I'd like to think so too, but for one essential fact, which I don't think has been given nearly enough attention in the mainstream press (virtually none at all). What's been emerging on the far right in the last several decades isn't merely a hard turn toward libertarianism-cum-capitalism. It's the volcanic-scale eruption of a neoreactionary (NRx) worldview, aka The Dark Enlightenment—which is rigidly anti-democratic and anti-egalitarian.
In fact, by the "return of traditional values," they mean monarchy. Literally. And failing that, oligarchy will suffice. Neoreactionaries are actively for authoritarianism, and tend to favor ultranationalism, nativism, racial supremacy, and anti-immigrant policies and perspectives. A significant strain refers to itself as "masculinist"—or in common parlance: straight up misogynists. In the US, many identify themselves as white nationalists.
NRx psychological motivations, as far as I can tell, are simple, if not at all straightforward. These individuals are almost entirely well-educated white Western men of means who believe themselves so supremely intellectually superior to everyone else—personally and historically—that nature has simply proven to the rest of us that they are the "fittest." They're the apex predator of the human race (and every other species), so they should rule us. ...It goes without saying that, almost to a one, they appear to lack developed (or even basic) human empathy, much less the higher relational capacities that can only form from it.
Neoreactionaries despise multiculturalism and pluralist societies, and believe democracy is laughably irrational, if not outright destructive, because (they believe) by allowing everyone equal representation, you don't gain freedom—you just dramatically lower the bar. The majority of people have only an average IQ, which places those people on intellectual scale with worms and other invertebrates. Only a broken society allows worms a voice in its political and economic affairs, right?
I'm obviously reducing a lot of (masturbatory and misanthropic) theory into a few paragraphs of outsider analysis, but what I think most of us need to recognize is that the neo-fascism of NRx philosophy and action isn't exclusive to the Peter Thiels and Steve Bannons and Stephen Millers and every Ivy-educated alt-right or affiliated DC think tank to pop up in the last 10 years. It's the predominant trend line on the Western political and academic right.
And this:
What powerful kleptocratic, oligarchical prince do we currently know who is clever enough to allow his people to perform the ritual of voting, even if it's only pretend? A very wealthy prince who cut out every democratic-leaning weed (e.g. free press) in his country, and plans to rule forever because he's the fittest, most powerful, and therefore, most deserving?
I think it's too narrow to assume the only reason certain Republicans and evangelical leaders seem so hard up for Putin is because he owns them. I'm sure that's true of a goodly number, but not all allegiances require cash; some are based purely on the strength of common ideology.
I should have brought that full circle with the Kochs and their reach.
I'm not suggesting that every last legislator, or donor, or network of legislators and donors on the hard right is a stooge for authoritarian/anti-democractic principles. At least, not wittingly. But the further they've moved toward kleptocratic reign (or complicity), the further from their precious "founding fathers" they've gotten. And after decades of the Kochs and The Family, etc., the slide is lubed right up for the final descent into all out corporate fascism.
I have tried to boycott Koch products for the past 3 years. It takes work but I can successfully avoid their paper products, though I must be careful with private label since they make most of those too. Clothing materials are more difficult.
Here are kist some of the products they own:
- Angel Soft
- Angel Soft Ultra
- Brawny paper towels
- Dixie products
- Insulair cups
- Mardis Gras napkins
- Perfect Touch cups, paper products
- Quilted Northern
- Sparkle paper towels
- Vanity Fair napkins & paper towels
- Zee Napkins
- Georgia-Pacific Office products
- Spectrum paper
- Georgia-Pacific’s enMotion paper towel dispenser
- Georgia-Pacific’s engineered lumber INVISTA Brands
- Oil pipelin
- DACRON
- LYCRA
- OXYCLEAR® Barrier Resin
- POLYCLEAR® PET
- POLYSHIELD® Resin
- STAINMASTER® Carpet
- THERMOLITE® Fabric
@ lovendures -- And while we are at it, Home Depot founder and billionaire is a big Trump financial supporter. Poor Home Depot has been trying to distance itself from Trump since people began to boycott them. But I'm now enjoying patronizing their competition. Too late, Home Depot. Perhaps we need a boycott thread so we can put our money towards companies who are working toward a better world.
Okay I opened a thread for shopping for a better world. Could use people's ideas about who not to buy from and what product to avoid. https://www.jeannemayell.com/community/u-s-politics/how-to-make-sure-your-shopping-dollars-go-for-a-better-world/
@suspira44 Ginsberg is doing well and I feel she can hold on. She’s strong. Please send empowering gusts of energy to her. The Right likes to tear her down and they will be putting out negative memes about her being too sick to work. She is fine. She is strong and fueled with light.
trump said that if he wins reelection, he will go after social security. How can he win saying things like that?
Fred Koch was also a founder of the John Birch Society, in the 50’s and 60,s they were anti-communist. My best friend in high schools father was one. He was a retired military man. He used to scream at her brother that he was a commie if he wore shoes without socks in the summer. At little extreme to say the least. He used to send all their literature to my dad. dad wouldn’t let us read it and burned it in the fireplace. Which says a lot since my dad was an ex-marine. Wonder what they would think of Dump?
On a lighter note. I just watched a clip on Facebook of Rep John Yarmuth, a Kentuckian I am quite proud of. He was on MSNBC this AM.. he is on one of the commerce committees. They were asking him about Dumps trade war. He of course said it is a disaster. The best line in the whole interview is when he said “we have a brain fart presidency “. What a great description! Now you know why I love the man. He also hates MoscowMitch.
I am lighting white candles for RBG. Sending love and well wishes her way. She’s a tough old broad. I say that as the highest compliment I can give.
@elaineg He is lying. He says things to get support of one group (we know which group would love the end of SSA) and then when later he sees that his words will get him in trouble he will recant and say he never said it or was joking.