Is the America we know coming to an end?

[Cyrano]

Hate mail, death threats, random violence, spreading fear and intimidation, book banning and burning: This is now the norm of the Republican Party's base. And what do elected Republicans have to say about any of this? Nothing. Not a word. Not a peep. Not a frown. Some of them heartily agree with this way of operating. And those who don't like what's going on are keeping their mouths shut out of fear for their jobs and fear for their personal safety. This is today's Republican Party which is on the cutting edge of turning America into a fascist hell.

The mindless haters have been whipped up by the likes of Trump, Majorie Taylor Greene, Ted Cruz, Josh Hawley, Tom Cotton, and countless others in a party that has gone bugshit mad. IMO, a couple of them are truly insane while others are riding the crazy train hoping to fulfill their personal ambitions of becoming top dog. -- And let's not leave out the purely evil, deadly propaganda spread every moment of every day by Fox "news."

Can they be stopped before they can seize all the levers of power? Beats me. Maybe Merrick Garland and the DOJ are doing far more than is apparent to any of us. And maybe they're not. But even if enough voters come to their senses and try to vote these cretins out of office, what about those states where Republcan state legislatures can override the will of the voters and appoint the next whoever they want to appoint.

This isn't the America that existed less than a dozen years ago. Not only are we going downhill, but we're picking up speed. And the 2022 election is now just a year away and coming at us like a souped up bulldozer.

To those of you who will condemn this as "Just another doom and gloom post" I say this. Call it what you will. But the tide of fascist shit is above your waist and rising. And if/when you finally "get it," it may just be too late.

And for those of you who ask, "Well what can we do about it?" my answer is "very little." It's up to our elected Democratic leaders to stop the onslaught of the barbarians. All we can do is give them all the support possible.

[sop]

1. You're absolutely correct. Well said.

[world wide wally]

2. The "America we know" has already come to an end

[CrispyQ]

3. This: But the tide of fascist shit is above your waist and rising.

Trump's approval rating has always & continues to hover around 40%, which brings to mind this 2018 Fintan O'Toole commentary about Trump & fascism, in the Irish Times:

Fascism does not need a majority – it typically comes to power with about 40 per cent support and then uses control and intimidation to consolidate that power. So it doesn’t matter if most people hate you, as long as your 40 per cent is fanatically committed.

https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/fintan-o-toole-trial-runs-for-fascism-are-in-full-flow-1.3543375

[appalachiablue]

10. +1 So many people fail to realize this distressing reality.

K/R One of the most important threads today. The demise is underway, sorry to say.

[Bettie]

22. Yep

and some don't realize it and some welcome it.

[Martin Eden]

30. Thanks for sharing that important perspective from the irishtimes

Fintan O'Toole is spot-on!

[treestar]

53. He does not support that in the article

it "typically comes to power with about 40% support" - what are the cases, and how does he support the statement? Italy? Germany? How do we know it only had 40% support when it came to power?

[uponit7771]

54. "..Fascism does not need a majority .." 👈🏾 THIS !!! Nazis only had peak 37% of German parliment

[keithbvadu2]

82. And that 40% thinks they will be the .1% in charge.

And that 40% thinks they will be the .1% in charge.

Will the vast major of Christians accept it graciously when it is not their version of Christianity in charge of the theocracy?

[sprinkleeninow]

4. My spirit has been troubled even more as of late.

It has crossed my mind as you expressed: it's up to the elected Democratic leaders. We the people have the ability to do only so much.

I pray day and night for this 'onslaught' to come to an end, and for a reversal to some semblance of how it 'should be'.

[wnylib]

67. There are some things that

we can do besides hand-wringing.

We can contact our Dem leaders to show support for action. We can stay united and avoid in-fighting.

We can prepare for the worst that we hope does not happen. Form networks of like-minded people for mutual support in daily living. Anticipate realistically (not in fantasies or conspiracy theories) what a fascist US would be like and how to 1) survive mentally and physically, and 2) how to resist effectively and get the bastards out of government for good.

Some questions to think about:

What would fascism mean to the economy and our jobs, pensions, Social Security, etc.?

What would it mean in health care, medicines, surgeries, etc.?

What would happen to people with disabilities and children with special needs in health and education?

What would it mean for minorities and the usual targets of the RW - Black, Asian, Latin American, Native American, Jewish, Muslim?

What would it mean for social media and news outlets?

What would it mean for communications with each other? Monitored? Cut off?

What could we do to diminish the damage to people and form alliances and networks locally and beyond to help each other?

What would it take to get the SOBs out of power? Cyber skills? Other skills?

What skills can we use right now to prevent fascism from taking hold of the public's mind? I wouldn't underestimate the influence of the arts in culture wars through music, drama, visual arts, etc. to unify people in the values of democracy. People with good cyber skills could do a lot.

Just some things to think about.

[sprinkleeninow]

72. I'm just so tired.

[wnylib]

77. Aren't we all? Four years of Trump

and nearly two years of a pandemic. The threat of fascist advances in next year's elections. Trump still in the news.

It's enough to wear out anyone. That's why it's important to have time away from it all once in a while to relax, have fun, and refresh and recharge ourselves. Friends, family, hobbies. Then get back in the fight.

[CrispyQ]

83. This would make an excellent original post.

At least I think it would. Then again, a lot of threads that I think should get more attention often sink to the bottom. But I think this is a discussion we should have. It might make people realize just how precarious our situation is.

[Cyrano]

85. I agree. Hope wnylib is reading this and

follows your advice.

[wnylib]

88. I can't copy and paste from my phone.

[CrispyQ]

89. I guess you're just going to have to tap it all out again.

Just kidding.

[wnylib]

92. Well there's a sadistic suggestion.

[Cyrano]

90. Do you have a friend with a desktop or laptop?

If so, ask for help. You can reach DU on their computer, find your post and then cut it and paste it.

Another option is the library. Our libraries here have computers for public use, even though I live in a Neanderthal State (FL). Check it out.

[BlueJac]

5. I would say has come to an end., from what we thought would last for quite a while.

It only took lies and disinformation, easy peasy!

[Ka-Dinh Oy]

6. I am a woman, disabled, and poor.

I have no choice but rely on assistance.

I am terrified.

[XanaDUer2]

7. Hugs

[Ka-Dinh Oy]

8. Awww, thanks.

[appalachiablue]

11. Love and best to you, it's a disgrace what's

happening here. Far too many others are also in distress.

Stay in touch and reach out here if needed please.

[Ka-Dinh Oy]

17. I have those problems but I know there are those who have it much worse.

I have actually talked to people who are already literally homeless because what is going on in our country now. Some of them have young children.

[Evolve Dammit]

37. Don't let the bastards get you down. Fight and know we care.

[keithbvadu2]

84. Disabled?

The Nazis/fascists had a solution for people like you/us.

Part of a 'final' solution if you remember.

Poor?

Obviously a 'taker' acc to Romney and crowd.

??? Maybe not.

[Doodley]

9. Functioning democracy and society is breaking down. Hard to see any way to turn it around.

Those who are responsible are still free and still planning their next attacks on America.

[appalachiablue]

12. ++

[FoxNewsSucks]

13. I think it's already ended

It's remnants are being stomped out

[onecaliberal]

14. I think the ship had sailed.

[cilla4progress]

15. One thing that I think could nip the death threats, anyway -

Not that I'm advocating it, obviously - is if they take out one of their own.

This is definitely 40% of America flirting with fascism, neo-Naziism.

Out of... what? Boredom? Empty lives? Empty futures? They can't even identify who their oppressor is. And they are being egged on by psychopaths.

All it needs is a match. The last Civil War was over 150 years ago...

[zipplewrath]

40. I'm afraid that is coming

The violence is going to get worse. And the GQP is currently ignoring it. What they don't realize is that this beast they have unleashed can just as easily turn on them. Look at Pence on Jan 6th. You think they won't turn on McConnell given half a reason?

[zipplewrath]

96. I'm afraid that is coming

The violence is going to get worse. And the GQP is currently ignoring it. What they don't realize is that this beast they have unleashed can just as easily turn on them. Look at Pence on Jan 6th. You think they won't turn on McConnell given half a reason?

[cilla4progress]

97. Absolutely!

...

[New Breed Leader]

16. The media is already declaring Repubs the winners in 2022

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/criticisms-of-biden-economic-discontent-lift-gop-to-record-early-advantage-poll/ar-AAQFU9w?ocid=msedgntp

Because a dumbass electorate doesn't realize what's really happening. They're blaming Biden for Trump's fuckups.

If Dems don't get their messaging together, it will be a bloodbath next year

[cilla4progress]

18. Time to start

preparing.

[New Breed Leader]

20. Preparing for what

Leaving? Like the dear woman up above, I am also disabled and poor, and have nowhere to go.

[cilla4progress]

29. Preparing for the R takeover of Congress in 2022.

Like if a wildfire was coming: Know where your stuff is and what's important. Mentally preparing.

[PortTack]

44. Yes, we will more than likely lose the house. The senate remains in our favor and looks like we

Will gain some seats.

If we can get a voting rights bill passed, our chances would dramatically improve

[Elessar Zappa]

86. I'm still not willing to concede the House.

True, if elections were held today then we would definitely lose the House. But a year is a long time and if the BBB passes, the pandemic recedes, and gas and food prices go down I think we can keep the House. I know I’ll be working my ass off to ensure my swing district swings back to the Democrats.

[Celerity]

19. Not to over-simplify things (I am just focusing in on a BIG one) but social media is ripping apart

the underlying superstructure of the ties that bind nation states together. It is giving tens of millions of Americans a lifestyle that includes being hooked up to what is, in reality, a 24-7 never-ending Klan or neo Nazi rally, underpinned with a new hybrid form of temporal, profane variant of christofascism, all of which are loaded with fully self-reinforcing negative feedback loops.

All of that is also scientifically (hello FB algorithms, for example) interspersed and buttressed with the most wild of RW batshittery that literally destroys the concept of objective truth, logical thought, and the commonality of values, plus paints all outside that groupthink ecosphere as enemies. Enemies that, at the end of the day, IF the processes of indoctrination and reflexive control are allowed to be taken to their full conclusions, will be perceived as worthy of death AT SOME POINT. Toss in around half a billion firearms out in the American aether, the vast majority of which are in RW or RW-adjacent hands, and the prognosis is grim indeed.

[BeerBarrelPolka]

26. Yes

Absolutely yes. 24 hour cable news, social media, internet forums, etc, all are playing the lead role in all of this.

[Celerity]

27. Social media was the paradigm-breaking inflection point as it is partially directed two-way traffic

RW telly and radio are passive, not interactive for the most part, and internet forums are limited in size of impact (compared to FB, Twitter, etc) and have no true 'steering mechanisms' other than the skills of the individual posters and/or interventions by the owners and mods.

[Evolve Dammit]

38. Agreed.

[misanthrope]

70. Humans are inherently prone to deny objective truth

Look at the use and perpetuation of myth throughout our species' history. Tribalism couldn't exist without it and we are instinctively tribal.

[NewHendoLib]

21. It has. It's done

[Cryptoad]

23. Not sure teh GOP has...

thought all this thru,,,,,,if successful on eliminating voters rights and 22% of Populace are ruling and controling our gubermint then u end up with a majority being governed without any representation. It didn't work out too good for King George III and i dont the people will stand for it over time.......

[Tommymac]

66. Just ask Marie.

Not advocating violence from anyone, but it sure seems like it may not be far off.

The fascist racist gun toting rural right versus the hard core urban crowd...guaranteed ratings.

I hope I am totally wrong. But People have tasted freedom, and are simply not going to let it go without a fight.

The adults in the room need to wake up and take charge - this is not the America of their youth.

[bucolic_frolic]

24. It's all about intimidation for power and money

They'll become so friendly if they win because then they won't want anything to change. We have to ride out the storm.

[CousinIT]

25. If elected Dem leaders don't INSIST on immediate accountability and pass voting rights laws.

YES.

And they haven't, so I'd say yes.

[No Vested Interest]

28. We have become an undisciplined people.

Self-discipline is severely lacking.
People feel free to say or do whatever pleases them in the minute.
Society depends on the common agreement of the people re norms for living.
I think of todays' population and who would rise to defend our land should we be seriously threatened by others.
I am old, and without grandchildren, so won't be seriously affected by whatever comes.
But concerned for the future of world civilization, let alone American life and democracy.

Sorry, no concrete answers.

[Traildogbob]

31. The GQP

Is the new “Peoples Temple”. Trump is the cult leader. His flock is dying for him with covid. We can only hope when all the courts take all his ill gotten fortunes, he takes the same ending as Jim Jones. Seeing Jim Jones’ bloated corpse lying among his fools after shooting himself makes me think, “What if”, this is how MAGA ends.

[Tetrachloride]

32. Know your neighbors, customers, suppliers by name.

Nonstop neighborhood building

[Martin Eden]

33. Out with the Old, in with the New

The question is whether we take a step forward into a better future, or a step down into the horrors of rightwing autocracy (aka Fascism).

America has always needed improvement on many fronts. Change is necessary.

[Hortensis]

34. Yes, but I believe absolutely the electorate can still stop it,

not just that, but that the electorate is ultimately the one KEY element that will save our nation. Or destroy it.

Yes, our legal and governmental institutions of democracy that enable elections are the people's greatest strength against a takeover. But we've seen that when the Republicans are given an inch of power they use it to smash a foot of institutions. Law-destroyingly. And the closer they come to winning the more blatant and lawless.

On the plus side, we've seen that most of the RW leaders are unwilling to risk losing and destroying their own power and lifestyles to win. They're not exactly adolescents running through the streets, willing to roll a die with the lives of 300 million people for what they've been told is a grand idea. In order for Republican elites to do such things as apply openly illicit election theft against the will of the people, the will has to be proven weak; they need to believe the die is going to land on their side. And leaders in each state will be looking to what's happening in others.

What we need is more people aware and as frightened as they should be. They're just not. It's still 2016 out there, and people on both sides are still tragically imagining the choice will determine whose label will be on their social services.

[ancianita]

35. It could be as bad as you say. Just keep an eye on how most Americans see the situation, too.

I feel moments of dread, sure. Last night, here in FL, I watched The Social Dilemma on Netflix with friends -- one from NY and two from MI -- and with some hindsight advantage of last year, we swapped among us all kinds of analyses about the docudrama's analyses.

It's not gloom and doom to think we're in a rough transition that might land either way, because there could be some unknowns that cause the tipping points.

One of them, I think, might be the 90 million adults who didn't vote in the last presidential election. They might not vote at all but they are voting elegible. Another is the increase in youth political involvement, increased registration and voting, etc. Another is the growing awareness Americans have of attempts to manipulate their opinions, doubt traditional sources of facts and research, believe the worst about opponents and fear them.

I keep an eye on Pew and Gallup polls. They're the most thorough in sampling and take their measures regularly -- Gallup is the oldest in the U.S. and takes the same polls monthly. I like that Gallup does "world polls." I like Pew, overall, because it's thorough, uses several graphs under one larger topic presentations, and it's non-profit.

When I consider that many of the responders in Pew are not registered voters, I'd like to think that when it counts, what they say and do will contribute to a tipping point in favor of democracy.

[PortTack]

47. Agree..thx. So much is unknown. If we act and behave as if our country is doomed then

We miss opportunities presented to make things better.

I for one will never ever say we are doomed or give up...never!

[KentuckyWoman]

36. 20% getting all the attention

I think overall we are getting ruder and more selfish. I'm of the opinion TFG emboldened a lot of bullies who previously at least somewhat behaved in public. However, I don't think we are on the edge of completely blowing up civility in America.

A lot of attention is being paid to the maniacs - the hatemongers. Not enough attention is being paid to the steady hands doing the work. Part of this is because social media loves controversy. It creates engagement.

We have 2 city governments in a nearby county that decided to ram through "sanctuary city" laws. It got a lot of press nationwide. What didn't hit the press is that a good number of the ones pushing it the hardest got voted out. In other states laws are being passed making it much harder to vote. It gets a lot of attention. The lawsuits working through the system to stop it, not so much.

Not to mention for all the "Karens" that get so much attention, we don't usually find out what their life becomes after.... I know of one who has had hard lessons about her behavior. There are likely more.

Yes the cracks are many but I remember my elders thinking the world was coming to an end during the Vietnam era and just after with Nixon. America thus far has been able to weather the storms and I do hope this is no exception.

[PortTack]

48. You are so right! Thx for the positive news

[Evolve Dammit]

39. "And maybe they're not." I think one indictment is woefully inadequate at this point.

[Cyrano]

58. Yes. And the clock is running faster and faster

[Evolve Dammit]

65. indeed.

[Irish_Dem]

41. Perhaps we lived through the golden era, and it is gone now.

[Duppers]

42. K & R, OP & Thread.

[NotANeocon]

43. The end started with Ronnie Raygun

When the dothering old fool introduced Voodoo Economics - which he was not smart enough to understand - he turned the USA into "Greed Nation". That transfer of wealth prepared the groundwork for economic feudal oligarchy and buying governments with courts through Citizens United. Unfortunately that virus has become a pandemic.

Democrats joined the "low taxes" movement pretending that taxes are not the price paid to live in a civilised society and seeing low taxes would get them elected. They were not honest enough to reverse Voodoo Economics which was the destructive part of their inheritance. Thus the Chicago School of Economics set the path for the fall of the Democratic Experiment.

[StClone]

50. Reagan was the "Great Communicator"

Communicating the demise of America with a stupid smile, avuncular style, and simple sappy, 50's schtick.

[NotANeocon]

57. He was not a communicator at all.

He was simply washed up. front man, actor who cashed in on the ability to to pull some good quotes from his muddled brain.

[Cyrano]

59. Reagan was a clueless amiable imbecile

Unlike Nixon and Trump, he wasn't an object of hate. He was a positive, likable, father figure who let unknown tens of thousands of people die of Aids because of his ignorance. He was a man who was used by some really bad people to accomplish their goals, foreign and domestic, and he didn't have any idea what they were doing, or what he was doing.

Should a clueless imbecile rot in hell? I don't know. But I do know that a clueless imbecile should ever be president of the United States. Nor should a total, malicious prick like Trump.

So how do we weed out the "unfit." Beats me. Suggestions?

[roamer65]

99. +10000

[LW1977]

45. No k&R thread trashed!

[MarkinSWFL]

46. More than one "America"

I grew up gay in the reddest part of Texas a half century ago. Nothing that tRump or his tRumpenproletariat do surprises me. I worry though that so many people apparently do not see the connection between the authoritarian terror in US history and the authoritarians who are 75% of the Republican party today.

[gopiscrap]

101. welcome to DU

[StClone]

49. Greasing the skids are the Billionaires. We are here Because of them.

Missing from the OP is the fact those with unlimited wealth want things this way as they secure more power and money. American changed when taxes, regulation, and media were diminished and much of that started with Reagan.

[mwb970]

51. I'm so glad I'm 72.

[uponit7771]

52. Without voting rights being passed? Yes, we'll turn into Texas

[Botany]

55. Yes

The very Machiavellian way in which they continue to work to spread the C-19 virus
is no accident. Chaos theory (I think). The republicans are spreading fear, violence,
lies, Russian produced disinformation, and social conflict so the minority can control the
majority. To me at least some of them are like the Germans after WWI blaming the Jews
for their nation's loss much like all those shits spreading "the big lie" about TFG getting his
ass kicked in the last election.

[Texaswitchy]

56. Ended in 2016.

That is why my housemate and I are selling and moving to another country.

Hopefully Canada but Mexico is lined up.

Not taking chances with the elections.

Trump and people who did not vote for Hillary Clinton killed this country.

I knew two GI war brides from WW2.


One from Italy and the other one from Germany.

I heard the stories.

I hope the country can be saved but I am not taking any chances.

[Elessar Zappa]

87. The problem is,

that’s it not certain that anywhere is safe from fascism. The Western countries tend to mimic each other in a broad sense and the US especially often ends up leading the way. If we go fascist, I wouldn’t put a long term bet on Canada or Europe being safe for much longer either. Mexico may be ok if you don’t mind a lot of corruption and crime. It’s a beautiful country that I would consider moving to if things fall apart.

[Texaswitchy]

93. Take my chances

This country is going down

I rather not be here.

[kairos12]

60. Raygun ended with the firing of the Air Traffic Controllers.

[Cyrano]

61. Reagan began his first campaign for president in

Philadelphia, Mississippi, the place where three civil rights workers, Cheney, Schwerner and Goodwin, were murdered by the KKK and buried in an earthen dam. How clear a message do you have to send.

In truth, I don't think Reagan had a clue as to any of this. As I said, he was an amiable imbecile who was a simple minded tool of the same ilk of people who are currently fucking America. They never go away. And right now, it looks like they are going to be the next landlords of our democracy. Which means that our democracy will soon be gone.

[RFCalifornia]

62. It's happening

Take defense classes

Always keep your passport renewed

And, if you're like me, buy a gun and learn how to use it

You only need one

[Scruffy1]

63. You have to pay attention to the signal, not the noise.

I think that a whole lot of people who have only recently realized that the USA is far less than perfect. What we are hearing from in the media is mostly the crazy, racist, intolerant minority. I have seen vast improvements in my lifetime. When's the last time you saw somebody normal being reported on. Our legal system has always been skewed to the wealthy and white. It is probably less so now. The big corporations have always had more than fair share. At least now it's being talked about, rather than calling anybody that bitched a communist.
Going back to Mississippi after over 40 years I could feel a huge culture shift. Politicians can't stop cultures from evolving. What we are witnessing now is the dying last breath of an old culture. That is why they are so blatant and repulsive. They are like a cornered rat.
Yes, they might get some short term gains, but in the long run they are toast. Freedom and justice is always a constant struggle. It will never end. Meanwhile, keep your eye on the prize.

[CrackityJones75]

64. LOL why because white people don't like each other now?

All of that shit has been going on since the birth of this country. Only now it has gotten o the point where the political divide is so bad that white people are doing that shit out in the open towards themselves. Otherwise it hasn’t exactly been a picnic for other people.

[traitorsgalore]

68. It already ended in the early 2000s when we accepted WMD lies and torture camps

The U.S. became a "with us or against us" culture shortly after Bush was installed by the SC in 2000. My repuke neighbors in Virginia have hated me ever since, simply because I vote D. In the last 5 years, my county has turned blue so there are fewer of the repukes around but many are still here, hating everybody that isn't an anti-intellectual, dumbshit war mongering, anti-vax covicidal plague rat like themselves.

In my opinion, there's no returning to a decent American way of life until these traitorous repukes have been marginalized by society at large. I think the only way that'll happen is for a few states to secede wherein the repukes can play out their deadly fascist dreams...it's the only way they'll ever learn a thing.

[Oneironaut]

69. Nope - keep fighting.

If you’re alive, you can still try to make America a better place, even if by small things.

[gulliver]

71. What never existed can never end

[DFW]

73. There was never one America I knew

Looking at it from afar now, and from a country that has in some ways evolved greatly from what it was when I was first here, I have to say that the America I came of age in (late 60s to early 70s) was a place that had already disappeared by the 1980s, by which time I had started to spend a lot of my time overseas anyway. The optimism and the right wing push back of the 1960s was already there. Flower Power vs. George Wallace and Spiro Agnew. The hope that sprouted up after Bill Clinton's election and the gloom after the success of the Gingrich push-back. The despair of Cheney-Bush and the Iraq invasion followed by the optimism of Obama's election, and again the despair of McTurtle's impenetrable wall of meanness and hate. Trump was just the icing on the cake to prove to the world that yes, there IS a way to make things worse than one ever thought possible.

Things have always been an uphill battle, ever since I can remember. THAT, at least, has been the one constant, swaying back and forth from OK to bad to worse to maybe better to "oh NO, you gotta be kidding me!"

The control freaks have ALWAYS been trying to make things miserable for us because THEY feel miserable unless they control things. Thus it has always been, and thus, I fear, it will always be.

[PufPuf23]

74. America (actually USA) as idealized is a myth.

IMO we lost our democracy when the USSC made an exception to award the 2000 election to GWB when, if the process had been allowed to play out, Gore won. Then the GWB administration lead us into an illegal war of aggression in Iraq and we did not address our home grown war criminals but some folks made lots of money while many innocents lost their lives. Then on the GWB's way out the door, the nation was looted while the economy crashed. POTUS Obama and the Democrats were left to clean up the mess., actually typical of the 20th and 21st century GOP. GOP breaks, Democrats fix.

This is why establishing egalitarian voting rights now is so important. IMO separation of church and State needs to be updated too not to mention doing away with Citizens United. With Trump, the nation fell over a ledge and is in a struggle to restore sanity.

[Kaleva]

75. You are speaking from the perspective of a white person and not that of a NA or Black

Native Americans and Blacks may be happy that the America of their recent ancestors no longer exists.

[Kaleva]

76. I wouldn't be posting about politics if I thought there was a chance there'd be a fascist takeover

DU could be hacked by those who wish us ill and our identities and locations made known. Continuing to post risks severe harassment, imprisonment or possibly even death.

But since I don't think that will happen, I log on and post here without worry.

Some here may think that there's a possibility of a fascist takeover but they continue to post because they don't think that would have a negative impact on their lives.

Others may have already quietly left because they believe it's possible.

IMO, there's two groups of folks who continue to post. Those who don't think there's a chance of a fascist takeover and those who do but don't think it'd impact their lives much.

[American Interregnum]

78. Yes

If elected Dems don't wise the hell up!

[GoCubsGo]

79. This IS the America we know.

It has ALWAYS been this way. There has always been hate, violence, fear, intimidation... Just ask the victims of Jim Crow, women, the McCarthy and other "red scare" witch hunts, LGBTQ, Native Americas, immigrants, Jews, Catholics, Muslims, and any other non-Protestant Christians, union workers... How many Democrats received mail laced with Anthrax during the early 2000's? They're still setting black churches on fire and bombing the few abortion clinics that are left. The same people who posted "No Irish allowed" at the doors of their businesses, and gave Native Americans small pox-laced blankets, are the same ones perpetrating all of the hate and violence today. The only difference now is that they have the Internet and a compliant media helping them out.

[Glaisne]

80. Absolutely

I have no doubt the GOP will win Congress next year, legitimately or not. Then the White House in 2024 probably not legitimately. Then it's all over. Good luck.

[Qutzupalotl]

81. There is something we can do.

Talk to your fellow citizens in person more than you do online. Oppose the other side without hating them. Counter BS with facts rather than more vitriol. Don’t take the bait. Don’t respond in kind.

This may seem pointless at first. The temptation is to justify your own bad behavior by citing theirs. But that just perpetuates the vicious cycle.

Responding calmly will seem insignificant in the onslaught of lies. Individually, it is. Collectively, it can lift the country. Whether it will be enough to stop a fascist takeover remains to be seen.

We can bemoan the fact that we have to be the reasonable ones. That’s understandable. But the other side is a brainwashed cult. We have no choice.

[moondust]

91. Bill Nye

was on MSNBC last night with Mehdi Hasan. Bill says the most important thing we can do is fix the system so that the majority rules.

"They" are in the minority but they have rigged it all so badly for so long that they can get and keep power and virtually ignore the actual will of The People.

[roamer65]

98. That would be a complete overhaul of the system.

I don’t see it happening without a split up of the country.

[Poiuyt]

100. That's wishful thinking

The big elephant in that room is the Electoral College. As long as it benefits Republicans, they will do everything they can to protect it. Gerrymandering, voter suppression, the inherent bias in the Senate -- these all benefit Republicans, and they will remain as long as they give one party a political advantage.

[Bucky]

94. Some kind of change is inevitable, but who knows how it'll resolve out

[andym]

95. Recipe: 1) America elected a wannabe fascist, 2) Majority GOP pols uncritically support a leader

regardless of consequences, 3) Propaganda network with the most effective modern communication tools in history is in place to influence the masses. 4) Huge numbers of Americans can not distinguish facts from fiction and lies, or believe there is no fundamental difference. 5) Inherent social divisions based on race, ethnicity, religion, sexual identity, geography etc due to historical trends and various forms of insecurity are prevalent and easily exploitable though the propaganda tools mentioned.

These factors are some of those needed to create fascism in America. What we have now is a toxic brew-- Trump's election was a turning point as he really is a wannabe fascist. Not only does he remain a danger due to his popularity with 30-40% of Americans, but he casts a large shadow over the GOP. Not only that he has provided a roadmap for any other GOP politician, who is ruthless enough to drive the USA towards fascism.