I so agree. This is the answer. This is how it was done in the 1770s, and I mean peacefully -- the talking and organizing of neighbor to farmer, and farmer to neighbor. Over the fence posts we must go. Out of our silos and comfort zones. Too much at stake. Brave, and peaceful we go.
I completely agree with the first statement and share the same fears of the final one. All we need to do is look at what happend to pro democracy fighters from history such as those from the Czechoslovakian Spring or any of the south american land reformers. We are up against the exact same forces here in the US!
Info on Kremlin mouthpiece, George Santos is available at vatniksoup.com, which lists 200 of Putin’s moles, compiled by Finnish dis-information freedom fighter, Pekka Fallioniemi, interviewed by Lucidian Heidi Cuda on her May 15 ‘23 RadPod YouTube program
The propaganda right-wing media is the main culprit in brain washing these people on the right. The damage they have done is incalculable. Now that is all the right voters listen to and accept as fact based news and information. It is anything but.
So agree. I have friends that take it as gospel.... have to keep shining the light ... with analogies etc....... Also, I see subtle messaging at play. it's a powerful influence, uphill struggle this truth war we have found ourselves in.
I think Santos is being financed by the same billionaire that purchased Trump and helped him win in 2016, by microtargeting swing voters in swing State districts. They probably already had the data for Santos district from Facebook. This explains why Santos developed a wide range of diverse and fake images and interests during his campaign. They may have already known each other from previous R campaigns.
I also don't believe his parents financed him. They knew him too well to loan him that amount of money. Someone else may have transferred money to their account to shield themselves from public scrutiny, leaving his parents to act as "natural" gift givers. Jack Smith should investigate the length of time this amount of money was in the parent's account a year before his campaign?
Trump and Putin are two sides of the same coin. Wouldn't it be a wonderful event if the whole GOP turned its back on Trump at once and decided he had to go! An indicted former president should not be able to run for office again. If only....
Their benefactors are fearful of democracy. It's capable of leaning in favor of distributive justice, which can interfere with their power and dilute their wealth. They rather be part of a system that ensures this possibility will never happen and that they control absolutely. Lincoln's belief in a government of, by, and for the people gives them nightmares.
It's also why they applaud book burning and charter schools siphoning off Fed money from public schools. Less expense and more profits and influence for the private sector or no organized labor union of professional teachers to educate lids, including those that are rejected by charter schools because of special needs. They want an educated elite to run things, but prefer to keep most citizens in the dark politically. In America, 79% of the people are literate, but only 54% have a sixth grade or lower literacy rate,, which keeps understanding at a very esoteric level for 75% of the population, which are also busy making ends meet, and/or at the mercy of the big 5 media companies. The demise in readership of major newspapers has also occurred.
The reasons are complex and gets into the subject of social psychology. Authoritarians push post-truth, where emotions supersede facts. Their propaganda encourages confirmation bias, motivated reasoning. nihilism and postmodernism. But there is more involved here, and it involves the actions of a destructive charismatic leader and how it affects his tribe. These people use absolutist polarizing rhetoric to demonize anyone outside of their tribe. So information from outside is considered toxic and not to be believed. They will believe a lie from someone inside their clan, over the truth from an authority figure outside their clan.
I'm not versed in child psychology but I think you are onto something. Followers of authoritarian leaders are needy individuals who only feel whole when merged with a powerful role model. Trump becomes their savior.
Someone on a recent Lucid thread gave a real lengthy, quality dissertation on this, factual. Was an eye opener posting to me. One of Ruth's most recent posts. Really opened my eyes,,,, how Trump was neglected as an infant / toddler. And of you multiple that outward -- here we are.
After the SCOTUS intervened on Bush's behalf, his available legal options were foreclosed. Another dark moment in our history. The Republicans on the Court wouldn't even allow the votes to be properly counted which should have been the top priority in a "democracy" before any "legal" intervention on their part. The rest is history.
What I want to know is, when is the country and the press in its many forms, are going wake up and call a spade a spade? Or in the case of the GOP, Fascist a Fascist! It is like we are whistling past the grave yard, or ignoring the crazy aunt/uncle in the basement. People love reality TV, well this is our county’s reality, it don’t get more real than losing your freedom, your civil liberties, your democracy. Once that happens you will only get them back by bloodshed. It makes my blood boil to know Trump is leading his party by thirty points for their nomination to be president. And if it is not Trump, you got the another Fascist wanting the the GOP nod for President, Ron meatball Mussolini DeSantis, who wants to either get rid of four Federal agencies, and if he can’t, we’ll he is going to use those four agencies to attack the left, woke ideology, and anybody he doesn’t like, and he said this on TV! People in America need to wake up and wake up quickly, because when they load us in cattle cars, trust me it is to late by then.
Stump.....The President of the United States can't even bring himself to use the word 'fascists' or ' a threat to the republic' Biden says 'This isn't your father's republican party' An astounding understatement that doesn't emphasize the danger this extremist organization poses. It's maddening that he soft pedals rhis threat & because of this many Americans think....'Oh its just politics & DC insider baseball as they disagree on policy'
I guess Biden thinks if he doesn’t poke the Fascist bear it want bite him or the country. That is wishful thinking, that will and can get you killed in the end.
The press is so fearful to say that Trump is a sociopath. After Dr Lance Dodes, Bandy Lee and Mary Trump warn of Trump's dangerous personality disorder, it is being ignored! There is reason for alarm here, as John Gacy was a spociopath and Ted Bundy was as well. These are people with no conscience, and the stuff that serial killers are made of. The press is dropping the ball on this, badly!
Double-down support for all Federal agencies. Where good God would we be without the FAA, FDC, public health, education, occupational safety and libraries?? Today --- all of us --- get out there and vocalize this ardent support with examples to our neighbors.
If only the GOP were a ‘submersible sub’. They have no limits as to how low they can go and there doesn’t seem to be any consequences (yet, anyway) to the lowest depths of their despicable behavior. There doesn’t appear to be any “implosion” in their future. And now, the Trumps’ and the Santos’s and all those who dwell in the house of “lies, shame, and authoritarianism” are effectively equipped with a not-so-supreme court that is showing signs of complicity with it all...I need a drink.
Excellent analogy. Of risky risks, unmonitored, dodging regulation of safety standards, a hell-bent attitude -- recent history displays never ends happily.
Authoritarians don't need a majority of voter backing to take power, as we saw in Germany, as Hitler never had more than 37% backing. We have to be vigilant.
The history , beginning to ends , of cultism and its leaders is proven, well documented, and brought to notice AGAIN rather eloquently by Ruth and her colleagues.
It makes sense of the chaos. It prophesies the moves with accuracy. I looked at some of the time periods we withstood their hold . And, depending where one starts - about 12 years was an average. Playing the long game (I figured) this one started with Regan so it’s course was far more calculating -that’s rather unsettling.
But I look forward to more J.Q.Public ‘s messages and a 2024 blue slide that lasts , restores, and furthers the next 50 year gains.
I long to see those complicit with the flirt and filth become a final lesson , banished , and replaced with creative problem solving leadership.
So proud Americans on this long Forth of July holiday ...stand tall, stand humbled but resolved . Stand beside those eager to see , help, educate , mend mistakes of our past and get back to working for WE THE PEOPLE , ‘The Dream’ .
Agree and love this 'creative problem solving leadership'.. I would only add that I believe we all need to get past our personal 'comfort zones' and out of our heads and silos -- and do the hard work of talking to neighbors, store clerks and everyone -- quickly before the tense 2024 election cycle ignites.
I'm reminded of a quote from the french writer Gustave Le Bon. "The role of the scholar is to destroy chimeras, that of the statesman to make use of them." Or in this case its not a statesman but a proto fascist authoritarian who is making use of them. And a scholar of Italian studies who is helping to destroy them.
I agree with Frank, nobody does a better job than RBG of pulling aside the curtain of facade over what authoritarians do better than Ruth Ben-Ghiat.
Its my view that Trump is a master authoritarian cult leader. In fact I think he is a genius at it. With his talent and charisma, he has built a large and very loyal cult following. He has famously said, "I could shoot somebody on 5th avenue and not lose any voters". His followers will walk over broken glass for him. Now in 2023 a once great political party has been reduced and hollowed out. The GOP is MAGA and MAGA is Trump's authoritarian cult of personality. There is no need for a party platform of principles. Fascist aggrandizement and loyalty to the leader is all there is. Trump says " I alone can fix it. I am your voice. I am your retribution".
History has seen demagogues and even fascist elements in the past but this particular kind of threat in American politics has never happened before. Now is the time of monsters.
After the deindustrialization of America, our angry and broken middle class needed a savior in their time of need. Trump, who needed to be worshipped, stepped in and created the land of Magadonia, where he promised to protect his needy worshipers in their time of suffering. In exchange, they were willing to kill for him. It's what every psychopath dreams of.
I haven't seen Duck Soup but I like Groucho. There was a cartoon in the local newspaper that described the land of Magadonia. One feature of this land were the cliffs of insanity, where people jumped to their deaths. It had a border wall with everything on the other side being called "reality".
I would say read it and weep, I read it and was extremely pissed off! I’m now worried about just how much Trump and his Administration screwed America while in office. What did they sell and to whom did they sell it to? What did they agree to? https://www.spytalk.co/p/ex-trump-spy-chief-grenell-celebrates
"Enticing and intimidating individuals into becoming their worst selves is what authoritarians do best. "
Exactly! The GOP is actively promoting vices like hate, paranoia, fear, anger and vengeance, while down playing virtues like kindness, honesty, fairness, truth and lawfulness.
The GOP has awakened the beast, as we have seen, with 74 million following Trump's fascist mantra. To make matters worse, the third most powerful position in the nation, the Speaker of the House, is occupied by an obsequious fascist. Fasten your seatbelts folks!
Steve, truer words were never spoken. One of our fellow Lucidites said in a comment, how those with unmet infant/ toddler needs are now clamoring. How do we address that? Extraordinary love and kindness on the streets -- although with a wise and wary eye. We cannot give up on our fellow Americans. They are the roadmap back to normalcy? Always appreciate your insights Steve.
Remarkable messaging on the video clip. As they hollow out, and become stale -- like crusty bread -- ( look at Trumps' same stale navy blue suit with same tired red tie) -- our keyword is forward.
I so agree. This is the answer. This is how it was done in the 1770s, and I mean peacefully -- the talking and organizing of neighbor to farmer, and farmer to neighbor. Over the fence posts we must go. Out of our silos and comfort zones. Too much at stake. Brave, and peaceful we go.
Reason, empathy and innovation will not and does not work. Laws will, until they are overthrown.
👏👏👏👏👏👏
I completely agree with the first statement and share the same fears of the final one. All we need to do is look at what happend to pro democracy fighters from history such as those from the Czechoslovakian Spring or any of the south american land reformers. We are up against the exact same forces here in the US!
Santos is being financed by a Russian oligarch. Hell, he may be a GRU mole.
Info on Kremlin mouthpiece, George Santos is available at vatniksoup.com, which lists 200 of Putin’s moles, compiled by Finnish dis-information freedom fighter, Pekka Fallioniemi, interviewed by Lucidian Heidi Cuda on her May 15 ‘23 RadPod YouTube program
RadPod rules! =]
A lot of the GOP in the Senate have taken campaign money from Russia oligarchs.
I wonder that too, how could anyone in their right mind be following this path? Unless influenced, in a way that is impossible to turn down.
The propaganda right-wing media is the main culprit in brain washing these people on the right. The damage they have done is incalculable. Now that is all the right voters listen to and accept as fact based news and information. It is anything but.
So agree. I have friends that take it as gospel.... have to keep shining the light ... with analogies etc....... Also, I see subtle messaging at play. it's a powerful influence, uphill struggle this truth war we have found ourselves in.
But what are our options?
I think Santos is being financed by the same billionaire that purchased Trump and helped him win in 2016, by microtargeting swing voters in swing State districts. They probably already had the data for Santos district from Facebook. This explains why Santos developed a wide range of diverse and fake images and interests during his campaign. They may have already known each other from previous R campaigns.
I also don't believe his parents financed him. They knew him too well to loan him that amount of money. Someone else may have transferred money to their account to shield themselves from public scrutiny, leaving his parents to act as "natural" gift givers. Jack Smith should investigate the length of time this amount of money was in the parent's account a year before his campaign?
Possible, but I was thinking more about this family who used to live in the same district as Santos, before both districts were redrawn:
https://www.salon.com/2021/02/04/how-one-billionaire-family-bankrolled-election-lies-white-nationalism--and-the-capitol-riot/
It's always follow the trail of money.
Trump and Putin are two sides of the same coin. Wouldn't it be a wonderful event if the whole GOP turned its back on Trump at once and decided he had to go! An indicted former president should not be able to run for office again. If only....
You mean winning.
If its and buts we’re candy and nuts, we would all have a happy Hanukkah.
Joanna, I so agree. Fellow Americans -- all unite.
Thank you Jan, but I do understand the "if only's".
Can you or someone please explain, why is 1/3 of the republicans in congress are deniers. Why is their election legitimate, but Biden isn’t.
Denialism of the ection is just one part of being in this white nationalist, domestic terrorist organization. EVERYONE is on board.......
Their benefactors are fearful of democracy. It's capable of leaning in favor of distributive justice, which can interfere with their power and dilute their wealth. They rather be part of a system that ensures this possibility will never happen and that they control absolutely. Lincoln's belief in a government of, by, and for the people gives them nightmares.
Besides it's working for the wealthy:
https://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/z1/dataviz/dfa/distribute/chart/#range:2008.1,2023.1;quarter:134;series:Net%20worth;demographic:networth;population:7,9;units:levels
It's also why they applaud book burning and charter schools siphoning off Fed money from public schools. Less expense and more profits and influence for the private sector or no organized labor union of professional teachers to educate lids, including those that are rejected by charter schools because of special needs. They want an educated elite to run things, but prefer to keep most citizens in the dark politically. In America, 79% of the people are literate, but only 54% have a sixth grade or lower literacy rate,, which keeps understanding at a very esoteric level for 75% of the population, which are also busy making ends meet, and/or at the mercy of the big 5 media companies. The demise in readership of major newspapers has also occurred.
Denial of education.
The reasons are complex and gets into the subject of social psychology. Authoritarians push post-truth, where emotions supersede facts. Their propaganda encourages confirmation bias, motivated reasoning. nihilism and postmodernism. But there is more involved here, and it involves the actions of a destructive charismatic leader and how it affects his tribe. These people use absolutist polarizing rhetoric to demonize anyone outside of their tribe. So information from outside is considered toxic and not to be believed. They will believe a lie from someone inside their clan, over the truth from an authority figure outside their clan.
I mean this factually, they are in need of the mothering they missed out on -- and clamor for the false 'love' of a strongman. As adult children.
I'm not versed in child psychology but I think you are onto something. Followers of authoritarian leaders are needy individuals who only feel whole when merged with a powerful role model. Trump becomes their savior.
Someone on a recent Lucid thread gave a real lengthy, quality dissertation on this, factual. Was an eye opener posting to me. One of Ruth's most recent posts. Really opened my eyes,,,, how Trump was neglected as an infant / toddler. And of you multiple that outward -- here we are.
Look how gracefully AL Gore swallowed the bitter pill of defeat.
After the SCOTUS intervened on Bush's behalf, his available legal options were foreclosed. Another dark moment in our history. The Republicans on the Court wouldn't even allow the votes to be properly counted which should have been the top priority in a "democracy" before any "legal" intervention on their part. The rest is history.
This is so insightful, and as usual, illuminating to read. There is no better distiller of authoritarian truths than Ruth Ben-Ghiat!
What I want to know is, when is the country and the press in its many forms, are going wake up and call a spade a spade? Or in the case of the GOP, Fascist a Fascist! It is like we are whistling past the grave yard, or ignoring the crazy aunt/uncle in the basement. People love reality TV, well this is our county’s reality, it don’t get more real than losing your freedom, your civil liberties, your democracy. Once that happens you will only get them back by bloodshed. It makes my blood boil to know Trump is leading his party by thirty points for their nomination to be president. And if it is not Trump, you got the another Fascist wanting the the GOP nod for President, Ron meatball Mussolini DeSantis, who wants to either get rid of four Federal agencies, and if he can’t, we’ll he is going to use those four agencies to attack the left, woke ideology, and anybody he doesn’t like, and he said this on TV! People in America need to wake up and wake up quickly, because when they load us in cattle cars, trust me it is to late by then.
Stump.....The President of the United States can't even bring himself to use the word 'fascists' or ' a threat to the republic' Biden says 'This isn't your father's republican party' An astounding understatement that doesn't emphasize the danger this extremist organization poses. It's maddening that he soft pedals rhis threat & because of this many Americans think....'Oh its just politics & DC insider baseball as they disagree on policy'
I guess Biden thinks if he doesn’t poke the Fascist bear it want bite him or the country. That is wishful thinking, that will and can get you killed in the end.
The press is so fearful to say that Trump is a sociopath. After Dr Lance Dodes, Bandy Lee and Mary Trump warn of Trump's dangerous personality disorder, it is being ignored! There is reason for alarm here, as John Gacy was a spociopath and Ted Bundy was as well. These are people with no conscience, and the stuff that serial killers are made of. The press is dropping the ball on this, badly!
People are not categorizing this as a slippage of rights.
Well they better damn well start, because it is part of their plan.
Double-down support for all Federal agencies. Where good God would we be without the FAA, FDC, public health, education, occupational safety and libraries?? Today --- all of us --- get out there and vocalize this ardent support with examples to our neighbors.
Superb! Beautifully written and incisive.
If only the GOP were a ‘submersible sub’. They have no limits as to how low they can go and there doesn’t seem to be any consequences (yet, anyway) to the lowest depths of their despicable behavior. There doesn’t appear to be any “implosion” in their future. And now, the Trumps’ and the Santos’s and all those who dwell in the house of “lies, shame, and authoritarianism” are effectively equipped with a not-so-supreme court that is showing signs of complicity with it all...I need a drink.
Excellent analogy. Of risky risks, unmonitored, dodging regulation of safety standards, a hell-bent attitude -- recent history displays never ends happily.
Authoritarians don't need a majority of voter backing to take power, as we saw in Germany, as Hitler never had more than 37% backing. We have to be vigilant.
There is no bottom that the GOP, Right-Wing, Conservatives, will not sink to. The Nazi’s had no bottom to them either.
The history , beginning to ends , of cultism and its leaders is proven, well documented, and brought to notice AGAIN rather eloquently by Ruth and her colleagues.
It makes sense of the chaos. It prophesies the moves with accuracy. I looked at some of the time periods we withstood their hold . And, depending where one starts - about 12 years was an average. Playing the long game (I figured) this one started with Regan so it’s course was far more calculating -that’s rather unsettling.
But I look forward to more J.Q.Public ‘s messages and a 2024 blue slide that lasts , restores, and furthers the next 50 year gains.
I long to see those complicit with the flirt and filth become a final lesson , banished , and replaced with creative problem solving leadership.
So proud Americans on this long Forth of July holiday ...stand tall, stand humbled but resolved . Stand beside those eager to see , help, educate , mend mistakes of our past and get back to working for WE THE PEOPLE , ‘The Dream’ .
The World needs us.
"Keep hope alive."
Agree and love this 'creative problem solving leadership'.. I would only add that I believe we all need to get past our personal 'comfort zones' and out of our heads and silos -- and do the hard work of talking to neighbors, store clerks and everyone -- quickly before the tense 2024 election cycle ignites.
I'm reminded of a quote from the french writer Gustave Le Bon. "The role of the scholar is to destroy chimeras, that of the statesman to make use of them." Or in this case its not a statesman but a proto fascist authoritarian who is making use of them. And a scholar of Italian studies who is helping to destroy them.
I agree with Frank, nobody does a better job than RBG of pulling aside the curtain of facade over what authoritarians do better than Ruth Ben-Ghiat.
Its my view that Trump is a master authoritarian cult leader. In fact I think he is a genius at it. With his talent and charisma, he has built a large and very loyal cult following. He has famously said, "I could shoot somebody on 5th avenue and not lose any voters". His followers will walk over broken glass for him. Now in 2023 a once great political party has been reduced and hollowed out. The GOP is MAGA and MAGA is Trump's authoritarian cult of personality. There is no need for a party platform of principles. Fascist aggrandizement and loyalty to the leader is all there is. Trump says " I alone can fix it. I am your voice. I am your retribution".
History has seen demagogues and even fascist elements in the past but this particular kind of threat in American politics has never happened before. Now is the time of monsters.
Agree, and note I believe Bergman Goodman is on 5th Avenue....
Haha ..yeah you mean Bergdorf Goodman, I think.
Yes, thanks you are right!!
After the deindustrialization of America, our angry and broken middle class needed a savior in their time of need. Trump, who needed to be worshipped, stepped in and created the land of Magadonia, where he promised to protect his needy worshipers in their time of suffering. In exchange, they were willing to kill for him. It's what every psychopath dreams of.
Magadonia...I like that. You must have seen Duck Soup.
I haven't seen Duck Soup but I like Groucho. There was a cartoon in the local newspaper that described the land of Magadonia. One feature of this land were the cliffs of insanity, where people jumped to their deaths. It had a border wall with everything on the other side being called "reality".
Love to see that cartoon if you can find the link?
I found it. This is what insanity looks like.
https://www.cagle.com/dave-whamond/2023/06/welcome-to-magadonia
Thank you! 😀👍👌
Scuse me while I barf! The gop has been sliding since Nixon then Regan. Uuuuuffff
I would say read it and weep, I read it and was extremely pissed off! I’m now worried about just how much Trump and his Administration screwed America while in office. What did they sell and to whom did they sell it to? What did they agree to? https://www.spytalk.co/p/ex-trump-spy-chief-grenell-celebrates
"Enticing and intimidating individuals into becoming their worst selves is what authoritarians do best. "
Exactly! The GOP is actively promoting vices like hate, paranoia, fear, anger and vengeance, while down playing virtues like kindness, honesty, fairness, truth and lawfulness.
The GOP has awakened the beast, as we have seen, with 74 million following Trump's fascist mantra. To make matters worse, the third most powerful position in the nation, the Speaker of the House, is occupied by an obsequious fascist. Fasten your seatbelts folks!
Steve, truer words were never spoken. One of our fellow Lucidites said in a comment, how those with unmet infant/ toddler needs are now clamoring. How do we address that? Extraordinary love and kindness on the streets -- although with a wise and wary eye. We cannot give up on our fellow Americans. They are the roadmap back to normalcy? Always appreciate your insights Steve.
Remarkable messaging on the video clip. As they hollow out, and become stale -- like crusty bread -- ( look at Trumps' same stale navy blue suit with same tired red tie) -- our keyword is forward.
We are forward moving movement.
Forward vs stale bread. 🥪