Carl Sagan - "I have a foreboding...when the United States is a a service and information economy; when nearly all the manufacturing industries have slipped away to other countries; when awesome technological powers are in the hands of a very few...we slide back into superstition and darkness"
The Powell Memo of 1971 outlined the plan, the Supreme Court ruled in 1976 that money was free speech and in 1978 that corporations are people, and Reagan gave the entire scheme a jump start. It's been in process ever since.
Yes, Citizens United was yet another step in the process. It literally opened a dark gaping hole for money to pour into politics from who knows where, even foreign governments.
We are on the threshold of #Oligarchy. Op.Our country began its journey to #Oligarchy when Jimmy Carter lost the presidency. Ronald Reagan Republicans changed the structure of our economy from a consumer based economy to #Trickledown and began their war of deregulation.
Condolences to your democracy from Germany.
I hope we can do better in our elections in February.
Although Elmo is trying hard to corrupt that here, too.
They certainly don't feel a need to hide it.
I just can't get over the number of lies though. Politicians always lie a lot. But seriously, these guys take the cake.
They know they can tell any lie as long as they stick to it and demonize people that call them out on it. It clearly works.
reminds me of some yakuza films making me want to have them (instead of the current mob) for their manners and looks, even as cruelty is the same. Their lack of aesthetics is a catastrophe of its own.
I think everyone on the left, as much as it may hurt, needs to abandon all social media except BlueSky. We need to make a statement and hit Zucky and Musky, where it hurts.
Elon shared a post that called American workers "retarded". It's more than obvious what they think of their base, and they know exactly how to exploit them. They created an oligarchy right in plain view.
I've been honestly waiting for the last 30 days for the military to step in and give our citizens a tough dose of reality when they report they're locking up Donald Frump. That they gave an oath to keep america and democracy from harms way, both foreign or domestic.
At first Putin let oligarchs to have businesses and encouraged them to build them up. Those businesses are now owned by the state (aka) Putin. Putin claims to be the richest man in the world. He’s reeling in little man elan, who is the richest man in the world, but who really wants to be god.
Sorry George. We are not "on the path". We are here. Monday it will be obvious to everyone as they witness billionaires front row seats. It's a sad time in America. The spark of REVOLUTION is not far behind.
Well, we are multiple generations who need to bury generational hatchets and plan our attack as Americans. We have no choice. We can stay divided and lose, or we join together and give them one hell of a war.
What? You are wrong thinking a majority of the country voted for Trump. He won by a majority of VOTERS. When people cannot afford food and shelter, lose medical ins., and personal freedoms...they WILL revolt. No matter who they voted for...if they're personally hurt, they will fight.
We do not ask permission. I dont give a shit if they want it or not. Revolution is not for the weak. If it scares you, you can go hide and let the brave take the fight to their feet!
Path to? George, we've had one for decades, since before I could vote and I'm 53. The oligarchy is now publicly stripping away the lie that we never had one. They're getting us ready for corporate balkanization of the planet.
Look at our history as a country to know that our Oligarchy has been going on for well over a CENTURY! The policies haven't changed; the DRESSING of the policies have changed. Trump will tow their line for money just as much as the GOP tows HIS. Low-income Trump voters are in for a rude awakening.
We're at the end of the path. We are now an oligarchy, a kleptocracy, a kakistocracy, an idiocracy and if Hegseth & Johnson and their ilk have their way, eventually a theocracy.
Definitely all of these. Theocracy will appease the Christians to keep overlooking the crimes, moral failings, and loss of our government. When I was evangelical, I pictured what's happening now as being the beginning of the apocalypse. They already have the mark of the beast on their foreheads
We've been there, they're just bold enough to flaunt it now. I'd leave the country, but now that we're getting all imperialistic, I'm not sure if there's a safe place to be.
Not yet. They haven't got their feet under the table yet. Hopefully Musk won't last though. He's too crazy and too butt-ugly not to piss Trump off at some point. I'm really scared about the pick for head of the armed forces though. A Boy Scout would be better. And the VP is a total creep.
George I love your stuff but you must be horribly deluded if you haven’t realised America has been an oligarchy for years and will most likely be turned into an oligarchic theocracy over the next four years if Trump doesn’t blow up the world first of course
Besides, as a multi-billionaire who is living in a country with MASSIVE economic inequality and someone who has angered essentially everyone on the left and many MAGA cultists, he makes a very convenient scapegoat should Trump need one.
And its pretty likely Trump will DEFINITELY need one.
Roughly ⅓ of the eligible population always sits out elections. Lots of propaganda goes into convincing people that voting is pointless or that neither candidate deserves a vote. Constant equivocation both-sides bullshit leads to the greater evil benefitting b/c the lesser evil is “the same”.
The billionaires and corporations are in charge and will be even after the inauguration. Maga will be betrayed by Trump. In favor of the one percent richest, MoFo’s.
WRONG! America is not on a path to oligarchy. It’s already there. GOP billionaires, Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and Mark Fuckerberg bought themselves wring side seats to Trump’s inauguration.
He did buy office space to go with his convicted felon puppet, didn't he? Who will really control the strings?! The con man has been duped & may not realize it yet. Sad day for our country.
The German Chancellor & President haven’t been invited to the felon’s inauguration but the co leader of the Neo-Nazi far right German AfD party will be there at his request.
The article reads that both were invited but the chancellor is staying to in Germany to work. I am still more than concerned about the Nazi love being shown.
Remember: Trump barely won. They lost a seat in congress so no coattails and as far as the oligarchs are concerned remember they need you more than you need them. Nothing Musk, Zuck or Bozzo et al have that you need. But they need your money and attention. Do not give it to them. Fuck them.
And even if Trump tries to get around it via executive orders, they can only go so far before courts start to dispute them, which could go to such an extent that the Supreme Court can't spend enough time to make sure all EOs can get through.
It took well over a year for the Supreme Court to overturn a federal court's decision on Trump's Muslim immigration ban EO, so if enough are able to bring into dispute many of the supposed 100 or so EOs Trump wants to initiate ASAP, they may not be able to get them all implemented.
"Part of President Donald Trump's executive order Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States, which temporarily banned entry to the US of citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries, including for permanent residents, was stayed by a federal court on January 28, 2017."
"However, on June 26, 2018, the US Supreme Court overturned the lower court order in Trump v. Hawaii and affirmed that the executive order was within the president's constitutional authority.[31]"
Like this was just for one EO, imagine the Supreme Court needing to deal with multiple.
Especially since Democrats, for all of their flaws, have already committed to fight as much of Trump's policies up and down the US, in courts, in the house and in the senate. And considering there's plenty of Democratic Judges and only slim MAGA majorities in Congress, they do have a chance.
Oh, there will be elections. Just like there are in Russia, Belarus and other countries. But the results will be clear before a single vote is being cast.
On the path?! Nope. We arrived there a few president's ago. You just didn't notice because they were of the political party you preferred. I didn't notice because I wanted to believe their lies.
Please stay safe, George. Because with how the DoD, DoJ and FBI are starting to look with all the inevitable confirmations in the senate, all critics of the new regime will be targeted.
I always thought that the famed US constitution was created, amended and defended to stop this sort of thing happening in America? Money eh? Guess you really can buy anything if you have enough!
They are disregarding the constitution. If they weren't tfg would be in jail and so would all the senators and reps involved in the sedition.
This won't end well.
I was watching my little grandson play this morning and all I could think was, I hope the world gets OK. I really do fear for my kids and - mostly - for my grandchildren.
Okay, but what president hasn't appointed his biggest campaign donor as the head of a made-up department, and let him habe a say in every policy and also threaten elected officials?
Oh, right...none of them.
Dude, I don't think we were ever "on the path/" It happened by design by the orange asshole selling out our country and democracy to the highest bidder.
Comments
But that's not what they usually say -- even though that's what you and I understand them to actually mean.
Interesting analysis and prediction from 2022 on America going from democracy to oligarchy.
This is serious.
Oligarchs must be stopped. Rules required. Start with raising taxes on billionaires fortune and income.
We're already there!!! It's happened. This is oligarchy. America is failing.
Al Prazolam.
I hope we can do better in our elections in February.
Although Elmo is trying hard to corrupt that here, too.
I just can't get over the number of lies though. Politicians always lie a lot. But seriously, these guys take the cake.
They know they can tell any lie as long as they stick to it and demonize people that call them out on it. It clearly works.
https://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/amp/shows/maddow/blog/rcna187599
Get out!
We need real leftists like Bernie aoc illahn RO Khanna, but 20x as many
It's clearly the ONLY solution.
But, won't happen.
Also, Trump would just send the National Guard.
Get ready for more oligarchs.
And so are we on the other side of the Atlantic.
Ppl will kneel in front of them and cry as they are deeply touched.
My life was so close to being happy, but I doubt I’ll even be alive for much longer
Besides, as a multi-billionaire who is living in a country with MASSIVE economic inequality and someone who has angered essentially everyone on the left and many MAGA cultists, he makes a very convenient scapegoat should Trump need one.
And its pretty likely Trump will DEFINITELY need one.
32% - voted for Trump
31% - voted for Harris
2% - voted 3rd party
35% - DID NOT VOTE
(All % rounded up)
Why did more people decided to sit this election out than voted for any candidate?
Lyrics from The Doors...
Already seen the “Best and the Brightest” story
It ended in the 60’s/70’s with humble pie,
and dead soldiers and so many southeast Asian people killed and terrorized.
Real lives are in real peril.
Read the signs: Nazi. White Supremacy.
https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/01/16/afds-co-leader-tino-chrupalla-to-attend-trumps-inauguration-on-monday
Too soon?
And even if Trump tries to get around it via executive orders, they can only go so far before courts start to dispute them, which could go to such an extent that the Supreme Court can't spend enough time to make sure all EOs can get through.
Like this was just for one EO, imagine the Supreme Court needing to deal with multiple.
What does it take for people to believe it?
He'll be a criminal usurper illegally seizing power & should be arrested. Anyone he appoints is also a criminal.
Politicians sworn to uphold the constitution who treat him as president will be violating their oaths.
did not vote for
MUSK - ZUCK - BEZOS
They were on zero ballots.
They should run their businesses--from what I've seen, *ALL* of their companies NEED IMPROVEMENT!
🤔 I guess France isn't half bad come to think of it.
This won't end well.
“America has the best government that money can buy.”
Oh, right...none of them.
How can everyone work together to stop it?
How can we put the squeeze on representatives in Congress to get them to stop it?
How can we hurt the businesses of those who abuse their wealth?
How can they be ruined (legally)?
These are serious questions we should ask.