How does #authoritarianism take hold and occur? Authoritarianism becomes powerful through a combination of political, social, economic, and psychological factors that enable authoritarian leaders or regimes to consolidate power and maintain control. Here’s an overview of how this process unfolds: Economic Hardship: Economic instability, unemployment, or inequality can make people seek strong leadership to restore order and stability. Security Threats: Real or perceived threats, such as terrorism, war, or civil unrest, can lead to public support for leaders who promise safety and swift action. Natural Disasters: Crises like pandemics or environmental disasters can justify emergency measures that expand authoritarian control. Undermining Checks and Balances: Weak judicial systems, parliaments, or independent institutions can allow authoritarian leaders to bypass constraints on power. Erosion of Civil Liberties: Restrictions on free speech, press, and assembly weaken opposition and limit public dissent. Propaganda: State-controlled media or disinformation campaigns shape public opinion and promote loyalty to the regime. Censorship: Limiting access to information ensures that alternative viewpoints are silenced. Surveillance: Monitoring citizens discourages dissent and fosters fear. Us vs. Them Narrative: Authoritarian leaders often scapegoat minorities, immigrants, or political opponents to unite their base and divert blame for societal problems. Destroying Trust: Fostering mistrust between social groups weakens collective resistance to authoritarianism. Rigged Elections: Authoritarian regimes may hold elections but manipulate outcomes through fraud, suppression, or disqualification of opposition. Constitutional Manipulation: Amending laws or constitutions to extend terms or remove term limits consolidates power. Capture of Electoral Systems: Ensuring loyalty within election commissions or judiciary ensures control over democratic processes. Repression: Intimidation, arrests, and violence against dissenters suppress opposition. Military and Police Support: Gaining loyalty from security forces ensures enforcement of authoritarian policies. Emergency Powers: Declaring states of emergency can grant leaders extraordinary powers, often indefinitely. Cult of Personality: Authoritarian leaders often portray themselves as saviors, demanding loyalty and fostering personal devotion. Promised Reforms: Early promises of economic or social improvements can win popular support before authoritarian tendencies emerge. Apathy and Disillusionment: Low political engagement and distrust in democratic systems make authoritarianism more appealing. Lack of Organized Opposition: A fragmented or weak opposition allows authoritarian regimes to dominate unchallenged. Authoritarian Alliances: Support from other authoritarian regimes can bolster resources, legitimacy, or military assistance. Economic Dependence: Leveraging control over resources or trade relationships strengthens authoritarian influence internationally. Gradualism: Authoritarianism often rises not through abrupt changes but through incremental erosion of rights, laws, and norms, making resistance harder to mobilize. Normalization: Over time, the public may accept authoritarian measures as normal, especially if accompanied by promises of stability or progress. @Acyn @AOC @BBCBreaking @billmaher @JamesCarville @jheil @KenBurns @jimmykimmel @JoeNBC @JoJoFromJerz @jonfavs @JonLemire @KamalaHarris @Lis_Smith @maddow @MaryLTrump @mcuban @MMFlint @ProjectLincoln @StephenAtHome @SteveSchmidtSES @TheRickWilson #MAGA #MAGACult #Project2025

@atrupar We’re sorry Canada. However… We understand the wolves are looking for slow moving prey.

Why is President Elmo shaking hands with Modi? In April 2024, reports indicated that Tesla CEO Elon Musk was expected to announce an investment of $2 to $3 billion in India, primarily for building a new factory. Tesla has considered manufacturing an affordable electric car priced at $25,000 in India, with plans potentially materializing in 2025 or thereafter.

@FredFellaIMO Elmo will absolutely make sure he gets the big contract... nobody is allowed in to check except him...

@DonLee39137188 @McFaul I'm confused... which woman did Elmo fuck and have her bark out the kid out of wedlock... which the religious right might find a tad yunno...

Sanewashing Elmo... an unelected hyper-MAGA activist who just so happens to be the richest person in the World who is allowed to viciously be slashing government programs for the poor, the elderly, veterans, children and others that he and the techbrobillionaires who bought Trump assume Donnie's going to sign with his Sharpie the death of democracy so kleptoplutocracy can be installed knowing cowardly Republicans scared they would face death threats and MAGA Cult fans will do absolutely nothing to stop the evil...

@BillyBaldwin Lived in New Orleans and we always referred to the Gulf Of Mexico (which it still is) as "the Gulf". This is how the rest of the World sees it.

@RpsAgainstTrump Imagine someone who lives next door telling your neighbors that he is going to take over your house and you want him to. I'd get out the ol' shotgun and pay him a visit.

@BuzzWellington @RpsAgainstTrump I meant world stage... and no, Trump and Hegseth are not patriotic. They are openly and clearly in Putin's and Musk's pocket. Seriously, you haven't caught on the fact that both and Republicans in general have been at war with the democratic process for YEARS.

BREAKING: Trump to rename "Gulf of America" to "Gulf of Biden" during the upcoming hurricane season, where 2025 predictions are for fifteen named storms, seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes. OK, it could happen.

@ChrisMurphyCT Where the ACTUAL FUCK are Republicans on this OBVIOUS kleptoplutocratic power coup?

Bondi filed a civil lawsuit against the State of New York, Letitia James and Kathy Hochul. The main differences between a civil lawsuit and a criminal charge are: Civil Lawsuit: Involves disputes between individuals, businesses, or entities. The goal is to resolve legal disagreements and provide compensation or another form of relief. The plaintiff (person or entity filing the lawsuit) sues the defendant (the accused party). It requires proof by a preponderance of the evidence (more likely than not). It usually results in monetary damages, injunctions, or specific performance (forcing someone to do or not do something). It's usually a breach of contract, personal injury, property disputes, defamation. Criminal Charge: Involves offenses against the state or society. The goal is to punish the defendant and deter unlawful behavior. The government (prosecutor) brings the case against the defendant (accused individual or entity). It requires proof beyond a reasonable doubt, which is a much higher standard. It can lead to imprisonment, fines, probation, or community service. It is usually crimes like theft, assault, fraud or murder.

@BBCWorld McDonald's is now going to sell RFKJr Big Worm brain worm sandwiches.

Putin plans on visiting the Trump White House. If you think it's going to be an open, transparent visit, you've been duped. Remember that Donald Trump hosted Russian officials in the White House. On May 10, 2017, he met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Ambassador Sergey Kislyak in the Oval Office. During this meeting, President Trump reportedly disclosed highly classified information to the Russian officials. Trump boasted to the Russians about the intelligence he was receiving, telling the two men, "I get great intel. I have people brief me on great intel every day": US media were not allowed in the meeting which was closed to the press, meaning that the rotating pool of photographers, reporters, and camera operators who typically follow the president were not permitted to attend. Photos of the meeting were later published by the Russian state news agency TASS, as a photographer from their press contingent was present. This led to questions about why Russian media were granted access while US media were excluded. A White House official explained that only the official photographers from both sides were present, with TASS considered the Russians’ “official photographer.” Trump's meeting with the Russians came the day after he fired FBI Director James Comey, who was overseeing an investigation into Russian meddling in the US elections and possible ties between the Trump campaign and Russia.

#TulsiGabbard loves being Vladimir’s girlfriend.

China’s extensive jewelry manufacturing infrastructure enables the production of a wide range of jewelry items, including religious pieces like crucifix necklaces and bracelets. Chances are these blonde bimbos had their Chinese-made crucifix necklaces made in internment camps in Xinjiang.

@BBCWorld I changed my VPN location to Amsterdam and went to Google Earth.

Songs Trump wants to ban that mention the Gulf of Mexico? The Band- “Up on Cripple Creek” “When I get off of this mountain You know where I wanna go? Straight down the Mississippi River To the Gulf of Mexico” Johnny Horton - “The Battle of New Orleans" "We fired our guns and the British kept a-comin' There wasn't as many as there was a while ago We fired once more and they began to runnin' On down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico" Grateful Dead - “Standing On the Moon” “Standing on the moon I got no cobweb on my shoe Standing on the moon I'm feeling so alone and blue I see the gulf of Mexico As tiny as a tear The coast of California Must be somewhere over here - over here” There are many others…