“Freedom is Slavery”

Orwell came to mind this morning.

Two Recommendations

Informed, somber voices in these perilous times.

The Big Chilling Effect

Our leaders are afraid to lead.

The Myth Of Implosion

Waiting for the other side to self-destruct has always been ridiculous and dangerous.

“We are the Federal Law”

Governing like a dictator.

Global Democracy at Two-Decade Low

Perhaps longer, but the worst in the history of the Economist Intelligence Unit report.

A Note on Ukrainian Elections

Countering Russian (and now American) propaganda.

Mass Voting Behavior

How to create an echo chamber.

No, This Isn’t How Democracy Works

It certainly isn’t how the US Constitution functions.

Why Musk’s Politics Matter

An example linked to USAID

Kristol on Trump’s Authoritarianism

An accurate description.

The Purge Continues

The new administration is gutting the senior ranks of the civil service.

Separation of Powers Ain’t What it is Cracked Up to Be

Partisanship is more important than institutional autonomy.

A Clear Example of a Misapplied Norm

Not all norms.

Biden Pardons Fauci, Milley, And Others

Going out on another unforced error

The Anti-Democratic Impulse

The Curtis Yarvin interview.

President Joe Biden in the Oval Office, October 19, 2023 President Joe Biden in the Oval Office, October 19, 2023

Biden Warns of Oligarchy in Farewell Address

It “literally threatens our entire democracy, our basic rights and freedoms and a fair shot for everyone to get ahead.”

President Joe Biden wears his aviator sunglasses while working at the Resolute Desk, Tuesday, June 13, 2023, in the Oval Office. President Joe Biden wears his aviator sunglasses while working at the Resolute Desk, Tuesday, June 13, 2023, in the Oval Office.

Biden Tries to Thwart Trump Immigration Policies

The honey badger strikes again.

Trump Raked in $200 Million Since Election

The real crime is what’s legal.

Of Lame Ducks and Honey Badgers

Eleven weeks with no accountability.

President Joe Biden meets with President-elect Donald Trump, Wednesday, November 13, 2024, in the Oval Office. (Official White House Photo by Cameron Smith) President Joe Biden meets with President-elect Donald Trump, Wednesday, November 13, 2024, in the Oval Office. (Official White House Photo by Cameron Smith)

America Has Two Presidents

Our transitions are too long.

The Birthright Citizenship Debate

Some discussion of history, politics, and policy.

The J6 Filter

A disturbing loyalty test.

South Korea Update

Humiliation, Kowtowing, and Authoritarianism

Appointing unqualified loyalists is only the start.

A Hostile Takeover?

The President-Elect is testing the guardrails early.

A Reminder About Hitler Comparisons

And, more broadly, about the normalization of Trump

Normalizing Hitler

When the abnormal ceases to be.

Slow Vote Counting is a Problem

Not knowing the results of an election a week later is unacceptable.

Comparative Incumbencies

The US was not exceptional.

Starting The Steal

The guardrails may not hold this time.

Freedom Caucus Chair’s Anti-Democratic Musings

Floating the idea that NC should just award its EVs to Trump.

“Oligarchy, The Rule of Law, and the Democratic Order”

Trump, Bezos, and the slippery slope of authoritarianism.

A National Election That’s Really 51 Separate Contests

Each state sets its own election rules. That’s not a good thing.

More Fascist Rhetoric from Trump

“Scum” and the “enemy from within.”

Alabama Marked “Safe” from Ranked-Choice Voting

RCV is now banned in the state.

Trump’s Plans to Use Justice Department for Vengeance

A chilling feature from the Wall Street Journal.

The Other Undecided Voters

They have a preference but may not vote.

Nebraska Electoral College Change Thwarted

By one vote.

Republican Electoral College Advantage May Be Shrinking

The skews may offset.

The EC Doesn’t Work the Way Some People Claim

Part the gazillioneth.

More Tales of Candidate Selection

Mark Robinson is the latest example.

Paths to Electoral College Victory

Does it really all come down to Pennsylvania?

Electoral College Bias

It could all come down to Pennsylvania.

An Authoritarian Usage of “Republic”

Musk finds an alpha male-dominated “republic” to be “interesting.”

Grossly Dishonest or Just Grossly Incorrect?

An FNC report on the Alaska House race is a mess.

On Appealing to the “Median Voter”

Because I think too much about this stuff.