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Drudge Retort: The Other Side of the News
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.

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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 3

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 9

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 7

#3 = Brainwashing at it's finest.

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

He'd need a brain first.

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

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 | Reply

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 | Reply | Newsworthy 2

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 | Reply | Newsworthy 2

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 | Reply

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 | Reply

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

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

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 | Reply | Newsworthy 1

"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 | Reply

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 | Newsworthy 8

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 | Reply

... 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 | Reply | Newsworthy 3

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 | Reply

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 | Reply | Funny: 1

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 | Reply | Newsworthy 2

Yes.

Anyone who says otherwise is a moron.

#22 | Posted by jpw at 2025-11-01 12:49 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 3

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 | Reply | Newsworthy 4

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 | Reply | Newsworthy 5

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 | Reply | Newsworthy 2

" 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 | Reply | Newsworthy 1

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 | Reply

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 | Reply | Newsworthy 2

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 | Reply

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 | Reply

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 -------- 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 --------.

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 | Reply | Funny: 1

- 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 | Reply | Funny: 1 | Newsworthy 1

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 | Reply

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

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

"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 | Reply | Newsworthy 1

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 | Reply

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 | Reply

#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 | Reply

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

#39 | Posted by Corky at 2025-11-01 02:34 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

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

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

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 | Reply | Funny: 1 | Newsworthy 1

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 | Reply

"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 | Reply | Newsworthy 1

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 | Reply

The NYT's has never called out this administration on anything nor described it's actions for what they are. I'm not at all surprised that they have to ask: "Are We Losing Our Democracy?"

#45 | Posted by Yodagirl at 2025-11-01 03:18 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

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

#20 | Posted by visitor_

Well known liberal entities like the CIA, the FBI, multi-national corporations/

------ idiot

#46 | Posted by truthhurts at 2025-11-01 03:45 PM | Reply

"Overthrow"

Written like a foreigner spewing agitprop.

#47 | Posted by C0RI0LANUS at 2025-11-01 03:51 PM | Reply

Congress has stopped functioning.

Trump is ruling the country through executive order.

Trump is starving Americans while sending billions to Argentina.

A handful of billionaires control this nation.

We are not a democracy.

#48 | Posted by ClownShack at 2025-11-01 04:11 PM | Reply

But everything is fine according to Gutes Deutsch ...

#49 | Posted by jpw at 2025-11-01 04:24 PM | Reply

It's pointless. Trying to "debate" here or anywhere is a waste with wide-eyed zealots who suck down everything their idol, a known lifelong slumlord, proven fraudster and adjudicated sexual predator, feeds them.

He literally can do no wrong with this crowd, no matter how many laws, customs, or ethical standards he violates, because they think like he does. MAGA zealots are incapable of shame, instead admiring a bully who ignores the law and punishes everyone who doesn't agree with him. They're fine with trashing the safety net in favor of the wealthy. They enjoy watching masked thugs cracking heads and dragging moms out of their cars.

The only thing giving me hope I have is that cracks are starting to appear in the GOP, and the polling is not in Trump's favor.

#50 | Posted by cbob at 2025-11-01 04:27 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

Free travel between nations is a good thing.

The ability to work in foreign nations is a good thing.

If Latin Americans want jobs Americans don't Cotton To?

If Americans don't want to pay wages Americans will accept to do these Necessary jobs?

We have what is Called a Conumdrum.

Hypocrisy solves the Delemma.

#51 | Posted by Effeteposer at 2025-11-01 05:22 PM | Reply

Remember when The Washington Post had the line "Democracy dies in darkness" but then abruptly stopped using it when Trump got re-elected?

It's been on the masthead of The Washington Post since 2017. But "Democracy Dies In Darkness" is not just a slogan, it now appears to be the endgame.

On Wednesday, Feb. 26th, Jeff Bezos announced that the paper's editorial pages would now focus on "personal liberties and free markets."
www.dailykos.com

#52 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-11-01 05:28 PM | Reply

You bet we are, to judicial tyranny.

You think you elect representatives to implement policy and run the government?

Think again.

Some dumb judge will say that those policies can't be enacted.

Want illegals deported in accordance with the law? Some dumb judge will come along blocking enforcement of the law.

Want to stop government fraud waste and abuse of taxpayer money? Some dumb judge will say that that waste is actually a required function of the government.

Judges just openly flout the law, ignore the constitution, ignore the facts and ignore the evidence and play politics from the bench trying to run every aspect of the government no matter what the people actually want.

Do we have representative democracy where the people get to enact the things they want done? Nope and it hasn't been that way for a long time.

#53 | Posted by THEBULL at 2025-11-01 05:35 PM | Reply | Funny: 1 | Newsworthy 1

There needs to be a study done on MAGA as to why they believe billionaires give a shht about them.

#54 | Posted by ClownShack at 2025-11-01 05:49 PM | Reply

#53 this stupid pile of s^*% didn't fail civics, he never went to class.

#55 | Posted by jpw at 2025-11-01 05:58 PM | Reply

"Want illegals deported in accordance with the law?"
No, you just want illegals deported.
The 6-3 Republican Supreme Court went 9-0 against you on that one.

"Want to stop government fraud waste and abuse of taxpayer money?"
Trump's spending outweighs his cuts in spending.

"Judges just openly flout the law, ignore the constitution, ignore the facts and ignore the evidence"
That's ICE, and Trump's own DOJ. The DOJ made up facts, also known as lying, o justify sending troops to Oregon, and you don't think there's anything wrong with that. Just like you don't think there's anything wrong with J.D. Vance lying that the immigrants are eating people's pets.

"Do we have representative democracy where the people get to enact the things they want done?"
Most everything that DOGE cut was exactly those things. Programs that had already been approved by Congress and signed by the Executive, in an act of representative democracy.

#56 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-11-01 06:02 PM | Reply

There needs to be a study done on MAGA as to why they believe billionaires give a shht about them.
#54 | Posted by ClownShack

Conservatives hate the poor, so they think billionaires must therefore be good.
The only billionaires Conservatives hate are billionaires who try to help the poor.

#57 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-11-01 06:06 PM | Reply

"For four years anyone who wanted to simply walked into our country without consequence."

Still waiting for any explanation of how this was actually a net loss for the country...

#58 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-11-01 06:39 PM | Reply

All statistics available show undocumented immigrants are a benefit to our economy and our country.

#59 | Posted by ClownShack at 2025-11-01 06:48 PM | Reply

Judges just openly flout the law, ignore the constitution, ignore the facts and ignore the evidence and play politics from the bench trying to run every aspect of the government no matter what the people actually want.

Are you 12 years old? Just because people vote for something doesn't mean they will get it. It still has to be constitutional and legal.

And Judges are required to take an oath of office and have a duty to be truthful and follow the law.

If they do not they can be sanctioned

Unlike politicians.

That is why we like to get politicians like Trumpy (The Lyin King!) under oath. So they HAVE to tell the truth under penalty of law.

#60 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-11-01 07:52 PM | Reply

We never had a democracy.

#10 | Posted by donnerboy

Well, we arent. And you know it. You are losing in your attempt to change us from a Constitutional Republic to a mob Democracy.

#61 | Posted by boaz at 2025-11-01 08:06 PM | Reply

The US is a democratic republic:

"AI
The United States is a democratic republic, meaning it is a system where the people hold the power (democratic) and elect representatives to exercise that power on their behalf through a constitutional framework (republic). It is not a direct democracy, where every citizen votes on every law, but a representative one, with a constitution to limit government power."

www.google.com

This is not a difficult concept, Major B... if you can hold more than one thought in your head at a time.

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

Do we have representative democracy where the people get to enact the things they want done? Nope and it hasn't been that way for a long time.

#53 | POSTED BY THEBULL AT 2025-11-01 05:35 PM | FLAG: | -------

Yer a jackass

#63 | Posted by cbob at 2025-11-01 08:35 PM | Reply

Well, we arent.
#61 | Posted by boaz

You keep saying what we aren't.
But if you can't say what we are, then you're just a petulant child saying "No!" for the sake of it.
So, tell us. What type of government do we have?

Follow up question, if we aren't a democracy, why do we vote on things? Or are all the elections sham elections like in Iraq.

#64 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-11-01 08:40 PM | Reply

You could educate yourself, Boaz.

Because you sound dumber than dirt, like a brainwashed North Korean, denying our nation's history.

Despite our thoughts of them as stalwart champions of democracy, the Founding Fathers were an elite class"they feared mob rule and debated vigorously about how the new government should be structured. Most of them were utterly opposed to a direct democracy, in which the electorate determines policy themselves instead of having representatives (presumably wiser and better informed than they) do it for them. Our Founding Fathers, decidedly did not trust the masses to make the decisions that would steer the ship of state.

That said, as we discussed in last week's newsletter, they also eventually decided they didn't want a hereditary monarchy in the United States, either. Thus, the notion of a representative democracy emerged as the best option for the new nation.
archivesfoundation.org

#65 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-11-01 08:44 PM | Reply

Wonder if I left that bold tag open...

#66 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-11-01 08:44 PM | Reply

Stop trying to reason with the MAGAs, Snoofy. They're fascist --------, unworthy of respect.

#67 | Posted by cbob at 2025-11-01 08:47 PM | Reply

Well, we arent. And you know it. You are losing in your attempt to change us from a Constitutional Republic to a mob Democracy.

#61 | POSTED BY BOAZ

Of course, this idiot has to show up to prove what an unAmerican idiot he is.

#68 | Posted by jpw at 2025-11-01 08:56 PM | Reply

Stop trying to reason with the MAGAs, Snoofy. They're fascist --------, unworthy of respect.
#67 | Posted by cbob

Indeed, they cannot be reasoned with. They are as sure they're right, as the people who flew planes into the WTC.
So I mostly do it in hopes other people won't fall for the fascist propaganda.

#69 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-11-01 09:41 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

As promised, there isn't a Republican here who can say what it looks like when a nation loses its democracy.

They can't identify any of the warning signs.

They will tell us It Can't Happen Here.

Even as they are the ones making it happen here.

#70 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-11-02 12:14 AM | Reply

m.youtube.com

Adios SNAP! | The Adam and Dr. Drew Show

#71 | Posted by THEBULL at 2025-11-02 06:21 AM | Reply

| Posted by THEBULL

You're comfortable surrendering your make member to some strongman.

Because you don't know how to use it? Because you're afraid that if you try to use it, you'll make a mistake?

I'm sorry, I've always found your BULL handle to be comical.

Sort of gives away what you're self-conscious about.

#72 | Posted by Zed at 2025-11-02 08:00 AM | Reply

"You're comfortable surrendering your male member to some strongman"

I mean your penis, Bevo.

#73 | Posted by Zed at 2025-11-02 08:01 AM | Reply

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