This perhaps illustrates Piketty's observation that the natural form of government, from Babylon to the present, is autocracy. Whether your economic system starts with Adam Smith or Karl Marx, money will sooner or later take over and you end up with the plutocracy/kleptocracy of Trump and Putin. Here, tiny groups of individuals control most of the money, and everyone else is a peasant. Smith foresaw this, and thought that progressive taxation would be used to control capitalism. This worked well in America until in 1980 it ran headlong into Milton Friedman and Ronald Reagan, best described as a couple of horse's asses. They allowed the Heritage Foundation, along with the Mercers and the Kochs to set up an American kleptocracy not unlike Putin's. Kleptocracies thrive on lies peddled to the peasants. In America, however, the possibility of true democracy can always be resurrected. We just have to get a few million people to stop voting against their wallets....
I don't think anyone in leadership positions in both parties do either, even Republicans who are not seditionists. Honestly I can't see how this doesn't get worse...I wish I did.
I didn't know this, but it makes sense. Let me tell you something you may not know. Reagan was demented the day he entered the oval office, so when we say "Reagan did such and such" we are actually referring to a bunch of hidden guys with hidden agendas.
Yes, Reagan was used, no doubt. I have read that he had Alzheimer's. When it manifested in his presidency, I don't know. He seemed to know his lines, and there was a lot accomplished for the hard right. Even taxing Social Security, which in theory was already paid for in taxes. I realize that a president is not alone, usually. They have advisers and handlers, and a cabinet. It was a downturn for sure. Got their money's worth, for sure, and continue to get it. I have long suspected that the people who run things are not elected, and are not even known.
DZK & Laurie: Is the fact that others manipulated a brain-dead actor to push their agenda any different than Cheney-Bush2 or Putin-Trump?
..Or that much more dangerous to the country than picking brain-dead VPs (Quayle & Palin) to make the ticket look more appealing?
And, what was the deal with Wilson's VP, Marshall? He told such bad jokes that they preferred to let Mrs. Wilson and a few advisors making decisions after his stroke?? But, they still needed Indiana votes so badly in the 1916 reelection effort that they couldn't replace him?
I've posted that link for consideration here before. It's >always< worth posting in the proper context. It's a good yarn with an interesting message told from a German perspective.
A contributor to the problem is that too many people think they are smart enough to control massive events. …that they are mental giants who can ride and control great tidal waves and tsunamis, like the macho surf boarders who ride the greatest waves. They hop on any wave that they think will take them towards their tax cut or deregulation, thinking they can steer events wherever they desire. …and, that there is no risk that an uncontrollable feedback loop or destructive tsunami can be unleashed.
Interestingly, Koch Industries grew by supplying high quality jet fuel to Hitler, because the Koch patriarch was upset that communist Russia was a threat to his profits. Now, his son enables Putin and his strongmen ilk.
I really hate to have to pay tax on our SS benefit! Reagan also took away some tax deductions for itemizers & had sky high interest rates on cars & home mortgages. My kids were young then in elementary & middle school & life was tight living on a monthly military paycheck & part time teacher aide job. It was so much better when Clinton came into office & by ‘86 I had to return to my federal job after a 12 year hiatus to raise kids. I believe the 70s & 80s were awful times for politics but were fun times for music, movies, dancing & fad clothes!
Boy was that a real 80s mistake bringing an extremist right wing Media Co into the US! I would like to see them kicked to the curb sooner rather than later!
I disagree with Piketty, I suppose, and rather firmly. I suggest that our understanding of political concepts, especially in America, is a fearful jumble, because of our origins. There are concepts in politics that Americans simply cannot embrace, not having the national experience or understanding of opposite views that characterize Old World autocracy. Putin stands out from the rest of the rat heap for having a coherent ideology that can be understood and criticized. The others - Trump, Carlson, and the GOP - are simply bottom-feeders and carrion-eaters in a place far more noble than they are. I should like to sprinkle a bit of these ideas here and there. They are "radical," I suppose, but I yearn for the challenge.
One of the first things we learned in Junior High was that "you can't have a negative hypothesis," when writing a report. You can't because it's impossible to prove a negative. Time and time again, though, the so-called conservatives back us into a corner and we're foolish enough to accept their rhetoric, then try to explain it away by failing to prove a negative.
The moderates and liberals didn't invent "Counter Culture." The far right invented it. They came up with the term, came up with the concept, and publicized the heck out of it until the term was accepted into the current vernacular. Once embedded, moderates and liberals then tried to explain that they weren't engaging in it. That sealed the deal. Counter Culture became a real thing. We're the ones who gave it life and stuck ourselves with the impossible task of trying to prove a negative.
Meanwhile, it's the conservatives who are trying to cancel authentic history, minority rights, voting rights, women's rights, all while rewriting laws to keep our money flowing up hill into their possession. We need to recognize this tactic, call it out each time they come up with a new accusation, and stop answering their false charges by trying to prove that we're not doing something that they invented.
A very good post. The right wing never gives concrete examples of any of their propaganda because they can't. They just keep hitting with negatives and, unfortunately, the media picks up on it.
The media is a huge part of the problem.. even sources that used to be reliable... they are more interested in obtaining "clicks" than reporting the truth... VERY frustrating and EXTREMELY scary. I woudn't be surprised if all the liars (up through the international level) meet weekly to coordinate priorities, lies, and strategies. -- when tfg was "in office" and came out with a new one, I always thought he'd just got off the phone with vlad (to be given his marching orders) & then "faux" (to give them theirs). There IS hope: those who missed it should go back a few weeks into Professor Reich's newsletters to find the one listing reputable sources...
I just read your comment. The conspiracy part jibes with my comment. Is all this a coordinated strategy by Russia working with American allies, spies, moles, and useful idiots to defeat us from within?
I would like to add that advertising such as “cancel culture” is similarly problematic to the misguided advertising using the word “defund the police”. What a counterproductive term.
That's why US jurisprudence is based on the presumption of innocence, and thus requires proof of guilt. The defense only needs to refute the prosecution's evidence of guilt and is not required to show evidence proving the defendant is not guilty.
good morning Professor. When do you sleep? Thank you for doing this. I agree with you that the vast majority of people are simply pawns in global struggle. Since I, and everyone else, I know in RT is just a pawn. #ithurtsmyheart. I have never watched Tucker Carlson but defense that Russia never called him a racist, is, I suspect, simply false. Russia spread division, some in "favor" of BLM and some "opposed." The goal was to get people who live in the USA to hate other people who live in the USA. I think they succeeded beyond what they dreamed of.
Like a fox guarding the proverbial henhouse, the authoritarians want to control everyone with religion and 'tradition' while they prey on people and rob them.
Remember 20th Century Fox that made the old movies? They were originally a movie studio that provided affordable entertainment. I don't think Murdoch has been around that long - and >affordable< is no longer part of the business model in movies.
I always assumed it was, but I don't know that for a fact. Perhaps someone else here can answer that question. Paramount and Disney are certainly still around.
Hey! You just created a slogan the Democrats ought to consider using: "The FOX hungers to guard the henhouse!" (Or words to the effect that'll stick in the ear and bounce around in the brain!)
They have called those left of them, 'snowflakes' too. and other even sillier names to amuse themselves. They do not regard us, or respect us. Respect comes from Latin, respicere, which means 'look back at', 'regard'. It seems fun to call names (and I have done it too), but really, respect can allow us to try to get to know our opponents. That is why Dr. Reich encourages us to communicate directly with people with whom we disagree. Not easy to do every time, but it can be productive, especially when people are actually listening to each other. It may be key to a nonviolent revolution.
Yeah. How's that workin' out in Ukraine? The key is that it >must< go two ways. This runs parallel to the best argument I know of >against< pure Socialism - or Communism. It requires that humans be better than they either are or are capable of being. Both parties >must< be willing to hear the other - and that doesn't really happen in nature!
DZK ; Ukraine is not a non violent revolution. It was a sovereign country that is brutally attacked just because Putin wanted it and has no REGARD for its people or decency at all!
DZK ; I think it would be interesting to look at history and see if there were changes on a large scale that were beneficial for most in the culture that were not violent.
DZK ; By the time it comes to violence, respect is gone. It did not exist before the violence. Discussion ended or never happened. That is why the authoritarians want to control communication and the flow of ideas. They do not want people to get together and co-operate,
The common link is the alleged fear of 'the other' whether Jews under Hitler,the West under Putin,or indeed non white non WASP advancement.If your political philosophy has logical inconsistencies within it which can be spotted too readily then you have to create a blanket of rhetoric to smother doubts among the insecure eg the suppression of 'my' culture or 'my' sovereignty.I was mildly surprised to learn from his spirited defence of J.K.Rowling that Putin reads Harry Potter, but guess that living in isolation in the Kremlin makes you start to believe in magic spells and broomsticks.
@Archangel. I agree, except it isn't only to cover their logical inconsistencies and rejection of real historical lessons; no, it is also a specific attack aimed at disabling the voices of reason and fact, because reason and fact go against what they are trying to do, essentially rob the nation of the better part of its wealth. They are doing pretty well too when you see so many on the right breaking the law to 'help the police'!
I wonder if Putin really believes in magic or if he even read J. K. Rowling, maybe there's another source that influenced him? There are wingers here who read books to decide what to ban.
Professor, Though admittedly, I haven’t thoroughly thought through your thesis, in my mind, Putin, unlike Trump and Carlson, has a very clear fascist ideology and presents a very clear idea of what an empire looks like. Borrowing some from Professor Timothy Snyder, Empire, in Putin’s mind, declares that one’s neighbor (e.g., Ukraine) doesn’t exist, its state doesn’t exist, its people aren’t really people. Putin as dictator has a right to tell them who they are. And if they don’t agree, he will destroy their elites; he will humiliate them. He will bring them to their knees, until they have no choice but to agree to be who he says they are.
As for Trump and Carlson, I sense they are consumed by one interest: the consolidation of wealth and power. And though, like Putin, Trump might exploit the aggrieved by validating their discontent with statements like the world, indeed, is broken, and “I alone can fix it,” I sense Trump solely is driven by insatiable greed and self-serving interests that stipulate complete power be subordinated to him and distributed, at his discretion, to those who own as opposed to those who do not.
IMHO Trump fits the totalitarian pattern and psyche. He and Fidel Castro had the same kind of upbringing, need for attention and survival skills (so far). Ditto Trujillo, Franco, and other caudillos. In baseball vernacular, all started on third and thought they hit a triple. Putin does not come from wealth, and if he has a hero, it's Stalin. But they were all demagogues and like Hitler, Mussolini, play to collective subconscious racism.
Daniel, Thank you for your reply, particularly given that this experiment in democracy called America has always been inextricably interwoven with white supremacy and its legacy.
@Daniel. Very interesting point you raise! But I wonder if Putin has a personal hero? He seems to me like the "original case" in the world today? I also wonder if Putin could have risen as high in any other society than the post-USSR Russia?
@Barbara. I think what you wrote here is right, but there is another part which is also correct ...distributed, at his discretion, to those... who will pay him!
This is all in full agreement with Umberto Eco’s book : « Riconoscere il fascismo », published 1997 ( How to recognise fascism ). It’s fundamental commitment with corporate interests ( in betrayal to the popular classes ) is clear from the beginnig… in Germany or Italy. Putinism is obviously one of them. In the Ukraine war he initiated there is far more at stake that some territories of eastern Ukraine.
Not much to add, except to say be wary of the "our" in the old conservative chestnut "our >way of life<." Who is this "our" they speak of? That'll give you a clue to the "way of life" they speak of, along with the "way of life" others must endure in service to it.
Well put. Leads me to wonder: there are "bad guys" currently in (or recently in, and striving to return to) control of "our," but what of other groups--those being squelched? What would they do were the shoe moved to other foot? Does any group aspire to control only "ours" without some of "theirs"? Who should decide where lies the line? May an individual hope to preserve fair "mine" without being isolationist and greedy? What constitutes "fair" and "right"? Not solely victim-hood or lip service to "fair? Is it distrust in the existence of fairness that drives people to believe in Trump? Are Democrats genuinely that fair group? If so, how do they convince the fearful and distrusting? How does democracy convince Russian citizens that Putin isn't saving them from "unfair"? Obviously, Trump and Putin aren't fair. Better, obviously, but I'm not convinced democrats are entirely fair. Or any "group think" organization. That's why people don't vote? It's why I always wish, without hope, for a truly wise, fair, benevolent dictator.
Nice follow-up questions. Indeed, what does "fair" mean? I question defaulting to the dictator you describe, though. https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-hccc-worldhistory2/chapter/enlightened-despotism/ Who is to follow such a mortal if such a mortal is even possible? The anointed of some god? Already tried. How 'bout a god incarnate? Caligula claimed to be one - after his brain melted down with fever!
True. That's why I wrote that I wish it without hope that such could exist. Still--and I know it's crazy--but I think, if made benevolent dictator, I could do a much better job than we've had going on. Just me. So it's hard to believe there isn't a suitable candidate out there. One problem is, in order to gain power here, you have to either take corrupt money to buy it or be a "popular personality," neither of which says you'd be a good benevolent dictator. But true, maybe it's just inherent in human nature that there can be no such thing. I'm reminded of someone's proposing that even Mother Theresa acted in her own, self-perceived best interest. Yes? No? Our species, itself, is doomed?
On another note: I'm newly encouraged! Just saw a hopeful sign on Twitter. Since retirement, I've discovered the vast power in age discrimination. Tweeters appear more and more to be referring to the GOP as being stuck in the past, having old ideas. I take that as a sure sign that the GOP is on its way out at the ballot box, since I doubt even anti-abortion stance is a more powerful force than hated of old folks!
I wouldn't start a'gettin' all ecstatic just yet! They could just feel about the current GOP gaggle the same way you feel about, in your words above, "just me," about being GOP politicians themselves. It could only imply that the current GOP candidates will be replaced with "new blood" from among young, new, ol' Tweetie's wannabes! (And following from your own words, they don't like >you!< - or me, for that matter!)
Now we are getting to the heart of the matter, Dr. Reich! Note Koch industries remain in Russia. Also their past support for Trump, Tea Party and much of the Right’s agenda. The Koch family is a perfect example of the oligarchs you refer to.
Also, as an example of what Prof. Reich has been teaching in his lectures that he is posting, Charles Koch's and his brothers' wealth was inherited from their father, not earned by them.
Carolyn Herz ; That is something I never knew about the Koch's wealth. That it was not earned by them. Generational wealth is something whispered about in our town/area. People talk about this or that person as being a 'trust fund baby', meaning that they were born into their wealth and never had to earn it.
I really hope you are right about Trump not being re-elected, the Ukraine not being subdued, and Tucker Carlson not being able to succeed in convincing Americans to believe his lies. These are my greatest fears now.
I recently attended a City Council meeting (along with several hundred others) to hear and voice arguments to support or reject the city’s proposal to “make elections more secure” which amounted to voter intimidation and suppression and overreached the county’s authority as well as adding a huge expense to the budget to “fix” a problem that didn’t even exist except in the minds of some people. Because of the high turnout, there wasn’t room in the auditorium for everyone so many of us stood in line and it was interesting to me to hear what people were saying on both sides. After the lunch break, many left and we were able to find seats inside and listen to the speeches prepared by those who had come to speak. I am happy to report that most speakers were against the measure as well as those of us who submitted written opinions and the proposal was overwhelmingly rejected.
I think the number one thing we need to do to lessen the power of the oligarchy in this country is to pass a constitutional amendment to expressly say that corporations are not people and money is not speech (overturn citizens united).
When even our 'progressive media' limit their 'news' to limit our knowledge we are on a slippery slope to Russia, where the 'ruler' Putin at this time, can just block out everything that is threatening to his control, and agenda. Fox news ridicules any other media that is not in sync with their messages, or worldview. It reminds me of churches wherein the message to their 'true believers' is that 'their God is the only God' and everyone else is gonna 'burn in hell'.
I find it significant that the right wing complaints about "cancel culture" are merely a reflection of their own desire to "cancel" anyone who does not conform to their ideas of what "superior" society should be, such as LGBTQ+ people, women, racial or religious minorities, liberals, etc. In fact, they are beginning to sound a lot like Nazi Germany in their desire to eliminate the "inferior" elements of society.
And a conversation with a local educator and her take on the home schooling wave cresting over our youth since the pandemic, sent a chill down my spine . Perhaps being a bit judgemental, but we always took 'homeschool'n' as isolationist, sociopathic behavior of parents wishing to protect das kinda from their perceived 'evils of society'. Turning a deaf ear and a blind eye towards the normal, socialization skills and experiences public and private schooling offers . And this falls hand in hand with privatization of America , i.e.; education, the postal service etc. also keen to the trump, carlson, putin line of thought. Control the input, control the output. In short, THE DUMBING DOWN OF AMERICA. This further insures that their pablum fed notions of fear, paranoia, racism, sexism, nationalism and hatred have an accepting and ignorant audience blindly hopping their train into the abyss.
Mark M. and Benjamin R. ; It is ironic that the home schooling thing is often used to scare people who want their children to not be exposed to bullying, drugs or ideas that interfere with religious faith. Eventually, kids grow up and must deal with the real world. It is not a kindness to keep them in the dark and unable to cope.
Exactly . And usually such parents are of the notion that it is their way or the highway no matter how obtuse . Just where authoritarians want young, simple, future voters . Marching in goose step !
Great analysis by you and the 10 or so others I read. Understanding is at best 10% of the battle. The rest comes under the heading of Exactly What Do We Do? This isn't just an intellectual debate. We need responses that stick in people's minds; that get them "fired up." Example: The Rep. response to the Clinton's "socialist" plan for health care. How can anyone forget the caricature of Uncle Sam slowly rising alongside a hospital bed. The voters we need to reach have been subtly brainwashed - there's no other term for it. Primary example is R.R.'s, "Hi, I from the government and I'm hear to help." The unspoken Rep. mantra is make as much money as you can in whatever way(s) you can get away with. The Dem. mantra is the role of government is to promote the overall well-being of all who live here. We need to forcefully counter the "socialism" attack. To date it's been extremely effective!
Repeat: the role of government is to promote the well-being of all who live here. Some might add: as long as you don’t use MY money to give it to people who don’t work. We as democrats, cannot ignore the role government spending plays in the psyche of voters.
@Carole. You are right, as far as you go. But it is the brainwashing as @Jeffrey mentioned that gets people to ignore (for example) pie charts showing how small the federal budget is for helping people compared to all the money that goes from "Blue" states to finance the economy and infrastructure needs of the "Red" states. So it is not the role of government spending ("on the wrong things") per se that infuriates the right - it is the constant drumbeat of lies, misdirection and cultural targets pushed by Rupert Murdoch and other oligarchs that leads people to vote against their own economic interests. @Jeffrey, please correct me if I got it wrong what you are saying?
Carole Mulvey ; I agree totally! It is a concern that the help for those truly needing asylum is balanced with our ability to take in and assimilate so many people fleeing not only the present war, but climate refugees and those escaping treachery all across South America and across the world. There are literally billions of people who can't afford a cup of coffee, are in deep poverty and killing famine and drought.
The brainwashing has been overt. IMHO cancel culture has been the Republican rhythm since the Nixon southern strategy identified weaknesses in the FDR Democratic coalition.
This perhaps illustrates Piketty's observation that the natural form of government, from Babylon to the present, is autocracy. Whether your economic system starts with Adam Smith or Karl Marx, money will sooner or later take over and you end up with the plutocracy/kleptocracy of Trump and Putin. Here, tiny groups of individuals control most of the money, and everyone else is a peasant. Smith foresaw this, and thought that progressive taxation would be used to control capitalism. This worked well in America until in 1980 it ran headlong into Milton Friedman and Ronald Reagan, best described as a couple of horse's asses. They allowed the Heritage Foundation, along with the Mercers and the Kochs to set up an American kleptocracy not unlike Putin's. Kleptocracies thrive on lies peddled to the peasants. In America, however, the possibility of true democracy can always be resurrected. We just have to get a few million people to stop voting against their wallets....
1980 was the second time it happened. It was happening very strongly in the 1920s but the great Depression and FDR stopped it.
What/who will stop it now? Today there is an entire political party supporting it.
Good question, I have no answer
I don't think anyone in leadership positions in both parties do either, even Republicans who are not seditionists. Honestly I can't see how this doesn't get worse...I wish I did.
Michael Hutchinson ; Ronald Reagan also welcomed Rupert Murdoch to America and even fast tracked his citizenship.
I didn't know this, but it makes sense. Let me tell you something you may not know. Reagan was demented the day he entered the oval office, so when we say "Reagan did such and such" we are actually referring to a bunch of hidden guys with hidden agendas.
Yes, Reagan was used, no doubt. I have read that he had Alzheimer's. When it manifested in his presidency, I don't know. He seemed to know his lines, and there was a lot accomplished for the hard right. Even taxing Social Security, which in theory was already paid for in taxes. I realize that a president is not alone, usually. They have advisers and handlers, and a cabinet. It was a downturn for sure. Got their money's worth, for sure, and continue to get it. I have long suspected that the people who run things are not elected, and are not even known.
Convenient how quickly the old cowboy actor turned up with a bad memory after he left office, don'cha think? >I< always did.
DZK ; Alzheimer's is not convenient, but who knows when it manifested? He certainly remembered his lines.
After all, who's a'gon'na subpoena an Alzheimer's victim to testify, huh?
Then again, he >was< an actor - and a Republican! And as we all know, Republicans embrace the big lies they find politically convenient.
See the link I posted to Mitch, below.
DZK & Laurie: Is the fact that others manipulated a brain-dead actor to push their agenda any different than Cheney-Bush2 or Putin-Trump?
..Or that much more dangerous to the country than picking brain-dead VPs (Quayle & Palin) to make the ticket look more appealing?
And, what was the deal with Wilson's VP, Marshall? He told such bad jokes that they preferred to let Mrs. Wilson and a few advisors making decisions after his stroke?? But, they still needed Indiana votes so badly in the 1916 reelection effort that they couldn't replace him?
Mitch ; Pence is sharp? I'm old, but don't remember Wilson's V.P. Marshall. Interesting to study history.
My friend, you have touched on something else I've >always< suspected. It struck me as I mused over why on earth someone would run a cowboy actor for president. (I was considerably younger at the time, and considerably more politically naïve - not that I'm all that sophisticated now!) Then it struck me: maybe he's just a mouthpiece! A few years later I came across this: https://www.amazon.com/Mephisto-Klaus-Maria-Brandauer/dp/B08D5ZXYYK/ref=sr_1_1?crid=FYZ25CHF1WES&keywords=mephisto+prime+video&qid=1648601827&sprefix=mephisto+prime+video%2Caps%2C362&sr=8-1
I've posted that link for consideration here before. It's >always< worth posting in the proper context. It's a good yarn with an interesting message told from a German perspective.
A contributor to the problem is that too many people think they are smart enough to control massive events. …that they are mental giants who can ride and control great tidal waves and tsunamis, like the macho surf boarders who ride the greatest waves. They hop on any wave that they think will take them towards their tax cut or deregulation, thinking they can steer events wherever they desire. …and, that there is no risk that an uncontrollable feedback loop or destructive tsunami can be unleashed.
Interestingly, Koch Industries grew by supplying high quality jet fuel to Hitler, because the Koch patriarch was upset that communist Russia was a threat to his profits. Now, his son enables Putin and his strongmen ilk.
I really hate to have to pay tax on our SS benefit! Reagan also took away some tax deductions for itemizers & had sky high interest rates on cars & home mortgages. My kids were young then in elementary & middle school & life was tight living on a monthly military paycheck & part time teacher aide job. It was so much better when Clinton came into office & by ‘86 I had to return to my federal job after a 12 year hiatus to raise kids. I believe the 70s & 80s were awful times for politics but were fun times for music, movies, dancing & fad clothes!
Boy was that a real 80s mistake bringing an extremist right wing Media Co into the US! I would like to see them kicked to the curb sooner rather than later!
I thought your term horses asses was charitable.
I thought it best to be polite.
😎
Well said.
I disagree with Piketty, I suppose, and rather firmly. I suggest that our understanding of political concepts, especially in America, is a fearful jumble, because of our origins. There are concepts in politics that Americans simply cannot embrace, not having the national experience or understanding of opposite views that characterize Old World autocracy. Putin stands out from the rest of the rat heap for having a coherent ideology that can be understood and criticized. The others - Trump, Carlson, and the GOP - are simply bottom-feeders and carrion-eaters in a place far more noble than they are. I should like to sprinkle a bit of these ideas here and there. They are "radical," I suppose, but I yearn for the challenge.
One of the first things we learned in Junior High was that "you can't have a negative hypothesis," when writing a report. You can't because it's impossible to prove a negative. Time and time again, though, the so-called conservatives back us into a corner and we're foolish enough to accept their rhetoric, then try to explain it away by failing to prove a negative.
The moderates and liberals didn't invent "Counter Culture." The far right invented it. They came up with the term, came up with the concept, and publicized the heck out of it until the term was accepted into the current vernacular. Once embedded, moderates and liberals then tried to explain that they weren't engaging in it. That sealed the deal. Counter Culture became a real thing. We're the ones who gave it life and stuck ourselves with the impossible task of trying to prove a negative.
Meanwhile, it's the conservatives who are trying to cancel authentic history, minority rights, voting rights, women's rights, all while rewriting laws to keep our money flowing up hill into their possession. We need to recognize this tactic, call it out each time they come up with a new accusation, and stop answering their false charges by trying to prove that we're not doing something that they invented.
A very good post. The right wing never gives concrete examples of any of their propaganda because they can't. They just keep hitting with negatives and, unfortunately, the media picks up on it.
The media is a huge part of the problem.. even sources that used to be reliable... they are more interested in obtaining "clicks" than reporting the truth... VERY frustrating and EXTREMELY scary. I woudn't be surprised if all the liars (up through the international level) meet weekly to coordinate priorities, lies, and strategies. -- when tfg was "in office" and came out with a new one, I always thought he'd just got off the phone with vlad (to be given his marching orders) & then "faux" (to give them theirs). There IS hope: those who missed it should go back a few weeks into Professor Reich's newsletters to find the one listing reputable sources...
I just read your comment. The conspiracy part jibes with my comment. Is all this a coordinated strategy by Russia working with American allies, spies, moles, and useful idiots to defeat us from within?
I think many are on vlad's payroll..
I would like to add that advertising such as “cancel culture” is similarly problematic to the misguided advertising using the word “defund the police”. What a counterproductive term.
Agreed. Whoever originated that phrase wasn't thinking.
The reason why many a rational person has decided to never appear on a show with Bill O'reilly etc., no...?
That's why US jurisprudence is based on the presumption of innocence, and thus requires proof of guilt. The defense only needs to refute the prosecution's evidence of guilt and is not required to show evidence proving the defendant is not guilty.
There is virtually nothing about Trump that ISN’T guilty.
Since you brought it up: https://youtu.be/iXTQ_4JJA4g
That's his way of life that he'll defend to your death!
Im simply quoting the dude.
He does like to brag a lot, doesn't he? He doesn't >believe< it's confessing to a crime. (Unfortunately, neither do his followers!)
You are so right.
Well put!
Brilliant
good morning Professor. When do you sleep? Thank you for doing this. I agree with you that the vast majority of people are simply pawns in global struggle. Since I, and everyone else, I know in RT is just a pawn. #ithurtsmyheart. I have never watched Tucker Carlson but defense that Russia never called him a racist, is, I suspect, simply false. Russia spread division, some in "favor" of BLM and some "opposed." The goal was to get people who live in the USA to hate other people who live in the USA. I think they succeeded beyond what they dreamed of.
Like a fox guarding the proverbial henhouse, the authoritarians want to control everyone with religion and 'tradition' while they prey on people and rob them.
"There's a sucker born every minute" is the basic belief of all authoritarians and Fox News.
Tim ; Yes, P.T. Barnum also had a big tent! I think that saying was attributed to him.
Rupert Murdoch, the founder or at least, the owner of Fox , most likely named it. He has an empire of 'news' all over the world.
Remember 20th Century Fox that made the old movies? They were originally a movie studio that provided affordable entertainment. I don't think Murdoch has been around that long - and >affordable< is no longer part of the business model in movies.
Whatever its history is, it's corrupt.
He is behind it anyway. Is the name Fox derived from the old 20th century Fox?
I always assumed it was, but I don't know that for a fact. Perhaps someone else here can answer that question. Paramount and Disney are certainly still around.
Whatever the answer is, Fox sucks, and so does Rupert Murdoch!
There is because they all breed in vast numbers
Hey! You just created a slogan the Democrats ought to consider using: "The FOX hungers to guard the henhouse!" (Or words to the effect that'll stick in the ear and bounce around in the brain!)
How about 'WE do not have to live in Fox's 'Henhouse'.
That's the kind of thing!
Fox News -- We guard the henhouse!
Fox news pulls teeth from chickens
We know it's fake, because chickens don't have teeth!
Fox would boil their feet too, to get every bit out of 'em.
LOL! Whatever that means, I like it!
I grew up with chickens. They don't have teeth. Fox pulls imaginary teeth, just like their "facts."
Gotit!
Oh, and BTW, the Fox company dentist is their imaginary "Dr." -- Rand Paul.
He loonmites a lot...
Not too well tooned, though.
He's also well known for his diagnostics -- specializing in imaginary bone spurs
Interesting change in the sense of the word pronounced "pray" using a single letter.
Telling?
Both are forms of predation.
At least in some places.
Awww, get back in your henhouse! (When someone starts feeding you FOX.)
DZK ; Good one!
It'd probably be too cerebral - belay that! - "elitist" for them to understand!
Sadly, they would not likely 'get' it.
They call us sheep: we call them hens!
They have called those left of them, 'snowflakes' too. and other even sillier names to amuse themselves. They do not regard us, or respect us. Respect comes from Latin, respicere, which means 'look back at', 'regard'. It seems fun to call names (and I have done it too), but really, respect can allow us to try to get to know our opponents. That is why Dr. Reich encourages us to communicate directly with people with whom we disagree. Not easy to do every time, but it can be productive, especially when people are actually listening to each other. It may be key to a nonviolent revolution.
Yeah. How's that workin' out in Ukraine? The key is that it >must< go two ways. This runs parallel to the best argument I know of >against< pure Socialism - or Communism. It requires that humans be better than they either are or are capable of being. Both parties >must< be willing to hear the other - and that doesn't really happen in nature!
Respect is a two way street. Putin respects no one!
DZK ; Ukraine is not a non violent revolution. It was a sovereign country that is brutally attacked just because Putin wanted it and has no REGARD for its people or decency at all!
Now consider >any< revolution in history. Peaceful is not a word that ever really applies.
DZK ; I think it would be interesting to look at history and see if there were changes on a large scale that were beneficial for most in the culture that were not violent.
DZK ; By the time it comes to violence, respect is gone. It did not exist before the violence. Discussion ended or never happened. That is why the authoritarians want to control communication and the flow of ideas. They do not want people to get together and co-operate,
The war in Ukraine is not applicable, because there was no dialogue. It may have been preventable, had there been a real and respectful discussion.
Y'mean it's >just like< the FOX henhouse?
Does Fox engage in thoughtful respectful discussions?
DZK ; I think people are a little distracted at the moment. Keeping people off balance is a good way to keep them from being able to discuss much.
See my update to the comment you're responding to.
DZK ; Respect is a two way interaction. Putin has none for anyone.
DZK ; Or henhouse 'guards', AKA predators!
Unfortunately, it's probably 20 years too late!
Not for me! I escaped decades ago and will not return!
Clearly! But I'm talkin' about the target audience they've developed.
The common link is the alleged fear of 'the other' whether Jews under Hitler,the West under Putin,or indeed non white non WASP advancement.If your political philosophy has logical inconsistencies within it which can be spotted too readily then you have to create a blanket of rhetoric to smother doubts among the insecure eg the suppression of 'my' culture or 'my' sovereignty.I was mildly surprised to learn from his spirited defence of J.K.Rowling that Putin reads Harry Potter, but guess that living in isolation in the Kremlin makes you start to believe in magic spells and broomsticks.
@Archangel. I agree, except it isn't only to cover their logical inconsistencies and rejection of real historical lessons; no, it is also a specific attack aimed at disabling the voices of reason and fact, because reason and fact go against what they are trying to do, essentially rob the nation of the better part of its wealth. They are doing pretty well too when you see so many on the right breaking the law to 'help the police'!
Especially when they use those who are so young they have not reached the age of reason.
I wonder if Putin really believes in magic or if he even read J. K. Rowling, maybe there's another source that influenced him? There are wingers here who read books to decide what to ban.
Professor, Though admittedly, I haven’t thoroughly thought through your thesis, in my mind, Putin, unlike Trump and Carlson, has a very clear fascist ideology and presents a very clear idea of what an empire looks like. Borrowing some from Professor Timothy Snyder, Empire, in Putin’s mind, declares that one’s neighbor (e.g., Ukraine) doesn’t exist, its state doesn’t exist, its people aren’t really people. Putin as dictator has a right to tell them who they are. And if they don’t agree, he will destroy their elites; he will humiliate them. He will bring them to their knees, until they have no choice but to agree to be who he says they are.
As for Trump and Carlson, I sense they are consumed by one interest: the consolidation of wealth and power. And though, like Putin, Trump might exploit the aggrieved by validating their discontent with statements like the world, indeed, is broken, and “I alone can fix it,” I sense Trump solely is driven by insatiable greed and self-serving interests that stipulate complete power be subordinated to him and distributed, at his discretion, to those who own as opposed to those who do not.
IMHO Trump fits the totalitarian pattern and psyche. He and Fidel Castro had the same kind of upbringing, need for attention and survival skills (so far). Ditto Trujillo, Franco, and other caudillos. In baseball vernacular, all started on third and thought they hit a triple. Putin does not come from wealth, and if he has a hero, it's Stalin. But they were all demagogues and like Hitler, Mussolini, play to collective subconscious racism.
Daniel, Thank you for your reply, particularly given that this experiment in democracy called America has always been inextricably interwoven with white supremacy and its legacy.
@Daniel. Very interesting point you raise! But I wonder if Putin has a personal hero? He seems to me like the "original case" in the world today? I also wonder if Putin could have risen as high in any other society than the post-USSR Russia?
Benjamin ; I saw this post by Greg Palast about Putin's 'rise' ;
GregPalast.com (https://gregpalast.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=33e4ec877eed6a43863a4a92e&id=904e4d1177&e=d70e51e9ef)
Daniel Solomon ; Putin was hired by the oligarchs. See my response to Benjamin below.
@Barbara. I think what you wrote here is right, but there is another part which is also correct ...distributed, at his discretion, to those... who will pay him!
Benjamin, Sincere thanks both for the validation and for the extension, providing a larger, more complete view.
This is all in full agreement with Umberto Eco’s book : « Riconoscere il fascismo », published 1997 ( How to recognise fascism ). It’s fundamental commitment with corporate interests ( in betrayal to the popular classes ) is clear from the beginnig… in Germany or Italy. Putinism is obviously one of them. In the Ukraine war he initiated there is far more at stake that some territories of eastern Ukraine.
Not much to add, except to say be wary of the "our" in the old conservative chestnut "our >way of life<." Who is this "our" they speak of? That'll give you a clue to the "way of life" they speak of, along with the "way of life" others must endure in service to it.
Well put. Leads me to wonder: there are "bad guys" currently in (or recently in, and striving to return to) control of "our," but what of other groups--those being squelched? What would they do were the shoe moved to other foot? Does any group aspire to control only "ours" without some of "theirs"? Who should decide where lies the line? May an individual hope to preserve fair "mine" without being isolationist and greedy? What constitutes "fair" and "right"? Not solely victim-hood or lip service to "fair? Is it distrust in the existence of fairness that drives people to believe in Trump? Are Democrats genuinely that fair group? If so, how do they convince the fearful and distrusting? How does democracy convince Russian citizens that Putin isn't saving them from "unfair"? Obviously, Trump and Putin aren't fair. Better, obviously, but I'm not convinced democrats are entirely fair. Or any "group think" organization. That's why people don't vote? It's why I always wish, without hope, for a truly wise, fair, benevolent dictator.
Nice follow-up questions. Indeed, what does "fair" mean? I question defaulting to the dictator you describe, though. https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-hccc-worldhistory2/chapter/enlightened-despotism/ Who is to follow such a mortal if such a mortal is even possible? The anointed of some god? Already tried. How 'bout a god incarnate? Caligula claimed to be one - after his brain melted down with fever!
True. That's why I wrote that I wish it without hope that such could exist. Still--and I know it's crazy--but I think, if made benevolent dictator, I could do a much better job than we've had going on. Just me. So it's hard to believe there isn't a suitable candidate out there. One problem is, in order to gain power here, you have to either take corrupt money to buy it or be a "popular personality," neither of which says you'd be a good benevolent dictator. But true, maybe it's just inherent in human nature that there can be no such thing. I'm reminded of someone's proposing that even Mother Theresa acted in her own, self-perceived best interest. Yes? No? Our species, itself, is doomed?
That's a rhetorical question, right ‽
Aren't they all, lol.
On another note: I'm newly encouraged! Just saw a hopeful sign on Twitter. Since retirement, I've discovered the vast power in age discrimination. Tweeters appear more and more to be referring to the GOP as being stuck in the past, having old ideas. I take that as a sure sign that the GOP is on its way out at the ballot box, since I doubt even anti-abortion stance is a more powerful force than hated of old folks!
I wouldn't start a'gettin' all ecstatic just yet! They could just feel about the current GOP gaggle the same way you feel about, in your words above, "just me," about being GOP politicians themselves. It could only imply that the current GOP candidates will be replaced with "new blood" from among young, new, ol' Tweetie's wannabes! (And following from your own words, they don't like >you!< - or me, for that matter!)
DZK ; Like the 'traditions' of religion and even war.
Now we are getting to the heart of the matter, Dr. Reich! Note Koch industries remain in Russia. Also their past support for Trump, Tea Party and much of the Right’s agenda. The Koch family is a perfect example of the oligarchs you refer to.
Also, as an example of what Prof. Reich has been teaching in his lectures that he is posting, Charles Koch's and his brothers' wealth was inherited from their father, not earned by them.
Carolyn Herz ; That is something I never knew about the Koch's wealth. That it was not earned by them. Generational wealth is something whispered about in our town/area. People talk about this or that person as being a 'trust fund baby', meaning that they were born into their wealth and never had to earn it.
thanks, John Mentzos ; Good information and good point!
I really hope you are right about Trump not being re-elected, the Ukraine not being subdued, and Tucker Carlson not being able to succeed in convincing Americans to believe his lies. These are my greatest fears now.
I recently attended a City Council meeting (along with several hundred others) to hear and voice arguments to support or reject the city’s proposal to “make elections more secure” which amounted to voter intimidation and suppression and overreached the county’s authority as well as adding a huge expense to the budget to “fix” a problem that didn’t even exist except in the minds of some people. Because of the high turnout, there wasn’t room in the auditorium for everyone so many of us stood in line and it was interesting to me to hear what people were saying on both sides. After the lunch break, many left and we were able to find seats inside and listen to the speeches prepared by those who had come to speak. I am happy to report that most speakers were against the measure as well as those of us who submitted written opinions and the proposal was overwhelmingly rejected.
I think the number one thing we need to do to lessen the power of the oligarchy in this country is to pass a constitutional amendment to expressly say that corporations are not people and money is not speech (overturn citizens united).
When even our 'progressive media' limit their 'news' to limit our knowledge we are on a slippery slope to Russia, where the 'ruler' Putin at this time, can just block out everything that is threatening to his control, and agenda. Fox news ridicules any other media that is not in sync with their messages, or worldview. It reminds me of churches wherein the message to their 'true believers' is that 'their God is the only God' and everyone else is gonna 'burn in hell'.
The FOX is guarding the henhouse!
I find it significant that the right wing complaints about "cancel culture" are merely a reflection of their own desire to "cancel" anyone who does not conform to their ideas of what "superior" society should be, such as LGBTQ+ people, women, racial or religious minorities, liberals, etc. In fact, they are beginning to sound a lot like Nazi Germany in their desire to eliminate the "inferior" elements of society.
If I accuse you first, I win!
And a conversation with a local educator and her take on the home schooling wave cresting over our youth since the pandemic, sent a chill down my spine . Perhaps being a bit judgemental, but we always took 'homeschool'n' as isolationist, sociopathic behavior of parents wishing to protect das kinda from their perceived 'evils of society'. Turning a deaf ear and a blind eye towards the normal, socialization skills and experiences public and private schooling offers . And this falls hand in hand with privatization of America , i.e.; education, the postal service etc. also keen to the trump, carlson, putin line of thought. Control the input, control the output. In short, THE DUMBING DOWN OF AMERICA. This further insures that their pablum fed notions of fear, paranoia, racism, sexism, nationalism and hatred have an accepting and ignorant audience blindly hopping their train into the abyss.
@Mark. Yes, and it is scary.
Mark M. and Benjamin R. ; It is ironic that the home schooling thing is often used to scare people who want their children to not be exposed to bullying, drugs or ideas that interfere with religious faith. Eventually, kids grow up and must deal with the real world. It is not a kindness to keep them in the dark and unable to cope.
Exactly . And usually such parents are of the notion that it is their way or the highway no matter how obtuse . Just where authoritarians want young, simple, future voters . Marching in goose step !
Great analysis by you and the 10 or so others I read. Understanding is at best 10% of the battle. The rest comes under the heading of Exactly What Do We Do? This isn't just an intellectual debate. We need responses that stick in people's minds; that get them "fired up." Example: The Rep. response to the Clinton's "socialist" plan for health care. How can anyone forget the caricature of Uncle Sam slowly rising alongside a hospital bed. The voters we need to reach have been subtly brainwashed - there's no other term for it. Primary example is R.R.'s, "Hi, I from the government and I'm hear to help." The unspoken Rep. mantra is make as much money as you can in whatever way(s) you can get away with. The Dem. mantra is the role of government is to promote the overall well-being of all who live here. We need to forcefully counter the "socialism" attack. To date it's been extremely effective!
Repeat: the role of government is to promote the well-being of all who live here. Some might add: as long as you don’t use MY money to give it to people who don’t work. We as democrats, cannot ignore the role government spending plays in the psyche of voters.
@Carole. You are right, as far as you go. But it is the brainwashing as @Jeffrey mentioned that gets people to ignore (for example) pie charts showing how small the federal budget is for helping people compared to all the money that goes from "Blue" states to finance the economy and infrastructure needs of the "Red" states. So it is not the role of government spending ("on the wrong things") per se that infuriates the right - it is the constant drumbeat of lies, misdirection and cultural targets pushed by Rupert Murdoch and other oligarchs that leads people to vote against their own economic interests. @Jeffrey, please correct me if I got it wrong what you are saying?
Carole Mulvey ; I agree totally! It is a concern that the help for those truly needing asylum is balanced with our ability to take in and assimilate so many people fleeing not only the present war, but climate refugees and those escaping treachery all across South America and across the world. There are literally billions of people who can't afford a cup of coffee, are in deep poverty and killing famine and drought.
The brainwashing has been overt. IMHO cancel culture has been the Republican rhythm since the Nixon southern strategy identified weaknesses in the FDR Democratic coalition.
Alternative hypothesis: Playbook by Steve Bannon, all the oiligarchs and autocrats use it.