cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ca/post/39923404
If you think things are bad now, then, brace yourself: it is about to get a whole lot worse. If you are alarmed at the speed with which the Trump administration has set about dismantling every institution of American government and every pillar of the international order, you must understand that this is not just the initial burst of activity, the “shock and awe” phase after which things will settle down: if anything, the pace will continue to accelerate.
The world has never before been faced with such a threat. The United States has handed the nuclear codes to a madman, a criminal, a would-be dictator and a moron, all in the same person. Whatever the purpose to which he directs these powers – to impress his dictator friends, to further enrich himself and his cronies, to seize absolute power or just to watch the world burn – we must hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.
So…2017 all over again?
It’s more extreme this time. They didn’t start with Nazi salutes on day 1 in Trump’s previous term.
Eh, not necessarily.
You’ll recall that he lost control of Congress in the mid-terms, just like Clinton, Dubya, Obama, and Biden. That’s such a strong historical pattern it’s probably likely to happen again, especially since Trump broadened his coalition on economic promises and very quickly pivoted once elected. (Though he could send voters a $1000-$2000 tax rebate check and win them back fairly easily.)
The downside here is that for Republicans, losing Congress doesn’t matter much, because both parties are conservatives.
In every election you just mentioned, we actually had midterms. For the first time, I’m not sure we will in 2 years.
I’m not entertaining alarmist speculation personally.
Slowly boiling U.S. frogs in hot pot of fascism. Each tiny incremental step to make sure we don’t push back on the next. It’s only “X” each time, until we’re all the way there.
They haven’t even started passing bills yet. The EOs are just to fuck shit up until then.
Well duh. Right now the cracks are spreading, but the US as a state is still holding. Once those cracks spread far enough it’ll all come down, and quickly.
