This is an excellent piece. Just excellent. I write about what is going on as well. I'm of advanced years and hate what is happening to America before our very eyes. Also a veteran as was my dad a WWII vet. He would not have believed this was possible after fighting the Nazis. Yet here we are. The American Trump Reich. Keep on writing.
This is an excellent and much needed commentary. My husband was born and raised in Mexico and he, like you, sees disturbing parallels. I refuse to give up on American democracy and know we are currently in a dangerous place. We have no choice but to refuse to accept a future that looks like the history of too many. Thank you for your reminder!
This was a beautifully written and truthful article! Everyone needs to read it and understand that this mess the United States is in is real. It is not hyperbole! The destruction of America is happening right now supported by Republicans in Congress, Russell Vought and led by a weak demented man who cares about nobody but himself; power and money for himself.
Power and money for himself, and he’ll happily use the office of the presidency to rubber-stamp Vought and Miller’s authoritarian wet dreams. I’m genuinely concerned that Kevin Roberts may have been correct when he said, “we’re going to win.”
We all expected better than this. Donnie's followers are falling away. But he's terrified enough people in government to lead him to have confidence he can continue to pull this off. They haven't realized that if they just "grew a pair," this deconstruction would end.
I'm rooting for you, and for all the rest of us, too. If you want me to promise you this isn't the end, I won't promise you that. I just hope it's not.
I too am a veteran -- in 3 different conflicts. I was an instructor in Jungle Operations at Fort Sherman, Panama when Noriega got way to big for his britches. Lots of people died because of him. Nevertheless, I would remind everyone that, like Noriega, these authoritarians have often been installed by us, the USA. Clearly, it is no different with this miscreant Trump. Why, oh why, do we do such? In reality, the enemy is us.
The USA is host to 3 distinct political human life forms. The largest don't vote or have significant direct effect on politics. The other two represent the opposing and voting sides of human character. Those who love and trust others (Democrats) and those who love and trust only themselves (Republicans).
Our Constitution is set up to give each side a two year shot at governance and the accomplishment of what they promise the voters. Seldom is every promise or expectation of voters met before the next election changes the government, a little or a lot.
The Democrat side encompasses many different missions looking for support, not the least of which are providing the necessities of life that many need to survive.
The Republican side has a few more distinct missions. One is the promotion of religious doctrine and influence. A second is building personal wealth and power. Third is achieving control of significant internal and external populations that are impediments to the second.
Conquest and control of populations by economic, military, ideological or other methods become the hallmark of the "republican" character of humanity.
Why this duality of human character? It is rooted in the logic of "survival of the fittest".
A terrific post! And I really value the insights from this perspective - someone who loves this country and sees it more objectively than Americans typically do in our complacency. Deep thanks.
Thank you for sharing your experience, Marilyn. I pray that your message is heard far and wide, for I fear that my country, this America that I've loved all of my life, is in danger of falling to this corrupt regime.
I remember Argentina and Chile very well, and I didn't even have a tv. I'm still running into people from Chile. (In 2016 I walked precincts for Bernie with a man from Chile.) A lot of Chileans ended up in the Bay Area, where I live. Lots of foreign students come to UCBerkeley. I'm not sure anyone is prepared for what might be coming. But the Bay Area, especially Alameda County, is prepared for disasters, since this is earthquake country, with no warnings, so I think we are marginally safer. I also think our county government is better prepared to resist than most local governments. With luck, California is better able to stand on its own--we are the fourth largest economy in the world.
In addition to economic power California has geography on its side. What it lacks is political power in Washington DC.
History of the last two centuries on Earth demonstrates the effect of distance combined with economic power and its ability to deter ambitious dictatorships, which tend to waste their economic resources with over ambitious behavior.
I'm also a Californian, as is my family from way back, and none of us was prepared for the next earthquake or the next wildfire, much less a would-be dictator. My California was complacent; hope yours is more vigilant.
Well, since the earthquake of 1989, Northern California has worked on its bridges, freeways, water transportation, and big buildings in big cities to minimize as much damage as possible after the next big quake. The fire department in my city is working on citizen preparation for a big earthquake. Since the Oakland Hills fire in 1991, both Oakland and Berkeley have been working on fire prevention, although depending on windspeed, there may a limit to what they can do. Last year, when they thought it was going to be bad, they asked everyone who lived in the hills to evacuate and this year they said they will have mandated evacuation for everyone who lives in the hills if the windspeed is predicted to be high. We have food and water stored, house bolted, no plants within five feet of the house...
It’s very frightening, and I wish I knew how to get people to see it!!! You can buy them books, and they eat the pages. Lead a horse to water, you can’t make it drink.
Thank you SO much for posting this clarion call. Of course, others have also tried to warn us: Philip Roth in "Plot Against America" and going back to Sinclair Lewis' "It Can't Happen Here". And even at the very beginning of our nation, let's not forget Benjamin Franklin's famous reply that we were getting "A republic, if you can keep it".
This is an excellent piece. Just excellent. I write about what is going on as well. I'm of advanced years and hate what is happening to America before our very eyes. Also a veteran as was my dad a WWII vet. He would not have believed this was possible after fighting the Nazis. Yet here we are. The American Trump Reich. Keep on writing.
Thank you so much … I hope you get a broad audience!!!! Let’s never give up on our democracy … Thanks for sharing!!!!!!
This is an excellent and much needed commentary. My husband was born and raised in Mexico and he, like you, sees disturbing parallels. I refuse to give up on American democracy and know we are currently in a dangerous place. We have no choice but to refuse to accept a future that looks like the history of too many. Thank you for your reminder!
This was a beautifully written and truthful article! Everyone needs to read it and understand that this mess the United States is in is real. It is not hyperbole! The destruction of America is happening right now supported by Republicans in Congress, Russell Vought and led by a weak demented man who cares about nobody but himself; power and money for himself.
Power and money for himself, and he’ll happily use the office of the presidency to rubber-stamp Vought and Miller’s authoritarian wet dreams. I’m genuinely concerned that Kevin Roberts may have been correct when he said, “we’re going to win.”
"Deja vue all over again," huh, Ms Kunce?
We all expected better than this. Donnie's followers are falling away. But he's terrified enough people in government to lead him to have confidence he can continue to pull this off. They haven't realized that if they just "grew a pair," this deconstruction would end.
I'm rooting for you, and for all the rest of us, too. If you want me to promise you this isn't the end, I won't promise you that. I just hope it's not.
I too am a veteran -- in 3 different conflicts. I was an instructor in Jungle Operations at Fort Sherman, Panama when Noriega got way to big for his britches. Lots of people died because of him. Nevertheless, I would remind everyone that, like Noriega, these authoritarians have often been installed by us, the USA. Clearly, it is no different with this miscreant Trump. Why, oh why, do we do such? In reality, the enemy is us.
The USA is host to 3 distinct political human life forms. The largest don't vote or have significant direct effect on politics. The other two represent the opposing and voting sides of human character. Those who love and trust others (Democrats) and those who love and trust only themselves (Republicans).
Our Constitution is set up to give each side a two year shot at governance and the accomplishment of what they promise the voters. Seldom is every promise or expectation of voters met before the next election changes the government, a little or a lot.
The Democrat side encompasses many different missions looking for support, not the least of which are providing the necessities of life that many need to survive.
The Republican side has a few more distinct missions. One is the promotion of religious doctrine and influence. A second is building personal wealth and power. Third is achieving control of significant internal and external populations that are impediments to the second.
Conquest and control of populations by economic, military, ideological or other methods become the hallmark of the "republican" character of humanity.
Why this duality of human character? It is rooted in the logic of "survival of the fittest".
Darwin would reject that in favor of "survival by adaptation to change." Republicans fight change, the only true constant in life.
A terrific post! And I really value the insights from this perspective - someone who loves this country and sees it more objectively than Americans typically do in our complacency. Deep thanks.
Hey Lucas welcome to Substack
Your wife is a gifted writer
Thank you
Keep fighting for Hawley’s place!
Sorry l can’t pay everyone here
Just a old lady in the Sonoran desert using the weapons words and concepts in this O La garkey war- still believe in you
Thank you for sharing your experience, Marilyn. I pray that your message is heard far and wide, for I fear that my country, this America that I've loved all of my life, is in danger of falling to this corrupt regime.
Learning how Latin Americans escaped their authoritarian government to return to democratic leadership could be helpful to the u.s. now.
I remember Argentina and Chile very well, and I didn't even have a tv. I'm still running into people from Chile. (In 2016 I walked precincts for Bernie with a man from Chile.) A lot of Chileans ended up in the Bay Area, where I live. Lots of foreign students come to UCBerkeley. I'm not sure anyone is prepared for what might be coming. But the Bay Area, especially Alameda County, is prepared for disasters, since this is earthquake country, with no warnings, so I think we are marginally safer. I also think our county government is better prepared to resist than most local governments. With luck, California is better able to stand on its own--we are the fourth largest economy in the world.
In addition to economic power California has geography on its side. What it lacks is political power in Washington DC.
History of the last two centuries on Earth demonstrates the effect of distance combined with economic power and its ability to deter ambitious dictatorships, which tend to waste their economic resources with over ambitious behavior.
I'm also a Californian, as is my family from way back, and none of us was prepared for the next earthquake or the next wildfire, much less a would-be dictator. My California was complacent; hope yours is more vigilant.
Well, since the earthquake of 1989, Northern California has worked on its bridges, freeways, water transportation, and big buildings in big cities to minimize as much damage as possible after the next big quake. The fire department in my city is working on citizen preparation for a big earthquake. Since the Oakland Hills fire in 1991, both Oakland and Berkeley have been working on fire prevention, although depending on windspeed, there may a limit to what they can do. Last year, when they thought it was going to be bad, they asked everyone who lived in the hills to evacuate and this year they said they will have mandated evacuation for everyone who lives in the hills if the windspeed is predicted to be high. We have food and water stored, house bolted, no plants within five feet of the house...
We thought The same thing but Shit is out of hand!!! Nevertheless We The People Will Fight till We Win Periodt!
It’s very frightening, and I wish I knew how to get people to see it!!! You can buy them books, and they eat the pages. Lead a horse to water, you can’t make it drink.
You're right. If only more Americans cared about losing democracy. So many seem happy to make USA a dictatorship.
It’s happening right before our eyes.
We are sleepwalking into totalitarianism a la "1984."
Thank you SO much for posting this clarion call. Of course, others have also tried to warn us: Philip Roth in "Plot Against America" and going back to Sinclair Lewis' "It Can't Happen Here". And even at the very beginning of our nation, let's not forget Benjamin Franklin's famous reply that we were getting "A republic, if you can keep it".