"Battle Hymn of the Empire" - Marsh Family adaptation of "Battle Hymn of the Republic “

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8saU0WeocP0

 

Steven Levitsky: America's Descent into Authoritarianism | FFRF Convention 2025

Harvard professor Stephen Levitsky, co-author of "How Democracies Die" and "Tyranny of the Minority," delivers a gripping keynote on America’s democratic backslide. Levitsky outlines how institutions, elites and the Republican party have enabled the erosion of democracy, describing the U.S. slide into “competitive authoritarianism.” He urges civic engagement, protests like “No Kings Day,” and collective resistance to restore democratic norms.

Watch more from FFRF's 2025 Convention • FFRF Convention 2025

0:00 Introduction
2:29 Speech
42:00 Q&A

Learn more about the Freedom From Religion Foundation at https://ffrf.org/
Interview: 

https://youtu.be/sTi17Ap70MY?si=9RPSxXU44m1HnXC3

“For People Who Want To Pretend That They Are ‘No Tread On Me, Don't Tread on me

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/8fzJQibCgk8

 

Should the U.S. Be Ruled by a CEO Dictator? Curtis Yarvin debates E. Glen Weyl (Open to Debate)

Note: Curtis Yarvin is regarded as a thought leader of J.D. Vance, Elon Musk, Peter Thiel, and in general, the Tech Bros.

What if the U.S. abandoned democratic governance for a CEO-style dictator — someone running the country like a high-performing company?

This idea is gaining momentum in some policy circles and is also embraced by high-profile Silicon Valley figures. Championed by Curtis Yarvin, a self-described monarchist and founder of the "Dark Enlightenment," Yarvin is making headlines for his promotion of these beliefs and was even consulted recently by Elon Musk about the formation of his new political party.

He argues that modern democracy has failed and is too slow to meet today’s challenges. He says American history provides examples of unfettered executive power at work. The Dictator CEO, he proposes, would cut through red tape, challenge existing institutions and deliver unprecedented efficiencies.

But critics, like economist and democracy advocate E. Glen Weyl, ask, "At what cost?" Consolidating power under a single leader undermines the core values of democracy fundamental to America’s political system. History is also filled with examples of autocratic leadership leading to economic ruin and catastrophic decision-making. American democracy might be messy, but let’s focus on making it better, not abandoning it.

Should the U.S. embrace the cutthroat efficiency of a dictator CEO, or safeguard its imperfect but resilient democratic system?

With this background, we debate the question: Should the U.S. Be Ruled by a CEO Dictator?

Arguing Yes: Curtis Yarvin, Anti-democracy theorist and Tech Entrepreneur.  

Arguing No: E. Glen Weyl, Co-Founder of the RadicalxChange Foundation, Plurality Institute, and the Faith, Family and Technology Network.

Emmy award-winning journalist John Donvan moderates.

Interview: 

https://youtu.be/irc6creOFGs?si=8vA6hb07Yp5SeJ0z

Tim Miller on the Power of Speaking Out Against Tyranny

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/YeqUA4eVMQc

Opinion | Republicans are in denial about Trump and tyranny - The Washington Post

Anyone who thinks only they won't suffer from an irrational and vengeful regime should consider how other countries fared when captured by autocrats. "Every culture is unprepared for an authoritarian assault, and ... even when one takes place, and certain groups are targeted, other groups think 'they'll never go after me,'" fascism expert and historian Ruth Ben-Ghiat said in an interview with George Takei. The disastrous economic results in Hungary, Brazil and India under autocrats demonstrate how misplaced this confidence is...

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/04/12/newsletter-republican-denial-trump-tyrant/

Timothy Snyder - "On Tyranny", Trump & How Abandoning Facts Destroys Democracy

“On Tyranny” author Timothy Snyder parallels the rise of fascism in the 1930s to the Trump administration, and breaks down how facts are the enemy of tyranny.

https://youtu.be/WvuM8H8jwtU

What Is Fascism? (The 1A)

What is fascism?

We’re asking because there’s a lively argument taking place over whether it’s accurate to describe the actions of President Donald Trump’s administration as “fascist.”

It’s not the first time we’ve heard warnings about the creep of fascism in the United States. But some thinkers say it’s the closest we’ve come in some time.

Commentators and analysts like former Labor Secretary Robert Reich are now using the (other) f-word to describe President Trump’s words and actions, especially after the administration sent federal officers to Portland, Oregon, to arrest people attending protests against police brutality.

Is it accurate to label the president and his staff as “fascist?” Why is the label so difficult to assign?
Interview:
https://the1a.org/segments/president-trump-fascist-fascism/

Trump says supporters might ‘demand’ that he serve more than two terms as president - The Washington Post

In a morning tweet, the president asked, "Do you think the people would demand that I stay longer? KEEP AMERICA GREAT."
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-says-supporters-might-demand-that-he-serve-more-than-two-terms-as-president/2019/06/16/4b6b9ae2-9041-11e9-b570-6416efdc0803_story.html

CNN’S Jim Acosta On The Dangers Of Trump’s Escalating Criticism Of The Media (Diane Rehm, On My Mind)

CNN White House correspondent Jim Acosta on his clashes with Donald Trump, accusations of grandstanding and what it means when a president calls the media “the enemy of the people.”

Interview: 

https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/national-public-radio/wamufm-wamu-the-diane-rehm-show-podcast

“The world’s assignment editor.” (Pod Save America podcast)

The President sides with a murderous tyrant over advisors and allies, the Attorney General targets Trump’s political enemies, and the Democratic candidates fight for media attention in a crowded field. Then ACLU attorney Chase Strangio talks to Jon L. about the Trump administration’s most recent attempt to roll back civil rights for transgender Americans. Also – Pod Save America is going on tour! Get your tickets now: crooked.com/events.
Interview:
https://crooked.com/podcast/the-worlds-assignment-editor/

Trump's claim that an executive order can alter the Constitution opens the door to tyranny - Daily Kos

Now that Donald Trump has concluded that he can add exceptions to the Constitution by executive order, why stop with just ending birthright citizenship? After all, it would be hard for anything to be more clear than the 14th Amendment. .....
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/1808487

Cartoon: The fight against tyranny—it's here! - Daily Kos

The Unconstitutional Census Power Grab

Robert Reich explains why the Trump administration’s decision to alter the 2020 Census to ask people if they are American citizens is unconstitutional....
https://youtu.be/kpw-oiJSs30

Trump’s legal memo to Robert Mueller is a recipe for tyranny - Vox

A clear and present danger to the rule of law ....
https://www.vox.com/2018/6/3/17421300/trumps-interview-subpoena

Meryl Streep: ‘Bullshit Detective’ Reporters Are Saving the U.S. From Tyranny and State-Sanctioned News -- The Daily Beast

Meryl Streep made a surprise appearance at the annual awards for the Committee to Protect Journalists on Wednesday night to claim that reporters were navigating a "dangerous" and "poisonous" climate in order to protect the U.S. from demagoguery. She said her own brushes with violent men—including an occasion when she said she had to play dead—had taught her about the bravery and brilliance of women who stand up to powerful men. ...
https://www.thedailybeast.com/meryl-streep-bullshit-detective-reporters-are-saving-the-us-from-tyranny-and-state-sanctioned-news

PA City Finally Removes Veterans Memorial Bench That Denigrated Atheists

For more than a decade, Justus Park in Oil City, Pennsylvania was home to a bench honoring veterans that read “Men Who Aren’t Governed By God, Will Be Governed By Tyrants.” As if our only options were God or tyranny....
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2017/07/04/pa-city-finally-removes-veterans-memorial-bench-that-denigrated-atheists/

Leading Historian Believes 'It's Pretty Much Inevitable' Trump Will Try to Stage a Coup and Overthrow Democracy

"On Tyranny" author Timothy Snyder says we have less than a year to save our democracy....
http://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/leading-historian-believes-its-pretty-much-inevitable-trump-will-try-stage-cou

'Explaining Hitler' Author Breaks Silence: Trump Uses 'Mein Kampf Playbook' to Normalize Tyranny

"The truth is always worth knowing. Support your local journalist."...
http://www.alternet.org/right-wing/how-trump-normalized-tyranny

Robert Reich: 15 Signs of Impending Tyranny Under President Trump | Alternet

As tyrants take control of democracies, they typically:...
http://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/robert-reich-15-signs-impending-tyranny-under-president-trump