johnalanturner.bsky.social
Writer, consultant, public speaker, asker of many hard-to-answer questions.
122 posts
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211 following
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If only he would go to a galaxy far, far away.
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Perhaps the next time I’m in the city (for the drama league awards), I’ll tell you my horrific “Beanie” faux pas!
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Again I say: 😬
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😬
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So yeah, complain about the “nanny state” all you want. But replacing it with a “mafia state” — where access, jobs, and power all flow from the top down based on who kissed the ring hardest—probably isn’t the upgrade you think it is.
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And that’s where we are today. Whether it’s Project 2025 or just the general vibe of MAGA politics, we’re watching a shift from governance by institutions to governance by personal allegiance. Want to work in the next administration? Forget experience — how loudly did you cheer at the last rally?
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A nanny state is annoying, but it operates under a framework of rules, however excessive. Patrimonialism, on the other hand, runs on personal favors, cronyism, and “who’s in the club”. It’s not about small or even efficient govt — it’s about making sure the right people (loyalists) are in control.
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But while we’re criticizing the left for wanting too much govt, folks on the right are pushing something worse: patrimonialism. That’s when govt stops being a system of laws/institutions & looks more like a family business run by a guy who only hires his cousins & rewards loyalty over competence.
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He did. And we should be prepared to do likewise.
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Agreed. As Jesus said, though, we should consider the cost before we engage.
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I had no idea football coaches also got CTE.
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When a leader treats the govt like a family business, handing out power & perks to the inner circle instead of, you know, following actual rules. It’s less public service and more “who’s kissing the ring today?” If you’ve ever worked for a boss who only promotes their golf buddies, you get the vibe.
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a system of governance in which political authority is the personal property of the ruler, & power is distributed based on personal loyalty rather than institutional rules or merit-based systems. It often leads to centralized decision-making, favoritism & the blending of public/private interests.
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Man, I can’t find that second Curiosity Killed the Cat record anywhere!