"Hanah Arendt’s “The Origins of Totalitarianism,” published in 1951, foreshadows the waking nightmare that is this government. But contemplating Bongino’s ascension, it’s hard to avoid the famous Arendt quote, “Totalitarianism in power invariably replaces all first-rate talents, regardless of their sympathies, with those crackpots and fools whose lack of intelligence and creativity is still the best guarantee of their loyalty.” (This is a quote from Michelle Goldberg, NYT, Feb 25)
Dan Bongino’s nomination as Deputy FBI Director reminds of the NKVD (People’s Commissariat for Internal Affairs (Russian : НКВД ; Народный Комиссариат Внутренних Дел) was a government department in the Soviet Union operated from 1934 to 1946 .) Bongino’s cruelty and sadism is very similar to the NKVD structure. Extremely dull and mean people came to power to wreak havoc on innocent people’s lives. Arendt’s book on totalitarianism gives an idea of what is to come, not only in the US. This is not doomsaying but a realistic view of the future.
But the damage the Right did wasn’t fixed, just bandaged until the next Republican got in and did more damage.
This isn’t about generating income for the government, although that’s a nice cherry on top of it.
It’s about breaking the power of people who have proven they have evil intent vis-a-vis freedom and democracy for the vast majority of the population. They have made themselves our enemies, and we should respond accordingly.
Getting more money in general circulation would benefit the economy, and thus both income tax and other taxes as well.
I foresee at some point a moment when an increasingly autocratic regime is confronted with the reality that their agenda is opposed by the will of a solid majority of voters. A solid majority of voters will clearly manifest their opposition to them, in polls and even elections like the statewide elections later this year and the Congressional midterms next year. They will still have the solid backing of a majority of their ‘base’ or core voters who will blame our decline on their ‘enemies’ (the rest of us, basically).
The way things are going now, it sets up a scenario in which a far-right autocrat (likely not in the form of a third Trump term, but who knows*) seeks to usurp the will of the people in the 2028 elections through election denialism and other means. In this scenario, it’s like 2020 all over again, but this time, the Empire actually pulls it off by rigging the vote (roll purges, hacking, control of the USPS and thus, voting by mail…voter intimidation, etc).
*I don’t entirely write off the possibility of a Reichstag fire type event and invocation of the Insurrection Act here, but that’s on the edge end of what I think is likely at the moment.
Trump is not exactly the type of person who quietly reflects and chooses their reaction. So if something unexpected happens or he feels threatened in his position the invocation of the Insurrection Act as a spontaneous mad reaction doesn’t seem out of the question to me.
A big problem is that people feel more and more intimidated. They are already asked (by Musk and Bongino) to report colleagues whom they consider ‘libs’ and the worst of all: people do not refuse to report others. So people clam up, a feeling of insecurity spreads and less and less people dare to show opposition. In case of harsh investigations and public shaming with long-time prison sentences opposition will dwindle. If elections can change anything - provided they are not sham elections anyway - I do not know. Let’s wait and see.
This. I was sort of, but not necessarily 100%, in favor of a small wealth tax before Elon Musk made a bid to personally buy twitter. The wealthy weren’t paying their fair share of income tax, so a wealth tax would make up for this inequality and raise money. But the Xitter takeover, even before it was completed and way before Musk went full Nazi, made me realize that the ultra-wealthy had become too personally powerful. So we can use a wealth tax to reduce their personal hold on power.
I’m not entirely sure that I agree that it is ENTIRELY a ratchet, but I recall that my disappointment with Obama was that he was not as “liberal” as I had hoped. And I believe several “conservative” law enforcement policies occurred under Clinton.
Overall, I do not know that things have consistently racheted rightward. And if so, over what time period. Over my lifetime, (speaking broadly) there have generally been improved rights for people of color, women, gays, legal pot, some increased access to healthcare. None as far - or as permanent - as would be hoped. But I do see SOME evidence of SOME progress for many of the less advantaged. Of course, countering that we see tremendously increased wealth among the wealthiest.
My impression is that the pendulum generally has returned, but I’m not certain whether over time its swing has progressed further right- or left-ward (which I guess would violate pendulum mechanics.) And I do fear that Trump’s current efforts seem aimed at breaking the pendulum - or affixing if to a fixed pivot point further to the right.
IMO, if we want to track how the economics are likely to go, we should be watching BREXIT. Britain has had about a 10 year head start of floundering around since they decided the best way to fix the system was to break it. Do any British Dopers see a light at the end of the tunnel yet?
What I find most alarming and unpredictable is that unlike the British authoritarians, the homegrown variety comes with a nasty side order of social engineering. Things are rapidly getting worse for anyone who isn’t white, male, cis, heterosexual, rich and Christian. I don’t know how that ends. Maybe a REAL pandemic will bail us out?
Brexit is likely a good example. As I remember thinking, “What a stupid, unforced error!”
As you indicate, tho, Trump’s stupidity seems much more all-encompassing than Brexit.
(Brit here)
There are still many political figures that defend Brexit despite all the problems and economic woes. They claim that it just wasn’t implemented correctly, even though they rarely can elaborate about what should have been done differently.
There’s a receptive audience for that message, because people who voted Brexit don’t want to admit they were wrong. So figures like Nigel farage are incredibly popular despite lying about almost everything up to the vote and then running away from the problems it caused.
FTR most Brits say they would vote to remain now, it’s just surprising how many still defend Brexit.
Anyway, in summary, there’s a long road ahead. MAGA just wasn’t “implemented right”, the enemy within was responsible for any problems, etc etc
If the midterms go against the GOP in '26 there will be action taken to toss votes in blue states that would give the House to the Democrats. It is unlikely the GOP will lose enough seats in the Senate to lose control of that chamber but there is a good shot it will happen in the House, particularly if voter anger continues to increase as we have seen at some recent town halls.
Speaker Johnson and the other Trump toadies will refuse to seat Ds from districts that flip from red to blue so the GOP keeps both Houses. Then we will likely see protests in the streets of some blue cities. At the first bit of violence, DJT and Musk invoke the Insurrection Act and impose martial law. There would not be anything to stop them.
Hmm, possible bad health news for Mr. Trump? Or maybe nothing at all. But the fact that they’re making up stupid lies about these bruises really tells you something.
Guaranteed he had an IV in the back of his hand. That makeup person is getting fired.
I’ve had that exact bruise, multiple times, from IV/blood draw vein ‘blow outs’.
Same here. Maybe that’s where they inject his stupid juice.
I was thinking that maybe he was getting an infusion of extract of tiger spleen, or whatever concoction he uses to keep himself young and vital. (rolls eyes)
Ivermectic cut with bleach.
Old people bruise easily. That’s a known thing.
The stupid lies are because they don’t want to admit Trump is old. It’s pure vanity coupled with memories of what they did to Biden.
Sure but that’s a very likely spot for a bruise caused by an IV. If that bruise was on Biden it would be used as proof he’s injecting adrenochrome directly from trafficked babies.