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Well, Scott is right in that it is depressing when a political party primaries a candidate such as Trump and wins two out of three times. Something is wrong with that picture. And he claimed the loss was because the election was rigged and stolen and the vast majority of his followers believed him and supported an insurrection attempt. Though unsuccessful, the attempt on J6 resulted in many criminal convictions and his criminal indictment, plus the lies about victimization and lawfare, it all gained political capital for Trump. Yet Scott and others claim a moderate candidate could solve the problem as though that's what voters want and the lack of a moderate or centrist candidate is the problem. I can't think of a Democrat candidate that Trump wouldn't call a radical leftist and his followers would take that as fact. I think that's seriously ironic, Trump(ism) being radical and all. ============================== "The Tyranny of the majority". That idea has irony too. For over two hundred years that's not been a fact or problem, until now. What's changed? What emerged? What warning was ignored? “Those then, who resist a confirmation of public order, are the true Artificers of monarchy—not that this is the intention of the generality of them. Yet it would not be difficult to lay the finger upon some of their party who may justly be suspected. When a man unprincipled in private life desperate in his fortune, bold in his temper, possessed of considerable talents, having the advantage of military habits—despotic in his ordinary demeanour—known to have scoffed in private at the principles of liberty—when such a man is seen to mount the hobby horse of popularity—to join in the cry of danger to liberty—to take every opportunity of embarrassing the General Government & bringing it under suspicion—to flatter and fall in with all the non sense of the zealots of the day—It may justly be suspected that his object is to throw things into confusion that he may “ride the storm and direct the whirlwind.” ― Alexander Hamilton What are the tactics of a demagogue? AI Overview Demagogues, political leaders who gain power by manipulating emotions and appealing to prejudices, employ various tactics to achieve their goals. These tactics include: 1. Simplifying Complex Issues: Demagogues often present complex issues in simple, black-and-white terms, creating an easy-to-understand narrative that plays on emotional reactions rather than reasoned arguments. 2. Appealing to Passions and Prejudices: They often use inflammatory language and rhetoric to stir up anger, fear, or resentment towards specific groups or ideas, rather than engaging in constructive debate. 3. Using Superlatives and Exaggerations: Demagogues are known for using exaggerated claims and superlatives to create a sense of urgency and importance, often without supporting evidence. 4. Employing the "Us vs. Them" Strategy: They often create a clear divide between a "we" (the followers) and "them" (the perceived enemies), fostering a sense of tribal identity and loyalty to the demagogue. 5. Using Conspiracy Theories and Scapegoating: Demagogues may promote conspiracy theories and scapegoat specific groups or individuals for problems, diverting attention from the true causes and fostering distrust in institutions. 6. Dismissing Expertise and Authority: Demagogues often dismiss experts and authority figures, creating a vacuum where they can fill the void with their own claims and opinions. 7. Fostering a Cult of Personality: Demagogues cultivate a charismatic image and present themselves as a savior or leader who is "one of us," which can be extremely persuasive to their supporters. 8. Using Lies and Misinformation: Demagogues are not afraid to use outright lies, half-truths, and misleading statistics to advance their agenda and gain support. 9. Creating a Sense of Urgency: They often portray situations as dire and urgent, pushing for quick solutions without consideration for the long-term consequences. 10. Exploiting Fear and Anxiety: Demagogues may play on people's fears and anxieties, promising easy solutions and a return to a perceived golden age. ================================== What are demagogue tactics? 3.1 Scapegoating. 3.2 Fearmongering. 3.3 Lying. 3.4 Emotional oratory and personal charisma. 3.5 Accusing opponents of weakness and disloyalty. 3.6 Promising the impossible. 3.7 Violence and physical intimidation. 3.8 Personal insults and ridicule. More items... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demagogue ============================================= "Funny in an ironically depressing, doomed to make the same mistakes again kind of way." Until those who were conned, duped, manipulated, lied to and believed, and have malevolent tendencies, own the breakdown they bought into, the "problem" will continue. No moderate can offer a solution, especially regarding ownership and acknowledgement of the real cause and effect. If RINOs might be considered moderates, and pretend, yet still blameshift and refuse to see the real problem, that itself is perpetuating the problem. ************* Trump lied, consequently People died. Connect the dots. Degenerate 1:1 1 Then Trump said, "Let Us re-make a Nation in MY Image, after My likeness, to rule over everything in the Nation, and over all the earth itself and every creature that crawls upon it". Degenerate 1:2 2 Then Trump said, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay on your behalf." Degenerate 1:3 3 "My Kingdom come, My will be done." "When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross." - Sinclair Lewis "Stupid is as stupid does". Forest Gump "Fascist is as fascist does". Magine Enigam O.J. Trump aka Trumpism's Founding Farter, aka Farter Martyr. Qualifications: flatulence - mental, oral and anal. “When the rich rob the poor, it's called business ... When the poor fight back, it's called violence.” - Mark Twain "Be careful. When a democracy is sick, fascism comes to its bedside, but it is not to inquire about its health." - Albert Camus | |||
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I don't think I've suggested a moderate candidate. If I did i did not mean it. I suggest candidates that will appeal to the the majority of Americans. Today I think the campaign plan is to appeal to the fringe and dishonestly promise lots of victory and treasure. Both sides being guilty. I believe a real statesman, a true Head of State/ Chief Executive can, would and should include a whole lot of "no" in their language everytime they open their mouth. Tell the truth about what needs to be done, what they can and can't do. Today we have accepted and have come to consider normal that the politicians are God dawned liars and yes they are God damned liars. I think all of us would prefer and vote for honesty. | |||
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Thanks for the correction. I mistakenly conflated your opinions with other's. One of my points though was that Trump appealed to more voters than Harris, although not a majority. Trump won both times when opposed by a woman Dem. Also, celebrity types seem to appeal to republicans, such as Reagan and Trump for examples. So, with your correction, I'll change my argument accordingly. Both you and Shanks, etc. seem to be looking past the next 3 & 1/2 years or so - next time. Sure, there's mid-terms at which time I predict the majority will shift in congress. But that's not in itself unusual and may not be indicative of a BIG shift. =================================== Musk is gone leaving a trail of damage behind. There's still project 2025. https://www.latimes.com/politi...menting-project-2025 5 ways the Trump administration is implementing Project 2025 Excerpt: "When Trump was elected, he appointed Vought to again head OMB, and Vought, along with the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency, swiftly got to work attacking the federal bureaucracy." Also: https://www.politico.com/news/...aul-dans-qa-00228890 ‘Beyond My Wildest Dreams’: The Architect of Project 2025 Is Ready for His Victory Lap Paul Dans, the ousted director of Project 2025, says he’s delighted that Trump is implementing his agenda after all. ============================================== In large part, my argument opinion is based on prediction. I think maybe moderate and appealing candidate(s) will happen grass roots rather than groomed strategically from the top. I think Trump's and MAGA's burnout is inevitable and has already started. That will accelerate from their own making. We have a long way to go and much bad stuff will happen in the meantime, hopefully 90% correctable, at least. One key prediction is that Trump will get progressively more demented. Sure, Biden got dementia and it was covered up. But it won't be like Trump and his cover. Imagine a demented, narcissist, paranoid, psychopath, Machiavellian, sadist POTUS. Lots of bad doo doo in the short-term future. It's all gonna turn on MAGA GOPers. And they will fight it, not by offering a conciliatory moderate, but more radical. Any Dem quasi-moderate will have an easy path. ************* Trump lied, consequently People died. Connect the dots. Degenerate 1:1 1 Then Trump said, "Let Us re-make a Nation in MY Image, after My likeness, to rule over everything in the Nation, and over all the earth itself and every creature that crawls upon it". Degenerate 1:2 2 Then Trump said, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay on your behalf." Degenerate 1:3 3 "My Kingdom come, My will be done." "When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross." - Sinclair Lewis "Stupid is as stupid does". Forest Gump "Fascist is as fascist does". Magine Enigam O.J. Trump aka Trumpism's Founding Farter, aka Farter Martyr. Qualifications: flatulence - mental, oral and anal. “When the rich rob the poor, it's called business ... When the poor fight back, it's called violence.” - Mark Twain "Be careful. When a democracy is sick, fascism comes to its bedside, but it is not to inquire about its health." - Albert Camus | |||
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You have a two party system by default. It's always been a problem. It's just that for a number of reasons the American public have tended to believe the Schtick that you have the greatest democracy in the world. Yet historically you struggle to get 60% of voters who bother. that says something. What I think is that right now, people are not voting for Trump. They are voting against cultural change. That's the Tyranny most won't accept. | |||
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Tyranny of the majority has always been a problem. Concentration of political power and legal protections have always been a problem. If you were gay or black until recently, the majority was a problem. These things do not end. They are constant state of push and pull. If you were a small farmer east of the Appalachian, you saw the costal and black soil elite as the problem while you fought to obtain the right to vote. A lot of those tensions still exist. If you a rural person with less education, you see the more larger populace and more educated majority of cities a problem. The Framers knew this. They tried to constrain and balance these interest while providing means to address them. The 14th Amendment was a game changer as to defining a national, baseline level of citizenship. | |||
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The focus in my argument/response was on the word tyranny, saying that it wasn't a threat until Trump. The underlying and broad scale intent of Trumpism is about crushing anything deemed progressivism. We are in the midst of a contest of how to structure constitutionalism, perhaps re-structure. Of course that's been the case a long time. I looked up some terms like progressivism vs constitutionalism, and found the results a bit confusing. That's because I didn't have the full scope of possible meanings of either isms. For purposes herein I want an easier to understand answer/source. It's too complex for a short post. We know that Trump(ism) is pushing to change the boundaries of hard earned traditional constitutionalism, to make it easier to dominate or thwart liberals and their agendas. It's not sufficient to just call it illiberal. He and conservatives want to rig the system. So, with short notice, here's the best article I found to explain it - the contest. https://harvardlawreview.org/p...e-constitutionalism/ Harvard University Press. 2022. Puzzles of Progressive Constitutionalism Jonathan S. Gould Wikipedia also has articles and links, but that's far beyond the span of attention here, mostly. ************* Trump lied, consequently People died. Connect the dots. Degenerate 1:1 1 Then Trump said, "Let Us re-make a Nation in MY Image, after My likeness, to rule over everything in the Nation, and over all the earth itself and every creature that crawls upon it". Degenerate 1:2 2 Then Trump said, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay on your behalf." Degenerate 1:3 3 "My Kingdom come, My will be done." "When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross." - Sinclair Lewis "Stupid is as stupid does". Forest Gump "Fascist is as fascist does". Magine Enigam O.J. Trump aka Trumpism's Founding Farter, aka Farter Martyr. Qualifications: flatulence - mental, oral and anal. “When the rich rob the poor, it's called business ... When the poor fight back, it's called violence.” - Mark Twain "Be careful. When a democracy is sick, fascism comes to its bedside, but it is not to inquire about its health." - Albert Camus | |||
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One of Us |
ME, the focus of your argument, and every discussion you have on here Is Trump. Trump, Trump, Trump! I agree with you. Trump is bad! But he's a symptom of a much wider issue, and if you dont want the MAGA crew taking over for another term after this one- and believe me, if Trumps bad, then who they replace him with will be worse because they won't be so blatant and self destructive, then what is needed is... On a personnel level and a political level... A whole lot less deflection.
And a whole heap more Introspection of actions.
Now I want to be clear, the right needs to do this too. But right now they won't, because they are winning, and unless the left gets its shit sorted. Things will get worse. | |||
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I idly wonder if the two-party system might be the echoes of the original schism between people who wanted a strong central government and those who wanted the states to remain a loose confederation. Do we have the same divisions now? Or are other divisions more relevant? Certainly the top-two primary system in use here has the effect of cementing two parties in place, as if it were designed to smother third parties in their cribs. TomP Our country, right or wrong. When right, to be kept right, when wrong to be put right. Carl Schurz (1829 - 1906) | |||
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We are in partial agreement. Trump is a symptom. He just fit the purpose. And you are correct, Vance is worse. And if he's elected or anointed POTUS, his bed will already be made. I often add ism in referring to Trump, like Trump(ism). And I don't believe deflection or lack of introspection on a personal level is a problem. Just recognizing what's going on, practically entirely out of my control, is challenge enough. I'm just expressing an opinion about the state of political affairs, the reality of it as I assimilate it from the evidence. No amount of introspection will lead me to owing my contribution to it or solution. That's because there is nothing to own re contribution to Trump(ism) and I'm too insignificant re solutions. Trump(ism) in no way is my fault. Here's an opinion that I share: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news...850e6b23e02fcd&ei=12 'You don't love your country': Conservative exposes 'moral rot at the core of Trumpism' Opinion by Carl Gibson • 10h • 3 min read Here's the article in the NYT https://www.nytimes.com/2025/0....html?smid=url-share I’m Normally a Mild Guy. Here’s What’s Pushed Me Over the Edge. May 29, 2025 By David Brooks Opinion Columnist ************* Trump lied, consequently People died. Connect the dots. Degenerate 1:1 1 Then Trump said, "Let Us re-make a Nation in MY Image, after My likeness, to rule over everything in the Nation, and over all the earth itself and every creature that crawls upon it". Degenerate 1:2 2 Then Trump said, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay on your behalf." Degenerate 1:3 3 "My Kingdom come, My will be done." "When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross." - Sinclair Lewis "Stupid is as stupid does". Forest Gump "Fascist is as fascist does". Magine Enigam O.J. Trump aka Trumpism's Founding Farter, aka Farter Martyr. Qualifications: flatulence - mental, oral and anal. “When the rich rob the poor, it's called business ... When the poor fight back, it's called violence.” - Mark Twain "Be careful. When a democracy is sick, fascism comes to its bedside, but it is not to inquire about its health." - Albert Camus | |||
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Start getting angry at your party! signify too them they need to be better. Tell them its OK to swallow a bitter pill or two for the good of the nation. Dont sit back and say I can't do anything because it's all Trump-ism. In that regard, your last link was irrelevant. | |||
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I am upset with Dems. I won't say angry, yet. It's more like disappointed. If anyone who matters is listening, I won't advise them to let Trump(ism) bring them down to his/their level. There's a couple of relevant quotes: "You don't fight with a pig because you both get dirty, and the pig enjoys it." paraphrase of George Bernard Shaw's original quote -- ``I learned long ago never to wrestle with a pig. Jan 7, 2025 Mark Twain — "Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience." Magine Enigam: Don't let ill intending people drag you down to their level because of the tendency to project your restraints on them. Once IDed as ill intending, then their level of restraints are unknown. Fight from high ground or fight another day, another way, from a different angle, with backup if necessary. BTW, I wish I could effortlessly adhere to my own advice, but it's difficult. ==============================================
Do you mean that you think David Brook's opinion is irrelevant? He's just doing what you suggested and from his platform and knowledge he can make a difference. ************* Trump lied, consequently People died. Connect the dots. Degenerate 1:1 1 Then Trump said, "Let Us re-make a Nation in MY Image, after My likeness, to rule over everything in the Nation, and over all the earth itself and every creature that crawls upon it". Degenerate 1:2 2 Then Trump said, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay on your behalf." Degenerate 1:3 3 "My Kingdom come, My will be done." "When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross." - Sinclair Lewis "Stupid is as stupid does". Forest Gump "Fascist is as fascist does". Magine Enigam O.J. Trump aka Trumpism's Founding Farter, aka Farter Martyr. Qualifications: flatulence - mental, oral and anal. “When the rich rob the poor, it's called business ... When the poor fight back, it's called violence.” - Mark Twain "Be careful. When a democracy is sick, fascism comes to its bedside, but it is not to inquire about its health." - Albert Camus | |||
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Because it won't help the democrats improve for one. Because it's subjective for another. There will be many many reasons people join the army and their reasons for fighting may change with time and experience. and because there are bigger and more pertinent problems with Vance etc that havnt swayed opinion. | |||
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Good answer. I think it's kinda funny though. My guess is by "improve" the Dems need to see things in a more conservative way. And republicans also need to see things in a MORE conservative way. So, as usual the bar shifts, and you expect Dems to keep up. ![]() ![]() Yea, agreed, there are much bigger problems with Vance. ************* Trump lied, consequently People died. Connect the dots. Degenerate 1:1 1 Then Trump said, "Let Us re-make a Nation in MY Image, after My likeness, to rule over everything in the Nation, and over all the earth itself and every creature that crawls upon it". Degenerate 1:2 2 Then Trump said, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay on your behalf." Degenerate 1:3 3 "My Kingdom come, My will be done." "When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross." - Sinclair Lewis "Stupid is as stupid does". Forest Gump "Fascist is as fascist does". Magine Enigam O.J. Trump aka Trumpism's Founding Farter, aka Farter Martyr. Qualifications: flatulence - mental, oral and anal. “When the rich rob the poor, it's called business ... When the poor fight back, it's called violence.” - Mark Twain "Be careful. When a democracy is sick, fascism comes to its bedside, but it is not to inquire about its health." - Albert Camus | |||
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One of Us |
To be honest. I dont know how to read that and the emojis dont help. Earnestly, It always seems hard with you, but I'll just say, no. The dems do need to do two things. Drop the extreme section of their party and put forward a decent, honest fought for candidate that people can get behind. I dont think this shit is rocket science. Good candidate that people can get behind-get in power- good policies for the majority then start to look after the side issues when you can. Dont make side issues big policy. Dont give republicans the ground to be more conservative. Do well in the centre/left and it will bring republicans back to fighting on that ground. The worst thing for politics anywhere- you guys or us, is seeing your opponent head towards the extremes of its beliefs, and countering that by promoting your own extremes. | |||
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And like magic, out comes congressman Seth Moulton on Real time, and By god I hope they listen too him. from minute 20:40 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2M5WouN050 | |||
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Administrator |
So called “democracy” has become the joke of the century! Real issues facing society are totally ignored. Freaks are given all the time. Government is run by social media. Your Mrs Horse Teeth is making millions on the talk circuit! Trump and his brood are making a killing right now. Anything of consequence is not important! ![]() | |||
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Beggers me why anyone would wish to listen too her... let alone pay for it. Saeed everything gos through stages. Horse teeth is an example. She's gone from us now and the adults are back in charge. Your system is no better and has the potential to be worse. In fact by every metric of human life quality it is worse. Not for you wealthy rulers for sure, but for the average. As far as I understand it UAE has comparatively good leadership right now. But that will change and when it does, it will be for a long time. Ill take a flawed democracy over a flawed monarchy every day. | |||
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And Kentucky senator turns Republican overnight Ouch… Never been lost, just confused here and there for month or two | |||
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I like the show. I watched the segment you recommended. I'm more in agreement with you than disagreement. Thanks for the persuasive argument. That segment highlighted two aspects of my disappointment with the Dems and what happened. I don't understand how a political organization, supposedly functional, let or worse facilitate the no-win situation with Biden. Trying to correct it with Harris was too late. But the fact is that she almost won anyway. And, although credit due, these people making talk on the talk shows, and there's several, with all this great hindsight makes me wonder why not speak when it mattered most? A few did, but real life is that way too. IMO, republicans are headed down that road too. It's gonna be interesting, maybe excruciating, to watch as they cover for Trump's decline. They are already doing it. Of course he will still be a hero, and Biden the villain. ************* Trump lied, consequently People died. Connect the dots. Degenerate 1:1 1 Then Trump said, "Let Us re-make a Nation in MY Image, after My likeness, to rule over everything in the Nation, and over all the earth itself and every creature that crawls upon it". Degenerate 1:2 2 Then Trump said, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay on your behalf." Degenerate 1:3 3 "My Kingdom come, My will be done." "When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross." - Sinclair Lewis "Stupid is as stupid does". Forest Gump "Fascist is as fascist does". Magine Enigam O.J. Trump aka Trumpism's Founding Farter, aka Farter Martyr. Qualifications: flatulence - mental, oral and anal. “When the rich rob the poor, it's called business ... When the poor fight back, it's called violence.” - Mark Twain "Be careful. When a democracy is sick, fascism comes to its bedside, but it is not to inquire about its health." - Albert Camus | |||
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