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Martha Franklin's avatar

If this fascist wins, our country, indeed the planet, are doomed.

I do not understand the popularity for "tear it all down" mentality. Do these people not realize that they won't receive their Social Security or Medicare, which they claim to love, all while denigrating the people who gave them and protect those benefits?

There will be no FEMA to help after natural disasters, no NOAA to predict and warn about them, no scientists and experts to help figure out how to moderate the effects of climate change. No EPA to monitor air and water quality, no OSHA to protect workers, no social programs.

Every time there is a crisis, either man-made or natural, we have prided ourselves for pulling together to get through those. With the chaos that would result from tffg returning to power, it would be like the driver of a car and the front-seat passenger fighting for control of a vehicle as it's headed over a cliff. No one will have anything, except for the ultra-wealthy and the architects of Project 2025. The rest of us will be fighting over crumbs, if there are even any crumbs left.

If you felt like you were 'left out' before, just wait. Be very careful what you wish for, because once all the things you think you hate are gone, you're not going to like it.

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Steven Beschloss's avatar

I agree that part of the problem is the lack of imagination or the unwillingness by many of those who follow him to accept that they too will be damaged. Thanks, Martha.

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Ann Sharon's avatar

A very good point. Historically what you say is true. People believe only the ‘bad people’ will receive consequences. Of course they don’t seem themselves as ‘bad people.’ It’s the objective for othering and demonizing.

There’s a story for everyone. If you and/or people you care about are in an area that suffered in a disaster, FEMA didn’t do their job or did too little too slowly. If you don’t live in one of those areas, people should not be building there or FEMA spends their money making your life worse.

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James S's avatar

Here, where I live (a hellscape for Democrats), local news sources both written and broadcast, never, I mean NEVER, report on the real theme of his rallies. It is all as if he is a normal patriotic candidate seeking to lead a country and its people to a better day. I've written two opinion letters to my local newspaper in the past two weeks, but neither has been published yet. I see a lot of regret in the coming years, if they insist on getting this turd elected. Somehow, we and Kamala have to pull this off.

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Diane E Bellard's avatar

It's everywhere. When he stands up at a rally and talks about what educated people know is eugenics, The New York Times headline read, “Trump’s Remarks on Migrants Illustrate His Obsession With Genes.” They have learned nothing from how they covered him in 2016. In fact, it's even worse this time.

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Tim Prentiss's avatar

What kind of political blowback would Biden get if he arrested 45 for inciting an insurrection? Would the Insurrection Act give him cover? Legally he has no worries thanks to the Supreme Court.

Then hold the suspect while an investigation takes place into his mental state. That process may take months. Our president would be protecting our Constitution, which he has sworn to do.

Anybody have a problem with that? The former president is a clear and present danger!

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Steven Beschloss's avatar

Interesting thought, Tim. But he won’t do it for political reasons…although he should.

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Mark's avatar

And the reason DOJ didn't act quick enough and deliberately was for political reasons. Everything we are failing to abide by is all for political reasons (SCOTUS Colorado Ballot) and we better start doing what is right and just instead of handing over our Democracy for political reasons.

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Hans Flikkema's avatar

The fact that Trump has so many supporters says a lot about the poor state of mind of a big chunk of the American population. More importantly, his powerful and often wealthy backers seem desperate enough to manipulate them and, if needed, allow the US to slide into chaos for their attempted power grab. A Harris win will not end this fight for democracy. They will become even more desperate, fighting the outcome. They will hinder and sabotage her government. Violence is not unlikely... A landslide election win can control this explosion of MAGA hatred, deliberate spreading of falsehoods and insinuations and creating false fear amongst the population. The fight for democracy and the hearts and minds of the American people will continue after the election.

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ira lechner's avatar

Well said! I believe he will use the Madison Square Garden event on October 27th to mimic the Nazi rally and to call for the threat of violence before, during and after the election! A challenge to our Democracy! We have to work harder to get out every vote so please contribute to www.TurnUp.US run by brilliant Harvard students registering 18 to 29s ONLY in 32 “truly competitive” CDs and then turning them out by social media! Very effective to produce thousands of new young voters to save the House and Senate in very close districts! Thank you; very important! Please don’t waste your money on candidates who won’t win or are a lock to win!

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Mark's avatar

Sounds like a good place to put some money for maximum return.

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ira lechner's avatar

Absolutely more efficient and effective than wasting money on tv’s endless noise!

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ira lechner's avatar

Mark please send my comments to your friends and family

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Jill Stoner's avatar

Thanks for this information. I will donate today.

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ira lechner's avatar

Thanks and please pass on my comments to your list of friends and family! Many thanks as this is an excellent way of producing a winning margin in 32 very close races!

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Carol Moore's avatar

I appreciate and agree with your analysis, Steven, but I think you need to take it a step further in light of both Trump's escalating fascist rhetoric and the (non)news bubble his supporters live in: I believe in his more recent ramblings he is quite literally calling his base into action. These calls are beyond "come to Washington, it will be wild!" -- they are now a full-blown call to action reaching quite possibly millions of very well-armed people. He knows he is going to lose the election, so in his final bid for power (and to stay out of prison) he is actively laying the groundwork for an attempt to violently overthrow the government. There is a whole team of Steve Bannons, Roger Stones, and Stephen Millers who are calling the shots and feeding him lines. Even if Trump were to collapse and die of a heart attack tomorrow, this chapter of American fascism would not be over. And let us not forget: this fascist movement is incredibly well-funded and well-organised. Trump and his supporters are merely the useful idiots. I am extremely worried about what may unfold between Nov. 5 and the inauguration.

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Steven Beschloss's avatar

I agree with your observations, Carol. Nov. 5 is just the beginning…and there’s no doubt he/they will try to incite violence. The question is how people will respond.

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Mark's avatar

It will not immediately be over but every fascist movement needs that narcissistic figure head, ie, Hitler, Stalin, drumph. As we know by DeSantis and Vance as examples not just anyone can lead the magats. Even Magats came close to turning on drumph when he tried to tell them to do the vaccines.

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Rita Richards Newhouse's avatar

Surely there must be some family members besides Mary who recognize & admit this man has gone mentally haywire & needs put away in an institution under lock & key. The most dangerous gang in America is his !!

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Ann Sharon's avatar

His nephew, Fred Trump, has spoken out. He’s written 2 books I believe and done a number of interviews. Often talks about his disabled son and this comment trump made.

"He said, ‘Those people,’ meaning the disabled community, ‘All the costs that it costs the federal government, they should just die'"

https://www.ctinsider.com/election/article/fred-trump-iii-nephew-new-book-greenwich-ct-19820863.php

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Al Bellenchia's avatar

Ghastly.

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Kathryn Kemp's avatar

May I suggest a slogan for this race? “Vote for Kamela--she’s not crazy.“

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Laura V's avatar

A former friend posted on social media several talking points over the summer that matched talking points she likely got from her church and pastor and fit whatever disgusting narrative the right was using at the time. I let it go until she posted an image showing alleged criminal immigrants that echoed the fascism that Trump often uses to dehumanize immigrants in racist and vile ways. She used to not be that way but was radicalized by her religion. I have to think most Evangelical Christian churches are run by people who like the racist and fascist narrative and it explains why this particular group aligns with Trump repeatedly.

I also think there are a lot of white men who support him for the same vile reasons who are not snowed by religious brainwashing. Trump has an all purpose message for people terrified of losing their racial positionality in this country. It isn't new to Trump, as we know though. It's always been there. It's been increasingly "ok" for the right since Reagan. Vance and Musk show how younger men are advancing the despicable narrative as well. In any case, it's truly frightening the degree to which his voters are both flying giant American flags and so willing to set aside all the things supposedly represented by that flag.

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Philip Brown's avatar

Harris needs to PROSECUTE the case against Trump NOW! She's lost a percent each week in the polls since her bounce after the debate with Trump and she can't win if she continues the same gentle feel-good messaging.

She and her advisors need to get ruthless NOW and show in graphic terms how Trump threatens us all. While playing Trump sound bites:

@ Show people being dragged out of their homes because they are being "denaturalized" and sent to concentration camps.

@ Show the military rounding up citizens who actively oppose Trump and his self-serving policies - like Hitler did before WWII.

@ Show climate refugees and how more death and destruction is certain if "climate hoax" wins the election.

@ Show how merciless Trump's buddy Putin has been invading and pummeling Ukraine and millions of their citizens - who just want to live in peace like we do.

@ Show how all our freedoms are endangered - not just reproductive rights - by more conservative judges on the Supreme Court.

@ Show how Trump and his wealthy friends will enrich themselves while everyone else gets poorer by foisting huge new tax cuts and taffifs on our economy.

Trump is a crazy fascist! Say it out loud. Our country and the world will be in much worse shape if he wins. Don't let it happen. Take the gloves off! Make the case NOW!!

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Karen Scofield's avatar

Thank You, Steven, for your post this morning ☕ Kamala Harris is running a stellar campaign and your right, she needs to be holding trump's feet ( Hooves ) to the Fire. She did so when she encouraged folks to watch one of his rallies, and make up their own minds. I thought that was Brilliant,By the way, Steven, so are You!! Will reStack ASAP 💯👍🇺🇸💙🌊

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Steven Beschloss's avatar

Thank you, Karen, and please do share!

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Diane E Bellard's avatar

I really fear so much for our country. I pay attention to what Trump is saying because I know it's important to do so, despite it being so sickening and disgusting that I can't keep myself from getting angry every day. This is how I felt every day during his first term, and I sure as hell don't want that in my life again. So...I try to ignore the polls and negative predictions, and keep doing the work.

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Craig Lazzeretti's avatar

As to your point that it's stunning that the race is even close, here's what I had to say about that in my own post last night on the insidious role that white privilege plays in our society and politics.

"If Donald Trump were a radical Black liberal spreading the same type of hate and lies from the political left and insulting whites the way Trump insults people of color, we all know where that campaign would stand. It would be as dead as a doornail.

"But because he’s a radical White nationalist, he can get away with anything. That’s a reality that should shame every true American who cares about the principles of equality, democracy and justice. "

https://craiglazzeretti.substack.com/p/the-insidious-role-that-white-male?r=tm6pf

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Melody Carranza's avatar

Believe me I'm totally ashamed of this country.

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Susan Linehan's avatar

I, for sanity's sake, have to believe that this rhetoric just speaks to the cult and doesn't make it grow. Any undecided Dem, Independent, or even Republican has to be able to see how unhinged this all is; if they couldn't, they'd already be cult. I can only hope that the non-culted in Aurora look around and say "that? that was taken care of already." Same with those living in Detroit: "What wasteland???"

Though many oppose the administration's position on Gaza, as I do, I hope the lure of the third party isn't enough to draw them away. Harris actually made a stronger statement the other day, actually castigating Israel for blocking humanitarian aid. She, at least, doesn't seem to be fooled by Blinken's ignoring the report that documented it.

Just saw a report that aid workers in NC have had to stop because there are actually armed "militias" in the woods out to "get" FEMA. Stochastic Terrorism has landed. Not to mention death threats to TV weather presenters.

I wish someone would take each and every "example" trump gives of immigrants "raping, murdering, and torturing" with a LONG list of similar acts by good old white Americans for each one named--preferably from a deep red state.

It is going to take more than an evening to count the votes. We won't be able to breath easy for several days.

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Ann Sharon's avatar

They made an arrest in NC. This happened Saturday. Earlier reports to authorities of militias were not true and so FEMA has not stopped their work. Although, some work was paused on the weekend until it was safe to continue & everyone is taking precautions.

I’m guessing the guy had his bond hearing today and that’s why it hit the news today.

https://www.kron4.com/news/national/man-accused-of-threatening-fema-workers-with-assault-rifle-in-north-carolina/

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Susan Linehan's avatar

i saw that correction later. Thanks for correcting it here. Though I’m not sure a wannabe militia-of-one is a vast improvement. Still stochastic terrorism come to roost.

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Ann Sharon's avatar

I don’t know any other reason for all the rumors including that FEMA would bulldoze Chimney Rock and was taking people’s property.

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Susan Linehan's avatar

Yes, there is a story going round about a son trying to get help for his trumpite father, who is convinced that if he even accepts food and water the government will take his house.

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Ann Sharon's avatar

Pathetic how low people will go with their lies. I did hear that based on the FEMA estimates after a disaster fewer people have requested assistance. Who would think we’d need to see headlines like: “Fact-check: The government can't make a hurricane and isn't stealing Chimney Rock“

https://www.bpr.org/bpr-news/2024-10-09/fact-check-the-government-cant-make-a-hurricane-and-isnt-stealing-chimney-rock

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Susan Linehan's avatar

As someone once said “Sad.” It really is, in this case.

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Elizabeth Tiller (Beth)'s avatar

The creativity of the Harris campaign gives me a lot of hope. Deploying Tim Walz to Fox news being one example. (I suppose he viewed them as disinterested high school students that he had break it down for). Kamala goind on podcasts is another. It puzzles me why the main stream media bigwigs think that if Trump wins they will be safe. No one is safe around Trump. He has no loyalty nor affection nor principles. He has been distilled to embodied grievance and rage. Thanks for writing this, Steven, hard as it is to read.

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Bob W's avatar

Stephen…America needs to realize we must transition to a literal War status…Why, because of the impending danger threatened by the completely unbalanced Repugnant Presidential Candidate whose’s inciting violence among his lunatic fringe…therefore, we all are in danger!!! Of course there are those among us who say, “That’s ridiculous…nothing that bad could ever happen…In America!!!!” Oh yeah!!!! Find yourself a History Book and read up about Germany before and during World War II! Germany had Hitler and his Henchmen and…WE got tRump and his sycophants aka Supporters! We have one up on Germany…we already have people who think nothing of shooting up Innocent People and Children! Germany was too civilized for that!We have another one up on Germany…they had to wing it on their debacle, but, we do have a perfect model to use.

To our relatively sane Government…this man must not be allowed to have the Presidency. He is actually threatening citizens, he is inciting violence, that seems to be a crime…act on it please. There’s no less danger from him (The much indicted…Convicted Criminal) than there would be with an invading Army perched on our shores!

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Mark's avatar

Yes, there is a clear and present danger and we should act overtly and with authority. Look what Comer and Jordan do in that weaponization committee. They act without shame on bogus stuff. Start dragging drumph and sycophants before judges. If anyone is a danger to self or others we deal with it. Quit giving a pass to drumph for political reasons or we won't have a Democracy for those political reasons.

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