Again, the influence of Hans Hermann Hoppe, Curtis Yarvin and Peter Thiel Dark Enlightenment libertarianism. It must be called out and thoroughly refuted.
Robert Mercer owns Breitbart/Bannon. Bannon doesn’t have to work hard for advertising. He works for Libertarian Robert Mercer. Add the Koch network that wants to refine oil for the Russians. The extremest Representatives are doing the dirty work of disruption to subvert democracy so that their petty campaigns in heavily gerrymandered districts are well funded. It’s blatant power grabbing over service to constituents.
There is an easy transition from Libertarianism to fascism. Charles Koch is a sociopath, and these people flock to fascism. He calls himself a Libertarian but I believe that this is just a euphamism in his case, for fascism.
" In politics, she condemned the initiation of force as immoral and supported laissez-faire capitalism, which she defined as the system based on recognizing individual rights, including private property rights. Although Rand opposed libertarianism, which she viewed as anarchism, she is often associated with the modern libertarian movement in the United States." Libertarainism is full of fiction and contradictions. Koch, like most Libertarians, read Ayn Rand and got confused.
If we progressives want to take the wind out of the sails of MAGA conservatives we have to stop jabbering the Democratic socialist brand and embrace capitalism. But with that said, it is our capitalism - Keynesian, stakeholder capitalism -- and not their stilted interpretation of it. That is why I always talk about how we must say that conservative Republicans are terrible at economics. If we break the myth that Republican conservatives are better at economics than us they will be left with nothing. And that will pull the rug out from under people like titled Trump or Ron DeSantis.
Our neo-fascists seem to want what Hitler established in Germany; a cartel system replete with oligopolies. They want to move beyond Milton Friedman's vision, and on to the next phase.
Keynesian capitalism with societal responsibility may be the answer, for now.
Dear Kevin, You can't be a henchman/accomplice half-way. You have to go all in and be willing to stay the course. Even then, when the end comes I'm likely to through you under the bus, but you'd get to be on my bus and clean my coattails longer. Love, Donny. P.S. Don't forget to add something to the collection basket on your way out.
It’s really scary to see that Gym Jordan and Scalise would even be considered. But, Gaetz has given his thumbs up to both. Saw that Trump wants to assist in picking the new Speaker of the House! Damn, it just keeps getting worse!
Hello Ruth: Thank you for another indispensable take on the continuing assault on our democracy and your insight into the McCarthy ouster. It is amazing how much harm one mean spirited fascist person, Steven Bannon, can do to harm democracy and the future of free people around the world.
Steven Bannon could not be have been as successful as he has been but for his many enablers. I reluctantly include Pope Francis. As someone raised Catholic, who once served as a Lector, I’m more than disappointed that the pope has not excommunicated Bannon and others of his ilk such a Archbishop José Gómez, et al. Our failure to hold most fascists accountable along with a penchant for a defensive rather than offensive posture, is coming back to haunt us.
Prof Ben-Ghiat, I wonder of your impression of this feeling of mine: THIS is the last act of the dominant patriarchy, with its fingers screeching down the blackboard in a vain attempt to maintain power. Their future portends a long, slow decline everywhere but in the deep South.
All indications point to a far less popular conservative movement, with younger people and people of color siding in greater numbers with progressivism. The conservative's losses in Arizona and Georgia since 2018 have basically sealed their doom in Presidential elections. The polling data in critical states for 2024 mirror the Dems victories in recent off year elections (WI, OH, PA, CO, FL).
Therefore, I am not hopeful but confident of a grand blue wave in 2024. My home state of PA provides the examples of Sen John Fetterman and Rep Summer Lee (D-PA) of Pittsburgh as the future of the party, the state and the country ....
Newer communication technology makes the “southern strategy” possible anywhere in America where there are disaffected white males. Isis is another general example of how to capture the hearts and minds of the economically /socially vulnerable from anywhere in the world, and build an army of the radicalized. What’s new is the alignment of interest among Authoritarian/theological/ ideologues and a global oligarchy’s business interests.
I can well see your point of the global reach of this information age. Gladfully, it is also the technology which enables formerly conservative areas to turn, shall I say, "modern." As is the case with GA and AZ. My take on having spent some in AZ during every winter since 2016, is that the person-to-person outreach of liberals in their own neighborhood is what drove the overwhelmingly Democratic turnout in Maricopa County.
To your point of the disaffected white males, I hope the Bidenomics reach into the rural America will temper the sense of anger, loss, etc., of many residents. Now, this is my hope
100%. Have you read Fiona Hill’s book, There is Nothing fir You Here”?
It’s exactly what we both are expressing. How governments need to pay attention to the regions most affected in post industrialization. The south and Midwest America. The UK also has this problem in their North and midlands. Factory jobs are gone and not coming back. Government failed to retool education, rr training, incentivized businesses to bring in new jobs. In the US, a compounding problem in these communities has been the opioid crisis. These same counties that voted for Obama twice, once hit by the opioid crisis turned ( with foreign online help) red in 2016. In hindsight, Obama needed to do before 2016, what Bideneconomics is doing now for these communities. Obstruction by Extremest R’s were a curse for Obama then, and persist for Biden today. We know from history that once a population is radicalized, it’s very challenging to break that spell.
Dems need to deliver more and betray less. Obama, in my view, laid the groundwork for the fascist surge. He admitted to being ‘conservative,’ aka a closet Republican. Biden needs to stop placating the GOP, support single payer healthcare for all and eliminating student debt, declare a climate emergency while becoming an environmentalist, stop funding Israel’s apartheid and genocide, support expanding SCOTUS and prosecuting corrupt “justices;” to say the least.
The deindustrialization of the US and the UK was brought about by neoliberalism, in the form of Reagan in the US and Thatcher in the UK. This destructive economic system hasn't been questioned until Biden took office. Now it's time to dismantle it and save our middle class.
Annette, I do understand your fear and worry. However, TFG attempted to stoke his supporters to "rally and rage" when he first was arraigned in NYC. Do you remember?
The NYC streets in front of the courthouse were filled with ... wind, and 'crickets.' 😀
In 2020, I read a lot about the potential onslaught of violence at the polling booths. My wife and I considered going to stand at the poll booths in protection (5'6" we both).
Again, we were met with wind, and 'crickets.'
I feel the MSM, including and especially MSNBC, fuels the despair of the listenership w their drama of a close race, and violence to the judges and jurors, and yet, I only find wind, and a lot of 'crickets.'
Unfortunately, now and later, the wind WILL BE more stormy than the Free-dumb people (credit to Joyce Vance! for this expression)
Frederick: It’s good to ‘keep hope alive,’ but confidence can lead to overconfidence and to complacency; which can prove fatal. I recommend hopefulness with extreme caution and concern mixed with a healthy dose of angst and trepidation, enough to motivate supporting and working for the candidate(s) of your choice; as well as educating others as to the fascist surge in our midst. Share Lucid w/family and friends. In my view, both Al Gore and Hillary Clinton were overly confident when they should’ve been cautiously optimistic/hopeful. Ruth encourages hope, its absence leads to despair, which disempowers. I’m hopeful, but unable to share your confidence. In fact, I’m extremely concerned for reasons that should be apparent. The enemy must never be underestimated, especially when fascist; lacking ethical/moral boundaries w/ zero degree of empathy, almost synonymous with evil. Yet, I can and do savor the victories, recognizing that ultimate triumph requires crushing the opponent the GOP as well as Dems who are closet Republicans.
Hey Robert. I do feel I am beyond "hope." Because I am SO active and involved and see the uprising, say in OHIO that saw a statewide victory for reproductive care and democracy of 57-43%! OHIO, for the sake of Jesus and everyone else!
I see the crazy clowns are running again, Fetterman has a loose nut running against him .... I see the conservative crazies completely unable to organize THEMSELVES, in DC!
I also see the grassroots are buzzing like busy bees, organizing in ... GA and AZZZZ. and everywhere. Because the playbook has ALREADY been written! Since 2018, we have known what to do, we did it again, and again, an again, and we will .. in 2024 and beyond
“Hey Robert. I do feel I am beyond "hope." Because I am SO active and involved and see the uprising”.
If others want to join Fredrick’s 🥳🎉 party, Robert Hubbell’s letter and Jessica Craven’s always have great suggestions for where to start to be active and involved. Local is essential.
I’m not expecting a quick resolution. The GOP seems to me to be in a bit of a bind here. Much concerns support for Ukraine. I don’t see a majority forming easily. Meanwhile there is still strong public support for Ukraine assistance, so this can be used by Democrats messaging as a wedge and cudgel.
Seems to me Democrats have an opportunity to stand aside, issue some smart soundbites about GOP chaos, lack of seriousness and lack of standing up for American values at home and abroad. The more they threaten Ukraine aid, the more campaign fodder for Democrats. Hate to make it sound so partisan, but I think the GOP is imploding in their psychosis and Democrats should let them, play smart politics
Electing Hakeem Jeffries as Speaker would resolve the current chaos in Congress in a healthful way. It only takes a few Republicans who recognize that none of the Republican candidates will do any good for the country. I am not alone in this sentiment.
Love the idea, but, unfortunately, it won't happen. Something that might happen, however, is the choice of a (so-called) moderate who could appeal to the Dems. Not ideal, but the best we can do.
I highly recommend Robert Hubbell’s letter today and all the comments that follow it, especially Ellie Kona’s:
“Ellie Kona
9 hrs ago
Pinned
OHIO !!!
The voter registration deadline is this Tuesday, Oct. 10, for the election on Nov. 7.
On Nov. 7, Ohioans will decide whether to amend the state's constitution to restore reproductive freedom and protect abortion rights. Important local races are also on the ballot, and we have learned the importance of local political representation.
The Civics Center research is that fewer than 25% of 18 year olds in Ohio are registered to vote. Rally anyone you know with connections to folks in Ohio to talk it up and get people to register to vote! Here is the link for Ohio voter registration:
Did not know that Bannon was coaching Gaetz , should have known ! Thank you Ruth for the article, I keep saying this, but it keeps being true for me and most people I know, It’s all incredibly frightening!
The Producers by Mel Brooks is a funny movie. It's 1932 here now. How to prevent these dangerous buffoons from getting back into power in '24? Knowing what we know now, what would have done there and then? The world will be fine with one less funny movie.
I just find it insane that now the Republicans are blaming the Democrats for this fiasco. Yes, if the Democrats had voted to keep someone who has lied to them at every turn, can't be trusted for 5 minutes, started a bogus impeachment hearing for the "dear Leader", went on the Sunday talk shows to try and convince people the Dems wanted the shutdown, they would have been run out on a rail themselves.
If all this continues to play-out as history SHOWS it will, it's surprising that Bannon and his fellow fascists think somehow it will end differently for them.
As will all radicalized groups, even after they will be gone/dealt with, there will be some die hards. The only way I can think of to prevent THAT is to imprison each and everyone of them for life; at which time it would be smart to re-purpose Gitmo.
For those of us who are late the party understanding the fascist mindset, what is the end game here? Sure, they want to install Trump as dictator. But Corporate America acts as the fourth branch of government. If the Republicans choose a fire breather as speaker, the stock market will react immediately. Business leaders do not want a dictatorship (do they?) It's hard to imagine that this goes well for Bannon and his thugs. Also, how is it legal to assert that the government should be destroyed, when one works for Congress?
Amy: The endgame is to weaken the US, lay the groundwork for yet another coup, continue rigging the 2024 elections with more gerrymandering and voter suppression, participate in perfunctory elections or electoral autocracy, deregulate corporate America, fuel oligarchy (as in Putin’s Russia,) Make America White and pseudoChristian again; close the borders and deport and/or marginalize non whites or as I suspect (and fear) ethnically ‘cleanse’ and ‘purify’ America (genocide) from the despised Other(s), eliminate nonconformist by imposing a police state, shoot looters and protestors, allow/promote further the already inexorable plundering of a dying Earth while denying the climate crisis. Above all, promote the continued hoarding of wealth by the morbidly rich at the expense of the poor and the middle classes. Some argue, as Jimmy Carter did, that we’re in an oligarchy already, not a democracy. Oligarchies tend to evolve into fascism which is what we see happening now.
If this grim picture elicits fear, the best antidote is action as if your life and that of your loved ones depended on it; because it does; as Greta Thunberg would say and I sort of paraphrase. Allow the existential crisis to trigger action. Participating in Lucid, educating yourself and others are significant and cathartic initial first steps. I would encourage you to join tomorrow's Q&A and ask again the questions I’ve tried to answer. I would encourage reading Ruth’s “Strongmen” and Jason Stanley’s “How Fascism Works,” asap. The endgame seems always more than one but virtually the same.
PS i forgot to add kleptocracy, misogyny, sadism, violence and cruelty. The list is long. There’s no easy answer. I’m indebted to Ruth for much of what I know. There is always more to learn. I’m grateful Ruth is there to lucidly shed light. Thanks for asking.
In 1933 we had a failed fascist coup, sponsored by Prescott Bush and supported by James Mooney of GM. At the time, business was a fan of fascism. Even Henry Ford was a fan, as he communicated with Hitler. They saw fascism as a means to acquire greater business power. With the advent of neoliberal economics circa 1979, we saw an increase of business power. After many years, this was not seen as enough power by business, so our business titans again wanted to push further. Trump had huge business support, which tells us a lot about buusiness ambitions. Fascism has traditionally given business great power, as oligopolies were encouraged. Many fascist nations used a cartel system which was a boon for business. Many of our oligarchs would trade democracy for fascism.
Hi Ruth Ben-Ghiat - As someone who values your writing, your research, and your insights I want to encourage you to be careful about referring to a slime-ball like Steve Bannon as Kevin McCarthy's "Fascist Mentor". While I have no doubt that you are correct, I realize we are in a political time when people are quick to sue for defamation. I don't put it above the Steve Bannons of the world to come after you in an effort to silence your voice. Please be careful. I would hate to lose your insights.
I just want to thank you for the Zoom calls. I enjoy listening to your comments and those of your guests. I also learn from the other participants. I'm lucky in that I'm retired so the day/time is usually not an issue.
Again, the influence of Hans Hermann Hoppe, Curtis Yarvin and Peter Thiel Dark Enlightenment libertarianism. It must be called out and thoroughly refuted.
Robert Mercer owns Breitbart/Bannon. Bannon doesn’t have to work hard for advertising. He works for Libertarian Robert Mercer. Add the Koch network that wants to refine oil for the Russians. The extremest Representatives are doing the dirty work of disruption to subvert democracy so that their petty campaigns in heavily gerrymandered districts are well funded. It’s blatant power grabbing over service to constituents.
There is an easy transition from Libertarianism to fascism. Charles Koch is a sociopath, and these people flock to fascism. He calls himself a Libertarian but I believe that this is just a euphamism in his case, for fascism.
Agree. 100%
" In politics, she condemned the initiation of force as immoral and supported laissez-faire capitalism, which she defined as the system based on recognizing individual rights, including private property rights. Although Rand opposed libertarianism, which she viewed as anarchism, she is often associated with the modern libertarian movement in the United States." Libertarainism is full of fiction and contradictions. Koch, like most Libertarians, read Ayn Rand and got confused.
Rand was also a sociopath, like Koch, so they had a lot in common. One of the books about Rand was called "Mean Girl". Appropriate title.
If we progressives want to take the wind out of the sails of MAGA conservatives we have to stop jabbering the Democratic socialist brand and embrace capitalism. But with that said, it is our capitalism - Keynesian, stakeholder capitalism -- and not their stilted interpretation of it. That is why I always talk about how we must say that conservative Republicans are terrible at economics. If we break the myth that Republican conservatives are better at economics than us they will be left with nothing. And that will pull the rug out from under people like titled Trump or Ron DeSantis.
Our neo-fascists seem to want what Hitler established in Germany; a cartel system replete with oligopolies. They want to move beyond Milton Friedman's vision, and on to the next phase.
Keynesian capitalism with societal responsibility may be the answer, for now.
The real DEEP STATE is the libertarian billionaires......
Implementation of the Lewis Powell Memo.......
Dear Kevin, You can't be a henchman/accomplice half-way. You have to go all in and be willing to stay the course. Even then, when the end comes I'm likely to through you under the bus, but you'd get to be on my bus and clean my coattails longer. Love, Donny. P.S. Don't forget to add something to the collection basket on your way out.
It’s really scary to see that Gym Jordan and Scalise would even be considered. But, Gaetz has given his thumbs up to both. Saw that Trump wants to assist in picking the new Speaker of the House! Damn, it just keeps getting worse!
yes alas
I don't know how this nation allows a known sociopath to run free, affecting the structure and direction of this nation.
Hello Ruth: Thank you for another indispensable take on the continuing assault on our democracy and your insight into the McCarthy ouster. It is amazing how much harm one mean spirited fascist person, Steven Bannon, can do to harm democracy and the future of free people around the world.
Thanks David
Steven Bannon could not be have been as successful as he has been but for his many enablers. I reluctantly include Pope Francis. As someone raised Catholic, who once served as a Lector, I’m more than disappointed that the pope has not excommunicated Bannon and others of his ilk such a Archbishop José Gómez, et al. Our failure to hold most fascists accountable along with a penchant for a defensive rather than offensive posture, is coming back to haunt us.
How would Jim Jordan feel if the Russians sent a missile strike to a mall full of shoppers in Ohio?
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/10/05/world/russia-ukraine-news/ukrainian-officials-say-a-russian-strike-killed-dozens-in-the-kharkiv-region?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare
Like tffg he has no heart. He only cares about losing their votes
Prof Ben-Ghiat, I wonder of your impression of this feeling of mine: THIS is the last act of the dominant patriarchy, with its fingers screeching down the blackboard in a vain attempt to maintain power. Their future portends a long, slow decline everywhere but in the deep South.
All indications point to a far less popular conservative movement, with younger people and people of color siding in greater numbers with progressivism. The conservative's losses in Arizona and Georgia since 2018 have basically sealed their doom in Presidential elections. The polling data in critical states for 2024 mirror the Dems victories in recent off year elections (WI, OH, PA, CO, FL).
Therefore, I am not hopeful but confident of a grand blue wave in 2024. My home state of PA provides the examples of Sen John Fetterman and Rep Summer Lee (D-PA) of Pittsburgh as the future of the party, the state and the country ....
Newer communication technology makes the “southern strategy” possible anywhere in America where there are disaffected white males. Isis is another general example of how to capture the hearts and minds of the economically /socially vulnerable from anywhere in the world, and build an army of the radicalized. What’s new is the alignment of interest among Authoritarian/theological/ ideologues and a global oligarchy’s business interests.
I can well see your point of the global reach of this information age. Gladfully, it is also the technology which enables formerly conservative areas to turn, shall I say, "modern." As is the case with GA and AZ. My take on having spent some in AZ during every winter since 2016, is that the person-to-person outreach of liberals in their own neighborhood is what drove the overwhelmingly Democratic turnout in Maricopa County.
To your point of the disaffected white males, I hope the Bidenomics reach into the rural America will temper the sense of anger, loss, etc., of many residents. Now, this is my hope
100%. Have you read Fiona Hill’s book, There is Nothing fir You Here”?
It’s exactly what we both are expressing. How governments need to pay attention to the regions most affected in post industrialization. The south and Midwest America. The UK also has this problem in their North and midlands. Factory jobs are gone and not coming back. Government failed to retool education, rr training, incentivized businesses to bring in new jobs. In the US, a compounding problem in these communities has been the opioid crisis. These same counties that voted for Obama twice, once hit by the opioid crisis turned ( with foreign online help) red in 2016. In hindsight, Obama needed to do before 2016, what Bideneconomics is doing now for these communities. Obstruction by Extremest R’s were a curse for Obama then, and persist for Biden today. We know from history that once a population is radicalized, it’s very challenging to break that spell.
Dems need to deliver more and betray less. Obama, in my view, laid the groundwork for the fascist surge. He admitted to being ‘conservative,’ aka a closet Republican. Biden needs to stop placating the GOP, support single payer healthcare for all and eliminating student debt, declare a climate emergency while becoming an environmentalist, stop funding Israel’s apartheid and genocide, support expanding SCOTUS and prosecuting corrupt “justices;” to say the least.
The deindustrialization of the US and the UK was brought about by neoliberalism, in the form of Reagan in the US and Thatcher in the UK. This destructive economic system hasn't been questioned until Biden took office. Now it's time to dismantle it and save our middle class.
I totally agree about the grand blue wave, but what worries me is the damage that will be done between now and the election. These are nihilists.
Annette, I do understand your fear and worry. However, TFG attempted to stoke his supporters to "rally and rage" when he first was arraigned in NYC. Do you remember?
The NYC streets in front of the courthouse were filled with ... wind, and 'crickets.' 😀
In 2020, I read a lot about the potential onslaught of violence at the polling booths. My wife and I considered going to stand at the poll booths in protection (5'6" we both).
Again, we were met with wind, and 'crickets.'
I feel the MSM, including and especially MSNBC, fuels the despair of the listenership w their drama of a close race, and violence to the judges and jurors, and yet, I only find wind, and a lot of 'crickets.'
Unfortunately, now and later, the wind WILL BE more stormy than the Free-dumb people (credit to Joyce Vance! for this expression)
Frederick: It’s good to ‘keep hope alive,’ but confidence can lead to overconfidence and to complacency; which can prove fatal. I recommend hopefulness with extreme caution and concern mixed with a healthy dose of angst and trepidation, enough to motivate supporting and working for the candidate(s) of your choice; as well as educating others as to the fascist surge in our midst. Share Lucid w/family and friends. In my view, both Al Gore and Hillary Clinton were overly confident when they should’ve been cautiously optimistic/hopeful. Ruth encourages hope, its absence leads to despair, which disempowers. I’m hopeful, but unable to share your confidence. In fact, I’m extremely concerned for reasons that should be apparent. The enemy must never be underestimated, especially when fascist; lacking ethical/moral boundaries w/ zero degree of empathy, almost synonymous with evil. Yet, I can and do savor the victories, recognizing that ultimate triumph requires crushing the opponent the GOP as well as Dems who are closet Republicans.
Hey Robert. I do feel I am beyond "hope." Because I am SO active and involved and see the uprising, say in OHIO that saw a statewide victory for reproductive care and democracy of 57-43%! OHIO, for the sake of Jesus and everyone else!
I see the crazy clowns are running again, Fetterman has a loose nut running against him .... I see the conservative crazies completely unable to organize THEMSELVES, in DC!
I also see the grassroots are buzzing like busy bees, organizing in ... GA and AZZZZ. and everywhere. Because the playbook has ALREADY been written! Since 2018, we have known what to do, we did it again, and again, an again, and we will .. in 2024 and beyond
“Hey Robert. I do feel I am beyond "hope." Because I am SO active and involved and see the uprising”.
If others want to join Fredrick’s 🥳🎉 party, Robert Hubbell’s letter and Jessica Craven’s always have great suggestions for where to start to be active and involved. Local is essential.
https://substack.com/@jesscraven101
Brava Christy!
I’m not expecting a quick resolution. The GOP seems to me to be in a bit of a bind here. Much concerns support for Ukraine. I don’t see a majority forming easily. Meanwhile there is still strong public support for Ukraine assistance, so this can be used by Democrats messaging as a wedge and cudgel.
Seems to me Democrats have an opportunity to stand aside, issue some smart soundbites about GOP chaos, lack of seriousness and lack of standing up for American values at home and abroad. The more they threaten Ukraine aid, the more campaign fodder for Democrats. Hate to make it sound so partisan, but I think the GOP is imploding in their psychosis and Democrats should let them, play smart politics
Agree. Fascism is not the politics of sanity.
Electing Hakeem Jeffries as Speaker would resolve the current chaos in Congress in a healthful way. It only takes a few Republicans who recognize that none of the Republican candidates will do any good for the country. I am not alone in this sentiment.
Love the idea, but, unfortunately, it won't happen. Something that might happen, however, is the choice of a (so-called) moderate who could appeal to the Dems. Not ideal, but the best we can do.
I highly recommend Robert Hubbell’s letter today and all the comments that follow it, especially Ellie Kona’s:
“Ellie Kona
9 hrs ago
Pinned
OHIO !!!
The voter registration deadline is this Tuesday, Oct. 10, for the election on Nov. 7.
On Nov. 7, Ohioans will decide whether to amend the state's constitution to restore reproductive freedom and protect abortion rights. Important local races are also on the ballot, and we have learned the importance of local political representation.
The Civics Center research is that fewer than 25% of 18 year olds in Ohio are registered to vote. Rally anyone you know with connections to folks in Ohio to talk it up and get people to register to vote! Here is the link for Ohio voter registration:
https://www.ohiosos.gov/elections/voters/register/
https://www.thecivicscenter.org/ “
Did not know that Bannon was coaching Gaetz , should have known ! Thank you Ruth for the article, I keep saying this, but it keeps being true for me and most people I know, It’s all incredibly frightening!
I only found out recently!
Why is Bannon still breathing?
Why isn’t he in jail?? Why is his appeal taking so long? Seems like getting that appeal done and gone would be really great for our country!
The Producers by Mel Brooks is a funny movie. It's 1932 here now. How to prevent these dangerous buffoons from getting back into power in '24? Knowing what we know now, what would have done there and then? The world will be fine with one less funny movie.
I just find it insane that now the Republicans are blaming the Democrats for this fiasco. Yes, if the Democrats had voted to keep someone who has lied to them at every turn, can't be trusted for 5 minutes, started a bogus impeachment hearing for the "dear Leader", went on the Sunday talk shows to try and convince people the Dems wanted the shutdown, they would have been run out on a rail themselves.
If all this continues to play-out as history SHOWS it will, it's surprising that Bannon and his fellow fascists think somehow it will end differently for them.
As will all radicalized groups, even after they will be gone/dealt with, there will be some die hards. The only way I can think of to prevent THAT is to imprison each and everyone of them for life; at which time it would be smart to re-purpose Gitmo.
For those of us who are late the party understanding the fascist mindset, what is the end game here? Sure, they want to install Trump as dictator. But Corporate America acts as the fourth branch of government. If the Republicans choose a fire breather as speaker, the stock market will react immediately. Business leaders do not want a dictatorship (do they?) It's hard to imagine that this goes well for Bannon and his thugs. Also, how is it legal to assert that the government should be destroyed, when one works for Congress?
Amy: The endgame is to weaken the US, lay the groundwork for yet another coup, continue rigging the 2024 elections with more gerrymandering and voter suppression, participate in perfunctory elections or electoral autocracy, deregulate corporate America, fuel oligarchy (as in Putin’s Russia,) Make America White and pseudoChristian again; close the borders and deport and/or marginalize non whites or as I suspect (and fear) ethnically ‘cleanse’ and ‘purify’ America (genocide) from the despised Other(s), eliminate nonconformist by imposing a police state, shoot looters and protestors, allow/promote further the already inexorable plundering of a dying Earth while denying the climate crisis. Above all, promote the continued hoarding of wealth by the morbidly rich at the expense of the poor and the middle classes. Some argue, as Jimmy Carter did, that we’re in an oligarchy already, not a democracy. Oligarchies tend to evolve into fascism which is what we see happening now.
If this grim picture elicits fear, the best antidote is action as if your life and that of your loved ones depended on it; because it does; as Greta Thunberg would say and I sort of paraphrase. Allow the existential crisis to trigger action. Participating in Lucid, educating yourself and others are significant and cathartic initial first steps. I would encourage you to join tomorrow's Q&A and ask again the questions I’ve tried to answer. I would encourage reading Ruth’s “Strongmen” and Jason Stanley’s “How Fascism Works,” asap. The endgame seems always more than one but virtually the same.
PS i forgot to add kleptocracy, misogyny, sadism, violence and cruelty. The list is long. There’s no easy answer. I’m indebted to Ruth for much of what I know. There is always more to learn. I’m grateful Ruth is there to lucidly shed light. Thanks for asking.
In 1933 we had a failed fascist coup, sponsored by Prescott Bush and supported by James Mooney of GM. At the time, business was a fan of fascism. Even Henry Ford was a fan, as he communicated with Hitler. They saw fascism as a means to acquire greater business power. With the advent of neoliberal economics circa 1979, we saw an increase of business power. After many years, this was not seen as enough power by business, so our business titans again wanted to push further. Trump had huge business support, which tells us a lot about buusiness ambitions. Fascism has traditionally given business great power, as oligopolies were encouraged. Many fascist nations used a cartel system which was a boon for business. Many of our oligarchs would trade democracy for fascism.
I agree and it would only take a few Republicans to join in -- hopefully (and yes you are not alone) but not likely when all is said and done!!!!
Hi Ruth Ben-Ghiat - As someone who values your writing, your research, and your insights I want to encourage you to be careful about referring to a slime-ball like Steve Bannon as Kevin McCarthy's "Fascist Mentor". While I have no doubt that you are correct, I realize we are in a political time when people are quick to sue for defamation. I don't put it above the Steve Bannons of the world to come after you in an effort to silence your voice. Please be careful. I would hate to lose your insights.
Bannon would be hard pressed to prove that claim untrue
I just want to thank you for the Zoom calls. I enjoy listening to your comments and those of your guests. I also learn from the other participants. I'm lucky in that I'm retired so the day/time is usually not an issue.