Many years ago, I was walking down Market Street noticing a great many people mumbling to themselves. At first it seemed like some kind of epidemic of schizophrenia. Eventually, it became clearer. They were talking into these new fangled things. Their cell phones. They werent’t actually on Market Street. They were elsewhere.
That’s the real story: there’s no here here anymore. Everyone’s elsewhere with concerned with their remote affinity groups. And there’s one affinity group, above all that hangs together now that capital flows frictionesssly across borders, while labor can’t.
Trump First who desires membership in the Dictators Club is the most visible of these. But ask yourself, what’s the main affinity group of the Theils, Sacks and Musks?
Their group is not America, and you can be reasonably sure their affinity groups doesn’t include you. At the height of the Great Recession, Sacks threw a million dollar 40th birthday party for himself. Guests were told to keep it secret (Snopp Dog, one of the guests, blew the cover by posting some pics of the costume party. Its theme: Let us eat cake, with Sacks dressed up at Louis XIV and his wife as Marie Antoinette. How amusingly transgressive.
To put it bluntly, the billionaire talking on his cellphone. The place where he actually is, is as likely to be overseas as it is to be next to you on Market Street. Trump and his real followers are citizens of the world of the Sacks party, not of America.
Thanks, JVL. I just started reading your Triad newsletter about a month ago, and I'm learning a lot, so thank you! I appreciate your cogent analysis, historical perspective, and beautiful writing style. I agree with everythiing you've said in this piece. We are living in horrifying times.
Thanks JVL. Well written as always. I wish so many American people weren’t such shallow, unsophisticated thinkers. I can’t see that anything is going to turn the lightbulb on in time.
I think the AF movement has another component that you do not mention. There is a belief among many AFers that the Almighty has chosen Trump, and whatever successor he designates, as the divine leaders of this nation. The KNOW that God has selected them and, therefore, they can let the world burn.
I am not saying that DJT believes this, but I think much of his followers do.
And at the risk of sounding elitist, the AF movement shows an utter lack of knowledge of history, economics and geography-political influence (and power).
We're so fucked. You are right on, JVL. Let's hope that Europe and other of our allies join together to support Ukraine. Make it painful for Putin to continue his bloodbath. If the Democrats ever get their act together, there is so much grist for the mill in how we have switched sides, we could drive a wedge/dagger into MAGA. Where are the comms geniuses when you need them?
It’s not “…if the Democrats ever get their act together….” It’s IF THE REPUBLICANS, INDEPENDENTS, and DEMOCRATS who cherish democracy ever get their act together, we might help save Ukraine’s and our own democracy!!!!!!
Why don’t the dems hire the best PR firm and shape this narrative into one that most Americans can understand. Switch the narrative on these beasts of prey and beat them at their own game. This is not a tea party. Bring the big equipment and play by the rules of engagement of war. Time to play hard ball. Now.
Couldn't agree more. I remember the days of Al Gore who participated in his "debate" with W as though W was actually there to debate when it was clear to all that he wasn't. I remember Michelle Obama's soaring "when they go low, we go high" speech. This is how I have tried to live my life, to be sure. The problem is, however, that THIS APPROACH DOESN'T WORK!! I don't know why the Dems can't let go of their respectful, goody-two-shoes, "we believe in our institutions" shackles. For at least the last 25 years (starting with Gore losing the 2000 election to W) Dems have been caught time and again bringing their soap bubbles to a gun fight. That approach only works when both sides are playing by the same rules, and there is mutual respect for the outcome. The Republicans abandoned that starting with Nixon. Trump has basically annihilated the "playing field". This isn't chess with a tea break. It's the Hunger Games. Get with the program Dems!
JVL, thank you. You are a wonderful writer, and I buy the first 90% of your Triad. Where I am skeptical is that trump is aging and wouldn't he rather just collect his money and go play golf rather than be a dictator? I'm not sure he is up to being a dictator forever. Also, what do the others in the dictator scheme get? I understand Thiel, Andreessen, Vance, Musk, Bezos, Zuckerberg, Vought ... they just want the regulators off their backs, taxes to be low, government to be only in the business of national defense, and Christianity to be taught in schools. The dictator scheme may end up biting them in the a**. Another explanation for throwing his support behind Putin is he likes him and appreciates his help in 2016. That's it.
Looking for suggestions of paths to productively / effectively oppose the administration and stiffen the spines of Democrats and vulnerable Republicans in Congress.
JVL this Triad is outstanding. If the misguided voters in this country would stop, shut off Fox News, and um…read? a bit of history of the development of the US they might actually get a fraction of what they have done here. I’ve made the point that we are still very young compared to the rest of the world, and it will be a hard and fast fall from grace when it happens. And it is going to happen. We are more vulnerable than we’ve ever been.
Great article.
Again JVL you nailed it! Now how on gods green earth do we stop this wannabe dictator ass whip con?
Many years ago, I was walking down Market Street noticing a great many people mumbling to themselves. At first it seemed like some kind of epidemic of schizophrenia. Eventually, it became clearer. They were talking into these new fangled things. Their cell phones. They werent’t actually on Market Street. They were elsewhere.
That’s the real story: there’s no here here anymore. Everyone’s elsewhere with concerned with their remote affinity groups. And there’s one affinity group, above all that hangs together now that capital flows frictionesssly across borders, while labor can’t.
Trump First who desires membership in the Dictators Club is the most visible of these. But ask yourself, what’s the main affinity group of the Theils, Sacks and Musks?
Their group is not America, and you can be reasonably sure their affinity groups doesn’t include you. At the height of the Great Recession, Sacks threw a million dollar 40th birthday party for himself. Guests were told to keep it secret (Snopp Dog, one of the guests, blew the cover by posting some pics of the costume party. Its theme: Let us eat cake, with Sacks dressed up at Louis XIV and his wife as Marie Antoinette. How amusingly transgressive.
To put it bluntly, the billionaire talking on his cellphone. The place where he actually is, is as likely to be overseas as it is to be next to you on Market Street. Trump and his real followers are citizens of the world of the Sacks party, not of America.
perfect piece if depressingly perfect.
tRUmp is going to attempt to suspend the midterms or make it so blue states cant vote or their vote doesnt count.
He can do this by invoking the Insurrection Act which he will do.
An excellent essay. Well said, as always, JVL.
Thanks, JVL. I just started reading your Triad newsletter about a month ago, and I'm learning a lot, so thank you! I appreciate your cogent analysis, historical perspective, and beautiful writing style. I agree with everythiing you've said in this piece. We are living in horrifying times.
Thanks JVL. Well written as always. I wish so many American people weren’t such shallow, unsophisticated thinkers. I can’t see that anything is going to turn the lightbulb on in time.
I usually don't say this, JVL - but you hit the Nazi on the head. Great article. In full agreement.
Excellent article, JVL.
I think the AF movement has another component that you do not mention. There is a belief among many AFers that the Almighty has chosen Trump, and whatever successor he designates, as the divine leaders of this nation. The KNOW that God has selected them and, therefore, they can let the world burn.
I am not saying that DJT believes this, but I think much of his followers do.
And at the risk of sounding elitist, the AF movement shows an utter lack of knowledge of history, economics and geography-political influence (and power).
In short, stupid is as stupid does.
We're so fucked. You are right on, JVL. Let's hope that Europe and other of our allies join together to support Ukraine. Make it painful for Putin to continue his bloodbath. If the Democrats ever get their act together, there is so much grist for the mill in how we have switched sides, we could drive a wedge/dagger into MAGA. Where are the comms geniuses when you need them?
It’s not “…if the Democrats ever get their act together….” It’s IF THE REPUBLICANS, INDEPENDENTS, and DEMOCRATS who cherish democracy ever get their act together, we might help save Ukraine’s and our own democracy!!!!!!
Why don’t the dems hire the best PR firm and shape this narrative into one that most Americans can understand. Switch the narrative on these beasts of prey and beat them at their own game. This is not a tea party. Bring the big equipment and play by the rules of engagement of war. Time to play hard ball. Now.
Couldn't agree more. I remember the days of Al Gore who participated in his "debate" with W as though W was actually there to debate when it was clear to all that he wasn't. I remember Michelle Obama's soaring "when they go low, we go high" speech. This is how I have tried to live my life, to be sure. The problem is, however, that THIS APPROACH DOESN'T WORK!! I don't know why the Dems can't let go of their respectful, goody-two-shoes, "we believe in our institutions" shackles. For at least the last 25 years (starting with Gore losing the 2000 election to W) Dems have been caught time and again bringing their soap bubbles to a gun fight. That approach only works when both sides are playing by the same rules, and there is mutual respect for the outcome. The Republicans abandoned that starting with Nixon. Trump has basically annihilated the "playing field". This isn't chess with a tea break. It's the Hunger Games. Get with the program Dems!
JVL, thank you. You are a wonderful writer, and I buy the first 90% of your Triad. Where I am skeptical is that trump is aging and wouldn't he rather just collect his money and go play golf rather than be a dictator? I'm not sure he is up to being a dictator forever. Also, what do the others in the dictator scheme get? I understand Thiel, Andreessen, Vance, Musk, Bezos, Zuckerberg, Vought ... they just want the regulators off their backs, taxes to be low, government to be only in the business of national defense, and Christianity to be taught in schools. The dictator scheme may end up biting them in the a**. Another explanation for throwing his support behind Putin is he likes him and appreciates his help in 2016. That's it.
Spot on.
Looking for suggestions of paths to productively / effectively oppose the administration and stiffen the spines of Democrats and vulnerable Republicans in Congress.
Best post ever, JVL!!
JVL this Triad is outstanding. If the misguided voters in this country would stop, shut off Fox News, and um…read? a bit of history of the development of the US they might actually get a fraction of what they have done here. I’ve made the point that we are still very young compared to the rest of the world, and it will be a hard and fast fall from grace when it happens. And it is going to happen. We are more vulnerable than we’ve ever been.