The Decline of the American Empire

Stanely's parents were Holocaust survivors. He is a professor of philosophy at Yale:

"The case that Stanley, a professor of philosophy at Yale University, is making in his new book, “How Fascism Works: The Politics of Us and Them,” is that Trump, among others, including leaders of Russia, Hungary, India and Turkey, use techniques of far-right nationalism to gain power and to build their popularity.

In his book, which goes on sale Tuesday, Stanley calls these strategies “fascist politics,” and its principles have been practiced in the United States throughout its history, most notably in defending slavery and Jim Crow laws (whose defenders Hitler admired and emulated)."

https://www.vox.com/2018/9/19/17847110/how-fascism-works-donald-trump-jason-stanley

"Instead of mobilizing international coalitions to take on world problems, he touts the doctrine of “every nation for itself” and has led America into isolated positions on trade, climate change and Middle East peace. Instead of engaging in creative diplomacy, he has insulted United States neighbors and allies, walked away from key international agreements, mocked multilateral organizations and stripped the State Department of its resources and role. Instead of standing up for the values of a free society, Mr. Trump, with his oft-vented scorn for democracy’s building blocks, has strengthened the hands of dictators. No longer need they fear United States criticism regarding human rights or civil liberties. On the contrary, they can and do point to Mr. Trump’s own words to justify their repressive actions.

At one time or another, Mr. Trump has attacked the judiciary, ridiculed the media, defended torture, condoned police brutality, urged supporters to rough up hecklers and — jokingly or not — equated mere policy disagreements with treason. He tried to undermine faith in America’s electoral process through a bogus advisory commission on voter integrity. He routinely vilifies federal law enforcement institutions. He libels immigrants and the countries from which they come. His words are so often at odds with the truth that they can appear ignorant, yet are in fact calculated to exacerbate religious, social and racial divisions. Overseas, rather than stand up to bullies, Mr. Trump appears to like bullies, and they are delighted to have him represent the American brand. If one were to draft a script chronicling fascism’s resurrection, the abdication of America’s moral leadership would make a credible first scene."

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/06/opinion/sunday/trump-fascism-madeleine-albright.html

 

Honest question, what accomplishments do you see that benefit the country as a whole?

 

I think that will fall on deaf ears as long as the left continues the actions of Antifa or attacking conservatives in restaurants or on the streets. It all needs to stop.

 

And that's it? Obama also signed EO's, as did previous presidents. Put your fears away.

 

QUOTE="EarthSky, post: 1069841878, member: 79288"]Some people are happy with Trump. I am not sure the country as a whole is happy or benefiting from policies that are really only working in the interests of the very few. This will become apparent as the economic cycle evolves. IMO, Trump was a protest vote by a country in distress to poke a stick in the eye of those who they blame for the state of the nation. Wait till they find they've been conned by a guy who has been selling snake oil his whole life.[/QUOTE] I think your concerns are unjustified and there is no doubt that the economy is improving, jobs are plentiful and wages are rising. Where's the beef?

The media and opposition are also 'stoking and inflaming', as well as many Democrats and their more violent supporters. They've toned it down a little bit immediately before the election but it will likely return no matter who wins. BLM, ANTIFA, and other groups will likely continue their assault on the American public.

 

It doesn't only serve them. Actually, I think it's more a problem of ideology among the electorate than one of systemic corruption like you are describing, although it's obvious that monied interests do get favorable treatment. But the electorate are bitterly divided now, and why? This gulf has grown over recent years. It's been fed by information warfare from abroad, and it's been mutually reinforced and strengthened by those here who have become increasingly radical and hateful and, above all, tribalistic in their views. This in turn forces our elected officials to become like them, else they fear losing the next election to someone else who will play that crowd. That is just what Trump did when he came in and took the Republican party by storm - he forced the centrists and moderates right out, because the radical energy was there to support him, and he had assistance from others, foreign and domestic, attacking the Democrats to great effect also.

 

The growing violence in America was certainly there before Trump was even a candidate, The cop killings, encouraged by Obama supporters, is just one example. They've dropped significantly since Trump became President.

 

Obama did not rule by fear and constant lies. Trump continues to peddle conspiracy theories and hate-engendering lies about anyone and everyone who opposes him in any way, and of course about those he deems easy targets. All of this is bound to have repercussions and reverberations. Certainly his rhetoric is only further eroding faith in our institutions. The courts, the FBI, Congress, the press -- all of these and more are under constant assault from his side. People who don't reject Dirty Donald reject those who stand up against him. How do we come back from this? We are on the path to authoritarian rule. It remains to be seen how far down that path we proceed or whether we will somehow get off of it.

 

More lies. Stop harming my nation with your vile lies.

 

For me I like the 4.2 percent growth in the second quarter of 2018 and for the first time in more than a decade, growth projected to exceed 3 percent over the calendar year, 4 million off food stamps, Stock market moving from Obama's highest of 17000 to over 24000, Massive deregulation, confirmation of 2 conservative Supreme court Justices, 73% fall in illegal immigration, Defense spending, and his Veteran affairs accountability.

Those (for me) these would be the most important. I didn't want to just copy and paste pages of conservative talking points. As a veteran, a business owner, and a conservative, its pretty obvious what turns my key.

I admit Trump's rhetoric is painfully offensive and his NY way of casting his disparages on Democrats is hard to comprehend. I remember a day when telling it like it is was, was appreciated. Today the PC police will find racism in every uttered word so both sides have pounds of talking points to attack with.

I hope this country can calm down, look to find points of agreement, give credit where its due (on both sides) and move forward but thats a daydream I fear long in the past.

 

These are a list of the usual complaints but with little evidentiary support. Any fear there might be is being stoked by leftists, as we can see with their often successful attempts to physically stifle free speech. And yes, he does attack those who attack him, and the public seem to like a politician who actually fights back against the media, with their 6% approval rating.

There is no 'path to authoritarian rule, apart from those who are using group violence to get their point across. We saw that almost daily, though they've toned it down just prior to this election.

I don't know whether you're serious or not about this 'authoritarian rule' thing or whether you're just one of those trying to upset the electorate. Either way you may want to think it over and move away from those fearful emotions and embrace some reality.

 

Please point out any 'lies'.

 

News flash, all politicians lie including the beloved Obama. If you are going to ignore Antifa and the last two years of attacks on conservatives, burning businesses and riots, nothing else you say is going to be understood as bipartisan. Everyone needs to stop these kinds of activities.

I don't like Trump as he is a pompous ass but you do not see conservative hate groups rioting and burning businesses or rioting to stop Liberal speeches. What you really don't like is Trump isn't controlled by the media and you have become programmed to respond to his claims as anti PC. Trump fights back and he will call out the fake news as the enemy of the people. (which it is) You call it hate speech and conservatives call it for what it is. Telling it like it is.

You accuse Trump of destabilizing the FBI but then ignore Comey, Strzok, and Page, even after they were caught leaking information to the media for political reasons, You want Democrats in office but refuse to acknowledge (or hold accountable) people like Lynch for having a private meeting with Bill Clinton or Eric Holders Justice Department’s seizure of Associated Press phone records resulting from an AP article in May 2012.

When Democrats and Republicans hold their own accountable to the same level of scrutiny we will find common ground. Until then only screaming at one group for a political benefit will only bring more discord and violence.

 

People should be reminded of the times when same sex toilets, wedding cakes and police brutality were the issues while ISIS flourished and manufacturing jobs, and the coal industry would never return.

 

Not really .. Rome was already on its knees when they accepted the barbarians. Both were under siege from the Huns. The Romans treated the Barbarians badly - which was a mistake as if they would have not done this they would have been more effective at fighting the Hun's. Instead they ended up with a Barbarian rebellion.

Regardless - at this point Rome was a shadow of its former self - having wasted all its resources on trying to maintain hegemony.

 

I can think of many but that is not the point. The point is that the US is in decline and you are in denial.

 

The US making the same mistake as Rome. It is trying to protect its economic hegemony via military expenditure. The cost of projecting power increases with time - to the point where the Return on Investment becomes negative. Eventually the Empire goes bankrupt trying to maintain hegemony.

 

Or going back a little farther, the days you could make a movie like Blazing Saddles and everyone laughed at everyone's culture without being offended or losing their minds. Those days are loooooooooooong gone.

 

When Trump leaves we can start reducing military costs again. Unlike the Roman Empire, we have less territory to cover and are therefore somewhat flexible.

 

And I appreciate having logical and informative conversations with guys like you. Makes it worth coming around to have educational debate for both sides.

 

Not really sure thats a good option with being the worlds police as we cover much more territory than the roman empire. Trump and Nikki Haley did get 25 NATO allies to increase defense spending for the US. Thats a pretty good start though.

 

IF this caravan issues is not settled and settled harshly and definitively, this will bring the US down. Caravan after caravan will be coming to America for a fast tract to American citizenship.

 

I don't really see us conquering other nations to expand the USA but getting 25 NATO members to step up their defense spending for the US is a good thing.

 

You are really really overreacting to the caravan "issue".

 

5000 troops at the boarder will guarantee that exact result without a single shot being fired.