I honestly struggled with that. I knew it would be a hard read. Which is why it took me some time to get it out. But I can’t sugarcoat what I see. We need to face some deeply disturbing realities. I hope part 2 will offer some hope.
I know the feeling. It is hard not to feel that way if you are a thinking, caring human being, facing all that we do. I think I would have had the piece out a week ago if I had not been struggling with how it would impact people. You will see me return to the more hopeful path of building the future in place. There are ways we can come through this to make a better world.
Something’s got to give and it certainly won’t be the monied interests that control things. I, too feel horrible for my children and the younger generations and struggle to speak about these concerns because it all feels so hopeless and frustrating. Thanks for putting this out there.
I hope you read part 2. I will be offering my best sense of paths forward. Those monied powers may be weaker than we think. They have created a fundamentally unstable economic system that I believe will be their undoing. The world is going to go through tough times, your children and mine, as well as ourselves. But the way they will expose the follies of the current system is exactly what can spur the action to create a better world for our children and theirs. If you read my three previous pieces on this page, you can gain a sense of what I am talking about.
The late Gore Vidal often addressed this issue in his famous “Union of States” talks/essays (his ridicule of the annual “State of the Union” speech by US presidents), suggesting secessions will ultimately happen among the states. His arguments are difficult to refute [paraphrasing]: what exactly does Californians and Mississippians have in common?
There are not two sides, ideologies, two value systems in conflict. Not oligarchs versus plebes.
There are people culling us, deliberately destroying society. Having fractured civilization—having set us all at each other’s throats—they’ll soon steal everything and enslave everyone left : all of us whether their own proselytes, henchmen, soldiers, or rebels, the innocents, the children.
I can’t lay my hands on it right now, but I remember reading an essay about a possible second American civil war and how it was extremely unlikely because we no longer have the kind of geographical separation that helped make the first one possible. There are pockets of pro-secession groups all over the U.S., mostly MAGA types in Texas, Idaho, Eastern Oregon, Northern California (‘State of Jefferson’), parts of Michigan, Wisconsin, and probably the Dakotas. There’s a leftist/green contingent in the PNW (Cascadia). What makes secession so unlikely is that these enclaves are isolated, just as ‘liberal’ college towns like Lawrence (Kansas), Austin (Texas), and Madison (Wisconsin), are blue dots in red states. Add to that the fact that all of these communities, counties, and states are interconnected by commerce and interdependent upon each other. Rural, agricultural, regions need markets in which to sell their produce. They also rely on metropolitan areas for any sort of serious medical care. The people in big cities aren’t going to start growing their own food, and the number of doctors and hospitals in less populated areas has been in decline for decades. For all the talk of breaking up the U.S. into two, three, or even four separate autonomous regions — where would you draw the lines? I don’t think it could be mapped.
I fully acknowledge this is a more balkanized situation than the 1860s civil war, though there were pockets of union support in the south and confederate support in the north. The biggest divisions are between metropolitan cores on the one hand, and exurbs and rural areas on the other. But what we also see is the preponderance of forces in different states moving in sharply different directions. Blue states are becoming more progressive, red states more conservative. What I see as the most likely scenario for a breakup is not an official division into different nations, but a situation where states nullify federal law, refuse to enforce it or let it be enforced in their boundaries, leading to a breakdown in federal authority. Then the question would be whether there would be use of military and police force to restore it, or would a de facto division remain. A national abortion ban might cause blue states to refuse enforcement, for example. The increasing tendency for Texas to take immigration enforcement into its own hands is another example. I do not expect breakdown of the continental supply chain, though truckers strikes in other countries have caused this. Massive civil unrest is something we have seen often in the US.
All good points. I think you’re right about the potential for a breakdown of federal authority. We’re certainly living through ‘interesting times’, but that’s been true for much of human history.
No, we cannot get along with fascists. Conservatives should never be allowed near power ever again. In fact all governments are authoritarian and they need to be abolished. They're nothing but corporate entities and corporations are predators.
Many poll numbers for basic changes are ignored. Because powerful interests stand in the way. I call these numbers high because what were once considered marginal views, believing a civil war is likely or favoring breakup of the nation, have surprisingly high support levels.
Please stop. There is no strife amongst our neighbors, co workers family or friends. Only manufactured divisions that serve the interest of the donor class to keep the status quo in power. How about solutions? @equalityAlec
If you read carefully you will find references to how political elites stir up divisions, and how the power of money twists our politics. No dispute there. But no strife? Look at the polling reported throughout the piece. There are genuine divisions that we can’t softpedal. Look to part 2 for solutions.
Your article was deeply depressing to me. The future looks grim for my son, niece, and grandchildren. 💔
I honestly struggled with that. I knew it would be a hard read. Which is why it took me some time to get it out. But I can’t sugarcoat what I see. We need to face some deeply disturbing realities. I hope part 2 will offer some hope.
I do too....I realized that you were speaking the truth - and that is what makes it so difficult. I am overwhelmed right now.
I know the feeling. It is hard not to feel that way if you are a thinking, caring human being, facing all that we do. I think I would have had the piece out a week ago if I had not been struggling with how it would impact people. You will see me return to the more hopeful path of building the future in place. There are ways we can come through this to make a better world.
Thank you!
Something’s got to give and it certainly won’t be the monied interests that control things. I, too feel horrible for my children and the younger generations and struggle to speak about these concerns because it all feels so hopeless and frustrating. Thanks for putting this out there.
I hope you read part 2. I will be offering my best sense of paths forward. Those monied powers may be weaker than we think. They have created a fundamentally unstable economic system that I believe will be their undoing. The world is going to go through tough times, your children and mine, as well as ourselves. But the way they will expose the follies of the current system is exactly what can spur the action to create a better world for our children and theirs. If you read my three previous pieces on this page, you can gain a sense of what I am talking about.
The late Gore Vidal often addressed this issue in his famous “Union of States” talks/essays (his ridicule of the annual “State of the Union” speech by US presidents), suggesting secessions will ultimately happen among the states. His arguments are difficult to refute [paraphrasing]: what exactly does Californians and Mississippians have in common?
No.
There are not two sides, ideologies, two value systems in conflict. Not oligarchs versus plebes.
There are people culling us, deliberately destroying society. Having fractured civilization—having set us all at each other’s throats—they’ll soon steal everything and enslave everyone left : all of us whether their own proselytes, henchmen, soldiers, or rebels, the innocents, the children.
It’s them against all of us !
There is no virtuous fight but against them.
I can’t lay my hands on it right now, but I remember reading an essay about a possible second American civil war and how it was extremely unlikely because we no longer have the kind of geographical separation that helped make the first one possible. There are pockets of pro-secession groups all over the U.S., mostly MAGA types in Texas, Idaho, Eastern Oregon, Northern California (‘State of Jefferson’), parts of Michigan, Wisconsin, and probably the Dakotas. There’s a leftist/green contingent in the PNW (Cascadia). What makes secession so unlikely is that these enclaves are isolated, just as ‘liberal’ college towns like Lawrence (Kansas), Austin (Texas), and Madison (Wisconsin), are blue dots in red states. Add to that the fact that all of these communities, counties, and states are interconnected by commerce and interdependent upon each other. Rural, agricultural, regions need markets in which to sell their produce. They also rely on metropolitan areas for any sort of serious medical care. The people in big cities aren’t going to start growing their own food, and the number of doctors and hospitals in less populated areas has been in decline for decades. For all the talk of breaking up the U.S. into two, three, or even four separate autonomous regions — where would you draw the lines? I don’t think it could be mapped.
I fully acknowledge this is a more balkanized situation than the 1860s civil war, though there were pockets of union support in the south and confederate support in the north. The biggest divisions are between metropolitan cores on the one hand, and exurbs and rural areas on the other. But what we also see is the preponderance of forces in different states moving in sharply different directions. Blue states are becoming more progressive, red states more conservative. What I see as the most likely scenario for a breakup is not an official division into different nations, but a situation where states nullify federal law, refuse to enforce it or let it be enforced in their boundaries, leading to a breakdown in federal authority. Then the question would be whether there would be use of military and police force to restore it, or would a de facto division remain. A national abortion ban might cause blue states to refuse enforcement, for example. The increasing tendency for Texas to take immigration enforcement into its own hands is another example. I do not expect breakdown of the continental supply chain, though truckers strikes in other countries have caused this. Massive civil unrest is something we have seen often in the US.
All good points. I think you’re right about the potential for a breakdown of federal authority. We’re certainly living through ‘interesting times’, but that’s been true for much of human history.
No, we cannot get along with fascists. Conservatives should never be allowed near power ever again. In fact all governments are authoritarian and they need to be abolished. They're nothing but corporate entities and corporations are predators.
So important Patrick. I look forward to the next instalment.
Why are these figures "high" support while 80+% for gun law changes is ignored?
Many poll numbers for basic changes are ignored. Because powerful interests stand in the way. I call these numbers high because what were once considered marginal views, believing a civil war is likely or favoring breakup of the nation, have surprisingly high support levels.
Please stop. There is no strife amongst our neighbors, co workers family or friends. Only manufactured divisions that serve the interest of the donor class to keep the status quo in power. How about solutions? @equalityAlec
If you read carefully you will find references to how political elites stir up divisions, and how the power of money twists our politics. No dispute there. But no strife? Look at the polling reported throughout the piece. There are genuine divisions that we can’t softpedal. Look to part 2 for solutions.