The main political story in Britain at the start of 2025 has been the world’s richest man, owner of its most influential social media platform, putting his four hundred billion dollar thumb on the political scale to try and bring down Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour government.
Nothing can compare with the long view afforded by history. The tech bros have emerged as a clear and present danger...frankly I have come to believe that like gabbard being a putin/russia girlfriend, so musk has become putin's weapon of choice.
Michael it’s an excellent piece. Unfortunately, so much of what is actually happening in the US seems like an episode of The Simpsons with a little LSD 25 and a lot of methamphetamine mixed into the script. In other words, I think Linda MacDonald is probably right I mean, correct. I know it’s quaint, but I’m forever defaulting to the question, “who benefits?” from this manufactured, toxic chaos and the answer most often is the man in the Kremlin.
You are correct...whatever this "movement" may be, it is not conservative. Yet, you wrote the term Fascism is emotionally fraught. I guess I would respond that reading Jason Stanley among others I'd say that is what the right now channels. I do not believe there is a coherent left. Maybe "demicratic" capitalism has weakened it to the point of barely breathing. It certainly is hanging by a thread. I have said for many years now that this movement toward capitalist authoritarianism has benefitted from US organizations like CPAC and the growth of various well funded "think tanks" pushing such political positions. These folks go to the same workshops! There is nothing comparable from any other political figment of a movement to counteract the money and messaging. At least not at a national level. I am looking to actions by citizens in states to awaken a new politics that actually strengthens democracy. Capitalism is political. One day we may realize that. Hopefully not too late.
Nothing can compare with the long view afforded by history. The tech bros have emerged as a clear and present danger...frankly I have come to believe that like gabbard being a putin/russia girlfriend, so musk has become putin's weapon of choice.
A reasonable hypothesis, difficult to prove to a journalistic standard, but one that seems possible
Michael it’s an excellent piece. Unfortunately, so much of what is actually happening in the US seems like an episode of The Simpsons with a little LSD 25 and a lot of methamphetamine mixed into the script. In other words, I think Linda MacDonald is probably right I mean, correct. I know it’s quaint, but I’m forever defaulting to the question, “who benefits?” from this manufactured, toxic chaos and the answer most often is the man in the Kremlin.
You are correct...whatever this "movement" may be, it is not conservative. Yet, you wrote the term Fascism is emotionally fraught. I guess I would respond that reading Jason Stanley among others I'd say that is what the right now channels. I do not believe there is a coherent left. Maybe "demicratic" capitalism has weakened it to the point of barely breathing. It certainly is hanging by a thread. I have said for many years now that this movement toward capitalist authoritarianism has benefitted from US organizations like CPAC and the growth of various well funded "think tanks" pushing such political positions. These folks go to the same workshops! There is nothing comparable from any other political figment of a movement to counteract the money and messaging. At least not at a national level. I am looking to actions by citizens in states to awaken a new politics that actually strengthens democracy. Capitalism is political. One day we may realize that. Hopefully not too late.