Right now it feels we have a growing chorus of people raising alarm, but very few people proposing any specific actions that are commensurate with the scale of the crisis? I appreciate your work and I don’t mean this flippantly, but do you have any proposals more specific than “resist” or “do something”?
Took a look. Looked like a lot of the same old shit. Not many specifics on what to do at all beyond “talk to people.” Wasn’t impressed (and he also sounds like a communist).
Well he sounded awfully down on capitalism and seemed to be attributing most of what’s happening to that. So ya, he kind of sounded like a Marxist. Granted I haven’t read his other stuff.
Repetitive alarms in this essay about the takeover of our federal government, its departments and agencies, drives home the point that a private citizen, the world's wealthiest person, has seized control of the personnel databases, and financial mechanisms, of our government. A man and his cadre of hackers have no security clearance; they can abuse and sell our intelligence information, our citizens' personal information, and plunder our Treasury for their own enrichment. With no oversight by anyone else, let alone our elected representatives. With the express approval of our megalomaniac fpotus. Our nation has catapulted into an existential crisis.
You are worried because the current administration is removing from power the entrenched, unelected, unaccountable, bureaucracy that actually runs the federal government?
This is exactly what this election was about. Our elected president is removing from power the unelected unaccountable bureaucracy.
It isn't exactly"a coup" as much as "an election". Kinda the opposite of a coup, really.
Well, duh. Of course the bureaucracy is not elected. That's not a bug, that's a feature. Politicians come and go. Specialised bureaucracies of professional civil servants exists to administer programs established by the Senate and House, so that those programs run every day and independently of political interference. That's Democracy 101.
Whether you know it or admit it, you and those who are close to you have benefited big time from the efforts of millions of professional administrators doing jobs the average politician couldn't undertake for a day.
What is happening today is the deliberate trashing not just of legally established functions and programs, but the ability of democratic structures to function at all. This is a revolution plotted by an oligarchy that thinks democracy deserves to die. If that hasn't affected you personally yet, don't worry. It will, and sooner than you think. You probably won't like it.
So Trump voters knew full well this would happen - a takeover of the US Treasury by an oligarch who is an immigrant ?? And they’re cool with it?! Wow, dumber than rocks!
Have you ever had a serious conversation with a Trump voter, or read a single book by a Trump voter? Your personal incredulity does not lend credence to your position.
Not saying Treasury was the beacon of good. But Musk has access to every single tax payers bank accounts - yes, authorized by the winner of the last popularity contest we call an election. No single private citizen should have such power over the entire populace. This after he already has control of the “public town square”.
America is *officially* transforming into an Oligarchy. Good luck to you, me, and everyone who is not an oligarch.
The only crisis as I see it is the corrupt politicians in the greedy Democrats that are trying to destroy our nation have been caught with their pants down. How does the government employee wind up with $30 million of net worth by working for USAID? Thank God Trump was elected and he appointed Elon Musk to go after these crooks and expose all the money that’s being stolen from the taxpayers. The government works for us. We don’t work for the government. We tell the government how to spend our money they are telling us that’s bullshit.
The current electeced administration is attempting to seize power from the massive unaccountable unelected bureaucracy.
The executive branch is orchestrating a coup against the unelected bureaucracy that is supposed to be running the country in secrecy! If this continues decisions might be made in public by elected representatives serving their constituency rather than a faceless bureaucracy serving themselves.
🤣 wait till you pay $10 for a pound of apples, $20 for eggs and $7 for a loaf of bread. The US as we knew it is history (or soon will be). The consequences will be borne by all BUT Trump and his band of oligarchs. When you say “you” just lost the election, its all Americans including you, your children, your neighbors, your friends. Those who voted for Trump voted against their own interests. Little did they know they’ll be taken to the cleaners by the conman they voted for. Good luck to you, unless ofcourse you’re in the 1% :-)
I don't mean to be censorious. But I intend as a matter of policy to ban people from my comments that use insults. I haven't been too explicit about yet, so I'm not going to do it here. But please be civil.
I think your point about it being authorized and invoking "elections have consequences" is a vapid point that is non-responsive to the substance of my essay. But if you want to stick around, please be civil.
Typical MAGA rectum. “I live on an apple farm” so I’ll be fine, f**k the rest. Can’t see a tsunami coming straight at you - that you voted for. There are no life rafts big enough for this one.
Right now it feels we have a growing chorus of people raising alarm, but very few people proposing any specific actions that are commensurate with the scale of the crisis? I appreciate your work and I don’t mean this flippantly, but do you have any proposals more specific than “resist” or “do something”?
Here you go: https://www.notesfromthecircus.com/p/two-plus-two-equals-four
What specific “mechanisms of Democratic resistance” do you deem most effective and urgent that are readily accessible to the public?
Ty
I think bringing clarity to what IS going on is helpful and I appreciate this being laid out succinctly for those who don't follow the nuances.
You might find Jared Yates Sexton's thoughts on actions to take the next step: https://open.substack.com/pub/jaredyatessexton/p/actions-to-take-now-audio-from-a?r=bqxf&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false.
Took a look. Looked like a lot of the same old shit. Not many specifics on what to do at all beyond “talk to people.” Wasn’t impressed (and he also sounds like a communist).
Oh FFS. A communist? Are you serious? Dude.
Well he sounded awfully down on capitalism and seemed to be attributing most of what’s happening to that. So ya, he kind of sounded like a Marxist. Granted I haven’t read his other stuff.
Repetitive alarms in this essay about the takeover of our federal government, its departments and agencies, drives home the point that a private citizen, the world's wealthiest person, has seized control of the personnel databases, and financial mechanisms, of our government. A man and his cadre of hackers have no security clearance; they can abuse and sell our intelligence information, our citizens' personal information, and plunder our Treasury for their own enrichment. With no oversight by anyone else, let alone our elected representatives. With the express approval of our megalomaniac fpotus. Our nation has catapulted into an existential crisis.
You are worried because the current administration is removing from power the entrenched, unelected, unaccountable, bureaucracy that actually runs the federal government?
This is exactly what this election was about. Our elected president is removing from power the unelected unaccountable bureaucracy.
It isn't exactly"a coup" as much as "an election". Kinda the opposite of a coup, really.
Well, duh. Of course the bureaucracy is not elected. That's not a bug, that's a feature. Politicians come and go. Specialised bureaucracies of professional civil servants exists to administer programs established by the Senate and House, so that those programs run every day and independently of political interference. That's Democracy 101.
Whether you know it or admit it, you and those who are close to you have benefited big time from the efforts of millions of professional administrators doing jobs the average politician couldn't undertake for a day.
What is happening today is the deliberate trashing not just of legally established functions and programs, but the ability of democratic structures to function at all. This is a revolution plotted by an oligarchy that thinks democracy deserves to die. If that hasn't affected you personally yet, don't worry. It will, and sooner than you think. You probably won't like it.
Interesting that the last paragraph of your rant, describes the feelings of Trump voters, and we did not surrender, enjoy the ride😊👍
So Trump voters knew full well this would happen - a takeover of the US Treasury by an oligarch who is an immigrant ?? And they’re cool with it?! Wow, dumber than rocks!
Have you ever had a serious conversation with a Trump voter, or read a single book by a Trump voter? Your personal incredulity does not lend credence to your position.
Not saying Treasury was the beacon of good. But Musk has access to every single tax payers bank accounts - yes, authorized by the winner of the last popularity contest we call an election. No single private citizen should have such power over the entire populace. This after he already has control of the “public town square”.
America is *officially* transforming into an Oligarchy. Good luck to you, me, and everyone who is not an oligarch.
Since you mentioned USAID:
https://x.com/dancohen3000/status/1886484806860668971?s=46&t=y6oNMuRlA05SmDXZA1sw4Q
https://x.com/_whitneywebb/status/1886415935600239092?s=46&t=y6oNMuRlA05SmDXZA1sw4Q
https://x.com/_whitneywebb/status/1886468841741353151?s=46&t=y6oNMuRlA05SmDXZA1sw4Q
Thank you. Keep going... there's a long road ahead, if we're lucky.
Hell yes it is :D
The only crisis as I see it is the corrupt politicians in the greedy Democrats that are trying to destroy our nation have been caught with their pants down. How does the government employee wind up with $30 million of net worth by working for USAID? Thank God Trump was elected and he appointed Elon Musk to go after these crooks and expose all the money that’s being stolen from the taxpayers. The government works for us. We don’t work for the government. We tell the government how to spend our money they are telling us that’s bullshit.
Here's the explanation to your false claim:
https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2025/feb/14/mario-nawfal/former-usaid-head-samantha-powers-wealth-didnt-sky/
The current electeced administration is attempting to seize power from the massive unaccountable unelected bureaucracy.
The executive branch is orchestrating a coup against the unelected bureaucracy that is supposed to be running the country in secrecy! If this continues decisions might be made in public by elected representatives serving their constituency rather than a faceless bureaucracy serving themselves.
From Denver today - many more
Also, Dr.Who, you did get the part where USAID is simply on hold, pending assessment, right?
So, Dr.Who, what is it about USAID that you believe is beneficial?
🤣 wait till you pay $10 for a pound of apples, $20 for eggs and $7 for a loaf of bread. The US as we knew it is history (or soon will be). The consequences will be borne by all BUT Trump and his band of oligarchs. When you say “you” just lost the election, its all Americans including you, your children, your neighbors, your friends. Those who voted for Trump voted against their own interests. Little did they know they’ll be taken to the cleaners by the conman they voted for. Good luck to you, unless ofcourse you’re in the 1% :-)
I don't mean to be censorious. But I intend as a matter of policy to ban people from my comments that use insults. I haven't been too explicit about yet, so I'm not going to do it here. But please be civil.
I think your point about it being authorized and invoking "elections have consequences" is a vapid point that is non-responsive to the substance of my essay. But if you want to stick around, please be civil.
Typical MAGA rectum. “I live on an apple farm” so I’ll be fine, f**k the rest. Can’t see a tsunami coming straight at you - that you voted for. There are no life rafts big enough for this one.