The Girlfriend

Who are you?

Not even close. It was supposed to be an advisory role, and it was supposed to exist outside of the federal government. A guy with government contracts should not be given access to that same system that houses that info. It’s a huge conflict of interest. It also means he’s been given security clearance without going through the proper vetting channels.

https://www.wired.com/story/elon-musk-government-young-engineers/

Both Democrats and Republicans have been accused of undermining democracy, but the nature and scale of their actions differ significantly. Republicans have embraced a more systematic, aggressive approach to eroding democratic norms, while Democratic offenses tend to be less extreme and more procedural. Below is a comparison of their respective attacks on democracy: Republican Attacks on Democracy 1. Election Denial & Subversion- The GOP, particularly under Trump, has spread false claims about election fraud, culminating in attempts to overturn the 2020 election, the January 6th insurrection, and efforts to install election-denying officials in key battleground states. 2. Voter Suppression Republican-led states have passed restrictive voting laws that disproportionately impact minorities, such as strict voter ID laws, purges of voter rolls, and limits on mail-in voting. 3. Gerrymandering & Structural Manipulation Republicans have aggressively drawn congressional districts to maximize their power while minimizing Democratic votes, often in ways that dilute minority voting power (e.g., in Wisconsin and North Carolina). 4. Judicial Takeover The GOP, particularly under Mitch McConnell, blocked Democratic judicial appointments and fast-tracked conservative judges, including a Supreme Court supermajority, which has since rolled back civil rights (e.g., abortion rights). 5. Legislative & State-Level Power Grabs In states like Wisconsin and North Carolina, Republican legislatures have stripped power from incoming Democratic governors to maintain partisan control. 6. Attacks on Press & Institutions Trump and other Republicans have labeled the press the enemy of the people, undermined trust in the FBI, and dismissed any unfavorable rulings or investigations as rigged. Democratic Attacks on Democracy 1. Attempted Election Reforms Favoring Their Side Some Democratic-backed proposals, like HR1 (For the People Act), aimed to expand voting access but also included measures such as public campaign financing that Republicans argue would benefit Democrats disproportionately. 2. Gerrymandering in Blue States While not as widespread as GOP efforts, Democrats have engaged in gerrymandering in states like Maryland, Illinois, and New York, though courts often strike down extreme maps. 3. Pushing Court Reform (Court Packing) Some Democrats, frustrated by the rightward shift of the Supreme Court, have floated expanding the court a move critics argue could undermine judicial independence. 4. Executive Overreach -Democratic presidents, particularly Obama and Biden, have used executive orders to bypass Congress on policies like immigration (DACA) and student loan relief, leading to accusations of governing without legislative authority. Conclusion: Republicans Are the Greater Threat to Democracy While both parties have engaged in undemocratic behavior, Republican actions pose a far more existential threat. GOP efforts are systemic, focusing on election subversion, voter suppression, and judicial entrenchment to maintain minority rule. Their willingness to reject legitimate election results (2020), encourage political violence (Jan. 6), and rewrite state laws to control future elections make them a greater immediate danger to democracy. Democrats, while guilty of gerrymandering and executive overreach, generally seek to expand voting rights and maintain democratic institutions rather than dismantle them. While some Democratic proposals (e.g., court expansion) raise concerns, they do not threaten the fundamental electoral process in the way Republican actions do. In sum, both parties have flaws, but Republican attacks on democracy particularly their efforts to undermine elections and institutional checks are significantly more dangerous and far-reaching.

Republicans, particularly under Trump’s influence, have increasingly mirrored Viktor Orbán’s brand of right-wing authoritarianism, while Democrats have remained more aligned with liberal democratic norms. Here’s how the GOP resembles Orbán’s model of “illiberal democracy”: 1. Undermining Democratic Institutions – Like Orbán, Republicans have sought to weaken democratic norms by casting doubt on election integrity (e.g., Trump’s “Big Lie” about 2020), pushing voter suppression laws, and attempting to subvert election results through legal and extralegal means. 2. Control Over Media and Misinformation – Orbán has reshaped Hungary’s media landscape by consolidating control and pushing pro-government propaganda. Similarly, Republicans benefit from a right-wing media ecosystem (Fox News, OANN, Newsmax) that distorts reality, spreads conspiracy theories, and vilifies opponents. 3. Weaponizing Nationalism and Anti-Immigrant Rhetoric – Orbán’s hardline nationalism, built on fears of immigrants and cultural decline, closely parallels GOP rhetoric about “great replacement theory,” border security, and the demonization of asylum seekers. Both use xenophobia as a political tool. 4. Attacks on LGBTQ+ Rights and “Woke Culture” – Orbán has restricted LGBTQ+ rights under the guise of protecting traditional values, a tactic echoed by Republican efforts to ban books, limit trans rights, and frame diversity initiatives as “cultural Marxism.” 5. Judicial Manipulation – Orbán has stacked Hungary’s courts with loyalists to cement his power. Republicans, particularly under Trump and Mitch McConnell, similarly packed the judiciary with conservative judges, including the Supreme Court’s rightward shift, enabling decisions that roll back civil rights and entrench GOP power. 6. Authoritarian Admiration and Political Repression – Both Orbán and the GOP have shown a willingness to weaponize the state against political opponents, whether through legal crackdowns, gerrymandering, or demonizing opposition leaders as traitors. Trump’s attempts to prosecute rivals, encourage state repression, and dismiss democratic processes strongly echo Orbán’s tactics. In contrast, Democrats generally support pluralism, media independence, voting rights, and institutional checks—aligning more with traditional democratic values rather than Orbán’s illiberal model. The GOP’s shift toward Orbán-style governance reflects a broader global trend of right-wing populism rejecting liberal democracy in favor of authoritarian control.

Sounds like an invitation to a selfie-fest to me.

Jerry’s an embarrassment of wealth when it comes to predicaments, but hey- cancer! WEEEEE!

I don’t have a wife.

New phone, who dis?

A cesspool of AIDS.

He was on the board the other night when Rusty called him out and he didn’t deny it. Not that Rusty is 100% reliable but the 3 of us were having a back and forth, so I’d think he’d say something if it wasn’t true.

Last I heard, Voltaire was the rat on your side.

It sucks to be right. Sincerely, KoL

I fear he needs attention. I intentionally left it vague, but Jerry needed to make sure everyone remembers it was cancer. And then accuses me of bringing it up.

You may be new here, but you’re already a HoF’er in my book.

He’s hosted him at Mar-a-Lago several times. Once in July and again in December alongside Musk.

So stop replying. It’s pretty simple, Jerry. Instead, I feel your current predicament has left you feeling unfulfilled and itching for "wins" on the internet.

Your first point is so ludicrous I’m not going to bother. As for the 2nd, The Supreme court affirmed that the Biden Administration did no such thing. https://www.npr.org/2024/06/26/nx-s1-5003970/supreme-court-social-media-case

A Cautionary Tale From Hungary:

Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party are universally classified by historians and political scientists as **far-right**. Here's a concise breakdown of the reasoning: 1. **Ideological Foundations**: - The Nazis emphasized **ultranationalism**, racial hierarchy, and authoritarianism—hallmarks of far-right ideologies. Their focus on Aryan supremacy and anti-Semitism contrasts sharply with left-wing values of equality and internationalism. 2. **Political Actions**: - The Nazis violently suppressed leftist movements (communists, socialists, and trade unions) and aligned with conservative elites. The 1934 purge of the socialist-leaning SA (*Night of the Long Knives*) solidified their break from left-wing factions. 3. **Economic Policies**: - While the Nazis implemented state intervention (e.g., public works), they preserved capitalist structures, collaborating with industrialists and privatizing some industries. This differs from left-wing socialism, which seeks to dismantle capitalist hierarchies. 4. **Fascism as Far-Right**: - Fascism, including Nazism, is academically categorized as far-right due to its emphasis on dictatorship, militarism, and suppression of dissent. Mussolini’s Italy, a fascist regime, is similarly right-wing. 5. **Misleading Party Name**: - The term "National Socialist" in the Nazi Party’s name was a strategic tool to coopt working-class support, not a reflection of socialist policies. Actual socialists were among the first targets of Nazi persecution. **Conclusion**: Despite superficial references to socialism, Hitler’s regime was unequivocally far-right, defined by its nationalism, authoritarianism, and racial extremism. The historical consensus firmly places Nazism on the extreme right of the political spectrum.

I read that 1 guy was doing the job of 2. Not sure if it was a result of the above.

Bless your little heart. No self-respecting human would do that.

There’s so many it’s hard to pick just one.

1st post by you in another tragedy thread.

And some people belong in the basket of deplorables.