Are We Losing Our Democracy?

Saturday, November 01, 2025

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 | 10 COMMENTS | permalink | Comment on This Entry |

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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

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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 | Reply | Newsworthy 1

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 | Reply

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

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

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 | Reply | Newsworthy 1

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 | Reply | Newsworthy 1

#3 = Brainwashing at it's finest.

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

He'd need a brain first.