On the dangerous breed of ideologically-motivated billionaires who believe that democratic institutions have no purpose--and who are ready to use their wealth to advance their alternative visions
I would disagree with you on "he returned to office with a mandate" -- Trump won less than 50% of the popular vote (49.9%)--but more interesting than that: When you consider all Americans Voting Age Eligible (264.7M), he won even less -- just 29.2%. Yes, yes, it's terrible that so many Americans did not vote. And while he did win, less than 30% of Americans of voting age chose him to be our president. There is no mandate. (Data from Florida Election Lab and AP News)
The percentage of the eligible population voting has always been low. You can’t hang your coat on that statistical hook. I would argue that the reason Putin’s Apprentice actually won a plurality of the voter was because they focused on recruiting particularly low information voters, many of whom thankfully only voted for Putin’s Apprentice and didn’t vote in Senate races, allowing Democrats to win Senate seats in Wisconsin, Arizona and Nevada. Using your metric, even LBJ and Obama didn’t have mandates.
We definitely have a billionaire problem. You all may appreciate an article my my husband, David Korten. 30 years ago he wrote a best-seller When Corporations Rule the World. Now he has written "When Billionaires Rule the World". See: https://davidkorten.org/when-billionaires-rule-the-world/
"What resources will they marshal to ensure that the elections go their way? 2026 will be a dress rehearsal for 2028." Indeed, and I imagine they see it this way as well. I worry that, since they control large blocks of the media, they'll essentially game the democratic process by packaging their messaging in such a way that voters will vote against their own interests. The GOP has mastered this craft, and with the Broligarchy on The Good Ship Maga, there's no reason to think they won't flex these muscles, particularly given strongarming by the Extortioner-in-Chief. That all said, necessity is the mother of invention and, assuming the opposition can re-organize to address the concerns of the masses, I am hopeful that new new media channels, alternatives to Fox News, X, Facebook, and TikTok will develop.
The biggest obstacle facing American democracy right now is the huge amount of money that is spent on spreading disinformation, the kind of message that demonizes and distorts all progressive ideas into something that will ruin America. They are spending million, probably billions, so that they can maintain their huge advantage in wealth and power, while labeling any opposition as Marxist, socialist, and weak.
Best overview of the situation I've read so far. The following excerpts I find most pertinent:
"Trump knows he is popular on social issues like immigration and combating DEI and wokeness. Standing up to him on executive actions, however absurd, on these issues won’t help; activism won’t win this fight
What will ultimately make a bigger difference is pointing out the hypocrisy and corruption of Trump world, and working through democratic institutions to eradicate it
Trump and those in his inner orbit only care about strength, as measured by money and influence.
Just days ago, a MAGA House representative proposed changing the 22nd Amendment to allow Trump to run for another term in office, putting American political discourse on par with that of completely non-democratic nations.
The wealthiest, most well-connected, or militarily powerful are not those who get to decide the future of this country. That always must be up to the American people."
I'm beginning to think that we need to create a robust 3rd party. Previously I believed 3rd parties in the US were a distraction. But now: the Dems have foundered and continue to flail uselessly. IF we can create a viable 3rd party (not one that presents a woke, Progressive approach that's preoccupied with reacting to the anti-DEI scythe of tRumpism) blending environmental and economic concerns? ???
Nope. It'll only further weaken the Dems, and grease the skids for the Trumpist MAGA GOP.
This is America. We'll have a 2 party system, at best, so long as we have parties. It's due to the core DNA of our governmental organization. Multi-party systems require a parliamentary approach.
Exactly what I used to think. However I believe we have to adapt to bring in younger voters, and they seem to be saying that neither party represents them.
I would disagree with you on "he returned to office with a mandate" -- Trump won less than 50% of the popular vote (49.9%)--but more interesting than that: When you consider all Americans Voting Age Eligible (264.7M), he won even less -- just 29.2%. Yes, yes, it's terrible that so many Americans did not vote. And while he did win, less than 30% of Americans of voting age chose him to be our president. There is no mandate. (Data from Florida Election Lab and AP News)
The percentage of the eligible population voting has always been low. You can’t hang your coat on that statistical hook. I would argue that the reason Putin’s Apprentice actually won a plurality of the voter was because they focused on recruiting particularly low information voters, many of whom thankfully only voted for Putin’s Apprentice and didn’t vote in Senate races, allowing Democrats to win Senate seats in Wisconsin, Arizona and Nevada. Using your metric, even LBJ and Obama didn’t have mandates.
The only mandate is in his head. He just thinks that saying it makes it so. For the non-critical thinkers, that's enough I guess.
We definitely have a billionaire problem. You all may appreciate an article my my husband, David Korten. 30 years ago he wrote a best-seller When Corporations Rule the World. Now he has written "When Billionaires Rule the World". See: https://davidkorten.org/when-billionaires-rule-the-world/
In other words, their world view is everything and everyone exists to enrich and make more powerful...........themselves.
"What resources will they marshal to ensure that the elections go their way? 2026 will be a dress rehearsal for 2028." Indeed, and I imagine they see it this way as well. I worry that, since they control large blocks of the media, they'll essentially game the democratic process by packaging their messaging in such a way that voters will vote against their own interests. The GOP has mastered this craft, and with the Broligarchy on The Good Ship Maga, there's no reason to think they won't flex these muscles, particularly given strongarming by the Extortioner-in-Chief. That all said, necessity is the mother of invention and, assuming the opposition can re-organize to address the concerns of the masses, I am hopeful that new new media channels, alternatives to Fox News, X, Facebook, and TikTok will develop.
You’re reading one of them.
The biggest obstacle facing American democracy right now is the huge amount of money that is spent on spreading disinformation, the kind of message that demonizes and distorts all progressive ideas into something that will ruin America. They are spending million, probably billions, so that they can maintain their huge advantage in wealth and power, while labeling any opposition as Marxist, socialist, and weak.
Best overview of the situation I've read so far. The following excerpts I find most pertinent:
"Trump knows he is popular on social issues like immigration and combating DEI and wokeness. Standing up to him on executive actions, however absurd, on these issues won’t help; activism won’t win this fight
What will ultimately make a bigger difference is pointing out the hypocrisy and corruption of Trump world, and working through democratic institutions to eradicate it
Trump and those in his inner orbit only care about strength, as measured by money and influence.
Just days ago, a MAGA House representative proposed changing the 22nd Amendment to allow Trump to run for another term in office, putting American political discourse on par with that of completely non-democratic nations.
The wealthiest, most well-connected, or militarily powerful are not those who get to decide the future of this country. That always must be up to the American people."
I'm beginning to think that we need to create a robust 3rd party. Previously I believed 3rd parties in the US were a distraction. But now: the Dems have foundered and continue to flail uselessly. IF we can create a viable 3rd party (not one that presents a woke, Progressive approach that's preoccupied with reacting to the anti-DEI scythe of tRumpism) blending environmental and economic concerns? ???
Nope. It'll only further weaken the Dems, and grease the skids for the Trumpist MAGA GOP.
This is America. We'll have a 2 party system, at best, so long as we have parties. It's due to the core DNA of our governmental organization. Multi-party systems require a parliamentary approach.
Exactly what I used to think. However I believe we have to adapt to bring in younger voters, and they seem to be saying that neither party represents them.
We may need universal rank choice voting before we can have a viable third party option