The Girlfriend

Musk is definitely Nazi adjacent.

Voltaire thinks the guy who launched a meme coin right before taking office is out to help the little guy.

Didn’t he used to rail against the Tea Party? Now he’s worshipping at the alter of Tea Party 2.0 I feel a ton of resentment oozing from his pores. Weak, small minded people are often intolerant to different ideas.

https://endcitizensunited.org/latest-news/press-releases/icymi-trumps-white-house-press-secretary-reveals-her-failed-campaign-spent-200k-in-illicit-contributions-notus/

Turns out this lady is a grifter. Who’d of thunk it.

Countdown until Trump draws it on a map with a sharpie.

You should go into comedy. The lack of self awareness in this post might be a new record.

I’ve got something you don’t. Self control. You really think I’m going spend all my money at once?

If the hefty bags fits…

I’ve focked hookers smarter than him.

🥷

Sit down before someone else throw a flowerpot at your head and you lose the two remaining brain cells you have. KoL

Found one!

During Donald Trump's presidency (2017–2021), critics and scholars raised concerns about behaviors and policies that some interpreted as signs of authoritarianism. While Trump and his supporters often framed his actions as efforts to challenge the political establishment and prioritize national interests, critics argued that some of his rhetoric and actions eroded democratic norms and institutions. Below are key examples often cited as signs of authoritarian tendencies: --- ### 1. **Attacks on Democratic Institutions** - **Undermining Trust in Elections**: Trump repeatedly claimed, without evidence, that the 2016 and 2020 elections were marred by widespread voter fraud. After losing the 2020 election, he refused to concede and promoted the false narrative that the election was "stolen," which culminated in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. - **Attacks on the Judiciary**: Trump criticized judges who ruled against his policies, often personally attacking them and questioning their legitimacy (e.g., calling a federal judge "a Mexican" and suggesting bias). - **Weakening Checks and Balances**: Trump frequently bypassed Congress through executive orders and emergency declarations, such as declaring a national emergency to fund the border wall after Congress refused to allocate the money. --- ### 2. **Hostility Toward the Media** - **"Fake News" Rhetoric**: Trump routinely labeled critical media outlets as "fake news" and accused them of being "the enemy of the people." This rhetoric was seen as an attempt to delegitimize independent journalism and undermine public trust in the press. - **Threats to Press Freedom**: Trump openly discussed revoking press credentials for outlets like CNN and suggested loosening libel laws to make it easier to sue journalists. --- ### 3. **Cult of Personality** - **Personal Loyalty Over Institutional Norms**: Trump demanded personal loyalty from officials, often firing or sidelining those who disagreed with him (e.g., James Comey, Jeff Sessions). This emphasis on loyalty over institutional integrity raised concerns about the erosion of independent governance. - **Rallies and Messaging**: Trump's rallies often featured adoring crowds and messaging that centered on him as a singular leader, which some compared to the cult of personality seen in authoritarian regimes. --- ### 4. **Use of Divisive and Demagogic Rhetoric** - **Scapegoating and Demonization**: Trump frequently targeted specific groups, such as immigrants, Muslims, and political opponents, using inflammatory language. For example, he referred to some immigrants as "rapists" and "criminals" and called for a "total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States." - **Encouraging Violence**: At times, Trump appeared to condone or encourage violence among his supporters. For instance, he stated at a rally, "I’d like to punch him in the face," referring to a protester, and told supporters to "fight much harder" on January 6, 2021. --- ### 5. **Erosion of Norms and Rule of Law** - **Politicizing Law Enforcement**: Trump was accused of using the Department of Justice (DOJ) for personal and political gain, such as pressuring officials to investigate his political rivals (e.g., Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton). - **Pardons for Political Allies**: Trump issued pardons to several allies convicted of crimes, including Roger Stone, Paul Manafort, and Michael Flynn, which critics saw as undermining the rule of law. --- ### 6. **Centralization of Power** - **Expansion of Executive Power**: Trump frequently used executive orders to implement policies, bypassing Congress. Examples include the travel ban targeting predominantly Muslim countries and the aforementioned national emergency declaration for border wall funding. - **Disregard for Congressional Oversight**: Trump and his administration often resisted congressional oversight, refusing to comply with subpoenas and withholding documents during investigations, such as the impeachment inquiries. --- ### 7. **Response to Protests and Dissent** - **Crackdown on Protests**: During the George Floyd protests in 2020, Trump threatened to deploy the military to quell unrest, stating, "When the looting starts, the shooting starts." Federal agents were also used to disperse peaceful protesters in Lafayette Square near the White House. - **Targeting Political Opponents**: Trump frequently used harsh and personal attacks against political opponents, including members of his own party, often labeling them as "traitors" or "un-American." --- ### 8. **Undermining Expertise and Science** - **Disregard for Experts**: Trump often dismissed or contradicted experts, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, promoting unproven treatments and downplaying the severity of the virus. - **Politicizing Federal Agencies**: Critics accused Trump of politicizing agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), undermining their credibility. --- ### Counterarguments: Supporters of Trump argue that his actions were aimed at challenging a corrupt political establishment, prioritizing national interests, and delivering on campaign promises. They contend that his use of executive power and confrontational style were necessary to disrupt a system they viewed as broken. Additionally, they argue that many of his policies, such as immigration restrictions and deregulation, were legitimate responses to perceived problems. --- ### Conclusion: While Trump's presidency did not result in the establishment of a full-blown authoritarian regime, many of his actions and rhetoric were seen as undermining democratic norms and institutions. Whether these behaviors constitute authoritarianism depends on one's interpretation of his intentions and the broader context of U.S. politics. However, the concerns raised during his presidency highlight the importance of safeguarding democratic principles, regardless of who holds power. ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— The question of whether Joe Biden's presidency exhibits signs of authoritarianism is a matter of debate and often depends on political perspective. Critics of Biden have raised concerns about certain policies and actions, while supporters argue that his administration operates within democratic norms. Below are some examples often cited by critics as potential signs of authoritarianism, along with context and counterarguments. --- ### 1. **Expansion of Executive Power** - **Executive Orders**: Like many presidents, Biden has used executive orders to implement policies, particularly in areas where Congress is gridlocked. Critics argue that this bypasses the legislative process and centralizes power in the executive branch. - Examples: Rejoining the Paris Climate Agreement, reversing Trump-era immigration policies, and mandating COVID-19 vaccines for federal workers. - **Counterargument**: Executive orders are a legal and common tool for presidents, and Biden's use of them is not unprecedented. Many of his orders reverse or modify policies set by his predecessor. --- ### 2. **COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates** - **Federal Mandates**: Biden's administration implemented vaccine mandates for federal employees, healthcare workers, and large private employers through OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration). Critics argued that this overreached federal authority and infringed on personal freedoms. - **Counterargument**: The mandates were framed as public health measures to combat the pandemic, and similar measures have been used historically during health crises. The Supreme Court ultimately blocked the private employer mandate but allowed the healthcare worker mandate to stand. --- ### 3. **Censorship and Misinformation Policies** - **Collaboration with Social Media Companies**: The Biden administration has been accused of pressuring social media platforms to remove or suppress content deemed misinformation, particularly about COVID-19 and vaccines. Critics argue this amounts to government censorship and violates free speech. - Example: The lawsuit *Missouri v. Biden* alleged that the administration coerced platforms to censor certain viewpoints. - **Counterargument**: The administration maintains that it sought to combat harmful misinformation that could endanger public health, not to suppress legitimate political speech. --- ### 4. **Immigration Policies** - **Border Control Measures**: While Biden has reversed some of Trump's restrictive immigration policies, his administration has also faced criticism for maintaining certain harsh measures, such as Title 42 expulsions and increased deportations. - **Counterargument**: Supporters argue that Biden is balancing humanitarian concerns with the need to manage border security and that his policies are more compassionate than those of his predecessor. --- ### 5. **Use of Federal Law Enforcement** - **FBI Raids and Investigations**: Critics have pointed to high-profile FBI actions, such as the raid on Mar-a-Lago (Trump's residence) and investigations into political figures, as potential abuses of power. - **Counterargument**: The Department of Justice operates independently, and these actions were framed as part of legitimate investigations into potential criminal activity, not politically motivated. --- ### 6. **Climate and Regulatory Policies** - **Expansive Regulations**: Biden's climate agenda, including efforts to transition to renewable energy and regulate emissions, has been criticized as government overreach that could stifle economic freedom. - **Counterargument**: Supporters argue that these policies are necessary to address climate change and align with global efforts to reduce carbon emissions. --- ### 7. **Response to Protests and Dissent** - **Handling of Protests**: While Biden has generally expressed support for peaceful protest, critics argue that his administration has not done enough to address concerns about police brutality and the suppression of dissent. - **Counterargument**: Biden has called for police reform and condemned violence, but his administration has largely deferred to local authorities in handling protests. --- ### 8. **Partisan Rhetoric** - **Divisive Language**: Biden has occasionally used strong rhetoric to describe his political opponents, such as calling Trump supporters a "threat to democracy" or referring to MAGA Republicans as "extremists." Critics argue this demonizes political opposition. - **Counterargument**: Supporters contend that Biden is highlighting genuine threats to democratic norms, such as election denialism and the January 6 Capitol riot. --- ### Counterarguments in Favor of Biden's Democratic Norms: 1. **Commitment to Institutions**: Biden has consistently emphasized the importance of democratic institutions, the rule of law, and the peaceful transfer of power. 2. **Transparency**: The Biden administration has generally adhered to transparency norms, such as holding regular press briefings and releasing public health data. 3. **Respect for Checks and Balances**: Biden has worked with Congress on major legislative initiatives, such as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act, rather than relying solely on executive action. --- ### Conclusion: While critics have raised concerns about certain actions and policies under Biden, these do not necessarily amount to authoritarianism. Many of the actions cited are consistent with historical uses of presidential power, and Biden has generally operated within the framework of democratic norms. However, debates about executive overreach, censorship, and the balance between security and freedom are important for holding any administration accountable. As with any leader, it is crucial to evaluate policies and actions critically while considering the broader context of governance.

In the name of science, I may accept that challenge.

Here’s an idea. If you want to do something like this, maybe make it targeted and not a sweeping shut down that will hurt the poorest among us. SMH that this is being cheered.

Are republicans or democrats more like to become authoritarian right now? Recent analyses indicate that the Republican Party, particularly under former President Donald Trump's leadership, has exhibited tendencies associated with authoritarianism. Actions such as the dismissal of inspectors general, attempts to expand executive power, and efforts to undermine independent oversight have raised concerns about the party's commitment to democratic norms. In contrast, there is limited evidence to suggest that the Democratic Party is currently exhibiting similar authoritarian tendencies. While political dynamics are complex and multifaceted, recent reports and analyses have primarily highlighted concerns related to authoritarianism within the Republican Party. From ChatGTP

You might be one of the good ones.

Columbia is a sportswear brand.

You are the human equivalent of a urinal cake.

MAGA- Make America Gullible Again!

You think these clowns care? They will defend the indefensible because they have no shame, no principles, etc. They’re miserable and won’t be happy until everyone else is as miserable as they are.

Musk wants to defund Wikipedia.

Nope, not weird at all.

1.5% The smallest since Richard Nixon.