Over the past few weeks, I’ve had an increasing number of conversations with people who are more convinced than ever that the United States is on the precipice—not just of a constitutional breakdown, but of the end of democracy as we know it.
I’ve read Malcolm Gladwell’s books on tipping points. Some people think the tipping point started with Barak Obama’s first election. Racism raised its ugly head and found its followers through social media. A lot of anti- democratic activists found each other. The evangelicals feel that if you are not one of them, you’re against them. There’s not an attitude of letting people live their different lives in peace. It’s projection but it’s also cruel. This administration and its followers must be fought but the biggest battle is the million interactions we have with people who are different from us and who do not see us as being part of them. “We, the people”….
What #47 is doing - which not many seem to comprehend - is exposing the status quo for how critically broken it is and that this status quo must be ‘brought back’ to how it was intended.
How is it possible that someone is worth $2 million when they become an elected representative to the House or Senate or even to the presidency and 10 years later is worth $70million? ie. Obama
How come are taxpayer $ used to fund ludicrous causes and events worldwide… and when it gets exposed, many are angry at person/people doing the exposing?
How come are tens of thousands of civil servants angry to tell the rest of the country - who pay their salaries - what they actually do (or don’t do) on a daily basis?
How come are so many intent on ‘normalizing’ trafficking and sexual abuse of children? We ALL know it is happening!
We all know that secret societies are in control of money and money supply in the US and use it to achieve THEIR crooked political aims? Why is it frowned upon that these get exposed?
Why is/was the Biden DISASTER ‘normalized’? This, when we ALL know he was mentally totally incapable. Exposing who were pulling the strings in the background is what must happen.
We ALL know that nefarious persons silenced Epstein. Why are they trying to sell us the utter rubbish that he committed suicide?
The majority of the country voted for the above questions - and many more - to be answered.
Some ‘perceived discomfort’ will need to be endured - as per the writer of this opinion piece. It will be worth it.
"We all know" is no subsitute for actual evidence. It is merely confirmation bias. Trump is not a savior. He is personally vindictive, using the public power he has been given to pursue petty and personal grievances. Convicted felon, cheated on all three wives- one while she was pregnant with his child- paid a porn star to cover up his cheating, forced his contractors for years to go to court to get their rightful pay, incited an insurrection to keep himself out of jail, has allied himself with a murderous dictator who invades neighboring countries, etc., etc. A person of such low character and amorality is not capable of leading any effort to improve the country. He is a disaster for America.
I appreciate the change of perspective offered to balance the thinking and remind the short memories readers of other times their doubts clouded their thinking. I would like to further add to this perspective shift by mentioning of anti-democracy and anti-Americanism by the left pre-November and even still today. 1. Using the Judicial to go after a Presidential Candidate voted for by millions of people and a Judge that’s daughter has received millions from anti-Trump orgs and donors. 2. Large scale censoring of people on the right through social media (previously by the IRS). 3. Out of control spending and cronyism by the Government that every Democrat (especially Obama) have discussed as a fundamental change needed for America. 4. Failure to protect American financial and economic interests. 5. Discriminating against people by selecting some groups to promote instead of letting a merit based system properly function to produce the most successful outcomes.
I say that the real fear by those in MY and other blue bubbles in the know is that they understand their slush funds and their mechanism of power that have been “untouchable” previously are being demolished. The bureaucrats are Capone and Trump/Elon are the current day Elliott Ness. America will surely look different for the blue dots when the changes have been made, but America will be better for it.
The cost of deporting people without due process, the inability of the judiciary to bring Trump into court for alleged crimes over a five year period leading to disregard for the Constitution will knock us to our knees. It is not all about protecting your wallet, it is the attack on government services to grift taxpayer monies toward privatization by the few.
A lot of words to say we don't know for sure how this will turn out. That's so obvious. Meanwhile, my hair is on fire. Yes, we who are privileged are able to continue living pretty much the same as we did last October. But unlike my feeling then, that in retirement I could now explore living abroad, really learning Spanish, developing my art - I am engaged in a full fledged fight for the survival of our democracy!!!!! Jeezus. I don't care that 43% are ok with what's happening though they might like it tweaked to be a more scalpel like approach. Fuck that!
Empires rise and empires fall. You alluded to this in your article. We are on the steep declining part of the empire arc and Trump is a symptom not a cause. However, that does not mean that the end of an empire is not a terrible time in which the world order will change for the worse for Americans and lives and wealth will be lost. My 2 cents is that it is time to panic if you want to live in a functioning democracy and want to maintain your wealth. The thing is given this is inevitable the only option is to move physically and to move wealth out of the US.
Yes, but this sure feels different - a constitutional crisis and attack on free speech (among other things). Don't be complacent unless you are OK with living in a country and world that at some probability will be very different. It seems many take for granted what we've had.
My concern is that you have "misunderestimated" the threat. Yes, we did make it through COVID, but the world has changed. Those who believe that vaccines are more deadly than actual deadly illnesses are now in power. During COVID, while there were those who rebelled against normal and important public health steps, no one was "pro-COVID." The sledgehammers now being used on our government and our institutions have been forged over decades by enthusiastic dogmatists who have been salivating over destruction of the government for just as long. We have faced immoral leaders in our past, but none of them were totally amoral. At least outwardly, most professed a deep faith in the fundaementals of democracy. We now are faced with a leader who has no moral floor, no ethical bottom. He is capable of anything. He possesses no internal checks on his use of power. Most extermal checks on him have been removed by SCOTUS and a GOP that has been threatened into submission. Although he appears outwardly to be clownish and impulsive, Trump has an instinct for crowd manipulation via fear and anger. He is playing a different game than our past candidates, not just an exaggerated form of jingoism or shallow patriotism. The Democrats continue to defend our democratic system that worked reasonably well for a couple of centuries, But the founders were apparently always fearful of a demagogue like Trump, and now he is here. The Democrats have yet to figure out an effective counter to his manipulations, and most GOP leaders succumbed to his threats quite awhile ago. Yes, we survived COVID, and 9/11, and the Civil War, and many other crises over the centures. We even survived fascism- at a tremendous cost of lives and money. But the Soviet Union lasted for 50 years before it succumbed to reality. We may survive Trumpism, but at what cost? I wish I could be more optimistic, but I feel the fear this time in the pit of my stomach.
I agree these are riskier times, especially in the carelessness and arrogance that underly many of the administration's actions. But I'm not at the same level of existential concern
I live in a rural community that has a college right in the middle. This shows both sides of the country you speak of in this article, the part who believes democracy is ending and the part that thinks the country is being saved. It is a whip saw in hope and despair. Interestingly the side that used to be in despair with Biden in charge put their hope in democracy. While the side in despair seems to think democracy is dying. It is a strange thing. Personally I do not believe we are in danger of losing our democracy or constitutional rights. I do believe that because change control has been done so brutally there will be a lot of pain that will have to be addressed. Somewhat like has happened because of the school shutdowns during Covid.
It's very interesting to think of the present political situation like those first few months of Covid. I see the parallels. We must live one day at a time, find our blessings where we can and do our part so we have a chance at a better tomorrow.
COVID did change the world forever. Some of what is happening now is a consequence of what happened then: social isolation (necessary at the time to save lives) still affects many people's mental states; feelings of helplessness in the face of the disease, and hence anger misdirected at scientists, doctors, nurses, and other health workers; the anti-science propaganda that gained a foothold and still grows today; supply-chain disruptions and unemployment that caused money problems and gave rise to inflation (during our recovery, which was better than any other country's); economic anxiety that Trump manipulated/manipulates to get elected and seize powers that he has no constitutional right to; Trump and maga-media's constant lying about COVID and almost everything else that so permeates our country now that half the country can't tell what the truth is.
The comparison to COVID is a solid insight that hadn't occurred to me. There is resilience and self-correction built into our society and institutions, in ways that aren't obvious.
My family lives in a small border community, and the border communities are being devastated as Canadians draw back from travelling to the US due to all the uncertainty. Point Roberts, where my family lives, is surrounded by ocean on 3 sides, and by Canada on the north side. People are losing jobs and income. As far as anyone can see, Trump doesn't care about the little people! It's heartbreaking!
I appreciate a calming perspective, but comparing this time to COVID is not that. The world was genuinely wrecked for several years and there have been long-term effects on students and workplaces. Many older people I know still haven't fully returned to life and many regular social events never came back either.
the world has been full of epidemic and endemic diseases. That is the sense in which Covid didnt change anything fundamental, not that it was without severe and deadly consequences
Thank you for that calming perspective. It is much more useful to me than all the mountains of radioactive information. If only we can get those around us to calm down their trigger fingers and stick together to see where this goes, we will be better off no matter how things turn out in the long run.
One man now controls both houses and those who who speak up against him risk political suicide. He controls The Supreme Court. He has eliminated all the top brass that disagreed with him in The Military, The FBI and The CIA. Now our rights are (not will) being curtailed. Unelected, actual oligarchs now hild the reigns of our gov't. The time for mass protests is passing quickly. Rioting will be seen as essential by Summer. Mid-level commissioned and non-commissioned officers are wondering if they need to intervene to protect The Constitution.
You are, of course, well aware of what is happening. We are now the enemy of the democratic world and ally with the autocrats. My question is, what has to happen for you to be truly concerned and start to fight back against it? And if you wait until that point, will it be too late?
I’ve read Malcolm Gladwell’s books on tipping points. Some people think the tipping point started with Barak Obama’s first election. Racism raised its ugly head and found its followers through social media. A lot of anti- democratic activists found each other. The evangelicals feel that if you are not one of them, you’re against them. There’s not an attitude of letting people live their different lives in peace. It’s projection but it’s also cruel. This administration and its followers must be fought but the biggest battle is the million interactions we have with people who are different from us and who do not see us as being part of them. “We, the people”….
What #47 is doing - which not many seem to comprehend - is exposing the status quo for how critically broken it is and that this status quo must be ‘brought back’ to how it was intended.
How is it possible that someone is worth $2 million when they become an elected representative to the House or Senate or even to the presidency and 10 years later is worth $70million? ie. Obama
How come are taxpayer $ used to fund ludicrous causes and events worldwide… and when it gets exposed, many are angry at person/people doing the exposing?
How come are tens of thousands of civil servants angry to tell the rest of the country - who pay their salaries - what they actually do (or don’t do) on a daily basis?
How come are so many intent on ‘normalizing’ trafficking and sexual abuse of children? We ALL know it is happening!
We all know that secret societies are in control of money and money supply in the US and use it to achieve THEIR crooked political aims? Why is it frowned upon that these get exposed?
Why is/was the Biden DISASTER ‘normalized’? This, when we ALL know he was mentally totally incapable. Exposing who were pulling the strings in the background is what must happen.
We ALL know that nefarious persons silenced Epstein. Why are they trying to sell us the utter rubbish that he committed suicide?
The majority of the country voted for the above questions - and many more - to be answered.
Some ‘perceived discomfort’ will need to be endured - as per the writer of this opinion piece. It will be worth it.
"We all know" is no subsitute for actual evidence. It is merely confirmation bias. Trump is not a savior. He is personally vindictive, using the public power he has been given to pursue petty and personal grievances. Convicted felon, cheated on all three wives- one while she was pregnant with his child- paid a porn star to cover up his cheating, forced his contractors for years to go to court to get their rightful pay, incited an insurrection to keep himself out of jail, has allied himself with a murderous dictator who invades neighboring countries, etc., etc. A person of such low character and amorality is not capable of leading any effort to improve the country. He is a disaster for America.
You have been lied to. These are all baseless conspiracy theories. Find some proof. Any proof.
I don’t have any conspiracy theories. Why? Because they’ve all come true… as will the ones I mentioned in my comments.
Please make sure that YOU have not been lied to.
I appreciate the change of perspective offered to balance the thinking and remind the short memories readers of other times their doubts clouded their thinking. I would like to further add to this perspective shift by mentioning of anti-democracy and anti-Americanism by the left pre-November and even still today. 1. Using the Judicial to go after a Presidential Candidate voted for by millions of people and a Judge that’s daughter has received millions from anti-Trump orgs and donors. 2. Large scale censoring of people on the right through social media (previously by the IRS). 3. Out of control spending and cronyism by the Government that every Democrat (especially Obama) have discussed as a fundamental change needed for America. 4. Failure to protect American financial and economic interests. 5. Discriminating against people by selecting some groups to promote instead of letting a merit based system properly function to produce the most successful outcomes.
I say that the real fear by those in MY and other blue bubbles in the know is that they understand their slush funds and their mechanism of power that have been “untouchable” previously are being demolished. The bureaucrats are Capone and Trump/Elon are the current day Elliott Ness. America will surely look different for the blue dots when the changes have been made, but America will be better for it.
The cost of deporting people without due process, the inability of the judiciary to bring Trump into court for alleged crimes over a five year period leading to disregard for the Constitution will knock us to our knees. It is not all about protecting your wallet, it is the attack on government services to grift taxpayer monies toward privatization by the few.
A lot of words to say we don't know for sure how this will turn out. That's so obvious. Meanwhile, my hair is on fire. Yes, we who are privileged are able to continue living pretty much the same as we did last October. But unlike my feeling then, that in retirement I could now explore living abroad, really learning Spanish, developing my art - I am engaged in a full fledged fight for the survival of our democracy!!!!! Jeezus. I don't care that 43% are ok with what's happening though they might like it tweaked to be a more scalpel like approach. Fuck that!
That's one way to approach it...
Exactly!
Empires rise and empires fall. You alluded to this in your article. We are on the steep declining part of the empire arc and Trump is a symptom not a cause. However, that does not mean that the end of an empire is not a terrible time in which the world order will change for the worse for Americans and lives and wealth will be lost. My 2 cents is that it is time to panic if you want to live in a functioning democracy and want to maintain your wealth. The thing is given this is inevitable the only option is to move physically and to move wealth out of the US.
To where…?
Yes, but this sure feels different - a constitutional crisis and attack on free speech (among other things). Don't be complacent unless you are OK with living in a country and world that at some probability will be very different. It seems many take for granted what we've had.
My concern is that you have "misunderestimated" the threat. Yes, we did make it through COVID, but the world has changed. Those who believe that vaccines are more deadly than actual deadly illnesses are now in power. During COVID, while there were those who rebelled against normal and important public health steps, no one was "pro-COVID." The sledgehammers now being used on our government and our institutions have been forged over decades by enthusiastic dogmatists who have been salivating over destruction of the government for just as long. We have faced immoral leaders in our past, but none of them were totally amoral. At least outwardly, most professed a deep faith in the fundaementals of democracy. We now are faced with a leader who has no moral floor, no ethical bottom. He is capable of anything. He possesses no internal checks on his use of power. Most extermal checks on him have been removed by SCOTUS and a GOP that has been threatened into submission. Although he appears outwardly to be clownish and impulsive, Trump has an instinct for crowd manipulation via fear and anger. He is playing a different game than our past candidates, not just an exaggerated form of jingoism or shallow patriotism. The Democrats continue to defend our democratic system that worked reasonably well for a couple of centuries, But the founders were apparently always fearful of a demagogue like Trump, and now he is here. The Democrats have yet to figure out an effective counter to his manipulations, and most GOP leaders succumbed to his threats quite awhile ago. Yes, we survived COVID, and 9/11, and the Civil War, and many other crises over the centures. We even survived fascism- at a tremendous cost of lives and money. But the Soviet Union lasted for 50 years before it succumbed to reality. We may survive Trumpism, but at what cost? I wish I could be more optimistic, but I feel the fear this time in the pit of my stomach.
I agree these are riskier times, especially in the carelessness and arrogance that underly many of the administration's actions. But I'm not at the same level of existential concern
I live in a rural community that has a college right in the middle. This shows both sides of the country you speak of in this article, the part who believes democracy is ending and the part that thinks the country is being saved. It is a whip saw in hope and despair. Interestingly the side that used to be in despair with Biden in charge put their hope in democracy. While the side in despair seems to think democracy is dying. It is a strange thing. Personally I do not believe we are in danger of losing our democracy or constitutional rights. I do believe that because change control has been done so brutally there will be a lot of pain that will have to be addressed. Somewhat like has happened because of the school shutdowns during Covid.
Thank you. That's a very useful example
It's very interesting to think of the present political situation like those first few months of Covid. I see the parallels. We must live one day at a time, find our blessings where we can and do our part so we have a chance at a better tomorrow.
COVID did change the world forever. Some of what is happening now is a consequence of what happened then: social isolation (necessary at the time to save lives) still affects many people's mental states; feelings of helplessness in the face of the disease, and hence anger misdirected at scientists, doctors, nurses, and other health workers; the anti-science propaganda that gained a foothold and still grows today; supply-chain disruptions and unemployment that caused money problems and gave rise to inflation (during our recovery, which was better than any other country's); economic anxiety that Trump manipulated/manipulates to get elected and seize powers that he has no constitutional right to; Trump and maga-media's constant lying about COVID and almost everything else that so permeates our country now that half the country can't tell what the truth is.
The comparison to COVID is a solid insight that hadn't occurred to me. There is resilience and self-correction built into our society and institutions, in ways that aren't obvious.
My family lives in a small border community, and the border communities are being devastated as Canadians draw back from travelling to the US due to all the uncertainty. Point Roberts, where my family lives, is surrounded by ocean on 3 sides, and by Canada on the north side. People are losing jobs and income. As far as anyone can see, Trump doesn't care about the little people! It's heartbreaking!
I appreciate a calming perspective, but comparing this time to COVID is not that. The world was genuinely wrecked for several years and there have been long-term effects on students and workplaces. Many older people I know still haven't fully returned to life and many regular social events never came back either.
the world has been full of epidemic and endemic diseases. That is the sense in which Covid didnt change anything fundamental, not that it was without severe and deadly consequences
True. There have also been many instances in history where democracies have slid into something else. Still not comforting I'm afraid!
Thank you for that calming perspective. It is much more useful to me than all the mountains of radioactive information. If only we can get those around us to calm down their trigger fingers and stick together to see where this goes, we will be better off no matter how things turn out in the long run.
Thank you
One man now controls both houses and those who who speak up against him risk political suicide. He controls The Supreme Court. He has eliminated all the top brass that disagreed with him in The Military, The FBI and The CIA. Now our rights are (not will) being curtailed. Unelected, actual oligarchs now hild the reigns of our gov't. The time for mass protests is passing quickly. Rioting will be seen as essential by Summer. Mid-level commissioned and non-commissioned officers are wondering if they need to intervene to protect The Constitution.
perhaps...
You are, of course, well aware of what is happening. We are now the enemy of the democratic world and ally with the autocrats. My question is, what has to happen for you to be truly concerned and start to fight back against it? And if you wait until that point, will it be too late?