Steve, your voice is a light in the darkness of these times, and I am profoundly grateful your eloquence and courage and righteous veracity— I actually meant to say ferocity, but I’m going to keep the typo because it is also apt. I listen to, and avidly read, every single one of your posts..
As always, an antidote to despair is action. Do you have any advice for those of us who live in blue states with representatives who vote our way? I’m ready to call mine day and night, but I’m not sure what to ask for. As demoralizing as the capitulation of the Republicans is the lack of leadership in the Democratic party. I wish a leader in either party would emerge who spoke as bravely, stirringly and honestly as you do.
Thank you for the introduction to Ron Fournier. I will be subscribing to “convulsions” immediately.
I do understand the point you both made about how dangerous the incomprehension of a Joyce Behar is. I appreciate all the reasons you both laid out for the disaffection of former Democrats – – but how can the American people not be universally revolted by the spectacle of all those cowed oligarchs seated in the front row at the inauguration, not to mention the “orgasmic” (ha!) Nazi salute of Elon Musk? How can the American people not rise up as one in horror at the nomination of Pete Hegseth as our defense secretary? It is a national humiliation!
For sure, this is a great conversation. i agree that Trump has pulled the plug out of the drain. The Swamp? Well which Swamp is going down the drain? Is it the old liberal leaning swamp or is it also the old conservative leaning swamp? Well, it’s both really. The “old ways” are being upset by the man with the big Hammer.
Lots of folks keep saying, “He’s putting in all these unqualified people in his cabinet, in important government posts. Let’s challenge the bona fides of these people.”
Well, guess what? That’s a waste of time. This is exactly what Trump wants to do. He wants the least capable people in those positions because he intends to wipe out most of those posts reason to exist.
iHe wants a complete deconstruction. And he wants to be the man to build some sort of replacement that suits his personality, his temperament his vision of a giant statue of himself, leading the world to some kind of Trumpian future.
So, forget trying to analyse the qualifications of the todies he puts up for Congressional review. Reject one and he’ll give you another, and another, and another, ad nauseam.
That’s the plan.
And in the meantime, he’ll build more resorts, keep the rich richer, and keep moving the needle of USA influence to the point of his finger.
So, DEMOCRATS! How did we fail? Well, we were too nice, too willing to accept the news blackout that we received because Trump stole all the media attention. If red meat is what’s called for, well, let’s go! Let’s give it to them. Let’s take Trump down by proving his method is madness and the people who love his “fuck you” message are really being given the hose themselves.
Lots of folks think he’ll make THEM rich. HahHaHah.
Let’s look at those numbers in real time. Let’s prove to those folks who love the MAGA message that it’s really a “You’ve been hosed” message, and buy my new watch/teeshirt/sneakers/card collection if you want to be in my MAGA circle of Friends.
Democrats have to show that we have a UNIFIED MESSAGE!
So, what is it?
I’m a lifelong Democrat and I, even I, don’t know what the unified message is that trumps Trump!
What is it?
Respect for our institutions? Well, Congress has its head up its ass. The Senate are a bunch of dithering deliberators. The Supreme Court is so corrupt as to be a banana republic;s envy.
Could or be so simple as getting back to peace and freedom, with a commitment to FDR's Second Bill of Rights as the twist?
Also, grossly overlooked in every discussion by dems is that the very wealthy must be taxed differently. Somehow, Trump convinced his people to DEFEND billionaire tax cuts, understanding zero about them, so THAT message needs to change, too.
I recently heard this good argument: if you earn $50 billion largely through stocks (not through the kind of hard work ordinary people do), how will another $50 billion change to your life in any meaningful way? Will you be happier? Will your life improve? Will you buy more houses, more yachts?
No, you've basically hit the zenith of wealth, and now your money is compounding. That's how FDR was able to convince the first gilded age. That, and "you can either deal with me or deal with the hungry mobs that will come for you with pitchforks?"
Could our fellow Americans be on the brink of realizing the implications of their votes?
As we look ahead, will the 1/3 of Americans who supported Trump’s agenda finally recognize the consequences of cruelty? And what about the 1/3 who chose not to vote or research his policies—will they engage with the issues that matter?
Our 🇺🇸 grandchildren may soon face the fallout of decisions made today, as funding is diverted away from low-income families in order to shield big corporations and billionaires from contributing their fair share. The future is approaching, and it prompts us to reflect on the trajectory we’re setting for the next generation.
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Steve asked Ron two straightforward questions that he would not answer: Was it a Hilter salute, and if would he call out Morning Joe. His not responding is pretty questionable to me.
Speaking of the Capitol being used as the backdrop of the inauguration, let's not forget the White House being used as the backdrop of the Republican national convention in the year 2000.
I wish the Rule of Law could replace the President - who seem to let us down, and have to much power. What do we want for our kids and our people? The future isn't going to be easy anyway. I just hope it can run fairly and smoothly, and democratically.
I’ve heard this complaint by republicans about needing to have their dad’s job. My dad was a banker. Should I get mad at dems because those jobs are no longer there? I understand they feel that way but none of us has the opportunities of our fathers.
If you are not sure of why tRump and his administration are hell bent on dismantling govt, search Wikipedia for Curtis Yarvin and you will find your answer. His followers include Steve Bannon("dismantle the administrative state") and JD Vance who agree with him that democracy is a failed experiment and it needs a hard reboot to install what they think is a better governing system: a neo- libertarian design with a tech type CEO/Dictatorship......a 'soft fascism'?
Steve, you could do a whole podcast about this ideology equating it to what is happening in the Maga world to get rid of their yoke of democracy so they can grab money and have all the power they want. The public gets to sit around and watch.
STEVE!!! red this!!! I said there will be an insurgency here soon against trump-and here is what one reader said:
"I agree with your essential point, don't think we'll have to wait long for the completion of our effective destruction given the pace we're seeing. It's key to understand that the new nation will not be the U.S. as we've known it, perhaps not even the same geographic configuration. Whether that happens without violence is yet to be seen, but the magnitude of the upheaval will be huge.'
I answered her with this:
TRACY EVERITT
TRACY’s Substack
9m
Edited
NanceeM I wish we were neighbors and could watch each others' backs. That is what Steve should be doing right now---encouraging and allowing all of us who feel this way to know each other's phone numbers and address so we could ally with one another. WHY DOESN'T HE DO THAT??!!
I can comprehend and have an entire community that did vote for T in underserved detached rural America. Left alone by lack of rural policy, demoralized with poverty, poor education, no personal pride because of lack of work opportunities sold out by leadership from both repubs and dems.
Steve, your voice is a light in the darkness of these times, and I am profoundly grateful your eloquence and courage and righteous veracity— I actually meant to say ferocity, but I’m going to keep the typo because it is also apt. I listen to, and avidly read, every single one of your posts..
As always, an antidote to despair is action. Do you have any advice for those of us who live in blue states with representatives who vote our way? I’m ready to call mine day and night, but I’m not sure what to ask for. As demoralizing as the capitulation of the Republicans is the lack of leadership in the Democratic party. I wish a leader in either party would emerge who spoke as bravely, stirringly and honestly as you do.
Thank you for the introduction to Ron Fournier. I will be subscribing to “convulsions” immediately.
I do understand the point you both made about how dangerous the incomprehension of a Joyce Behar is. I appreciate all the reasons you both laid out for the disaffection of former Democrats – – but how can the American people not be universally revolted by the spectacle of all those cowed oligarchs seated in the front row at the inauguration, not to mention the “orgasmic” (ha!) Nazi salute of Elon Musk? How can the American people not rise up as one in horror at the nomination of Pete Hegseth as our defense secretary? It is a national humiliation!
For sure, this is a great conversation. i agree that Trump has pulled the plug out of the drain. The Swamp? Well which Swamp is going down the drain? Is it the old liberal leaning swamp or is it also the old conservative leaning swamp? Well, it’s both really. The “old ways” are being upset by the man with the big Hammer.
Lots of folks keep saying, “He’s putting in all these unqualified people in his cabinet, in important government posts. Let’s challenge the bona fides of these people.”
Well, guess what? That’s a waste of time. This is exactly what Trump wants to do. He wants the least capable people in those positions because he intends to wipe out most of those posts reason to exist.
iHe wants a complete deconstruction. And he wants to be the man to build some sort of replacement that suits his personality, his temperament his vision of a giant statue of himself, leading the world to some kind of Trumpian future.
So, forget trying to analyse the qualifications of the todies he puts up for Congressional review. Reject one and he’ll give you another, and another, and another, ad nauseam.
That’s the plan.
And in the meantime, he’ll build more resorts, keep the rich richer, and keep moving the needle of USA influence to the point of his finger.
So, DEMOCRATS! How did we fail? Well, we were too nice, too willing to accept the news blackout that we received because Trump stole all the media attention. If red meat is what’s called for, well, let’s go! Let’s give it to them. Let’s take Trump down by proving his method is madness and the people who love his “fuck you” message are really being given the hose themselves.
Lots of folks think he’ll make THEM rich. HahHaHah.
Let’s look at those numbers in real time. Let’s prove to those folks who love the MAGA message that it’s really a “You’ve been hosed” message, and buy my new watch/teeshirt/sneakers/card collection if you want to be in my MAGA circle of Friends.
Democrats have to show that we have a UNIFIED MESSAGE!
So, what is it?
I’m a lifelong Democrat and I, even I, don’t know what the unified message is that trumps Trump!
What is it?
Respect for our institutions? Well, Congress has its head up its ass. The Senate are a bunch of dithering deliberators. The Supreme Court is so corrupt as to be a banana republic;s envy.
So, Democrats, WHAT IS THE UNIFIED MESSAGE?
Could or be so simple as getting back to peace and freedom, with a commitment to FDR's Second Bill of Rights as the twist?
Also, grossly overlooked in every discussion by dems is that the very wealthy must be taxed differently. Somehow, Trump convinced his people to DEFEND billionaire tax cuts, understanding zero about them, so THAT message needs to change, too.
I recently heard this good argument: if you earn $50 billion largely through stocks (not through the kind of hard work ordinary people do), how will another $50 billion change to your life in any meaningful way? Will you be happier? Will your life improve? Will you buy more houses, more yachts?
No, you've basically hit the zenith of wealth, and now your money is compounding. That's how FDR was able to convince the first gilded age. That, and "you can either deal with me or deal with the hungry mobs that will come for you with pitchforks?"
Could our fellow Americans be on the brink of realizing the implications of their votes?
As we look ahead, will the 1/3 of Americans who supported Trump’s agenda finally recognize the consequences of cruelty? And what about the 1/3 who chose not to vote or research his policies—will they engage with the issues that matter?
Our 🇺🇸 grandchildren may soon face the fallout of decisions made today, as funding is diverted away from low-income families in order to shield big corporations and billionaires from contributing their fair share. The future is approaching, and it prompts us to reflect on the trajectory we’re setting for the next generation.
• Subscribe, like, share, and reply to independent media posts. 👀🫶🏼🇺🇸👇🏼
https://youtu.be/i0Gyl3Et5qs?si=NxTGi0Rl3BllXpD4
Yes, Ron, he is laying a trap, change is coming, it is our change, make it ours!
I watched last night. Two handsome dudes giving sound advice.
Steve asked Ron two straightforward questions that he would not answer: Was it a Hilter salute, and if would he call out Morning Joe. His not responding is pretty questionable to me.
Fabulous conversation. Ron has a soothing sense about him.
Speaking of the Capitol being used as the backdrop of the inauguration, let's not forget the White House being used as the backdrop of the Republican national convention in the year 2000.
A damn powerful conversation. Thank you both!
I wish the Rule of Law could replace the President - who seem to let us down, and have to much power. What do we want for our kids and our people? The future isn't going to be easy anyway. I just hope it can run fairly and smoothly, and democratically.
I’ve heard this complaint by republicans about needing to have their dad’s job. My dad was a banker. Should I get mad at dems because those jobs are no longer there? I understand they feel that way but none of us has the opportunities of our fathers.
If you are not sure of why tRump and his administration are hell bent on dismantling govt, search Wikipedia for Curtis Yarvin and you will find your answer. His followers include Steve Bannon("dismantle the administrative state") and JD Vance who agree with him that democracy is a failed experiment and it needs a hard reboot to install what they think is a better governing system: a neo- libertarian design with a tech type CEO/Dictatorship......a 'soft fascism'?
Steve, you could do a whole podcast about this ideology equating it to what is happening in the Maga world to get rid of their yoke of democracy so they can grab money and have all the power they want. The public gets to sit around and watch.
Fabulous fabulous show Steve, thank you so much.
STEVE!!! red this!!! I said there will be an insurgency here soon against trump-and here is what one reader said:
"I agree with your essential point, don't think we'll have to wait long for the completion of our effective destruction given the pace we're seeing. It's key to understand that the new nation will not be the U.S. as we've known it, perhaps not even the same geographic configuration. Whether that happens without violence is yet to be seen, but the magnitude of the upheaval will be huge.'
I answered her with this:
TRACY EVERITT
TRACY’s Substack
9m
Edited
NanceeM I wish we were neighbors and could watch each others' backs. That is what Steve should be doing right now---encouraging and allowing all of us who feel this way to know each other's phone numbers and address so we could ally with one another. WHY DOESN'T HE DO THAT??!!
I can comprehend and have an entire community that did vote for T in underserved detached rural America. Left alone by lack of rural policy, demoralized with poverty, poor education, no personal pride because of lack of work opportunities sold out by leadership from both repubs and dems.
Which would not have happened without 30 odd years of Murdoch pushing his agenda
in their houses, barber ships, military bases, airports and hotel lounges.
They have been marinating in fear and hate….
Thanks, I watched - good information and insight - Resist! Oppose! Stay Strong!