The Terrifying Truth: Why the GOP Wants To Burn Down Democracy... - Thom Hartmann

[Rhiannon12866]

The differences between the Republican and Democratic visions for America are as clear as clean drinking water vs ash filled skies. Today’s Republican Party is dedicated to destroying what they call the “deep state” and the rest of us call the American government. From rallying Trump followers in MAGA hats to Republican Senators in DC, they’ll all tell you this without a moment's hesitation. - Aired on 10/12/2023.

[Chi67]

1. Well

Nothing new here. The GQP has declared war on US democracy. Vote them out or we’re done.

[calimary]

2. Who came up with the term "deep state"?

And WTF does it even mean?

And WTF do they THINK it means?

I did find this:

https://www.npr.org/2019/11/06/776852841/the-man-who-popularized-the-deep-state-doesnt-like-the-way-its-used

From the link:
"I think it's a silly idea. There is no 'deep state.' What people think of as the 'deep state' is just the American civil service, social security, the people who fix the roads, health and human services, Medicare."
Mike Lofgren, now retired at age 66, used to be one of those people when he was a Republican congressional staffer. Today, he says he's turned his back on the Republican Party.
"I am an independent who will not vote Republican until they demonstrate to me that they've purged Trumpism and that they're a sane party," he said.

[Bluethroughu]

5. The lunatic rich conservatives are bitter, ugly, and poor excuses for humans.

They create these right wing organizations to put out disinformation to their low level educated followers and repeat it, until people talk about it and believe it.

How else can you get people to cut their own throats.

[Ohioboy]

8. I always took the term to mean "the power behind the throne".

People who have influence but aren't necessarily out in front.

For example:
Advisors and speech writers like Stephen Miller, Steve Bannon and Roger Stone and Paul Manafort had influence over Trump and were able to shape agendas and narratives.

Maga seems to think the deep state is found in places like the Department of Education.

[burrowowl]

3. K&R

[bucolic_frolic]

4. It's a program for complete corporate deregulation, environment be damned

We'll all be poisoned, except those living on 500 acre farms, and even they will need indoor air filters and outdoor gas masks.

[ancianita]

6. Republicans are paid to produce the KOCH vision of America.

'Deep state' is Koch lingo.

[Hotler]

7. It's the christian domonionist that want to rule and rule their way. These nutjobs are our Taliban.

These fuckers are itching to kill Dems & Libs, and will put anyone in power that gives them the 'Go" sign and look the other way.

[Beastly Boy]

9. This is what just about all populist movements have in common.

Use the established order to get enough power to destroy it. Then, when disorder takes its place, make up rules that favor you.

[LaMouffette]

10. There IS a "deep state," but it is not the American government, it is the billionaire donor class

that uses its wealth to buy elected officials to do their bidding.

Once again, the right-wing billionaires have successfully come up with a term that accurately describes themselves and found a way to get their critical-thinking-challenged underlings to believe that the government is the deep state and not the wealthy parasites.

It's the old "falsely-accuse-them-of-something-before-they-accurately-accuse-you-of-that-thing" trick.

[TheRealNorth]

11. Exactly this