"We know how damaged our institutions of democracy — our judiciary, the legislature, the executive — have become in the eyes of the American people, even the world, from attacks within over the past few years," President Joe Biden stated soberly in a late September speech. "We should all remember: democracies don't have to die at the end of a rifle. They can die when people are silent — when they fail to stand up or condemn threats to democracy."
Do you publish a transcript for your Q&As? I'm in West Coast time zone and the 1-2PM time never works for me. I am very sad to miss them, as I know from your book, your appearances on MSNBC etc., and from your postings here on Substack that they are certain to be content-rich and enlightening. Thank you in advance for your response. And thank you for your analysis of strongmen and autocracy. You have sped up our recognition of how the Trump phenomena fits into the larger peril. Best regards.
What sort of people promote violence? Who has no moral constraints about the consequences of the violence that they promote? It takes people with no moral compass and no conscience. Psychopaths/sociopaths are ususlly violent in nature, and we have seen this in Trump. Those following him seem to have lost their moral compass as well, but when speaking with them, they take the moral high ground and will accuse you of being immoral. The power of propaganda is immense!
I just read the Washington Post article in today's paper (10/26) about the purveyors of climate lies on Fox (Brett Baer et al.) and in the Congress who turn around and install solar power for the homes and zoom around in their electric cars. Will we please find a way to end this horrendous hypocrisy by the ultra rich? I'd like to bet on Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse who is taking on the fight for democracy. If Katie Porter returns to office, she could be another ally. I am looking for a solution here. Am I wrong to want that? Democracy is precious; I am not ready to give in to apathy.
I am angry, upset and tired. 24/7 news wears me down. There has got to be a way back to some semblance of a workable institutional democracy. We must not allow the overprivileged overpaid hypocrites run our country into the ground. I refuse to give up on us. I care too much for people to lose our democracy. Please don't give up. Keep talking! Please.
Yes! Through people caring, working through their exhaustion, organizing, participating. Timothy Snyder's On Tyranny: 20 lessons from the 20th century is a daily guide.
A trite but true expression holds, “Vote the bums out!” Our Republic was formed as Lincoln observed, “of the people, by the people, for the people.” In short that means it is up to us as voters to save our democracy. We don’t have the choice of apathy by frustration or disgruntlement. We stopped Trump in 2020 and we will stop him and his fascist fellow travelers in 2024.
Joseph: While I agree that voting is critical we all need to do more than just vote. You might consider contacting your local or state Democratic Party and offer to volunteer, asap. Let’s avoid being overly confident or complacent. Recognizing we have a tough road ahead might spur us into action. Some healthy trepidation and/or anger may even motivate us even more.
true. Have any read Ruth's book? Timothy's books? I guess not. I have my doubts that any GOP politician cares about democracy. If one cares enough, wouldn't one be willing to speak out come 'hell or high-water? I wonder.
When speaking with GOP voters about fascism, they tell me I'm wrong about it being a far right concept. They tell me it's a far left concept. This mindset is brought about by the likes of Dennis Prager and his propaganda machine, as well as fascist media. The Trumpers totally misunderstand fascism. They hate democracy, as seen in their childish and idiotic saying about two wolves and a lamb voting on what's for dinner. These are not fact based people; they are emotion based. Most of them I've spoken with have a grandiose self image and zero wisdom.
Steve: I agree, but need to add that there’s a sliver of moderates w/in the GOP, maybe 25 to 30%, that’s disgusted with the direction their party has taken. They may have noticed the GOP in now fascist. We need them to vote Democratic. These disenchanted GOPs might be steered to organized former GOPs that are working against their former party because they dread a GOP victory as much as we do. They could be a source of volunteers for GOP rebels.
Johnson has expressed that he wants a Christian theocracy here. This idea goes back to the Dark Ages in Europe. Johnson is a religious bigot....... and dangerous.
It is stunning to see four codefendants in the Georgia election case admit the Big Lie is just that, while the Republicans elect a speaker who participated in the conspiracy. I’m hopeful this out-of-step with the voting majority behavior will continue to reveal itself and alienate undecided voters. The violence and lies can hopefully be their undoing in 2024.
We need to encourage outrage; channeled into support and/or demand for enforcing section 3 of the 14th Amend’t. Those politicians who violated their oath of office can and should be barred from holding public office. Check Dean O. Report Substack (I’m not sure of the name, but can find it if need be.) Dems are playing nice while the GOP goes for the jocular.
I'm with you! I'm thinking there should be a massive demonstration. There should have been at the fall of roe! When they denied Obama the supreme Court Justice appointment we should have been in the streets by the millions. We have been conditioned to sit on our couches. I'm hoping someone can organize the forces. Somebody should be calling us out to the streets. If I'm saying this it should probably be me but I have no platform. We really need somebody with a platform to call us out to the streets. It should be Biden or the Democratic governors I don't know those are my thoughts.
I realized this morning after the election of a Speaker in the House that I am psychologically tired so I took the day off from news today and gave myself lots of TLC with the help of my cat (she’s very helpful). I have grave concerns about the welfare of our country but refuse to give in to hopelessness. Thank you, Ruth, for your writing. It is a beacon in the night.
Ruth - I have learned so much from you about the playbooks of authoritarianism and find this so frightening and compelling for me engagement.
Can you steer me/us to a similar approach about terrorism - it’s playbook, intended and unintended consequences on people and states, smart and stupid historical reactions. So many questions but I’d like to know more In a more systematic way. Have you written on this or can you direct me/us to some smart articles and scholars. Many thanks.
Thank you Ruth for your great book. Also, The Death Of Democracy is a great book on how Hitler came back from his first coup to "LEGALLY" ascend to power and the cement his place.
The Capitol police chief statement I find concerning, as it could be a protective force for extremists and an enforcer for their views. Very concerning.
And Ruth in addition to Jose Ortega y Gasset, I'm reminded of what another poet/philosopher said”The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who in a period of moral crisis, maintain their neutrality”. Dante. And I'll add one more: "The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them without doing anything." Einstein
Its another example of how elected leaders, elites and governments themselves bring about the death of their own democracies. We are are sadly in that moment of crisis where authoritarianism threatens to drown democracy. This is what it looks like. Violent rhetoric pulsates through right wing media like a drum beat everyday. We have to recognize the clear and present danger we are in as a country. We need (courage) from our leaders to stand up and protect and defend our democracy from the the worthless men trying destroy it more than ever!
I dislike their politics and their are others but people like Liz Cheney, Mitt Romney, Adam Kitzinger for example are profiles in courage.
The sad part of all this is that MAGA types don't believe that what they support is fascism. They cannot be convinced of it either. They have lost touch with reality. That's fascism's mission; a fantasy world for the broken masses.
To bamboozle the masses. Thats quite a trick isn't it?
But really it is not so much of a trick. Populist/authoritarian movements prey upon resentments. After 40 years of Reaganism/Neoliberalism, as wealth concentrates at the very top there is less and less for ordinary people=resentment..
The advent of neoliberalism signaled the move away from tradtional capitalism and an advance toward a cartel economy that was used in Germany during fascism. Many of our arrogant CEOs dream of being kings, and see fascism as a means to accomplish that end. Propaganda became necessary to convince the masses that fascism was the solution to the problems that the CEOs/GOP /Libertarians caused.
Yup! The head bamboozler of 2016, loves center stage and will say anything to keep the adoration of the masses; he's missed his profession: the theater. He's a perfect fit for narcissistic leading actor. He has zero business as president of any democracy. The people must keep him out!
Gary/Steve: I agree with much of what you’ve said.
As to: “We need (courage) from our leaders to stand up and protect and defend our democracy from the worthless men trying destroy it more than ever!”
I suggest not relying on our ‘leaders’ since most if not all have used their power and wealth for to hoard even more. We’re in this predicament largely due to sycophantic ‘leaders’ that catered to the elite while ignoring the many more. Relying on these so-called leaders leads to complacency that someone else will save us, in spite of repeated betrayals. I’m not suggesting a third party. We must participate: choose, vote, get out the vote; monitoring leaders and give them feedback; while never forgetting who they’re supposed to work for—for all, not just the few.
The “… worthless men trying [to destroy our democracy]…” are often wealthy and powerful because we forget we are more than they, but delegated and trusted leaders more than they deserved and sought entertainment like sports while shunning politics.
I’m reminded of Biden, who I voted for and may have to vote for again. I’m extremely concern about his unconditional support for Israel and our failure to address the Israeli and Palestinian massacres in this pages. While he’s the leader I’m certainly going to urge him to demand a ceasefire and encourage others to do the same.
I agree with Steve, about the role fascism plays in our predicament. It’s surfacing in the U.S. Congress and in the contrived fascist Israel and fascist Hamas conflict; created snd financed by the British and the U.S. We’re all left paying a heavy price, as we did with the Iraq snd Afghan massacres.
Hope we can continue this conversation sometime after the Q&A. We’re witnessing a Palestinian genocide and we aught not trust our leaders.
Gary/Steve: I agree with much of what you’ve said.
As to: “We need (courage) from our leaders to stand up and protect and defend our democracy from the worthless men trying destroy it more than ever!”
I suggest not relying on our ‘leaders’ since most if not all have used their power and wealth for to hoard even more. We’re in this predicament largely due to sycophantic ‘leaders’ that catered to the elite while ignoring the many more. Relying on these so-called leaders leads to complacency that someone else will save us, in spite of repeated betrayals. I’m not suggesting a third party. We must participate: choose, vote, get out the vote; monitoring leaders and give them feedback; while never forgetting who they’re supposed to work for—for all, not just the few.
The “… worthless men trying [to destroy our democracy]…” are often wealthy and powerful because we forget we are more than they, but delegated and trusted leaders more than they deserved and sought entertainment like sports while shunning politics.
I’m reminded of Biden, who I voted for and may have to vote for again. I’m extremely concern about his unconditional support for Israel and our failure to address the Israeli and Palestinian massacres in this pages. While he’s the leader I’m certainly going to urge him to demand a ceasefire and encourage others to do the same.
I agree with Steve, about the role fascism plays in our predicament. It’s surfacing in the U.S. Congress and in the contrived fascist Israel and fascist Hamas conflict; created snd financed by the British and the U.S. We’re all left paying a heavy price, as we did with the Iraq snd Afghan massacres.
Hope we can continue this conversation sometime after the Q&A. We’re witnessing a Palestinian genocide and we aught not trust our leaders.
I agree relying on our "leader's" "courage" to defend and protect democracy is at best only necessary but NOT sufficient. Ultimately, only "we" in greater numbers than our opposition can save ourselves.
I am fine voting for a flawed and imperfect Biden over Trump/MAGA any day of the week til infinity. For me its a no brainer...
Do you publish a transcript for your Q&As? I'm in West Coast time zone and the 1-2PM time never works for me. I am very sad to miss them, as I know from your book, your appearances on MSNBC etc., and from your postings here on Substack that they are certain to be content-rich and enlightening. Thank you in advance for your response. And thank you for your analysis of strongmen and autocracy. You have sped up our recognition of how the Trump phenomena fits into the larger peril. Best regards.
Eye opening commentary, thank you
What sort of people promote violence? Who has no moral constraints about the consequences of the violence that they promote? It takes people with no moral compass and no conscience. Psychopaths/sociopaths are ususlly violent in nature, and we have seen this in Trump. Those following him seem to have lost their moral compass as well, but when speaking with them, they take the moral high ground and will accuse you of being immoral. The power of propaganda is immense!
Life is cheap
Especially when people are sadistic. Sadism is a major part of fascism.
"Always accuse the other side of that which you are guilty" Goebbels
I just read the Washington Post article in today's paper (10/26) about the purveyors of climate lies on Fox (Brett Baer et al.) and in the Congress who turn around and install solar power for the homes and zoom around in their electric cars. Will we please find a way to end this horrendous hypocrisy by the ultra rich? I'd like to bet on Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse who is taking on the fight for democracy. If Katie Porter returns to office, she could be another ally. I am looking for a solution here. Am I wrong to want that? Democracy is precious; I am not ready to give in to apathy.
Is there a way back from the precipice?
I can’t see one today. I am worn out, worn down, worn heartsick.
I'm feeling the same way.
I am angry, upset and tired. 24/7 news wears me down. There has got to be a way back to some semblance of a workable institutional democracy. We must not allow the overprivileged overpaid hypocrites run our country into the ground. I refuse to give up on us. I care too much for people to lose our democracy. Please don't give up. Keep talking! Please.
❤️
Yes! Through people caring, working through their exhaustion, organizing, participating. Timothy Snyder's On Tyranny: 20 lessons from the 20th century is a daily guide.
Leslie, I also recommend How fascism works: the politics of us and then, by Jason Stanley (2018.)
A trite but true expression holds, “Vote the bums out!” Our Republic was formed as Lincoln observed, “of the people, by the people, for the people.” In short that means it is up to us as voters to save our democracy. We don’t have the choice of apathy by frustration or disgruntlement. We stopped Trump in 2020 and we will stop him and his fascist fellow travelers in 2024.
Joseph: While I agree that voting is critical we all need to do more than just vote. You might consider contacting your local or state Democratic Party and offer to volunteer, asap. Let’s avoid being overly confident or complacent. Recognizing we have a tough road ahead might spur us into action. Some healthy trepidation and/or anger may even motivate us even more.
Excellent essay with added meaning given today’s choice of House Speaker.
Good morning, Heartache
In a land of dreams, now turning to dust,
Stands a House where trust should be robust.
But lo, with Johnson, dark clouds now form,
A tempest of prejudice in every storm.
Oh, Heartache, do you see this man?
Whose steps rewind, undoing the plan.
The election's voice, he wishes to mute,
Democracy’s song, he tries to refute.
From hate he speaks, with fervor and glee,
A champion of bigotry, as clear as can be.
Against love’s colors, he firmly stands,
Denying rights, tying love's hands.
Heartsick, we watch the rights he erases,
For women's choice, he gives no spaces.
The elderly's safety, he casts aside,
With promises breaking and security denied.
"Covenant marriage", he pushes forth,
Narrowing love, reducing its worth.
A sorrowful dance, to this tune we sway,
For Speaker Johnson leads us astray.
Alarmed, we see, the extreme pulling strings,
As truth and justice lose their wings.
For in his reign, darkness descends,
And the dream of progress, it sadly ends.
💔💔
Heartbroken is exactly the word for all of us.
Nice.
When the third most powerful politician in the nation is a fascist, there is no redemption for the GOP.
true. Have any read Ruth's book? Timothy's books? I guess not. I have my doubts that any GOP politician cares about democracy. If one cares enough, wouldn't one be willing to speak out come 'hell or high-water? I wonder.
When speaking with GOP voters about fascism, they tell me I'm wrong about it being a far right concept. They tell me it's a far left concept. This mindset is brought about by the likes of Dennis Prager and his propaganda machine, as well as fascist media. The Trumpers totally misunderstand fascism. They hate democracy, as seen in their childish and idiotic saying about two wolves and a lamb voting on what's for dinner. These are not fact based people; they are emotion based. Most of them I've spoken with have a grandiose self image and zero wisdom.
Steve: I agree, but need to add that there’s a sliver of moderates w/in the GOP, maybe 25 to 30%, that’s disgusted with the direction their party has taken. They may have noticed the GOP in now fascist. We need them to vote Democratic. These disenchanted GOPs might be steered to organized former GOPs that are working against their former party because they dread a GOP victory as much as we do. They could be a source of volunteers for GOP rebels.
Truth
The house GOP is a fascist.
They voted unanimously for the christo-fascist.
No moderates only extreme and more extreme.
Johnson has expressed that he wants a Christian theocracy here. This idea goes back to the Dark Ages in Europe. Johnson is a religious bigot....... and dangerous.
And yet he supports a sexual assaulting, audulterer, non church going, lying, cheating con man.
I don’t recall Dante well enough to know which circle awaits MAGA Mike.
He supports a sociopath, the most vile people on the planet. He belongs in pandemonium, the capital of hell in Milton's Paradise Lost.
His creepy, smug stare makes me think he might be a sociopath too.
Will miss Friday's meeting due to a medical appointment. Will be with everyone in spirit.
It is stunning to see four codefendants in the Georgia election case admit the Big Lie is just that, while the Republicans elect a speaker who participated in the conspiracy. I’m hopeful this out-of-step with the voting majority behavior will continue to reveal itself and alienate undecided voters. The violence and lies can hopefully be their undoing in 2024.
We need to encourage outrage; channeled into support and/or demand for enforcing section 3 of the 14th Amend’t. Those politicians who violated their oath of office can and should be barred from holding public office. Check Dean O. Report Substack (I’m not sure of the name, but can find it if need be.) Dems are playing nice while the GOP goes for the jocular.
Beautiful and sad.
I am terrified, not petrified (yet). Now, what do we do? March? Demonstrate? What!
I'm with you! I'm thinking there should be a massive demonstration. There should have been at the fall of roe! When they denied Obama the supreme Court Justice appointment we should have been in the streets by the millions. We have been conditioned to sit on our couches. I'm hoping someone can organize the forces. Somebody should be calling us out to the streets. If I'm saying this it should probably be me but I have no platform. We really need somebody with a platform to call us out to the streets. It should be Biden or the Democratic governors I don't know those are my thoughts.
I realized this morning after the election of a Speaker in the House that I am psychologically tired so I took the day off from news today and gave myself lots of TLC with the help of my cat (she’s very helpful). I have grave concerns about the welfare of our country but refuse to give in to hopelessness. Thank you, Ruth, for your writing. It is a beacon in the night.
I love Dr Hassan! I grew up in a religious cult and follow his YouTube channel. I can attest that what he professes is right on the mark!
Ruth - I have learned so much from you about the playbooks of authoritarianism and find this so frightening and compelling for me engagement.
Can you steer me/us to a similar approach about terrorism - it’s playbook, intended and unintended consequences on people and states, smart and stupid historical reactions. So many questions but I’d like to know more In a more systematic way. Have you written on this or can you direct me/us to some smart articles and scholars. Many thanks.
Thank you Ruth for your great book. Also, The Death Of Democracy is a great book on how Hitler came back from his first coup to "LEGALLY" ascend to power and the cement his place.
The Capitol police chief statement I find concerning, as it could be a protective force for extremists and an enforcer for their views. Very concerning.
The liberals need to get as angry as the conservatives have been.
And Ruth in addition to Jose Ortega y Gasset, I'm reminded of what another poet/philosopher said”The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who in a period of moral crisis, maintain their neutrality”. Dante. And I'll add one more: "The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them without doing anything." Einstein
Its another example of how elected leaders, elites and governments themselves bring about the death of their own democracies. We are are sadly in that moment of crisis where authoritarianism threatens to drown democracy. This is what it looks like. Violent rhetoric pulsates through right wing media like a drum beat everyday. We have to recognize the clear and present danger we are in as a country. We need (courage) from our leaders to stand up and protect and defend our democracy from the the worthless men trying destroy it more than ever!
I dislike their politics and their are others but people like Liz Cheney, Mitt Romney, Adam Kitzinger for example are profiles in courage.
The sad part of all this is that MAGA types don't believe that what they support is fascism. They cannot be convinced of it either. They have lost touch with reality. That's fascism's mission; a fantasy world for the broken masses.
To bamboozle the masses. Thats quite a trick isn't it?
But really it is not so much of a trick. Populist/authoritarian movements prey upon resentments. After 40 years of Reaganism/Neoliberalism, as wealth concentrates at the very top there is less and less for ordinary people=resentment..
The advent of neoliberalism signaled the move away from tradtional capitalism and an advance toward a cartel economy that was used in Germany during fascism. Many of our arrogant CEOs dream of being kings, and see fascism as a means to accomplish that end. Propaganda became necessary to convince the masses that fascism was the solution to the problems that the CEOs/GOP /Libertarians caused.
Its not just CEOs that want to be kings. Its Billionaires like Harlan Crowe and other oligarchs that think they're running the joint.
You are correct-- it's the entire megalomaniac class.
Yup! The head bamboozler of 2016, loves center stage and will say anything to keep the adoration of the masses; he's missed his profession: the theater. He's a perfect fit for narcissistic leading actor. He has zero business as president of any democracy. The people must keep him out!
Yes dangerously unfit to be President!
Gary/Steve: I agree with much of what you’ve said.
As to: “We need (courage) from our leaders to stand up and protect and defend our democracy from the worthless men trying destroy it more than ever!”
I suggest not relying on our ‘leaders’ since most if not all have used their power and wealth for to hoard even more. We’re in this predicament largely due to sycophantic ‘leaders’ that catered to the elite while ignoring the many more. Relying on these so-called leaders leads to complacency that someone else will save us, in spite of repeated betrayals. I’m not suggesting a third party. We must participate: choose, vote, get out the vote; monitoring leaders and give them feedback; while never forgetting who they’re supposed to work for—for all, not just the few.
The “… worthless men trying [to destroy our democracy]…” are often wealthy and powerful because we forget we are more than they, but delegated and trusted leaders more than they deserved and sought entertainment like sports while shunning politics.
I’m reminded of Biden, who I voted for and may have to vote for again. I’m extremely concern about his unconditional support for Israel and our failure to address the Israeli and Palestinian massacres in this pages. While he’s the leader I’m certainly going to urge him to demand a ceasefire and encourage others to do the same.
I agree with Steve, about the role fascism plays in our predicament. It’s surfacing in the U.S. Congress and in the contrived fascist Israel and fascist Hamas conflict; created snd financed by the British and the U.S. We’re all left paying a heavy price, as we did with the Iraq snd Afghan massacres.
Hope we can continue this conversation sometime after the Q&A. We’re witnessing a Palestinian genocide and we aught not trust our leaders.
Gary/Steve: I agree with much of what you’ve said.
As to: “We need (courage) from our leaders to stand up and protect and defend our democracy from the worthless men trying destroy it more than ever!”
I suggest not relying on our ‘leaders’ since most if not all have used their power and wealth for to hoard even more. We’re in this predicament largely due to sycophantic ‘leaders’ that catered to the elite while ignoring the many more. Relying on these so-called leaders leads to complacency that someone else will save us, in spite of repeated betrayals. I’m not suggesting a third party. We must participate: choose, vote, get out the vote; monitoring leaders and give them feedback; while never forgetting who they’re supposed to work for—for all, not just the few.
The “… worthless men trying [to destroy our democracy]…” are often wealthy and powerful because we forget we are more than they, but delegated and trusted leaders more than they deserved and sought entertainment like sports while shunning politics.
I’m reminded of Biden, who I voted for and may have to vote for again. I’m extremely concern about his unconditional support for Israel and our failure to address the Israeli and Palestinian massacres in this pages. While he’s the leader I’m certainly going to urge him to demand a ceasefire and encourage others to do the same.
I agree with Steve, about the role fascism plays in our predicament. It’s surfacing in the U.S. Congress and in the contrived fascist Israel and fascist Hamas conflict; created snd financed by the British and the U.S. We’re all left paying a heavy price, as we did with the Iraq snd Afghan massacres.
Hope we can continue this conversation sometime after the Q&A. We’re witnessing a Palestinian genocide and we aught not trust our leaders.
I agree relying on our "leader's" "courage" to defend and protect democracy is at best only necessary but NOT sufficient. Ultimately, only "we" in greater numbers than our opposition can save ourselves.
I am fine voting for a flawed and imperfect Biden over Trump/MAGA any day of the week til infinity. For me its a no brainer...
I agree.