The basic compact any society has with its populace is one thing. Play by the rules. Be a good citizen and your kids will do better than you.That's the that's the that's the fundamental contract. And for the first time in the 275 year history of America, a 30-year-old man or woman isn't doing as well as his or her parents at 30. And that not only impacts the 30-year-old, but likely his roommates, his parents are reminding him of his failure every day by just by virtue of the fact he can't afford to move out ...

Democratic governments must resist authoritarian states trying to co-opt their institutions, writes Laura Murphy https://t.co/b992O3yOGX ...

Election Analysis - The Democratic party's clean sweep in recent elections was not about ideology, but a referendum on Donald Trump's chaos and the affordability crisis [4][5] - Approximately 75% of Americans reported a jump of at least $100 in their monthly household costs in the last year [5] - Voters chose competence over chaos and a party capable of governing, signaling a desire for democracy and a better life [16] - A record number of Americans voted in an off-year election, demonstrating an understanding of the assignment [10] - The Democratic Party has become the only major party still tethered to sanity, to democracy, to the idea that government should serve ordinary people [16] Political Strategy - The Republican party is attempting to distract the public by fear-mongering about a communist takeover [2] - Democrats should not fall into the trap set by Republicans to keep them on the defensive [2][14] - Democrats should leverage their pluralistic strength against fascism [13] - The Democratic wave was evident everywhere, and the top brass needs to take the win and listen to voters [18] - The use of communism as a scare tactic is an American tradition of demonizing basic social reforms [28][29]

Rule of Law & Judicial Independence - The judiciary is facing immense pressure as it confronts a president potentially seeking excessive power and defying constitutional term limits [2] - Lower courts are actively working to uphold constitutional democracy and documenting its dismantling, creating a legal and historical record [2] - Lower court judges are pushing back against unlawful power grabs, reasserting the judiciary's duty to check presidential overreach [3] - Judges are warning against militarizing civilian life and standing up for state sovereignty, resisting the misuse of emergency appeals [3] - Courts are establishing a record by expressing disbelief and distrust towards the government, challenging its power [4] Political & Historical Context - The normalization of the idea that Donald Trump will remain president after the 2028 election is a concern [1] - There is a coordinated effort to purge inconvenient facts from the American story, including the truth about the 2020 election and January 6th [4] - The administration is attempting to rewrite American history to substitute it with one man's preferred narrative [4] Defense of Democracy - Judges are bearing witness at a critical moment in American history, contributing to the broader resistance to authoritarianism [4] - American judges create the official record, the legal, factual, historical account, as a safeguard against the rewriting of history [4] - The federal courts play a crucial role in upholding truth and preventing the denial and rewriting of history, which is essential for the survival of America [5]

Joining me now is Jason Stanley, professor of philosophy at the University of Toronto. His work focuses on authoritarianism, on propaganda, on free speech, and on democracy. He's the author of multiple books, including Erasing History: How Fascists Rewrite the Past to Control the Future. Jason, thank you for being with us. I You have been very clear on this. You're calling it a coup. You're believe you believe we're watching it happen and unfold in in real time. This is not a conversation about the future t ...

If you're still not sure whether America risks sliding into authoritarianism, @andreaskluth talked to some Americans who know all about the improper use of violence (via @opinion) https://t.co/bpsC1EeeYK ...

It probably should come as no surprise that the Trump administration is trying to give themselves all sorts of new very intrusive powers against American citizens who might want to protest against them. And this is a subject that I think there is a real media challenge in terms of conveying the seriousness of this stuff. And I have struggled it with myself.This is a story that I care about a lot. I think it's hard to convey. It's hard to get people to picture exactly the risk here.Not too long ago, a couple ...

Importance of Protest in Authoritarian Systems - Protest is crucial for maintaining sanity and exercising rights, which authoritarian leaders aim to suppress [1][2] - Protests challenge the image of authoritarian leaders as all-powerful, highlighting their dependence on others [3][4] - Public pressure through protest can influence companies and institutions to resist authoritarian demands, impacting their reputation and bottom line [7][9][10] Impact on Corporate Behavior - Companies face reputational and financial risks when aligning with authoritarian actions against public interest and American values [10] - Public scrutiny and potential boycotts can deter companies from participating in actions like deportation flights [9] - Corporations should be aware of the potential cost to their reputation when they act against American values [10] Examples of Resistance - The public reaction against Trump's immigration policies in Chicago demonstrates the potential for large-scale community resistance [12] - Maryland's governor faces public accountability regarding contracts with companies involved in controversial activities [11]

Trump is shredding our Constitution. Is it okay for mass federal agents to arrest people off the street because of their skin color or their accent. No way.Not in a free America. Okay. For the government to cancel research grants to compel universities as to what they can teach.No way. Not in a free America. Okay.To use power over broadcast licenses or power over mergers to compel television networks as to what they can put on the air. Not in a free America. Okay.To weaponize the Department of Justice to go ...

From 6:23 p. m. last night until 5:00 p.m. tonight for 22 hours and 37 minutes straight, Senator Mkeley stood on the Senate floor without sleep, without sitting down, without bathroom breaks, which is a great mystery. All to focus the attention of the American people on the crisis now facing this country.And Senator Mkeley's message throughout many, many, many hours was crystal clear. He didn't argue that we were at risk of sliding into authoritarianism. He did not say that Trump has authoritarian tendencie ...