Is America heading towards dictatorship?

[Rompipalle]

How are we defining dictatorship?

I think you may have to ask Trump that question. He was the one who suggested that he intended to be one.

 

[PTK]

I am old enough to remember when the Repubic of Portugal spent something like 40% or more of its annual budget on the military. Was this a good thing?
Should it have been applauded?

 

[Derek S-H]

You clearly do give a toss. Almost all your posts on this forum involve some kind of beef and slagging off the longer standing posters here. Why not just put people on ignore if you don't like what they say and keep your posts on topic?

I had no idea there would be so much self-pitying whining before I joined.

I always thought it was the Right-leaning types who do that, like the MAGA bunch, but it seems to be just as relevant with Left-Leaning types, too.

How disappointing to see such humourlessness and self-importance.

 

[Derek S-H]

I'm a) not insecure and b) not trying to protect urban from attack. The more I see of your posts the more persuaded I am I know what the s and h of your username stand for.

And I think perhaps you have much in common with Trump but don't recognise it.

We shall have to see whether the boasts of dictatorship are realised or not, hopefully not.

 

[PTK]

I think you may have to ask Trump that question. He was the one who suggested that he intended to be one.

So, we are discussing if the USA is heading towards dictatorship, but we cannot define what we mean by the term?

 

[Pickman's model]

And I think perhaps you have much in common with Trump but don't recognise it.

You think perhaps? I believe that claims to thought in your posts are greatly exaggerated. And counter to your pious claim to constantly being on topic that post certainly isn't

 

[Derek S-H]

You think perhaps? I believe that claims to thought in your posts are greatly exaggerated. And counter to your pious claim to constantly being on topic that post certainly isn't

Zzzzz.

What? Oh yes, I agree.

Anyway, Trump, what an arse.

 

[The39thStep]

So, we are discussing if the USA is heading towards dictatorship, but we cannot define what we mean by the term?

Probably best if we just allow Trump to define it tbh

 

[Rompipalle]

So, we are discussing if the USA is heading towards dictatorship, but we cannot define what we mean by the term?

There may be a number of interpretations of it e.g. whether it is intended to be a benevolent dictatorship or a project for self-gratification and personal gain

 

[PTK]

If Trump became a "dictator", what difference would that make?

 

[brogdale]

Again, this thread is not about you or your feelings; either post something useful or stick to threads with content that you can contribute to.

Excellent advice, though meaningless as it's a discussion Forum and you're not practising what you preach.

It's clear that you haven't taken criticism of your off thread posting well; I'm sorry that it's upset you, but stand by the criticism of your posting that adds so little to the discussion. In the spirit of compromise and to avoid boring other posters with further tedious beef, perhaps you'd like to offer you views on the headline in post #280 that I responded to.


Maybe you have views on Trumps's claims about Greenland, the merit/value of Germany's warning or the quality of journalism that came up with such an abysmal headline.

 

[The39thStep]

It's clear that you haven't taken criticism of your off thread posting well; I'm sorry that it's upset you, but stand by the criticism of your posting that adds so little to the discussion. In the spirit of compromise and to avoid boring other posters with further tedious beef, perhaps you'd like to offer you views on the headline in post #280 that I responded to.

View attachment 458681
Maybe you have views on Trumps's claims about Greenland, the merit/value of Germany's warning or the quality of journalism that came up with such an abysmal headline.

I always remember the good times

 

[brogdale]

I always remember the good times

View attachment 458683

Jesus, that headline.

 

[Boo Radley75]

I think we're still a way off the USA turning into a dictatorship but that doesn't mean the warning lights should be ignored. There tends to still be a gap between what Trump actually does and the bat shit nonsense he rants on social media. The biggest unknown is what the other US politicians let him get away with and rubber stamp for him, especially seeing there are a lot more MAGA nuts in power.

 

[brogdale]

I think we're still a way off the USA turning into a dictatorship but that doesn't mean the warning lights should be ignored. There tends to still be a gap between what Trump actually does and the bat shit nonsense he rants on social media. The biggest unknown is what the other US politicians let him get away with and rubber stamp for him, especially seeing there are a lot more MAGA nuts in power.

Tend to agree about the gap between the Trump rhetoric and actual politics, but we do have to be careful to distinguish between the contexts of Trump I & Trump II. This time he's much better prepared and with a much more hollowed out GoP, so some of the brakes on his madness that were present 2026 -2020 may not be so effective this time around.

 

[Aaronf]

As soon as Trump buys a ship and starts dictating from it - the yanks are doomed.

 

[The39thStep]

Jesus, that headline.

The top one is for real but someone has photoshopped the second one.

 

[breadandcircuse]

I think it's definitely on its way to dictatorship. You only have to look at everyone bowing the knee to the madman. Couple that with Project 2025, and the rantings of the said madman, and it's the intention. The question is, how will the non-maga population react? Will they fall in line and bend the knee too, or will there be civil war? Will US Justice stand up to him? I think we know the answer there, with the loaded Supreme Court. It's a terrifying future. Where's Oswald when you need him?

 

[ska invita]

has anyone read this? saw it suggested as a good primer for understanding the anarchocapitalst spirit of Elon Musk and the boys
"Market Radicals and the Dream of a World Without Democracy"

Crack-Up Capitalism

'Gonzo brilliance ... unique and highly entertaining' Financial Times 'Revelatory reading' Adam Tooze, author of Crashed 'After reading Quinn Slobodian's new book, you are not likely to think about capitalism the same way' Jacobin Look at a map of the world and you'll see a neat patchwork of...

www.penguin.co.uk

 

[yield]

has anyone read this? saw it suggested as a good primer for understanding the anarchocapitalst spirit of Elon Musk and the boys
"Market Radicals and the Dream of a World Without Democracy"

Crack-Up Capitalism

'Gonzo brilliance ... unique and highly entertaining' Financial Times 'Revelatory reading' Adam Tooze, author of Crashed 'After reading Quinn Slobodian's new book, you are not likely to think about capitalism the same way' Jacobin Look at a map of the world and you'll see a neat patchwork of...

www.penguin.co.uk

Globalists: The End of Empire and the Birth of Neoliberalism, was good. How the EU is from its founding, "a project of deregulation and redistribution of wealth to the wealthy"

 

[brogdale]

Globalists: The End of Empire and the Birth of Neoliberalism, was good. How the EU is from its founding, "a project of deregulation and redistribution of wealth to the wealthy"

Yeah, heard him speak at Goldsmith's promoting that one; got a got head on him.

 

[chilango]

If Trump became a "dictator", what difference would that make?

I think that's a useful question. As it's reverse, so what if Trump isn't a dictator?

 

[PTK]

I think that's a useful question. As it's reverse, so what if Trump isn't a dictator?

It is nice that the USA was not a dictatorship when it was killing millions of people in Korea, Vietam, Laos, and Cambodia.

 

[Derek S-H]

It's clear that you haven't taken criticism of your off thread posting well; I'm sorry that it's upset you, but stand by the criticism of your posting that adds so little to the discussion. In the spirit of compromise and to avoid boring other posters with further tedious beef, perhaps you'd like to offer you views on the headline in post #280 that I responded to.

View attachment 458681
Maybe you have views on Trumps's claims about Greenland, the merit/value of Germany's warning or the quality of journalism that came up with such an abysmal headline.

I would leave you a Thanks emoji, but this site doesn't provide them - so thank you.

1. I think, like his promises, Trump offers more than he delivers. I was certainly not aware of invading Greenland for its resources as being a motivator for his supporters, but perhaps it will now (after they've checked their maps for where it is).

2. International diplomacy is a pretty fragile thing. I think how countries act towards each other and what they really think of each other can be very different things. I also think (unsurprisingly) that a government does not always represent a population, Exhibit A being the Tories for the past 14 years. Another example, for me, is the various COPS, which are basically just attempts to avoid responsibility and pay a lie to the "global village" concept.

3. Finally, I think the MSM has lost its way because it no longer seems to hold administrations to account. It could be due to poor quality journalism, it could be due to an obsession with competing with Social Media for clicks and likes, it could be due to being denied access if they don't toe the line, or it could be due to threats of legal action and/or closure. Having two megalomaniacs in charge of FB and Twitter (or whatever it's called now) doesn't help as they seem happy to spread misinformation and lies to millions whilst being accountable to no one.

I suppose, to everyone who posts on this topic on here, the motivations of the likes of Trump, Farage, Musk and Tate are fairly transparent - money and power - but their defenders and supporters appear to see and hear another narrative, one that's been fed to them and uncritically absorbed.

We can be an egotistical species and we don't like being told we're wrong or that we're being manipulated (see Brexit supporters). I suppose in the same way our international standing plummeted under the Tories, something similar might happen with America under Trump, but we'll have to see whether his supporters care (I suspect not) and if it affects his popularity.

 

[Coffeecup]

I think it's definitely on its way to dictatorship. You only have to look at everyone bowing the knee to the madman. Couple that with Project 2025, and the rantings of the said madman, and it's the intention. The question is, how will the non-maga population react? Will they fall in line and bend the knee too, or will there be civil war? Will US Justice stand up to him? I think we know the answer there, with the loaded Supreme Court. It's a terrifying future. Where's Oswald when you need him?

Trump is power mad and drunk on power. He wields a lot of that power with threats and gets high on the reactions. He may want to be a Dictator but I can’t see him succeeding. The high tariffs he’s threatening won’t bring in money to America. Probably the opposite. Wonder who will pick up the pieces?

 

[brogdale]

So, we are discussing if the USA is heading towards dictatorship, but we cannot define what we mean by the term?

Dictators are leaders of countries opposed to U.S. policy.

 

[ska invita]

I think that's a useful question. As it's reverse, so what if Trump isn't a dictator?

Im with Chomsky on this, the vote was something that was hard won by us, and remains a chink in the armour of the establishment. The system may be a piece of shit but democracy is better than doctorship... Does that really need saying?

 

[chilango]

Im with Chomsky on this, the vote was something that was hard won by us, and remains a chink in the armour of the establishment. The system may be a piece of shit but democracy is better than doctorship... Does that really need saying?

I think it not only needs saying, but also needs justifying.

Democracy, and "the vote", are at their least credible in my lifetime.

 

[PTK]

has anyone read this? saw it suggested as a good primer for understanding the anarchocapitalst spirit of Elon Musk and the boys
"Market Radicals and the Dream of a World Without Democracy"

Crack-Up Capitalism

'Gonzo brilliance ... unique and highly entertaining' Financial Times 'Revelatory reading' Adam Tooze, author of Crashed 'After reading Quinn Slobodian's new book, you are not likely to think about capitalism the same way' Jacobin Look at a map of the world and you'll see a neat patchwork of...

www.penguin.co.uk

I have been glancing through it this week, and it seems pretty good. Although the author uses the term "nation" when he is referring to a "state".

 

[PTK]

Im with Chomsky on this, the vote was something that was hard won by us, and remains a chink in the armour of the establishment. The system may be a piece of shit but democracy is better than doctorship... Does that really need saying?

I am of course opposed to the removal of the right to vote, but by "what difference would it make" I mean, what policies would be implemented by a Trump as a dictator that would be different from those implemented by Trump as not a dictator.