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Fil1957

(984 posts)

91. One thing often overlooked is the cultural aspect. When looking at authoritarian systems past and present, there are

Reply to hookaleft (Original post)

Sun Jun 28, 2026, 03:05 PM

Jun 28

strong cultural underpinnings for authoritarianism. For example, Putin in Russia. They call him "President", but for all practical purposes he is Czar, just as Russia has had for hundreds of years. And that authoritarian culture is one of the reasons why liberal democracy didn't "take" in the 1990s in Russia.

Same with China. President Xi Jinping has all the powers of an emperor, as China has been ruled by emperors for thousands of years.

When Hitler came to power in the early 1930s, Germany had been a democracy for only a few years, so a democratic system did not have enough time to become embedded in German culture at that time.

The United States is different. We have had democracy and human rights in some form for hundreds of years. Part of that came from the native Americans particularly the Iroquois Nation, and part of it came from England dating back to 1215 and Magna Carta. It has been with us so long that it has become firmly embedded in our culture.

Therefore it will be much harder for authoritarianism to take hold here than in other places. We are already seeing quite a bit of push back (not enough in my mind) and I believe we'll see a lot more in the future.

For that reason and others, I believe we will defeat project 2025, and remain a free society, but expect the next few years to be turbulent, so don't get discouraged.

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Seriously, I am having an emotional and mental breakdown [View all] hookaleft Jun 27 OP

Do you have access to therapy? WhiskeyGrinder Jun 27 #1

I empathize. mr715 Jun 27 #2

Escapism is a really good idea! ananda Jun 27 #21

I'm viewing the bdamomma Jun 27 #25

I watch, "Girl with Dogs" and Girl with Dogs 2" -- it's a simpatica Canadian woman who grooms fierywoman Jun 27 #37

I love her videos. mr715 Jun 27 #45

Awww! fierywoman Jun 27 #66

Everyone has to do what helps them get through including escapism. It's not healthy to digest this 24/7 themaguffin Jun 27 #63

Turn this all off and find time for yourself - for some peace. NewHendoLib Jun 27 #3

THE quote that keeps me going 303squadron Jun 27 #4

Mr. Ferencz was a remarkable man. Joinfortmill Jun 27 #52

When I was a boy baseball players were my heroes 303squadron Jun 27 #62

Those are good inspirations. But taking in a ball game is a good stress reliever and we need those too Attilatheblond Jun 28 #89

Unplug for a while, maybe DarthDem Jun 27 #5

Pull out some old albums, listen to them, read the liners. dem4decades Jun 27 #6

It's getting better. Blue Full Moon Jun 27 #7

I agree the tide is turning annielion Jun 27 #23

We can take them!!!! bdamomma Jun 27 #26

Sign up for her (Parkrose Permaculture) posts. You need to be reading people who are uplifting and hopeful. Amaryllis Jun 27 #59

Thank you hookaleft Jun 28 #70

It's a hard time for good and kind people Tesha Jun 27 #8

I haven't watched network news in 15 years and I don't miss it one bit. Initech Jun 27 #16

I never in my life thought I would hear people want to voluntarily give up their rights. Initech Jun 27 #9

Get off the internet, and turn off cable news Fiendish Thingy Jun 27 #10

Less thought, more action. Get out there and do something. struggle4progress Jun 27 #11

Totally agree blubunyip Jun 27 #31

you are so sweet hookaleft Jun 27 #48

If you read the rw boards Boo1 Jun 27 #12

You do realize that this is perfectly normal for right now, don't you? hamsterjill Jun 27 #13

*smiles* hookaleft Jun 27 #49

;-{) THIS Goonch Jun 27 #14

Yep. He presumes to be one of them. calimary Jun 27 #17

That's bdamomma Jun 27 #27

I meet lovely people every day. MerryBlooms Jun 27 #15

They're mighty nice and neighborly in northwestern Oregon, too! calimary Jun 27 #18

I was in Portland Metro for many years. We raised our boys up there MerryBlooms Jun 27 #19

When I was a small child, our next door neighbour was Mr. Gladiolus. BobTheSubgenius Jun 27 #43

How cool! Love gladiolas. Would get them from our Green Market. electric_blue68 Jun 28 #68

Stay encouraged, hookaleft. ❤️ littlemissmartypants Jun 27 #20

love you hookaleft Jun 28 #71

💞 littlemissmartypants Jun 28 #74

We. The. People. Will. Get. Through. This. Nightmare! EndlessMaze Jun 27 #22

I don't mean bdamomma Jun 27 #24

"most of the people of this country are unaware" - NO TBF Jun 27 #28

Trump's overall approval is at 30%. That means 70% of We the People know what's up. flashman13 Jun 27 #33

Yup, our focus needs to be GOTV - TBF Jun 27 #34

One of two questions relogic Jun 28 #78

8 Democratic wins this week: applegrove Jun 27 #29

In circumstances like these, I try to remember the Christian Serenity Prayer. Intractable Jun 27 #30

Unplug and do what you can to make your part of the world better The Blue Flower Jun 27 #32

Immerse yourself in music, art, taking a nature walk. I'm surrounded by allegorical oracle Jun 27 #35

Agreed. Evolve Dammit Jun 27 #36

You might consider taking a break from politics for a short time. Buddyzbuddy Jun 27 #38

More and more people are aware Tree Lady Jun 27 #39

I am struggling too proud patriot Jun 27 #40

I love this idea! pat_k Jun 27 #65

Bake bread. cachukis Jun 27 #41

They want you to feel this way. Aristus Jun 27 #42

I do identify with the original poster. I myself feel imprisoned. sprinkleeninow Jun 27 #47

... Aristus Jun 27 #56

I hear you! BobTheSubgenius Jun 27 #44

yeah OK Skittles Jun 27 #46

Wow Cirsium Jun 27 #50

Me too. Deep breath. I'm sending hugs. Joinfortmill Jun 27 #51

One foot in front of the other one you are gonna be OK. We need you. Botany Jun 27 #53

Democracy is a struggle bucolic_frolic Jun 27 #54

Been thinking lately we need to educate voters about what's in Project 2025 KS Toronado Jun 27 #55

I empathize, too. I had to unplug last year. orthoclad Jun 27 #57

FWIW pat_k Jun 27 #58

Just read Ms Elm. TY There's a wonderful title to a book "Brighten The Corner Where You Are"... electric_blue68 Jun 28 #69

I'm with you. The founders never imagined criminals could get control of all three branches of government. lees1975 Jun 27 #60

I know. All three branches hookaleft Jun 28 #72

Thank you to everyone that has replied to my post hookaleft Jun 28 #73

As Plagiarized From 'Intractable' (herein) wyn borkins Jun 27 #61

I had to unplug during the Bush Jr years... Mark.b2 Jun 27 #64

Seriously, if true, you should probably talk to someone. flvegan Jun 27 #67

I think we pretty much all experience some of the same anxiety, hookaleft. summer_in_TX Jun 28 #75

This message was self-deleted by its author VegasVet Jun 28 #76

It will take many decades to undo the damage he's causing... Orrex Jun 28 #77

It's all in how you look at it Tranquil72 Jun 28 #79

when you get this bad, you need to turn it all off. no news whatsoever. Native Jun 28 #80

Unplug your modem for a week Sympthsical Jun 28 #81

We were warned years ago. Sector 001 Jun 28 #82

It's not just the Democrat's fault that too much of this country has turned its back on the best American values. Boomerproud Jun 28 #84

NO MorbidButterflyTat Jun 28 #88

Many good comments on this thread. Paul-EM Jun 28 #83

I am sure that future historians, psychologists, and sociologists will debate for decades and centuries.... dedl67 Jun 28 #85

The purpose of much of what they do is to demoralize. orangecrush Jun 28 #86

We did it once! BidenRocks Jun 28 #87

Maybe you should consider blocking Fox "News" on your parents' TV MorbidButterflyTat Jun 28 #90

One thing often overlooked is the cultural aspect. When looking at authoritarian systems past and present, there are Fil1957 Jun 28 #91

hey, listen.... markie Jun 28 #92

I cry all the time Trueblue1968 Jun 28 #93