"No Kings" Demonstrations? Get real!

"No Kings" Demonstrations are a waste of time for several reasons.

At their core, these demonstrations aim to challenge the authority and power represented by kings and monarchies. However, the impact of these protests is minimal if at all.

"No Kings" is a euphemism for "Dictator" only the organizers for these events are afraid to say it, which makes the whole demonstration process phony.

The idea of a monarchy in the United States is crazy and it will never happen. However, the fragility of our or any democracy is real. Only 45% of the world’s population lives in some form of democracy and since 2006 democracies have been declining. Why?

Why are democracies declining? One factor contributing to the decline of democracies is the growing economic inequality within nations. As wealth becomes increasingly concentrated in the hands of a small and powerful elite, their political power often increases.

Another element in the decline of democracies is the rise of populist leaders who often undermine democratic processes for personal or political gain. These leaders frequently capitalize on public discontent and economic hardships, promising quick fixes and appealing directly to the emotions of the populace. They tell people what they want to hear and frequently change the narrative from day to day to update those promises. there are so many promises it is hard to keep up with them and that is the purpose.

This populist rhetoric appealing to the "ordinary people" and blaming the "elite" for their problems can lead to a normalization of authoritarian practices, where dissent is shut down.

Social media has had a huge influence on the democratic decline. It seems everyone is turning to some form of social media for their information or social engagement and are receiving mountains of misinformation, propaganda and information, true or not, that is targeted directly to them. Public opinion is being shaped by social media and we don't even think about it. That is the problem. No one is thinking. They are allowing their head to be filled with decided content by someone they don't even know.

I suppose that should be no surprise. Most of the people of this country and I speak of the United States, invest their life savings with people they have never met or with institutions that they know nothing about. An advertisement or someone’s word of mouth has convinced them to give them everything they have worked for.

And so, we have Facebook. People that are using platforms like Facebook are basically participating and venting their frustrations and opinions in an echo chamber with people who have the same feelings. They are not influencing anyone or changing any minds in that environment. So, what we have is two polarized groups who cannot and will not talk to each other.

Authoritarians and autocrats use the same old blame game playbook. Today it is migration and illegal aliens. And if it is not them it is a racial group who cannot be controlled, or it will be an ethnic or cultural group who is stirring up trouble. These are old motivations and encouragements for people to accept some form of reactionary action and support authoritarian these leaders, without realizing they are encouraging policies and decisions that may someday affect them directly by restricting their rights and freedoms.

Democracies do not disappear overnight, they drip, drip, away, until getting them back is almost impossible without the same difficulties we have seen around the world as other countries fight for democracy, but we just do not have the time to pay attention.

Using migration and other racial or ethnic intolerances are only a few of the many methods to weaken democratic institutions.

Promises to restore national pride, identity and security indulge the populist crowd with lip service to mask activities going on before them. This is a dangerous shell game to corral the dissenters and quiet the public discourse of what is really happening. Reactionaries are just that. They act before thinking of the consequences.

Is everything perfect in the United States? Not likely, but we are among the best of what is out there. Why do you think everyone is trying to get here?

Donald Trump’s refrain of make America great again is Bullshit with a capital B. America has always been great because even with our problems we do not allow people like him to tell us there is something bad about it. He is not and never will be a king. He is now an authoritarian with designs on being an autocrat. Does he want to be a dictator? I think he even knows that is a leap, but he can lay the groundwork for those in his orbit to take advantage of what is happening and perhaps in the future? He is definitely full of himself and always has been.

Stop wasting your time with demonstrations. 1. They provide no solution. 2. They are dangerous group gatherings that give nefarious people a reason to cause trouble. 3 They are a place for lazy politicians who do nothing to go and crow about themselves. 4. They are just what the opposition wants you to do. Take your eye off the ball to attack the real issues. 5. Finally. Most people that are going these gatherings don't even know what problems really affect the middle class.

Donald Trump is not a king. He is not even a good businessman. But the people in his orbit are not stupid. They know even a chaser and a gasbag will sometimes hit a winner. With their positions, they have something that in the walk of life they never had. They can instill fear and exert power. Did you ever hear of Stephen Miller before Trump? Probably not. Take the time to read about him. He is the poster boy for extremism and authoritarianism. When the government in the name of the president begins collecting the military and directing them to any city or state in America, a giant red flag should hit you in the face.

They are testing the waters on media control, judicial control, and police control. In other words, the authority in any state or city know what the they are doing except Donald Trump and he must step in by his authority and take control. Now that is not a king. That is an authoritarian!

So, my word and advise to everyone is stay home and find a useful way to get out the vote.

You are not going to convince Trump people to change their mind. They are the cult.

Your task is to be sensible and intelligent and have answers for why prices are going up. Why is healthcare so expensive. Why are other nations beating us up on tariffs. Etc, etc, etc.

The bottom line, Donald Trump is not a king but he is allegedly a snollygoster and a grifter who has found his mother lode in being president. The real problem is, he will not always be there but his sycophants and followers will be, and they are many. They have a plan and they hope they can distract you with all of these side show actions and you will miss what is really going on. While you are doing demonstrations, they are reshaping the United States Government. Everyone. Sit up and pay close attention. The cliff is right in front of you.

Think about it and be sure to VOTE!

Jack Wilson

Opinion