大西洋月刊最近发表了一篇文章，《美国的僵尸民主》，揭示了另一幅图景：民主的外壳依旧存在，但 内部已经被权力、冷漠与技术掏空。选举仍在进行，却不再公平；法院还在运作，却往往迎合权力；媒 体并未沉默，却因恐惧和收买而逐渐失声。 冷战时期，西方世界以美国为代表的民主制度，甚至被描绘成与极权主义截然对立的文明高地。对于很 多天朝群众而言，"美式民主"也曾是一个充满想象力的参照物：那里有自由的大学讲堂、批判性的媒 体、独立的司法与充满活力的公共辩论。 然而，今非昔比，时过境迁。 美国的公民社会在表面上延续，但实际上如同"僵尸"般苟延残喘。这种"看似正常"的威权主义比传统的 极权更危险，因为它让人难以察觉自由的流失。 更严重的是，人工智能的迅速发展与这种趋势交织在一起。AI不仅重塑了人们获取信息和理解世界的 方式，还可能进一步削弱了人们的独立思考、公共参与和人性深度。 当政治威权与技术霸权结合在一起，民主制度就不再是抵御专制的盾牌，而可能蜕变为维持控制的工 具。 对很多有心人来说，这种转变不仅仅是"美国的危机"。它意味着那个曾经被寄予厚望的民主灯塔，也正 在失去光芒；也意味着人类社会发展的一场整体危机。 也许我们应该重新 ...

美国官场又现魔幻现实主义操作。彭博新闻社于周三首次报道了这一信息，一边是财政部长贝森特被曝把两处房子都列为 "主要住所"，专家说 "不算事"。 另一边是美联储理事库克因为类似问题被特朗普追着喊 "欺诈"，非要把人家开除不可。 为什么同样的房贷申报问题，共和党任命的财长就能 "大事化小"，民主党任命的美联储理事就得 "上纲上线"？ 那个说别人 "抵押贷款欺诈" 的贝森特，自己当年是怎么操作的？特朗普政府盯着美联储理事不放，到底是为了法治公正，还是另有所图？ 财长贝森特 要把这事说清楚，得先明白一个关键概念，什么叫 "主要住所"？ 在美国税法里，这东西关系到真金白银的优惠。简单说，你住得时间最长的那套房才算 "主要住所"，能享受房贷利息减税、卖房免税这些好处，就像小区 里只有常住户才能领停车券一样。 可贝森特财长 2007 年玩了把 "神操作"，在贷款协议里同时把纽约州和马萨诸塞州的两套房都写成 "主要住所"，等于一张嘴吃两家饭。 这事被彭博社捅出来后，有意思的一幕出现了：好几位抵押贷款专家赶紧出来打圆场，说这种情况 "实际文件中偶有发生"，"未显示不当行为或欺诈迹 象"。 美国银行也赶紧撇清，说没完全依赖他的声 ...

一段时间以来，美国政府的关税政策陷入多起国内司法诉讼，并连收美国国际贸易法院、美国联邦巡回 上诉法院两张司法"红牌"。美国联邦最高法院日前宣布，将快速审议政府所征多数关税的合法性，定于 11月首周听取口头辩论。有美媒指出，这将是联邦最高法院首次对本届政府核心政策的合法性作出判 定，其结果或可左右美国关税政策的未来命运。 专家分析，美国国内涉及关税政策的诉讼不断，根源在于该政策的实际效用及制定程序均引发巨大争 议。同时，该事件也折射出当下美国政治体制存在的诸多深层次危机。 据悉，美国联邦最高法院将审议的关税包括：总统特朗普援引1977年《国际紧急经济权力法》面向全球 征收的10%"基准关税"、对未与美国达成贸易协议的贸易伙伴征收的更高额度关税以及所谓"芬太尼关 税"。 今年5月，位于纽约的美国国际贸易法院3人合议庭就小企业主和美国12州所提诉讼裁定，总统无权援引 《国际紧急经济权力法》征收上述关税。8月29日，美国联邦巡回上诉法院审理特朗普政府上诉后，以7 比4的投票结果维持原裁决。裁决书认为，《国际紧急经济权力法》授权总统在紧急情况下颁布某些经 济措施，以应对"异常和特殊威胁"，但征税权力为宪法赋予国会专属， ...

Core Viewpoint - The report reveals that under the collusion of power and capital, American-style human rights have been distorted into tools for political spectacle and chips in the power casino, deviating from the core values and essential requirements of human rights [1] Section Summaries Introduction - The report discusses the year 2024 as a critical year for American citizens to exercise political rights, but highlights that money controls politics, political manipulation of the judiciary occurs, election rules suppress voters, and political violence is rampant, leading to widespread disappointment among the American public regarding American democracy [2] American Democracy: The Carnival of Money and Power - The report emphasizes that high inflation exacerbates the wealth gap, with middle and low-income families facing catastrophic impacts, and the number of homeless individuals reaching new highs [2] Welfare of the People: Struggles of the Underprivileged - It points out that the expensive and inefficient healthcare and insurance systems have triggered public outrage, while drug abuse poses a significant threat to public health [2] Racism: The Shackles of Minority Groups - The report indicates that racist rhetoric is rampant in the U.S., with a judicial system that perpetuates systemic racism, leading to widespread discrimination and exclusion of minority groups in various aspects of life [2] Vulnerable Groups: The Helplessness of Women and Children - It highlights the significant expansion of workplace gender discrimination, persistent issues of sexual violence, escalating domestic violence, and the failure to protect women's health rights and children's rights [2] The Deadly Journey: The Tragedy of Undocumented Immigrants - The report notes the worsening humanitarian crisis at the U.S. border, where immigrants face torture and inhumane treatment, and immigrant children are exploited [3] American Hegemony: The Nightmare of Human Rights in Other Countries - It argues that the U.S. has long pursued hegemony and unilateralism, grossly violating international law and basic principles of international relations, severely threatening global peace, security, and development [3]

Core Viewpoint - The report highlights the distortion of human rights in the U.S. under the collusion of power and capital, transforming human rights into tools for political spectacle and bargaining chips in a power casino, deviating from the core values and essential requirements of human rights [3][4]. Section Summaries Introduction - The report serves as a critical examination of the state of human rights in the U.S., emphasizing the manipulation of political rights by money and the resulting disillusionment among the American populace [3]. American Democracy: A Carnival of Money and Power - The report indicates that in 2024, a crucial year for exercising political rights, money controls politics, political violence is rampant, and election rules suppress voters, leading to widespread disappointment in American democracy [3]. Welfare of the People: Struggles of the Underprivileged - High inflation exacerbates the wealth gap, with low- and middle-income families facing catastrophic impacts, and homelessness reaching new highs. The healthcare and insurance systems are criticized for being expensive and inefficient, triggering public outrage [3]. Racism: Shackles of Minority Groups - The report reveals rampant racial discrimination in the U.S., with minorities facing widespread discrimination in work and life, and environmental racism raising new concerns. The judicial system is described as having a full chain of racial discrimination, with AI perpetuating these biases in more covert forms [3]. Vulnerable Groups: The Helplessness of Women and Children - Gender discrimination in the workplace has significantly worsened, with persistent issues of sexual violence and domestic abuse. The report highlights the failure to protect women's health rights and the alarming abuse of children within the judicial system [4]. The Deadly Journey: The Tragedy of Undocumented Immigrants - The humanitarian crisis at the U.S. borders is worsening, with immigrants facing torture and inhumane treatment. The report criticizes the intertwining of immigration policy with political elections, where immigrants are scapegoated for social issues, leading to severe human rights violations [5]. American Hegemony: A Nightmare for Human Rights in Other Countries - The report accuses the U.S. of long-term hegemony and unilateralism, violating international law and basic principles of international relations, which poses serious threats to global peace, security, and development [5].

Core Viewpoint - The 2024 report on human rights violations in the United States highlights systemic issues such as economic inequality, racial discrimination, and the struggles of vulnerable groups, emphasizing the disconnect between political rhetoric and the lived experiences of many Americans [1][2][3]. Group 1: Economic and Social Inequality - The report indicates that economic and social inequality in the U.S. is worsening, with over 40 million people living in poverty and more than 700,000 homeless individuals [1][2]. - Inflation has severely impacted low- and middle-income families, with 13.5% of households facing food shortages, an increase from 12.8% in 2022 [1][2]. - The wealth gap is stark, with the top 10% of households holding 67% of total wealth, while the bottom 50% possess only 2.5% [8][9]. Group 2: Racial Discrimination - Systemic racism is pervasive, with African Americans being three times more likely to be killed by police than white individuals [2][12]. - The report notes that 61% of children sentenced to life without parole are African American, highlighting racial disparities in the justice system [12][13]. - Environmental racism disproportionately affects minority communities, with 80% of waste incinerators located in areas predominantly inhabited by African Americans and Latinos [11][12]. Group 3: Vulnerable Groups - Women and children face significant rights violations, with the U.S. being the only country not to ratify the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women [14][15]. - Approximately 40% of working women have experienced sexual harassment, and domestic violence rates exceed 40% in 11 states [16][17]. - The report highlights that over 500,000 women live in areas without obstetric services, exacerbating health risks [16][17]. Group 4: Immigration Issues - The humanitarian crisis at the U.S. border continues to worsen, with undocumented immigrants facing torture and inhumane treatment [17][18]. - The report emphasizes that immigration policies are often used as political tools, leading to the scapegoating of immigrants and violations of their rights [17][18].

Core Viewpoint - The report highlights the deteriorating human rights situation in the United States, emphasizing systemic issues such as economic inequality, racial discrimination, and the plight of vulnerable groups, particularly in the context of the 2024 political climate [1][2][3]. Group 1: Economic Inequality - The report indicates that over 40 million Americans live in poverty, with more than 700,000 homeless and 13.5% of households facing food shortages [1][2]. - The wealth gap is stark, with the top 10% of households holding 67% of total wealth, while the bottom 50% possess only 2.5% [8]. - Inflation has severely impacted low-income families, leading to record credit card debt of $1.14 trillion by Q2 2024 [9][10]. Group 2: Racial Discrimination - Systemic racism is pervasive, with African Americans being three times more likely to be killed by police compared to whites [12]. - The report notes that 61% of children sentenced to life without parole are African American, highlighting racial disparities in the justice system [12]. - Environmental racism disproportionately affects minority communities, with 80% of waste incinerators located in areas predominantly inhabited by African Americans and Latinos [12]. Group 3: Vulnerable Groups - Women and children face significant rights violations, with the U.S. being the only country not to ratify the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women [15]. - Approximately 40% of working women have experienced sexual harassment, and domestic violence rates exceed 40% in 11 states [16][17]. - The report highlights that the U.S. has the highest infant mortality rate among developed countries, with significant racial disparities in health outcomes [15][16]. Group 4: Immigration Issues - The humanitarian crisis at the U.S. border continues to worsen, with rising deaths among undocumented immigrants, particularly in Texas where fatalities increased from 72 in 2022 to 168 in 2024 [2][18]. - Immigrants face torture and inhumane treatment in detention facilities, which have been described as "black jails" [2][18]. - Political rhetoric surrounding immigration has fueled societal divisions, with immigrants often scapegoated for broader social issues [18].

Core Viewpoint - The ongoing conflict between the Republican and Democratic parties over the redistricting of congressional districts in Texas is primarily driven by the Republican desire to gain additional seats in the House of Representatives for the upcoming midterm elections, with the process being directly influenced by former President Trump [1][4][5]. Group 1: Redistricting Conflict - The Texas Senate passed a bill to redraw congressional districts, aiming to increase Republican seats in the House [1][2]. - The last redistricting occurred approximately five years ago, which is unusual as states typically redistrict every ten years following the census [2]. - Currently, Texas has 38 congressional seats, with Republicans holding 25 and Democrats 12, and the proposed changes could potentially add five more seats for Republicans [2]. Group 2: Democratic Resistance - Over 50 Democratic state legislators have left Texas to prevent the House from reaching a quorum necessary for legislative work, effectively halting proceedings [2][3]. - The Republican leadership has threatened various actions to compel the return of the absent Democratic legislators, including civil arrest warrants and daily fines [2]. Group 3: Political Violence and Tensions - The political tensions have escalated to the point of threats of violence, as evidenced by a bomb threat at a hotel where Democratic legislators were staying [3]. - The Democratic walkout has drawn significant media attention and mobilized Democratic voters, despite the challenges in stopping the redistricting [3]. Group 4: Trump's Influence - Trump has been a key figure in pushing for the redistricting, suggesting that it could secure five additional congressional seats for Republicans [4][5]. - His influence extends beyond Texas, as he has encouraged other Republican-led states to consider similar redistricting efforts ahead of the midterm elections [4]. Group 5: Broader Implications - The redistricting battle is part of a larger trend where both parties are engaging in aggressive tactics to reshape the political landscape in their favor, with Democrats planning countermeasures in blue states [6][7]. - The term "gerrymandering" has evolved, with both parties openly acknowledging their intent to manipulate district boundaries for electoral advantage, reflecting a decline in trust in the democratic process [10][11].