I agree Mike. For me the greatest sign of cognitive dissonance are the people wanting to celebrate the 250th birthday of the country and of freedom when the government simultaneously executing citizens in the streets, arresting journalists, attacking the press, denying duo process. I agree authoritarianism is here. 2 questions l have as how do we respond as Americans? And how can we guarantee that there will be free elections this November?
Email or call your reps every day. Don’t be afraid to open a political conversation with a neighbor- be sure to listen first and ask respectful, curious questions. Come to consensus as much as you possibly can. If you are lucky enough to have a candidate on a ballot that is amazing, go canvass for them. Become a VDR- volunteer deputy voter registrar. Boycott- money talks! Peacefully demonstrate. Vote.
Time to take names and dates and call out what is really happening here. "It is exactly clear." Keep checking your voter registration and help others check theirs and formulate a voting plan, with employers, friends and family.
Last night I told my husband that this is going to be a terrible year. The administration is going to flood us (even more than in 2025) with outrageous actions/behaviour (as many unknown to us as are known). While it’s important to remain tuned in to those, I think it’s also important to not let each singular event overwhelm us to the point that we lose sight of the big picture. And that’s what Mike is talking about here. We cannot recover overnight from decades of taking democracy for granted. But we do need to preserve the potential for a future opportunity to build something better. That’s what we are struggling to obtain, that opportunity. When communities unite in the face of adversity, as those in Minneapolis have done, then we have a chance. Build your relationships with your neighbours now. Don’t wait. Be prepared to defend your elections so that they are as free and fair as possible under current circumstances. The turning point in our struggle will be known by history. We who are living through it cannot know ahead of time what that pivotal moment(s) will be. So if we all contribute in the manner that most suits each of us, then we can achieve great things. Each act no matter how small will help to unite us and move us towards a more humane place. ❤️
I have been watching and documenting for not months, but years, our country's slide away from democracy. I agree, authoritarianism is here. Congress is prostrate; in thrall to the billionaire/corporate/MIC triumvirate. Average citizens, voters, are economically stressed and distracted by design. State tv and radio continues lying unabated. Yes, we can see where we are, but what do we do about it? I protest, post, influence, talk to neighbors, work for my county elections commission. None of that seems to be bending the arc back toward democracy. Changing our mindset is not changing government terrorism on the ground. My mindset is fine - my solutions are limited...
I'm a bit scared, Mike. I'm seeing a pattern of disturbing behavior over the last few weeks here in Sacramento. I posted a reel on my Hear Our Voice_resist Insta the other day about vitriol that was spewed by passers-by at our protest along 16th in front of the Memorial Auditorium. Definitely beyond the flip-off standard. Been out there a few months. Haven't had that kind of interaction before. We've seen the protesters harmed behind the Moss Building by both agents and Trump sympathizers in the area where most of the consistent vocal anti-ICE resistance is going on in the City, and I just saw a video clip last night posted by Sacramento 50501 of a car dangerously interacting with the teenage peaceful protesters yesterday. There haven't been a lot of publicized abductions since that first Florin Home Depot one early on, but Norcal Resist is posting more sightings of ICE, immigrants detained at the Moss Bldg basement, and there was that focused effort involving Afghan nationals. We are the Capitol City of a liberal state the President hates, governed by a man who gets under his skin. I'm grateful the #resistance continues to grow by leaps and bounds since the beginning of last year, we're going to need it.
Being scared is normal during turbulent times. It should be there - it’s there to keep you safe.
But do not let it paralyze you. Do not let it stop you from fighting for what you know to be true. Do not let it stop you for demanding that good triumph.
Be scared but be proud of yourself. Be vigilant. Be worthy of this moment.
I think pastors of conservative Christian churches need to get in the fight, and start preaching about the loving values that Jesus taught. Too many of these pastors have been focusing for many years on hate instead of compassion and kindness. They don’t welcome the stranger if the stranger is black or brown. Girls are not encouraged to be courageous and independent. Boys are encouraged to put down girls with verbal sexual insults. Not ALL conservative Christian pastors encourage racial and sexual harassment, but very many do. Churches need to bring in a lot of new pastors who teach the values of Jesus, and not the values of Satan, to help our Country’s democracy survive.
Are people seeing it? Do they understand? It feels like too many are going on with "business as usual". In these moments, I feel helpless, but that is what they want us to feel. Thank you, Mike, for always speaking the truth and facts.
It's here now, but how's it doing? Perhaps without Trump's gyrations and obvious flaws to "blame" other advisors and Cabinet Members think they can use him as a smoke-screen to mask their destruction of human survival needs like healthcare, good food and affordable living, the basis of needs for safety and on issues like the environment. We ain't buying that and are taking names and dates and will use them to hold accountable those overseeing destruction by the government, against the government that is "for the people" . Find your areas of expertise, folks, and take notes and evidence, whether it is cutting off food to kids or Vets, making insurance to expensive for a family, finding our about plans to sell and or cut down timber, use of water resource approved for AI centers, or what else is going wrong, and work with local, state and Federal legislators and officials to fight against it. Follow the money and take notes.
Everywhere you go have conversations. Don't be afraid to acknowledge reality. Whether you are on a plane, checking out at the grocery store, talking to a neighbor, etc... stop the small talk and really connect with the consequences of our time. Share your story and how this regime has or will impact you and your family. We can't live in a bubble and ignore this.
One more comment Mike. But l firmly believe the most dangerous brlief, one that many in the population have fallen for is the belief of American Exceptionalism. That has led many people to tune out and say it can't happen here. Ignorance is one hell of a drug.
How do we reach those who have "drunk the Kool Aid"? It breaks my heart when friends who are very dear to me, still don't get it. It is almost as though we need psychologists to break through their cult like thinking.
Trump is attempting to rule like an authoritarian and what is happening is scary, not trying to take anything away from what was written here. But there are a few glimmers of hope. The biggest one is how people feel about all of this.
Something that is often left unsaid about authoritarian regimes is how they consolidate power. We talk about seizing and corrupting institutions, rigging systems of checks and balances, disregard for the norms etc. But one major aspect of consolidation that people don't talk about, perhaps the most important aspect is this: Popular Support. Yes, popular support is important for a dictator to consolidate power.
It is important because in order to implement authoritarianism, it is imperative to have the least amount of resistance to it. If the people are vehemently opposed to your authoritarian agenda, how long is your regime going to last?
The biggest authoritarian regimes of history took power and consolidated with popular support. The 1979 Iranian Revolution saw great popular support that helped give way for the Islamic Republic. The 1964 Brazilian military coup was preceded by large protests in favor of such action.
Even the Nazis were highly sensitive to public opinion, they cared deeply about it. Many of the Nazis actions, their lies and other stuff, were done in a way that would keep the public happy, or blissfully unaware. One example is the Euthanasia program the Nazis instituted against the disabled. The public outcry over it forced Hitler to order a halt to the program. The Nazis also made sure to keep the Holocaust under wraps from the German people, knowing that this was beyond what they would accept.
Public opinion is also a key part in bringing authoritarian regimes down to the ground. The aforementioned Brazilian Military Dictatorship saw a massive wave of discontent over its excesses and mismanagement of politics and the economy that eventually convinced the higher ups that they could not sustain themselves in power. We see what decades of those factors are doing to the regime in Iran, even if they put down the protests there, how long will the Ayatollah last with this level of opposition? We saw Al-Assad in Syria fall like it was nothing once help from his allies dried up, and in all likelyhood this would have happened a lot sooner if it weren't for Russia and Iran.
Trump has not cared about public opinion. People may have like some "concepts of a plan" (deport illegals), but once they saw the policies implemented to achieve them (everything ICE related, including this month's murders), they really did not like them. And Trump has not seriously tried to course correct, even his little pivot after Alex Pretti's murder has already ended. G Elliot Morris has had a couple great pieces the last couple of days showing how unpopular his policies are, and that is key to prevailing in this moment. As long as people are diamond-hard opposed to this authoritarian nightmare, they can't ultimately win. They can keep an authoritarian state for a bit, but it will ultimately come crashing down.
TLDR: You want to stop or put an end to authoriarianism? Make sure the peope are on your side.
The most effective strategies have been outlined for the past year: 1) massive sustained protests, 2) massive sustained boycotts of every large corporation underwriting fascism (eg, deleting SM sites, especially Twitter, FB, IG, TikTok, cancel WaPo, close Amazon prime accounts, boycott Target, Walmart, Home Depot, Delta, ATT, Verizon, etc), 3) videotape every ICE/BP sighting, 4) a national strikes, 5) vote in every election (state, local, federal), run for office (especially where Republicans are running uncontested), support RunForSomething candidates or Independent Veterans of America, 6) support independent journalists/media with dollars, subscriptions.
Everyone can do at least 2 of these action items...many can do most.
It only matters if "there are more if us" if we actually use the power we have while there's still time.
As always Mike, thoroughly enjoyed your insights and drawing attention to the slippage of our constitutional rights. Truth Matters posted an interview on PBS with Claire Finkelstein about the escalating constitutional disregard from our government. Each level you outlined is a stress test on how much the population will tolerate in incremental violations of our rights. Unfortunately we appear to be passing each new level of stress within acceptable parameters.
I agree Mike. For me the greatest sign of cognitive dissonance are the people wanting to celebrate the 250th birthday of the country and of freedom when the government simultaneously executing citizens in the streets, arresting journalists, attacking the press, denying duo process. I agree authoritarianism is here. 2 questions l have as how do we respond as Americans? And how can we guarantee that there will be free elections this November?
Email or call your reps every day. Don’t be afraid to open a political conversation with a neighbor- be sure to listen first and ask respectful, curious questions. Come to consensus as much as you possibly can. If you are lucky enough to have a candidate on a ballot that is amazing, go canvass for them. Become a VDR- volunteer deputy voter registrar. Boycott- money talks! Peacefully demonstrate. Vote.
Time to take names and dates and call out what is really happening here. "It is exactly clear." Keep checking your voter registration and help others check theirs and formulate a voting plan, with employers, friends and family.
Last night I told my husband that this is going to be a terrible year. The administration is going to flood us (even more than in 2025) with outrageous actions/behaviour (as many unknown to us as are known). While it’s important to remain tuned in to those, I think it’s also important to not let each singular event overwhelm us to the point that we lose sight of the big picture. And that’s what Mike is talking about here. We cannot recover overnight from decades of taking democracy for granted. But we do need to preserve the potential for a future opportunity to build something better. That’s what we are struggling to obtain, that opportunity. When communities unite in the face of adversity, as those in Minneapolis have done, then we have a chance. Build your relationships with your neighbours now. Don’t wait. Be prepared to defend your elections so that they are as free and fair as possible under current circumstances. The turning point in our struggle will be known by history. We who are living through it cannot know ahead of time what that pivotal moment(s) will be. So if we all contribute in the manner that most suits each of us, then we can achieve great things. Each act no matter how small will help to unite us and move us towards a more humane place. ❤️
I have been watching and documenting for not months, but years, our country's slide away from democracy. I agree, authoritarianism is here. Congress is prostrate; in thrall to the billionaire/corporate/MIC triumvirate. Average citizens, voters, are economically stressed and distracted by design. State tv and radio continues lying unabated. Yes, we can see where we are, but what do we do about it? I protest, post, influence, talk to neighbors, work for my county elections commission. None of that seems to be bending the arc back toward democracy. Changing our mindset is not changing government terrorism on the ground. My mindset is fine - my solutions are limited...
Yes we are here! Great column!
I'm a bit scared, Mike. I'm seeing a pattern of disturbing behavior over the last few weeks here in Sacramento. I posted a reel on my Hear Our Voice_resist Insta the other day about vitriol that was spewed by passers-by at our protest along 16th in front of the Memorial Auditorium. Definitely beyond the flip-off standard. Been out there a few months. Haven't had that kind of interaction before. We've seen the protesters harmed behind the Moss Building by both agents and Trump sympathizers in the area where most of the consistent vocal anti-ICE resistance is going on in the City, and I just saw a video clip last night posted by Sacramento 50501 of a car dangerously interacting with the teenage peaceful protesters yesterday. There haven't been a lot of publicized abductions since that first Florin Home Depot one early on, but Norcal Resist is posting more sightings of ICE, immigrants detained at the Moss Bldg basement, and there was that focused effort involving Afghan nationals. We are the Capitol City of a liberal state the President hates, governed by a man who gets under his skin. I'm grateful the #resistance continues to grow by leaps and bounds since the beginning of last year, we're going to need it.
Being scared is normal during turbulent times. It should be there - it’s there to keep you safe.
But do not let it paralyze you. Do not let it stop you from fighting for what you know to be true. Do not let it stop you for demanding that good triumph.
Be scared but be proud of yourself. Be vigilant. Be worthy of this moment.
What a thoughtful and gracious response, Mike. Thank you. Words to take forward. We've got this thing.
I think pastors of conservative Christian churches need to get in the fight, and start preaching about the loving values that Jesus taught. Too many of these pastors have been focusing for many years on hate instead of compassion and kindness. They don’t welcome the stranger if the stranger is black or brown. Girls are not encouraged to be courageous and independent. Boys are encouraged to put down girls with verbal sexual insults. Not ALL conservative Christian pastors encourage racial and sexual harassment, but very many do. Churches need to bring in a lot of new pastors who teach the values of Jesus, and not the values of Satan, to help our Country’s democracy survive.
Are people seeing it? Do they understand? It feels like too many are going on with "business as usual". In these moments, I feel helpless, but that is what they want us to feel. Thank you, Mike, for always speaking the truth and facts.
It's here now, but how's it doing? Perhaps without Trump's gyrations and obvious flaws to "blame" other advisors and Cabinet Members think they can use him as a smoke-screen to mask their destruction of human survival needs like healthcare, good food and affordable living, the basis of needs for safety and on issues like the environment. We ain't buying that and are taking names and dates and will use them to hold accountable those overseeing destruction by the government, against the government that is "for the people" . Find your areas of expertise, folks, and take notes and evidence, whether it is cutting off food to kids or Vets, making insurance to expensive for a family, finding our about plans to sell and or cut down timber, use of water resource approved for AI centers, or what else is going wrong, and work with local, state and Federal legislators and officials to fight against it. Follow the money and take notes.
Everywhere you go have conversations. Don't be afraid to acknowledge reality. Whether you are on a plane, checking out at the grocery store, talking to a neighbor, etc... stop the small talk and really connect with the consequences of our time. Share your story and how this regime has or will impact you and your family. We can't live in a bubble and ignore this.
One more comment Mike. But l firmly believe the most dangerous brlief, one that many in the population have fallen for is the belief of American Exceptionalism. That has led many people to tune out and say it can't happen here. Ignorance is one hell of a drug.
How do we reach those who have "drunk the Kool Aid"? It breaks my heart when friends who are very dear to me, still don't get it. It is almost as though we need psychologists to break through their cult like thinking.
Trump is attempting to rule like an authoritarian and what is happening is scary, not trying to take anything away from what was written here. But there are a few glimmers of hope. The biggest one is how people feel about all of this.
Something that is often left unsaid about authoritarian regimes is how they consolidate power. We talk about seizing and corrupting institutions, rigging systems of checks and balances, disregard for the norms etc. But one major aspect of consolidation that people don't talk about, perhaps the most important aspect is this: Popular Support. Yes, popular support is important for a dictator to consolidate power.
It is important because in order to implement authoritarianism, it is imperative to have the least amount of resistance to it. If the people are vehemently opposed to your authoritarian agenda, how long is your regime going to last?
The biggest authoritarian regimes of history took power and consolidated with popular support. The 1979 Iranian Revolution saw great popular support that helped give way for the Islamic Republic. The 1964 Brazilian military coup was preceded by large protests in favor of such action.
Even the Nazis were highly sensitive to public opinion, they cared deeply about it. Many of the Nazis actions, their lies and other stuff, were done in a way that would keep the public happy, or blissfully unaware. One example is the Euthanasia program the Nazis instituted against the disabled. The public outcry over it forced Hitler to order a halt to the program. The Nazis also made sure to keep the Holocaust under wraps from the German people, knowing that this was beyond what they would accept.
Public opinion is also a key part in bringing authoritarian regimes down to the ground. The aforementioned Brazilian Military Dictatorship saw a massive wave of discontent over its excesses and mismanagement of politics and the economy that eventually convinced the higher ups that they could not sustain themselves in power. We see what decades of those factors are doing to the regime in Iran, even if they put down the protests there, how long will the Ayatollah last with this level of opposition? We saw Al-Assad in Syria fall like it was nothing once help from his allies dried up, and in all likelyhood this would have happened a lot sooner if it weren't for Russia and Iran.
Trump has not cared about public opinion. People may have like some "concepts of a plan" (deport illegals), but once they saw the policies implemented to achieve them (everything ICE related, including this month's murders), they really did not like them. And Trump has not seriously tried to course correct, even his little pivot after Alex Pretti's murder has already ended. G Elliot Morris has had a couple great pieces the last couple of days showing how unpopular his policies are, and that is key to prevailing in this moment. As long as people are diamond-hard opposed to this authoritarian nightmare, they can't ultimately win. They can keep an authoritarian state for a bit, but it will ultimately come crashing down.
TLDR: You want to stop or put an end to authoriarianism? Make sure the peope are on your side.
You are 100% correct linking this to the Nazi playbook. Reading that history of the 20’s and 30’sits very obvious.
When will enough people wake up??
as an outsider, i am watching how far america has fallen
Yes. And, unfortunately, our elected federal Democrats are not up to the challenge. It’s got to be up to us, the people. Any ideas??!!
The most effective strategies have been outlined for the past year: 1) massive sustained protests, 2) massive sustained boycotts of every large corporation underwriting fascism (eg, deleting SM sites, especially Twitter, FB, IG, TikTok, cancel WaPo, close Amazon prime accounts, boycott Target, Walmart, Home Depot, Delta, ATT, Verizon, etc), 3) videotape every ICE/BP sighting, 4) a national strikes, 5) vote in every election (state, local, federal), run for office (especially where Republicans are running uncontested), support RunForSomething candidates or Independent Veterans of America, 6) support independent journalists/media with dollars, subscriptions.
Everyone can do at least 2 of these action items...many can do most.
It only matters if "there are more if us" if we actually use the power we have while there's still time.
As always Mike, thoroughly enjoyed your insights and drawing attention to the slippage of our constitutional rights. Truth Matters posted an interview on PBS with Claire Finkelstein about the escalating constitutional disregard from our government. Each level you outlined is a stress test on how much the population will tolerate in incremental violations of our rights. Unfortunately we appear to be passing each new level of stress within acceptable parameters.