Where We Are

[NanceGreggs]

The country is divided like never before. Not only are we divided in terms of ideology, political policy, and future goals, we are divided by self-evident truths and the acknowledgment of facts.

Anti-Semitism and racism are not only openly demonstrated, they are displayed with pride. Violence is encouraged, education is dismissed as an evil frivolity, and intelligence is viewed as akin to witchcraft.

Even common sense is frowned upon when it leads people to actually think for themselves, instead of being told what to think - regardless of how non-sensical the thoughts they are told to believe may be.

Our children are increasingly at risk of being killed by crazed gunmen in their classrooms. Our elderly are at risk of being bankrupted by medical bills. And all of us are at risk of dying of a fatal disease because of those who've chosen to follow the advice of know-nothing politicians and the quacks they proffer as "experts".

Science has become a dirty word, reading books has become a subversive activity, and supporting the rights of women and the LGBT community is tantamount to embracing Satanism.

Patriotism has been redefined as one's willingness to defend the indefensible, and Christianity is now measured by one's willingness to ignore the teachings of Christ.

Lies have become the language of those elected to represent us - and many of those elected representatives not only hoped to overthrow our democracy, they actively participated in attempting to do so. And those who believe their lies are willing participants as well.

Given all I have cited above, there is not a single thing that does not lead back to the Republican party. There is not a lie told that can't be traced back to the GOP - there is not a democracy-destroying untruth that didn't originate with power-hungry Republicans - there isn't an iota of true patriotism or love of country that the Party of Trump can lay claim to.

We live in interesting times - and I believe that eyes are about to be opened in ways that Trump-humping Republicans never anticipated.

[bucolic_frolic]

1. Yes it is that bad

Last edited Sun Jan 2, 2022, 11:05 AM - Edit history (1)

It's as if the GOP slow-boiled a concentrated witches' brew of the last 100 years - the November 1917 Russian Revolution (which was called an insurrection in the press at the time), the Holocaust, McCarthyism, greed, racism, KKK, Watergate, supply-side economics - and released it upon us all at once. It will take some powerful medicine to flip the switch back to reality.

[bluecollar2]

12. The 1917 Russian revolution

At least had some merit...

[Mr. Steve]

14. agreed

The party of Lincoln is now just a memory.

[KS Toronado]

2. Yes, we can place most of today's problems

right at the feet of reQublicOns.

[samplegirl]

3. Knocking on Fascisms door

Jan 6 was proof!

[abqtommy]

4. Let's make it a fact that in 2022 many more Treasonous reTHUG Fascists will open

their eyes to realize that they're looking at life from inside a prison cell. Most of us
have had our eyes open all along and we know how to clean up this mess.

[DemUnleashed]

5. All...

All problems today not just at the feet of RepubliQans but also at the feet of Trump! Honestly, I have never hated anyone more than I hate him!

[BigmanPigman]

35. Me too!!!!

[Silver Gaia]

41. Same!

[Klaralven]

6. The Internet is an Envy Amplifier

People want things that others have. People want esoteric knowledge that others have. People want to belong to groups with wealth and power.

Social media platforms amplify all these wants as they see TikTok influencers, YouTube experts, and advocates for group solidarity based on race, religion, language, socioeconomic class, etc. This all raises the social temperature, increases conflict, and encourages people to seek out solidarity with groups that they think will help them compete in a more and more competitive society.

This is true not only with the US, but with 6.8 billion smartphone internet users globally. Around 5 billion of them are going to want what the other 1.8 billion have. The other 95% of the global population are going to want a lifestyle similar to the 5% in the US. This is going to increase global conflict as well - not necessarily between the major powers but through terrorism, irregular warfare and regional conflicts over resources.

[Joinfortmill]

7. Totally agree.

[jaxexpat]

8. Yep, Nancy, this pimple's gotta pop.

This acne on the face of the republic is not only unsightly, it signals an epidermal infestation beyond the capabilities of Clearasil or any other costly ineffectuality. Perhaps if people could taper off showering with septic media and trying to mask the oozing eruptions with cosmetic patriotism distilled from boiled whale blubber. But that would be so.........hygenic.

Makes one to recall the great emperor, Tiberias, who at his dying reflected, "I have bathed with the great unwashed for the last time."

Yes, I have numerous quotes from famous and historical figures.

[PatrickforB]

27. Ah, the GOP as a suppurating pustule. Yes, that is quite apropos.

Let's hope when it finally pops it doesn't ruin everything else.

[kairos12]

9. My way of coping is remembering that when

toxic people stop talking to you, because of one's pushback, it's like the trash took itself out.

Peace and Strength to you in the New Year.

[Funtatlaguy]

10. I blame Rupert Murdoch and the fact that we allowed his lies.

[DENVERPOPS]

25. And the fact

That our Republican Politicians allowed and actually promoted the help of one of our enemy nations......Russia/Putin.......

[OMGWTF]

31. I blame Reagan and the Bush Family Evil Empire

and all of the selfish rich pricks who will never have enough and their whores in Congress doing their bidding.

[NoMoreRepugs]

11. My last comment to a few of my trumphumper relatives

was - “get back to me when you can tell me ONE thing Republicans have done for the good of All the country in the last 10 years.” So far I have had the good fortune to have not heard from any of them.

[OMGWTF]

32. Ten years? How about the last 50?

[niyad]

13. Spot on, as always.

[gab13by13]

15. Frankly we need another Age of Enlightenment.

[paleotn]

16. Sounds like a fascist movement to me.

Some fear using the word fascism. I don't know why. If it walks and sounds like a duck, well? It's a damn duck.

Jason Stanley has done great work on this. If you've not read How Fascism Works, I highly recommend it. Also, Madeleine Albright's Fascism - A Warning us very very good. James Whitman's Hitler's American Model - The United States and the Making of Nazi Race Law ties much of Nazi race policy directly to American Jim Crow. In fact, Nazis thought we were too radical in our "one drop" policy in the south. That's pretty fucking bad when the goddamn Nazis think we're too radical.

If you have the time, watch the following talk by Stanley about his work. Very informative.

Education is the key, not fear of using a word because of it's past connotations. Don't be fooled, fascism never died. It was alive in well in 1930's America and lives here comfortably to this day.

[DENVERPOPS]

26. For the 70 million Republican voters

that are educationally challenged, they only need to read: ANIMAL FARM........a book that any third grader can understand......

[marie999]

29. They wouldn't understand it. They would just think it is a children's book.

[DENVERPOPS]

30. Well,

they sure as hell couldn't wade through 1984 !!!!!!!!!! LOL

[BeckyDem]

17. True. It is important to understand the full sprectrum of lies. Their most "respected"

authority figures have lied to protect profits. We do not have partners for humanity with these people, and that is our challenge, we have an enormous task ahead.

Examples of the Republican's "best" people, WSJ publishing lies over and over again.

Link to tweet

/photo/1

[llashram]

18. yep

current times are dangerous for all decent hard-working Americans just trying to provide for their families. Just insane and on the near horizon, ecological catastrophe. Just the displaced refugees will be a monster to contend with.

[3catwoman3]

19. "Intelligence is viewed as akin to witchcraft."

Try as I might, I cannot understand this.

[Poiuyt]

20. Read "Anti-Intellectualism in American Life," by Richard Hofstadter

It was written back in the 60s but is still relevant today.

[sarchasm]

21. Well said ... per usual. -Thanks

[c-rational]

22. If I recall the phrase "May you live in interesting times" was used as a Chinese curse. Looking

forward to the reThugs living in interesting times.

[TrogL]

23. War is Peace. Freedom is Slavery. Ignorance is Strength.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

24. I hope you submitted this to newspapers.

It is a warning of clarion clarity.

(Interesting sidebar: clarion - a medieval trumpet with clear shrill tones. The Drumph who opted to change their name set them on a dark path)

[moondust]

28. Don't Look Up

[RFCalifornia]

33. We are in a "cold civil war"

The rurals think we hate them in the cities

The cities think they hate us in the rurals

Meanwhile, the rich are making one last cash grab

In Bitcoin no less

We are all being screwed, and we have no capacity for revolution, only civil war

Stay safe, keep your trusted friends and family close

And be kind

Kindness is the only thing that drives out hate

Not love, but kindness

[uponit7771]

34. Don't Look Up !!!

[malaise]

36. So true

Kick

[Skittles]

37. wishing you a great new year, Nance

I very much appreciate your posts

[herding cats]

38. Excellent piece, Nance.

I dearly hope you're correct on the eyes being opened.

My wishes for peace, health and love in your life in 2022. ❤️

[childfreebychoice]

39. And yet rethugs have good chance of cementing one

Party rule, for yrs to come

[NanceGreggs]

40. Actually, no they don't. n/t

[KY_EnviroGuy]

42. Nance, in reality all that you cited leads back to those who fund the Republican Party...

and they mostly remain hidden behind a very thick curtain out of public view.

All these miscreant Rethug politicians (including tRump) and their minion voter base are just window dressing distractions from the core of our problem: big money's control and influence on our political systems.

Without those huge sums corporations and those of high wealth have invested in think tanks, public and social media and our elections, the Republican Party would have long ago been relegated to the margins of our news cycles (like Bob Dole's clockwork rituals in the '60s before news cameras to bitch about taxes).

We're living in a warped form of fascism call plutocracy that I fear is very fragile.

Let us endeavor to pull back and destroy that curtain of concealment.......

[calimary]

43. DEFINITELY!

Let us ABSOLUTELY pull back and destroy that curtain of concealment.

[Progressive Jones]

44. The things that the crazed right wing hates are the things that will destroy them. nt