Saturday, November 01, 2025

Are We Losing Our Democracy?

The New York Times Editorial Board identified 12 markers that shows a country is slipping into autocracy. Trump has started or has already taken those 12 steps. The editorial board notes that the United States still has a largely free press, judiciary and speech, but erosion has begun. If our free and fair elections disappear, the turn back to democracy will be difficult.

Posted by retort at 11:30 AM | 44 COMMENTS | permalink

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The Times editorial board has compiled a list of 12 markers of democratic erosion. The sobering reality is that the United States has regressed, to different degrees, on all 12.[image or embed]

-- New York Times Opinion (@nytopinion.nytimes.com) Oct 31, 2025 at 4:49 PM

Comments

A democracy cannot slip to being an autocratic fascist gang unless the independent media is intimidated and shut down. That is clearly happening in real time as the billionaire oligarchs like Bezos buy off the media and turn it into just another tool of the far right.
A democracy has to have two independent political parties both dedicated to the rule of law and one person, one vote democracy. The Republican Party has been lost to Trumpian fascism...so there is that.
A democracy has to have an independent legal system, and as exemplified by the Roberts court, far right fascism is seen as originalism, and the rich have the right of representation and the poor have the right to suffer.

#1 | Posted by Hughmass at 2025-11-01 08:44 AM

Yes, we are losing our democracy. The Founders were counting on resistance from a principled and patriotic Congress, and look at what we've got: a heap of right-wing pansies who compensate with ersatz machismo.

If you've noticed, MAGA has actually abolished the House of Representatives. Johnson has fired himself as Speaker of the House, and Donald Trump brags about taking that role.
'
The immediate crisis began when Trump was re-elected. The climax will come in next year's elections. which Donald Trump will allow to have no other outcome but to keep him in power.

The more naked Donald's coup, the more likely civil unrest. and the more likely that we have dead Americans on the streets. A lot of them, to include women and children.

We've seen this coming for years now. Good luck to all men of goodwill in getting to the other side of it.

#2 | Posted by Zed at 2025-11-01 09:26 AM

For 4 years of the Biden administration our country was effectively, without borders.

#3 | Posted by lfthndthrds at 2025-11-01 09:59 AM

Short answer: Yes.

Republicans have always despised the 'government for the people' created by Roosevelt and Johnson and have been working tirelessly on the long game of dismantling such policies. And then along came Trump with his wildly successful plan for hate and division, and the whole thing kicked into overdrive.

Good times.

#4 | Posted by Angrydad at 2025-11-01 10:05 AM

For 4 years of the Biden administration our country was effectively, without borders.

#3 | Posted by lfthndthrds

Has anyone ever described you as being a hack?

Is this your excuse for everything? Appears so.

Bad things are here, and you bear some responsibility for that. As you will the really Bad things to come.

Try to remember when you were a human being.

#5 | Posted by Zed at 2025-11-01 10:19 AM

#3 = Brainwashing at it's finest.

#6 | Posted by bat4255 at 2025-11-01 10:59 AM

He'd need a brain first.

#7 | Posted by Alexandrite at 2025-11-01 11:00 AM

Has anyone ever described you as being a hack?

#5 | Posted by Zed at 2025-11-01 10:19 AM | Reply | Flag:

A country without borders isn't a country. For four years anyone who wanted to simply walked into our country without consequence.

bUh oUr dEmOcRaCy!!!

#8 | Posted by lfthndthrds at 2025-11-01 11:11 AM

bUh oUr dEmOcRaCy!!!

#8 | Posted by lfthndthrds

You don't deserve what you have in life.

#9 | Posted by Zed at 2025-11-01 11:19 AM

What democracy? This is not a democracy!

We never had a democracy. It was all in your imaginations.

-Bozo the Orwellian Clown.

#10 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-11-01 11:21 AM

It's asking a lot, apparently, for rwingers to grok the democratic republic that the Founders created.

#11 | Posted by Corky at 2025-11-01 12:08 PM

I even asked Grok what it groks and Grok states that the United States is a constitutional republic that functions as a representative democracy.

It does not exclusively identify our system as one or the other but rather describes it as having characteristics of both.

The problem maga maroons have is apparently holding two ideas or concepts in one's mind at the same time. It hurts their heads and apparently makes them very angry.

#12 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-11-01 12:14 PM

Every citizen over 18 should have their vote counted. EVERY SINGLE ONE.

#13 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2025-11-01 12:18 PM

For 4 years of the Biden administration our country was effectively, without borders.
#3 | Posted by lfthndthrds

Relevance?

#14 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-11-01 12:19 PM

"A country without borders isn't a country."

Do you know what the Schengen Agreement is?
No, you do not.
en.wikipedia.org

#15 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-11-01 12:20 PM

Biden deported more people than Trump did in his first term. Lfthandturd is too dumb to know that and he doesn't read real news.

#16 | Posted by Alexandrite at 2025-11-01 12:27 PM

For 4 years of the Biden administration our country was effectively, without borders.
#3 | Posted by lfthndthrds

This country has never been "without borders".

Remember Title 42? Title 42 allowed U.S. authorities to quickly expel most migrants at the border, including asylum seekers, without a formal legal process, to prevent the spread of the virus.

GFY with your hateful lies.

#17 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-11-01 12:32 PM

... The editorial board notes that the United States still has a largely free press, ... but erosion has begun. ...

White House restricts media access in the West Wing
www.politico.com

... The administration said it's a matter of security, but the new rule appears to be part of a larger effort to restrict the press. ...

#18 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-11-01 12:37 PM

Every citizen over 18 should have their vote counted. EVERY SINGLE ONE.

#13 | POSTED BY LEGALLYYOURDEAD

It should be a law that everyone who is eligible to vote votes.

It's your civic duty.

Of course, having served my country I believe it would be in America's and everyone's best interest if everyone residing in America was required to serve America in some capacity.

Instead of just 2% of us.

Semper Fi

#19 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-11-01 12:41 PM

You know how our government backs coups in other countries to replace one party with another?

Well, the same groups, intelligence agencies, nonprofits, foundations, have long ago turned those tactics inward, backing Democrats to overthrow Republicans.

#20 | Posted by visitor_ at 2025-11-01 12:44 PM

For four years anyone who wanted to simply walked into our country without consequence ... .
#8 | POSTED BY LFTHNDTHRDS

"To get back to the warning that I've received, you might take it with however many grains of salt you wish, that the brown acid that is circulating around us is not specifically too good. It's suggested that you do stay away from that. Of course it's your own trip, so be my guest. But please be advised that there's a warning on that one, okay?"
Chip Monck
Master of Ceremonies
Woodstock Music & Art Fair: An Aquarian Exposition

#21 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis at 2025-11-01 12:48 PM

Yes.

Anyone who says otherwise is a moron.

#22 | Posted by jpw at 2025-11-01 12:49 PM

Well, the same groups, intelligence agencies, nonprofits, foundations, have long ago turned those tactics inward, backing Democrats to overthrow Republicans.

#20 | POSTED BY VISITOR_

Case in point, this stupid piece of s%^#.

#23 | Posted by jpw at 2025-11-01 12:51 PM

You don't deserve what you have in life.

#9 | POSTED BY ZED

The only reason somebody is that big of a stupid piece of s%^* is they didn't earn what they have but think they deserve more.

It's the core of maga.

#24 | Posted by jpw at 2025-11-01 12:54 PM

We have a party-managed republic we call a "Democracy". It's a managed hypocrisy.

#25 | Posted by lee_the_agent at 2025-11-01 01:40 PM

" Yes.

Anyone who says otherwise is a moron.

#22 | POSTED BY JPW AT 2025-11-01 12:49 PM | FLAG: "

No.

You are a moron and a cooze drama queen.

#26 | Posted by BellRinger at 2025-11-01 01:49 PM

Biden deported more people than Trump did in his first term. Lfthandturd is too dumb to know that and he doesn't read real news.

#16 | Posted by Alexandrite at 2025-11-01 12:27 PM | Reply | Flag

LMAO say what?

Now that Trump is outdoing Biden on evictions, you're mad about it.

#27 | Posted by lfthndthrds at 2025-11-01 02:02 PM

It is compulsory for all Australian citizens over the age of 18 to enroll and vote in federal elections. Failure to do so may lead to a $20 administrative penalty. If you don't vote, you will receive a letter from the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) with instructions on how to pay the $20 penalty.

#28 | Posted by C0RI0LANUS at 2025-11-01 02:04 PM

For four years anyone who wanted to simply walked into our country without consequence ... .
#8 | POSTED BY LFTHNDTHRDS

What were the consequences?

#29 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-11-01 02:16 PM

Now that Trump is outdoing Biden on evictions, you're mad about it.
#27 | Posted by lfthndthrds

Evictions, lol.
Nice Freudian slip.

#30 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-11-01 02:18 PM

The only reason somebody is that big of a stupid piece of s%^* is they didn't earn what they have but think they deserve more.

It's the core of maga.

#24 | Posted by jpw at 2025-11-01 12:54 PM | Reply | Flag:

Look at this @$$ clown trying to be cute.

Nobody gave me anything other than a chance to make something for myself/family. I deserve exactly what me and the people I work for agree upon for my services. This bullshit idea that I had a gold spoon in my mouth as a child is nonsense. but lately that's all you have for comments - pure bullshit.

You're awfully angry lately. Did your SNAP benefits get cancelled because of the government shutdown your party started?

#31 | Posted by lfthndthrds at 2025-11-01 02:21 PM

- What were the consequences?

They got jobs; were a Net Plus to the Economy as they have long been, and then committed less crimes per capital than did US Citizens.

Of course, Trump told his Cult they were eating dogs and cats.

#32 | Posted by Corky at 2025-11-01 02:22 PM

Yes.

Anyone who says otherwise is a moron.

#22 | POSTED BY JPW AT 2025-11-01 12:49 PM | FLAG: "

No.

You are a moron and a cooze drama queen.

#26 | POSTED BY BELLRINGER

Of course, Gutes Deutsch has to chime in to say "yup, that is correct."

#33 | Posted by jpw at 2025-11-01 02:25 PM

#31 nobody said a thing about a golden spoon, Mr Trailer House.

#34 | Posted by jpw at 2025-11-01 02:25 PM

"Nobody gave me anything other than a chance"

This "chance" you were given, what was its cash value, and who gave it to you?

It sounds like daddy hired you. Is that what happened?

#35 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-11-01 02:29 PM

Biden deported people LEGALLY.

Republicans used to at least say they cared about the law. A long time before Trump.

#36 | Posted by Alexandrite at 2025-11-01 02:30 PM

Nobody gave me anything other than a chance to make something for myself/family.

Ah, another "self made" man that wiped his own butt.

Sure.

#37 | Posted by Alexandrite at 2025-11-01 02:31 PM

#31 nobody said a thing about a golden spoon, Mr Trailer House.

#34 | Posted by jpw at 2025-11-01 02:25 PM | Reply | Flag:

Trailer house. That's funny. It's also projection. You've stated the you have to strap on a gun to walk in your own neighborhood.

#38 | Posted by lfthndthrds at 2025-11-01 02:33 PM

I should just stop posting Facts.... Trumpers only believe his lies.

#39 | Posted by Corky at 2025-11-01 02:34 PM

You're the one who said trailer house, dips^%%.

#40 | Posted by jpw at 2025-11-01 02:35 PM

Another thing, Gutes Deutsch, you've been wrong about everything with this administration.

You downplay and deflect everything then ignore it when it happens or becomes true.

#41 | Posted by jpw at 2025-11-01 02:36 PM

Republicans couldn't begin to tell you what it looks like when a nation loses their democracy.

Republicans don't think Germany lost their democracy in the 1930s.

#42 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-11-01 02:42 PM

"A country without borders isn't a country."
#3 = Brainwashing at it's finest.

#6 | POSTED BY BAT4255 AT 2025-11-01 10:59 AM | FLAG:

He'd need a brain first.
#7 | POSTED BY ALEXANDRITE

I guess Bernie doesn't have a brain.

BERNIE: "If you don't have any borders, you don't have a nation."
"Trump did a better job. I don't like Trump, but we should have a secure border. It ain't that hard to do. Biden didn't do it."


Do you know what the Schengen Agreement is?
No, you do not.
en.wikipedia.org
#15 | POSTED BY SNOOFY

Who does the US have an agreement with, is Bernie wrong?

You can always tell the CULT members, they don't know whats going on in the world.
Don't you know Lefty is trolling you? NO because you have no idea about the news or reality.

#43 | Posted by oneironaut at 2025-11-01 03:00 PM

Oneironut thinks he made a point. When are you going to get your nose out of Trumps ass?

#44 | Posted by Alexandrite at 2025-11-01 03:01 PM

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