Well said and accurate insights. We need to deprogram the Dems as well as the Rebs but not sure if it's possible. Dems think if they can just grab that ball in the midterms they can figure out how to win the game later. Except it's a much different game now and that ball is no longer in play.
Dems are ruled by the same powerful oligarchs who support Reps. Billionaires have the power and influence to get almost everything they want. They are making billions more by profits from the huge military corporations who supply the weapons of endless wars. Elections will not change this. It will take a total revolution from the ground up. But how likely is that?
(The issues behind those two differences? The unanswered [and probably unanswerable] question of how -- without resorting to police-state tyranny -- we restore and sustain democratic process in a failed nation ruled by a criminal plutocracy forever empowered by a thoroughly weaponized, historically hateful Moronic Majority; and how we overcome the chronic, stubborn refusal of conventional Marxians to recognize that ecogenocidal Aryan-supremacist race-hatred has replaced class struggle as the pivotal, potentially apocalyptic toxin of human interactions.)
They are bought. They will not move an inch away from their big donors, which is why they insult voters when they ask them to do anything those donors might disapprove of, instead of trying to win those voters over by changing.
This has been going on since at least the late 80s. It also didn't help that our most charismatic and competent progressive leaders were assassinated in the 60s.
The Socialists wish to raise taxes then give everything away for free; which damages the MORAL fabric on which society stands. While the neo-Nazis of the extreme right are hardly a MORAL improvement.
Society cannot be held hostage by a continuous tit for tat gunfight between these two extremes. as it accords no STABLE CONTINUITY. I hold that the two-party system has passed its USE BY DATE,
What is needed now is strong well crafted & well supported CENTRIST party; one that can Govern evenhandedly so according some stable continuance. Then turn to these two extremes to declare A POX ON BOTH YOUR HOUSES.
Socialism isn't about giving away stuff for free--it's about making sure the people who do the work get their fair share of the profits.
And what the Democrats used to do but were bribed not to: when the private sector either doesn't provide a service or screws their customers too hard, the government will provide an alternative at cost (the cost recouped through taxes).
The problem with centrism is that too many of them are in the center of their corporate donors' pockets.
Chris, almost the entirety of American citizenry is a cult. Cults don't need a leader, a stacked narrative, an unquestioned mythology will suffice. We are convinced we did or now live in a democracy, that our constitution protects liberties for all and ensures government checks and balances, that our founders were unselfish advocates for freedom for all and government by the people for the people. The vast majority o Americans "drink the Koolaid", the preferred beverage of the cult as they recite the scripture "my nation good or bad". If people took time to read a lot of history and discovered how our rule of law continually and intentionally destroys lives, they would not sleep until a constitutional convention was called every 15-20 years in an exercise of creative destruction.
This is not Trump's doing. He did not create MAGA which is not even a movement but a faction and as it's now known, not a very permanent faction. If you think those who voted for Trump will die for him politically or at the polls again, then I know you are not speaking often and directly to the voters who put him in office. Their gripes and needs are real. Trump simply asked what they wanted in a car and then sold them a car. That's not a Trump cult, that's the American cult.
Dismal and discouraging as it is, your response to this superbly incisive and thorough analysis of Trump II is challenging to contest. Perhaps America has always been a cult; yet there exists some counter-evidence of other forms of leadership and of measurable social progress, up to the recent decade, in both policy and consciousness in our America. Trump fulfills a reactionary force, just as much as he embodies the quintessential cult leader Hedges portrays. Reactionaries can be countered and put away, although that requires a steadfast opposition not also beholden to the same entrenched corrupt structures that foment populism.
The big issue that is always ignored is how these people were able to ascend in the first place. Its the power of the special tax treatment (a violation of the first amendment everyone ignores)_ Big, and little, Religion profit not just from evading taxes, they don't have to file tax returns, open their books, disclose where the money comes or where it goes, a lot of which goes to politicians who push their agenda. Its a mafia wet dream business model because there are no paper or cyber trails that anyone has the right to access: no transparency, no need to launder money of which there is plenty for jets, mansions they pay no property tax on. People don't realize that each and every one of us is paying for their life styles. There are plenty of perks for the little guy too. Until the special tax treatment is eliminated nothing in this arena will change. Take away the money and you take away the incentives. There will always be religions and you don't need a mega church to 'worship" or commune with "God". There will aways be weak people who need charismatic narcissists to give their lives meaning and there will always be the threat of hell and promise of heaven used to control people who let them. But without the money there will be a lot less; the greedy will look for greener pastures. I rant about this all the time but no one seems to care.
"But without the money there will be a lot less; the greedy will look for greener pastures." Fully agreed. In the future (if there is one) there would be much less apocalipticists in the world but my worry now is that all those brain-washed end-of-timers that abound in the Trump administration will push him to nuclear war to fulfill their wish. The following link to the Intercept article is very worrisome.
Trump was such a failure that he had to be bailed out of bankruptcy many times by his rich father. Now Trump is a billionaire only because of the giant donations from the oligarchs who support him to obtain the favors they need to rule the world. When Trump dies, they will decide who will replace him, in rigged elections with massive advertising and public rallies.
"...appeal to the emotional needs of cult members." Meaning needs, like a sense of community and a purpose to life, aren't being met elsewhere. Nor are physical needs; like the rest of the majority working class America, they're underpaid and overworked--if they can find a job. When the only hope is a fundie religious and/or political cult, they go for it. That's why rational arguments aren't appealing.
Same leaden "logic" as D loyalists blaming stupid voters. How smart is it never to have noticed 4 decades of distress like the Rust Belt and the deaths of despair? The smarmy "vote for the lesser of two evils" slogan as if good enough for us peasants. Several times in the last few years I've been hit with "if you didn't pick that lesser, what happened is your fault." A lame attempt by D party elite and upper middle class D loyalists to excuse their own compassionlessness. As Chris said, "refusing to acknowledge responsibility for inequality and proposing programs to ameliorate the suffering it caused, Democrats engage in the same magical thinking..."
Same "magical thinking" I see in No Kings demonstrations. As if were Trump gone, we'd have Dem paradise. Notice the focus isn't "No Oligarchs and No Plutocrats." Where pro-labor and progressive candidates have primaried neolib Ds, the viciousness comes out as happened in NYC. Chris is right "no way out of this political dysfunction unless popular movements arise...on behalf of a betrayed public." We did during eras controlled by Robber Barons and banksters with both major parties in their pockets --the Populist farmer-labor coalition and the New Deal. There are movements now, but time IS running out. Can we take back our country before the economy and ecology finally crash?
So, Professor Hedges, how, exactly, do we follow your prescription? If we, as you suggest, form "popular movements [and] rise to cripple the machinery of government and commerce on behalf of a betrayed public," keeping in mind that, while these institutions are corrupt, they are also the means by which we survive, and in the case of those who are lucky enough to do so, pay the rent and buy groceries. If we're going to tear down this admittedly corrupt system, we better have something with which to replace it ready to go. We need more fully fleshed out planning, and clear goals with a plan on how to get there.
America is a dead Capitalist artifact and there is no possibility of restoring some idealized democracy that never existed. We--a passive, emotionally and intellectually lobotomized herd of human livestock--have neither the desire for, nor the capability of, taking responsibility for our collective disaster, so long in the perfecting, and have no conception of creating a decent, humane, effective society. We are a commodity of the Capitalist tyranny that owns us and the entire country, and are only function is to participate in our own emasculation and act as a conduit of resources and the money they are sold for, to our monstrously false and evil Capitalist elite. It's over for this sorry farce of a nation, and good riddance.
Yes, indeed, but Trump has the power of the U.S. military and atomic weapons to do much more against people and planet! Similar to Hitler, but Adolph did not have nukes.
Because of nukes, infinitely worse than Hitler. In fact, now both horrifically capable and sadistically willing to follow Hitler's doomsday edict: to destroy the planet rather than surrender and accept defeat. Which is the unspeakably terrifying, unavoidably apocalyptic truth the vast majority of the USian population -- ignoranced to proud stupefaction and thus inescapably trapped in capitalism's cult of compulsory optimism -- will always reject. And which is therefore the reason our Liberation -- if indeed it ever happens -- will only be accomplished like Nazi Germany's: that is, by invasion of progressive forces from from without.
Witness, e.g., Kamala Harris planning to run again. What kind of bubble does she inhabit? In the nearly two years since her defeat, she hasn’t mentioned Gaza once, but she did take time to attend the Met Gala with other celebrities.
Chris, right on as usual. With one exception this time: BSR, later Osho, and his experimental community, became a cult when he/they landed in the usa. The problem was "assistant" SHEELA who took over "for" Laxmi before they left India. Sheela was/is a greedy manipulative bastard who benefited from her stink rich CH husband, who bought the "muddy ranch" in OR. She, the usa with its obsession with money, its puritans and its violence were the actual problems. BSR was a very very funny man who introduced his disciples to many wonderful spiritual practices from all kinds of religions including Sufism; to psychology study (which many added to their credits when they returned to their countries); to excellent meditation techniques to calm and reorient the crazy Western mind. They also offered wonderful classes in art, etc, they practiced chi gong and tai chi and other martial arts. A very rich society to open heart and mind. The women were put in charge, found their strength. The men were following direction, found their gentleness. Both discovered their new, natural kind of beauty. That's what I saw when I visited them in India then OR. It wasn't perfect of course: the many rolls royces offered by the Californians were a sad joke IMO. Think about it.. All of the DividedStatesOfAmerica is a money cult, their fake "democracy" is all about money.
The other comment: while Mr Fish's caricatures are excellent, they are often way too flattering towards this FOU FURIEUX raving madman.. thus the danger of adding to the mess instead.
Caligula, or Elagabalus come prominently to mind. Alexander II of Macedon (although he had some actual dubious accomplishments of a sort).
"The Stolen & Perverted Writings of Homer & Ovid; of Plato & Cicero. which all Men ought to contemn: are set up by artifice against the Sublime of the Bible. but when the New Age is at leisure to Pronounce; all will be set right: & those Grand Works of the more ancient & consciously & professedly Inspired Men, will hold their proper rank. & the Daughters of Memory shall become the Daughters of Inspiration. Shakespeare & Milton were both curbd by the general malady & infection from the silly Greek & Latin slaves of the Sword[.] Rouze up O Young Men of the New Age! set your foreheads against the ignorant Hirelings! For we have Hirelings in the Camp, the Court, & the University: who would if they could, for ever depress Mental & prolong Corporeal War. Painters! on you I call! Sculptors! Architects! Suffer not the fashonable Fools to depress your powers by the prices they pretend to give for contemptible works or the expensive advertizing boasts that they make of such works; believe Christ & his Apostles that there is a Class of Men whose whole delight is in Destroying. We do not want either Greek or Roman models if we are but just & true to our own imaginations, those Worlds of Eternity in which we shall live forever; in Jesus our Lord.
Other than the obvious oligarchs and military, Trump (and his partners/ilk) seems to be supported by the very people (in everyday USA society) for whom he does the most harm. The intent seems to be to use "bullshit" to baffle even more the brains of those that are already so propagandized that they can't even think clearly for themselves. Chaos and servitude will be the punishment for their stupidity. No affordable healthcare and useful education, for example, and no end to expensive wars making those in charge even richer. The democrats are no different, just more subtle.
Trump is far worse than just another cult leader. The First BEAST, aka the Anti-Christ (Trump), has and continues to fool millions as Apostle St. John foretold. I don't know what Trump has to do for people to start recognizing that Trump is the Anti-Christ possessed by Lucifer (to see the not very bright Tucker Carlson, a long-time supporter of Trump, is finally finding the courage to question out loud if Trump is the Anti-Christ, is most interesting). I have been telling people since Trump's "blaspheming" during his first time in office that he was the Anti-Christ. Kept pleading with people, don't take my word for it, read Revelations 13 to see for yourself if the description of the Anti-Christ doesn't fit Trump perfectly. The red flags are there. The Anti-Christ would say "great" things...and of course, that is has been his lifelong mantra about how "great" he is ... and only he can Make America "Great" Again. He would be "protected." Hence, when they tried to remove Anti-Christ Trump via impeachment the first time, he remained in power. Because his fate was to be as Apostle St. John predicted, the Anti-Christ leaves due to being "wounded." No better way to wound the biggest narcissist on the planet than to lose an election to the severely demented Pedo Biden. When that unfolded, I thought people would wake up to his true identity. So, when I again warned about Anti-Christ, Trump would come back into power, no one believed it...despite it being foretold in the Book of Revelation, the "Anti-Christ" Trump would return to power. A lot more shit shows to unfold in the upcoming Revelations 15 to 18 (read them or skip them) ... but don't ignore the awesome final chapters 19 - 22 to get through upcoming dark times ... only light on the other side of it e.g., we finally get to experience 1,000 Years of Peace, aka Heaven on Earth, due to the Messiah's return. And, the Anti-Christ Trump, his supporters, and all the other "whoremongers" (Apostle St. John's label, not mine) are sent to Hell for a 1,000 yrs to finally reap the horrors they have sown.
The apostle John did't write Revelations, that is all fabrications and you know it. Just read the book "Forged: Writing in the Name of God--Why the Bible's Authors Are Not Who We Think They Are" by Bart D. Ehrman.
Do you believe that Lucifer exists? If so, in the following link you can see his signature in a document presented in the trial of father Grandier for witchcraft. Believers are everywhere any time to be deceived by the merchants of religion.
Well said and accurate insights. We need to deprogram the Dems as well as the Rebs but not sure if it's possible. Dems think if they can just grab that ball in the midterms they can figure out how to win the game later. Except it's a much different game now and that ball is no longer in play.
Dems are ruled by the same powerful oligarchs who support Reps. Billionaires have the power and influence to get almost everything they want. They are making billions more by profits from the huge military corporations who supply the weapons of endless wars. Elections will not change this. It will take a total revolution from the ground up. But how likely is that?
In this column Mr. Hedges says what I've been saying for at least two decades (though he is by far the better writer).
In support of which, here is perhaps our most accurate historical analysis of the crisis: https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2026/02/11/xobm-f11.html?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=dn-statement-newsletters-01-24-26 (my two differences with this supplemental source not withstanding.)
(The issues behind those two differences? The unanswered [and probably unanswerable] question of how -- without resorting to police-state tyranny -- we restore and sustain democratic process in a failed nation ruled by a criminal plutocracy forever empowered by a thoroughly weaponized, historically hateful Moronic Majority; and how we overcome the chronic, stubborn refusal of conventional Marxians to recognize that ecogenocidal Aryan-supremacist race-hatred has replaced class struggle as the pivotal, potentially apocalyptic toxin of human interactions.)
I would have to say it is not looking very likely for a complete makeover. But ever hopeful.
Team D sees a president Trump as a grand fundraising opportunity.
Team D sees a president Sanders as an unmitigated calamity.
Yep!
Some big donors said it openly: if Sanders had gotten the nomination, they would have moved their money to Trump.
Democratic politicians can't be deprogrammed.
They are bought. They will not move an inch away from their big donors, which is why they insult voters when they ask them to do anything those donors might disapprove of, instead of trying to win those voters over by changing.
https://prospect.org/features/dlc/
This has been going on since at least the late 80s. It also didn't help that our most charismatic and competent progressive leaders were assassinated in the 60s.
I don't think I ever recovered from the loss in the 60's. Is that your blog? Looks interesting.
Not mine.
It’s a magazine that’s been around for a while
The Socialists wish to raise taxes then give everything away for free; which damages the MORAL fabric on which society stands. While the neo-Nazis of the extreme right are hardly a MORAL improvement.
Society cannot be held hostage by a continuous tit for tat gunfight between these two extremes. as it accords no STABLE CONTINUITY. I hold that the two-party system has passed its USE BY DATE,
What is needed now is strong well crafted & well supported CENTRIST party; one that can Govern evenhandedly so according some stable continuance. Then turn to these two extremes to declare A POX ON BOTH YOUR HOUSES.
ken.maynard7@gmail.com
Socialism isn't about giving away stuff for free--it's about making sure the people who do the work get their fair share of the profits.
And what the Democrats used to do but were bribed not to: when the private sector either doesn't provide a service or screws their customers too hard, the government will provide an alternative at cost (the cost recouped through taxes).
The problem with centrism is that too many of them are in the center of their corporate donors' pockets.
Well said!
Chris, almost the entirety of American citizenry is a cult. Cults don't need a leader, a stacked narrative, an unquestioned mythology will suffice. We are convinced we did or now live in a democracy, that our constitution protects liberties for all and ensures government checks and balances, that our founders were unselfish advocates for freedom for all and government by the people for the people. The vast majority o Americans "drink the Koolaid", the preferred beverage of the cult as they recite the scripture "my nation good or bad". If people took time to read a lot of history and discovered how our rule of law continually and intentionally destroys lives, they would not sleep until a constitutional convention was called every 15-20 years in an exercise of creative destruction.
This is not Trump's doing. He did not create MAGA which is not even a movement but a faction and as it's now known, not a very permanent faction. If you think those who voted for Trump will die for him politically or at the polls again, then I know you are not speaking often and directly to the voters who put him in office. Their gripes and needs are real. Trump simply asked what they wanted in a car and then sold them a car. That's not a Trump cult, that's the American cult.
Dismal and discouraging as it is, your response to this superbly incisive and thorough analysis of Trump II is challenging to contest. Perhaps America has always been a cult; yet there exists some counter-evidence of other forms of leadership and of measurable social progress, up to the recent decade, in both policy and consciousness in our America. Trump fulfills a reactionary force, just as much as he embodies the quintessential cult leader Hedges portrays. Reactionaries can be countered and put away, although that requires a steadfast opposition not also beholden to the same entrenched corrupt structures that foment populism.
The big issue that is always ignored is how these people were able to ascend in the first place. Its the power of the special tax treatment (a violation of the first amendment everyone ignores)_ Big, and little, Religion profit not just from evading taxes, they don't have to file tax returns, open their books, disclose where the money comes or where it goes, a lot of which goes to politicians who push their agenda. Its a mafia wet dream business model because there are no paper or cyber trails that anyone has the right to access: no transparency, no need to launder money of which there is plenty for jets, mansions they pay no property tax on. People don't realize that each and every one of us is paying for their life styles. There are plenty of perks for the little guy too. Until the special tax treatment is eliminated nothing in this arena will change. Take away the money and you take away the incentives. There will always be religions and you don't need a mega church to 'worship" or commune with "God". There will aways be weak people who need charismatic narcissists to give their lives meaning and there will always be the threat of hell and promise of heaven used to control people who let them. But without the money there will be a lot less; the greedy will look for greener pastures. I rant about this all the time but no one seems to care.
"But without the money there will be a lot less; the greedy will look for greener pastures." Fully agreed. In the future (if there is one) there would be much less apocalipticists in the world but my worry now is that all those brain-washed end-of-timers that abound in the Trump administration will push him to nuclear war to fulfill their wish. The following link to the Intercept article is very worrisome.
https://theintercept.com/2026/03/05/iran-war-end-times-christian/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=The%20Intercept%20Newsletter
The tablets in Mr. Fish’s artwork should read: Love Me. Fuck You.
“When you're born you get a ticket to the freak show. When you're born in America, you get a front row seat.” — The late great George Carlin.
And the greatest freak of all has bamboozled many of the masses and has them cheering for their own demise.
“So it goes…” to quote Kurt Vonnegut Jr. from Slaughterhouse-Five.
Trump was such a failure that he had to be bailed out of bankruptcy many times by his rich father. Now Trump is a billionaire only because of the giant donations from the oligarchs who support him to obtain the favors they need to rule the world. When Trump dies, they will decide who will replace him, in rigged elections with massive advertising and public rallies.
"...appeal to the emotional needs of cult members." Meaning needs, like a sense of community and a purpose to life, aren't being met elsewhere. Nor are physical needs; like the rest of the majority working class America, they're underpaid and overworked--if they can find a job. When the only hope is a fundie religious and/or political cult, they go for it. That's why rational arguments aren't appealing.
Same leaden "logic" as D loyalists blaming stupid voters. How smart is it never to have noticed 4 decades of distress like the Rust Belt and the deaths of despair? The smarmy "vote for the lesser of two evils" slogan as if good enough for us peasants. Several times in the last few years I've been hit with "if you didn't pick that lesser, what happened is your fault." A lame attempt by D party elite and upper middle class D loyalists to excuse their own compassionlessness. As Chris said, "refusing to acknowledge responsibility for inequality and proposing programs to ameliorate the suffering it caused, Democrats engage in the same magical thinking..."
Same "magical thinking" I see in No Kings demonstrations. As if were Trump gone, we'd have Dem paradise. Notice the focus isn't "No Oligarchs and No Plutocrats." Where pro-labor and progressive candidates have primaried neolib Ds, the viciousness comes out as happened in NYC. Chris is right "no way out of this political dysfunction unless popular movements arise...on behalf of a betrayed public." We did during eras controlled by Robber Barons and banksters with both major parties in their pockets --the Populist farmer-labor coalition and the New Deal. There are movements now, but time IS running out. Can we take back our country before the economy and ecology finally crash?
So, Professor Hedges, how, exactly, do we follow your prescription? If we, as you suggest, form "popular movements [and] rise to cripple the machinery of government and commerce on behalf of a betrayed public," keeping in mind that, while these institutions are corrupt, they are also the means by which we survive, and in the case of those who are lucky enough to do so, pay the rent and buy groceries. If we're going to tear down this admittedly corrupt system, we better have something with which to replace it ready to go. We need more fully fleshed out planning, and clear goals with a plan on how to get there.
I'd love to hear more, and thank you!
America is a dead Capitalist artifact and there is no possibility of restoring some idealized democracy that never existed. We--a passive, emotionally and intellectually lobotomized herd of human livestock--have neither the desire for, nor the capability of, taking responsibility for our collective disaster, so long in the perfecting, and have no conception of creating a decent, humane, effective society. We are a commodity of the Capitalist tyranny that owns us and the entire country, and are only function is to participate in our own emasculation and act as a conduit of resources and the money they are sold for, to our monstrously false and evil Capitalist elite. It's over for this sorry farce of a nation, and good riddance.
I refer to him as L. Ron Trump because the MAGATS I deal with act just like $¢ientologi$t$!
Yes, indeed, but Trump has the power of the U.S. military and atomic weapons to do much more against people and planet! Similar to Hitler, but Adolph did not have nukes.
Because of nukes, infinitely worse than Hitler. In fact, now both horrifically capable and sadistically willing to follow Hitler's doomsday edict: to destroy the planet rather than surrender and accept defeat. Which is the unspeakably terrifying, unavoidably apocalyptic truth the vast majority of the USian population -- ignoranced to proud stupefaction and thus inescapably trapped in capitalism's cult of compulsory optimism -- will always reject. And which is therefore the reason our Liberation -- if indeed it ever happens -- will only be accomplished like Nazi Germany's: that is, by invasion of progressive forces from from without.
yeah, mainstream dems have no clue...
Witness, e.g., Kamala Harris planning to run again. What kind of bubble does she inhabit? In the nearly two years since her defeat, she hasn’t mentioned Gaza once, but she did take time to attend the Met Gala with other celebrities.
She will not mention Gaza. She is bought by the Israel Lobby Total: $10,393,722
PACs: $6,082,868
IE: $2,953,239
Lobby Donors: $1,357,615
According to https://www.trackaipac.com/aipac
Ahh.
And to add to this excellent commentary- This cult leader has control over the world's mightiest war-making machinery.
Chris, right on as usual. With one exception this time: BSR, later Osho, and his experimental community, became a cult when he/they landed in the usa. The problem was "assistant" SHEELA who took over "for" Laxmi before they left India. Sheela was/is a greedy manipulative bastard who benefited from her stink rich CH husband, who bought the "muddy ranch" in OR. She, the usa with its obsession with money, its puritans and its violence were the actual problems. BSR was a very very funny man who introduced his disciples to many wonderful spiritual practices from all kinds of religions including Sufism; to psychology study (which many added to their credits when they returned to their countries); to excellent meditation techniques to calm and reorient the crazy Western mind. They also offered wonderful classes in art, etc, they practiced chi gong and tai chi and other martial arts. A very rich society to open heart and mind. The women were put in charge, found their strength. The men were following direction, found their gentleness. Both discovered their new, natural kind of beauty. That's what I saw when I visited them in India then OR. It wasn't perfect of course: the many rolls royces offered by the Californians were a sad joke IMO. Think about it.. All of the DividedStatesOfAmerica is a money cult, their fake "democracy" is all about money.
The other comment: while Mr Fish's caricatures are excellent, they are often way too flattering towards this FOU FURIEUX raving madman.. thus the danger of adding to the mess instead.
Caligula, or Elagabalus come prominently to mind. Alexander II of Macedon (although he had some actual dubious accomplishments of a sort).
"The Stolen & Perverted Writings of Homer & Ovid; of Plato & Cicero. which all Men ought to contemn: are set up by artifice against the Sublime of the Bible. but when the New Age is at leisure to Pronounce; all will be set right: & those Grand Works of the more ancient & consciously & professedly Inspired Men, will hold their proper rank. & the Daughters of Memory shall become the Daughters of Inspiration. Shakespeare & Milton were both curbd by the general malady & infection from the silly Greek & Latin slaves of the Sword[.] Rouze up O Young Men of the New Age! set your foreheads against the ignorant Hirelings! For we have Hirelings in the Camp, the Court, & the University: who would if they could, for ever depress Mental & prolong Corporeal War. Painters! on you I call! Sculptors! Architects! Suffer not the fashonable Fools to depress your powers by the prices they pretend to give for contemptible works or the expensive advertizing boasts that they make of such works; believe Christ & his Apostles that there is a Class of Men whose whole delight is in Destroying. We do not want either Greek or Roman models if we are but just & true to our own imaginations, those Worlds of Eternity in which we shall live forever; in Jesus our Lord.
And did those feet in ancient time,
Walk upon Englands mountains green:
And was the holy Lamb of God,
On Englands pleasant pastures seen!
And did the Countenance Divine,
Shine forth upon our clouded hills?
And was Jerusalem builded here,
Among these dark Satanic Mills?
Bring me my Bow of burning gold;
Bring me my Arrows of desire:
Bring me my Spear: O clouds unfold!
Bring me my Chariot of fire!
I will not cease from Mental Fight,
Nor shall my Sword sleep in my hand:
Till we have built Jerusalem,
In Englands green & pleasant Land"
Other than the obvious oligarchs and military, Trump (and his partners/ilk) seems to be supported by the very people (in everyday USA society) for whom he does the most harm. The intent seems to be to use "bullshit" to baffle even more the brains of those that are already so propagandized that they can't even think clearly for themselves. Chaos and servitude will be the punishment for their stupidity. No affordable healthcare and useful education, for example, and no end to expensive wars making those in charge even richer. The democrats are no different, just more subtle.
Thank you for your articulate and elucidating assessment of Trump’s hold on his base. I agree entirely with your conclusions.
Trump is far worse than just another cult leader. The First BEAST, aka the Anti-Christ (Trump), has and continues to fool millions as Apostle St. John foretold. I don't know what Trump has to do for people to start recognizing that Trump is the Anti-Christ possessed by Lucifer (to see the not very bright Tucker Carlson, a long-time supporter of Trump, is finally finding the courage to question out loud if Trump is the Anti-Christ, is most interesting). I have been telling people since Trump's "blaspheming" during his first time in office that he was the Anti-Christ. Kept pleading with people, don't take my word for it, read Revelations 13 to see for yourself if the description of the Anti-Christ doesn't fit Trump perfectly. The red flags are there. The Anti-Christ would say "great" things...and of course, that is has been his lifelong mantra about how "great" he is ... and only he can Make America "Great" Again. He would be "protected." Hence, when they tried to remove Anti-Christ Trump via impeachment the first time, he remained in power. Because his fate was to be as Apostle St. John predicted, the Anti-Christ leaves due to being "wounded." No better way to wound the biggest narcissist on the planet than to lose an election to the severely demented Pedo Biden. When that unfolded, I thought people would wake up to his true identity. So, when I again warned about Anti-Christ, Trump would come back into power, no one believed it...despite it being foretold in the Book of Revelation, the "Anti-Christ" Trump would return to power. A lot more shit shows to unfold in the upcoming Revelations 15 to 18 (read them or skip them) ... but don't ignore the awesome final chapters 19 - 22 to get through upcoming dark times ... only light on the other side of it e.g., we finally get to experience 1,000 Years of Peace, aka Heaven on Earth, due to the Messiah's return. And, the Anti-Christ Trump, his supporters, and all the other "whoremongers" (Apostle St. John's label, not mine) are sent to Hell for a 1,000 yrs to finally reap the horrors they have sown.
The apostle John did't write Revelations, that is all fabrications and you know it. Just read the book "Forged: Writing in the Name of God--Why the Bible's Authors Are Not Who We Think They Are" by Bart D. Ehrman.
Do you believe that Lucifer exists? If so, in the following link you can see his signature in a document presented in the trial of father Grandier for witchcraft. Believers are everywhere any time to be deceived by the merchants of religion.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urbain_Grandier