On Watching a Democracy Die - CommonDreams.org

[ffr]

“Republican institutions don’t protect against tyranny when powerful people start defying political norms,” wrote economist Paul Krugman, prophetically, in The New York Times on December 19, 2016.

And he meant “Republican” with a small “r”. He was describing the type of government we appear to have, not the venial and cynical political party of the same name. (The party that showed its repulsive true colors minutes after Congress began this week by holding a secret meeting to gut the Independent Office of Congressional Ethics, and then backtracking when the news attracted public outcry.)

“And tyranny, when it comes, can flourish even while maintaining a republican facade,” Krugman continued.

Ever since the quasi-election of Donald Trump (lost the popular vote by a considerable margin but won in the Electoral College), I’ve been in a state of trauma bolstered by fear and grief...
<snip>

And now every instinct I have and every thread of nerve is screaming out a danger and a warning — all over this land.

How can I, just one of thousands of American journalists who care about getting it right, live in a world where a megalomaniac president casually lies? Where “truthiness” and “fake news” abound. Where science, knowledge and intelligence are scorned? Where the president is not adult enough to admit even a single mistake. Where he can dodge press conferences and intelligence briefings alike at will, while the “pet” press fawns over him simply to maintain access, appear important and please their billionaire bosses for whom Trump represents dollar signs and nothing more. - CommonDreams.org

If it makes you feel any better, you were right about Fox News and the M$M. According to the CIA, FBI, and NSA, they were in on it too, broadcasting the Kremlin's propaganda, some fake, in an effort to influence the election and undermine America's political institutions (by promoting tRump and Hurt Clinton, undermine her credibility, paint her as corrupt and untrustworthy).

Look what Fox & Friends brought into our living rooms.

[TygrBright]

1. This is the best, most succinct summary I've come across yet:

>>Thanks to Trump, the woman-hating, white supremacist uber-right-wing-Christian Mike Pence will be running what is effectively a shadow government, Trump will spend his time — and our money — being royally entertained at the state dinners of dictators while he sells off the U.S. piece by piece to enrich himself.<<

This is why I'll do whatever it takes.

My grandson needs a better future.

determinedly,
Bright

[AmericanActivist]

2. "Ever since the quasi-election of

Donald Trump...I've been in a state of trauma bolstered by fear and grief..."

Me too Mr. Krugman! Millions of Americans are feeling this same way. Thank you for articulating it and voicing this for me and for those of us who identify with your description of what this experience feels like.