Carlos Camargo, Ph.D.’s Post

The Capitol Riot, Racism and the Future of American Democracy  - PDF: https://lnkd.in/gxzF5Pfc The Capitol Riot in Washington D.C. was a coup attempt intending to upend American democracy. Although the attempted coup was ultimately unsuccessful, it remains a matter of ongoing concern. The socioeconomic and political factors that lead to the coup, namely the ever-broadening gap between the rich and poor in America, along racial lines, massive unemployment leftover from a worldwide pandemic, and social unrest and discord, still exist. History has shown when these factors are present—democracies fail. This Article examines the current, precarious state of American democracy, starting with unsettling comparisons to 1930’s Germany and concluding with an examination of famed historian Juan Linz’s Litmus test for a healthy democracy. Alarmingly, America is failing this test. If American democracy is to continue, real change must happen. If not, the Capitol riots were not the culmination of angst and frustration, but merely the beginning.  

Dark day in American politics’: what the papers say about the Trump rally shooting! The recent Trump rally shooting has cast a dark shadow over American politics, capturing headlines and stirring debates nationwide. On a day meant to celebrate democracy, violence erupted, leaving many to question the state of political discourse in the country. Reports from various newspapers paint a grim picture of the event, highlighting the deep-seated divisions and the growing threat of politically motivated violence. The New York Times described the incident as "a tragic reflection of our polarized times," emphasizing the need for unity and responsible rhetoric. The Washington Post echoed this sentiment, calling it "a wake-up call for all political leaders to foster a climate of respect and safety." Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal focused on the security lapses and the implications for future political events. This incident has sparked a national conversation about the role of political leaders in preventing violence and ensuring the safety of their supporters. As America grapples with the aftermath, it is clear that this dark day will be a significant moment in the ongoing discussion about political civility and security. #DarkDayInPolitics #TrumpRallyShooting #PoliticalViolence #UnityInAmerica #PoliticalDiscourse The Washington Post The New York Times

"Take the example of the press. A few weeks or months ago, even, its behavior today would have been unthinkable to many. Hundreds of articles attacking Biden, while portraying Trump as a hero, a martyr, a glorious and noble figure? Today, as we’ve discussed, the media’s enabling the strongman myth before our eyes, perhaps “obeying in advance,” as Timothy Snyder, the scholar, calls it." Check out this thought-provoking article discussing the current state of American democracy and the role of the media in shaping public perception. The piece delves into the unprecedented shift in media behavior, highlighting the portrayal of political figures and the potential consequences for democracy. A must-read to understand the dynamics at play during this critical juncture. #AmericanDemocracy #MediaRole #DemocracyTest

https://lnkd.in/dGj-Z5Jj To use The Deep population is what Lefts are doing since decades. I am the personal witness of my own case at the hands of politicians who might at minimum be expected to keep imparciality at office. So "Democrats" will dirty Mr Trump at a depth such that it may well happen that a feeble hater kills him someday. This is regular political agenda, also here in Europe and Portugal with Faculdade de Direito de Lisboa and the Center (Left) political parties followed by all the others. You just say someone is bad with lots of reasons whether they hold or not for decades. And the population gets convinced. The more so if there are hate speech prohibitions. Because it gives a serious looking at their arguments. Then the whole society is convinced at a point such that if you try to mitigate the evilness of some accused one, you are sponteously accused by everybody as things are deeply rooted in the brainwashed minds. And it may well happen that Mr Trump is currently in need of personal protection...Not less than Mr Biden for being the current President.

29 Jun 07:30: Looking Back on Last Night's Debate: Trump's Ignorance and Malice; Biden's Squandered Opportunity: ALEXANDER VINDMAN: JUN 28, 2024: Nikki’s 🇳🇿🇺🇦 introduction: ‘USA stay the course of democracy! Vote DEMOCRACY VOTE BIDEN! Do note vote Trumpism! So Biden had a bad "hair" day?? We all do sometime? Trumpet lied his way through the debate.....empty trumpet words! Just to gain American votes! The world needs USA to vote for the truth not the lies! Remember WW2 and how USA had to join to protect democracy when Nazism would have destroyed the world. Trumpet words must remain just words! Trump and his trumpet words must not be the world leader again in 2024! Putin's Russia will try any means to promote a Trump win in 2024’: Me: ‘The big decision has to be made now: Live with a weak, physically and mentally ailing stubborn Biden, verses a youthful, eloquent sharp and ‘up for it’ Governor of California. Biden has many ‘bad hair days’, it seems. Your choice, USA: Run with a criminal liar or an ailing Biden … or a youthful replacement to Biden who wants the job and has a track record in California as Governor. Some tough fast decisions are required, for goodness sake. 🙏🏻🙏🏻 A thorny one! My understatement of 2024! Please read the VINDMAN article below. I agree with all Vindman says. But he glosses over Biden’s ongoing deterioration. I have witnessed the onset of physical and mental decline (Alzeimer’s and Dementia) several times up close. Biden’s decline is not being taken seriously enough, and won’t improve but will only get worse, sorry. It cannot be reversed or halted’: And thank you, Nikki 🇳🇿🇺🇦. We agree on all, but I am ADDING the terrible but real issue of Biden’s ignored-by-all health deterioration:

Oliver Bateman explains the polarized nature of contemporary American politics, using the assassination attempt on Donald Trump as a catalyst to explore the widening divides. This event, rather than unifying the nation as similar past incidents have done, has deepened existing fractures. Bateman contrasts today’s response with the bipartisan unity seen after President Reagan’s attempted assassination in 1981, highlighting a significant shift in political culture. Trump’s immediate move to publicize his ordeal and rally his base not only exemplifies his signature approach of leveraging personal drama for political gain but also reflects his audacity and resilience. Each side seizes upon the incident for their own interests: Trump’s supporters see his survival as a testament to his enduring strength, while others point to liberal detractors who question its authenticity. The reactions from key figures underscore the opportunistic tendencies prevalent in today’s political arena. Biden’s response, though aiming for bipartisanship, seems to offer only a temporary respite in an otherwise relentless partisan war. Despite his call for unity, Democrats still face a complicated election landscape marked by heightened tensions and divisive rhetoric. Bateman’s commentary effectively portrays how such a grave incident has become another front in the cultural and political battles, reflecting the grim state of American politics where unity seems a relic of the past. Bateman's portrayal of the incident as a metaphor for the country’s raw political wounds is a powerful reminder of the urgency needed to bridge these divides. This article serves as a poignant reflection on the current state of American democracy and the imperative for concerted efforts towards national cohesion. It underscores that political polarization is not only a problem in the USA but a global issue, with each side of the political spectrum employing all necessary methods to gain or maintain power. #globalaffairs #usa #politics #usa2024 #trump #assassinationattempt #biden #democracy UnHerd @OLIVER BATEMAN

THE ILLUSION OF DEMOCRACY: Unmasking the Facade In the wake of Joe Biden's decision to withdraw from the upcoming election, a poignant excerpt from his speech resonated with me: "The great thing about America is here, kings and dictators do not rule, the people do." My immediate reaction was one of incredulity. Perhaps such a sentiment held truth at the inception of the United States, but the contemporary landscape tells a different story. Modern democracy, in its current form, seems to offer citizens the opportunity to vote every four years, fostering the illusion that they possess genuine control over societal choices. In reality, these decisions are heavily influenced by those wielding substantial wealth and power—individuals who have expertly navigated and exploited the incentives and inherent flaws within the system. Reflecting on the astronomical sums spent on election campaigns—the lavish decor, the court cases, the tight security—reveals an astonishing amount of energy devoted to maintaining an illusion. An illusion that a growing segment of the populace views with increasing scepticism, yet one that persists by default, perpetuated by the motions of tradition. Democracy, as it stands, is less a true representation of the people's will and more an anachronistic facade. It has become a trope, an outdated descriptor for the mechanisms through which a nation operates. We find ourselves in a surreal, almost Twilight Zone-esque scenario, observing a political system that appears increasingly absurd, artificial, and regressive. Despite this, we are constantly pressured to treat it with utmost seriousness. This old paradigm, this antiquated consciousness, is in its twilight. And yet, a significant portion of the population remains deeply invested in its legitimacy, clinging to the vestiges of a belief system that no longer serves its intended purpose. As we navigate this complex landscape, it is crucial to reflect on the true nature of our political systems and the forces that shape them. Only then can we begin to envision and work towards a democracy that genuinely reflects the will and needs of the people, free from the distortions of power and wealth.

"Quite simply, radicals on both sides of the political spectrum no longer view the system as something they can work within. And while this is always true to a degree, the cause for concern at the policy level is the recruitment and radicalization of those who would otherwise not be involved with political violence, driven both by circumstance and disinformation. While disinformation can come from anywhere, the intersection of foreign influence and domestic politics should be most concerning. This is a very fancy way of saying that what happens over there really matters over here when individuals so far from the battlefield can find cause with an enemy because their domestic politics align more with a foreign power’s propaganda or cause than with American democracy. The collective hyperpartisan rhetoric has inadvertently created sleeper cells of radicals waiting for their chosen cause’s turn to make headlines. I’ve written extensively in the past on the threat that hyperpartisanship, disinformation, and the degradation of democratic norms can have on national security. Disinformation-driven political violence is a key plot point of my novel EX SUPRA, and something that worries me when I think about our American future just as much as the threat from the Chinese Communist Party. Jack Murphy once wrote about America’s forthcoming “Years of Lead” and I’m starting to think that time has arrived." https://lnkd.in/dkVhT7V9

Read Jeremy McKeown's latest HyperNormalTimes - Boomer Elegy Trump 2.0: https://lnkd.in/eXnaYR8F Continuing to share his thoughts on political events in the US, Jeremy considers what the latest version of the 'Trump Trade' and 'Make America Great Again' movement could look like if the Republicans win the election. What impact might this new ideological framework have? How should investors position themselves if and when this new ideology emerges? Jeremy lists some critical elements for investors to consider.

The Associated Press takes a deeper dive into the history of conspiracy theories in the U.S., how they continue to impact major facets of American politics and society, and why people believe what they believe. #LearnThenLike #StudyThenShare #PonderThenPost