The touchstone of most authoritarian regimes is not the kind of total control that most people feel in their day-to-day lives. It is that the regime is only selectively bound by law, producing constant low-grade anxiety as to whether, how, or against whom power will be exercised.
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What's different here is, Trump at least so far really *ISN'T* delivering the goods to his favored in group. He didn't during his first term, either. It's ALL about pretending to help while getting his MAGAts to ignore everything as long as they can
"Obey me or I'll..."
They obey.
He follows through on the threat anyway.
I've been in a situation where the threat is carried out even if you obey.
It results in people not obeying.
through constant fear
I don't suffer from anxiety or depression but right now low grade anxiety that never goes away is exactly what it is.
Terrorizing.
When someone stands up to them they try to look small (be a victim) disappear, shut up & move to next victim
The sooner Dem leaders learn that & actually punch him & his goons back, the sooner America can be done w this lunatic