Trump wields the FBI as a weapon against dissent, chilling anyone who dares oppose him. The message is clear: criticize him, and the state will come for you.
Apparently MAGAs and Republicans are OK with this. I wonder how they will react with the FBI shows up at their homes because they didn't kiss the ring? When will enough be finally enough? How did we get here? When does this insanity come to an end? Are we going to allow this to continue?
This is what happens in authoritarian dictatorships. Fascism on display. This is right out of the dictators playbook. He said before the election he will rule as a dictator if elected and that is what he is doing.. 🤦♀️
We have gone down the road of fascism and if we don't do something soon we are gone!
This "We the People will NOT comply with tyranny" tee is more alive than ever 👇
Absolutely. This is my initial response to Steven’s post-
Well, I’ll go out on a limb here and state the obvious…
IF RETRIBUTION IS NOW THE AMERICAN WAY, then we already, as a nation, are no longer the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. We would have become AMERIKA. Or trumplandia. Some warped denigrated, deviant substitute.
And unfortunately, it seems obvious to me that we’re already moving very rapidly toward a fascist, theocratic, authoritarian dictatorship, on our way to a totalitarian state.
“Authoritarian leaders exercise power arbitrarily and without regard to existing laws or constitutional limitations, and typically cannot be replaced by citizens through freely conducted elections. The right to create opposing political parties that might compete for power with the ruling group is limited or prohibited in authoritarian states.”
“Totalitarianism is a form of government in which the state’s power is unlimited and controls virtually all aspects of public and private life. This control extends to all political and financial matters as well as the attitudes, morals, and beliefs of the people.
“In a totalitarian state, the government’s range of control over the people is virtually unlimited. The government controls nearly all aspects of the economy, politics, culture, and society. Education, religion, the arts and sciences, and even morality and reproductive rights are controlled by totalitarian governments.”
It’s sad. The world’s wealthiest country increased taxes on and stripped benefits from the poor—to feed the wealthy. Gerrymander-elected government does not serve its people. Tear this house down. Give heathcare, food, and living wages to everyone. Here are 108 protest signs for your protests. Protesting is now critical for Occupied D.C. There is time to get signs printed for your protest group. Fill the hands of the signless. FreeDC!
Yes, Trump’s way but also the extremist-conservative way. Note: the Republican party purged traditional (reasonable and responsible) Republicans while the extremists (Christian-Nationalists) slid into the vacated positions. They chipped away at the parts of government that assisted the majority of working Americans, redistributing the wealth to the top of the economic ladder. Once Trump 2.0 came in, they took hatchets and machetes to whatever was left, claiming that this was what they had promised, voters wanted, and they now delivered - all the while ignoring that the promises they made were significantly less threatening, less chaotic and destructive to our society and economy than the ones they delivered. Trump is not the force behind this destruction, he’s just the face of it. Look behind the curtain and you’ll find the puppetmasters.
If Richard Nixon were alive today, Trump and his band of maniacal marauders would be his political dream team.
As I read this essay, I wonder how many red-hatted MAGAts out there still love their dear leader or are now simply too afraid to say otherwise? We may be ignoring an opportunity to weed these people out and gain their support.
One more thing: as I follow Trump‘s rabidly rotten regimes roundups, the image of a crazed ‘lover’ beating his wife/partner bloody all while screeching, “I LOVE YOU!!!”
Their momentum is increasing as they dismantle our Democracy and consolidate their power over our country. His biggest lie, "i'm going to be dictator for one day". And people laughed. This is not a joke, this is the destruction of our country and the world order. Do you really think he will allow a free and fair election in 15 months?
Yes, he told us. This is my response to Steven’s post -
Well, I’ll go out on a limb here and state the obvious…
IF RETRIBUTION IS NOW THE AMERICAN WAY, then we, as a nation, are already no longer the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. We would have become AMERIKA. Or trumplandia. Some warped denigrated, deviant substitute.
And unfortunately, it seems obvious to me that we’re already moving very rapidly toward a fascist, theocratic, authoritarian dictatorship, well on our way to a totalitarian state.
“Authoritarian leaders exercise power arbitrarily and without regard to existing laws or constitutional limitations, and typically cannot be replaced by citizens through freely conducted elections. The right to create opposing political parties that might compete for power with the ruling group is limited or prohibited in authoritarian states.”
“Totalitarianism is a form of government in which the state’s power is unlimited and controls virtually all aspects of public and private life. This control extends to all political and financial matters as well as the attitudes, morals, and beliefs of the people.
“In a totalitarian state, the government’s range of control over the people is virtually unlimited. The government controls nearly all aspects of the economy, politics, culture, and society. Education, religion, the arts and sciences, and even morality and reproductive rights are controlled by totalitarian governments.”
He is already and will do ‘everything’ to make that election not free and fair. Gerrymandering, voter suppression in any ways, lies, misinformation and disinformation etc. but this actually always has been the ‘conservative’ way to win elections, hasn’t it?
Who's next and where do we draw the line and when is it not hypocritical to accuse Trump of doing exactly the same thing that was done to him. Of course, in our eyes, Trump was already guilty when Mar-A Lago was searched but is there a real difference between then and now? My red line is when Obama's home is searched and at that point we might as well be ready for full blown fascism because that's where we are headed if not already there.
We’re already there. This is my comment to Steven’s post -
Well, I’ll go out on a limb here and state the obvious…
IF RETRIBUTION IS NOW THE AMERICAN WAY, then we are already, as a nation, no longer the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. We would have become AMERIKA. Or trumplandia. Some warped denigrated, deviant substitute.
And unfortunately, it seems quite obvious to me that we’re already moving very rapidly toward a fascist, theocratic, authoritarian dictatorship, well on our way to a totalitarian state.
“Authoritarian leaders exercise power arbitrarily and without regard to existing laws or constitutional limitations, and typically cannot be replaced by citizens through freely conducted elections. The right to create opposing political parties that might compete for power with the ruling group is limited or prohibited in authoritarian states.”
“Totalitarianism is a form of government in which the state’s power is unlimited and controls virtually all aspects of public and private life. This control extends to all political and financial matters as well as the attitudes, morals, and beliefs of the people.
“In a totalitarian state, the government’s range of control over the people is virtually unlimited. The government controls nearly all aspects of the economy, politics, culture, and society. Education, religion, the arts and sciences, and even morality and reproductive rights are controlled by totalitarian governments.”
Cuz Dump’s retribution against Bolton was made for TV. Blondi & Patel hints on X. New York Post offered ride-along exclusive. In full regalia, not plain clothes, FBI raids JB’s home. Same day DOJ owes his BFF’s files to Congress!
EXACTLY! This is how they operate -- made for TV drama while looking "movie tough." Such garbage. The fact it obscured Epstein news was an extra reason.
I thought the same thing. Imagine if we hadn't waited 1-1/2 years to "raid" MAL. And yet the both siders are saying Garland did the same thing. PS Trump saying he had no idea of this raid is obviously a joke - just like all the other stuff he conveniently knows nothing about
The whole bunch are pettifoggers: lawyers whose methods are petty, underhanded and disreputable. Revenge, for a bully like Trump, is the only "negotiating" tool he has. He does not have the intellect nor the emotional integrity to govern the United States any other way. America is full of bullies who are intellectually deficient with severe personality deficits. The rest of us want to be understanding and fair in our dealings, but that has allowed the bullies to take over. The pettifoggers in the House and Senate are the enablers of Trump and their fear of insignificance moves them to injustice.
I was going to say that hell yes we should protest this, but I'm also struck by the intelligence and eloquence of the people on this forum, who actually read books and care about history. This is the saddest part: that everyone in the country is capable of using their brains but so many would rather waste their lives on cage matches and collecting guns. What a country.
Two things: 1) This has always been the way this Felon did things. If you took him to court there were delays after delays and he NEVER has paid a penny of any judgement against him. He sued anyone at the drop of a hat to bleed them dry and bankrupt in court costs even if they ultimately "won" a judgement against him.
2) WE ARE ALREADY IN A FASCIST POLICE STATE, PEOPLE. WAKE THE HELL UP.
How are we to stop them when there is no independent DOJ or SCOTUS? Can't call the FBI, even when they kidnap and hold a TX state legislator hostage.
The only way to fight is massive nonviolent protests in the streets and hope you can convince the military not to shoot us down like Noem does dogs. Study history; massive protests of the many against the few have worked before and will again.
I just don't think this will end without bloodshed.
Agree, and in fact we’re already well beyond fascism…
The following was my response to Steven’s post -
Well, I’ll go out on a limb here and state the obvious.
IF RETRIBUTION IS NOW THE AMERICAN WAY, then we already, as a nation, are no longer the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. We would have become AMERIKA. Or trumplandia. Some warped denigrated, deviant substitute.
And unfortunately, it seems obvious to me that we’re already moving very rapidly toward a fascist, theocratic, authoritarian dictatorship, well on our way to a totalitarian state.
“Authoritarian leaders exercise power arbitrarily and without regard to existing laws or constitutional limitations, and typically cannot be replaced by citizens through freely conducted elections. The right to create opposing political parties that might compete for power with the ruling group is limited or prohibited in authoritarian states.”
“Totalitarianism is a form of government in which the state’s power is unlimited and controls virtually all aspects of public and private life. This control extends to all political and financial matters as well as the attitudes, morals, and beliefs of the people.
“In a totalitarian state, the government’s range of control over the people is virtually unlimited. The government controls nearly all aspects of the economy, politics, culture, and society. Education, religion, the arts and sciences, and even morality and reproductive rights are controlled by totalitarian governments.”
John Bolton is not exactly a sympathetic character for many Americans who identify as “progressives” and/or as Democrats, as I loosely do. I get that.
But any American who does not realize how dangerous it is when the United States government targets one its legal residents or citizens for purely political purposes needs to read, or reread, German theologian and Lutheran pastor Martin Niemoller 1946 poem, “First They Came.”
I also feel that way about the Republicans in Congress who consistently give Trump a green light to trash the United States Constitution.
Because the fascist dictator may ultimately turn on anyone who he deems as not loyal enough to him because he is loyal only to himself.
Therefore, the correct approach at this time, in my judgement, for Americans who, above all else, value freedom, justice, and democracy is for them to engage in mass civil disobedience in the way of weekly, perhaps even daily, public demonstrations, maybe go on a prolonged general strike, and perhaps withhold paying their federal income taxes until the Trump regime’s fascist onslaught stops and the Epstein files are released.
I think the reason why Trump won’t release the Epstein files is because there may be information contained in them revealing that he is a pedo perv.
Also, Democrats in the U.S. House and Senate must do everything within their power to shut down the federal government after September 30 and accelerate Trump’s efforts to break the American economy.
Not to cause the American people suffering for the sake of suffering but so more Americans are willing to do everything peaceful within their power to resist Trump. His job disapproval ratings in public opinion polls, at this juncture, are not high enough and there are not enough Americans who are strongly opposed to him and his policies to stop or, really even slow down, his fascist onslaught.
But if, or should I say when, Americans are forced to pay ten times as much as they are now for basic goods and services due to Trump’s idiotic and inflationary tariffs and depraved immigration policy and/or Trump’s ineptitude and malice causes Social Security to collapse that could change in a heartbeat.
Also, any funding of the U.S. government right now will simply give Trump more opportunities to abuse his power. And while I realize there is some chance Democrats will be blamed by most Americans if they are seeing by them as the reason the federal government shuts down, there are no better options right now and extreme times call for extreme measures.
If Democrats had shut down the federal government back in March and had been doing more all along to resist Trump, maybe American democracy would not be this close to collapsing.
During the Second World War in July of 1940, Sir Winston Churchill ordered a British naval attack on French Navy ships on the coast of French Algeria that killed 1,297 French servicemen in order to prevent those ships from falling into German hands after the Allied defeat in the Battle of France.
In order for there to be any chance of saving American democracy from Trump and regime’s fascist onslaught, Democrats and other anti-Trumpers are going to have to adopt, from a metaphorical standpoint, the exact same strategy. Because there is no greater threat to American democracy at this time than the Trump regime. I’m sorry that it has reached this point.
A excellent question. Retribution has always been the way of Trump. Now he has a gang around him willing to obey and not question. I also think that is the way of most of his supporters. The thing is that it spreads like poison throughout society. Given time it will become the American way, without most people knowing that they are infected.
Reading daily the current rambling inconclusive commitments to demonstrating and protest and the possibilty of ending up in jail, I was reminded of an anecdote I read back when concerning Thereau and Emerson. Thereau refused to pay a tax he thought unjust and was arrested and thrown in jail. Emerson, while walking down the street, saw Thereau sitting behind his barred window, looking back at him. Emerson yelled out 'my good Henry, what are you doing in there?' Thereau replied 'my good Waldo, what are you doing out there?'
I keep wondering where the Democratic Party’s organized opposition is.
I’m re-reading Suite Française by the brilliant (and tragic) Irène Némirovsky. She opens with the Paris evacuation when it fell to the Germans. And she skewers the bourgeoisie who failed to pay attention because they thought their wealth, positions in society, and servants protected them. They imagined that the past predicted the future.
Unfortunately this is where too many in the US are right now, refusing to admit what is happening before their eyes. The most politically connected have no excuse to ignore current reality. Sadly, it’s up to their constituents to wake them up.
Fascism is a far-right, authoritarian political ideology characterized by dictatorial rule, militarism, and suppression of opposition. Fascist parties typically promote nationalism, racial or cultural supremacy, and the subordination of individual interests to the state. Looks like American novelist Sinclair Lewis wasn't far off the mark: it will be "wrapped in the flag and carrying the cross". And of course our version will be "exceptional". The question is: what are you willing to do.
No, what I am saying is that it is happing right now. Placing people in camps without due process and the takeover of local police, as in DC, by federal and state troops. These are fascist acts. Historically fascism ends by: Military Defeat, Internal Rebellion, Collapse of Fascist Leadership, or Plague. Notice that you don't see marching in the street as one of the options.
Not the American way…only trump’s way.
Trump wields the FBI as a weapon against dissent, chilling anyone who dares oppose him. The message is clear: criticize him, and the state will come for you.
Apparently MAGAs and Republicans are OK with this. I wonder how they will react with the FBI shows up at their homes because they didn't kiss the ring? When will enough be finally enough? How did we get here? When does this insanity come to an end? Are we going to allow this to continue?
This is what happens in authoritarian dictatorships. Fascism on display. This is right out of the dictators playbook. He said before the election he will rule as a dictator if elected and that is what he is doing.. 🤦♀️
We have gone down the road of fascism and if we don't do something soon we are gone!
This "We the People will NOT comply with tyranny" tee is more alive than ever 👇
https://libtees.dashery.com/products/78688428-we-the-people-will-not-comply-with-tyranny
Welcome to tyranny!
Absolutely. This is my initial response to Steven’s post-
Well, I’ll go out on a limb here and state the obvious…
IF RETRIBUTION IS NOW THE AMERICAN WAY, then we already, as a nation, are no longer the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. We would have become AMERIKA. Or trumplandia. Some warped denigrated, deviant substitute.
And unfortunately, it seems obvious to me that we’re already moving very rapidly toward a fascist, theocratic, authoritarian dictatorship, on our way to a totalitarian state.
“Authoritarian leaders exercise power arbitrarily and without regard to existing laws or constitutional limitations, and typically cannot be replaced by citizens through freely conducted elections. The right to create opposing political parties that might compete for power with the ruling group is limited or prohibited in authoritarian states.”
“Totalitarianism is a form of government in which the state’s power is unlimited and controls virtually all aspects of public and private life. This control extends to all political and financial matters as well as the attitudes, morals, and beliefs of the people.
“In a totalitarian state, the government’s range of control over the people is virtually unlimited. The government controls nearly all aspects of the economy, politics, culture, and society. Education, religion, the arts and sciences, and even morality and reproductive rights are controlled by totalitarian governments.”
Methinks we’re in deep trouble…
https://www.thoughtco.com/totalitarianism-authoritarianism-fascism-4147699
https://osbcontent.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/PC-00466.pdf - 14 characteristics of fascism
It’s sad. The world’s wealthiest country increased taxes on and stripped benefits from the poor—to feed the wealthy. Gerrymander-elected government does not serve its people. Tear this house down. Give heathcare, food, and living wages to everyone. Here are 108 protest signs for your protests. Protesting is now critical for Occupied D.C. There is time to get signs printed for your protest group. Fill the hands of the signless. FreeDC!
https://hotbuttons.substack.com/p/protest-sign-sign-everywhere-a-sign
Yes, Trump’s way but also the extremist-conservative way. Note: the Republican party purged traditional (reasonable and responsible) Republicans while the extremists (Christian-Nationalists) slid into the vacated positions. They chipped away at the parts of government that assisted the majority of working Americans, redistributing the wealth to the top of the economic ladder. Once Trump 2.0 came in, they took hatchets and machetes to whatever was left, claiming that this was what they had promised, voters wanted, and they now delivered - all the while ignoring that the promises they made were significantly less threatening, less chaotic and destructive to our society and economy than the ones they delivered. Trump is not the force behind this destruction, he’s just the face of it. Look behind the curtain and you’ll find the puppetmasters.
If Richard Nixon were alive today, Trump and his band of maniacal marauders would be his political dream team.
As I read this essay, I wonder how many red-hatted MAGAts out there still love their dear leader or are now simply too afraid to say otherwise? We may be ignoring an opportunity to weed these people out and gain their support.
One more thing: as I follow Trump‘s rabidly rotten regimes roundups, the image of a crazed ‘lover’ beating his wife/partner bloody all while screeching, “I LOVE YOU!!!”
Their momentum is increasing as they dismantle our Democracy and consolidate their power over our country. His biggest lie, "i'm going to be dictator for one day". And people laughed. This is not a joke, this is the destruction of our country and the world order. Do you really think he will allow a free and fair election in 15 months?
Yes, he told us. This is my response to Steven’s post -
Well, I’ll go out on a limb here and state the obvious…
IF RETRIBUTION IS NOW THE AMERICAN WAY, then we, as a nation, are already no longer the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. We would have become AMERIKA. Or trumplandia. Some warped denigrated, deviant substitute.
And unfortunately, it seems obvious to me that we’re already moving very rapidly toward a fascist, theocratic, authoritarian dictatorship, well on our way to a totalitarian state.
“Authoritarian leaders exercise power arbitrarily and without regard to existing laws or constitutional limitations, and typically cannot be replaced by citizens through freely conducted elections. The right to create opposing political parties that might compete for power with the ruling group is limited or prohibited in authoritarian states.”
“Totalitarianism is a form of government in which the state’s power is unlimited and controls virtually all aspects of public and private life. This control extends to all political and financial matters as well as the attitudes, morals, and beliefs of the people.
“In a totalitarian state, the government’s range of control over the people is virtually unlimited. The government controls nearly all aspects of the economy, politics, culture, and society. Education, religion, the arts and sciences, and even morality and reproductive rights are controlled by totalitarian governments.”
Methinks we’re in deep trouble…
https://www.thoughtco.com/totalitarianism-authoritarianism-fascism-4147699
https://osbcontent.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/PC-00466.pdf - 14 characteristics of fascism
He is already and will do ‘everything’ to make that election not free and fair. Gerrymandering, voter suppression in any ways, lies, misinformation and disinformation etc. but this actually always has been the ‘conservative’ way to win elections, hasn’t it?
I totally agree. I keep thinking that we're entering a modern version of the American civil war, which for many people never ended.
No, and he meant to be dictator from day one and all days thereafter.
Absolutely. He's never really hidden who he really is, and what his intentions are.
Who's next and where do we draw the line and when is it not hypocritical to accuse Trump of doing exactly the same thing that was done to him. Of course, in our eyes, Trump was already guilty when Mar-A Lago was searched but is there a real difference between then and now? My red line is when Obama's home is searched and at that point we might as well be ready for full blown fascism because that's where we are headed if not already there.
Tragically, I think we need to be ready now.
Yes, methinks we’re in deep trouble
Oh, give me a break! There was fully documented and legitimate probable cause in order to search Mara Lago.
We’re already there. This is my comment to Steven’s post -
Well, I’ll go out on a limb here and state the obvious…
IF RETRIBUTION IS NOW THE AMERICAN WAY, then we are already, as a nation, no longer the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. We would have become AMERIKA. Or trumplandia. Some warped denigrated, deviant substitute.
And unfortunately, it seems quite obvious to me that we’re already moving very rapidly toward a fascist, theocratic, authoritarian dictatorship, well on our way to a totalitarian state.
“Authoritarian leaders exercise power arbitrarily and without regard to existing laws or constitutional limitations, and typically cannot be replaced by citizens through freely conducted elections. The right to create opposing political parties that might compete for power with the ruling group is limited or prohibited in authoritarian states.”
“Totalitarianism is a form of government in which the state’s power is unlimited and controls virtually all aspects of public and private life. This control extends to all political and financial matters as well as the attitudes, morals, and beliefs of the people.
“In a totalitarian state, the government’s range of control over the people is virtually unlimited. The government controls nearly all aspects of the economy, politics, culture, and society. Education, religion, the arts and sciences, and even morality and reproductive rights are controlled by totalitarian governments.”
Methinks we’re in deep trouble…
https://www.thoughtco.com/totalitarianism-authoritarianism-fascism-4147699
https://osbcontent.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/PC-00466.pdf - 14 characteristics of fascism
Holy shit - can you imagine that? What would the fallout be from that!
WHY NOT A SUBPOENA?
Cuz Dump’s retribution against Bolton was made for TV. Blondi & Patel hints on X. New York Post offered ride-along exclusive. In full regalia, not plain clothes, FBI raids JB’s home. Same day DOJ owes his BFF’s files to Congress!
EXACTLY! This is how they operate -- made for TV drama while looking "movie tough." Such garbage. The fact it obscured Epstein news was an extra reason.
I thought the same thing. Imagine if we hadn't waited 1-1/2 years to "raid" MAL. And yet the both siders are saying Garland did the same thing. PS Trump saying he had no idea of this raid is obviously a joke - just like all the other stuff he conveniently knows nothing about
Not a joke. More like a LIE.
The whole bunch are pettifoggers: lawyers whose methods are petty, underhanded and disreputable. Revenge, for a bully like Trump, is the only "negotiating" tool he has. He does not have the intellect nor the emotional integrity to govern the United States any other way. America is full of bullies who are intellectually deficient with severe personality deficits. The rest of us want to be understanding and fair in our dealings, but that has allowed the bullies to take over. The pettifoggers in the House and Senate are the enablers of Trump and their fear of insignificance moves them to injustice.
Right you are. These cultists have no interest in real governance. That—unlike wanton destruction—is hard.
I’ve been watching The Roosevelts on PBS. I urge everyone to watch it. It was so great when both parties compromised on policies.
Thanks for flagging, Kim.
I honestly believe I learned more about the Roosevelt family from watching that documentary than I ever learned in high school or college.
Nope it’s not. America 🇺🇸 is our land give me, a break. Lady Liberty 🗽. Is our way. Give me your tired , warm huddled masses yearning to be free. 🆓
That's the spirit.
I was going to say that hell yes we should protest this, but I'm also struck by the intelligence and eloquence of the people on this forum, who actually read books and care about history. This is the saddest part: that everyone in the country is capable of using their brains but so many would rather waste their lives on cage matches and collecting guns. What a country.
I’m so saddened by these ridiculous happenings. Who are we. What have we become. There’s a protest on Sept 20. BE THERE.
Two things: 1) This has always been the way this Felon did things. If you took him to court there were delays after delays and he NEVER has paid a penny of any judgement against him. He sued anyone at the drop of a hat to bleed them dry and bankrupt in court costs even if they ultimately "won" a judgement against him.
2) WE ARE ALREADY IN A FASCIST POLICE STATE, PEOPLE. WAKE THE HELL UP.
How are we to stop them when there is no independent DOJ or SCOTUS? Can't call the FBI, even when they kidnap and hold a TX state legislator hostage.
The only way to fight is massive nonviolent protests in the streets and hope you can convince the military not to shoot us down like Noem does dogs. Study history; massive protests of the many against the few have worked before and will again.
I just don't think this will end without bloodshed.
Agree, and in fact we’re already well beyond fascism…
The following was my response to Steven’s post -
Well, I’ll go out on a limb here and state the obvious.
IF RETRIBUTION IS NOW THE AMERICAN WAY, then we already, as a nation, are no longer the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. We would have become AMERIKA. Or trumplandia. Some warped denigrated, deviant substitute.
And unfortunately, it seems obvious to me that we’re already moving very rapidly toward a fascist, theocratic, authoritarian dictatorship, well on our way to a totalitarian state.
“Authoritarian leaders exercise power arbitrarily and without regard to existing laws or constitutional limitations, and typically cannot be replaced by citizens through freely conducted elections. The right to create opposing political parties that might compete for power with the ruling group is limited or prohibited in authoritarian states.”
“Totalitarianism is a form of government in which the state’s power is unlimited and controls virtually all aspects of public and private life. This control extends to all political and financial matters as well as the attitudes, morals, and beliefs of the people.
“In a totalitarian state, the government’s range of control over the people is virtually unlimited. The government controls nearly all aspects of the economy, politics, culture, and society. Education, religion, the arts and sciences, and even morality and reproductive rights are controlled by totalitarian governments.”
Methinks we’re in deep trouble…
https://www.thoughtco.com/totalitarianism-authoritarianism-fascism-4147699
https://osbcontent.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/PC-00466.pdf - 14 characteristics of fascism
Steven,
John Bolton is not exactly a sympathetic character for many Americans who identify as “progressives” and/or as Democrats, as I loosely do. I get that.
But any American who does not realize how dangerous it is when the United States government targets one its legal residents or citizens for purely political purposes needs to read, or reread, German theologian and Lutheran pastor Martin Niemoller 1946 poem, “First They Came.”
I also feel that way about the Republicans in Congress who consistently give Trump a green light to trash the United States Constitution.
Because the fascist dictator may ultimately turn on anyone who he deems as not loyal enough to him because he is loyal only to himself.
Therefore, the correct approach at this time, in my judgement, for Americans who, above all else, value freedom, justice, and democracy is for them to engage in mass civil disobedience in the way of weekly, perhaps even daily, public demonstrations, maybe go on a prolonged general strike, and perhaps withhold paying their federal income taxes until the Trump regime’s fascist onslaught stops and the Epstein files are released.
I think the reason why Trump won’t release the Epstein files is because there may be information contained in them revealing that he is a pedo perv.
Also, Democrats in the U.S. House and Senate must do everything within their power to shut down the federal government after September 30 and accelerate Trump’s efforts to break the American economy.
Not to cause the American people suffering for the sake of suffering but so more Americans are willing to do everything peaceful within their power to resist Trump. His job disapproval ratings in public opinion polls, at this juncture, are not high enough and there are not enough Americans who are strongly opposed to him and his policies to stop or, really even slow down, his fascist onslaught.
But if, or should I say when, Americans are forced to pay ten times as much as they are now for basic goods and services due to Trump’s idiotic and inflationary tariffs and depraved immigration policy and/or Trump’s ineptitude and malice causes Social Security to collapse that could change in a heartbeat.
Also, any funding of the U.S. government right now will simply give Trump more opportunities to abuse his power. And while I realize there is some chance Democrats will be blamed by most Americans if they are seeing by them as the reason the federal government shuts down, there are no better options right now and extreme times call for extreme measures.
If Democrats had shut down the federal government back in March and had been doing more all along to resist Trump, maybe American democracy would not be this close to collapsing.
During the Second World War in July of 1940, Sir Winston Churchill ordered a British naval attack on French Navy ships on the coast of French Algeria that killed 1,297 French servicemen in order to prevent those ships from falling into German hands after the Allied defeat in the Battle of France.
In order for there to be any chance of saving American democracy from Trump and regime’s fascist onslaught, Democrats and other anti-Trumpers are going to have to adopt, from a metaphorical standpoint, the exact same strategy. Because there is no greater threat to American democracy at this time than the Trump regime. I’m sorry that it has reached this point.
Sincerely,
David Hurwitz
Steve,
A excellent question. Retribution has always been the way of Trump. Now he has a gang around him willing to obey and not question. I also think that is the way of most of his supporters. The thing is that it spreads like poison throughout society. Given time it will become the American way, without most people knowing that they are infected.
All the best.
Steve Dundas
Reading daily the current rambling inconclusive commitments to demonstrating and protest and the possibilty of ending up in jail, I was reminded of an anecdote I read back when concerning Thereau and Emerson. Thereau refused to pay a tax he thought unjust and was arrested and thrown in jail. Emerson, while walking down the street, saw Thereau sitting behind his barred window, looking back at him. Emerson yelled out 'my good Henry, what are you doing in there?' Thereau replied 'my good Waldo, what are you doing out there?'
I keep wondering where the Democratic Party’s organized opposition is.
I’m re-reading Suite Française by the brilliant (and tragic) Irène Némirovsky. She opens with the Paris evacuation when it fell to the Germans. And she skewers the bourgeoisie who failed to pay attention because they thought their wealth, positions in society, and servants protected them. They imagined that the past predicted the future.
Unfortunately this is where too many in the US are right now, refusing to admit what is happening before their eyes. The most politically connected have no excuse to ignore current reality. Sadly, it’s up to their constituents to wake them up.
If you are an asshat
Haha.
Fascism is a far-right, authoritarian political ideology characterized by dictatorial rule, militarism, and suppression of opposition. Fascist parties typically promote nationalism, racial or cultural supremacy, and the subordination of individual interests to the state. Looks like American novelist Sinclair Lewis wasn't far off the mark: it will be "wrapped in the flag and carrying the cross". And of course our version will be "exceptional". The question is: what are you willing to do.
So what your saying is It Can Happen Here. I think people are getting it but is there time and a clear path to stop them?
No, what I am saying is that it is happing right now. Placing people in camps without due process and the takeover of local police, as in DC, by federal and state troops. These are fascist acts. Historically fascism ends by: Military Defeat, Internal Rebellion, Collapse of Fascist Leadership, or Plague. Notice that you don't see marching in the street as one of the options.