Thom Hartmann reminds us in his Friday newsletter that we are currently in an oligarchy.  That is rule by the elite, usually the wealthy. He also reminds us the we have been here before, but have so far survived.

Hartmann also notes as we seem to once more be coming to a make or break moment that this has happened approximately every 80 years. This fall’s election will be the single point of the current iteration of choosing which path America will pursue – continued oligarchy or return to democracy.

Hartmann also notes that oligarchy is always a temporary condition leading either to full blown dictatorship or a return to democracy. I will see if I can conjure up a question or two on the subject. Meanwhile – another scary week as the US teeters in oligarchy.

A) What seemingly insane reason did the Trump Administration give for reimposing tariffs across the world?

 

B) Good work if you can get it. By what percentage has Ashley Hinson’s net worth grown since she has been in congress?

 

C) The House Judiciary Committee encouraged the DOJ to look into charging what former special prosecutor claiming he lied to congress?

 

D) In oligarchies of the US’s past, monopolistic practices sanctioned by the British government for what company led to the American Revolution?

 

E)  A man named Daniel Siad died in France last week. Siad had connections with whom that cast suspicions on Siad’s death?

 

F) A Mexican citizen was killed while fleeing what gestapo like US governmental agency while on vacation in the US?

 

G) In Hartmann’s cycle of oligarchy 80 years later following the Revolution would be the 1850s. What practice were oligarch’s involved in that led to a major US conflict?

 

H) What Candidate for Iowa’s Lieutenant Governor was deeply in debt but after he was nominated for the Lt. Gov. job suddenly had access to money to pay his debts?

 

I)  In a proposal that really tests the emoluments clause, Trump is offering for sale early access to what on his Truth Social social media?

 

J) The Transportation Department is moving to rename NYC’s Penn Station transportation hub in honor of whom?

 

K) The FDA claimed that lettuce first thought to be contaminated with the cyclospora parasite was actually a what?

 

L) 80 years following the previous oligarchic ascent in the US, what society changing event took place that led to a reassertion of democracy?

 

M) According to former ICE leader Greg Bovino, how many illegal immigrants are currently living in the US?

 

N) Iowa’s own Chuck Grassley made an impassioned speech on the floor of the senate a couple days ago decrying what awful situation?

 

O) In Texas, AG Ken Paxton is running for the US Senate. Last week it was disclosed that despite making only $153,000 per year he owned how many homes valued at what?

 

P) We are now over 80 years since the last oligarchic uprising, so we are overdue. What can you do to stop the oligarchs this time around?

 

Q) Guess we had a battle last week between two what that went rogue?

 

R) Trump seemed to show signs of dementia as he tried to hijack the celebration by what team that won the World Cup Sunday?

 

S) Trump announced a 50% tariff on products from Canada because of what offense that Canada perpetrated on the US?

 

T) What toxic masculinity influencer brothers were arrested in Miami by British agents in connection to sex trafficking charges?

 

Answers:

 

A) to stop forced labor

 

B) 5 times.

 

C) Jack Smith. Buckle your seat belts, this one could get very interesting

 

D) The East India Company

 

E) Siad was a “Model Scout” for Jeffery Epstein

 

F) ICE

 

G) Slavery in the south

 

H) Derek Wulf – what a lucky guy, huh?

 

J) Donald Trump

 

K) False positive. This change came after the president of Taylor Farms had a meeting (and made a donation?) with the upper echelons of the Trump administration

 

L) the Great Depression – at that time referred to as the great Republican recession

 

M) 107 million – which is 1/3rd of the total US population

 

N) Grassley spoke on Caitlin Clark’s treatment in the WNBA

 

O) 15 homes valued at $9 million – when asked about them in a news conference, Paxton fled the news conference

 

P) Throw the oligarchs out through voting and helping to get the vote out

 

Q) AIs – apparently were doing some kind of test when they went rogue and got in a fight

 

R) Spain

 

S) Having smoke from Canadian wild fires cross the US – Canada border

 

T) Tristan and Andrew Tate – bye, bye boys

“Nature doesn’t need us to ‘save’ it. It needs us to stop destroying it. There’s a massive difference.” – earthcurated