I keep waiting for Prof Reich, or anyone for that matter to say that the current situation is the result of unbridled capitalism. The alternative does not have to be communism. I have experience of that system and it has some similarities to what we have now, unreasonable rewards for the lucky or the self obsessed (or the criminals) and exploitation of the folk that don't have these opportunities or characteristics. Senator Sanders has the courage to describe himself as a "Democratic Socialist" , someone who believes that the overall well being of humanity is the only form of progress that is important. And that does not necessarily involve larger TV screens or faster internet.
I really resonate with your point. What we’re living through isn’t just a political crisis, it’s the culmination of decades of letting wealth and power concentrate without guardrails. Both unbridled capitalism and rigid communism share that same flaw: they end up rewarding the few while exploiting the many. What gives me hope is that more people are willing to name it, as you’ve done here, and to imagine alternatives grounded in fairness, dignity, and shared wellbeing.
Christy, that's impossible as long as our enterprises are locked in competition with foreign enterprises. The banking consolidation of the 1980s was largely due to competition with Japan's banks. The offshoring of jobs was due to the fact that other countries, e.g., China, Bangladesh, India, pay much lower wages, and provide no workplace safety or environmental controls. This is why Trump is imposing protective tariffs--and weakening environmental safeguards. These measures, however, will not protect workers from AI, which Trump has embraced wholeheartedly, because we are in a race with China..
Canada, while embracing capitalism, is an example of a "social democracy" that works. We have a better quality of life than our American neighbours (on many levels) We have less stress and we live longer. No one has to mortgage their home to pay medical bills.
Canada, along with many other countries, provide social safety nets such as universal health care, affordable education, housing, and access to essential services, ensuring that no one goes hungry. The result is a happier, healthier, more productive society.
The USA is ridiculously behind the times. The roadblock - Republican "dinosaurs" who refuse to evolve.
We do count our blessings. Among friends and family we've all discussed, at some point, the cost to us had we been in the US for the various medical procedures we've collectively undergone over the years: knee replacements, quintuple bypass, cancer treatments, broken limbs, x rays, and hospital stays. My parents would have gone broke, no question. Not having universal medicare is an unnecessary CRUELTY inflicted on the population by "greedy" corporations and those in leadership positions who profit from the scam.
Canada didn't have the history of slavery that determined and determines almost every decision in the U.S. In fact, if Murdoch Mysteries is at all accurate, blacks were almost accepted into Canadian society from early on. Blacks made it possible to divide and conquer from the get go, and so it goes.
even Sen Warren, who has said she is a "capitalist to (her) bones", keeps pressing for the need to have regulation. I loved Bernie, perhaps even more, but also Sen Warren. It's UNBRIDLED capitalism that is the problem. I don't imply the need for overregulation, but a set of ethical rules that must be followed. This has minimal hurt on those billionaires that detest any regulation, but there is a need for a set of basic rules that one must follow to ensure a competitive and healthy environment where our freedoms are not compromised, and really pose a minimal threat on anyone at all. Even the game of Monopoly has a set of rules to follow
The goal of capitalism is to make money. That does not mean it should be at the expense of the public. The billionaires that basically control everything derive the greatest benefit from the system. Therefore, they should contribute more than us common people should. When I made better money, I didn't like paying the 25% rate, but considered myself fortunate enough (at the time) to do so. A higher tax rate is not a penalty, and shouldn't be viewed as such. Those enjoying a lower rate because they make less get a lower rate because most of their money is used just to survive.
Rich - I think it was Jen Rubin who described Trump's approach to regulation as "playing Calvinball" - a reference to Calvin & Hobbes trying to play a game of ball with no rules. We have to have rules! but they need to be respected and they need to be appropriate.
The failures of authoritarian rule are being exposed worldwide.
In the United States the spotlight of truth is shining even brighter on the dark deeds of Donald Trump and his henchmen. The Republicans in the House of Representatives and the Senate are enabling Trump’s destruction of democracy. The Supreme Court is exhibiting the results of its extreme politicization. Even the media is being influenced towards the right beyond Fox News.
And behind it all, quietly hiding in the shadows, are the ultra-wealthy, ever finding ways to weaken democracies around the world so that they can become even wealthier and more powerful.
American democracy was birthed as a result of a crisis when the British empire was squeezing its American colonies to pay its war debts and taking more and more authoritarian control as it put undue financial burdens on the colonists. The birth of the best governing system yet to emerge on the world stage came from the opposition by the colonies in what seemed overwhelming odds. Who would dare to face down the might of the British armed forces? And yet, the Americans won not only their freedom but gained unity and created a revolutionary form of democracy. That too was a dark time, and yet they overcame, they prevailed.
But it was not the politicians who did it, it was the citizens.
But four citizens stand out from the crowd: Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, George Washington, and Thomas Jefferson. They exercised effective leadership at home and inspired confidence abroad. The support of France was crucial. The colonists were incredible lucky to have such leaders at such a decisive time. They would have been discredited by social media today.
Victor, I totally agree with you. However, I don’t know how today’s “social media“ would have been able to deal with these men today. Back then, social media consisted of newspapers, letters to the editor, town, meetings, and discussions in the tavern. “ Instagram,”was more like hanging lanterns in the church steeple.
Marc, thank you for replaying to me on this very important subject. You are quite right in noting that "social "media" already existed in those days. As you point out, it was qualitatively different from that of our times. What I had in my mind is the computerized, algorithm-designed, media that constantly reaches out to millions of users and hits "hot points" without addressing issues in a rational way. It dumbs down and radicalizes people.
Absolutely. Boycott the mega billionaires corporation. Cancel subscription, stop shopping at target, whole foods, Amazon, home depot, those who support the Maga movement. We the people, the consumers made them wealthy and we contol the power of our pocketbook. Ultra billionaires are now so powerful they buy politicians. They now have the power to appoint Maga scrotus who make biased decisions to support the Maga movement to destroy democracy. Call your congressional representatives and voice your concern of losing our first amendment right to free of speech. Senate 202-224-3121 house 202-225-3121.
Prof. Reich has said and written many times that unbridled capitalism is to blame for our current situation. We had to endure the Great Depression to bring down the Gilded Edge barons. May take such a calamity to bring down the current one.
I suggest you read his new book, there is a whole chapter on this subject.
I have for quite some time noted that capitalism has run amok. Consider CEO’s pay compared to the average worker in most large corporations, or how much corporate board members get paid for a few meeting per year. With the Citizens United decision the Supreme Court basically made bribery legal, allowing corporations to buy politicians (and apparently some judges). Today, it seems that more money is spent in the politics industry with so-called super PACs, and lobbying than in any other industry. Corporate America has fostered and continues to expand this corrupt practice. It must be reigned in for us to get back to the American values we all cherish!
Does the term mean any difference? If we have become too capitalistic, shouldn’t that be focused on instead of looking for yet another way to identify oneself? Aren’t we tired of the 18th century definition for diversity of people which continues to exist and divide us?
I apologize for interrupting the program for an important message.
I attest that committing murder crosses a much more serious line than the abuse of freedoms in the Kimmel affair.
Legal experts in our military advised the chain of command that attacking a boat -- any non-combatant boat in international waters -- and killing those in it, would be a serious crime.
No way to put that genie back in the bottle. Trump is a murderer.
"An Epstein victim, Maria Farmer, claimed that Maxwell and Ivana Trump were "best friends" and that she would sometimes ride in a car with them." They certainly got to know each other well. Maxwell's father really liked Ivana -- since they both came from Czechoslovakia.
My Cousin died from head injuries after a fall down a flight stairs. She was a good and kind person who had a misstep. Her daughters donated her organs so she lives on a in at least 4 o 5 other people. GH
PS. Had Trump been certain that the boats were transporting drugs he would have seized them, and he would have put the crews on trial. He would have scored a political win.
No, he bloody wouldn’t. Where would these trials take place? Most American lawyers are on the other side.
As they look up from their frozen ninth circle of Hell Adolf and Tojo must be wondering why they didn’t think of something like that. Stalin would say, “well comrades, we did come close. But we might win yet, with Woke Cultural Marxism.”
Well said, Thomas! Donald Trump ordered the cold blood killing of 14 individuals he knew nothing about. He did it to pose as "strong" man (and to send a message to Maduro). He is a dangerous psychopath.
every president has done it. remember obama and extrajudicial overseas drone killings?
that doesn't make it right. we just need to remember that the powers in the office of the presidency need to be reevaluated by the citizenry if we ever get a real democracy.
“For Democrats, drug cartels exist at the perfect overlap on the Venn diagram showing criminal acts and illegal aliens.
Republicans, when they’re not handcuffed by Democrat shibboleths, believe that criminal behavior should be punished. They don’t want cash bail for violent criminals or recidivists. They want long sentences for criminals...long enough, and without easy parole, to stop the revolving door that sees dangerous people constantly returned to the streets. They understand the power of disincentives.
Trump also understands this power. That’s why he’s decided to stop playing cute with foreign invaders heading to the U.S. on the high seas (otherwise known as an enemy invasion). As long as they’re in open waters, not American waters, they don’t get the benefit of due process. Instead, they get treated like enemy combatants; that is, they get killed.”
Those attempting to obstruct the justice of these self-defence moves should be called out as saboteurs.
I love your ending: Democracy requires courage. We all need to practice small acts of courage. I think none of us have had to do it before on behalf of freedom and democracy. But it is our birthright, as Americans. OURS. Freedom and democracy. Things worth fighting for. Just ask the Ukrainians who literally are fighting for it every single day. Trump will kill it for all of us and for the whole world if he can.
Thanks Prof Reich for not being cynical or despairing. Your words today helped me and inspired me. Just to hear someone say them was helpful, even though already I believed it to my toes.
I believe in things worth losing money over. It’s creepy realizing that billionaires seem to have a human element missing from their personalities. They are in many ways warped into acquisition machines with one goal: more money. More money. I was always ok with billionaires having lots of money because I didn’t think it affected others. But they have showed me that I was completely wrong. Too much money corrupts just like too much power. Bernie was right: money in politics is the root of all evil.
What you wrote was so inspiring and I’m Australian! I’ve had a love affair with your country and Americans for many years as I used to visit twice a year for 30 years.
Power comes with organization, and this is why Kashoghi was killed when he started organizing opposition to the Sauds. We must do all we can to protect the liberal organizations we already have, and prepare for the coming fascist tsunami.
re: your last line... every "progressive" e-mail with survey has a - donate, contribute, donate - provision at the end. And some/many also insinuate a coercive or extortionate element into it/them. I sign a petition but sent NO $ (I have none to spare living on a knife's edge of economically). Then get repeated e-m's saying 'you didn't sign' or 'signature missing', and know I DID sign their petition, but sent NO $... Therefore (IMO) the thingy 'they' are really wanting is - the $$$... As RR says: "follow the money"... noticing that - with $ or $$ or even $$$, 'they' still are not fighting hard enough to - dump tRump's clown car ~ ~ ~
yes, that would be requisite to us avoiding those companies. We already have some of the higher profile ones (Amazon, Meta, etc). Some others come by in passing, but I can't remember all of them all the time.
I buy generics. I find the good ones and go with those. I don't need cute little red bears with pieces of TP on their behinds. Personally, I don't care if mine has the consistency of sandpaper, an exaggeration of course. Then again, how do we know who makes those?
That would be almost any publicly traded corporation, farmer, rancher, or family owned business who have bought into the BS that the GOP is the friend of small business. GH
As much as TUMP hates to be ridiculed and laughed at, maybe that might be a good thing to weaponize as a non violent solution against the spoiled brat. He had better not cancel you, Mr. Reich, as that would infuriate me more than i already am at the incompetent mass of orange blob of lard.
Amen. Have you heard the story Mary Trump tells about a family Thanksgiving dinner and a bowl of mashed potatoes? His inability to withstand being laughed at began when he was still a child. At the dinner table with the whole clan, Donny refused to stop tormenting one of the other boys - I forget who - but none of the "adults" in the room intervened. Finally, in frustration, the boy grabbed the bowl of mashed potatoes and dumped it on Donald's head. Everyone at the table burst into laughter, and probably in relief that he was finally stopped. He stormed out, furious. From then on, whenever the family got together, they'd tease him about it, and he never was able to laugh about it - which, of course, kept the teasing going for years. I have no doubt that he managed to take some petty revenge on all of them. And some not-so-petty revenge - like destroying his brother's life.
I honestly don't think TUMP is capable of compassion, Victor. Have you ever noticed that he tells HUGE lies with flattering himself?? Example: I have ended 7 wars recently, the economy is BOOMING, and, the bold face lies about Biden and other Democrats?
Yes! i remember reading that too. And he hit one of his school teachers in the face with his fist too, and that's when they sent him to a military school kicking and screaming.. Revenge is TUMP's favorite pass time now. I still can't fully understand how these ignorant people that voted for him could be so stupid and duped by this horrific con artist. Even well before he was dictator and came down the escalator in 2015 i hated him for his arrogance and narcissism.
I'm afraid that it's actually tRump's vile qualities that appeals to them. These are not happy people. They see their own worst faults and resentments, their desire for revenge, and their awful tastes and behaviors working(in their minds) for the most powerful idiot in the world.
I agree, these gullible people do seem to be bitter and resentful. Before the election 5 years ago, i had a Biden/Harris sign in my yard, my next door neighbors who are ''TUMP fanatics'' made some snide remarks about my yard sign, and their youngest son started in on me one day and i told him off. After that, my grown daughter that lives with me discovered a knife in her flattened car tire, and the a tire on my vehicle was flattened and scratches were made on the hood of my vehicle. I am convinced that my neighbor's ignorant son did that. Me and my family are the only Democrats on this stretch of road i live on and the rest are those TUMP worshiping imbeciles. None of them even speak to me any longer. I really don't care, i want nothing to do with them anyway. The morons that worship a horrible orange misfit like TUMP are in serious need of mental health professionals.
You have my condolences! I live in a government subsidized housing building, and half the people here are immigrants. The other half of us are elderly and disabled, and everyone is on Social Security. And yet, there are many MAGA's here. They don't see the irony in this, either.
I think we should paint one blade of each wind mill to look like a red necktie. Maybe a clown face on the blade hub or just an orange blob with pursed lips.
I agree! That really hits him hard when someone rejects and ridicules him. I would like to see him get so angry when he is being ridiculed that he would ''Nut Up'' and being detained and led away in a straight jacket. ( Hopefully they could find a straight jacket big enough to fit around the fat piece of orange lard) I don't like to say i hate anyone, but I hate and despise Donald TUMP. If he isn't stopped with his carnage, the United States is finished. He has literally ruined everything we value about our nation.
Yes, and actually that is the true trademark of a tried and true bully. I found that out in middle and high school, we had a few jerks that were bullies. I despised them too!
I think it is time to boycott Disney and let them know there are other ways their bottom line can be affected. The boycott should include theme parks, movies by Disney, and Disney streaming channels. It is time for us to act instead of sitting back and wringing our hands at how bad things are with large corporations succumbing to the GOP and Trump. If we work together we can also pressure corporations. "Free Choice," isn't that the basis of capitalism?
I found it so very interesting to listen to magas twist themselves into pretzels trying to explain why Jimmy Kimmel was suspended. When you listen to what he said, "we hit some new lows over the weekend with the maga gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it." That comment/joke was not even close to the comments right-wing podcasters and commenters said about the person who 'allegedly' shot the orange man in the ear! Magas, republicans, the orange man and his regime want to canonize a man who said some gun deaths every year was worth it in order to have the second amendment, denied systemic racism and critical race theory, his bigotry and derogatory comments about Black people and other minority groups, his inflammatory and toxic rhetoric on race including his thoughts on the so-called 'Great Replacement Theory' and are extremely angry that the majority of us will not accept or consider that this man should be idolized and worshiped. I am truly sorry that the young man is dead; however, I am not going to be a hypocrite and say that he did anything to help our country become more united. The orange man will keep doing whatever he can that is outlandish and causes all of us to scream and protest. Why? If you think about it, every time he does something heinous and we rise up and protest, it lasts for a while then when that shouting begins to die down, he does something else for everyone to get upset about. The previous thing he did has suddenly been incorporated into the norm and apparently becomes accepted. That is how he is taking over. He will push, cause turmoil and when that gets accepted, he pushes again. It is like drawing a line in the sand and saying don't cross it and he does, so another line gets drawn in the sand and so on. Thank you so much for the Coffee Klatch this morning, Professor Reich and Mr. Lahanas Calderon! I have been away for a little over a week and was completely off my laptop and my phone. It was so refreshing and I truly enjoyed just "being" for a while!
Thank you Peggy for a quick and accurate synopsis of all things Charlie Kirk. While I too think there is no room for violence in our political system he and his Dear Leader DT, have made a vocation of boiling up misogyny, hate speech, traitorous ideas, and violent actions against their fellow citizens.
Makes me wonder if his father and DT's father were cousins! True psychopaths usually have a different brain structure and function than normal people. However environmental factors, such as childhood trauma, unstable, neglectful, and bad anti-social parenting increases a child's risk for developing psychopathic traits and actions.
It would be interesting to know more about his parents and the methods and ideas with which they raised Mr. Kirk. I'm not condemning them, yet, just curious. The fact, proudly pointed out by so many MAGA folks, that he came on the scene with all his rage and anti-human ideas at age 18 make me beleive he must have had a good grounding in hate think early in life.
Also, who was the big GOP money behind behind his smart aleck mouth and vile ideas? Starting from nowhere in 2012 by 2023 his Turning Point USA's total revenue was $92.4 million according to the NY Times. It seems the human race never runs short of hate mongers and those willing to follow and fund them.
Best to all. Vote Blue and let's get our country back! GH
Gary, you are so right about following the money! It can be quite eye-opening! Yes, I will vote blue and I will fight every single day to get our country back!
I was so enthralled with everything about Scotland! The people, the country and the absolute beauty of it! I saw on the faces of the people when they realized I was American and did not want to engage in conversation until I spoke plainly and told them I was not maga and had never voted for that man. Their shields came down and we shared so much! I love how these people are so invested in conservation, climate change and love for their country. I honestly feel you could have asked even a ten year old about something in their history and they could tell you dates and exactness that blew me away! The time when England tried to erase their culture by making it illegal to wear kilts, play bagpipes or anything having to do with their heritage. They persevered and today they are so very proud to share their history and culture with visitors to their country. When some felt brave enough to ask me questions about what was happening in our country, I made absolutely sure I spoke as honestly as I could. I let them know that I was proudly a part of the resistance and that eventually we would get our country back much like they did. Everywhere I went, I could see these people did not like the orange man. They see him destroying a country they felt was a true beacon of democracy. I see them determined to not let that happen to them again and they have become more vigilant. I made some really great friends and told them about all the substacks that I read and they could read to know that truth about what is happening in America. I would recommend to anyone that is able to travel and see the people and cultures in other countries. It is eye-opening! I am glad to be back and more than ready to fight really hard for the America that I love. Thanks for asking, Robert!
Thank You Peggy for this description of your journey to Scotland. My heritage is northern European, but I much prefer the Scottish ancestry I have and know, back to the MacGregor clan (Rob Roy) and how the Brits back then persecuted this clan, especially after many surrounding had caved to the Brits so that the MacGregor's became - 'persona non grata' which was a significant cause for immigration by many of that clan's members to the states in the 18th century coming through the Carolina's... Thanks ~
Dale, my sister and I have always wanted to go to Scotland because my biological father's ancestors came from there. We were told our clan (we use the McLellan version) were pretty rough! When my sister did a little digging, she said that one version has our name meaning 'son of the bastard' but I certainly hope someone was pulling her leg! It was so informative and interesting to find out about Scottish history! My daughter-in-law asked me if I would go back and I said 'yes mam, I would, in the blink of an eye'! It was a wonderful experience!
Thanks, Peggy, but I was hoping you’d mention actual places, and your impressions thereof.
Also, remember that most of the attacks on Highland people and culture came from Edinburgh (including a possible early attempt at genocide) rather than London, cf. „In London they don’t care about us. In Edinburgh they hate us.”
Meanwhile, in September 2017 I visited Warsaw and wore a MAGA hat. Reaction was uniformly positive. There was even one guy who treated me, in perfect English, to a well-informed discourse on the damage being done by Yog-Soros and the EUSSR.
This post seems to suggest that Poland is pro-trump, responding positively to a MAGA hat. It's not necessarily surprising given their history of antisemitism and actions and non-actions during WWII. But I wonder how this fits with all the remarks on Scotland and its more enlightened reaction to the U.S.'s slide into authoritarianism.
When you consider how Poland was betrayed by Britain and the US, even to the extent of a court legitimising holocaust denial against it, and subsequently having to fight back against the Brussels-based Viertes Reich demanding that it accept invaders, it’s not surprising that a substantial number of Poles, enough to elect a government, realise that the Donald offers real hope.
“given their history of antisemitism and actions and non-actions during WWII”, forsooth! They’ve been a bit hamfisted in countering Germany’s attempts to shift blame for the Holocaust, admittedly, but that’s no excuse for the utter rubbish cited at the start of this paragraph.
“But I wonder how this fits with all the remarks on Scotland and its more enlightened reaction to the U.S.'s slide into authoritarianism.”
Quite simple. The Scottish electorate is one of thickest in the world (I know them too well), and most of their information is regurgitated from
US fake news, uncritically repeated by U.K. outlets - “enlightened”????
How many times does it have to be noted that dropping Kimmler was a business decision by ABC affiliates?
And if you really want to downplay the “Great Replacement Theory”, quit appearing to gloat over “whites” being reduced to minority status in their own European and North American homelands, and then acting surprised when those up for replacement object, and find politicians to channel their fears.
The more it gets, the more it wants! Robert depicted the source of our woes as "Chet" from Weird Science after Kelly LaBrock had transformed him into a pile of shit. Trump is enthralled with the idea that he is free to do whatever, and no one will interfere with his endless desire to simply get more of anything he wants. He's the spoiled brat running around in an uncontrolled manner telling the nanny what to do, in between diaper changes. His endeavor to control the news media goes way beyond scary, shades of "AH" leaves a bitter taste in the mouths of people who wonder where we're going. It's so frustrating knowing what the problem is and understanding its solution, all the while unable to exact the answer. How do we get from where the problem lies to where we've regained the status quo with Donald Trump standing squarely between the two points? We've all seen the movie where a very young girl who keeps an ample supply of tissue paper stored conveniently in her bra collapses in a drunken stupor. Her attentive partner then appears to have representations of good and evil standing upon each shoulder giving him conflicting suggestions. This is where "Chet" is, except the advice he's getting is emanating from Stephen Miller and Russel Vought, good doesn't enter into the conversation. With Trump's cabinet being filled with individuals who can offer no "intelligent" support, this country is being run by a bunch of morons. Free speech seems to be out the window along with what's left of the First amendment. Trump is chipping away at our personal freedoms, and the Republicans in power are allowing him to run rampant as did the spoiled child in the nursery.
Following you from Europe. You are so right. Hopefully October the 18th will be attended by all Americans for your rights and FREE SPEECH. It’s horrific watching your country turning into a dictatorship…we already are watching how Putin is trying to invade the Eastern countries ( Poland -Lithuania 😡). And Trump just watching. He should have been in jail for a long time !
To be sure, Authoritarians are not American patriots. They must be confronted in every way possible way and at every level. As Dr. Reich, said today, "Trump is a Madman". He must be stopped now.
There are so many TRAITORS to the American Constitution in the United States with extreme wealth and power, including, the majority of Supreme Court justices, Donald Trump, JD Vance, and all Republicans in the Senate and the House who have mortgaged their souls). It will take a miracle to rectify what has already happened, short of a revolution (peaceful or otherwise). These people will not fade away without a struggle. They will not allow legitimate, peaceful elections to take place in 2026; whereby National power is transferred to the Democratic Party.
I like to think that when the time comes, there will be some who will sheepishly try to step back and hide into obscurity. They know they are in the wrong and when the opposition (us) gains enough strength, they will run and hide.
The Donald’s actually cleaning up Demshevik treason and its consequences, e.g., Zombama should have been impeached for inviting invasion and attacking states trying to deal with it, as clearly laid out in your joke Dorian Gray „constitution”.
I think it understands the POWER of opposing voices....hence, it is desparately trying to squash as much of it as possible before the Mid-term elections in a frantic race to ensure they stay in power.
💞🇺🇸💞 This broadcast exceeds any you have done to date to stir supporters of democracy into action! May each of us - regardless of age, political affiliation, or personal faith - be challenged to show up on No Kings Day as a visible representation America’s commitment to uphold the Constitution of the UNITED States of America. 🇺🇸💙🤍❤️🇺🇸
Not only do I agree with you Irene....but I want to suggest that on October 18 signboards reference our new "Free Speech" movement. Have the courage to fight for free speech and for democracy. Other signs: Boycott the Cowards Who Caved: ABC, Disney, Amazon, etc., etc.,
It is impossible to have self rule if we do not participate in free speech and make it our business to know what is going on in our government. It is also important to support the leaders in office and those running for office who believe in the Constitution and respect the rule of law. Billionaires should not exist, the wealth inequality allows the very rich to buy media and control things that should not be suppressed or controlled, from our bodies to our minds, we must have freedom of self determination, and freedom of thought.
It wouldn’t do Trump and his minions any good to try to muzzle you, Robert, because all of us who’ve read your glorious memoir
would move into your house to listen to your insights. You are truly loved. P.S. Got a BIG coffee urn at your place?
I keep waiting for Prof Reich, or anyone for that matter to say that the current situation is the result of unbridled capitalism. The alternative does not have to be communism. I have experience of that system and it has some similarities to what we have now, unreasonable rewards for the lucky or the self obsessed (or the criminals) and exploitation of the folk that don't have these opportunities or characteristics. Senator Sanders has the courage to describe himself as a "Democratic Socialist" , someone who believes that the overall well being of humanity is the only form of progress that is important. And that does not necessarily involve larger TV screens or faster internet.
I really resonate with your point. What we’re living through isn’t just a political crisis, it’s the culmination of decades of letting wealth and power concentrate without guardrails. Both unbridled capitalism and rigid communism share that same flaw: they end up rewarding the few while exploiting the many. What gives me hope is that more people are willing to name it, as you’ve done here, and to imagine alternatives grounded in fairness, dignity, and shared wellbeing.
Christy, that's impossible as long as our enterprises are locked in competition with foreign enterprises. The banking consolidation of the 1980s was largely due to competition with Japan's banks. The offshoring of jobs was due to the fact that other countries, e.g., China, Bangladesh, India, pay much lower wages, and provide no workplace safety or environmental controls. This is why Trump is imposing protective tariffs--and weakening environmental safeguards. These measures, however, will not protect workers from AI, which Trump has embraced wholeheartedly, because we are in a race with China..
I agree 💯
Canada, while embracing capitalism, is an example of a "social democracy" that works. We have a better quality of life than our American neighbours (on many levels) We have less stress and we live longer. No one has to mortgage their home to pay medical bills.
Canada, along with many other countries, provide social safety nets such as universal health care, affordable education, housing, and access to essential services, ensuring that no one goes hungry. The result is a happier, healthier, more productive society.
The USA is ridiculously behind the times. The roadblock - Republican "dinosaurs" who refuse to evolve.
Count your blessings Judith! Many here fight for better social safety nets to no avail. It's frustrating and exhausting too!
We do count our blessings. Among friends and family we've all discussed, at some point, the cost to us had we been in the US for the various medical procedures we've collectively undergone over the years: knee replacements, quintuple bypass, cancer treatments, broken limbs, x rays, and hospital stays. My parents would have gone broke, no question. Not having universal medicare is an unnecessary CRUELTY inflicted on the population by "greedy" corporations and those in leadership positions who profit from the scam.
Keep up the good fight.
Vermont, We're right next store and we love you,
Er - Would you accept Minnesota as your 11th province? We already have blankets and snow shovels.
Calif too. We could provide a balance between all that snow and some well deserved sunshine. :D
Thanks for the humor, made me smile.
Canada didn't have the history of slavery that determined and determines almost every decision in the U.S. In fact, if Murdoch Mysteries is at all accurate, blacks were almost accepted into Canadian society from early on. Blacks made it possible to divide and conquer from the get go, and so it goes.
even Sen Warren, who has said she is a "capitalist to (her) bones", keeps pressing for the need to have regulation. I loved Bernie, perhaps even more, but also Sen Warren. It's UNBRIDLED capitalism that is the problem. I don't imply the need for overregulation, but a set of ethical rules that must be followed. This has minimal hurt on those billionaires that detest any regulation, but there is a need for a set of basic rules that one must follow to ensure a competitive and healthy environment where our freedoms are not compromised, and really pose a minimal threat on anyone at all. Even the game of Monopoly has a set of rules to follow
Absolutely, Rich! Capitalism places more value on profits than on life. It violates our foundational principles, and it is unsustainable.
The goal of capitalism is to make money. That does not mean it should be at the expense of the public. The billionaires that basically control everything derive the greatest benefit from the system. Therefore, they should contribute more than us common people should. When I made better money, I didn't like paying the 25% rate, but considered myself fortunate enough (at the time) to do so. A higher tax rate is not a penalty, and shouldn't be viewed as such. Those enjoying a lower rate because they make less get a lower rate because most of their money is used just to survive.
Absolutely
Rich - I think it was Jen Rubin who described Trump's approach to regulation as "playing Calvinball" - a reference to Calvin & Hobbes trying to play a game of ball with no rules. We have to have rules! but they need to be respected and they need to be appropriate.
The failures of authoritarian rule are being exposed worldwide.
In the United States the spotlight of truth is shining even brighter on the dark deeds of Donald Trump and his henchmen. The Republicans in the House of Representatives and the Senate are enabling Trump’s destruction of democracy. The Supreme Court is exhibiting the results of its extreme politicization. Even the media is being influenced towards the right beyond Fox News.
And behind it all, quietly hiding in the shadows, are the ultra-wealthy, ever finding ways to weaken democracies around the world so that they can become even wealthier and more powerful.
American democracy was birthed as a result of a crisis when the British empire was squeezing its American colonies to pay its war debts and taking more and more authoritarian control as it put undue financial burdens on the colonists. The birth of the best governing system yet to emerge on the world stage came from the opposition by the colonies in what seemed overwhelming odds. Who would dare to face down the might of the British armed forces? And yet, the Americans won not only their freedom but gained unity and created a revolutionary form of democracy. That too was a dark time, and yet they overcame, they prevailed.
But it was not the politicians who did it, it was the citizens.
But four citizens stand out from the crowd: Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, George Washington, and Thomas Jefferson. They exercised effective leadership at home and inspired confidence abroad. The support of France was crucial. The colonists were incredible lucky to have such leaders at such a decisive time. They would have been discredited by social media today.
Victor, I totally agree with you. However, I don’t know how today’s “social media“ would have been able to deal with these men today. Back then, social media consisted of newspapers, letters to the editor, town, meetings, and discussions in the tavern. “ Instagram,”was more like hanging lanterns in the church steeple.
Marc, thank you for replaying to me on this very important subject. You are quite right in noting that "social "media" already existed in those days. As you point out, it was qualitatively different from that of our times. What I had in my mind is the computerized, algorithm-designed, media that constantly reaches out to millions of users and hits "hot points" without addressing issues in a rational way. It dumbs down and radicalizes people.
Keep the workers uneducated and cut the higher rungs of the ladder to keep them where they belong.
Absolutely. Boycott the mega billionaires corporation. Cancel subscription, stop shopping at target, whole foods, Amazon, home depot, those who support the Maga movement. We the people, the consumers made them wealthy and we contol the power of our pocketbook. Ultra billionaires are now so powerful they buy politicians. They now have the power to appoint Maga scrotus who make biased decisions to support the Maga movement to destroy democracy. Call your congressional representatives and voice your concern of losing our first amendment right to free of speech. Senate 202-224-3121 house 202-225-3121.
and don't buy adult presents for the upcoming holidays. This is no time for celebration. Let businesses know that you hold them accountable.
Prof. Reich has said and written many times that unbridled capitalism is to blame for our current situation. We had to endure the Great Depression to bring down the Gilded Edge barons. May take such a calamity to bring down the current one.
I suggest you read his new book, there is a whole chapter on this subject.
I have for quite some time noted that capitalism has run amok. Consider CEO’s pay compared to the average worker in most large corporations, or how much corporate board members get paid for a few meeting per year. With the Citizens United decision the Supreme Court basically made bribery legal, allowing corporations to buy politicians (and apparently some judges). Today, it seems that more money is spent in the politics industry with so-called super PACs, and lobbying than in any other industry. Corporate America has fostered and continues to expand this corrupt practice. It must be reigned in for us to get back to the American values we all cherish!
He did say that in this piece. But I agree with your point.
Does the term mean any difference? If we have become too capitalistic, shouldn’t that be focused on instead of looking for yet another way to identify oneself? Aren’t we tired of the 18th century definition for diversity of people which continues to exist and divide us?
I apologize for interrupting the program for an important message.
I attest that committing murder crosses a much more serious line than the abuse of freedoms in the Kimmel affair.
Legal experts in our military advised the chain of command that attacking a boat -- any non-combatant boat in international waters -- and killing those in it, would be a serious crime.
No way to put that genie back in the bottle. Trump is a murderer.
Truth. I believe he is behind Epstein's demise as well as his ex Ivana. Who pushed her down the stairs? Hmmmm? She must've known everything.
"An Epstein victim, Maria Farmer, claimed that Maxwell and Ivana Trump were "best friends" and that she would sometimes ride in a car with them." They certainly got to know each other well. Maxwell's father really liked Ivana -- since they both came from Czechoslovakia.
Ivana Trump was a good mother and spouse. Donald left her for a younger woman.
only in the movies.
My Cousin died from head injuries after a fall down a flight stairs. She was a good and kind person who had a misstep. Her daughters donated her organs so she lives on a in at least 4 o 5 other people. GH
Daughters?
Yes. Her adult girls.
Yes, the mother of one of my students. She was carrying a basket of laundry, slipped, fell, and broke her neck. Heartwrenching.
Actually, yes. And it's horrible. But I do not believe she "fell". It smells like bad, bad fish.....
but wait, what's buried in her coffin? the epstein tapes? the stolen classified documents?
I don’t believe this is the first time he’s been responsible for murder
Like other sociopaths, people are merely items to him
He commits murder every day.
What is critically important is that all Americans -- and the world -- are witnesses.
I can believe you are right, but it is just speculation.
Truth. But there is evidence that needs to be revealed. Of this I'm sure.
With enough “witnesses” cheering him on, and wishing for similar deterrent actions in the Channel….
PS. Had Trump been certain that the boats were transporting drugs he would have seized them, and he would have put the crews on trial. He would have scored a political win.
No, he bloody wouldn’t. Where would these trials take place? Most American lawyers are on the other side.
As they look up from their frozen ninth circle of Hell Adolf and Tojo must be wondering why they didn’t think of something like that. Stalin would say, “well comrades, we did come close. But we might win yet, with Woke Cultural Marxism.”
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
Well said, Thomas! Donald Trump ordered the cold blood killing of 14 individuals he knew nothing about. He did it to pose as "strong" man (and to send a message to Maduro). He is a dangerous psychopath.
every president has done it. remember obama and extrajudicial overseas drone killings?
that doesn't make it right. we just need to remember that the powers in the office of the presidency need to be reevaluated by the citizenry if we ever get a real democracy.
Thomas...... And it looks like he will get away with it!!! Unfortunately!
Again, absolute bollox from a giggling midwit.
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2025/09/with_another_boat_destroyed_trump_continues_to_increase_the_cost_to_drug_cartels.html
“For Democrats, drug cartels exist at the perfect overlap on the Venn diagram showing criminal acts and illegal aliens.
Republicans, when they’re not handcuffed by Democrat shibboleths, believe that criminal behavior should be punished. They don’t want cash bail for violent criminals or recidivists. They want long sentences for criminals...long enough, and without easy parole, to stop the revolving door that sees dangerous people constantly returned to the streets. They understand the power of disincentives.
Trump also understands this power. That’s why he’s decided to stop playing cute with foreign invaders heading to the U.S. on the high seas (otherwise known as an enemy invasion). As long as they’re in open waters, not American waters, they don’t get the benefit of due process. Instead, they get treated like enemy combatants; that is, they get killed.”
Those attempting to obstruct the justice of these self-defence moves should be called out as saboteurs.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
Bismarck, General Belgrano ……
I love your ending: Democracy requires courage. We all need to practice small acts of courage. I think none of us have had to do it before on behalf of freedom and democracy. But it is our birthright, as Americans. OURS. Freedom and democracy. Things worth fighting for. Just ask the Ukrainians who literally are fighting for it every single day. Trump will kill it for all of us and for the whole world if he can.
Thanks Prof Reich for not being cynical or despairing. Your words today helped me and inspired me. Just to hear someone say them was helpful, even though already I believed it to my toes.
I believe in things worth losing money over. It’s creepy realizing that billionaires seem to have a human element missing from their personalities. They are in many ways warped into acquisition machines with one goal: more money. More money. I was always ok with billionaires having lots of money because I didn’t think it affected others. But they have showed me that I was completely wrong. Too much money corrupts just like too much power. Bernie was right: money in politics is the root of all evil.
Di Porritt
What you wrote was so inspiring and I’m Australian! I’ve had a love affair with your country and Americans for many years as I used to visit twice a year for 30 years.
Power comes with organization, and this is why Kashoghi was killed when he started organizing opposition to the Sauds. We must do all we can to protect the liberal organizations we already have, and prepare for the coming fascist tsunami.
re: your last line... every "progressive" e-mail with survey has a - donate, contribute, donate - provision at the end. And some/many also insinuate a coercive or extortionate element into it/them. I sign a petition but sent NO $ (I have none to spare living on a knife's edge of economically). Then get repeated e-m's saying 'you didn't sign' or 'signature missing', and know I DID sign their petition, but sent NO $... Therefore (IMO) the thingy 'they' are really wanting is - the $$$... As RR says: "follow the money"... noticing that - with $ or $$ or even $$$, 'they' still are not fighting hard enough to - dump tRump's clown car ~ ~ ~
We need the names of companies that are supporting trump.
yes, that would be requisite to us avoiding those companies. We already have some of the higher profile ones (Amazon, Meta, etc). Some others come by in passing, but I can't remember all of them all the time.
All Koch Borthers companies:
Paper Products: Angelsoft, Brawny, Dixie, Mardi Gras, Quilted Northern, Soft n Gentle, Sparkle, Vanity Fair
Wood: Georgia-Pacific (largest plywood manufacturer in US – also owns most of the paper companies above).
Textiles & Plastics: Polarguard, Stainmaster, Dacron, Lycra, CoolMax/SolarMax, Thermolite, and more.
Chemicals, Coal, & Oil: Crude oil processing, Flint Hills Resources, lots of other commodities handled.
Nitrogen: One more reason to make your own fertilizer – Koch Industries produces many synthetic fertilizers.
© Koch Brothers' Products • Insteading
Source: https://insteading.com/blog/koch-brothers-products/
Koch Industries may be a major supplier of semi-processed raw materials to Chinese business. Can you find out?
I buy generics. I find the good ones and go with those. I don't need cute little red bears with pieces of TP on their behinds. Personally, I don't care if mine has the consistency of sandpaper, an exaggeration of course. Then again, how do we know who makes those?
Great list Catherine. GH
Please tell me that Charmin isn't on there!
good question. Fortunately, we can't afford Charmin....
Good point, and many are both large and small but lists would help!
And the names of companies who do not support Trump, so that we can only do business with them.
That would be almost any publicly traded corporation, farmer, rancher, or family owned business who have bought into the BS that the GOP is the friend of small business. GH
As much as TUMP hates to be ridiculed and laughed at, maybe that might be a good thing to weaponize as a non violent solution against the spoiled brat. He had better not cancel you, Mr. Reich, as that would infuriate me more than i already am at the incompetent mass of orange blob of lard.
Ridicule is the key
We need to use it all we can
Amen. Have you heard the story Mary Trump tells about a family Thanksgiving dinner and a bowl of mashed potatoes? His inability to withstand being laughed at began when he was still a child. At the dinner table with the whole clan, Donny refused to stop tormenting one of the other boys - I forget who - but none of the "adults" in the room intervened. Finally, in frustration, the boy grabbed the bowl of mashed potatoes and dumped it on Donald's head. Everyone at the table burst into laughter, and probably in relief that he was finally stopped. He stormed out, furious. From then on, whenever the family got together, they'd tease him about it, and he never was able to laugh about it - which, of course, kept the teasing going for years. I have no doubt that he managed to take some petty revenge on all of them. And some not-so-petty revenge - like destroying his brother's life.
Resentful from inception, Trump shows compassion for no one.
I honestly don't think TUMP is capable of compassion, Victor. Have you ever noticed that he tells HUGE lies with flattering himself?? Example: I have ended 7 wars recently, the economy is BOOMING, and, the bold face lies about Biden and other Democrats?
He's a psychopath. He's textbook malignant narcissist. AND he has dementia.
Yes! i remember reading that too. And he hit one of his school teachers in the face with his fist too, and that's when they sent him to a military school kicking and screaming.. Revenge is TUMP's favorite pass time now. I still can't fully understand how these ignorant people that voted for him could be so stupid and duped by this horrific con artist. Even well before he was dictator and came down the escalator in 2015 i hated him for his arrogance and narcissism.
I'm afraid that it's actually tRump's vile qualities that appeals to them. These are not happy people. They see their own worst faults and resentments, their desire for revenge, and their awful tastes and behaviors working(in their minds) for the most powerful idiot in the world.
I agree, these gullible people do seem to be bitter and resentful. Before the election 5 years ago, i had a Biden/Harris sign in my yard, my next door neighbors who are ''TUMP fanatics'' made some snide remarks about my yard sign, and their youngest son started in on me one day and i told him off. After that, my grown daughter that lives with me discovered a knife in her flattened car tire, and the a tire on my vehicle was flattened and scratches were made on the hood of my vehicle. I am convinced that my neighbor's ignorant son did that. Me and my family are the only Democrats on this stretch of road i live on and the rest are those TUMP worshiping imbeciles. None of them even speak to me any longer. I really don't care, i want nothing to do with them anyway. The morons that worship a horrible orange misfit like TUMP are in serious need of mental health professionals.
You have my condolences! I live in a government subsidized housing building, and half the people here are immigrants. The other half of us are elderly and disabled, and everyone is on Social Security. And yet, there are many MAGA's here. They don't see the irony in this, either.
I think we should paint one blade of each wind mill to look like a red necktie. Maybe a clown face on the blade hub or just an orange blob with pursed lips.
That's a great idea, Catherine!! He once said, '' these wind mills cause cancer.''
I agree! That really hits him hard when someone rejects and ridicules him. I would like to see him get so angry when he is being ridiculed that he would ''Nut Up'' and being detained and led away in a straight jacket. ( Hopefully they could find a straight jacket big enough to fit around the fat piece of orange lard) I don't like to say i hate anyone, but I hate and despise Donald TUMP. If he isn't stopped with his carnage, the United States is finished. He has literally ruined everything we value about our nation.
he (#47) 'can dish it out, but can't take it' [[ and he is the - arch example - of that saying ]]
Yes, and actually that is the true trademark of a tried and true bully. I found that out in middle and high school, we had a few jerks that were bullies. I despised them too!
I think it is time to boycott Disney and let them know there are other ways their bottom line can be affected. The boycott should include theme parks, movies by Disney, and Disney streaming channels. It is time for us to act instead of sitting back and wringing our hands at how bad things are with large corporations succumbing to the GOP and Trump. If we work together we can also pressure corporations. "Free Choice," isn't that the basis of capitalism?
Also boycott ESPN, Disney’s main moneymaker. (Disney owns 80% and Hearst owns 20%.)
Good call, I just quit ESPN on line after 20 years, in favor of Yahoo Sports.
Thanks, Greg! 💪🏼
Absolutely agree!
I found it so very interesting to listen to magas twist themselves into pretzels trying to explain why Jimmy Kimmel was suspended. When you listen to what he said, "we hit some new lows over the weekend with the maga gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it." That comment/joke was not even close to the comments right-wing podcasters and commenters said about the person who 'allegedly' shot the orange man in the ear! Magas, republicans, the orange man and his regime want to canonize a man who said some gun deaths every year was worth it in order to have the second amendment, denied systemic racism and critical race theory, his bigotry and derogatory comments about Black people and other minority groups, his inflammatory and toxic rhetoric on race including his thoughts on the so-called 'Great Replacement Theory' and are extremely angry that the majority of us will not accept or consider that this man should be idolized and worshiped. I am truly sorry that the young man is dead; however, I am not going to be a hypocrite and say that he did anything to help our country become more united. The orange man will keep doing whatever he can that is outlandish and causes all of us to scream and protest. Why? If you think about it, every time he does something heinous and we rise up and protest, it lasts for a while then when that shouting begins to die down, he does something else for everyone to get upset about. The previous thing he did has suddenly been incorporated into the norm and apparently becomes accepted. That is how he is taking over. He will push, cause turmoil and when that gets accepted, he pushes again. It is like drawing a line in the sand and saying don't cross it and he does, so another line gets drawn in the sand and so on. Thank you so much for the Coffee Klatch this morning, Professor Reich and Mr. Lahanas Calderon! I have been away for a little over a week and was completely off my laptop and my phone. It was so refreshing and I truly enjoyed just "being" for a while!
Thank you Peggy for a quick and accurate synopsis of all things Charlie Kirk. While I too think there is no room for violence in our political system he and his Dear Leader DT, have made a vocation of boiling up misogyny, hate speech, traitorous ideas, and violent actions against their fellow citizens.
Makes me wonder if his father and DT's father were cousins! True psychopaths usually have a different brain structure and function than normal people. However environmental factors, such as childhood trauma, unstable, neglectful, and bad anti-social parenting increases a child's risk for developing psychopathic traits and actions.
It would be interesting to know more about his parents and the methods and ideas with which they raised Mr. Kirk. I'm not condemning them, yet, just curious. The fact, proudly pointed out by so many MAGA folks, that he came on the scene with all his rage and anti-human ideas at age 18 make me beleive he must have had a good grounding in hate think early in life.
Also, who was the big GOP money behind behind his smart aleck mouth and vile ideas? Starting from nowhere in 2012 by 2023 his Turning Point USA's total revenue was $92.4 million according to the NY Times. It seems the human race never runs short of hate mongers and those willing to follow and fund them.
Best to all. Vote Blue and let's get our country back! GH
Gary, you are so right about following the money! It can be quite eye-opening! Yes, I will vote blue and I will fight every single day to get our country back!
Yes, you went to Scotland and I was hoping you’d tell us all about it - especially the parts where the Shadow has not reached yet.
I was so enthralled with everything about Scotland! The people, the country and the absolute beauty of it! I saw on the faces of the people when they realized I was American and did not want to engage in conversation until I spoke plainly and told them I was not maga and had never voted for that man. Their shields came down and we shared so much! I love how these people are so invested in conservation, climate change and love for their country. I honestly feel you could have asked even a ten year old about something in their history and they could tell you dates and exactness that blew me away! The time when England tried to erase their culture by making it illegal to wear kilts, play bagpipes or anything having to do with their heritage. They persevered and today they are so very proud to share their history and culture with visitors to their country. When some felt brave enough to ask me questions about what was happening in our country, I made absolutely sure I spoke as honestly as I could. I let them know that I was proudly a part of the resistance and that eventually we would get our country back much like they did. Everywhere I went, I could see these people did not like the orange man. They see him destroying a country they felt was a true beacon of democracy. I see them determined to not let that happen to them again and they have become more vigilant. I made some really great friends and told them about all the substacks that I read and they could read to know that truth about what is happening in America. I would recommend to anyone that is able to travel and see the people and cultures in other countries. It is eye-opening! I am glad to be back and more than ready to fight really hard for the America that I love. Thanks for asking, Robert!
Thank You Peggy for this description of your journey to Scotland. My heritage is northern European, but I much prefer the Scottish ancestry I have and know, back to the MacGregor clan (Rob Roy) and how the Brits back then persecuted this clan, especially after many surrounding had caved to the Brits so that the MacGregor's became - 'persona non grata' which was a significant cause for immigration by many of that clan's members to the states in the 18th century coming through the Carolina's... Thanks ~
Dale, my sister and I have always wanted to go to Scotland because my biological father's ancestors came from there. We were told our clan (we use the McLellan version) were pretty rough! When my sister did a little digging, she said that one version has our name meaning 'son of the bastard' but I certainly hope someone was pulling her leg! It was so informative and interesting to find out about Scottish history! My daughter-in-law asked me if I would go back and I said 'yes mam, I would, in the blink of an eye'! It was a wonderful experience!
“Clan Gregor”, who were actually outlawed by the Scottish Parliament just before Jamie Saxt hoofed it down to London.
Thanks for this added bit of information re: “Clan Gregor”. It fills out what I (thought) I knew about my family history.
Peggy, I have Scottish heritage and glad you visited there. Welcome back! Joan
Me too and thoroughly enjoyed getting to know a few people there when I visited 9 years ago.
Thanks, Joan! I had a wonderful time!
Thanks, Peggy, but I was hoping you’d mention actual places, and your impressions thereof.
Also, remember that most of the attacks on Highland people and culture came from Edinburgh (including a possible early attempt at genocide) rather than London, cf. „In London they don’t care about us. In Edinburgh they hate us.”
Meanwhile, in September 2017 I visited Warsaw and wore a MAGA hat. Reaction was uniformly positive. There was even one guy who treated me, in perfect English, to a well-informed discourse on the damage being done by Yog-Soros and the EUSSR.
This post seems to suggest that Poland is pro-trump, responding positively to a MAGA hat. It's not necessarily surprising given their history of antisemitism and actions and non-actions during WWII. But I wonder how this fits with all the remarks on Scotland and its more enlightened reaction to the U.S.'s slide into authoritarianism.
When you consider how Poland was betrayed by Britain and the US, even to the extent of a court legitimising holocaust denial against it, and subsequently having to fight back against the Brussels-based Viertes Reich demanding that it accept invaders, it’s not surprising that a substantial number of Poles, enough to elect a government, realise that the Donald offers real hope.
“given their history of antisemitism and actions and non-actions during WWII”, forsooth! They’ve been a bit hamfisted in countering Germany’s attempts to shift blame for the Holocaust, admittedly, but that’s no excuse for the utter rubbish cited at the start of this paragraph.
“But I wonder how this fits with all the remarks on Scotland and its more enlightened reaction to the U.S.'s slide into authoritarianism.”
Quite simple. The Scottish electorate is one of thickest in the world (I know them too well), and most of their information is regurgitated from
US fake news, uncritically repeated by U.K. outlets - “enlightened”????
How many times does it have to be noted that dropping Kimmler was a business decision by ABC affiliates?
And if you really want to downplay the “Great Replacement Theory”, quit appearing to gloat over “whites” being reduced to minority status in their own European and North American homelands, and then acting surprised when those up for replacement object, and find politicians to channel their fears.
Trump's insatiable appetite for unrestricted power.
Donald Hodgins <silencenotbad@gmail.com>
2:16 AM (1 minute ago)
The more it gets, the more it wants! Robert depicted the source of our woes as "Chet" from Weird Science after Kelly LaBrock had transformed him into a pile of shit. Trump is enthralled with the idea that he is free to do whatever, and no one will interfere with his endless desire to simply get more of anything he wants. He's the spoiled brat running around in an uncontrolled manner telling the nanny what to do, in between diaper changes. His endeavor to control the news media goes way beyond scary, shades of "AH" leaves a bitter taste in the mouths of people who wonder where we're going. It's so frustrating knowing what the problem is and understanding its solution, all the while unable to exact the answer. How do we get from where the problem lies to where we've regained the status quo with Donald Trump standing squarely between the two points? We've all seen the movie where a very young girl who keeps an ample supply of tissue paper stored conveniently in her bra collapses in a drunken stupor. Her attentive partner then appears to have representations of good and evil standing upon each shoulder giving him conflicting suggestions. This is where "Chet" is, except the advice he's getting is emanating from Stephen Miller and Russel Vought, good doesn't enter into the conversation. With Trump's cabinet being filled with individuals who can offer no "intelligent" support, this country is being run by a bunch of morons. Free speech seems to be out the window along with what's left of the First amendment. Trump is chipping away at our personal freedoms, and the Republicans in power are allowing him to run rampant as did the spoiled child in the nursery.
We know this; how do we get there? We should not have let it get this far.
Don't forget the supreme court, ultimate arbiter.
The counter is broken yet again.
Following you from Europe. You are so right. Hopefully October the 18th will be attended by all Americans for your rights and FREE SPEECH. It’s horrific watching your country turning into a dictatorship…we already are watching how Putin is trying to invade the Eastern countries ( Poland -Lithuania 😡). And Trump just watching. He should have been in jail for a long time !
Can we hope for European protests on October 18th? This is, after all, world-wide, not just us U.S.
To be sure, Authoritarians are not American patriots. They must be confronted in every way possible way and at every level. As Dr. Reich, said today, "Trump is a Madman". He must be stopped now.
There are so many TRAITORS to the American Constitution in the United States with extreme wealth and power, including, the majority of Supreme Court justices, Donald Trump, JD Vance, and all Republicans in the Senate and the House who have mortgaged their souls). It will take a miracle to rectify what has already happened, short of a revolution (peaceful or otherwise). These people will not fade away without a struggle. They will not allow legitimate, peaceful elections to take place in 2026; whereby National power is transferred to the Democratic Party.
I like to think that when the time comes, there will be some who will sheepishly try to step back and hide into obscurity. They know they are in the wrong and when the opposition (us) gains enough strength, they will run and hide.
Israel has to reduce surviving Hamas members and supporters in Gaza to precisely that mental state.
Western countries could help Israel by bringing about such conditions among Hamas supporters in educational institutions and newsrooms.
The Donald’s actually cleaning up Demshevik treason and its consequences, e.g., Zombama should have been impeached for inviting invasion and attacking states trying to deal with it, as clearly laid out in your joke Dorian Gray „constitution”.
ICE has not yet deported Trevor Noah, who is a South African immigrant, is Black, and is in the media .
Does he still have a show?
He is supposedly retired from “The Daly Show” .
Don't give them ideas.
I think that he is safe .
Safe if out of site!?
Trevor Noah is half white; father Swiss, mother African. Perhaps he can legally stay in the U.S. half the year.
This administration doesn’t understand the value of opposing voices. I hope your voice remains loud and undaunted!
I think it understands the POWER of opposing voices....hence, it is desparately trying to squash as much of it as possible before the Mid-term elections in a frantic race to ensure they stay in power.
💞🇺🇸💞 This broadcast exceeds any you have done to date to stir supporters of democracy into action! May each of us - regardless of age, political affiliation, or personal faith - be challenged to show up on No Kings Day as a visible representation America’s commitment to uphold the Constitution of the UNITED States of America. 🇺🇸💙🤍❤️🇺🇸
Not only do I agree with you Irene....but I want to suggest that on October 18 signboards reference our new "Free Speech" movement. Have the courage to fight for free speech and for democracy. Other signs: Boycott the Cowards Who Caved: ABC, Disney, Amazon, etc., etc.,
It is impossible to have self rule if we do not participate in free speech and make it our business to know what is going on in our government. It is also important to support the leaders in office and those running for office who believe in the Constitution and respect the rule of law. Billionaires should not exist, the wealth inequality allows the very rich to buy media and control things that should not be suppressed or controlled, from our bodies to our minds, we must have freedom of self determination, and freedom of thought.
Is SNL next?
I’m surprised it wasn’t first.