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Allan Crow's avatar

Realpolitik: There are things the way you'd like them to be and things the way they are. America(unfettered capitalism) has a lot of reconciling to do to overcome this situation, and I'm not sure it is up to it. Trump is going to have to do some serious economic and societal harm before there is an appropriate response, and even then, the oligarchy will continue to control the levers of power. Since FDR, the country has been in a downward spiral, the reforms are never coming back and the empire is collapsing. DT is a symptom, and all we can do is watch. Sorry to be so blunt.

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Stella Taylor's avatar

Excellent article. Am in total agreement with you.

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Leslie Davis's avatar

This was exactly the same model he used in California and their presence is still here. This has been going on in California for more than two months now. People don’t like it, they’re afraid they don’t want to go outside on the street. And then you factor in the whole ICE immigration scenario, California is getting it from all sides.

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Christine Tachner's avatar

Congestive heart failure. All the signs are there, including swelling in his fingers that have stopped him wearing his wedding ring. And I’ve noticed all summer long that he’s been getting winded when he speaks standing at a podium or onstage. I suspect that’s why he’s sitting down so much lately. Grim reaper can’t come soon enough. Also, this piece was fantastic—thanks!

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Leslie Davis's avatar

This is such a well researched article, Jim. The leader in charge has definitely gone through the 6 stages of personalization in an incredibly quick period of time. His chief of staff must keep him on track with daily project 2025 to-do lists because the rapidity of the government transition has been mind boggling. I’m still looking for genuine and authentic leadership. Why is this such an uncommon commodity today? The wrath of Trump I suppose. I’m afraid we will be cloaked in this madness for some time.

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Nancy G's avatar

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Pests_campaign

https://www.britannica.com/event/Cultural-Revolution/Rise-and-fall-of-Lin-Biao-1969-71

Fortunately for us, the Felon is 79 years old. Unless they are going to stuff him and pump him with capabilities for AI interactions, we will soon be released from the delusions of a demented and aging ego-maniac.

We'll still have to deal with the fascists, the racists, the sexists, the religious creeps that want to control women, schools and what people think, the billionaires who could care less about the rest of humanity; but, what's that expression? Beggars can't be choosers. It's what we are going to have to deal with until enough adequate solutions for repair start appearing and working.

At least we won't have to see the pus and hear the mental inflammation day after day.

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Blue Moon Pie's avatar

Jim, as always you are ahead of the curve. Thanks for this very insightful and illuminating article.

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Erin Flanagan's avatar

Great article. All new and dense with relevance. I'm guessing the United States is entering Phase 4: Mounting Instability and Paranoia. Having learned "Be Prepared" as a Brownie, what are the elements of a well-predicted downfall?

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James Burnham's avatar

Trump is visibly dying. It can't come soon enough. In the meantime, can anyone inspire the military to disobey his orders? If the military follows him, we are in deep trouble. The Confederates have invaded the Capital City a second time since J6. What a joyful time for the Palmetto State. Their cause today is the same as it was in 1861. I can hear their rebel yells.

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Nancy G's avatar

Received an error when trying to download first article on personalism in dictatorships:

This XML file does not appear to have any style information associated with it. The document tree is shown below.

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Jim Stewartson's avatar

THANK YOU! Fixed. 💙🫡

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