Mailbag Question: The way that Republicans talk about former presidents from their party is fascinating. George W. Bush and his legacy seem to be largely rejected by the modern GOP, while Reagan is deified, with the exception of his blatantly criminal acts (Iran-Contra) and his more liberal views (immigration). Why do you think this is, and what does it say about the Republican Party and the way it chooses to either whitewash or flat-out ignore elements of American history?
Mailbag: What resonances do you see between Christian dominionists and the MAGA program? Are they similar fascist movements, or more closely tied-- two pieces of one network? More generally, can you talk about how religion has supported fascist movements and prevented multi ethnic, pluralist, egalitarian democracy?
Wait, what? “…from pledging to fight for the Founding Fathers’ vision of limited government and the state never interfering with the private life of citizens and private business to promising to go after marginalized people and “woke” corporations.” So DeSantis is pro limited government and AGAINST limited government at the same time? Well, of course he is because the people who support him hate socialism but love collecting their social security and Medicare.
Question: Early on in the 2020 election cycle, I was struck by what I thought were a lot of similarities to the 1930 presidential election in Brazil (Bolsonaro has a rich tradition to draw from!). I'm not an "expert", but even with a wikipedia-level knowledge it seems that the GOP copy/pasted Getulio Vargas' failed campaign/successful takeover (minus the "successful" part...so far). Outside the US (and Brazil), how common are the tactics we've seen over the last 3+years?
This is my favorite Substack blog. I'm serious. I'm learning so much here, the writing is stellar and I'm so glad I subscribe.
Mailbag question: On another blog, a very astute commenter described MAGA as the 21st century manifestation of the Ku Klux Klan. Would you agree that this is so? I think it has a loud ring of truth to it.
This newsletter is very important for me. I really appreciate your thinking and sharing it in writing. I’m looking forward to your work on Desantis. (Thank you for reading and analyzing his books, so I don’t have to suffer through them!)
Mailbag Question: The way that Republicans talk about former presidents from their party is fascinating. George W. Bush and his legacy seem to be largely rejected by the modern GOP, while Reagan is deified, with the exception of his blatantly criminal acts (Iran-Contra) and his more liberal views (immigration). Why do you think this is, and what does it say about the Republican Party and the way it chooses to either whitewash or flat-out ignore elements of American history?
Mailbag: What resonances do you see between Christian dominionists and the MAGA program? Are they similar fascist movements, or more closely tied-- two pieces of one network? More generally, can you talk about how religion has supported fascist movements and prevented multi ethnic, pluralist, egalitarian democracy?
Wait, what? “…from pledging to fight for the Founding Fathers’ vision of limited government and the state never interfering with the private life of citizens and private business to promising to go after marginalized people and “woke” corporations.” So DeSantis is pro limited government and AGAINST limited government at the same time? Well, of course he is because the people who support him hate socialism but love collecting their social security and Medicare.
You can’t make this stuff up. 🤦♂️
Question: Early on in the 2020 election cycle, I was struck by what I thought were a lot of similarities to the 1930 presidential election in Brazil (Bolsonaro has a rich tradition to draw from!). I'm not an "expert", but even with a wikipedia-level knowledge it seems that the GOP copy/pasted Getulio Vargas' failed campaign/successful takeover (minus the "successful" part...so far). Outside the US (and Brazil), how common are the tactics we've seen over the last 3+years?
This is my favorite Substack blog. I'm serious. I'm learning so much here, the writing is stellar and I'm so glad I subscribe.
Mailbag question: On another blog, a very astute commenter described MAGA as the 21st century manifestation of the Ku Klux Klan. Would you agree that this is so? I think it has a loud ring of truth to it.
Ugh. “The state never interfering with the private life of citizens.” Sure. Yeah. Except if it’s abortion care.
And guns. I think we all have the right not to get shot.
So damn true. Sigh.
This newsletter is very important for me. I really appreciate your thinking and sharing it in writing. I’m looking forward to your work on Desantis. (Thank you for reading and analyzing his books, so I don’t have to suffer through them!)