While it is agreed that the protection of our democracy requires our full attention and actions, no matter how small, we must put equal time into an effort to find all those wanting to seek common ground. We need a dominant level headed individual to lead those who understand that compromise is our only way out of a looming conflict.
The leader I’m talking about is someone who when they speak out, they command your attention and support. I’m thinking along the lines of a MLK, FDR, ????
Yes, I’m also very tired of the profligate merchants of misinformation and distraction .... I had different plans for my 70’s ... but pretty sure you’re here, Marycat, because you’re inclined to also look for the helpers ... like Ruth. I’m learning that the model for leadership has morphed into a more collaborative, grass roots, from the bottom-up, style, as demonstrated in the recent rise of Black Lives Matter activism, and the protests after the George Floyd murder. It’s messy ... but appears.... it might ultimately be more effective than the top-down, patriarchal style, that was so tragically derailed by the murders of Martin Luther King Jr and Robert Kennedy and Fred Hampton, and imprisonment and life-saving exile of so many other activists leaders, during the 60/70s ... and more recently, when the the 2008 Obama coalition de-activated in the unrealized hope that President Obama would lead us to the promised land.
That common ground, where we discover a place of compromise, was ably demonstrated by the present, Democratic governors of Michigan and Kansas. Rather than engage in a tit4tat public discourse on the GOP-MAGA-Fox talking points ... they got elected in red states by focusing on practical issues that hit home. Governor Whitney promised to fix the roads that Republican austerity policies allowed to fall into disrepair; Governor Laura Kelly promised to rebuild Kansas schools that were failing
Yes, Ruth, I agree. The Nashville episode has ignited a movement not only for gun reform, but for all that David Pepper writes about in Laboratories of Autocracy: the control of statehouses by members who run unopposed and who promote the program of ALEC. This movement fueled by young voters 18-28 will, I anticipate, rise up, will vote, will target state lawmakers who have been running unopposed in gerrymandered districts, and remove Republicans so opposed to all the changes we want to see.
Ruth...thank you for finding a way to resume sending your letters to me. I've missed them. What's gotten me angry at the moment is that I happened to read a couple of newsletters written by the New York Young Republican Club. One of them shows how they feel about Trump..."Radical leftist interests, beholden to an elite, internationalist cabal have taken the unprecedented step of indicting President Donald J. Trump, the leading candidate for the 2024 presidential election". Another newsletter gave credit to the Nashville republicans for expelling the two Justins. That such young people can be so cynical I find very disturbing.
In contrast, students at the University of Iowa (as well as local high school students) are mobilizing to challenge the appearance on campus of the celebrity fascist, Matt Walsh, comes to U of I under the auspices of the Young Americans for Freedom.
I have noticed that segment of strong-willed younger adult also. The tech store employees denying J6 in front of customers ... when I worked retail, we were customer - focused without displaying political content!
Thanks for this insightful and inspiring essay, Ruth. It reminds those of us working at the very roots of the grassroots that our efforts make a difference in defeating the forces of authoritarianism. Hope you are feeling better.
Thanks for the link to David Pepper’s encouraging and inspiring LABORATORIES OF AUTOCRACY!
David Pepper has a new book coming out next month: SAVING DEMOCRACY: A Users Manual
Ruth published an interview with him here in Dec 1, 2021.
Lucidite Heidi Cuda published David’s latest encouragements to join in the fight against those bringing Gilead to our home, in her latest, April 10, Bette Dangerous substack podcast (free, but well worth the subscription!). She also interviews him in her Radicalized:Truth Survives podcast eps 45 and 49.
And thanks, Ruth, for your frequent encouragements, and steadfast and practical optimism, to join in the fight. In Josephine County, Oregon, we were unable to prevent the GOP-Fox-Christian mini-trumpers from taking over our city council and county commission last election.... but we are continuing to stand up ... this time against their attempts to take over our school and library boards in next month’s May 16 election.
And perhaps another bright spot: greatly reduced financial support in response to Trump’s latest scam to fleece the MAGA-base, compared to the quarter $billion$ that he scammed them out of, after the 2020 election, to support his Big Lie.
I really love this line of yours Ruth "Such arrogance and underestimation of the fierce will to retain rights and freedoms has always been an authoritarian weakness".
The MAGAs, the Republican party on the state level think they can rig, suppress and gerrymander elections to gain power. (Wisconsin has been ground zero) In their arrogance, once they win, they feel unaccountable and untouchable. They think they can just keep on shoving their unpopular white Christian theocratic agenda down the throats of the country without consequence. Well I got news for them. Keep it up. Cause we're coming. We will resist you. We will continue to organize and protest and vote against you and your authoritarianism, we will win elections until you and your fascist crowd are voted out of office. This is happening. Trump is the final showdown. Its Tyranny vs. freedom, agent Smith vs Neo. (Matrix) democracy, the rule of law, freedom of thought and expression are not going to be defeated without a big fight!
You’re right! Undermining democracy is at the top of the authoritarian priority list! At the top of ours must be vigilance! Keep your light shining Ruth!
On what grounds did Gov. DeSantis have Brook and Fried arrested? The lawsuit for false arrest against the state and the Governor is going to be epic! And as for Tennessee, Republican legislators can act like 5 year olds, but they created a trio of heroes who will make them pay a price for what they have done. My guess is that in the next cycle Democrats will capture all of the state wide offices. And across the country, Republican authoritarianism has aroused the young. I suspect that Republicans have no idea what they have awakened, and how badly it will go for them in their next elections...gerrymandering and voter suppression may not save them this time around.
As I watched the fiasco unfold I remembered the words of Adm. Yamamoto after the Perl Harbor attack "I fear we have awakened a sleeping giant and filled it with a terrible resolve (or rage)" Republicans have, and are continuing to, awakened a sleeping giant.
Thank you for sharing this timely quote. And I share back in kind, "They're the guardians of us and we're the guardians of their legacy." -- President Joe Biden, May 30, 2021.
"Each episode of resistance will inspire ..." so beautifully said. Each transaction we make in our daily lives, offers us the opportunity to extend kindness & compassion extraordinaire, that will be noticed. A dose of good manners sweeping the nation would help also. Authoritarians do not practice authenticity in their transactions, call them out assertively. Each of us, work local.
Thanks Jan. Right now I'm working with young people who are mobilizing to challenge the celebrity fascist, Matt Walsh. Walsh, who will come to Iowa City under the auspices of the far right student organization, Young Americans for Freedom, will present and discuss his transphobic film "What is a Woman?" But we are fighting against this form or right wing provocation. This particular young people's resistance movement has gotten considerable press coverage in local news outlets and their petition protesting Walsh's appearance has been signed by hundreds.
Like I've said before, authoritarians promote vices like hate, anger, vengeance, scapegoating, national polarization, distrust of their fellow citizens and callousness. Advocates of democracy promote virtues like kindness, national unity, honesty, empathy, lawfulness and civility. The virtuous side of humanity must win.
"We face a psychological war that seeks to convince Americans that Democrats pose an existential threat to them and promotes violence as a legitimate response to that situation."
So well said Ruth.
The effectiveness of the propaganda to accomplish this goal by the "right"is just stunning. Those who have bought into the MAGA polarization are so entrenched in their belief, that few will be able to change. They are so consumed by confirmation bias and post-truth that the only way to combat them is to out-vote them. They have become stuck in a psychological rut, brought to us by a destructive charismatic leader. This has sometimes been called mass psychosis. Once we bring back democracy (from anocracy) these people will feel like hostages and probably raise hell for years.
We are also seeing this pushback with regard to freedom of choice. After the Dobbs decision, States led by GOP-controlled legislatures crowed once again about "States rights." Yet now, GOP-controlled States are not satisfied with their limited control, so they are now passing laws that would criminalize abortion in neighboring States. For example, Idaho is about to pass a law that would make it a crime for providers in Washington State (or other neighboring "blue" States) to provide abortions to Idahoans. Gov. Inslee of Washington immediately wrote to Gov. Little of Idaho telling him in no uncertain terms that any attempt to interfere with Washington's sovereignty would be met with severe consequences. And Gov. Healey of Massachusetts has warned all GOP-controlled States that any attempt to interfere with Massachusetts' sovereignty would be met with every political and legal means at the States' disposal.
As well, even some GOP leaders are pushing back against the ruling by the Texas judge undoing the FDA's approval of mifepristone. Some of them have even joined some Democrats in suggesting that the order - a massive judicial overreach - simply be ignored.
The one thing we can all be thankful for is that we still live in a country where 2/3 of the populace remains sane, and grounded in fact, science, democracy, and the rule of law. Still, we all need to remain vigilant and if possible, active in pushing back against the authoritarian movement in the GOP.
Speaking of Statehouses, Authoritarian methods and the Policies they push (Flat taxes)
[Asked to comment on the Republican proposed Ohio HR 1 bill on Flat Taxes]
Flat taxes are REGRESSIVE which means a larger amount of income will be taken from those with lower incomes. Ohio currently has a PROGRESSIVE income tax with four brackets [3.99% the highest and 2.765% the lowest tax brackets]. With this proposed and pushed Republican Ohio House 1 Bill, the top highest income group will get 89% of the tax dollars – this is a regressive tax!!! It will NOT empower families and small businesses “to restart Ohio as the economic engine of the Midwest as it is being touted.” In fact, services such as police and fire protection will need to be CUT!! Local government and school districts are estimated to lose 1.2 billion dollars annually to pay for this regressive 2.75% flat tax with an accompanying property tax DECREASE within Ohio HB 1 where property taxes are also REGRESSIVE.
Many statehouses are pushing for this flat tax (with other tax changes) as we speak!
A flat tax was promoted by Steve Forbes many years ago, and given who he represents (the elites) it should be clear that a flat tax benfits the wealthy. The flat tax seems to be a pillar of the infamous neoliberal order and their need to bolster the wealth class at the expense of everyone else.
That is so true, Steve, and I am quite confident that that is what the Autocratic Ohio Republicans have in mind as well although I am also quite confident that these Autocrats do NOT want Ohioans to actually know that! Thanks!
Hmmm....reading all of these wishlist comments....I'm just glad to read what you wrote and take heart that more folks at local and state levels are contributing to this swell of resistance to authoritarian principles and practices. I'm in a pretty blue state, but they are nipping at our heels here too. Happy to take a breath and feel my feet, then get ready for the next round.
While it is agreed that the protection of our democracy requires our full attention and actions, no matter how small, we must put equal time into an effort to find all those wanting to seek common ground. We need a dominant level headed individual to lead those who understand that compromise is our only way out of a looming conflict.
The leader I’m talking about is someone who when they speak out, they command your attention and support. I’m thinking along the lines of a MLK, FDR, ????
Yes, I’m also very tired of the profligate merchants of misinformation and distraction .... I had different plans for my 70’s ... but pretty sure you’re here, Marycat, because you’re inclined to also look for the helpers ... like Ruth. I’m learning that the model for leadership has morphed into a more collaborative, grass roots, from the bottom-up, style, as demonstrated in the recent rise of Black Lives Matter activism, and the protests after the George Floyd murder. It’s messy ... but appears.... it might ultimately be more effective than the top-down, patriarchal style, that was so tragically derailed by the murders of Martin Luther King Jr and Robert Kennedy and Fred Hampton, and imprisonment and life-saving exile of so many other activists leaders, during the 60/70s ... and more recently, when the the 2008 Obama coalition de-activated in the unrealized hope that President Obama would lead us to the promised land.
Trump, MAGA and fascism are all about male chauvinism. It's very much like feudalism; in fact fascists love feudalism.
Love this Randolph ~~~
What are your thoughts on Gavin Newsom? Too far left ?
That common ground, where we discover a place of compromise, was ably demonstrated by the present, Democratic governors of Michigan and Kansas. Rather than engage in a tit4tat public discourse on the GOP-MAGA-Fox talking points ... they got elected in red states by focusing on practical issues that hit home. Governor Whitney promised to fix the roads that Republican austerity policies allowed to fall into disrepair; Governor Laura Kelly promised to rebuild Kansas schools that were failing
Forward thinkers. Problem solvers.
Stupid spellchecker: that is Michigan Governor Gretchen WHITMER!!
Yes, Ruth, I agree. The Nashville episode has ignited a movement not only for gun reform, but for all that David Pepper writes about in Laboratories of Autocracy: the control of statehouses by members who run unopposed and who promote the program of ALEC. This movement fueled by young voters 18-28 will, I anticipate, rise up, will vote, will target state lawmakers who have been running unopposed in gerrymandered districts, and remove Republicans so opposed to all the changes we want to see.
Such good points you highlight. David Pepper lead the way!
Ruth...thank you for finding a way to resume sending your letters to me. I've missed them. What's gotten me angry at the moment is that I happened to read a couple of newsletters written by the New York Young Republican Club. One of them shows how they feel about Trump..."Radical leftist interests, beholden to an elite, internationalist cabal have taken the unprecedented step of indicting President Donald J. Trump, the leading candidate for the 2024 presidential election". Another newsletter gave credit to the Nashville republicans for expelling the two Justins. That such young people can be so cynical I find very disturbing.
In contrast, students at the University of Iowa (as well as local high school students) are mobilizing to challenge the appearance on campus of the celebrity fascist, Matt Walsh, comes to U of I under the auspices of the Young Americans for Freedom.
Yeah!!! Young people voters. Thank you Bruce for all you do and report on from Iowa. Education matters. Groundswell to those young voter students.
I have noticed that segment of strong-willed younger adult also. The tech store employees denying J6 in front of customers ... when I worked retail, we were customer - focused without displaying political content!
Oddly enough, Twitter won't let me share this piece from their embedded link.
Maybe my machine, or maybe Elon's new Substack policy...?
Good reporting
The burdens “we” as denizens face, living in a fascist averse period of time are many! Thanks for all your excellent work Ruth!!
Thanks for this insightful and inspiring essay, Ruth. It reminds those of us working at the very roots of the grassroots that our efforts make a difference in defeating the forces of authoritarianism. Hope you are feeling better.
Yes, the fight is NOT over.
Thanks for the link to David Pepper’s encouraging and inspiring LABORATORIES OF AUTOCRACY!
David Pepper has a new book coming out next month: SAVING DEMOCRACY: A Users Manual
Ruth published an interview with him here in Dec 1, 2021.
Lucidite Heidi Cuda published David’s latest encouragements to join in the fight against those bringing Gilead to our home, in her latest, April 10, Bette Dangerous substack podcast (free, but well worth the subscription!). She also interviews him in her Radicalized:Truth Survives podcast eps 45 and 49.
And thanks, Ruth, for your frequent encouragements, and steadfast and practical optimism, to join in the fight. In Josephine County, Oregon, we were unable to prevent the GOP-Fox-Christian mini-trumpers from taking over our city council and county commission last election.... but we are continuing to stand up ... this time against their attempts to take over our school and library boards in next month’s May 16 election.
Let's all buy that book -- as our field manuals!
A bright spot is that there were no mass protests in support of Trump after his indictment
And perhaps another bright spot: greatly reduced financial support in response to Trump’s latest scam to fleece the MAGA-base, compared to the quarter $billion$ that he scammed them out of, after the 2020 election, to support his Big Lie.
I really love this line of yours Ruth "Such arrogance and underestimation of the fierce will to retain rights and freedoms has always been an authoritarian weakness".
The MAGAs, the Republican party on the state level think they can rig, suppress and gerrymander elections to gain power. (Wisconsin has been ground zero) In their arrogance, once they win, they feel unaccountable and untouchable. They think they can just keep on shoving their unpopular white Christian theocratic agenda down the throats of the country without consequence. Well I got news for them. Keep it up. Cause we're coming. We will resist you. We will continue to organize and protest and vote against you and your authoritarianism, we will win elections until you and your fascist crowd are voted out of office. This is happening. Trump is the final showdown. Its Tyranny vs. freedom, agent Smith vs Neo. (Matrix) democracy, the rule of law, freedom of thought and expression are not going to be defeated without a big fight!
ABSOLUTELY!!!
You’re right! Undermining democracy is at the top of the authoritarian priority list! At the top of ours must be vigilance! Keep your light shining Ruth!
On what grounds did Gov. DeSantis have Brook and Fried arrested? The lawsuit for false arrest against the state and the Governor is going to be epic! And as for Tennessee, Republican legislators can act like 5 year olds, but they created a trio of heroes who will make them pay a price for what they have done. My guess is that in the next cycle Democrats will capture all of the state wide offices. And across the country, Republican authoritarianism has aroused the young. I suspect that Republicans have no idea what they have awakened, and how badly it will go for them in their next elections...gerrymandering and voter suppression may not save them this time around.
Created a trio of national heroes also. This trio is a good roadshow too for pro- democracy inspirations. For getting out the Black vote.
As I watched the fiasco unfold I remembered the words of Adm. Yamamoto after the Perl Harbor attack "I fear we have awakened a sleeping giant and filled it with a terrible resolve (or rage)" Republicans have, and are continuing to, awakened a sleeping giant.
Thank you for sharing this timely quote. And I share back in kind, "They're the guardians of us and we're the guardians of their legacy." -- President Joe Biden, May 30, 2021.
"Each episode of resistance will inspire ..." so beautifully said. Each transaction we make in our daily lives, offers us the opportunity to extend kindness & compassion extraordinaire, that will be noticed. A dose of good manners sweeping the nation would help also. Authoritarians do not practice authenticity in their transactions, call them out assertively. Each of us, work local.
Thanks Jan. Right now I'm working with young people who are mobilizing to challenge the celebrity fascist, Matt Walsh. Walsh, who will come to Iowa City under the auspices of the far right student organization, Young Americans for Freedom, will present and discuss his transphobic film "What is a Woman?" But we are fighting against this form or right wing provocation. This particular young people's resistance movement has gotten considerable press coverage in local news outlets and their petition protesting Walsh's appearance has been signed by hundreds.
Like I've said before, authoritarians promote vices like hate, anger, vengeance, scapegoating, national polarization, distrust of their fellow citizens and callousness. Advocates of democracy promote virtues like kindness, national unity, honesty, empathy, lawfulness and civility. The virtuous side of humanity must win.
"We face a psychological war that seeks to convince Americans that Democrats pose an existential threat to them and promotes violence as a legitimate response to that situation."
So well said Ruth.
The effectiveness of the propaganda to accomplish this goal by the "right"is just stunning. Those who have bought into the MAGA polarization are so entrenched in their belief, that few will be able to change. They are so consumed by confirmation bias and post-truth that the only way to combat them is to out-vote them. They have become stuck in a psychological rut, brought to us by a destructive charismatic leader. This has sometimes been called mass psychosis. Once we bring back democracy (from anocracy) these people will feel like hostages and probably raise hell for years.
We are also seeing this pushback with regard to freedom of choice. After the Dobbs decision, States led by GOP-controlled legislatures crowed once again about "States rights." Yet now, GOP-controlled States are not satisfied with their limited control, so they are now passing laws that would criminalize abortion in neighboring States. For example, Idaho is about to pass a law that would make it a crime for providers in Washington State (or other neighboring "blue" States) to provide abortions to Idahoans. Gov. Inslee of Washington immediately wrote to Gov. Little of Idaho telling him in no uncertain terms that any attempt to interfere with Washington's sovereignty would be met with severe consequences. And Gov. Healey of Massachusetts has warned all GOP-controlled States that any attempt to interfere with Massachusetts' sovereignty would be met with every political and legal means at the States' disposal.
As well, even some GOP leaders are pushing back against the ruling by the Texas judge undoing the FDA's approval of mifepristone. Some of them have even joined some Democrats in suggesting that the order - a massive judicial overreach - simply be ignored.
The one thing we can all be thankful for is that we still live in a country where 2/3 of the populace remains sane, and grounded in fact, science, democracy, and the rule of law. Still, we all need to remain vigilant and if possible, active in pushing back against the authoritarian movement in the GOP.
Speaking of Statehouses, Authoritarian methods and the Policies they push (Flat taxes)
[Asked to comment on the Republican proposed Ohio HR 1 bill on Flat Taxes]
Flat taxes are REGRESSIVE which means a larger amount of income will be taken from those with lower incomes. Ohio currently has a PROGRESSIVE income tax with four brackets [3.99% the highest and 2.765% the lowest tax brackets]. With this proposed and pushed Republican Ohio House 1 Bill, the top highest income group will get 89% of the tax dollars – this is a regressive tax!!! It will NOT empower families and small businesses “to restart Ohio as the economic engine of the Midwest as it is being touted.” In fact, services such as police and fire protection will need to be CUT!! Local government and school districts are estimated to lose 1.2 billion dollars annually to pay for this regressive 2.75% flat tax with an accompanying property tax DECREASE within Ohio HB 1 where property taxes are also REGRESSIVE.
Many statehouses are pushing for this flat tax (with other tax changes) as we speak!
A flat tax was promoted by Steve Forbes many years ago, and given who he represents (the elites) it should be clear that a flat tax benfits the wealthy. The flat tax seems to be a pillar of the infamous neoliberal order and their need to bolster the wealth class at the expense of everyone else.
That is so true, Steve, and I am quite confident that that is what the Autocratic Ohio Republicans have in mind as well although I am also quite confident that these Autocrats do NOT want Ohioans to actually know that! Thanks!
Hmmm....reading all of these wishlist comments....I'm just glad to read what you wrote and take heart that more folks at local and state levels are contributing to this swell of resistance to authoritarian principles and practices. I'm in a pretty blue state, but they are nipping at our heels here too. Happy to take a breath and feel my feet, then get ready for the next round.