This is exactly why I stopped being a centrist in graduate school. I thought centrism, and looking at both sides of the story, was a way to avoid bias. But I realize now that trying to be centrist essentially makes you biased against both sides; sometimes one side is actually right more often. This is why I became a progressive
@@fallen4life080 She does have a point about "falsehoods" we all can be duped into some Carnival Barkers Booth..... The Progressives of 2016 were bought out by The Hillary Victory Committee and Robert Mercars Marketing program. Mercer took Obama's algorithm added steroids, and proved he could get any Idiot elected to any Office, for a price. The Mercer Marketing group, who appear to include Rebekah, who was a Trump Transition Team member, still appears to benefit fro her associations with the fine Mormon Senator Mitt's Niece being Chair of GOP fundraising. Mercers 2020 Absence sealed his Appointment, as Trump lost without that support. to Big Kahuna of Conservative Electoral Industry Marketing Poobahs. Why do You suppose He quit His Day Job? Telling tales out of school does tend to being profitable.....
@@DanielJett My degree requires an insane amount of English, statistics, and communication skills in order to publish, peer review, and properly communicate science. This isn't an academic seminar on a topic. It's just TH-cam, buddy.
@@DanielJett Not to mention, the English still makes sense if you actually bothered to know English YOURSELF. I.e If your partner goes through a period of 6 months where she makes better points than you much more often and the rest of the year you have the upper hand more often, then. Obviously she's "right more often" only "sometimes".
If I taught history I would have my students watch this posting. The two side are not equal. The media needs to call out the BS and call liars liars. The Republicans who enabled choose a cult of personality over their oath to Constitution. Vote them out in 2024.
@@alanking6240I imagine it seems that way to the followers of the current GOP, who are incapable of being shamed. For regular folks she is a breath of sane, fresh air. :)
She's right!! When she says, "I think there are more people paying attention now". I'm certainly paying way more attention than I was before I saw conflicting stories in the 2020 election.
How many bother to mention the Mercers involvement in Trump, during the 2016 Campaign? Or their absence in 2020? That does appear to insure Robert Mercer a better income than the Hedge Fund Business. Proving that He could get any idiot elected to any Office, should make the Guy quite a few Billion Bucks.
@@JS-ki5yq Rand Paul introduced a issue that needs to debate the actual ability to pay for the distribution of Troops to well over 700 locations around the Globe. The ability to Fund Conflicts as the ability to borrow money that supports an Empire across the Planet, seems to be draining the US Treasury, just as it did when the USA used Gold Standard Currency in 1967. The Debate in the Senate should be revealing.
This woman is brilliantly intelligent. These are the kinda people it's important to surround yourself with. They inspire critical thinking, and they always leave you feeling smarter than you were ❤ Fantastic conversation. Thank you
One key question Dean missed and is a critical part of the danger we're in is a corrupted and billionaire dark money funded Supreme Court. I would have loved to see how Dr. Richardson would have addressed that as part of her hopeful narrative. It was perfectly corrupted by the Federalist Society, Leonard Leo, and Mitch McConnell to drive outcomes from a minority perspective which they could not be achieve through the normal electoral process. A corrupted judiciary is a fundamental feature of authoritarianism.
This week I learned about the Bible Study classes being offered in public schools during school hours. Before I could get over the sick feeling in the pit of my stomach, I saw the announcement that the classes are now available in our local school system. Of all the things that frighten me these days, this is near the top.
As long as it remains voluntary and the choice is that of THE CHILD then what's wrong with it? No matter what we think of any individual choice-as long as it's not one that's damaging- then it should be available to those who wish to explore it Not a churchgoer or Bible reader myself but nor do I believe it should be hidden or buried any more than literature, science or history. It's called freedom .
Because the Bible classes teach a particular religion, and your constitution was wisely and necessarily founded on the idea that there would be no establishment of religion, no state religion, in America. In Britain, the Head of State is the Head of the Anglican Church, and historically the state punished, fined, disenfranchised other religions. The public schools are created by the state. Religions have no place there. The white evangelicals have told you that they want to establish a Christian nation. As Richardson says here, Believe them when they tell you that is what they are going to do. Boebert, MTG, the new speaker are up front about taking rights away from gays, from women, from minorities. @@matt3024
It makes me really nervous too. The problem is that having Bible Study classes in school is another way to divide people. Will they also Koran studies as well? Old Testament or New Testament? We have to put ourselves in the children's shoes and think about who will be left out. Anything that is offered as "special" or extra, that only caters to certain groups, will do more damage than good.
@@matt3024 No one is burying the Bible. And it is Highly Unlikely that any child (grade school or high school age) would willingly choose Bible Study classes. Such classes are not studying or presenting the Bible from a literary point of view. They are proselytizing. Holding forth the written word of God as Truth. This is entirely unconstitutional. A clear violation of the separation of Church and State. Let them teach a History of World Religions. Children might actually learn something about other cultures, other people's beliefs.
One of the ways to get people to change those viewing habits is to show them what they are missing, and it would certainly be better if we could entice more people to view programs like these as an alternative to the more traditional and sensationalist/ratings-driven sources.
As an 80 year old with a lifelong interest in both politics and history, i thank you from the bottom of my heart. It sometimes feels like i am alone in trying to keep the pieces of history alive in front of the youthful folks who did not live through this and do not even try to see how this all came together and made the Greed/Confederacy a reality, evolving, as un modified Republics are destined to evolve, into dictatorships. The whole of what the Founders sold us is Democracy using a modified Republic framework. It was a balance of democratic republic , but with modifications far too fragile to protect that human equality necessary for this nation to live up to its greatest potential. We began with wonderful realities, perfect ethics, but with a compromise with the wealthy and white supremacy that must end if we are to survive as a nation. This nation has the right way, we simply have to live up to what we said were our goals: all human beings have certain inalienable rights and the right to make private decisions for our own lives, and the government has to go back to its stated purpose, Government that promotes the General Welfare of the People, and a nation that behaves ethically in the world.
Great thoughts, Neighbor! I'm a Canadian watching this horror show from my new home of Japan. ,,,and I fear for my family's future if Donald T-rump and the Maga Republicans get their way. I thank you very kindly for your sober insights. Peace!
The problem is the Constitution, written my white slave owners who were not set free or sold, they left black people and women out of the Constitution. It was not meant all were created equal. This is the problem.
The media is looking at this from a purely financial perspective. Trump is good for ratings which equals financial benefits for their bottom line. Thank you, Mrs. Richardson. My family and I discuss this dire situation daily.
Agree with you about the corporate media. I'm reading the second of three books that David Cay Johnston, investigative journalist, has written about Donald Trump beginning with his first in 2016. Johnston has known Trump since 1988. The three books are: The Making of Donald Trump, It's Even Worse than you Think, and The Big Cheat. If more people knew about the facts written about in these books, it might help sway from some voters we know who are not totally impervious to information they don't already possess.
@@asbeautifulasasunset I have read two of his books@asbeautilasasunset. I also read newer articles Clay Johnston has written. Trump is a national security threat. I feel doubtful that knowing more about Trump would sway some voters, maybe a few independents perhaps? Certainly his cult can not be pursuaded at this point. Have you read Agenda 2025? It is the Trump agenda should he win. Not pretty. Trump will do everything within his power to outright steal the next election and there is talk that he will direct the military to spread out across the country to address publics outrage. Now let me say this, since 2015 I have predicted everything Trump has done. He now has a cadre of synophants at his disposal...they have perfected the steal.
You are so right! In the 70s, this little movie called Network was released, and news reporters and companies laughed it off, saying it was preposterous. Then, a few years later, international corporations bought the companies that produced the nightly news at ABC, CBS & NBC. And their news departments were told they have to start turning a profit (instead of operating at a loss as part of the bargain to gain access to public airwaves). This has had a bigger cumulative effect on Americans than fast food. Which is saying something.
9:53 "...once you have started to poison your own soul by buying into someone who is abusing others, you can't turn away from that without admitting you're the one who is the problem."
Yes! When Gen. Milley came out with that, he was truly serious. I am optimistic…thank you Heather! You are brilliant and truly a” Great thinker.” I so appreciate you. AALeslie, Florida (the State with a moat around it) 🤦♀️
They want to come after Snap too .Johnson , the new Speaker of the House. It proves the Maga GOP don't care about Americans and want to take away all our rights and all the programs we rely on. More homeless and hungry Americans will be the result with a Lunatic wanna be Dictator. ! Trump for prison! Vote all these traitors out of office!
Truly excellent conversation. Great job Salon. She is absolutely right about asking what people around, need to feel secure and protected. People need affordable food, clean water, living wages, lower fuel prices to get to where they need to go, fair pricing in the marketplace, affordable housing, safe police forces, equal treatment under the law.
Thank you for giving me hope, Ms. Richardson. I've learned a LOT & plan to read your book. After listening to this interview, I'd like to recommend Sinclair Lewis' 1935 novel "It Can't Happen Here", an account of how fascism could suddenly arise in America. Very chilling to read alongside the daily news!
YES! It CAN happen here and that book should be mandatory reading in every high school to prepare citizens and warn them when the next Trump comes along from the ranks of the present Trumpites and Trumpettes in Trump World. It's not just him, it's the idea, the beliefs, the blindness to the authoritarian dog whistles and calls to action of that side of the populace. He is preparing them to accept the next dictator with his racism, misogyny and power driven madness.
The finest discussion on the subject I have heard to date. Heather Cox Richardson's assessment of the situation we now find purselves in, on all fronts, is spot-on. I urge all who have seen this video to share it widely.
Maga is not your problem, believing it is though, could be. No more than the democrats are magas problem. The far leftist and far right are both problems of this country. Which neither dems or magas are part of for the most part
Not just vote but continually show a light on the horrors that the GOP is. They are authoritarian, theocratic, misogynistic, racist and elitist. Showing their dog whistles and making people see the what the GOP is actually doing. Gerrymandering, what's going on in Ohio, the unite the right, attacking public education
Just listened to her Letters from an American podcast November 5 2024. She's been on the road for 13 months and recorded this days podcast from home. I can't express how grateful I am for her work, sacrifice, knowledge and generosity of hope! She literally said these last hopeful words again THIS morning. By this time tomorrow, we will know if her optimism is grounded in the heart of Americans and our history just repeats. 💙💙💙
The proper role of government in a democracy is to step in to protect the public whenever any sector, political or economic becomes too strong and seeks to dominate or exploit the people.
Great interview! Thanks Dean! Thanks Heather! Question: What can we DO? Answer: Take up oxygen. Tell stories about what you want, and what you demand, and what you don't want to see happen anymore. This is the role and function of artists and creative types. It's important to realize we are ALL artistic in some way, some medium. We are ALL creative. Put together old ideas with new ideas. Both incrementally as well as radically NEW ways to do things.
I was introduced to Heather's newsletter months ago and lost track of her when I changed my email address. I believe I heard her say that she doesn't watch TV, and I was wondering how she follows Trump's insanity without seeing him. In any case, Heather's view is very sane and enables a wide, full knowledge that takes in our history.
She is wrong. I mean, maybe some minds, but not the trump supporters' minds. Not enough to make a difference. Their identity is wrapped up in the whole thing and they are not going to do any thinking, which would be required for them to see reason. They stubbornly choose the delusion.
_“Let not anyone pacify his conscience by the delusion that he can do no harm if he takes no part, and forms no opinion. Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends, than that good men should look on and do nothing. He is not a good man who, without a protest, allows wrong to be committed in his name, and with the means which he helps to supply, because he will not trouble himself to use his mind on the subject.”_ -John Stuart Mill (1867) Voting in America is like driving a car: if you want to go _forward,_ select “D”; if you want to go _backward,_ select “R”. You won't get to any destination, staying in neutral.
"Things fall apart/the center cannot hold Mere anarchy is loosed on the world/ the blood-dimmed tide is loosed and everywhere the ceremony of innocence is drowned/ the best lack all conviction, while the worst/ are full of passionate intensity" - Yeats One of the risks of the moment we are in is how exhausting all of this is. For those of us who are plugged in, it hammers us every day and we risk burning out when the fight is not half-done. Meanwhile the other side remains utterly ignited. The things that we find taxing, like the slow march of justice in the Trump trials, serve to embolden those who would deconstruct what we have. We MUST hang on and see this through, or we WILL wake up one fine morning to the death of the great American experiment and the rise of Gilead.
The labor movement did not "come out of nowhere". That movement is a lasting tribute to the efforts of Bernie Sanders Presidential campaigns. From 2015 until 2021, he barnstormed America waking Americans up to how their wages were being stolen and their political power was in banding together to effect change. We will miss him when he is gone.
I worked from the 80's through the 90's into the early aughts, until 2019. I can no longer work now. Do Not Take AWAY my Social Security. How do we keep our Social Security. How can I live without Social Security?
I CANT LIKE OR LOVE THIS ENOUGH!!! WE have the power to STOP and CHANGE the undemocratic and illiberal horror presented to us as an "inevitability". Nothing is written. Acceptance and flourishing can be realized, or EXCLUSION and kleptocracy can become the norm. Its our choice. Choose well.
This Lady is absolutely Correct and l like the way she connects present events with history. Omg It’s sad when Stupidity and Actual Blindness is a Choice.
I agree with Heather that, while we aren't out of the woods yet, things are moving in the right direction, and the people are aware of the danger, and activated to oppose the minority rule which is being threatened.
Heather Cox Richardson is excellent. Showing respect for other people, whether or not you agree with them, is something societies have built over centuries as part of the democratic ideal. It is the mark of a civilized person. Trump shows nothing of this quality.
Yes, and all of his antics were unprevoked outburst. The left he targeted were so civil to him and truthful to the public. Btw, it was not trump pushing authoritarianism, he is not the one that openly passed EOs knowing they were unconstitutional, hw was not the one that sent the DOJ brass after his opponent for the next presidential race. This lady is full of crap. A civil acting one, i give you that, but she is either clueless, or lieing thru her teeth. I would love to hear her take on the lefts vision of a global socialist one world order at the expense of our country, our freedoms, our property and wealth. Where does she stand on that. And he is clueless, how about do some research. One trunp had nothing to do with the escalation that took place j6. It was not an insurrection, and the people responsible for this is being exposed that will further cement what i have said. Both are pushing fairytales.
The corporate owned media is worst than these two. They are the propaganda arn for the left. Holy crap, how do these two sleep at night spreading this crap. They cannot actually believe this.
You mean respect like Biden and other leftist apparatchiks calling conservatives white supremacists and domestic extremists who are a threat? That kind of respect? 🙄
What a great interview and explanation by this Historian to important issues facing us now. She covers the following important issues of today such as what is going on in America with Trump, the Republican Party, Authoritarianism, The rise of American Christian Nationalism, and the future of America. Thank you, thank you to Salon for the interview and to Professor Richardson for her book “Democracy Awakening”.
Truly. While the support for Trump is alarming, upsetting, I don’t hate fellow Americans. I want everyone to have opportunity, health care, dignity, and not to die in poverty. I want people to have the chance to thrive. They don’t have to agree with me for me to want good thins in their lives.
That’s a good point. Trumpers no longer have to feel uneducated, gullible, and backward. By using FOX as they’re encyclopedia of “alternate facts, they can now hold up their side of the debate. Their first chance not to feel stupid.
Hate does indeed poison the soul and ultimately it will turn on those who use it to acquire power. Governance should come from a place of empathy and caring about our fellow humans, not anger and hatred.
I have been subscribed to Heather for about a year now. She is brilliant and we need her especially now. I have been pretty downbeat about the future of our country until I started to hear Heather say here she has hope. Now I have hope for our country.
I became more watchful of ex-president Donnie as his campaign progressed. Towards that November, especially with Comey's interference and Clinton's gaffes, I got more and more concerned. And now, ex-president Donnie tells us exactly what he plans to do, and a large population of conservatives seem to get off on it. Yecch.
They aren't conservatives. They have conserved nothing. They are hysterical from the rage he has inspired in them and now others are competing to be more rageful because it seems to work but ultimately it leads nowhere good.
HCR has this in common with Spiro Agnew-there IS a “Silent Majority,” and Heather Cox Richardson is its spokeswoman. Americans rendered mute by this hyperbolically hysterical moment of history take solace and courage from her rock solid belief in our country, her unassailable knowledge of its tumultuous history and her stone-cold sanity.
Trump did not start talking about doing things for regular Americans until Bernie Sanders started gaining popularity. Trump preempted Bernie's points and lied to say that Trump would support policies that would improve the lives of Americans who were not in the top 90%.
They already came for social security. I got my social security survivor death benefits, which were only available to me because 1) my father had died and 2) I was a full time college student under the age of 24. - I had that taken away by Reagan, I believe in a “grand bargain” on the budget with Tip O’Neil. That has never come back. And now there’s all this talk now about forgiving student debt. What about the money they stole from all the college kids whose parents had died?
Projection Chumpy says he's fighting for you He's only running as a try to stay out of prison And if he gets his authoritarian job he'll turn on you when he needs a scapegoat
I don’t watch television either. I don’t have an operating TV. I have become aware that there is a universe/American that I have no knowledge or understanding of. The most recent shock I got was the writers strike. I am wondering how anyone can know or understand America or Americans if you don’t have some familiarity with TV/programming. Looking into this matter some years ago in the Anenburg school of communications library at the U of Pa. I was impressed by the amount and quality of their collection. There is a lot to know.
@@James24_How about you quantify that? An empty and hollow statement doesn't cut it. Now, are you going to look at ALL of Trump's term or pick and choose what served your empty statement? Let's see....
book is good talk is good . Also this is a world wide phenomena. We had and continue to have much international interference and cyber attacks as a part of our issues with Trump. We have our history of oligarchs. We need to address this problem. And corporations want to eliminate college and train people for jobs themselves. Why would you want a population that took history in college?
There was a clip that was interviewing trumpers. One man actually said He could stand on the steps of the White House and shoot someone and I would still vote for him. This statement horrifies me!
With social security, ending it isn't being promoted, but ending the requirement of giving Bill Gates $3,000 a month in benefits. The fact that nobody mentions that shocks me.
We can only try to ascertain why so many people continue to support the Republican Party and such a corrupt and loathsome individual, in spite of all that continues to become known about him, and is continuously revealed. It somewhat reminds me of the second amendment issue, and how visceral people get over the right to bear arms. A few close friends of mine no longer carry, and in fact, their guns were "removed from their cold, dead hands" and turned over to the local police or other government agency by their loved ones after they committed suicide. You see: we can never really know what anguish people are going though, even and especially as they seem to disagree with us the most. - j q t -
I hope your life isn't destroyed. Make it better by voting Blue. Also, help others to vote Blue, driving them to the polls, reminding them to vote and telling your story.
There is no more important voice in America today, however, i dont think Heather goes deep enough in her appraisal of the media in the this process. It is important to note that while the media wants to look like they are fiving both sides equal coverage in terms of message, the interests of the ownership are the real drivers that prevent the reporters and analysts from speaking truth.
As someone from NZ looking in, especially at American political history, I think a little perspective is needed. There always has been a small segment of the American political scene that was and is, authoritarian and dictatorial in nature, and would like to see democracy overturned. From the loyalist tories during the revolution, to the anti-federalists, to the KKK and the American Bund, to the McCarthyists, they've all been defeated at the ballot box.
@@downunder4404 once he got the GOP nomination, yeah, he got the party vote. But his core support only ever amounted to 45-55% of the GOP vote, at best. Now the court cases are stacking up, his support from that sector has dropped away to 30-35% of GOP vote. The poll results we are seeing are heavily skewed and fail to mention they're only polling Republican party support. Once the convictions start, and especially when the NY fraud penalties are known, his support will fade to less than 15% of GOP. The probability is that he won't get on the ballot paper. There's about four states that are going through the disqualification process with another 15-20 following.
The one thing she didn’t mention in the history of the 1850s to 60s was: A Civil War Happened! I woke up the morning after the 2016 election to the sound of very loud alarm bells going off in my head - and that was my greatest fear: another civil war. Not perhaps the most organized one by state like the last one. But a messy one. A horrible one where an entire political party would be targeted. It still horrifies me. But years ago, I could see it coming with the Christian nationalists. There was a morphing of the God people and the Guns people with the “Patriot” people - and yet without an inkling of recognition that if Jesus were alive today, he would absolutely not pack a piece or wave a national flag. It’s sickening.
I work around a lot of Conservatives/Libertarians. What baffles me is their absolute conviction that Government is a problem but Business is not because Business is what allows people to work their way to prosperity. Like working hard for 30 years is paying dues to earn the right to live comfortably. But they ignore how our model for Tyrannical Government was the British monarchy: private family + private fortune + private military = official governors. Our model for Bad Government was Private Tyranny, but they think business-minded people won't think like Tyrants.
Outstanding discussion! The media by playing "fair" actually is creating a bias in this situation which enables falsehoods.
This is exactly why I stopped being a centrist in graduate school. I thought centrism, and looking at both sides of the story, was a way to avoid bias. But I realize now that trying to be centrist essentially makes you biased against both sides; sometimes one side is actually right more often. This is why I became a progressive
@@fallen4life080 She does have a point about "falsehoods" we all can be duped into some Carnival Barkers Booth.....
The Progressives of 2016 were bought out by The Hillary Victory Committee and Robert Mercars Marketing program.
Mercer took Obama's algorithm added steroids, and proved he could get any Idiot elected to any Office, for a price.
The Mercer Marketing group, who appear to include Rebekah, who was a Trump Transition Team member,
still appears to benefit fro her associations with the fine Mormon Senator Mitt's Niece being Chair of GOP fundraising.
Mercers 2020 Absence sealed his Appointment, as Trump lost without that support. to Big Kahuna of Conservative Electoral Industry Marketing Poobahs.
Why do You suppose He quit His Day Job?
Telling tales out of school does tend to being profitable.....
@@fallen4life080 “…sometimes one side is actually right more often…”
You apparently did not receive your graduate degree in English.
@@DanielJett My degree requires an insane amount of English, statistics, and communication skills in order to publish, peer review, and properly communicate science. This isn't an academic seminar on a topic. It's just TH-cam, buddy.
@@DanielJett Not to mention, the English still makes sense if you actually bothered to know English YOURSELF. I.e If your partner goes through a period of 6 months where she makes better points than you much more often and the rest of the year you have the upper hand more often, then. Obviously she's "right more often" only "sometimes".
If I taught history I would have my students watch this posting. The two side are not equal. The media needs to call out the BS and call liars liars. The Republicans who enabled choose a cult of personality over their oath to Constitution. Vote them out in 2024.
The right-wing media like Fox are also liars.
The role of the media,as they see it, is only partly to report the news.
It is also to make MONEY!!
@renzo6490 sadly the making money is more important than being truthful when it comes to politics.
@@Kodiak1293 let's just say Republicans have a bad relationship with the truth.
That’s why Maga is trying to take over the schools.
Professor Richardson is a national treasure. She is what this country needs. Love her. 💙✌🏼
Professor Richardson is a national embarrassment.
@@alanking6240
Trump is the national embarrassment !
Deployed as a Russian weapon. They 'll try to do it again : bring him to WH.
@@alanking6240I imagine it seems that way to the followers of the current GOP, who are incapable of being shamed. For regular folks she is a breath of sane, fresh air. :)
@@april5666 Richardson only uses facts that support her narrative, not the truth. Check out her interviews and fact check it you will find I am right.
@@april5666 Why don't you check her facts. That is what I did. She spreads pure propaganda.
She's right!! When she says, "I think there are more people paying attention now". I'm certainly paying way more attention than I was before I saw conflicting stories in the 2020 election.
My daughter was with the other officers who saved our democracy on January 6th. I always thank Capitol and DC police. They were true heroes.
How many bother to mention the Mercers involvement in Trump, during the 2016 Campaign?
Or their absence in 2020?
That does appear to insure Robert Mercer a better income than the Hedge Fund Business.
Proving that He could get any idiot elected to any Office,
should make the Guy quite a few Billion Bucks.
Hm, I’ve been paying massive attention since Trump came down the escalator in 2015
@@JS-ki5yq Rand Paul introduced a issue that needs to debate the actual ability to pay for the distribution of Troops to well over 700 locations around the Globe.
The ability to Fund Conflicts as the ability to borrow money that supports an Empire across the Planet, seems to be draining the US Treasury, just as it did when the USA used Gold Standard Currency in 1967.
The Debate in the Senate should be revealing.
Me too
This woman is brilliantly intelligent. These are the kinda people it's important to surround yourself with. They inspire critical thinking, and they always leave you feeling smarter than you were ❤
Fantastic conversation. Thank you
One key question Dean missed and is a critical part of the danger we're in is a corrupted and billionaire dark money funded Supreme Court. I would have loved to see how Dr. Richardson would have addressed that as part of her hopeful narrative. It was perfectly corrupted by the Federalist Society, Leonard Leo, and Mitch McConnell to drive outcomes from a minority perspective which they could not be achieve through the normal electoral process. A corrupted judiciary is a fundamental feature of authoritarianism.
I notice that I feel smarter after checking her facts.
No One is perfect, except You and Me, .......Right?
She almost has been, lately 😊
Brilliantly intelligent???😂😂😂😂
@@karenrose3210 😅😅😅😅 emojis instead of a reasoned argument: typical Trumper!!!
This week I learned about the Bible Study classes being offered in public schools during school hours. Before I could get over the sick feeling in the pit of my stomach, I saw the announcement that the classes are now available in our local school system. Of all the things that frighten me these days, this is near the top.
As long as it remains voluntary and the choice is that of THE CHILD then what's wrong with it? No matter what we think of any individual choice-as long as it's not one that's damaging- then it should be available to those who wish to explore it
Not a churchgoer or Bible reader myself but nor do I believe it should be hidden or buried any more than literature, science
or history. It's called freedom .
Because the Bible classes teach a particular religion, and your constitution was wisely and necessarily founded on the idea that there would be no establishment of religion, no state religion, in America. In Britain, the Head of State is the Head of the Anglican Church, and historically the state punished, fined, disenfranchised other religions. The public schools are created by the state. Religions have no place there.
The white evangelicals have told you that they want to establish a Christian nation. As Richardson says here, Believe them when they tell you that is what they are going to do. Boebert, MTG, the new speaker are up front about taking rights away from gays, from women, from minorities. @@matt3024
It makes me really nervous too. The problem is that having Bible Study classes in school is another way to divide people. Will they also Koran studies as well? Old Testament or New Testament? We have to put ourselves in the children's shoes and think about who will be left out. Anything that is offered as "special" or extra, that only caters to certain groups, will do more damage than good.
@@matt3024 No one is burying the Bible.
And it is Highly Unlikely that any child (grade school or high school age) would willingly choose Bible Study classes. Such classes are not studying or presenting the Bible from a literary point of view. They are proselytizing. Holding forth the written word of God as Truth. This is entirely unconstitutional. A clear violation of the separation of Church and State. Let them teach a History of World Religions. Children might actually learn something about other cultures, other people's beliefs.
@@matt3024The problem is that faith based thinking can be used to justify ANYTHING.
This woman needs to be on cnn, msnbc, abc, and cbs 24/7
And Fox
She needs to be on Fox, Newsmax, and OAN.
One of the ways to get people to change those viewing habits is to show them what they are missing, and it would certainly be better if we could entice more people to view programs like these as an alternative to the more traditional and sensationalist/ratings-driven sources.
She's getting close with her book tour. Everyone should subscribe to her daily letters. They are a treasure!
@@RorkesDriftVCThose networks prefer people like Alex Jones and Larry the Cable Guy.
Heather is a prominent historian and fascinating to hear
She has a warped liberal view of history. My son has more knowledge of real history in his pinky finger than this liar.
As an 80 year old with a lifelong interest in both politics and history, i thank you from the bottom of my heart. It sometimes feels like i am alone in trying to keep the pieces of history alive in front of the youthful folks who did not live through this and do not even try to see how this all came together and made the Greed/Confederacy a reality, evolving, as un modified Republics are destined to evolve, into dictatorships.
The whole of what the Founders sold us is Democracy using a modified Republic framework. It was a balance of democratic republic , but with modifications far too fragile to protect that human equality necessary for this nation to live up to its greatest potential. We began with wonderful realities, perfect ethics, but with a compromise with the wealthy and white supremacy that must end if we are to survive as a nation. This nation has the right way, we simply have to live up to what we said were our goals: all human beings have certain inalienable rights and the right to make private decisions for our own lives, and the government has to go back to its stated purpose, Government that promotes the General Welfare of the People, and a nation that behaves ethically in the world.
Great thoughts, Neighbor! I'm a Canadian watching this horror show from my new home of Japan. ,,,and I fear for my family's future if Donald T-rump and the Maga Republicans get their way. I thank you very kindly for your sober insights. Peace!
You aren’t alone 💙
well said. thanks for sharing
The problem is the Constitution, written my white slave owners who were not set free or sold, they left black people and women out of the Constitution. It was not meant all were created equal. This is the problem.
Excellent interview!! Thank you both so much! DEMOCRACY AWAKENING is a must read for every voter in USA.
You forget - The people who really should read this, don't read.
I read this book. It is a great read, full of information we must know.
The media is looking at this from a purely financial perspective. Trump is good for ratings which equals financial benefits for their bottom line. Thank you, Mrs. Richardson. My family and I discuss this dire situation daily.
Agree with you about the corporate media. I'm reading the second of three books that David Cay Johnston, investigative journalist, has written about Donald Trump beginning with his first in 2016. Johnston has known Trump since 1988. The three books are: The Making of Donald Trump, It's Even Worse than you Think, and The Big Cheat. If more people knew about the facts written about in these books, it might help sway from some voters we know who are not totally impervious to information they don't already possess.
@@asbeautifulasasunset I have read two of his books@asbeautilasasunset. I also read newer articles Clay Johnston has written. Trump is a national security threat. I feel doubtful that knowing more about Trump would sway some voters, maybe a few independents perhaps? Certainly his cult can not be pursuaded at this point. Have you read Agenda 2025? It is the Trump agenda should he win. Not pretty. Trump will do everything within his power to outright steal the next election and there is talk that he will direct the military to spread out across the country to address publics outrage. Now let me say this, since 2015 I have predicted everything Trump has done. He now has a cadre of synophants at his disposal...they have perfected the steal.
You are so right! In the 70s, this little movie called Network was released, and news reporters and companies laughed it off, saying it was preposterous. Then, a few years later, international corporations bought the companies that produced the nightly news at ABC, CBS & NBC. And their news departments were told they have to start turning a profit (instead of operating at a loss as part of the bargain to gain access to public airwaves).
This has had a bigger cumulative effect on Americans than fast food. Which is saying something.
The media is the enemy of the people. They are painting the narrative thus playing with people's lives.
When Biden does something good and important it never gets mentioned. Things working out is not sexy
9:53 "...once you have started to poison your own soul by buying into someone who is abusing others, you can't turn away from that without admitting you're the one who is the problem."
Glad I never trusted the free kool-aid.
Thank you for reminding us of that. It is so very true and is the hook that has been swallowed by so many. It is in fact our history.
Yes! When Gen. Milley came out with that, he was truly serious. I am optimistic…thank you Heather! You are brilliant and truly a” Great thinker.” I so appreciate you.
AALeslie, Florida (the State with a moat around it) 🤦♀️
Thank you Heather Cox Richardson.
When someone doesn't think they will actually come for Social Security point to Roe v Wade
They want to come after Snap too .Johnson , the new Speaker of the House. It proves the Maga GOP don't care about Americans and want to take away all our rights and all the programs we rely on. More homeless and hungry Americans will be the result with a Lunatic wanna be Dictator. ! Trump for prison! Vote all these traitors out of office!
Eliminating birth control (unless a man approves) is coming now.
@@JohnSm-c2i No, I think it's being shot down and the tide is turning about now.
Truly excellent conversation. Great job Salon. She is absolutely right about asking what people around, need to feel secure and protected. People need affordable food, clean water, living wages, lower fuel prices to get to where they need to go, fair pricing in the marketplace, affordable housing, safe police forces, equal treatment under the law.
@leeproulx7412 and affordable health care
So where is it. I am telling you both sides are bullshit and greedy.
Dr. Heather Cox Richardson is a national treasure. We are fortunate to have a Smarty McSmartypants who uses their power for education of the U.S.
Heather Cox Richardson is a great speaker, very intelligent writer. Really good podcast. Thank you!
Great interview…she is a national treasure!
Not in this country.
Thank you for giving me hope, Ms. Richardson. I've learned a LOT & plan to read your book.
After listening to this interview, I'd like to recommend Sinclair Lewis' 1935 novel "It Can't Happen Here", an account of how fascism could suddenly arise in America. Very chilling to read alongside the daily news!
I am pretty sure that is Dr. Richardson.
@@jeannerogers7085 Thank you for the correction.
I read it when Voldemort was elected - and then watched it frighteningly unfold. It's a consistent reference.
YES! It CAN happen here and that book should be mandatory reading in every high school to prepare citizens and warn them when the next Trump comes along from the ranks of the present Trumpites and Trumpettes in Trump World. It's not just him, it's the idea, the beliefs, the blindness to the authoritarian dog whistles and calls to action of that side of the populace. He is preparing them to accept the next dictator with his racism, misogyny and power driven madness.
Great show! Mrs. Richardson does a fantastic job as usual!
The finest discussion on the subject I have heard to date. Heather Cox Richardson's assessment of the situation we now find purselves in, on all fronts, is spot-on. I urge all who have seen this video to share it widely.
Love listening to Heather. I've learned so much from her letters.
💙💙💙
We can make this MAGA problem go away in 2024, if good people who are concerned citizens just vote.
Maga is not your problem, believing it is though, could be. No more than the democrats are magas problem. The far leftist and far right are both problems of this country. Which neither dems or magas are part of for the most part
How's the koolaid? @@Kodiak1293
Not just vote but continually show a light on the horrors that the GOP is. They are authoritarian, theocratic, misogynistic, racist and elitist. Showing their dog whistles and making people see the what the GOP is actually doing. Gerrymandering, what's going on in Ohio, the unite the right, attacking public education
Conservatism will never go away.
@@reneenyberg4832 MAGA is totally traditional conservatism. It’s just conservatism that is honest with itself and others.
Just listened to her Letters from an American podcast November 5 2024. She's been on the road for 13 months and recorded this days podcast from home. I can't express how grateful I am for her work, sacrifice, knowledge and generosity of hope! She literally said these last hopeful words again THIS morning. By this time tomorrow, we will know if her optimism is grounded in the heart of Americans and our history just repeats. 💙💙💙
The proper role of government in a democracy is to step in to protect the public whenever any sector, political or economic becomes too strong and seeks to dominate or exploit the people.
Great interview! Thanks Dean! Thanks Heather! Question: What can we DO? Answer: Take up oxygen. Tell stories about what you want, and what you demand, and what you don't want to see happen anymore. This is the role and function of artists and creative types. It's important to realize we are ALL artistic in some way, some medium. We are ALL creative. Put together old ideas with new ideas. Both incrementally as well as radically NEW ways to do things.
Blah! Blah! Blah! Voting blue provides first answers to the crisis.
I was introduced to Heather's newsletter months ago and lost track of her when I changed my email address. I believe I heard her say that she doesn't watch TV, and I was wondering how she follows Trump's insanity without seeing him. In any case, Heather's view is very sane and enables a wide, full knowledge that takes in our history.
We also need to get others to vote blue as well.@@dolinaj1
She says near the end that we can change minds by talking to people one on one.
She is wrong. I mean, maybe some minds, but not the trump supporters' minds. Not enough to make a difference. Their identity is wrapped up in the whole thing and they are not going to do any thinking, which would be required for them to see reason. They stubbornly choose the delusion.
_“Let not anyone pacify his conscience by the delusion that he can do no harm if he takes no part, and forms no opinion. Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends, than that good men should look on and do nothing. He is not a good man who, without a protest, allows wrong to be committed in his name, and with the means which he helps to supply, because he will not trouble himself to use his mind on the subject.”_ -John Stuart Mill (1867)
Voting in America is like driving a car: if you want to go _forward,_ select “D”; if you want to go _backward,_ select “R”. You won't get to any destination, staying in neutral.
Yes!!!
I love hearing this. It's good to hear optimism for a change 😅
It's revealing that we call them "followers". Which is a term for people in a cult.
"Things fall apart/the center cannot hold
Mere anarchy is loosed on the world/ the blood-dimmed tide is loosed and everywhere
the ceremony of innocence is drowned/
the best lack all conviction, while the worst/ are full of passionate intensity"
- Yeats
One of the risks of the moment we are in is how exhausting all of this is. For those of us who are plugged in, it hammers us every day and we risk burning out when the fight is not half-done. Meanwhile the other side remains utterly ignited. The things that we find taxing, like the slow march of justice in the Trump trials, serve to embolden those who would deconstruct what we have. We MUST hang on and see this through, or we WILL wake up one fine morning to the death of the great American experiment and the rise of Gilead.
Context matters. Love Heather.
Heather is always so positive. Thank you for your important work
Outstanding discussion. Thank you.
Bravo. Great interview.
That was surprisingly good!! Not a lady I've heard of before, but very insightful.. I look forward to hearing more of her work.
The labor movement did not "come out of nowhere". That movement is a lasting tribute to the efforts of Bernie Sanders Presidential campaigns. From 2015 until 2021, he barnstormed America waking Americans up to how their wages were being stolen and their political power was in banding together to effect change. We will miss him when he is gone.
Excellent discussion, thanks 👍
I worked from the 80's through the 90's into the early aughts, until 2019. I can no longer work now. Do Not Take AWAY my Social Security. How do we keep our Social Security. How can I live without Social Security?
She's a national treasure and a rational pleasure.
I CANT LIKE OR LOVE THIS ENOUGH!!! WE have the power to STOP and CHANGE the undemocratic and illiberal horror presented to us as an "inevitability". Nothing is written. Acceptance and flourishing can be realized, or EXCLUSION and kleptocracy can become the norm. Its our choice. Choose well.
‘They don’t mean it’….so why are they wasting effort writing ‘policy papers’ about removing social security?
This Lady is absolutely Correct and l like the way she connects present events with history. Omg It’s sad when Stupidity and Actual Blindness is a Choice.
Such a good interview! Heather can speak about these issues in layman terms that we can understand. Thanks for keeping us informed..
Heather is even cooler now that she quoted Harry Potter! Go Heather!
I agree with Heather that, while we aren't out of the woods yet, things are moving in the right direction, and the people are aware of the danger, and activated to oppose the minority rule which is being threatened.
“Senate Republicans could have stooped djt from 2015 and forward, but selected to not.”- She is 💯 percent correct
Before it was a Reagan phrase, "Make America Great Again" was from Henry Ford's 1924 Presidential run.
Yeah, it was always fascistoid
Did not know that ty
Heather Cox Richardson is excellent. Showing respect for other people, whether or not you agree with them, is something societies have built over centuries as part of the democratic ideal. It is the mark of a civilized person. Trump shows nothing of this quality.
Yes, and all of his antics were unprevoked outburst. The left he targeted were so civil to him and truthful to the public.
Btw, it was not trump pushing authoritarianism, he is not the one that openly passed EOs knowing they were unconstitutional, hw was not the one that sent the DOJ brass after his opponent for the next presidential race. This lady is full of crap. A civil acting one, i give you that, but she is either clueless, or lieing thru her teeth. I would love to hear her take on the lefts vision of a global socialist one world order at the expense of our country, our freedoms, our property and wealth. Where does she stand on that.
And he is clueless, how about do some research. One trunp had nothing to do with the escalation that took place j6. It was not an insurrection, and the people responsible for this is being exposed that will further cement what i have said. Both are pushing fairytales.
The corporate owned media is worst than these two. They are the propaganda arn for the left. Holy crap, how do these two sleep at night spreading this crap. They cannot actually believe this.
You mean respect like Biden and other leftist apparatchiks calling conservatives white supremacists and domestic extremists who are a threat? That kind of respect? 🙄
When people are educated and learn how we got here, then maybe there is hope that citizens can reverse the trend that is frightening.
VOTE BLUE! Education in and of itself is inadequate.
What an excellent erudite discussion. Thank you HCR. (And Go Boston College!)
What a great interview and explanation by this Historian to important issues facing us now. She covers the following important issues of today such as what is going on in America with Trump, the Republican Party, Authoritarianism, The rise of American Christian Nationalism, and the future of America. Thank you, thank you to Salon for the interview and to Professor Richardson for her book “Democracy Awakening”.
To hate is to feel superior while before you felt inferior. Is the thing motivating MAGA folks, motivating Trump. It’s delusional of course.
Truly. While the support for Trump is alarming, upsetting, I don’t hate fellow Americans. I want everyone to have opportunity, health care, dignity, and not to die in poverty. I want people to have the chance to thrive. They don’t have to agree with me for me to want good thins in their lives.
That’s a good point. Trumpers no longer have to feel uneducated, gullible, and backward.
By using FOX as they’re encyclopedia of “alternate facts, they can now hold up their side of the debate. Their first chance not to feel stupid.
I am so inspired by your statement that Im going to start saving up to be poor now. ❄️🌎❄️❣️😶👌❄️
@@tcanfield They're even fighting a war on WOKE with the US Military now! ❄️🌎❄️
Hate does indeed poison the soul and ultimately it will turn on those who use it to acquire power. Governance should come from a place of empathy and caring about our fellow humans, not anger and hatred.
I have been subscribed to Heather for about a year now. She is brilliant and we need her especially now. I have been pretty downbeat about the future of our country until I started to hear Heather say here she has hope. Now I have hope for our country.
I became more watchful of ex-president Donnie as his campaign progressed. Towards that November, especially with Comey's interference and Clinton's gaffes, I got more and more concerned.
And now, ex-president Donnie tells us exactly what he plans to do, and a large population of conservatives seem to get off on it. Yecch.
They aren't conservatives. They have conserved nothing. They are hysterical from the rage he has inspired in them and now others are competing to be more rageful because it seems to work but ultimately it leads nowhere good.
Love you heather. Thanks for sharing your insight. Youre a treasure.
HCR has this in common with Spiro Agnew-there IS a “Silent Majority,” and Heather Cox Richardson is its spokeswoman.
Americans rendered mute by this hyperbolically hysterical moment of history take solace and courage from her rock solid belief in our country, her unassailable knowledge of its tumultuous history and her stone-cold sanity.
We need to scare the shite out of those people who are asleep at the wheel about all they will lose under fascism and the traitor
Correct. Forward this vid to every open-minded person you know. Also, vote and encourage all other like-minded folks you know to register to vote.
Supporters think Trump will protect THEM, punish everyone else! So they believe they will actually benefit!
This is so excellent! My favorite historian.
Trump did not start talking about doing things for regular Americans until Bernie Sanders started gaining popularity. Trump preempted Bernie's points and lied to say that Trump would support policies that would improve the lives of Americans who were not in the top 90%.
She’s a historian, really listen she speaks objectively
The so-called Primaries are State elections. Please vote in both elections.
They already came for social security. I got my social security survivor death benefits, which were only available to me because 1) my father had died and 2) I was a full time college student under the age of 24. - I had that taken away by Reagan, I believe in a “grand bargain” on the budget with Tip O’Neil. That has never come back. And now there’s all this talk now about forgiving student debt. What about the money they stole from all the college kids whose parents had died?
Thank you for bringing up these points!
Great program!!
Very interesting conversation. Thank you!
Vote before a vote doesn't count anymore and real trouble begins.
Projection Chumpy says he's fighting for you He's only running as a try to stay out of prison And if he gets his authoritarian job he'll turn on you when he needs a scapegoat
I don't think the average person knows what a Democracy. It is simple a Democracy is the Majority.
He is a good interviewer…👍🏻
The main news channels are turning a blind eye to this. Wake up America while there is still time.
Yes. It's as if Main Stream Media is as scared of TFG's vengefulness as the GOP is.
Why would you internalize any politician, its nuts and creepy
What she is saying sounds good, but social media seems to be far more powerful than actual conversations between individuals.
That's why voting is so important.
She says at one point that she no longer found Trump interesting. I don't recall him ever being interesting, only heinous, ridiculous, and traitorous.
Your anti american
Exactly.. Trump is not a complex, interesting person. He is a shallow, power and money hungry narcissist who places himself above all else.
19:57 I would love to hear an explanation for this. It’s a take I haven’t heard before.
Thank you!
What an INTELLIGENT Conversation....
At L A S T....LOL
Great discussion thank you
one more thing it is great that people like you tell us what is happening but i hear little about what to do .
You must not have listened to the entire thing. She spoke of what we could do at the end.
people must be made aware of the choice we face in 2024, Democracy or Dictatorship. VOTE BLUE
Ridiculous. The Dems want a submissive population dependent on the government.
Vote sanity, vote Trump!
I don’t watch television either. I don’t have an operating TV. I have become aware that there is a universe/American that I have no knowledge or understanding of. The most recent shock I got was the writers strike. I am wondering how anyone can know or understand America or Americans if you don’t have some familiarity with TV/programming. Looking into this matter some years ago in the Anenburg school of communications library at the U of Pa. I was impressed by the amount and quality of their collection. There is a lot to know.
We've been an oligarchy for quite awhile now.
Dr. Richardson’s book is great! If you haven’t read, please do.
Education helps but people don’t even need that. The stories of the Wizard of Oz and the emperors new clothes.
NO NO NO, not a salesman, but rather a con man! Its really, really difficult to use the word man in any sentence describing Trump.
How about “best president” in a sentence?
Crybaby is a better description of trump.
@@James24_How about you quantify that? An empty and hollow statement doesn't cut it. Now, are you going to look at ALL of Trump's term or pick and choose what served your empty statement? Let's see....
A con man sells confidence.
Salesman. A euphemism for con man?
T**** was NOTHING without his enablers.
There are more standing by for the next mission
How's the koolaid?@@ninod1502
book is good talk is good . Also this is a world wide phenomena. We had and continue to have much international interference and cyber attacks as a part of our issues with Trump. We have our history of oligarchs. We need to address this problem. And corporations want to eliminate college and train people for jobs themselves. Why would
you want a population that took history in college?
I'm definitely bored with trump.
There was a clip that was interviewing trumpers. One man actually said He could stand on the steps of the White House and shoot someone and I would still vote for him. This statement horrifies me!
To equate Trump with a car salesman is to insult car salesmen and saleswomen.
With social security, ending it isn't being promoted, but ending the requirement of giving Bill Gates $3,000 a month in benefits. The fact that nobody mentions that shocks me.
I wish I would have seen this video when it dropped. I felt like I was the only person who had read p2025. Thank goodness it finally got out.
I spoke up on social media and face to face with my friends from high school and had my life destroyed by Republicans.
We can only try to ascertain why so many people continue to support the Republican Party and such a corrupt and loathsome individual, in spite of all that continues to become known about him, and is continuously revealed. It somewhat reminds me of the second amendment issue, and how visceral people get over the right to bear arms. A few close friends of mine no longer carry, and in fact, their guns were "removed from their cold, dead hands" and turned over to the local police or other government agency by their loved ones after they committed suicide. You see: we can never really know what anguish people are going though, even and especially as they seem to disagree with us the most. - j q t -
I hope your life isn't destroyed. Make it better by voting Blue. Also, help others to vote Blue, driving them to the polls, reminding them to vote and telling your story.
Get around like-minded people for community and strategies.
THANK YOU FOR BRINGING MME RICHARDSON ❤. VERY INTERESTING CONVERSATION. I APPRECIATED .👁️👁️ FROM CANADA 🇨🇦 .❣️💙💙💙💙💙.
There is no more important voice in America today, however, i dont think Heather goes deep enough in her appraisal of the media in the this process. It is important to note that while the media wants to look like they are fiving both sides equal coverage in terms of message, the interests of the ownership are the real drivers that prevent the reporters and analysts from speaking truth.
Beautifully communicated and explained, thank you both . Let’s keep taking up oxygen ❤🙏🏼
As someone from NZ looking in, especially at American political history, I think a little perspective is needed. There always has been a small segment of the American political scene that was and is, authoritarian and dictatorial in nature, and would like to see democracy overturned. From the loyalist tories during the revolution, to the anti-federalists, to the KKK and the American Bund, to the McCarthyists, they've all been defeated at the ballot box.
This seems a bit different though. Trump wasn't soundly defeated in 2020. He still attracted significant votes.
@@downunder4404 once he got the GOP nomination, yeah, he got the party vote. But his core support only ever amounted to 45-55% of the GOP vote, at best. Now the court cases are stacking up, his support from that sector has dropped away to 30-35% of GOP vote. The poll results we are seeing are heavily skewed and fail to mention they're only polling Republican party support. Once the convictions start, and especially when the NY fraud penalties are known, his support will fade to less than 15% of GOP. The probability is that he won't get on the ballot paper. There's about four states that are going through the disqualification process with another 15-20 following.
Mine was they would never overturn Roe vs Wade. The blood in my face drained and I’m past child bearing age.
The one thing she didn’t mention in the history of the 1850s to 60s was: A Civil War Happened! I woke up the morning after the 2016 election to the sound of very loud alarm bells going off in my head - and that was my greatest fear: another civil war. Not perhaps the most organized one by state like the last one. But a messy one. A horrible one where an entire political party would be targeted. It still horrifies me. But years ago, I could see it coming with the Christian nationalists. There was a morphing of the God people and the Guns people with the “Patriot” people - and yet without an inkling of recognition that if Jesus were alive today, he would absolutely not pack a piece or wave a national flag. It’s sickening.
Must outnumber them.
I work around a lot of Conservatives/Libertarians. What baffles me is their absolute conviction that Government is a problem but Business is not because Business is what allows people to work their way to prosperity. Like working hard for 30 years is paying dues to earn the right to live comfortably. But they ignore how our model for Tyrannical Government was the British monarchy: private family + private fortune + private military = official governors. Our model for Bad Government was Private Tyranny, but they think business-minded people won't think like Tyrants.
Well said😊