Hundreds of working class people who answered Donald Trump’s call on January 6th are sitting in prison today, but the ringleader, the guy without whom those people would not be in jail, walks free…
"Man is the only animal that devours its own kind".
The left works to end human suffering, while the right destroys what the left creates and then tortures the poor. The rich believe they should be the leaders because they are smarter than everyone else, yet they are just sadistic common thugs. If they lead man anywhere it will be to hell on Earth!
Our founding fathers who knew of all of this needed to limit the amount of wealth an individual can accumulate to hold the Republic!
Our founding fathers were rich white, land-owning men who enslaved black people and, essentially, women as well as marginalizing and impoverishing poor whites. THAT's originalism. They had no cares for limiting the amount of wealthy they and their brethren accumulated.
It’s amazing despite the imperfections of our founding fathers, how prescient they were. Hyper-Capitalism and upward mobility has replaced the idea of a nation of laws not men. We stopped teaching civics. How can we keep a republic when we’ve lost the understanding of what it is. I guess we will find out this year.
Your comments are all true but we are not going to find out "this year." If you haven't noticed the perpetual wars and mass murder of black and brown people that both parties engage in equally (Democrats now more than Republcans), or Biden's Crime Bill of 1994 that essentially started our for-profit carceral state, or our proxy wars using the armies of other countries to do our dirty work...these things have been going on as ou point out since our country's founding, and Jow Biden is part of the reason Trump is in office in the first place. I would argue that Trump is more likely to upset that system (not necessarily in a good way) than Biden who is the utmost servant of it.
"Jow Biden?" OK, maybe I'll make allowance for a typo, but that isn't a common one. You provide no back up for Democrats mass murdering black and brown people, "more than Republicans." Where'd you get that gem from?
As for the proxy wars, those are generated by the military industrial complex, which is primarily a Republican thing. I should know; I worked as a director at one of the largest defense companies in the world and I was "encouraged" to join their Political Action Committee (I went to one meeting and that was it.) The company gave to both parties; much more to Republicans, though because (in the words of the company president) "They are much more favorable to us." Because I worked on the business development side, I interfaced with executives of some of the biggest defense firms in the world. If you know the name of the company, I most likely knew many of the execs. Not one was, to my knowledge and based on our discussions, was Democrat. I kept my political leanings close to the vest out of necessity. We also gave to certain Democrats to hedge our bets. That's how the game is played. I once believed in all the hype about "defending democracy" but it was never about that. It was about making certain people rich[er] and protecting corporate interests around the globe. Stop trying to smear the Democrats with what the right wing has been doing for decades. They aren't perfect, but they aren't tyrants.
Again, it is the billionaires, as Thom points out, who further these things. And they, my friend, are Republican to the core. I do agree with you regarding the for-profit carceral state, but the private prison industry is owned by Republicans and is primarily based in the South. Trump won't do anything but talk, while behind the scenes accelerating the looting of the USA on behalf of himself, primarily, and those billionaires who support him. As you say, the upset won't be "necessarily in a good way."
And I need to add that when the right-wing SCOTUS made political bribery legal, it put Democrats into the bind of having to play along to get donors. He/She with the biggest electoral war chest almost always wins. So, pass legislation favorable to donors (or at least don't oppose it), or don't bother to even try to get elected.
I get the part about the Democrats having to play along, but I do blame them for not playing hardball like the Republicans seem to be able to do. We need to expand the Supreme Court, instead they seem to be worried about the optics, so nothing gets done and people get angry and don't vote or they vote for someone who wants to tear it all down.
Totally agree arshambow. I am a severe critic of the Democrats and Biden, because they are timid and don't play hardball. The Problem is the DNC, and it's strategists, they are gun shy and effete, soft and afraid of their own shadow. We need an aggressive DNC. And the public eats up hyperbole.
The problem with the DNC and it's strategists, is that they are "high brow", they won't stoop to the gutter, and they are out of touch with the Americans just like that asshole Dr Oz.
Americans for the most part, aren't tuned into politics and the world scene like we are, they are busy earning a living, listening to the radio while on a long commute to and from work, shopping for food, taking kids to school, watching their kids in a play or at play. Worrying whether to buy new clothes or call an electrician, deciding whether to buy food or medicine.
They don't live in the real world, they live in a bubble called the Beltway.
It seems the Democrats only know how to play hardball with the progressives ( remembering what they did to Bernie Sanders), they don't want to piss the wrong people off or they will lose money.
This corruption was organized and has been executed by Republicans factions throughout . You can torture the truth by blaming Democrats , but it’s a damn lie.
The Heritage Foundation has created the rules of engagement for Republicans right down the line.
Paying off SC judges that will do and have done their bidding.
Reagan another noteworthy lying bastard who started out telling the working class to “tighten their belts “
While sending enrich the rich messages constantly .
It’s still going on , how that gets twisted
to make Joe Biden the alleged kingpin of all this evil . It boggles the mind . It’s like a ‘ spin the wheel’ with only Democratic leaders names on it .
Republicans supporting Trump ( the evil lying wizard behind the curtain) are enriching themselves and their own malevolent greed.
Thanks Suzie. But your words fall on deaf ears with Boris. He is on a mission and that is to disrupt and distract, to get Trump elected. Putin needs Trump.
His responses are more erudite and seemingly "rational" than your garden variety troll. Either he is being fed the text or he is a true believer - another well-educated MAGA - educated, but not all that smart. I know he can't be changed, but his rhetoric needs to be challenged.
4 indictments, 91 felony counts but still can't believe Trump hasn't been charged with insurrection. Insurrection refers to acts of violence, but it's not the only charge that could apply. Seditious conspiracy, may be an effort to overthrow the United States government.
18 USC §2383. Rebellion or insurrection
Whoever incites, sets on foot, assists, or engages in any rebellion or insurrection against the authority of the United States or the laws thereof, or gives aid or comfort thereto, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States.
18 U.S. Code § 2384 - Seditious conspiracy
If two or more persons in any State or Territory, or in any place subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, conspire to overthrow, put down, or to destroy by force the Government of the United States, or to levy war against them, or to oppose by force the authority thereof, or by force to prevent, hinder, or delay the execution of any law of the United States, or by force to seize, take, or possess any property of the United States contrary to the authority thereof, they shall each be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than twenty years, or both.
Today on Robert Hubbell and Joyce Vance we discussed the NY case. Vance said "We can expect Trump to try the predictable last-ditch efforts of the desperate, like firing his lawyer or sudden illness, we can also expect the Judge to be prepared."
I don't know much about NY state law, but if I were Trump's lawyer I'd be looking into pre trial intervention, ARD (advanced rehabilitative disposition) or whatever procedure they have to avoid trial.
In most states first time offenders may be able to avoid an open court hearing and adjudication can be withheld pending a final probation.
Trump has little or no self control. I imagine that the last thing he wants is to have to sit through days of embarrassing, humiliating ridicule. I'm also sure that his internal polls show that he has little or no hope of winning an election if convicted He has civil exposure that no one discusses. The 5 DC civil cases could be as devastating as his current judgments.
Considering the odds on 91 felony counts, and the threat that he will lose all his property, I'd bet his lawyers seek a global deal.
I appreciate your comments and hope you are right. I see Trump as being in dementia and I'm not sure anyone, especially his lawyers, whom is used to bullying, will be able to talk him into cutting his losses and bowing out.
I don’t doubt Trump has a form of dementia, and in his case, some physicians think he has frontotemporal dementia based upon his gait, his word substitutions, and his increasing anger and willingness to call for violence and bloodshed against his critics. If we are unfortunate enough to experience a second Trump administration, our polity won’t survive.
Daniel, the fix is in, pretty evidenct when his bond was reduced and given 10 days to get it.
And the SDNY is in on it, that is why they dumped the docs a year after they were needed, but just when Trump needed them.
DOJ and the judiciary are either in on it for ideological reasons, financial reasons or to save their own skin.
These people aren't stupid and can read the tea leaves from an insiders POV. If not corrupted by ideology or money, they are hedging their bets against Trump being elected, they know that he will come after his enemies, he has said so and he has 40%of the nation if not more, as true believers that will do as they are told, and a good portion of them will easily be violent.
so we have fear of Trumps vengeance if elected, fear of Trumps cult if he isn't and they know that if Biden is elected, Biden won't come after them, neither will the Democrats..
The ball is in Trumps side of the court, and the judges, and lawyers know it, as does DOJ, which was already in his court when Biden appointed Garland and kept Tump's last minute appointees.
The appellate division could did not have Trump's inconsistent statements -- Truth Social-- in the record before them and therefore accepted the "in forma pauperis" bullshit. This may come back to haunt Trump later.
The other day I noted that Trump violated the DC gag order and the judge can hold an immediate hearing.
IMHO the true believers, seeing that they can do jail time, are not nearly as energized as in 2020. They also have been infiltrated and many make a living as CIs, confidential informants.
In response to your very insightful words, Thom: "That outrage, hopefully, will lead to some real and meaningful change in America if we can take our country back from the corrupt and well-funded GOP this year," I'd like to put what you are saying in the 4th Turning perspective. In our last 4th Turning, the "meaningful change" was the leap from the outrageous inequality of the late 1920's into the early 1930's....to the post-Great-Depression-WWII 90% tax on the rich while the GI-Bill gave free education to returning GI soldiers and we built the largest middle class the world had yet seen. Neil Howe in his book "The 4th Turning Is Here" calls this last phase of the Crisis the "resolution"....in which "the big problems are resolved and the new order established." But, he also, notes, positive results only follow IF the egalitarian side is "triumphant" during the climax of the 4th Turning Crisis. We are currently in the fourth phase of this Crisis--the "consolidation" phase--in which we are recognizing that our renewed sense of community is "in a true struggle for survival." That is becoming perfectly clear, is it not? We either keep Joe Biden in the White House this November....or we lose our republic and our democracy. It's that simple....and absolutely vital. Only then can we enact the many, urgently needed changes to our Supreme Court, our laws, our elections, our healthcare, education, the climate crisis, etc. So, in my view, we need to do both now: save our democracy & republic while also looking ahead and planning for changes in the post-Crisis First Turning....like we did in our last First Turning (the 1950's)....
Lets not forget how these same billionaires are causing such high prices in the supermarkets. Making billions while jacking up prices. Also lowering content.
This may be the best essay I've seen you write. Too bad it's not in the NYT or WAPO. Thanks for all you do, but don't let this much truth telling get you down. I believe you grew-up in GR, where I practiced psychiatry for 16 yrs., retiring 7/4/12 to ramble through the net and write, when I moved back to WI, where I did my medical/psychiatric training and a far, far more beautiful state than MI.
Kalief Browder spent 800 hours in solitary confinement and attempted suicide unsuccessfully in Rikers several times. He was released though and soon successfully killed himself at home.
He spent three years in Rikers after being accused of stealing a backpack. He never had a trial.
I walked from Sarasota to Tallahassee in 2014 at 81 in honor of Doris Haddock (Granny D). She walked across the whole US in 1999 at age 89 for campaign finance reform. Google her. When I walked I had T shirts that said "Money is not Speech. Corporations are not People". I sounded like a broken record when I spoke. I referred to the Franklin remark to Mrs Powell, :a republic if you can keep it" and the Powell Memorandum of 1971. There were many who were aware of what was happening to our Gov. Thanks Mr. Hartmann for referring to us as a republic, not a democracy, and mentioning Powell/Frankin and Justice Powell (hmmm wonder if they're related) We need a charismatic leader to organize us. Sadly that's what Trump is. A modern Pied Piper.
Thank you for reminding of the Occupy movement. I was tangentially involved with the Sarasota/Bradenton group. Also I forgot to give Move to Amend credit. They were a sponsor of the Tallahassee walk. I'll blame it on my 91 year old brain. :-) They are doing incredible work. I'm still in touch but not active.
Yes, open primaries may be a second level of what needs to be changed. However unless we admit our govt. is dysfunctional, address the issues that make it so, and commit to addressing those we will face our expiration date. When my generation, I'm 91, is more hopeful than those following me something is radically wrong. When the foundation of a house is crumbling worrying about the living room carpet ain't gonna do it. The three things, in my opinion, that need fixing are: campaign financing, gerrymandering and the Electoral College. As Monk would say, "one more thing"........a democracy will not survive without an educated populace. Living in Sarasota, FL I'm a witness to how that's being undermined. Moms4Liberty was born here by a member of our school board!!! Apologies for blathering.
Guess all the complaining worked! “NBC NEWS plans to drop ex RNC-chair Ronna McDaniel as a paid contributor following on-air revolt from NBC/MSNBC talent. Execs are deliberating over details; announcement pending. Meanwhile, McDaniel is seeking legal representation. “
Speaking for myself, and I believe, many others, Thom, we know this and we believe you, but you're speaking to the choir. Personally, I write a lot of blogs and letters to editors, often quoting or using your ideas, but I wish that I could perceive them circulating more in our media and in the general public. Speaking truth to power is risky and not easy, but we all appreciate everything you're saying and doing....and have for so many years.
To start, I'd like to know, on Main Street, WHO still bemoans the loss of the "Golden Years", of the Reagan administration when, the once upon a time Hollywood actor (sound familiar), and his wife, "just say NO", Nance, there was 18% interest, high inflation, a 50%+ tax cut on Wall Street, trickle UP not down, which didn't work for Thatcher either, Union busting, merger mania, deregulation, the beginnings of mass incarceration and privatizing institutions where profits rule over humanity, is beyond my intellect. If that knowledge makes me woke, well, I'm woke.
Reagan did say "Tear down that Wall" and 50+ years later we have a criminal convincing the country "To build a Wall" because migrants are the problem and why there is no middle class.
There is no true middle class for many reasons, but one must look to history to know about how damaging the Reagan years were and how, today's MAGA is different, and is not your father's Republican Party, if that was so great. I add the Founder's mistake was not understanding majority rule, or liking it, so they went the ill way of the Electoral College. It worked when the country was a few but not when it is now 300M+ more.
I read in another substack that, personally, angered me to a different degree as it took, from me, the hope in my fellow citizens to realize what we are up against, entitled "Joe Biden's Parting Gift to America Will be Christian Fascism", and I apparently am, both, naive and the smartest person in a room full of experts. Please allow me to explain.
I began to learn political history, as my life has taken me far from my school degrees, and I wanted some self-loathing activity to engage in, and had forgotten, because, well Biden, at nearly twice my age, could lap me 1000x in memory, and I started with a book by Elizabeth Drew, as a DC reporter, for the Post during the Nixon admin, along with my legacy hero Bob Woodward. He gets people to talk. I digress.
That start produced another 200+ books, from centuries ago through today. It taught me the tip of the iceberg. I have more books to read than years of my life. Most Americans, with little precious time or interest, don't get above the waterline and don't even know the basics of what Trump has been found guilty of, the laws surrounding those results, believe without a shred of evidence because they see no contradiction to their beliefs, don't understand how a man beholden to foreign entities and adversaries will affect them, not to mention his "dictator for a day", loss of their hard earned retirements and medical care, undocumented migrants do work Americans wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole, and Trump is notorious for hiring them, don't vote and if they do it is, statistically, not even worth the time to talk about, drugs will permeate this country until there is no demand as the drugs, today, are cheap, foreign sourced from all over the world, and require so little to get high, they can be brought in and re-engineered , by ever changing supply chains and ingredients, that ensure the supply to the dealers and addicts, they adapt and no wall or ending immigration will stop DRUGS. ICYMI migrants are far less likely to commit crime than native born citizens in all crime areas. By HUGE percentages. That is an issue that has been used over and over and over and for another day and without ROE, MAGA needs something or they'd have passed the immigration bill, Biden was to sign, against Amnesty International calling it the most inhume measure to date. I said let the MAGA have the border and use their weapons, militias, and gun everyone down. Do you know how long that would last? Yet, that is what Trump is telling the country he'd do on day one.
The above piece, about Biden and fascism, blames both parties and I'm not stupid to think Democrats or whatever allegiance you hang your hat on, unless you are MAGA, first your responsibility is to this republic but they all take money from people, places and things. Trump grifts. There is a difference, folks. I remember the nothing burger when Pelosi was scathed on SM about eating gelato in front of her Sub-Zero fridge during COVID instead of how many people were dying and why. Who cares about gelato?
Bemoan Congress insider trading, when an entire community, on X and elsewhere, is committed to hours talking of a 15k sell-off of Boeing stock, which will make the IRS more money because the elected official dumped it, right or wrong, or making money, salary and perks, as a professional, elected official within rules, when said professional is working their best to protect the country, in terms of the government.
The government is reactive, uses money like water, exposes no truths beyond the veil, if it were on Wall Street it would have been long gone, and that is that. I am all for capitalism but not run amok. I'm not Bernie. I'm not blaming Biden for the world's problems even though he's been around the same amount of decades as Trump. I shame those for the "hum-drum" because, folks, life is "hum-drum". Yet, we are at a point hum-drum needs to convert to knowledge and voting and forget the rest until democracy is saved. If it isn't, everything this piece and the one I mentioned WILL NOT MATTER. NO SCOTUS. NO MEDIA. ONLY HAVES and HAVE NOTS, but worse. Far worse.. No need to fret over the middle class or another election.
H Biden was hawked for 6 years, and is still fighting tax and gun indictments, while the board of the corporation, Trump's meme stock merged with, has Jr., another who was a chief of staff in Trump's admin, Trump gets 56% of the vote for stockholders and is aligned with China. The surety bond in his "rape" and defamation case was secured by Chubb and Evan Greenberg who is aligned with Russia. You can't keep saying HOAX to a person with any kind of know how in discernment and logic.
The article explains Biden's inability to pass more New Deal laws and didn't. "Scuse me? As a an interested American I can say he has or has attempted to do mostly what he set out to do but the POTUS can't change the price of groceries or set fuel costs, or alienate all of Wall Street, which in a standard, built of the impossible, he's actually done more of, optically than others, and put pen to the paper in cases where he can.
It is never enough and it will never be enough. There will never be clean coal. No one can stop AI but we can make training for such jobs cheaper and easier so Harvard isn't the only college that churns out smart people. In fact, those not Harvard educated I view as better citizens and future leaders. DEI, or Musk's DIE, was done to roll back, thank you insurrectionist husband, Black SCOTUS justice who should take a trip to hell with Cannon, civil rights progress by a billionaire and a couple of Asian Americans. Mind blowing. This might piss off people. But really?
I'm not going to burn myself outside of a consulate because we have had nearly three years of innocence killed, raped, tortured in Ukraine that is like America, in trying desperately to hang on to a democracy, after Shokin and the Russian defector Poroshenko got their corrupt asses voted out. I might change my mind after a zen buddist retreat, in the Plum Village, prior to Thich That Hanh's death, to understand.
My point is that whether you understand, or not, the problems HERE, in the richest country in the world, which one can complain, be pissed off at, about eggs or radically burn themselves to expose the atrocities committed in the world, and threaten to destroy this country when this administration isn't responsible for the world's burdens, making the outrage look pointless, in these last 3 years.
What does that say about the same populist "LOOK AT ME" that Trump does when he declares himself a martyr or victim? Do you think he cares about that young man or that he promised clean coal and that people can't buy eggs? I'm using extremes, I realize this. People are disengaged and need teachers, not literally, but to learn what preponderance of the evidence is, how one state's court decisions affect your state and why those elections matter MORE, how originalists on the SCOTUS, as the Federalist Society teaches, are of absolutely no use and are political hacks. The Founders knew a changing dynamic must be met with changing interpretations. Ambition must be met with Ambition or close to that. How is it the SCOTUS rules the state's control voting rights, still being gutted, but can't keep a person off their own ballot because of a bad look? Did they define or answer the insurrection question about Trump in the request, by CO? NO.
There will always be billionaires. Exposing them and telling and teaching Americans about them is the problem and if we eek out this election those with a voice need it everywhere to start the teaching on day one. Not town halls, not here, not SM. I haven't done enough. Most haven't. Some have done too much for others. A collective effort to end the Electoral College, codify laws, and start action not afraid of Wall Street but asking them, until forcing them, how they'd like to begin to be responsible corporate citizens and if it takes the veil away, then it must be immediately done if given the chance. We aren't who we were but we have sins to pay for, people to help and educate, train. I could go on for days. My intention is only to point to my own opining and knowledge about all the nothing burgers that, today, people worry about without stopping to understand what may come of their complaints in November if they can't find their conscience buried in lies and conspiracy theories because it is easier to hate than to learn.
"Too big to fail" logically gives way to "Too big to jail".
These are stage-4 symptoms of a cancer riddled multi-tier justice sickness.
How are we to expect everyday people to respect ANY law when clearly there are criminal exemptions for those with enough money and/ or influence? It's ridiculous.
One system for the people.
One system for the white collar criminal class.
One system for the T's: The treasonous, the tyrannical, and the Trumps.
Corruption seems to be the end of the path given enough time. The people seem to prefer the lesson to remind them of the dangers of allowing your elected representatives to act as kings. Being blind to the dangers so clearly before us we act as if these conditions are normal. In order to win the majority must focus on the people that run for elections that match our higher ideas. Not perfectly but at least going in the right direction by every election ongoing. That takes time and constant action by us in the right direction. We get better in time whatever upsets that do occur. Nobody wins at one go. The other side will not give up no matter how badly we beat them at the polls. Forever warrior.
I am surely tired of reading what 'we must do' and 'what must be done' with no actual way to effectively make these things happening.
I think you need to be honest. Only a VIOLENT revolution of revolt is going to rectify our corrupted system. And acknowledge that millions will die before we win. Our chances of actually winning in November seem to be growing smaller and smaller because we know the GOP is busy cheating, and concocting ways of corrupting the upcoming elections, not to mention the stupidity of the American populace, no small thanks to the corrupted billionaire-purchased media that has misinformed the public for decades. While hope still remains, it gets dimmer by the day, and those at the top (rumpt) continues to get every break, chance, and postponement of accountability until he steals the election and does away with all charges as he arrests all his enemies and maybe even has them murdered. Think not?
Thom is doing a service by writing about the issues; he and others like him, through their words, are the best chance we have of effecting non-violent change. Don't expect him or any one of us to have all the answers.
I certainly hope you are wrong, yet I am fearful you are right. It is possible that the coming world war will reset much before a local, civil war will happen. The billionaires and other uber-wealthy know the pitchforks are coming which is why they are already plotting to use violence and martial law, etc., to quell civil unrest, while making contingency plans for when things get too hot. Some are investing in huge, self-sustaining, yachts because nowhere on dry land will they be safe. The abortion issue and future plans to attack contraception and impose theocracy may be their ultimate undoing. As Napoleon Bonaparte pointed out "Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich." The right wing hopes forced religion will work for them, as it has in the past, but that may not be the case.
Had an interesting discussion this morning with three ladies on god and “his” religion. They invited me to a bible class tomorrow. As a recovering Catholic I politely declined and explained to them the horrible way my dad was treated in an orphanage and then raised me in a Catholic Church. Bad experience also.
I wholly agree with what you've said. And of course, I hope I'm wrong, too! But if history has ever told us anything, while the rising up of 'the people' will ultimately prevail, it is the loss of hordes of those said peoples that it takes to prevail. I fear that we are in for another period of 'dark ages' and medieval times before - if our planet and humanity lasts - there is a renewed age of enlightenment.
I read a book on how revolutions get started and what surprised me is that poor people almost never rise up. They are too focused on just surviving. Revolutions come about when people used to a middle class or better life are suddenly denied their economic position. This is exactly what is happening here with the Republican/Corporate gutting of the middle class. It isn't poverty that sparks the fire, but a lowering of economic position. I apologize for not remembering/citing the source.
The transfer of wealth to the billionaire class from the middle class is achieving fascist goals faster than people realize. The primary blame for that is our Republican cultists and Ball-less and ovaryless Democrats!
As Thom so eloquently wrote recently we need to stop the Republican plan of another January 6th happening in 2025!
Yes, I was also surprised by that, but it certainly makes sense. Like Lenin and Trotsky came from the educated and upper classes. As well as most folks back when. Only the wealthy and the church had educated people in them. (men, of course). Also, because the poor never did have anything, just as minorities (such as African Americans) have always had it difficult and struggling. So they are less apt to be bitter and angry. I am certainly bitter and angry how this country has turned from the country I grew up in. But then again, I was working class, and bought all the memes and lies of the past for way too long.
You might also look into the nonpartisan WA state group that is in coalition with democracy groups all across the country. FixDemocracyFirst.org You might also get into one of their weekly Democracy Happy Hour zooms every Wednesday at 5PM PT/8PM ET.
@Arlene "Our chances of actually winning in November seem to be growing smaller and smaller....."
Nah. Gen Z could be be 40% of the electorate and they rend heavily Democratic.
Properly motivated, we can sweep. To protect American democracy, reach out to millions of unregistered likely Democrats using a dedicated database using every outreach method possible (phone and text, postcard, email and targeted ad, and in-person too), where new Democratic voters will make the most impact – in the most flippable states and districts.
I don't disagree, except that the GenZ might not actually make it to the polls. (I hope that is wholly wrong!). As in when Bernie ran, they gave up and didn't bother to actually vote, and that hurt us. Thanks for the web link.
That’s their intent! Confuse and mentally wear us down! The media is mostly owned by the billionaires. Equality Republican style is a billionaire spending a hundred million to your $100 donation to your party. That’s the new fascist reality of equality! Sucker!
Thom, thank you again. On both sides of the culture divide, I hear so much about our "democracy" being under threat. You've nailed the more profound threat that's missed (evidently) by so many. OUR particular "democracy" hangs and swings in the cradle of a constitutional republic. It's the republic and its rule of law that allows our democracy any legitimacy it may have. And it's nothing less than our rule of law -- our very republic -- under threat these days. Thank you for recognizing and calling that profundity for what it really is. Our "democracy," if we lose it -- is little more than collateral damage to the real loss here.
"Man is the only animal that devours its own kind".
The left works to end human suffering, while the right destroys what the left creates and then tortures the poor. The rich believe they should be the leaders because they are smarter than everyone else, yet they are just sadistic common thugs. If they lead man anywhere it will be to hell on Earth!
Our founding fathers who knew of all of this needed to limit the amount of wealth an individual can accumulate to hold the Republic!
Our founding fathers were rich white, land-owning men who enslaved black people and, essentially, women as well as marginalizing and impoverishing poor whites. THAT's originalism. They had no cares for limiting the amount of wealthy they and their brethren accumulated.
It’s amazing despite the imperfections of our founding fathers, how prescient they were. Hyper-Capitalism and upward mobility has replaced the idea of a nation of laws not men. We stopped teaching civics. How can we keep a republic when we’ve lost the understanding of what it is. I guess we will find out this year.
Your comments are all true but we are not going to find out "this year." If you haven't noticed the perpetual wars and mass murder of black and brown people that both parties engage in equally (Democrats now more than Republcans), or Biden's Crime Bill of 1994 that essentially started our for-profit carceral state, or our proxy wars using the armies of other countries to do our dirty work...these things have been going on as ou point out since our country's founding, and Jow Biden is part of the reason Trump is in office in the first place. I would argue that Trump is more likely to upset that system (not necessarily in a good way) than Biden who is the utmost servant of it.
"Jow Biden?" OK, maybe I'll make allowance for a typo, but that isn't a common one. You provide no back up for Democrats mass murdering black and brown people, "more than Republicans." Where'd you get that gem from?
As for the proxy wars, those are generated by the military industrial complex, which is primarily a Republican thing. I should know; I worked as a director at one of the largest defense companies in the world and I was "encouraged" to join their Political Action Committee (I went to one meeting and that was it.) The company gave to both parties; much more to Republicans, though because (in the words of the company president) "They are much more favorable to us." Because I worked on the business development side, I interfaced with executives of some of the biggest defense firms in the world. If you know the name of the company, I most likely knew many of the execs. Not one was, to my knowledge and based on our discussions, was Democrat. I kept my political leanings close to the vest out of necessity. We also gave to certain Democrats to hedge our bets. That's how the game is played. I once believed in all the hype about "defending democracy" but it was never about that. It was about making certain people rich[er] and protecting corporate interests around the globe. Stop trying to smear the Democrats with what the right wing has been doing for decades. They aren't perfect, but they aren't tyrants.
Again, it is the billionaires, as Thom points out, who further these things. And they, my friend, are Republican to the core. I do agree with you regarding the for-profit carceral state, but the private prison industry is owned by Republicans and is primarily based in the South. Trump won't do anything but talk, while behind the scenes accelerating the looting of the USA on behalf of himself, primarily, and those billionaires who support him. As you say, the upset won't be "necessarily in a good way."
And I need to add that when the right-wing SCOTUS made political bribery legal, it put Democrats into the bind of having to play along to get donors. He/She with the biggest electoral war chest almost always wins. So, pass legislation favorable to donors (or at least don't oppose it), or don't bother to even try to get elected.
I get the part about the Democrats having to play along, but I do blame them for not playing hardball like the Republicans seem to be able to do. We need to expand the Supreme Court, instead they seem to be worried about the optics, so nothing gets done and people get angry and don't vote or they vote for someone who wants to tear it all down.
Totally agree arshambow. I am a severe critic of the Democrats and Biden, because they are timid and don't play hardball. The Problem is the DNC, and it's strategists, they are gun shy and effete, soft and afraid of their own shadow. We need an aggressive DNC. And the public eats up hyperbole.
The problem with the DNC and it's strategists, is that they are "high brow", they won't stoop to the gutter, and they are out of touch with the Americans just like that asshole Dr Oz.
Americans for the most part, aren't tuned into politics and the world scene like we are, they are busy earning a living, listening to the radio while on a long commute to and from work, shopping for food, taking kids to school, watching their kids in a play or at play. Worrying whether to buy new clothes or call an electrician, deciding whether to buy food or medicine.
They don't live in the real world, they live in a bubble called the Beltway.
It seems the Democrats only know how to play hardball with the progressives ( remembering what they did to Bernie Sanders), they don't want to piss the wrong people off or they will lose money.
Merick the Meek Garland is poster child for what you point out.
This corruption was organized and has been executed by Republicans factions throughout . You can torture the truth by blaming Democrats , but it’s a damn lie.
The Heritage Foundation has created the rules of engagement for Republicans right down the line.
Paying off SC judges that will do and have done their bidding.
Reagan another noteworthy lying bastard who started out telling the working class to “tighten their belts “
While sending enrich the rich messages constantly .
It’s still going on , how that gets twisted
to make Joe Biden the alleged kingpin of all this evil . It boggles the mind . It’s like a ‘ spin the wheel’ with only Democratic leaders names on it .
Republicans supporting Trump ( the evil lying wizard behind the curtain) are enriching themselves and their own malevolent greed.
Thanks Suzie. But your words fall on deaf ears with Boris. He is on a mission and that is to disrupt and distract, to get Trump elected. Putin needs Trump.
His responses are more erudite and seemingly "rational" than your garden variety troll. Either he is being fed the text or he is a true believer - another well-educated MAGA - educated, but not all that smart. I know he can't be changed, but his rhetoric needs to be challenged.
Always Biden Boris, Never Putin or Trump, Never ever. Whatever your real name Boris, you should get fired, you are such a transparent troll.
Biden is more a servant of the "system" than Trump, you say, that statement alone gets one rolling on the floor laughing their ass off
4 indictments, 91 felony counts but still can't believe Trump hasn't been charged with insurrection. Insurrection refers to acts of violence, but it's not the only charge that could apply. Seditious conspiracy, may be an effort to overthrow the United States government.
18 USC §2383. Rebellion or insurrection
Whoever incites, sets on foot, assists, or engages in any rebellion or insurrection against the authority of the United States or the laws thereof, or gives aid or comfort thereto, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States.
18 U.S. Code § 2384 - Seditious conspiracy
If two or more persons in any State or Territory, or in any place subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, conspire to overthrow, put down, or to destroy by force the Government of the United States, or to levy war against them, or to oppose by force the authority thereof, or by force to prevent, hinder, or delay the execution of any law of the United States, or by force to seize, take, or possess any property of the United States contrary to the authority thereof, they shall each be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than twenty years, or both.
The Proud Boys and Oath Keepers. were convicted of seditious conspiracy. https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/jury-convicts-four-leaders-proud-boys-seditious-conspiracy-related-us-capitol-breach
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/four-additional-oath-keepers-sentenced-seditious-conspiracy-related-us-capitol-breach
Today on Robert Hubbell and Joyce Vance we discussed the NY case. Vance said "We can expect Trump to try the predictable last-ditch efforts of the desperate, like firing his lawyer or sudden illness, we can also expect the Judge to be prepared."
I don't know much about NY state law, but if I were Trump's lawyer I'd be looking into pre trial intervention, ARD (advanced rehabilitative disposition) or whatever procedure they have to avoid trial.
In most states first time offenders may be able to avoid an open court hearing and adjudication can be withheld pending a final probation.
Trump has little or no self control. I imagine that the last thing he wants is to have to sit through days of embarrassing, humiliating ridicule. I'm also sure that his internal polls show that he has little or no hope of winning an election if convicted He has civil exposure that no one discusses. The 5 DC civil cases could be as devastating as his current judgments.
Considering the odds on 91 felony counts, and the threat that he will lose all his property, I'd bet his lawyers seek a global deal.
I appreciate your comments and hope you are right. I see Trump as being in dementia and I'm not sure anyone, especially his lawyers, whom is used to bullying, will be able to talk him into cutting his losses and bowing out.
I don’t doubt Trump has a form of dementia, and in his case, some physicians think he has frontotemporal dementia based upon his gait, his word substitutions, and his increasing anger and willingness to call for violence and bloodshed against his critics. If we are unfortunate enough to experience a second Trump administration, our polity won’t survive.
Daniel, the fix is in, pretty evidenct when his bond was reduced and given 10 days to get it.
And the SDNY is in on it, that is why they dumped the docs a year after they were needed, but just when Trump needed them.
DOJ and the judiciary are either in on it for ideological reasons, financial reasons or to save their own skin.
These people aren't stupid and can read the tea leaves from an insiders POV. If not corrupted by ideology or money, they are hedging their bets against Trump being elected, they know that he will come after his enemies, he has said so and he has 40%of the nation if not more, as true believers that will do as they are told, and a good portion of them will easily be violent.
so we have fear of Trumps vengeance if elected, fear of Trumps cult if he isn't and they know that if Biden is elected, Biden won't come after them, neither will the Democrats..
The ball is in Trumps side of the court, and the judges, and lawyers know it, as does DOJ, which was already in his court when Biden appointed Garland and kept Tump's last minute appointees.
The appellate division could did not have Trump's inconsistent statements -- Truth Social-- in the record before them and therefore accepted the "in forma pauperis" bullshit. This may come back to haunt Trump later.
The other day I noted that Trump violated the DC gag order and the judge can hold an immediate hearing.
IMHO the true believers, seeing that they can do jail time, are not nearly as energized as in 2020. They also have been infiltrated and many make a living as CIs, confidential informants.
IMHO millions of unregistered women are not noticed by the polls, and they will be registered and will vote. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVUsBHUBvS8
I think that one guy like you can also engage the enemy and either neutralize them or convert them. Consider the veterans who voted twice for Trump only to discover he considers them to be "suckers or losers." Here's Fred's Substack. https://fpwellman.substack.com/p/ted-cruz-unites-everyone-against?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=1504219&post_id=142947558&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=zc69i&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email
Here's how to engage the enemy. Check out the military sites. Be a social warrior!
https://share.fieldteam6.org/campaign/F6DDBE84-04F4-4C96-A5FA-7E22A07FEDDB
In response to your very insightful words, Thom: "That outrage, hopefully, will lead to some real and meaningful change in America if we can take our country back from the corrupt and well-funded GOP this year," I'd like to put what you are saying in the 4th Turning perspective. In our last 4th Turning, the "meaningful change" was the leap from the outrageous inequality of the late 1920's into the early 1930's....to the post-Great-Depression-WWII 90% tax on the rich while the GI-Bill gave free education to returning GI soldiers and we built the largest middle class the world had yet seen. Neil Howe in his book "The 4th Turning Is Here" calls this last phase of the Crisis the "resolution"....in which "the big problems are resolved and the new order established." But, he also, notes, positive results only follow IF the egalitarian side is "triumphant" during the climax of the 4th Turning Crisis. We are currently in the fourth phase of this Crisis--the "consolidation" phase--in which we are recognizing that our renewed sense of community is "in a true struggle for survival." That is becoming perfectly clear, is it not? We either keep Joe Biden in the White House this November....or we lose our republic and our democracy. It's that simple....and absolutely vital. Only then can we enact the many, urgently needed changes to our Supreme Court, our laws, our elections, our healthcare, education, the climate crisis, etc. So, in my view, we need to do both now: save our democracy & republic while also looking ahead and planning for changes in the post-Crisis First Turning....like we did in our last First Turning (the 1950's)....
Lets not forget how these same billionaires are causing such high prices in the supermarkets. Making billions while jacking up prices. Also lowering content.
My son calls it "greedflation."
This may be the best essay I've seen you write. Too bad it's not in the NYT or WAPO. Thanks for all you do, but don't let this much truth telling get you down. I believe you grew-up in GR, where I practiced psychiatry for 16 yrs., retiring 7/4/12 to ramble through the net and write, when I moved back to WI, where I did my medical/psychiatric training and a far, far more beautiful state than MI.
Thom pretty well covered the bases on this one, didn't he?
Kalief Browder spent 800 hours in solitary confinement and attempted suicide unsuccessfully in Rikers several times. He was released though and soon successfully killed himself at home.
He spent three years in Rikers after being accused of stealing a backpack. He never had a trial.
I walked from Sarasota to Tallahassee in 2014 at 81 in honor of Doris Haddock (Granny D). She walked across the whole US in 1999 at age 89 for campaign finance reform. Google her. When I walked I had T shirts that said "Money is not Speech. Corporations are not People". I sounded like a broken record when I spoke. I referred to the Franklin remark to Mrs Powell, :a republic if you can keep it" and the Powell Memorandum of 1971. There were many who were aware of what was happening to our Gov. Thanks Mr. Hartmann for referring to us as a republic, not a democracy, and mentioning Powell/Frankin and Justice Powell (hmmm wonder if they're related) We need a charismatic leader to organize us. Sadly that's what Trump is. A modern Pied Piper.
Blessings to you Rhana for your activism. That message was on my Occupy sign where a group of us did a weekly demonstration for 11 years.
Thank you for reminding of the Occupy movement. I was tangentially involved with the Sarasota/Bradenton group. Also I forgot to give Move to Amend credit. They were a sponsor of the Tallahassee walk. I'll blame it on my 91 year old brain. :-) They are doing incredible work. I'm still in touch but not active.
Yes, open primaries may be a second level of what needs to be changed. However unless we admit our govt. is dysfunctional, address the issues that make it so, and commit to addressing those we will face our expiration date. When my generation, I'm 91, is more hopeful than those following me something is radically wrong. When the foundation of a house is crumbling worrying about the living room carpet ain't gonna do it. The three things, in my opinion, that need fixing are: campaign financing, gerrymandering and the Electoral College. As Monk would say, "one more thing"........a democracy will not survive without an educated populace. Living in Sarasota, FL I'm a witness to how that's being undermined. Moms4Liberty was born here by a member of our school board!!! Apologies for blathering.
Billionaires for jingoism and citizens united. Billionaires love SCOTUS.
Guess all the complaining worked! “NBC NEWS plans to drop ex RNC-chair Ronna McDaniel as a paid contributor following on-air revolt from NBC/MSNBC talent. Execs are deliberating over details; announcement pending. Meanwhile, McDaniel is seeking legal representation. “
Speaking for myself, and I believe, many others, Thom, we know this and we believe you, but you're speaking to the choir. Personally, I write a lot of blogs and letters to editors, often quoting or using your ideas, but I wish that I could perceive them circulating more in our media and in the general public. Speaking truth to power is risky and not easy, but we all appreciate everything you're saying and doing....and have for so many years.
To start, I'd like to know, on Main Street, WHO still bemoans the loss of the "Golden Years", of the Reagan administration when, the once upon a time Hollywood actor (sound familiar), and his wife, "just say NO", Nance, there was 18% interest, high inflation, a 50%+ tax cut on Wall Street, trickle UP not down, which didn't work for Thatcher either, Union busting, merger mania, deregulation, the beginnings of mass incarceration and privatizing institutions where profits rule over humanity, is beyond my intellect. If that knowledge makes me woke, well, I'm woke.
Reagan did say "Tear down that Wall" and 50+ years later we have a criminal convincing the country "To build a Wall" because migrants are the problem and why there is no middle class.
There is no true middle class for many reasons, but one must look to history to know about how damaging the Reagan years were and how, today's MAGA is different, and is not your father's Republican Party, if that was so great. I add the Founder's mistake was not understanding majority rule, or liking it, so they went the ill way of the Electoral College. It worked when the country was a few but not when it is now 300M+ more.
I read in another substack that, personally, angered me to a different degree as it took, from me, the hope in my fellow citizens to realize what we are up against, entitled "Joe Biden's Parting Gift to America Will be Christian Fascism", and I apparently am, both, naive and the smartest person in a room full of experts. Please allow me to explain.
I began to learn political history, as my life has taken me far from my school degrees, and I wanted some self-loathing activity to engage in, and had forgotten, because, well Biden, at nearly twice my age, could lap me 1000x in memory, and I started with a book by Elizabeth Drew, as a DC reporter, for the Post during the Nixon admin, along with my legacy hero Bob Woodward. He gets people to talk. I digress.
That start produced another 200+ books, from centuries ago through today. It taught me the tip of the iceberg. I have more books to read than years of my life. Most Americans, with little precious time or interest, don't get above the waterline and don't even know the basics of what Trump has been found guilty of, the laws surrounding those results, believe without a shred of evidence because they see no contradiction to their beliefs, don't understand how a man beholden to foreign entities and adversaries will affect them, not to mention his "dictator for a day", loss of their hard earned retirements and medical care, undocumented migrants do work Americans wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole, and Trump is notorious for hiring them, don't vote and if they do it is, statistically, not even worth the time to talk about, drugs will permeate this country until there is no demand as the drugs, today, are cheap, foreign sourced from all over the world, and require so little to get high, they can be brought in and re-engineered , by ever changing supply chains and ingredients, that ensure the supply to the dealers and addicts, they adapt and no wall or ending immigration will stop DRUGS. ICYMI migrants are far less likely to commit crime than native born citizens in all crime areas. By HUGE percentages. That is an issue that has been used over and over and over and for another day and without ROE, MAGA needs something or they'd have passed the immigration bill, Biden was to sign, against Amnesty International calling it the most inhume measure to date. I said let the MAGA have the border and use their weapons, militias, and gun everyone down. Do you know how long that would last? Yet, that is what Trump is telling the country he'd do on day one.
The above piece, about Biden and fascism, blames both parties and I'm not stupid to think Democrats or whatever allegiance you hang your hat on, unless you are MAGA, first your responsibility is to this republic but they all take money from people, places and things. Trump grifts. There is a difference, folks. I remember the nothing burger when Pelosi was scathed on SM about eating gelato in front of her Sub-Zero fridge during COVID instead of how many people were dying and why. Who cares about gelato?
Bemoan Congress insider trading, when an entire community, on X and elsewhere, is committed to hours talking of a 15k sell-off of Boeing stock, which will make the IRS more money because the elected official dumped it, right or wrong, or making money, salary and perks, as a professional, elected official within rules, when said professional is working their best to protect the country, in terms of the government.
The government is reactive, uses money like water, exposes no truths beyond the veil, if it were on Wall Street it would have been long gone, and that is that. I am all for capitalism but not run amok. I'm not Bernie. I'm not blaming Biden for the world's problems even though he's been around the same amount of decades as Trump. I shame those for the "hum-drum" because, folks, life is "hum-drum". Yet, we are at a point hum-drum needs to convert to knowledge and voting and forget the rest until democracy is saved. If it isn't, everything this piece and the one I mentioned WILL NOT MATTER. NO SCOTUS. NO MEDIA. ONLY HAVES and HAVE NOTS, but worse. Far worse.. No need to fret over the middle class or another election.
H Biden was hawked for 6 years, and is still fighting tax and gun indictments, while the board of the corporation, Trump's meme stock merged with, has Jr., another who was a chief of staff in Trump's admin, Trump gets 56% of the vote for stockholders and is aligned with China. The surety bond in his "rape" and defamation case was secured by Chubb and Evan Greenberg who is aligned with Russia. You can't keep saying HOAX to a person with any kind of know how in discernment and logic.
The article explains Biden's inability to pass more New Deal laws and didn't. "Scuse me? As a an interested American I can say he has or has attempted to do mostly what he set out to do but the POTUS can't change the price of groceries or set fuel costs, or alienate all of Wall Street, which in a standard, built of the impossible, he's actually done more of, optically than others, and put pen to the paper in cases where he can.
It is never enough and it will never be enough. There will never be clean coal. No one can stop AI but we can make training for such jobs cheaper and easier so Harvard isn't the only college that churns out smart people. In fact, those not Harvard educated I view as better citizens and future leaders. DEI, or Musk's DIE, was done to roll back, thank you insurrectionist husband, Black SCOTUS justice who should take a trip to hell with Cannon, civil rights progress by a billionaire and a couple of Asian Americans. Mind blowing. This might piss off people. But really?
I'm not going to burn myself outside of a consulate because we have had nearly three years of innocence killed, raped, tortured in Ukraine that is like America, in trying desperately to hang on to a democracy, after Shokin and the Russian defector Poroshenko got their corrupt asses voted out. I might change my mind after a zen buddist retreat, in the Plum Village, prior to Thich That Hanh's death, to understand.
My point is that whether you understand, or not, the problems HERE, in the richest country in the world, which one can complain, be pissed off at, about eggs or radically burn themselves to expose the atrocities committed in the world, and threaten to destroy this country when this administration isn't responsible for the world's burdens, making the outrage look pointless, in these last 3 years.
What does that say about the same populist "LOOK AT ME" that Trump does when he declares himself a martyr or victim? Do you think he cares about that young man or that he promised clean coal and that people can't buy eggs? I'm using extremes, I realize this. People are disengaged and need teachers, not literally, but to learn what preponderance of the evidence is, how one state's court decisions affect your state and why those elections matter MORE, how originalists on the SCOTUS, as the Federalist Society teaches, are of absolutely no use and are political hacks. The Founders knew a changing dynamic must be met with changing interpretations. Ambition must be met with Ambition or close to that. How is it the SCOTUS rules the state's control voting rights, still being gutted, but can't keep a person off their own ballot because of a bad look? Did they define or answer the insurrection question about Trump in the request, by CO? NO.
There will always be billionaires. Exposing them and telling and teaching Americans about them is the problem and if we eek out this election those with a voice need it everywhere to start the teaching on day one. Not town halls, not here, not SM. I haven't done enough. Most haven't. Some have done too much for others. A collective effort to end the Electoral College, codify laws, and start action not afraid of Wall Street but asking them, until forcing them, how they'd like to begin to be responsible corporate citizens and if it takes the veil away, then it must be immediately done if given the chance. We aren't who we were but we have sins to pay for, people to help and educate, train. I could go on for days. My intention is only to point to my own opining and knowledge about all the nothing burgers that, today, people worry about without stopping to understand what may come of their complaints in November if they can't find their conscience buried in lies and conspiracy theories because it is easier to hate than to learn.
"Too big to fail" logically gives way to "Too big to jail".
These are stage-4 symptoms of a cancer riddled multi-tier justice sickness.
How are we to expect everyday people to respect ANY law when clearly there are criminal exemptions for those with enough money and/ or influence? It's ridiculous.
One system for the people.
One system for the white collar criminal class.
One system for the T's: The treasonous, the tyrannical, and the Trumps.
Corruption seems to be the end of the path given enough time. The people seem to prefer the lesson to remind them of the dangers of allowing your elected representatives to act as kings. Being blind to the dangers so clearly before us we act as if these conditions are normal. In order to win the majority must focus on the people that run for elections that match our higher ideas. Not perfectly but at least going in the right direction by every election ongoing. That takes time and constant action by us in the right direction. We get better in time whatever upsets that do occur. Nobody wins at one go. The other side will not give up no matter how badly we beat them at the polls. Forever warrior.
Fascist extremism is incideous in its quest to control the world. Narcissists like Trump, Putin and Orban only give up when they are dead.
I am surely tired of reading what 'we must do' and 'what must be done' with no actual way to effectively make these things happening.
I think you need to be honest. Only a VIOLENT revolution of revolt is going to rectify our corrupted system. And acknowledge that millions will die before we win. Our chances of actually winning in November seem to be growing smaller and smaller because we know the GOP is busy cheating, and concocting ways of corrupting the upcoming elections, not to mention the stupidity of the American populace, no small thanks to the corrupted billionaire-purchased media that has misinformed the public for decades. While hope still remains, it gets dimmer by the day, and those at the top (rumpt) continues to get every break, chance, and postponement of accountability until he steals the election and does away with all charges as he arrests all his enemies and maybe even has them murdered. Think not?
Thom is doing a service by writing about the issues; he and others like him, through their words, are the best chance we have of effecting non-violent change. Don't expect him or any one of us to have all the answers.
I certainly hope you are wrong, yet I am fearful you are right. It is possible that the coming world war will reset much before a local, civil war will happen. The billionaires and other uber-wealthy know the pitchforks are coming which is why they are already plotting to use violence and martial law, etc., to quell civil unrest, while making contingency plans for when things get too hot. Some are investing in huge, self-sustaining, yachts because nowhere on dry land will they be safe. The abortion issue and future plans to attack contraception and impose theocracy may be their ultimate undoing. As Napoleon Bonaparte pointed out "Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich." The right wing hopes forced religion will work for them, as it has in the past, but that may not be the case.
Had an interesting discussion this morning with three ladies on god and “his” religion. They invited me to a bible class tomorrow. As a recovering Catholic I politely declined and explained to them the horrible way my dad was treated in an orphanage and then raised me in a Catholic Church. Bad experience also.
I wholly agree with what you've said. And of course, I hope I'm wrong, too! But if history has ever told us anything, while the rising up of 'the people' will ultimately prevail, it is the loss of hordes of those said peoples that it takes to prevail. I fear that we are in for another period of 'dark ages' and medieval times before - if our planet and humanity lasts - there is a renewed age of enlightenment.
I read a book on how revolutions get started and what surprised me is that poor people almost never rise up. They are too focused on just surviving. Revolutions come about when people used to a middle class or better life are suddenly denied their economic position. This is exactly what is happening here with the Republican/Corporate gutting of the middle class. It isn't poverty that sparks the fire, but a lowering of economic position. I apologize for not remembering/citing the source.
The transfer of wealth to the billionaire class from the middle class is achieving fascist goals faster than people realize. The primary blame for that is our Republican cultists and Ball-less and ovaryless Democrats!
As Thom so eloquently wrote recently we need to stop the Republican plan of another January 6th happening in 2025!
Yes, I was also surprised by that, but it certainly makes sense. Like Lenin and Trotsky came from the educated and upper classes. As well as most folks back when. Only the wealthy and the church had educated people in them. (men, of course). Also, because the poor never did have anything, just as minorities (such as African Americans) have always had it difficult and struggling. So they are less apt to be bitter and angry. I am certainly bitter and angry how this country has turned from the country I grew up in. But then again, I was working class, and bought all the memes and lies of the past for way too long.
You might also look into the nonpartisan WA state group that is in coalition with democracy groups all across the country. FixDemocracyFirst.org You might also get into one of their weekly Democracy Happy Hour zooms every Wednesday at 5PM PT/8PM ET.
Please check out Field Team 6 and recommend them on your Substack.
https://www.fieldteam6.org/mission
@Arlene "Our chances of actually winning in November seem to be growing smaller and smaller....."
Nah. Gen Z could be be 40% of the electorate and they rend heavily Democratic.
Properly motivated, we can sweep. To protect American democracy, reach out to millions of unregistered likely Democrats using a dedicated database using every outreach method possible (phone and text, postcard, email and targeted ad, and in-person too), where new Democratic voters will make the most impact – in the most flippable states and districts.
https://www.fieldteam6.org/actions
NOTE!!!!!
Winning the election is half the battle!
We have to have a plan in place to thwart another attempt at overthrowing the Electoral College certification of the election results.
That is the focus!!!!!
That's why I contribute to Common Cause.
https://www.commoncause.org/education-fund/donate/?source=adwords&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw5ImwBhBtEiwAFHDZxwp4jjIzQm_xFsRbnoeHdfLToxjbC8VuzSpA9xeK7PxF7XR7RMiZ4BoCmxwQAvD_BwE
I don't disagree, except that the GenZ might not actually make it to the polls. (I hope that is wholly wrong!). As in when Bernie ran, they gave up and didn't bother to actually vote, and that hurt us. Thanks for the web link.
You have the capacity to personally make it happen. Read the literature. Zoom to the introductory session.
Absolutely right, “If our planet lasts!”
That’s their intent! Confuse and mentally wear us down! The media is mostly owned by the billionaires. Equality Republican style is a billionaire spending a hundred million to your $100 donation to your party. That’s the new fascist reality of equality! Sucker!
Thom, thank you again. On both sides of the culture divide, I hear so much about our "democracy" being under threat. You've nailed the more profound threat that's missed (evidently) by so many. OUR particular "democracy" hangs and swings in the cradle of a constitutional republic. It's the republic and its rule of law that allows our democracy any legitimacy it may have. And it's nothing less than our rule of law -- our very republic -- under threat these days. Thank you for recognizing and calling that profundity for what it really is. Our "democracy," if we lose it -- is little more than collateral damage to the real loss here.