limit the numbers of 'others' and here we are.
angry citizens who wanted to believe he was their vengeful savior, who would make things 'fair'
Yeah it's not good to have a lot of angry citizens.
Jim Giardina ; I think it is important to follow the investigations and charges against those who voted against the certification of Biden's presidency. They should not hold a seat in our government. The 'justices' who will not support voting rights for human citizens should be taken off the 'Supreme' court as well.
Unfortunately, this SCOTUS will be around for a long time. The devil's in the detail, and the "culture wars" will continue attempt keeping them exactly where they are. That's been the whole game for at last 50 years, by my reckoning. Nitwitted voters have >no idea< what they've brought down on their legacy.
DZK ; It would be interesting if the approval rating of the SC gets low enough to be not only scandalous. But dangerous. Isn't there a remedy If they are 'bad' ? Don't they take an oath?
That's a double edged strength/weakness of how The Constitution sets up the SCOTUS. The thinking is that SCOTUS justices, appointed for life, could afford to hold themselves aloof from political consideration. The down side is that they're appointed by whoever is president and confirmed by whoever is in charge of the Senate.
In recent months, I've come across language regarding impeaching one or another SCOTUS, that I've never heard of before, but that doesn't mean anything. I'm not that knowledgeable in such procedures. However, if an impeachment path exists, the Democrats sure as hell have no access to it for at least 2 years, assuming they can flip the House, and hold both the Senate and presidency. Remember. The House can only accuse someone of being a dirty guy. It requires a Senate trial to >actually convict< said dirty guy of being a dirty guy and then legislatively removing said dirty guy from office, and the sitting president signing off on it - unless it's the sitting president who was convicted, whereupon it falls to the VP, because that person automatically got a promotion.
For the moment, we're stuck, and any other language is pie in the sky, or cesspool if you prefer. You might want to direct that question to Mr Solomon. I'm satisfied he really knows what the devil he's talking about regarding legal processes.
Yes, Justices take an oath, but it would be next to impossible to remove one for violating it -- it's too general. Justices have to be impeached; inappropriate conduct is about the only guideline (I think...).
Jan Churchwell ; I wonder what would impeachment entail? There has certainly been inappropriate conduct ! Impeach the Perps!
Same as for impeaching a president -- charges brought by the House and conviction following a trial in the Senate. I doubt it will ever happen, but the path is there.
Speaking of the crazies, I suspect the times Hartman refers to at the beginning of this comment is what is considered "great" by MAGA leaders: https://youtu.be/C3X14QligcA It was all a result of the industrial revolution. We're now in the midst of a "silicon revolution."
Pay close attention. He also mentions exactly why I'm kind'a unconvinced by the argument that Democrats take contributions from "big money." Oh how Ohio has shamed itself, these days - they clearly once knew better! Note: the original progressives were >Republicans!< Screw the libertarians and populists!
Eye off the ball.
Republican Party. Many cult members are predisposed to white supremacy and/or anti-Semitism. Consider their collective racial subconscious.
But most are more concerned with power over Democrats. For wahatever reason, many have NO consciousness. Lumpen Republicans.
In terms of the industrial revolution, more in common with Luddites.
Ohio. Consider Peter Thiel. "Silicon" revolutionist? His money made a difference. He is personally a walking contradiction. A homosexual who opposes "liberalism." Thiel and Musk were partners. Musk says stuff like the greatest threat to the world is a LOW birth rate. IMHO they would rather destroy society than improve it.
Trump remains a marketing genius. The media is the message.
Oh, I find a little historic context enlightening, particularly when I'm repeatedly being told black is yellow, red is purple, and green is white. That's why I >know< the current gaggle are essentially neo-Confederates. They were previously Southern Democrats, who defected to the Republicans in response to the "Southern Strategy" - remember Jesse Helms? That was in response to Black Americans becoming Democrats in droves to nobble them politically. Thanks for the specifics you cite here, and I completely agree. One exception. The once Luddites embraced the technology and are now wielding it like a hammer. You're more likely to find a traditional Luddite among those our age - not so much in the more youthful.
Love that word "Nobble." New one for me, with which perfectly describes the political game, imo. Easy to blame the Republicans for this recently.
1. try to influence or thwart (someone or something) by underhanded or unfair methods.
2. obtain dishonestly; steal.
"Trump remains a marketing genius." Or, he may be demented. No less dangerous, because he will only get worse - until it becomes obvious to all that he has lost his rather average mind.
I'm hoping rule of law is the catharsis.
I actually like civil law before criminal law. In criminal the burden of proof is severe. In civil law, Trump can lose all his worldly possessions. I'm waiting for his DNA results. He's playing whackamole in NY.
IMHO he will rue having brought the conspiracy case in Florida that had already been tossed and that is already the basis for sanctions. Abuse of process. Imagine Trump under cross examination by Hilary Clinton.
Daniel Solomon ; Could that even happen? There would be the inevitable whining by those who cry that it is 'so unfair' ; We know who.
Losing daily.
Daniel, we created the monsters by keeping in so-called centrist Democrats (really rt wing) who kowtowed to Gun Groups, unethical and unconstitutional practices etc. And they failed by bending over backwards to call deadly threats, free speech.
And IF the Democrats attempt to address problems, they first form committees that last for years…long enough for the Dems to be pushed out and powerless.
I disagree. It's not us. We never had a mandate.
It's them.
,
Our government is based on compromise. There used to be liberal Republicans, Dixiecrats.
SCOTUS, to its credit, brought government into the 20th Century. Ended Plessy. Incorporated 14th Amendment to the states. On SCOTUS the most "liberal" justices like Warren and Brennan were appointed by Republicans. Our demise started when we permitted people like Powell, an outright Confederate to SCOTUS. Scalia, the Federalist Society et al would not compromise.
Yes Daniel, we had a mandate. The people elected Al Gore, Hillary Clinton, but did not get a voice at all.
The Democrats let opportunities slide..Obama, not getting a SCOTUS pick a full year before departing office, Trump was selecting weeks before leaving office.
Democrats win most of the popular votes (in past 7 elections) but nothing catered to the base on the left.
Our government is no longer based on compromise as you well know. The ideals of 1800s are not being applied today. The government is based on money.
Not a mandate. Not even close.
By losing battles at SCOTUS, we lost the war.
SCOTUS cancelled the Voting Rights Act, permitted Gerrymandering, which gives the House to insurrectionists.
The last time we had a mandate was 1968.
I'm with you on the committee thing.If they put me in charge here is what I would do. every week the national Head Shed should have a teleconference with all 50 plus State committee chairs to review actions to achieve goals. the state chairs should do the same more or less for their County Chairs. They should empower organizations to do what they need to do without repeatedly asking for committee approvals. that does not mean democratic committee's don't continue to have some measure of oversight.
this would be a start.
So true! Imo Dem. senatorial "committees" have been one of the worst things about congressional gridlock for decades (one of my Senators is a BIG fan of committees).
@Daniel, just to amplify your comment on Musk - his worry is a low birth rate among Western whites!
Maybe he learned that in South Africa. This low birth rate/replacement stuff spread faster than I would have guessed.
I think the white South African roots of Musk's beliefs and attitudes get far less attention than they deserve.
Like you, I believe TFG is far craftier than many realize. Note that he feigns (innocent) ignorance while openly welcoming those labeled as "the crazies." He knows exactly what he is doing. Narcissist though he is, TFG is also a master of messaging. He doesn't have a broad-or even a small- fund of knowledge, but he is a master of media.
No, he’s just been around Mafia types for so long he just apes them. He doesn’t know any other way.
That's djt's tired m.o. Always feigns ignorance when called on encouraging white supremacist support. E.g., claimed he didn't know who KKK leader David Dukes was, later proven a lie.
Or he's so mentally out of it he didn't remember he knew who Dukes is. 🙂
Either way not the best look for a political "leader."
People, People...we have the best government money can buy and you can thank John Roberts.
I make a point to download both Tom and Robert on YouTube. Both are concise in their discussions, humanize and aren’t fear mongers.
We treat the disease that the patient is sick with. Once diagnosis is complete, the treatment begins promptly. Hand-wringing and fear is human; set it aside and commence with treatment.
Ok but what, in your opinion, is the specific treatment for this disease? And who is the patient -- an individual or a society?
Play good defence. Either reason, sanity and justice will prevail, common sense will win out - or if the world's gone that crazy, maybe not. I'm betting on the quiet majority of people with common sense and resolve, to prevail.
Watch the ramparts, let them throw themselves upon the walls. Trump's power comes from eliciting the loyalty of traitors, the earnestness of the lazy, the seekers of magic. Those traits cannot long sustain any movement.
As for tfg, the difference between him and Adolf was that Adolf had a work ethic, organizational skills, and the ability to elicit a sense of trust from the people he was screwing. tfg aint got. Even if he commanded Hannibal's force at the gates, he'd screw that up. I've opined in "Donald J. Superhero" that he's such a force for screwing up bad plans, he's almost a superhero. https://steveocally.substack.com/p/donald-j-superhero Even if he had the forces behind him, he's a predictable loser.
The patient is the worried American society; the treatment is "For God's Sake, don't just do something, STAND THERE!"
Yes. We can hope.
If it exists
There are three kinds of Republicans:
1. The Reasonables. These are people who are rightly appalled at the antics of the former guy and his supporters (see 3). These folks are on MSNBC daily speaking out about the depths that the party has sunk to. Some no longer consider themselves Republicans.
2. The Enablers. These are people like McConnell, McCarthy, etc. who may be privately appalled but are publicly supporting the former guy for fear of losing the voted of the third category.
3. The Supporters (aka crazies). These are the people who actually believe that a) the elections were in fact "stolen" or "rigged", b) He was "the greatest President ever" and c) are racist, misogynist, anti-Semitic, anti-immigrant, etc. These the are the insurrectionists who attacked the Capitol on 1/6/21, who plotted to kidnap Governor Whitmer, and who still plot to overthrow the government and/or sue if they don't win elections (Kari Lake?).
The only ones I can even consider as sane are the Reasonables. Sadly, they are not reaching the people in the other two categories because they are only speaking to those of us who already know what's really true.
Every so called journalist should be asking every Republicans about their Leader? Everyday ask them if they agree the constitution should be suspended. Especially the ones that voted against to certify the election. I want to know if the GOP is a Nazi organization? I want the Republicans to denounce every unAmerican comment and views of the white supremacy.
I wouldn't believe a friggin' word out of their mouths, whatever they said. They're for religion, guns, anti-gay, crazy for family values, and conservative. Here's their ideal candidate: https://www.nydailynews.com/resizer/_khrsB0b33qAV8WHcNKMRGr0S-8=/1200x895/top/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-tronc.s3.amazonaws.com/public/WD3H6E2ZOQAGD3GTM3TJ73DLOM.jpg
Good man, Stephanopoulos. My favorite for decades!
Calling them out and being outraged isn’t enough. We as citizens can put forward candidates and elect public servants who will sideline the GOP smoke and mirrors culture warriors and actually help people solve what concerns them. Meanwhile the wheels of justice will turn for at least the next two years to hold criminals accountable under the law. The hard part is getting overworked people and those who have tuned out to vote. This gets back, again, to hearing their concerns through deep canvassing and town halls, and in whatever other ways we can.
Definitely the case, and DeSantis is not too far from Trump in his beliefs and "policies." The Republicans will run DeSantis, if possible, thereby still adhering to the hate and racism that mark Trump's beliefs. The Republicans are neo-fascists, and they do not disguise themselves.
And he is one to watch,of great concern!
Definitely. Many Trumpfers around here STILL have their yard signs and flags out. Many bumper stickers and lately profile decals of the Dumpsterfire in truck windows as if he’s riding along. The in your face Trumpf sort thing. The Repuglycans as a whole are approving and many comment on how much he’s done for them yet can’t specify when asked just what it is.
JKT ; I have had the same experience when I asked what they liked the most of what he accomplished.
A few pieces of border wall. BFD.
Such a good deal for the common good ! Not! (But Steve Bannon ca$hed in on it).
A BFD for sure!
"The real culprit." In March of 2019, Nancy Pelosi gave an interview in which she openly admitted that trump was unfit ethically, intellectually, etc., to be president, but also that he was not worth impeachment.
As Walt Kelly's character Pogo once famously said: "We have met the enemy, and he is us."
The "real culprit" -- the true root cause of the issue -- is that one party is given free reign to play the traitors and call it patriotism -- while the other party just hopes it will all go away with the next election.
Yet ol' Tweety was twice impeached, Pelosi is stepping down, and the AG has just sicced a honeybadger on ol' Tweety. I'm inclined to agree that the "silent" Republicans were facilitators, as they continue to remain silent - in the historic "know nothings" tradition.
Jim 🎯 Exactly!!
Interesting piece Janet. And with TFG anything is believable when it comes to crime & mafia connections. It’s how he was placed in the White House as far as I’m concerned.
He notably lost the popular vote by almost 3 MILLION more votes in the popular vote!! I have NO doubts that was a stolen election. That is how corrupted the system is. This was a travesty in so many ways. And we know Putin despised Hillary. But the people of this country did elect her!
The entire GOP is dangerous. DeSantis is dangerous because he’s smarter than the former occupant of the People’s House. At the same time, I am grateful that more and more ReThugs are distancing themselves from TFG.
I shudder to think of what January will bring with the new Congress.
I am so grateful that Biden is at the helm and that we control the Senate… it could be so much worse.
Segue… We are fighting our own war in this country against guns and mass shooters who have only to walk into a store and purchase a pistol without any background checks or waiting periods. I wish to God Congress would finally enact stricter legislation. ~rant just beginning~
💙🌻💙
I live in Florida and I agree that DeSantis is more dangerous than Trump. The GOP created Trump who in turn created a worse problem with DeSantis. Now the GOP wants to distance themselves from TFG because they want DeSantis in because they know he’s going to get some of the Independent vote because of his Covid policies. People think he’s been great because the right wing corporate owned media has played it this way. He’s all about corporate greed and Florida has the highest cost of living it has ever seen and has outrageously low wages. High insurance rates for homes and cars as well. Basically a very Wild West atmosphere. Let’s also throw in his bigotry.
It’s going to be interesting to see what happens but I feel this TFG drama is just a distraction for the large % of Americans who feed off of this media propaganda and don’t pay attention to what is really going on. Our education system has failed us tremendously.
I live in Florida, too. You are spot on. Educational experts have labeled Desantis’ policies here as raising a next generation of racist and ignorant members of his base. I shudder to think of him and his wife in the White House and what that would mean for those who are not white, wealthy, pseudo-Christian, hetero members of our society. He does not believe the law applies to him. He is a clear and present threat to Democracy.
A true dirtbag and more.
Jan Schaefer ; plus DeSantis can't wait to throw as many of those who oppose him into jail cells as he can. No doubt he has a lucrative deal for private pri$on$ along with private militia$, too.
Yes!
“Our education system has failed us tremendously.” I think that’s up for debate. Unfortunately Public education and funding are often pawns for one philosophy, movement or even political party. Yet, it’s possible the distractions beyond education are more powerful than the time children sit at a desk. Out of control media and lies are as influential or more so. And the legacy of voting family and community. RELIGION. Teaching Civics and problem solving helps but in some schools the curriculum is tightly controlled by repubs, no CRT, no truth. Back to the Scopes days? Is it possible our political system has failed us?
Our education system has been defunded for decades by the GOP. The politicians are definitely the problem and responsible for this.
Irenie ,; Facts are banned, or at least suspect. Truth is the enemy.
Anne, I totally agree! We are not addressing the multitude of murders and slaughters because we’re busy giving TFG all the attention he craves. Not a peep about removing guns from society. I don’t want yo hear anyone say…it will never happen. The restaurant & bar assoc said not allowing cigarettes & smoking will never happen! Businesses will fail because of it! BS!
We look frighteningly nutty to the rest of the world with our lack of action against slaughter if children in school or in their homes! We are WAY PAST “gun control”. These words are NRA propaganda. Stop saying it.
SeekingReason ~
Thank you for your response. I stand corrected on the use of the words “gun control.”
You are absolutely right on no one saying anything about removing guns from society. Unfortunately, when this great experiment was formed and the framers wrote the 2nd Amendment times were drastically different. Geez… times are drastically different from when I was born and there were three billion people on Earth compared to its eight billion today - Yikes! And don’t even get me started on the NRA. I find it horrid & contemptible. I wish it could be obliterated.
Your second paragraph is almost exactly what I think about often. I know that we are no longer the greatest country in the world. Many of my European friends have no desire to visit anymore. If I live abroad I might not, either.
I like your username! Keep yourself healthy and safe.
Anne 🌻
I actually meant, no one should say gun control, not meaning to admonish you, sorry about that. We clearly cannot control guns and with the last batch of Fascist-MAGAs controlling the government, we (as a nation) cannot continue to pretend “gun control” is a viable solution.
I live in Chicago and you would be shocked at how many children are killed from a bullet entering the home but intended for another target, which strapped in to car seats in a car with their parents or grandparents, it’s so frequent, there is no national news about it.
How many school shootings do we have? It is mind-boggling that we get NOWHERE even when multiple mass shootings occur at school. No other advanced nation in this planet allows guns the way we do. 44k gun deaths per year. Our response: NO CHANGE!
Australia used to be as wild west gun slinger as the US. After one mass shooting, they recalled guns from citizens and put new laws in place.
This is one of many gigantic disgraces for this country.
Amen.
Perhaps Mr. Reich will lead the way and tell us how We The People can take action. I have written to my congressman and my senator. There must be more…
Oh, and no offense taken at all. I appreciate constructive criticism even if it was just a general statement.
I live outside of DC and our local news isn’t quite as terrifying as yours must be but the thing is, I cannot turn a blind eye or “get used” to this. *sigh*
Stay well 🌻
👍🏼
Heart.
I simply shudder when I hear “ he is smart” when people describe DeSantis. He is cruel and vindictive and simply responds like a weasel when caught in a trap. “Harvard does not equal smart. Harvard equals bias and privilege for power. People who carefully digest the facts and then carefully think through the meaning are smart. They also seem to have a purpose greater than power and or corruption.
Thank you Anne for allowing my irritable diatribe.
Jean(Muriel) ~ There are sooooooo many worse irritants to consider than your comment, which isn’t irritating in the least, to me.
I would like to make it clear that I said DeSantis is “smarter than the former guy” but in no way do I mean that he is smart. He’s a sly, wily and cunning sort.
I also agree that folks who carefully think things through are the ones who have meaningful purpose in their lives.
Thank you for replying, and keep yourself healthy and safe.
Anne in MD 🌻
🥰👏🏻🤗🌈
It's long been a source of frustration for me that the "normals" hid their true observations from the public for so long. And, that they did not join together to stop the orange blowhard in 2020. I'm talking about all of the people who departed his administration, after having seen first hand what a dangerous sociopath that muddahfacka is. All of these corporatists and all of these Republican politicians who enabled him by their silence or their failure to convict him upon impeachment - twice! - will go down in history as spineless, self-interested traitors of the Constitution they swore to defend.
Great point Kerry
Professor, While my intent is not to diminish your justified concerns, I continue to take heart from the midterm results and view our work as building on our accomplishments at the federal, state, and local levels. I am particularly relieved that not one election denier (liar) won statewide election in a battleground state.
Additionally, between now and Jan. 3rd, nothing seems as important as working for Warnock (my contacts tell me voter enthusiasm has permeated much of the State), as curing ballots, and as pressing the Senate, in particular, in the final session to move on 3 issues: 1) completing their work reforming the Electoral Count Act, 2) prophylactically raising the debt ceiling as a protective measure against a 23-24 Republican House seeking to extract concessions by threatening to default on the national debt, and 3) advancing legislation, already passed by the House, banning high capacity assault weapons and instating both universal background checks and nationwide red flag laws.
I’m going to argue another point of view, and I hope that I am onto something. It is possible that tfg’s showing himself even more obviously unhinged is a sign of the fever breaking. The midterm elections highlighted more Republicans and independents voting against the MAGA con and for more normal candidates. The Republican establishment has clearly seen that Dump leads them to defeat. In our local congressional contest, we flipped a red district blue and denied office to a Steve Bannon acolyte. Our winning candidate, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, ran an authentic blue collar campaign that was pro-choice but didn’t challenge the Republican and rural gun culture other than to promote raising the age of purchasing assault weapons to age 21 -- not my preference, but she won over the needed support. 2nd amendment “rights” also speak to conservative fear that’s been stoked against crime and (falsely) advocates the ability to protect their families instead of being outgunned by criminals.
Dump’s hosting loudmouth hate mongers may also signal his desperation as prosecutors close in. His fantasy may be that he would recruit violent defenders. But legitimate authorities are onto this and tracking it, and militias have been put on notice that if they attack government agencies and officials prison awaits.
Democrats now need to pivot away from culture wars, as Marie Perez did, and address the everyday needs of less educated, hardworking people who feel the “system” has abandoned them. That may also help to quell the MAGA fever.
Hey, Gary S, I like it!! But if the "healthy" Republicans are gonna go with DeSantis, the cure's gonna be worse than the disease.
DeSantis is Trump 2.0. Either one is anti-democratic and a con.
Yes, DeSantis in some ways even more dangerous because of his ivy -league-educated veneer, his ability to control himself and the absence thus far of psychopathic sycophants. While he lacks the "charisma" of the orange sewer rat, he is actually the next iteration of the Republican Party if the mega donors keep the faith. Of course, the Cheney faction could be even worse in my estimation. Now they've got the creds of the Jan 6 committee and seem like the "real" Patriots. Hang on Gary S -- this gonna be some ride.
I certainly hope you are right Gary about the fever.but as long as the source of dissatisfaction (which I see as economic inequality) for so many exist I think the fever may keep breaking out. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marie_Gluesenkamp_Perez
she won by 1% against a non-incumbent. a win is a win
There are many reasons MAGAs are dissatisfied. Yes, many people are outraged that they can't get ahead or struggle to keep up in a rigged economy. But is Elon Musk's rightward swing caused by economics? What about Koch? How about the many well-to-do who don't want anyone to tell them what to do, even if it's wearing a mask at the doctor's office?
Winning by less than 1% in our district after it's been Republican for 12 years is a big win that kept a dangerous MAGA out of power.
Trump would be nothing without a media megaphone.
The media and the dark money funders of the past and present would do well to understand the story of Fritz Thyssen, who funded the rise of a bombastic, anti-Semantic, leader in 1933. Thyssen found, as noted by one reviewer or his book, that it did not work out well for him.
"Thyssen was one of those German industrialists who supported the [Party] during the early years of the movement, only to discover that once in power their Frankenstein had no intention of setting up a corporative state in which the function of the storm troopers would be merely to keep labor in subjection for the convenience of big business." - Foreign Affairs, January 1942.
Thyssen and his wife ended up in multiple concentration camps before surviving the war.
Gaining control over the massive military, industrial, police complex of the U.S. would be the wildest dream of an authoritarian group that would have no bounds. It would be a total horror for the world.
Media, STOP covering this stuff just because it creates clicks!!!
Dr Doug, the problem is that we already let ownership of all major media go into the hands of the ultra right. The worst nightmare the US let happen. And that is why we see the preposterous keep happening.
@SeekingReason Yes, largely that is true in terms of audience size.
What could be a leverage point would be to substantially scale back the Section 230 protections for social media and media using the posts. That would mean if a libelous social media post was copied into a new article, the media outlet would be on the hook for damages.
There would be a rapid policing of content and reduction of bots, trolls, and nefarious postings on the platforms almost overnight if there was a severe economic cost to republishing that content.
It also addresses the lazy news media issue that is plaguing us.
I suggest that this be done during the Lame Duck session!
Stop the "what if's!" You're starting to sound like a fear monger! I hope Jack Smith does his job with zero fear of all the "what if" scenarios.
Robert I agree with the article and what you are saying. One term that is used several times includes crazy in singular or plural. That is a term in the mental health field is working hard of getting rid of. Why? Because people with mental illness have asked us to. They consider it disrespectful. I don’t believe that the people you are referring to have a mental illness. They are of hate because they are of for expediency. I’m wondering if you would be willing to use a different term. I am an active follower of yours. I think you’re brilliant and have educated yourself on all of your subject matter. In is an honor to read your work
Yes! How about using the term “cultist”?
The term cultist definitely fits. It seems maga/magaq were originally a vague political ideology. Saying Make America Great Again, yet doing nothing in a positive sense to do so. Now, it’s past political ideology to fanaticism and in q, a quasi right wing evangelical movement.
I wonder if that word will ever be ditched. The mental health community is well-understood to dislike it and not use it, and I concur there, but I wonder if our society will stop using it to refer to outrageously out-of-kilter attitudes. DJT himself does have a mental disorder -- it’s a personality disorder, and it toxic narcissism. I don’t call him “crazy,” because I know some terms that date back to the days of “snake pits’ for hospitals don’t serve the mental health community well -- but I wonder if the word “crazy” is too entrenched to ever go away for the general lexicon as referring to off-the-wall ludicrous and dangerous. What strong, affective term do we have that will convey the full connotation of “crazy”? I say this most seriously , because framing in the minds of people we talk to is important and CONNOTATION is as important as DENOTATION in the use of language. The subliminal messages our communications convey are sometimes more important than the literal statements we make, as they are where attitudes and emotional reactions are formed, and those will move and change people at their core, as much as any logical argument people might agree with.
I have personal reasons to agree with our culture NOT “otherizing” and ostracizing communities of people who deserve our care, respect, and a helping hand. I completely and vehemently support ditching the R world for intellectually developmentally delayed individuals, and I’m glad it has become anathema to use it. But whatever new words we use, they morph into ways for ableists to abuse. So I wonder what will develop of this score for the word “crazy.”
I don’t have the perfect solution to this. I do think that making people clearly grasp the full impact of these unhinged individuals is of paramount importance, and effective language is needed to do it. What language will we morph to that will do the job?
@PG. You said what I meant to say. Thank you. but let's avoid coining any terms, and avoid re-use of offensive words. Let's just say morally compromised criminals? And let's use the rich vocabulary available to describe con men, flim-flam artists, liars, cheaters and exploiters?
Very important point and both respectfully and intelligently made.
Well, crazy is the correct term for people who are in an alternate reality. People who have a diagnosed mental illness are seldom referred to as crazy! Please stop the political correct bullshit! Trump followers are in an alternate reality with undiagnosed and in treated mental illness!
What are you talking about. I worked in the field for 45 years. I know what I’m talking about.
It has nothing to do with political correctness. You apparently don’t know that people who truly have mental illness have been called crazy their whole lives. Trump are not crazy they live in Trump world where whatever they believe or are told is true. That does not make them crazy. It makes them foolish and more.
@Ruth. Only history prevents us from using proper descriptives for people suffering from poor mental health and using the word "crazies" to describe objectively sane people who perform activities and say things far from normal and acceptable behavior and speech.
To boil it down further: A presidential candidate who would welcome Nick Fuentes and Kanye West to dinner is a candidate who would welcome flames throughout the country, broken bodies, and cracked heads, if his next bid for the presidency fails.
Prof. Reich,
I don’t know why Trump’s dinner at Mar-a-Lago with an anti-Semite and a white Supremacist surprised you. Trump is a lunatic and so are they, none of whom are tethered to reality in the least. My question is why did anyone from the press bother to write about the dinner? It wasn’t news. Ignore the a**hole and his crazy cult followers.
Robert Lehrer
Albemarle
Exactly Mr. Lehrer. Having Franklin Graham on his inaugural podium said it all.
I think we ignore such alliances to our own peril. Yes, TFG has always gotten too much press, but to me this seems worth reporting. I don’t think RR was surprised at Trump’s support of these people, but it seems surprising that TFG doesn’t have people to safeguard him more, as RR pointed out.
After reading “American Psychosis “, if most of the book is true, we as a country have always had these underlying issues. Our so called leaders are to blame for the majority of our problems!
The FPOTUS is the result of mismanagement! If Congress actually did it’s job which is to Form a more perfect Union instead of obstructing each other ......
One could reasonably say that the presidential model as defined in the U.S. is the fatal defect that creates the vulnerability to foreign and dark money to do their work.
There are other, more modern and safer models of governance. If the U.S. cannot come to a point of rebalancing the powers through some pretty deep structure reforms, a future is not guaranteed.
YESSS, I wish we were a parliamentary system that allowed for “forming a government” from among numerous parties --not merely bicameral and one of two parties calls the shots in either house ...But I worry about ditching what we have in hopes of crafting something better -- all bets are off that we’d come out ahead. We could fall down the rabbit hole even worse ...
It might take a bit of game theory and developing a poison pill in the negotiations. If NY and Cal. said "be reasonable or we go", the folks from the dependent states of America might have to reconsider.
Have you heard Rachel Maddow’s podcast, ULTRA? There are so many great sources of information out today.. I refuse to purchase anything written post administration by those who waited to tell what they saw tfg do or say and then expect to make money off of holding that info. I’m looking at you Mike Pence, and others I can’t think of right now. American Psychosis is next on my reading list.
There is warning people and then there is fearmongering and this sounds more like the latter. IMO you do too much of this.
It was inevitable and has been obvious for some time that anyone with any sense would get away from him because he doesn't listen to them.
We HAVE to STOP doing this "OMG what is trump gonna do" shit!
All this accomplishes is scaring people and there's too many of them already. There are already too many people who do nothing because they're scared of the crazies and that shit has to stop as well. I've seen and heard from too many of them and it is frankly infuriating.
We should focus our attention instead on doing whatever necessary (within the law and protesting and fighting back when the law's not working) to keep him and the other crazies (DeSantis)from running or gaining control of more seats or the White House.
Action is the ONLY way to check fear. Guarding our democracy is the goal here, not shrinking in fear of that narcissistic shitstain and his cult.
Guarding our democracy should be our focus.
I think I understand your point, but I think fear is now appropriate and that fear can motivate action. It does for me. I think RR does effectively and continuously focus on what you mentioned.
Then I hope his words motivate more than immobilize because from what I've read and seen it doesn't appear that way.
But if it motivates you than there must be others who don't speak out as much.
Judy 05:25 EST
I completely agree with your concerns regarding the coming months and live in fear of more violence. I’ve had entirely enough of Trump’s unhinged and now predictable behavior, ensuring nothing but his attempt to regain control of our government in any way he finds useful. While I try to retain President Biden’s faith and optimism about the future of Democracy, and am grateful for the appointment of Jack Smith to speed indictments, it doesn’t help me sleep at night when looking back at historical similarities or ahead to impending chaos. I suppose we simply support one another in this time of crisis as it is indeed looming closer, the “headlights of the oncoming train” in our sights. Prayers for peace everyone to whatever entity you choose to be helpful. Thank you, Professor Reich for your insightful analysis.
The fuse has already been lit. There are already enough of the Q and other fervent followers that are ready to go off on some type of rampage .
As the special prosecutor and Justice Department seek to indict him- they will rise up. Not the 30%, - many of them are growing tired of him.
But still there are enough to cause havoc.
Who among us would be brave enough to serve on a grand jury?? As that time approaches ( and it has to) it scares me to death.
Had the Republicans in the Senate voted against him so he couldn’t run for office again, a lot of this could have been avoided.
So, there will be brave prosecutors and jury people, I am sure. Ultimately, our government will hold.
But, God be with them and all of us the last act of this farce is played out.
You are probably speaking metaphorically, but, as a secular humanist/agnostic/freethinker/skeptic, I think god has always been absent.
The underlying issue here is that there are no rules for the personal suitability of candidates who run for high office! Even CEOs applying for new jobs go through background and psychological and cognitive discernment by the company , much more than political parties vet their candidates. In this case everyone knew what an egotistical narcissist Trump was (except brain washed Q anon MAGA fans) but Trump waves the money flag and the RNC fell for it like idiots. They thought they could control him, because they always did have some sway over their candidates, but the more power Trump thought he had the more uncontrollable he became- of course! The same thing could happen to Democratic candidates. Republicans fell for power and money before reason- more fool them! Trump would be better off in court for his many crimes because nothing will stop this crazy man otherwise!!!
You are such a great communicator. As a former readability editor, I greatly appreciate your easy-to-read style, with short paragraphs and short sentences. Too bad you don’t teach writing courses for many other writers who lose readers and influence with their ponderous sentences and long paragraphs. You’re a great example of how being highly intelligent and educated does not mean one becomes out of touch with the general population.