A Progressive Viewpoint

 Donald Trump should be in jail, not running for President. His persistent denial of losing the 2020 Presidential election, along with his outrageous claim that the riot atthe Capitol was a “love fest,” should be enough to disqualify him from seeking public office. Additionally, he has been found liable for using hush money to silence Stormy Daniels to keep their affair out of the news during his 2020 campaign. These are not the actions of someone who respects the rule of law or democratic norms.   Furthermore, Trump’s allies, like J.D. Vance, perpetuate dangerous falsehoods, such as the claim that the election was stolen by “big tech” conspiracies. There is no doubt that Trump, Vance, and their surrogates are working toward a political agenda that leans heavily on authoritarian tactics—sowing distrust, undermining institutions, and promoting conspiracy theories to consolidate power. These are hallmark strategies of authoritarian regimes that weaken democratic processes an...

  The rise and sustained support of Donald Trump, a figure who embodies authoritarian tendencies and blatant disregard for democratic norms, is not an aberration. It is, in fact, a predictable consequence of the broader structural failings embedded within the U.S. political and economic system. To understand the appeal of Trump and the movement he represents, we must look beyond personality and rhetoric. We need to interrogate the underlying socioeconomic conditions, the failures of political institutions, and the deep sense of alienation felt by a significant portion of the population.   The Crisis of Neoliberalism and Economic Dispossession   At the core of Trump's support lies the crisis of neoliberal capitalism—a system that has systematically dismantled the social safety nets, eroded labor rights, and concentrated wealth in the hands of a small elite. Over the past four decades, both major political parties have embraced neoliberal policies, from deregulati...

Despite their populist rhetoric, both Donald Trump and J.D. Vance serve as mere puppets for the oligarchy. Trump, a billionaire who claims to champion the cause of the common people, has done little actually improve their lives. While he frequently denounces immigration as the root cause of America's problems, his policies have largely favored the rich. One glaring example is the massive 2017 tax cut, which disproportionately benefited corporations and the wealthiest individuals. Among his most vocal supporters are some of the richest people in the United States, including figures like Elon Musk. Trump has even openly admitted that financial contributions influence his decisions, famously saying, "When they give, I do whatever the hell they want." His environmental policies, including pushing for more oil drilling and denying the reality of climate change, further reveal his commitment to corporate interests, not the welfare of everyday Americans.   J.D. Vance, despit...

The recent Waltz-Vance vice-presidential debate was a masterclass in political theater, full of surface-level civility but utterly devoid of substance. For anyone expecting a serious engagement with the real issues confronting this country, it was a monumental disappointment. Neither candidate seemed capable of rising to the moment, leaving us with a muddled and lackluster exchange that underscored just how detached the political elite has become from the real-world struggles of ordinary Americans.   Waltz, with his incessant references to Minnesota, seemed more like a provincial governor than a national leader. His repeated praise for his home state might have played well with voters in Minneapolis, but to those in places like South Carolina, it must have come across as tone-deaf. The notion that the rest of the country should somehow aspire to be like Minnesota reveals a staggering naivety about the profound regional differences in this country. Waltz’s progressive leanings w...