Newsom didn't do anyone any favors by blowing up at the European leaders

[markodochartaigh]

57. I disagree with some points, agree with others, and just plain don't

know how things will play out. But I'm more than happy to recommend this post for the effort which went into it as well as the level of discussion which it has elicited.

For what it's worth, I think that we are too focused on the incorrect target. As sad as it is to believe that nuclear weapons, the world's largest military, and so much of the US economy is under the thumb of someone as compromised on every level as Trump, I don't think that he is the root of the problem. In fact, I see him now as the Republican party's biggest problem. I think that he should be allowed to tear their party apart. The US' authoritarian problem came from the right and it will have to be solved by having a non-authoritarian right wing solution. To be viable a democracy must have at least two viable parties committed to democracy and the US is one party short. Unfortunately a moderate left wing party and a progressive left wing party would only split the vote allowing the right wing party to win. Eventually the electorate might be educated and engaged enough to fight the right wing party, but we are not there now nor will we be soon enough. Nevertheless, an ignorant and apathetic electorate got us here and I think that this is one target which we must focus on immediately.

Another target is our oiligarchs. They are as much the reason that we are losing our democracy as the electorate. Reining them in, if it is possible, will cause extreme short-term damage to the economy and stock market. But they have proven that they are enemies of democracy. If Europe does use its trade bazooka it could be a start to reining them in. It might be possible to get enough Republicans on board if all of the Democratic members of Congress stuck together to craft legislation here.
Leaving Trump to thrash and trash the Republican party will do incredible damage to the US and our institutions. But I think that if he were replaced now by a polished authoritarian more acceptable to the corporate Republicans, and still acceptable to the maga base, the damage would be worse. It took half a century to get rid of Franco. Several African countries and North Korea still have authoritarian Strong Leaders.