Category Archives: Other

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Autocracy Is Here

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The “electoral autocracy” that is Viktor Orbán’s Hungary has been long revered by Donald Trump and his “Make America Great Again” (Maga) movement. Now admiration is turning into emulation. In the early weeks of Trump’s second term as US president, analysts say, there are alarming signs that the Orbánisation of America has begun.

from David Smith at theguardian.org

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Protect Your Money From The Oligarchs

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Gas your cars soon, because the tariffs are going to increase prices. And then refill at the 1/2 way mark instead of waiting, to keep ahead of the continually increasing prices.

Also, buy fruits and veggies from locally sourced vendors. Sorry Mexico, but we gotta pay for Canadian gas!

And buy that TV or computer NOW, because the active inventory is the lowest price your gonna get for a few years.

IMHO, these tariffs are really really dumb ideas.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

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Protect Against Oligarchy, by Gemini

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Protecting against oligarchy requires a multifaceted approach:

  • Strengthening Democratic Institutions:
    • Campaign Finance Reform: Limit the influence of money in politics through measures like public financing of elections, stricter campaign finance laws, and increased transparency.
    • Voter Protection: Ensure free and fair elections by combating voter suppression, expanding access to voting, and strengthening election security.
    • Independent Judiciary: Maintain an independent judiciary free from political influence to uphold the rule of law and protect citizens’ rights.
    • Anti-Corruption Measures: Implement strong anti-corruption laws and enforce them vigorously to prevent the abuse of power by those in positions of authority.
  • Promoting Economic Equality:
    • Progressive Taxation: Implement a progressive tax system that ensures the wealthy pay their fair share, reducing income inequality.
    • Strengthening Labor Rights: Increase workers’ bargaining power through measures like strengthening unions and raising the minimum wage.
    • Investing in Public Goods: Invest in education, healthcare, and infrastructure to create opportunities for all citizens and reduce economic disparities.
    • Antitrust Enforcement: Enforce antitrust laws to prevent excessive concentration of economic power in the hands of a few corporations.
  • Empowering Citizens:
    • Civic Engagement: Encourage active civic participation through voter registration drives, community organizing, and public education campaigns.
    • Media Diversity: Promote independent media and combat the spread of misinformation to ensure citizens have access to reliable information.
    • Transparency and Accountability: Increase transparency and accountability in government through measures like open data initiatives and freedom of information laws.
  • International Cooperation:
    • Global Tax Cooperation: Work with other countries to address tax evasion and avoidance by multinational corporations.
    • Combating Illicit Financial Flows: Strengthen international cooperation to combat money laundering and other forms of illicit financial activity.

It’s important to note that these are just some of the potential measures that can be taken to protect against oligarchy. The specific strategies and policies that are most effective will vary depending on the context and the specific challenges faced by a particular society.