Behind his closure of the Education Department and his assault on higher education, science, libraries, and museums lie the oligarchs of the techno-state.
It’s everyone’s job if you want to continue the kind of life you have known. My question is why isn’t everyone isn’t jumping up and down about the fact that Trump is ruling through executive orders. Exactly like a king would put out edicts.
Remember all the complaints about how many executive orders Biden was using and before that complaints about Obama using executive orders.
Every single thing the Trump administration has done, has been by executive order. Except the CR, which has been crammed down our throats. Thank you, Schumer.
Trump has only to stifle the minds of less than25% of the population.
In the opening round he has damn near half of the population, licking his feet.
Another 30% are windsocks, detritus that will flow downstream like a fallen leaf, what is left is the 25% that possess some semblance of a pre frontal cortex, and critical reasoning skills, but of those a good percentage will inevitably fold, like the Germans who lined the streets of Munich, Berlin and Nuremberg to watch der fuhrer pass.
Survival is one hell of an instinct.
People talk big and defiant while they can, because they can, but when there is that knock on the door, they put on their armbands. There weren't too many Sophie Scholls in Germany, were there.? and for all of their efforts they lost their heads and Hitler invaded Poland.
Tell me, O Soothsayer, are you deliberately trying to discourage us? If so, please take your dim views and dimmer perceptions, go down to the corner bar, and tell it to the depressed drunks crying in their beer. There have been several times within modern memory when an aroused citizenry overthrew an insecure regime of tyrants. See: Vaclav Havel.
Just the opposite Leigh, just the opposite. I discourage rosy views,polyanna views, unrealistic and to be unrealized views of the future. But while we have a chance we have to do everything to resist, sabotage the system, don't obey, don't comply, don't facilitate, resist, resist, resist with every tool you have and don't expect a savior to come along and rescue you either.
Leigh - I seriously wonder if the US is too large, geographically, for a democracy. Partitioned into 50 sections, some isolated physically and most politically, culturally, religiously, economically - the possibility that such diversity could overcome these influences to rally together for a common good is vanishingly small in my estimation. Consider climate change. Consider nuclear weapons, Consider the next pandemic, which we will be woefully unprepared to address. Now compare this to democracy. If existential threats are not enough to motivate, what chance have we of coming together for democracy?
I share many of William F.'s views, and have at least as pessimistic a view of the current situation. The fascist attack is global. The techbroligarchs have money, means, and motive to solidify their power. They have been playing the long game for a long time. Greed is their unifying force, and since the vast majority of earth's 8 billion residents are greedy, they exploit and draw upon this vast well of avarice. Collectively, we are too stupid to not ignore the next shiny thing, as it distracts us from reality. We are seeing now what a house of cards it always was, with precious few honorable men and women holding it together in the face of what now we know to be insurmountable odds.
The New York Times recently published an Opinion piece featuring so-called "conservative" voices—though it seems these days, being conservative often means turning a blind eye to lying, stealing, cheating, and the dismantling of our republic. Regardless, I think it’s important to take a closer look at what they’re saying. I’ve posted the link, along with my comments, and I’m curious to hear your thoughts on it. Thank you!
This entire "conversation" presented by Patrick Healy and the Times columnists is an exercise in intellectual gymnastics, designed to normalize the ongoing catastrophe of Donald Trump’s influence on American politics. What’s masked as a thoughtful debate is, in reality, an echo chamber of conservative revisionism and apologetics for authoritarianism.
Let’s cut through the polite language and call it what it is.
Trump’s Popularity Among Republicans Is Not Surprising.
Ninety percent of Republicans supporting Trump is not a show of confidence—it’s a symptom of a cult of personality fueled by fear, propaganda, and misinformation. These people have been fed a steady diet of Fox News, Breitbart, Newsmax, and OAN lies for years. It’s not about policy; it’s about identity and grievance.
The Times panel acts like there’s a mystery here. There’s no mystery. Trump appeals to people who think the system failed them, and he weaponizes their anger. Simple.
David Brooks’ “Brokenism” Is Just a Fancy Word for Nihilism.
Brooks argues people believe everything is broken, and Trump offers them a wrecking ball. But "brokenism" isn’t a belief system; it’s an excuse for rage and destruction. Trump isn’t fixing anything. He’s gutting government institutions, empowering oligarchs, and undermining democracy. “Brokenism” is Brooks’ attempt to rationalize nihilism.
David French on Republicans Wanting Opponents to Suffer.
French at least admits that many Republicans just want to see their perceived enemies punished. That’s not politics—that’s revenge fantasy. They don’t care if policies fail as long as they “own the libs.” It’s the mentality of a bully, not a democracy.
Ross Douthat’s Reagan Worship Disguised as Populism.
Douthat claims Trump is just following Reagan-era conservatism. But Reagan’s policies already hollowed out the middle class, increased inequality, and launched the era of deregulated, corporate domination. Trump is Reagan without the polish or decency—more overtly corrupt, more authoritarian, and infinitely more dangerous.
Bret Stephens’ Praise of “Energy” Is Just Enabling Autocracy.
Stephens talks about Trump’s “energy” as if being hyperactive equals leadership. The fact that Trump is constantly stirring chaos doesn’t mean he’s effective. It means he’s destabilizing. It’s a child smashing their toys and calling it remodeling.
False Victimhood and Grievance Politics.
They repeatedly mention conservative resentment toward universities, media, and elites. Cry me a river. Most of these Republicans are elites themselves, educated at Ivy League schools, and now exploiting the very institutions they claim to despise for their personal gain. Their “victim” narrative is a fraud.
Selective Memory on Authoritarianism.
They pretend Trump’s authoritarianism is justified because of perceived overreach by Democrats during COVID. That’s absurd. Mask mandates and public health guidelines are not the same as dismantling democratic institutions, purging civil servants, and ignoring court orders. It’s not remotely comparable.
Whitewashing Trump’s First Term.
Douthat and others act like Trump’s first term was “not so bad” outside of COVID. Really? Children were put in cages. Journalists were demonized. Violence was encouraged. Environmental regulations were gutted. Diplomacy was trashed. He left allies confused and enemies emboldened. January 6th happened on his watch because of his lies. But sure, everything was fine until COVID.
Delusional Takes on the Economy.
They argue Trump is good for the economy. How? He passed massive tax cuts for billionaires, ballooned the deficit, and did nothing for working people. Manufacturing jobs didn’t flood back. He started trade wars that hurt American farmers and consumers. The stock market isn’t the economy.
Downplaying the Constitutional Crisis.
They shrug off Trump’s illegal actions—deporting people against court orders, defying rulings, firing civil servants—as no big deal. This is not normal. It’s dangerous authoritarianism. They minimize it because they’re either complicit or cowards.
Moral Relativism About Foreign Policy.
They praise Trump for “negotiating” with Putin while ignoring the betrayal of Ukraine and the erosion of NATO. Trump's admiration for dictators isn’t strategy; it’s weakness dressed up as strength. Appeasement is not leadership.
The Elon Musk Fantasies Are Laughable.
Musk is not the savior of government efficiency. He’s an erratic billionaire who can’t run X (formerly Twitter) without it turning into a digital dumpster fire. Handing him the keys to government is insanity.
Cruelty as Policy: Transgender Ban in the Military.
Some try to justify this on “readiness” grounds. Nonsense. It’s pure cruelty. Trump is targeting a vulnerable minority because it pleases his base. That’s not leadership; it’s bullying.
Glossing Over Impeachment and Lawbreaking.
They make excuses for impeaching judges or ignoring court rulings, framing it as “normal” political behavior. It’s not. It’s the death of checks and balances. They’re normalizing tyranny.
Gaslighting About Democracy.
They act like Democrats are just as bad. False equivalency. Biden isn’t perfect, but he respects democratic institutions. Trump does not. Pretending both sides are equally flawed is intellectually lazy and morally bankrupt.
💥 Conclusion: This entire discussion tries to rationalize and intellectualize a populist movement that is built on lies, fear, and resentment. Trump is not a champion of the working class. He is a criminal sociopath who’s destroying democratic norms for personal gain. The GOP isn’t a party anymore—it’s a personality cult, propped up by media propaganda and the cowardice of people like these columnists, who know better but play dumb to protect their access and relevance.
This isn’t leadership. It’s complicity.
And anyone who still supports Trump after everything we’ve witnessed is either deluded, morally bankrupt, or actively hostile to democracy.
Excellent forensic analysis of crippled brains. I don't have a subscription to NYT so can't read the link. Don't need to not after you dissected it.
I get a lot of news letters, some from the Bulwark, which is a never Trumper but still Reaganite out fit, founded by Charlie Sykes, and a companion to the Lincoln Project of Rick Wilson.
They are interesting and sometimes make good points. Tim Miller, of the Bulwark, is a frequent flyer on MSNBCm but scratch them and you see a Reaganite.
One of their emails referenced that NYT article, but I couldn't read it, thanks for the forensic analysis. Well done, and of the Bulwark, well they are Trumpists without Trump. The NYT and WAPO are a waste of money, unless one seeks intel of enemy movements.
I don't think that MAGA people drive many Teslas. Talk about slapping your "base" in the face, I would guess that 99% of Tesla drivers are Democrats. EM doesn't
doesn't know where his bread is buttered, as they used to say..
Michael,that may be the case,but to take Tesla down would cause a lot of angst among the financial insitutions that support him and his own net worth. There are many people in the US who are selling their Tesla's and European sales are down between 48-74%. Today they had massive recall for parts falling off the car and last month a huge recall on Tesla trucks. Tesla has always been rated poorly by Consumer Reports and other publications. When asked what they do with the lithium batteries that go south,Musk will not say.They may land up in landfills.
That is a great cartoon. It illustrates the dumbing down that is already taking place and will increase in speed. And success. If it’s not stopped. “We the people….” that is what the East Germans chanted in their massive demos in Leipzig and Dresden - Wir sind das Volk - and brought the wall down. And did they have reason to be scared and still they let themselves be seen. The American people are at that junction. What frightens me is that people are still distracted by the parts even though it is almost a whole and the door is closing. Carl is right, show up. Massively. Your freedom depends on it.
Robert Reich has revealed that Trump’s attack on the American mind is driven by a lawless, capitalist ideology enforced at the extreme to rewrite all law, replace the Constitution, and create a new cruel tyrannical regime – not even an organized government. The regime goes beyond any simple autocracy or dictatorship and operates at the edge of anarchy. “We the People” have been deceived to believe that the only thing the billionaire techno-capitalists led by Trump and Musk wanted were tax cuts for the rich and Project 2025. What they want and are creating now is beyond George Orwell’s “1984” with a totalitarian government known as “the Party” that exercised absolute control over all aspects of life, including thought and history and was led by the omnipresent “Big Brother” – now replaced by Trump and Musk.
The only people in America (or Canada) to be granted rights in the plan for new regime are billionaire techno-capitalists with extreme unlimited rights to do anything they want including stealing property, controlling all businesses, arresting, deporting and killing people. The loss of abortion rights fits right into the plan. Everyone else including judges, scientists, doctors, teachers, workers, retirees, children and other people in America including citizens have no rights – none. Slavery is redefined.
The attack on the American mind was caused by Democrats refusing to enforce the law against the illegal insurrection by Trump and MAGA Republicans that was revealed on Jan 6, expanded to include Republicans in Congress and millions of Republican voters during the 2024 election, and has continued after Trump became president. The insurrection was no surprise. Trump told us he was going to be dictator on Day One. The insurrection is destroying democracy, the rule of law, and Constitution rights. Saving democracy as a government of the people, by the people, and for the people requires more than voting or protesting. "We the people" must demand Democrats in government implement what they need to do with specific actions including enforcing laws.
The first step for “we the people” to effectively fight is recognizing there is a legal solution to stop the illegal insurrection. The ongoing insurrection violates federal law (18 U.S. Code § 2383) which states a felony crime is committed by “whoever assists or engages in any rebellion or insurrection against the authority of the United States or the laws thereof or gives aid or comfort thereto shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States”.
The second step for “we the people” to effectively fight is demanding Democrats in government implement the legal solution.
The solution can begin to be quickly implemented by Democrats enacting and enforcing a new state law modeled after the federal law (18 U.S. Code § 2383) in 7 states where Democrats control the state government. California could be the first state to enact and enforce the law within 90 days which would remove the 9 Republican representatives from California in the Congressional House. The House would then have a Democratic majority of 224 to 209 with Jefferies as Speaker of the House to control the budget and make sure Ukraine and Medicaid are fully funded and there will be no tax cuts for the rich. Maryland, New Jersey and Colorado could follow to collectively remove another 8 Republican representatives in the House and then also remove 4 conservative justices from the Supreme Court changing the Court to 3 liberals and 2 conservatives to block any more conservative Court actions favorable to Trump, Republicans, and oligarchs.
The Constitution in Article I, Section 6, Clause 1 allows members of Congress to be arrested, indicted, and convicted for the felony crime of insurrection that violates state law enforced with imprisonment up to ten years with mandatory permanent removal and prevention from holding office.
The Constitution does not establish judicial immunity for any judge including federal judges or Supreme Court Justices. Therefore, Supreme Court Justices can be arrested, indicted, and convicted for the felony crime of insurrection and enforced with imprisonment up to ten years and mandatory permanent removal and prevention from holding office.
We tried to enforce the law and were defeated by a network of Trump's inside players. Think Aileen Cannon, among others. You make it sound like we just gave up. Not the case. We should never, never give up.
Leigh - Democrats tried with Jack Smith but failed to correctly see the insurrection and the way to enforce the criminal law against it. Biden should have invoked the Insurrection Act to stop the insurrection rejecting all votes for Trump as illegal and then putting Trump and many Republicans in jail including the six conservative justices on SCOTUS. The problem now with Democrats is that violations of civil rather than criminal laws are being filed in courts. Tough to stop the ongoing insurrection using only civil law penalties. Democrats are not giving up by asking people to protest and vote but that’s not going to stop the insurrection.
William you are correct. here is what i wrote nonstop, and sent to the white house, every democratic congressperson, every liberal news org. since june of 2024 when the rogue6 gave dumpster their seal of approval:
Biden has a constitutional, moral, and ethical duty to defend the constitution from all enemies, domestic and foreign. He has been given explicit permission to take action, even extralegal action to accomplish this by the corrupt 6 on the supreme court. Accordingly, it is incumbent (pun intended) for Biden to arrest and hold without habeas corpus ALL of the participants in the ongoing coup d'etat attempt. This would include the corrupt 6 on the supreme court and their wives, drumpf and his family, Barr, Stone, Flynn, all the lawyers involved, all the congressional members involved, both house and senate, all the republican state attorneys general who helped file challenges to the 2020 election, and the oligarchs who have been financing this attempt to impose a fascist government on us. Well the list goes on, doesn't it. Voting will NOT fix this problem because the oligarchs are paying to subvert the election in numerous ways, and they've stopped trying to hide their actions. The republican party is a terrorist organization which actively promotes violence to resolve political differences. The republican party advocates violence against women and children, promotes misogyny, racism, white nationalist theocracy, and wants to destroy all the safety nets in America. They do not believe in the common good, only what's best for the rich masters. Biden has the obligation to put these people in prison. That's what active traitors deserve. NO legal recourse, no appeals, just lock them up. then we can go about repairing our democratic institutions.
Paul - wonderful recognition of what was happening by all those insurrectionists and action by you 👍 and I also wrote to the WH and Dems everywhere but got no response 🤪
It will take cojones and guts to get anything you suggest enacted. Democrats fumbled the impeachments but we were screwed by Mitch McConnell who could have rid us of Trumphuk. We were screwed by Attorney General Garland ineptly handling of the prosecution of Trump for numerous transgressions—particularly the Jan 6 riot. We are being screwed by passive Damnacrats who are unresponsive and cowardly. What we do have is a rising tide of a pissed off populace who are attending town squares and demonstrations and rallies to preserve democracy and oppose oligarchy. We have several Senators and Congressmen & Congresswomen and some Governors— such as Pritzker of Illinois and Moore of Maryland — who are taking strong stands against growing fascist practices and policies of Trumphuk and Muskalini. We gave several judges knocking down the illegalities of DOGE and the violations by Trump Administration officials of constitutional rights of citizens and horrible treatment of immigrants and even foreign visitors. This rising tide needs to grow into a flood that will wash the Cabal out of White House and washing their abettors out of the halls of Congress. Action is what will make this happen. Yes, in the streets. Yes, in the halls of government. If Damnacrats show weak kneed, we show them the door. For those who risk standing up like Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, Tim Walz, and Bernie Sanders, we stand up with them TOGETHER.
Republicans in Congress forced Obama and Biden to issue numerous executive orders by making Congress ineffective. They did this so that later they could claim that their man was doing nothing new and unusual. This was a well planned ploy.
Who is this aimed at, Martha? I "jump up and down" several times a day when I call two elected officials at a time to get on them about getting Trump and Musk out of the inner workings of the federal government. Someone just needs to walk into the White House and SHOOT TRUMP AND BE DONE WITH IT. I will not rest until he is flat-out dead and gone . . . Will you?
You have it succinctly! And I knew you were succinct because of public education, public libraries and access to literature. But you got it right in the ❤️.
I think what is driving much of Trump's awful decisions is an inherent Mean Spiritedness.
Every single thing he is doing is breaking something that many Americans hold dear and rely upon, from our National Parks to Social Security. Our National Security is at stake and he has trashed our position in the world, coddling up to Putin.
This plan was all sold to us under the disguise of doing something about the price of Eggs - which he has done nothing about.
His sad rotted inside was on display the other day when he got bopped in the face with a boom mic. A cool person would have laughed and said, "No worries," but did you notice how rump reacted? You could see him just seething while someone else asked a question and then he told the person who accidentally bopped him "You'll be on television tonight." Like this is all some reality show for him.
Gordon - If you are able to ask a question could you please ask how we are going to fight back against the current government and republicans who are trying to gain our personal information and how someone is expected to follow their new rules in regards to social security when they are taking away the ability to call and some people are disabled and can’t go to an office, especially if that office is closed down, and how do some people who don’t have access to broadband are going to be able to access the website if the library they normally go to is no longer able to help. That was a long run on sentence but in my head while I was typing it I assume that you would have to ask it quickly. Otherwise, I hope that you glean some good information and enjoy yourself.
Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Event in Denver Outside event 3/21/25 and Greeley CO. At least 30,000 attendees in Denver and thats probably conservative. Not able to ask questions. See Ben Meiselas one YouTube for clips. It was very inspiring to be with that many people who are supporting each other. I have 30,000 plus new friends.
What do we do about all our personal data that Musk has now. With the access he has he has everything from voting information, to social and payment info, tax info, etc, etc, etc…
We can’t ever get this back and they can use this data to manipulate everything.
You can change the financial accounts the government knows about. We're using our old account just for government business. We have totally new accounts for our personal business that we will never use for SS or IRS. Not even state/local businesses. Our SS and IRS funds are transferred to the new accounts as soon as they arrive.
Will it help? IDK, but I'm not going to make it easy on them. Even with AI and the power of the government, there's a lot of accounts out there.
I have this thought that Musk might try and substitute his own software for government software for entitilement programs, which would be a disaster. Too many potential disasters to worry about.
steve - I thought that was what he was trying to do all along. If he fubars the system enough then he is happy. If he installs his own software then he gets more money so he is happy. He canceled the Verizon contract so he can use his own company and once again he is happy. If they have all of our information and dirty secrets then they can use that for the next election and further on so he is happy and the others who benefit are happy too. It’s easier to be the one doing the fraud, waste and abuse when your systems are what are installed. If/when we get the government back he will have wrecked it so badly that we will need him to fix it and once again he stays relevant and happy. At least that’s what I am seeing happening. I hope to be proven wrong. We should Not have to go to court to keep our information private.
This all begs the question of what are they doing with the billions they are "saving" the US. What is it funding? Or in whose pocket is some of it going? I do not trust any of them including the Doge Bro's.
Dr, this sounds like Nazi Germany to me, as well as the Stalinist East Bloc. Next will come the book bonfires, wreckage of science labs, closures of free universities and libraries. We have been warned.
Aside from everything that will go with ruining our higher education system, the last industries populating urban environments are higher education and medicine. If they decimate medical research, it will cause a terrible collapse of the system and, as in all these cases, one that will be hard to bring back.
They’re not making anything more efficient - they’re just fixing what ain’t broke.
It’s hard not to think that Putin knows exactly how to destroy the US and he’s telling Trump this is how you get up the autocracy Trump wants so badly.
It's also an attack on our "mind", i.e. consciousness. The impact -- both what we're aware of and not -- is enormous. For a long time, I've felt like we are being herded into a state of being we have never wanted. I got off Facebook years ago, and all social except this platform, because I literally noticed how it was altering my mind. This is a big part of what we're dealing with.
T.R, this is like the 'mind control' issue discussed on college campuses during the1960's. Back then the works of Orwell, Marshall McLuhan, and Aldous Huxley were fresh in peoples' minds, but nowadays they are too seldom brought up, as literacy levels plummet.
Dennis, yes! I studied all three (child of the '70s here ;)) so I notice the patterns and the affects. Perhaps with younger people, not so much as these teachings are no longer primary (if not altogether removed).
T.R. since I am a child of the 60's I still have these authors' works on my bookshelf. I feel that I should start hawking them at freedom rallies before I am raided and they are confiscated!
Thanks for this piece, with its window into the real powers behind the throne and their long-stated ideologies and consequent goals. I am warned. As to what to do about it: before it’s too late (and that time will come sooner than we think) I plan to arrive in DC on April 5 and stay there until they drag me away. I am completely unconvinced by all the well-meant local protests put together by Indivisible, et al, but I think a million or more Americans descending peacefully on the Capitol, Mall, White House, and filling the streets of the capital for as long as necessary might just spark a revolution. I’m 81, gay, an Episcopal priest, longtime advocate for equity, justice, and human rights for all. I’ve been on those streets before—many times. I know the power of concerted, massive, visible and non-violent resistance. We don’t need speakers and music and performance; we just need to assert our rights as citizens and to take back our streets and our nation while there is still time. Because soon they will be taking us away. Join me on April 5 in DC?
This is so incredibly sad. Make Americans dumber and dumber. I am born and raised in Europe where, I believe, education far exceeds the American methods. I am talking Denmark.
All the years I have now been in this country (52 plus years) I have always felt and thought that Americans are not very smart or wise or well-educated. No foreign languages, poor history.
So, now tRump is just making this situation so much worse, shame on him.
Not all Americans are not very smart, wise or well educated. Several have made excellent contributions to society and the world. Please do not lump all Americans into one generalization. Also this is a country built on many immigrants and lots of diversity and not one predominate nationality.
A very intelligent and well educated American man writes the substack you and the rest of us subscribe to and pay for.
American public education has never been nationalized, and it's funded by local governments primarily with some help from the individual states. For years, poor neighborhoods have been haunted by underfunded schools, and in some states (like the one where I grew up) have short-changed local schools to keep people divided by race and class and make sure that the local work force was not too prone to leave the area. What saved education for many older Americans like myself was that highly educated women had few opportunities besides teaching and nursing until the 1960s and 1970s.
I think it's remarkable that we have as many educated people in the United States as we do, but we neglect so many others, and, of course, the guy in the White House disdains people who are handicapped in any way, not to mention his racist biases.
The "digerati" have always imagined themselves as smarter, more capable, than the rest of us. Their libertarianism is long-standing (even when they donate to either party, Democrats or Republicans). Although they may have gone to excellent schools/universities, they now profess to find the "liberals" and "radicals" teaching and studying there to be their enemies. And, in some ways, those of us in the humanities, arts, and sciences have posed a threat to their plutocratic vision, their monomaniacal quest for dominance and wealth. There are so many sociopaths in Silicon Valley and its outlying digital universes, people who have little to offer the world in human terms. What they do offer is a binary, AI-dominated universe, reducible to infinite 1's and 0's. At our own peril we have allowed them to grow wealthy by enslaving the rest of us. It's pretty late in the game to realize all this, as I sit here typing on one of their computers, "connecting" with others via their social media, or waiting for my cell phone to buzz or ring.
It’s everyone’s job if you want to continue the kind of life you have known. My question is why isn’t everyone isn’t jumping up and down about the fact that Trump is ruling through executive orders. Exactly like a king would put out edicts.
Remember all the complaints about how many executive orders Biden was using and before that complaints about Obama using executive orders.
Every single thing the Trump administration has done, has been by executive order. Except the CR, which has been crammed down our throats. Thank you, Schumer.
April 5 we the people get to jump up and down https://www.mobilize.us/
Susan,don't forget about the March 29th -Tesla Takedown rallies across the country.
Don't forget that destroying property empowers authoritarians.
Victor,we get that,although if enough people feel strongly enough about the Neo Nazi gov't we have,there may be property destroyed.
So don't destroy property.
And who exactly has done that? Are they charged?
I had not heard of that one. Do you have a link?
Trump has only to stifle the minds of less than25% of the population.
In the opening round he has damn near half of the population, licking his feet.
Another 30% are windsocks, detritus that will flow downstream like a fallen leaf, what is left is the 25% that possess some semblance of a pre frontal cortex, and critical reasoning skills, but of those a good percentage will inevitably fold, like the Germans who lined the streets of Munich, Berlin and Nuremberg to watch der fuhrer pass.
Survival is one hell of an instinct.
People talk big and defiant while they can, because they can, but when there is that knock on the door, they put on their armbands. There weren't too many Sophie Scholls in Germany, were there.? and for all of their efforts they lost their heads and Hitler invaded Poland.
Tell me, O Soothsayer, are you deliberately trying to discourage us? If so, please take your dim views and dimmer perceptions, go down to the corner bar, and tell it to the depressed drunks crying in their beer. There have been several times within modern memory when an aroused citizenry overthrew an insecure regime of tyrants. See: Vaclav Havel.
Just the opposite Leigh, just the opposite. I discourage rosy views,polyanna views, unrealistic and to be unrealized views of the future. But while we have a chance we have to do everything to resist, sabotage the system, don't obey, don't comply, don't facilitate, resist, resist, resist with every tool you have and don't expect a savior to come along and rescue you either.
Leigh - I seriously wonder if the US is too large, geographically, for a democracy. Partitioned into 50 sections, some isolated physically and most politically, culturally, religiously, economically - the possibility that such diversity could overcome these influences to rally together for a common good is vanishingly small in my estimation. Consider climate change. Consider nuclear weapons, Consider the next pandemic, which we will be woefully unprepared to address. Now compare this to democracy. If existential threats are not enough to motivate, what chance have we of coming together for democracy?
I share many of William F.'s views, and have at least as pessimistic a view of the current situation. The fascist attack is global. The techbroligarchs have money, means, and motive to solidify their power. They have been playing the long game for a long time. Greed is their unifying force, and since the vast majority of earth's 8 billion residents are greedy, they exploit and draw upon this vast well of avarice. Collectively, we are too stupid to not ignore the next shiny thing, as it distracts us from reality. We are seeing now what a house of cards it always was, with precious few honorable men and women holding it together in the face of what now we know to be insurmountable odds.
Knowing history is different from leaning what it has to teach us. Your anger seems to be obscuring your insights.
Thanks for telling me what I am, asshole. Now shove it, you self important, self righteous ahole.
Watch Sir closely. I am guessing that he is " losing it." But then if that's true who is pulling the strings? Melania? Vl P? Their? JDV?
Anybody and everybody pulls
Trumps strings, it is easy, all it takes is flattery, patting him on the head, good doggy and he wags is tail and does what you suggests.
The New York Times recently published an Opinion piece featuring so-called "conservative" voices—though it seems these days, being conservative often means turning a blind eye to lying, stealing, cheating, and the dismantling of our republic. Regardless, I think it’s important to take a closer look at what they’re saying. I’ve posted the link, along with my comments, and I’m curious to hear your thoughts on it. Thank you!
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/21/opinion/trump-administration-polling.html?campaign_id=60&emc=edit_na_20250321&instance_id=150658&nl=breaking-news®i_id=122853612&segment_id=194097&user_id=c45f231204762c6e5163a64b701dad5c
This entire "conversation" presented by Patrick Healy and the Times columnists is an exercise in intellectual gymnastics, designed to normalize the ongoing catastrophe of Donald Trump’s influence on American politics. What’s masked as a thoughtful debate is, in reality, an echo chamber of conservative revisionism and apologetics for authoritarianism.
Let’s cut through the polite language and call it what it is.
Trump’s Popularity Among Republicans Is Not Surprising.
Ninety percent of Republicans supporting Trump is not a show of confidence—it’s a symptom of a cult of personality fueled by fear, propaganda, and misinformation. These people have been fed a steady diet of Fox News, Breitbart, Newsmax, and OAN lies for years. It’s not about policy; it’s about identity and grievance.
The Times panel acts like there’s a mystery here. There’s no mystery. Trump appeals to people who think the system failed them, and he weaponizes their anger. Simple.
David Brooks’ “Brokenism” Is Just a Fancy Word for Nihilism.
Brooks argues people believe everything is broken, and Trump offers them a wrecking ball. But "brokenism" isn’t a belief system; it’s an excuse for rage and destruction. Trump isn’t fixing anything. He’s gutting government institutions, empowering oligarchs, and undermining democracy. “Brokenism” is Brooks’ attempt to rationalize nihilism.
David French on Republicans Wanting Opponents to Suffer.
French at least admits that many Republicans just want to see their perceived enemies punished. That’s not politics—that’s revenge fantasy. They don’t care if policies fail as long as they “own the libs.” It’s the mentality of a bully, not a democracy.
Ross Douthat’s Reagan Worship Disguised as Populism.
Douthat claims Trump is just following Reagan-era conservatism. But Reagan’s policies already hollowed out the middle class, increased inequality, and launched the era of deregulated, corporate domination. Trump is Reagan without the polish or decency—more overtly corrupt, more authoritarian, and infinitely more dangerous.
Bret Stephens’ Praise of “Energy” Is Just Enabling Autocracy.
Stephens talks about Trump’s “energy” as if being hyperactive equals leadership. The fact that Trump is constantly stirring chaos doesn’t mean he’s effective. It means he’s destabilizing. It’s a child smashing their toys and calling it remodeling.
False Victimhood and Grievance Politics.
They repeatedly mention conservative resentment toward universities, media, and elites. Cry me a river. Most of these Republicans are elites themselves, educated at Ivy League schools, and now exploiting the very institutions they claim to despise for their personal gain. Their “victim” narrative is a fraud.
Selective Memory on Authoritarianism.
They pretend Trump’s authoritarianism is justified because of perceived overreach by Democrats during COVID. That’s absurd. Mask mandates and public health guidelines are not the same as dismantling democratic institutions, purging civil servants, and ignoring court orders. It’s not remotely comparable.
Whitewashing Trump’s First Term.
Douthat and others act like Trump’s first term was “not so bad” outside of COVID. Really? Children were put in cages. Journalists were demonized. Violence was encouraged. Environmental regulations were gutted. Diplomacy was trashed. He left allies confused and enemies emboldened. January 6th happened on his watch because of his lies. But sure, everything was fine until COVID.
Delusional Takes on the Economy.
They argue Trump is good for the economy. How? He passed massive tax cuts for billionaires, ballooned the deficit, and did nothing for working people. Manufacturing jobs didn’t flood back. He started trade wars that hurt American farmers and consumers. The stock market isn’t the economy.
Downplaying the Constitutional Crisis.
They shrug off Trump’s illegal actions—deporting people against court orders, defying rulings, firing civil servants—as no big deal. This is not normal. It’s dangerous authoritarianism. They minimize it because they’re either complicit or cowards.
Moral Relativism About Foreign Policy.
They praise Trump for “negotiating” with Putin while ignoring the betrayal of Ukraine and the erosion of NATO. Trump's admiration for dictators isn’t strategy; it’s weakness dressed up as strength. Appeasement is not leadership.
The Elon Musk Fantasies Are Laughable.
Musk is not the savior of government efficiency. He’s an erratic billionaire who can’t run X (formerly Twitter) without it turning into a digital dumpster fire. Handing him the keys to government is insanity.
Cruelty as Policy: Transgender Ban in the Military.
Some try to justify this on “readiness” grounds. Nonsense. It’s pure cruelty. Trump is targeting a vulnerable minority because it pleases his base. That’s not leadership; it’s bullying.
Glossing Over Impeachment and Lawbreaking.
They make excuses for impeaching judges or ignoring court rulings, framing it as “normal” political behavior. It’s not. It’s the death of checks and balances. They’re normalizing tyranny.
Gaslighting About Democracy.
They act like Democrats are just as bad. False equivalency. Biden isn’t perfect, but he respects democratic institutions. Trump does not. Pretending both sides are equally flawed is intellectually lazy and morally bankrupt.
💥 Conclusion: This entire discussion tries to rationalize and intellectualize a populist movement that is built on lies, fear, and resentment. Trump is not a champion of the working class. He is a criminal sociopath who’s destroying democratic norms for personal gain. The GOP isn’t a party anymore—it’s a personality cult, propped up by media propaganda and the cowardice of people like these columnists, who know better but play dumb to protect their access and relevance.
This isn’t leadership. It’s complicity.
And anyone who still supports Trump after everything we’ve witnessed is either deluded, morally bankrupt, or actively hostile to democracy.
Excellent forensic analysis of crippled brains. I don't have a subscription to NYT so can't read the link. Don't need to not after you dissected it.
I get a lot of news letters, some from the Bulwark, which is a never Trumper but still Reaganite out fit, founded by Charlie Sykes, and a companion to the Lincoln Project of Rick Wilson.
They are interesting and sometimes make good points. Tim Miller, of the Bulwark, is a frequent flyer on MSNBCm but scratch them and you see a Reaganite.
One of their emails referenced that NYT article, but I couldn't read it, thanks for the forensic analysis. Well done, and of the Bulwark, well they are Trumpists without Trump. The NYT and WAPO are a waste of money, unless one seeks intel of enemy movements.
Good job Michael. A keeper.
Who was Sophie Scholls?
It was Sophie Scholl, the Scholls was plural, like saying too many Tesla cars.
I am not surprised that you don't know who Sophie Scholl was, I am not surprised that you don't know how to google.
Susan,check theverge.com.It talks about the Tesla Takedown.
Did you know I got a message saying the link you sent is unavailable? What's going on?
Peaceful rallies. Don't give the MAGAts any ammunition
I don't think that MAGA people drive many Teslas. Talk about slapping your "base" in the face, I would guess that 99% of Tesla drivers are Democrats. EM doesn't
doesn't know where his bread is buttered, as they used to say..
Michael,that may be the case,but to take Tesla down would cause a lot of angst among the financial insitutions that support him and his own net worth. There are many people in the US who are selling their Tesla's and European sales are down between 48-74%. Today they had massive recall for parts falling off the car and last month a huge recall on Tesla trucks. Tesla has always been rated poorly by Consumer Reports and other publications. When asked what they do with the lithium batteries that go south,Musk will not say.They may land up in landfills.
Share as widely as possible, this is only the start. We MUST show up even if we are scared and uncertain.
April 5th - Stand up and be seen
https://www.fiftyfifty.one/
Read Carlyn Beccia on this -
https://carlynbeccia.substack.com/p/12314-protests-took-place-last-month
She makes a very good analysis of the dynamics of protest and the pressures that inhibit involvement.
That is a great cartoon. It illustrates the dumbing down that is already taking place and will increase in speed. And success. If it’s not stopped. “We the people….” that is what the East Germans chanted in their massive demos in Leipzig and Dresden - Wir sind das Volk - and brought the wall down. And did they have reason to be scared and still they let themselves be seen. The American people are at that junction. What frightens me is that people are still distracted by the parts even though it is almost a whole and the door is closing. Carl is right, show up. Massively. Your freedom depends on it.
Carl,also March 29 for the Tesla Takedown on "the verge.com"
Agreed!
Robert Reich has revealed that Trump’s attack on the American mind is driven by a lawless, capitalist ideology enforced at the extreme to rewrite all law, replace the Constitution, and create a new cruel tyrannical regime – not even an organized government. The regime goes beyond any simple autocracy or dictatorship and operates at the edge of anarchy. “We the People” have been deceived to believe that the only thing the billionaire techno-capitalists led by Trump and Musk wanted were tax cuts for the rich and Project 2025. What they want and are creating now is beyond George Orwell’s “1984” with a totalitarian government known as “the Party” that exercised absolute control over all aspects of life, including thought and history and was led by the omnipresent “Big Brother” – now replaced by Trump and Musk.
The only people in America (or Canada) to be granted rights in the plan for new regime are billionaire techno-capitalists with extreme unlimited rights to do anything they want including stealing property, controlling all businesses, arresting, deporting and killing people. The loss of abortion rights fits right into the plan. Everyone else including judges, scientists, doctors, teachers, workers, retirees, children and other people in America including citizens have no rights – none. Slavery is redefined.
The attack on the American mind was caused by Democrats refusing to enforce the law against the illegal insurrection by Trump and MAGA Republicans that was revealed on Jan 6, expanded to include Republicans in Congress and millions of Republican voters during the 2024 election, and has continued after Trump became president. The insurrection was no surprise. Trump told us he was going to be dictator on Day One. The insurrection is destroying democracy, the rule of law, and Constitution rights. Saving democracy as a government of the people, by the people, and for the people requires more than voting or protesting. "We the people" must demand Democrats in government implement what they need to do with specific actions including enforcing laws.
The first step for “we the people” to effectively fight is recognizing there is a legal solution to stop the illegal insurrection. The ongoing insurrection violates federal law (18 U.S. Code § 2383) which states a felony crime is committed by “whoever assists or engages in any rebellion or insurrection against the authority of the United States or the laws thereof or gives aid or comfort thereto shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States”.
The second step for “we the people” to effectively fight is demanding Democrats in government implement the legal solution.
The solution can begin to be quickly implemented by Democrats enacting and enforcing a new state law modeled after the federal law (18 U.S. Code § 2383) in 7 states where Democrats control the state government. California could be the first state to enact and enforce the law within 90 days which would remove the 9 Republican representatives from California in the Congressional House. The House would then have a Democratic majority of 224 to 209 with Jefferies as Speaker of the House to control the budget and make sure Ukraine and Medicaid are fully funded and there will be no tax cuts for the rich. Maryland, New Jersey and Colorado could follow to collectively remove another 8 Republican representatives in the House and then also remove 4 conservative justices from the Supreme Court changing the Court to 3 liberals and 2 conservatives to block any more conservative Court actions favorable to Trump, Republicans, and oligarchs.
More detail is in my post.
https://williamlmiller.substack.com/p/how-to-stop-trump-republicans-and?r=4tebj3
The Constitution in Article I, Section 6, Clause 1 allows members of Congress to be arrested, indicted, and convicted for the felony crime of insurrection that violates state law enforced with imprisonment up to ten years with mandatory permanent removal and prevention from holding office.
The Constitution does not establish judicial immunity for any judge including federal judges or Supreme Court Justices. Therefore, Supreme Court Justices can be arrested, indicted, and convicted for the felony crime of insurrection and enforced with imprisonment up to ten years and mandatory permanent removal and prevention from holding office.
We tried to enforce the law and were defeated by a network of Trump's inside players. Think Aileen Cannon, among others. You make it sound like we just gave up. Not the case. We should never, never give up.
Leigh - Democrats tried with Jack Smith but failed to correctly see the insurrection and the way to enforce the criminal law against it. Biden should have invoked the Insurrection Act to stop the insurrection rejecting all votes for Trump as illegal and then putting Trump and many Republicans in jail including the six conservative justices on SCOTUS. The problem now with Democrats is that violations of civil rather than criminal laws are being filed in courts. Tough to stop the ongoing insurrection using only civil law penalties. Democrats are not giving up by asking people to protest and vote but that’s not going to stop the insurrection.
William you are correct. here is what i wrote nonstop, and sent to the white house, every democratic congressperson, every liberal news org. since june of 2024 when the rogue6 gave dumpster their seal of approval:
Biden has a constitutional, moral, and ethical duty to defend the constitution from all enemies, domestic and foreign. He has been given explicit permission to take action, even extralegal action to accomplish this by the corrupt 6 on the supreme court. Accordingly, it is incumbent (pun intended) for Biden to arrest and hold without habeas corpus ALL of the participants in the ongoing coup d'etat attempt. This would include the corrupt 6 on the supreme court and their wives, drumpf and his family, Barr, Stone, Flynn, all the lawyers involved, all the congressional members involved, both house and senate, all the republican state attorneys general who helped file challenges to the 2020 election, and the oligarchs who have been financing this attempt to impose a fascist government on us. Well the list goes on, doesn't it. Voting will NOT fix this problem because the oligarchs are paying to subvert the election in numerous ways, and they've stopped trying to hide their actions. The republican party is a terrorist organization which actively promotes violence to resolve political differences. The republican party advocates violence against women and children, promotes misogyny, racism, white nationalist theocracy, and wants to destroy all the safety nets in America. They do not believe in the common good, only what's best for the rich masters. Biden has the obligation to put these people in prison. That's what active traitors deserve. NO legal recourse, no appeals, just lock them up. then we can go about repairing our democratic institutions.
Paul - wonderful recognition of what was happening by all those insurrectionists and action by you 👍 and I also wrote to the WH and Dems everywhere but got no response 🤪
It will take cojones and guts to get anything you suggest enacted. Democrats fumbled the impeachments but we were screwed by Mitch McConnell who could have rid us of Trumphuk. We were screwed by Attorney General Garland ineptly handling of the prosecution of Trump for numerous transgressions—particularly the Jan 6 riot. We are being screwed by passive Damnacrats who are unresponsive and cowardly. What we do have is a rising tide of a pissed off populace who are attending town squares and demonstrations and rallies to preserve democracy and oppose oligarchy. We have several Senators and Congressmen & Congresswomen and some Governors— such as Pritzker of Illinois and Moore of Maryland — who are taking strong stands against growing fascist practices and policies of Trumphuk and Muskalini. We gave several judges knocking down the illegalities of DOGE and the violations by Trump Administration officials of constitutional rights of citizens and horrible treatment of immigrants and even foreign visitors. This rising tide needs to grow into a flood that will wash the Cabal out of White House and washing their abettors out of the halls of Congress. Action is what will make this happen. Yes, in the streets. Yes, in the halls of government. If Damnacrats show weak kneed, we show them the door. For those who risk standing up like Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, Tim Walz, and Bernie Sanders, we stand up with them TOGETHER.
Republicans in Congress forced Obama and Biden to issue numerous executive orders by making Congress ineffective. They did this so that later they could claim that their man was doing nothing new and unusual. This was a well planned ploy.
I agree and frankly I don't get it. Why aren't people jumping up and down and shouting?
Who is this aimed at, Martha? I "jump up and down" several times a day when I call two elected officials at a time to get on them about getting Trump and Musk out of the inner workings of the federal government. Someone just needs to walk into the White House and SHOOT TRUMP AND BE DONE WITH IT. I will not rest until he is flat-out dead and gone . . . Will you?
Trump hopes to make everyone dumber so he looks smarter. It's not ever going to happen, but he's too dumb to realize this.
Dunning-Kruger. Explains everything.
You have it succinctly! And I knew you were succinct because of public education, public libraries and access to literature. But you got it right in the ❤️.
He just signed an order to dismantle the Department of Education.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/19/us/politics/trump-education-department.html
It's to stop people becoming well-educated enough to see what he & his cronies are doing.
I think what is driving much of Trump's awful decisions is an inherent Mean Spiritedness.
Every single thing he is doing is breaking something that many Americans hold dear and rely upon, from our National Parks to Social Security. Our National Security is at stake and he has trashed our position in the world, coddling up to Putin.
This plan was all sold to us under the disguise of doing something about the price of Eggs - which he has done nothing about.
I completely agree - Trump may be the most mean spirited person who ever lived.
Beth,he's a Nazi.Nazi's have no feelings.
Yes they do. They were greedy, frightened and unsure of themselves.
He is sadistic, like all bullies and psychopaths.
He is both a sociopath and narcissist.
drump is meaner than a rattlesnake and ten times as hungry, and to be his acolyte you must be all in with it. His removal is our only salvation.
Yes, He hates us because we mock him and laugh at his errors of judgement. For me that is not going to stop.
His sad rotted inside was on display the other day when he got bopped in the face with a boom mic. A cool person would have laughed and said, "No worries," but did you notice how rump reacted? You could see him just seething while someone else asked a question and then he told the person who accidentally bopped him "You'll be on television tonight." Like this is all some reality show for him.
It IS all a reality show for him!
I think you are correct. The orange blight is cruel, just because he can be. So far he's never been held accountable for his actions.
That and Alzheimer's! Just like daddy!
I will be attending a Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez event tomorrow. I’m really looking forward to it.
Please report back! I live in liberal Massachusetts and won’t have the opportunities
Their first stop out west is Denver
Greeley, CO at 1 PM. I'm attending. Denver at 4PM.
Lucky you! Enjoy it, Gregg! 🤩
Bernie and AOC are rallying right now in Las Vegas!! They had to move the event to a bigger venue because of high demand! Yayyy 🥳
I’m driving down to Denver from Loveland, CO
Driving down from Wyoming. Yep. There are those keeping the good fight here.
I'm a little envious, Gordon!
Gordon - If you are able to ask a question could you please ask how we are going to fight back against the current government and republicans who are trying to gain our personal information and how someone is expected to follow their new rules in regards to social security when they are taking away the ability to call and some people are disabled and can’t go to an office, especially if that office is closed down, and how do some people who don’t have access to broadband are going to be able to access the website if the library they normally go to is no longer able to help. That was a long run on sentence but in my head while I was typing it I assume that you would have to ask it quickly. Otherwise, I hope that you glean some good information and enjoy yourself.
I’ll do my best. From what I know it is an outdoor venue.
Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Event in Denver Outside event 3/21/25 and Greeley CO. At least 30,000 attendees in Denver and thats probably conservative. Not able to ask questions. See Ben Meiselas one YouTube for clips. It was very inspiring to be with that many people who are supporting each other. I have 30,000 plus new friends.
Consider that JD Vance was accepted at Yale under their DEI Yellow Ribbon initiative.
Now he is against DEI?
The hypocrisy is breathtaking
What do we do about all our personal data that Musk has now. With the access he has he has everything from voting information, to social and payment info, tax info, etc, etc, etc…
We can’t ever get this back and they can use this data to manipulate everything.
Nobody seems concerned about this?
You can change the financial accounts the government knows about. We're using our old account just for government business. We have totally new accounts for our personal business that we will never use for SS or IRS. Not even state/local businesses. Our SS and IRS funds are transferred to the new accounts as soon as they arrive.
Will it help? IDK, but I'm not going to make it easy on them. Even with AI and the power of the government, there's a lot of accounts out there.
https://www.classaction.org/news/class-action-lawsuit-against-musk-says-doge-must-pay-taxpayers-for-federal-database-access#comments
I have this thought that Musk might try and substitute his own software for government software for entitilement programs, which would be a disaster. Too many potential disasters to worry about.
steve - I thought that was what he was trying to do all along. If he fubars the system enough then he is happy. If he installs his own software then he gets more money so he is happy. He canceled the Verizon contract so he can use his own company and once again he is happy. If they have all of our information and dirty secrets then they can use that for the next election and further on so he is happy and the others who benefit are happy too. It’s easier to be the one doing the fraud, waste and abuse when your systems are what are installed. If/when we get the government back he will have wrecked it so badly that we will need him to fix it and once again he stays relevant and happy. At least that’s what I am seeing happening. I hope to be proven wrong. We should Not have to go to court to keep our information private.
Yes. I think this analysis of who is the power behind T@@@p is much needed. He is a front man for VERY powerful anti-democratic interests.
I agree. He’s not smart enough to orchestrate all this.
This all begs the question of what are they doing with the billions they are "saving" the US. What is it funding? Or in whose pocket is some of it going? I do not trust any of them including the Doge Bro's.
The amount of savings has been greatly exaggerated.
Dr, this sounds like Nazi Germany to me, as well as the Stalinist East Bloc. Next will come the book bonfires, wreckage of science labs, closures of free universities and libraries. We have been warned.
A placid society will not survive.
Don't forget the constant re-writing of history like they had in the Stalinist USSR.
It’s standard authoritarian. Modern examples: Viktor Orban (Hungary), Erdogan (Turkey) and of course Putin’s Russia.
NIH now = Not Interested in Health under RFK et al.
Aside from everything that will go with ruining our higher education system, the last industries populating urban environments are higher education and medicine. If they decimate medical research, it will cause a terrible collapse of the system and, as in all these cases, one that will be hard to bring back.
They’re not making anything more efficient - they’re just fixing what ain’t broke.
It’s hard not to think that Putin knows exactly how to destroy the US and he’s telling Trump this is how you get up the autocracy Trump wants so badly.
It's also an attack on our "mind", i.e. consciousness. The impact -- both what we're aware of and not -- is enormous. For a long time, I've felt like we are being herded into a state of being we have never wanted. I got off Facebook years ago, and all social except this platform, because I literally noticed how it was altering my mind. This is a big part of what we're dealing with.
T.R, this is like the 'mind control' issue discussed on college campuses during the1960's. Back then the works of Orwell, Marshall McLuhan, and Aldous Huxley were fresh in peoples' minds, but nowadays they are too seldom brought up, as literacy levels plummet.
Dennis, yes! I studied all three (child of the '70s here ;)) so I notice the patterns and the affects. Perhaps with younger people, not so much as these teachings are no longer primary (if not altogether removed).
The young , 18 to 30, have shifted to Trump the last 4 years in a huge way.
Social media I believe is a major cause.
Social media has played a huge part. :\ The prefrontal cortex gets over-ridden.
T.R. since I am a child of the 60's I still have these authors' works on my bookshelf. I feel that I should start hawking them at freedom rallies before I am raided and they are confiscated!
No kidding, hah! I love that you have these works on your bookshelf. Share their messages (while you can)! :)
My best friend is the director of a Public Library. I thank her all the time for being Democracy’s Keeper. ❤️
Thanks for this piece, with its window into the real powers behind the throne and their long-stated ideologies and consequent goals. I am warned. As to what to do about it: before it’s too late (and that time will come sooner than we think) I plan to arrive in DC on April 5 and stay there until they drag me away. I am completely unconvinced by all the well-meant local protests put together by Indivisible, et al, but I think a million or more Americans descending peacefully on the Capitol, Mall, White House, and filling the streets of the capital for as long as necessary might just spark a revolution. I’m 81, gay, an Episcopal priest, longtime advocate for equity, justice, and human rights for all. I’ve been on those streets before—many times. I know the power of concerted, massive, visible and non-violent resistance. We don’t need speakers and music and performance; we just need to assert our rights as citizens and to take back our streets and our nation while there is still time. Because soon they will be taking us away. Join me on April 5 in DC?
Thank you for your steadfast determination.
This is so incredibly sad. Make Americans dumber and dumber. I am born and raised in Europe where, I believe, education far exceeds the American methods. I am talking Denmark.
All the years I have now been in this country (52 plus years) I have always felt and thought that Americans are not very smart or wise or well-educated. No foreign languages, poor history.
So, now tRump is just making this situation so much worse, shame on him.
Not all Americans are not very smart, wise or well educated. Several have made excellent contributions to society and the world. Please do not lump all Americans into one generalization. Also this is a country built on many immigrants and lots of diversity and not one predominate nationality.
A very intelligent and well educated American man writes the substack you and the rest of us subscribe to and pay for.
American public education has never been nationalized, and it's funded by local governments primarily with some help from the individual states. For years, poor neighborhoods have been haunted by underfunded schools, and in some states (like the one where I grew up) have short-changed local schools to keep people divided by race and class and make sure that the local work force was not too prone to leave the area. What saved education for many older Americans like myself was that highly educated women had few opportunities besides teaching and nursing until the 1960s and 1970s.
I think it's remarkable that we have as many educated people in the United States as we do, but we neglect so many others, and, of course, the guy in the White House disdains people who are handicapped in any way, not to mention his racist biases.
The "digerati" have always imagined themselves as smarter, more capable, than the rest of us. Their libertarianism is long-standing (even when they donate to either party, Democrats or Republicans). Although they may have gone to excellent schools/universities, they now profess to find the "liberals" and "radicals" teaching and studying there to be their enemies. And, in some ways, those of us in the humanities, arts, and sciences have posed a threat to their plutocratic vision, their monomaniacal quest for dominance and wealth. There are so many sociopaths in Silicon Valley and its outlying digital universes, people who have little to offer the world in human terms. What they do offer is a binary, AI-dominated universe, reducible to infinite 1's and 0's. At our own peril we have allowed them to grow wealthy by enslaving the rest of us. It's pretty late in the game to realize all this, as I sit here typing on one of their computers, "connecting" with others via their social media, or waiting for my cell phone to buzz or ring.
Sadly.