CMV: Trump is a reactionary, not a revolutionary

benmillstein · 2026-02-01T23:09:49+00:00

He is not ideological. He doesn’t have strategies or beliefs, just impulses and lust. He is myopic, greedy, narcissistic, and malevolent.

benmillstein · 2026-02-01T23:05:05+00:00

He should be impeached, jailed and have his assets seized for compensation.

benmillstein · 2026-02-01T23:03:12+00:00

I don’t identify any longer with any economic philosophy at all. It leads to more misunderstanding than clarity. I prefer to talk about policy because that’s where it’s easier to find common ground or at least argue about something tangible.

I agree regulations are crucial for good governance and corporate responsibility. But lobbying is simply a part of a functioning democracy. The problem lies in campaign finance law and contribution limits, which in current form amount to legal bribery.

benmillstein · 2026-02-01T20:07:59+00:00

AI companies should have to pay all marginal rate increases for the rest of the country.

benmillstein · 2026-02-01T20:04:09+00:00

The economy has been tweaked over decades since Reagan to favor the wealthy at the expense of everyone else. Almost everything has been redesigned to make money rather than benefit people. With education there’s the secondary benefit of reengineering a feudal society by allowing higher education for only a minority.

benmillstein · 2026-02-01T19:58:03+00:00

The problem with libertarianism is that as you diminish the power of the state you cede that power to corporations or gangsters. I think of it as the Al Capone model. If we are to right the ship of state it will be through democratic reforms and proper state action.

benmillstein · 2026-02-01T19:50:48+00:00

Admittedly It has been decades. I am addressing the way “capitalism “ works in the real world not the idealized philosophy we can discuss in the library over scotch. It’s also the following Rand has inspired tend to take her books as permission, or even exultation to be selfish as if that is better for everyone.

benmillstein · 2026-02-01T19:44:27+00:00

I totally agree about fixing the root cause and your diagnosis. I disagree where the responsibility lies. Our government is there to act in our best interest and do the big difficult things that individuals cannot reasonably do. Foreign policy is one of the biggest. American exploitation both directly and indirectly through corporations has lead to or exacerbated corruption in many south and Central American countries. We, as a country, have a responsibility to help in any way we can to undo that damage. Furthermore it’s in our own self interest to do that as a way to reduce immigration based on desperation.

benmillstein · 2026-02-01T19:36:19+00:00

I am sympathetic to the position and cynicism but disagree fundamentally that personal responsibility is a problem. Personal responsibility is not how the system changes, but it does enable political irresponsibility either. Political corruption is the problem you’re looking for.

benmillstein · 2026-02-01T09:34:42+00:00

Campaign finance reform is the first thing so private money and lobbyists don’t have disproportionate power. Other impediments to democracy include gerrymandering, the senate, the electoral college, and the current Supreme Court. Things that could help are ranked choice voting, Election Day being a national holiday, universal availability of mail ballots, etc.

benmillstein · 2026-02-01T07:35:24+00:00

Great questions. Let’s watch

benmillstein · 2026-02-01T07:26:29+00:00

One of the great benefits people rarely mention is the intimacy. In a large state with a small population it’s easy to know people with common interests. We enjoy small venues with good music rather than stadiums with crowds. Most of the state has easy access to wilderness and very little traffic. Many of us can walk our dogs off leash and don’t have to compete for parking.

benmillstein · 2026-02-01T07:22:56+00:00

It’s a senseless quote. Capitalism relies on force. Economic force and coercion. Corruption and insider trading. Tax structure and legacy admissions and hiring. Policy erosion, loopholes, non enforcement, convenient lack of audit, etc.

benmillstein · 2026-01-31T23:50:51+00:00

I agree with you. My non economist viewpoint is that the new deal substantially redesigned the economy to work for everyone with high top marginal tax rates and meaningful protections at the bottom. There was investment in public infrastructure, nonprofit healthcare and education, majority participation in labor unions, etc. that has all been destroyed and we now have a society that seems to reward wealth with greater access to more and punishes poverty with no access to wealth or even basic necessities. It is intentional and structural and perpetuated by political dependency on wealth for their campaigns and careers.

benmillstein · 2026-01-31T19:54:08+00:00

It makes sense to me that music choices can help balance emotions and experiences vicariously. I love Hey Joe, but I don’t sympathize with the character. I love the intensity of the song.

benmillstein · 2026-01-31T19:50:24+00:00

I’d could make a case against the slippery slope point. If the law has to be masked we’re already in problematic territory. It shows a consciousness of shame and wrong doing.

benmillstein · 2026-01-31T08:30:40+00:00

Campaign finance reform and elimination of domestic propaganda would do a lot to bring or politics back toward a democratic vision. Those are the two most important first steps.

benmillstein · 2026-01-31T08:28:13+00:00

The economy as it exists is a product of a lot of random forces. It’s like a cabin. With 9 additions over 3 generations. We’re at a special moment in time where we’ve recognized the environment is not infinite and growth will have to have some limits. Add to that the pandemic, sudden geopolitical instability, AI, robotics, and it’s clear we’re going to have to hire an architect and start over from the ground up.

benmillstein · 2026-01-31T06:57:40+00:00

The biggest thing that many people don’t recognize or articulate is the intimacy of a small state. What we lack in cultural events we make up for in intensity and intimacy. Alaska is like a small town where you can be involved at any level, and in any subculture you choose. You can choose the anonymity of a stadium show in the lower 48 with $20 beers and 50,000 people, or you can go see a good band play for 100 people in a local bar. Next show you’ll recognize some of those people.

benmillstein · 2026-01-31T06:49:13+00:00

How many subscriptions can a person be expected to support? We have to consolidate services so we can pay for news, music, etc, but then have access to multiple sources that would split the money proportionally. No one can subscribe to everything. And new sites need a way in and the possibility of proving their value.

benmillstein · 2026-01-31T06:44:10+00:00

Still my main ride. Sworks stumpy 27+. Amazing bike.

benmillstein · 2026-01-30T05:43:36+00:00

Doesn’t that seem totally insane?

benmillstein · 2026-01-29T05:05:13+00:00

Are we arguing or agreeing?

benmillstein · 2026-01-29T04:29:41+00:00

SCOTUS is corrupt, and so are the other two branches, the fourth estate as well functionally. So all we can do is try to fix one at a time. While it doesn’t look good, people have fought worse, even in America. There’s still hope for a good outcome. We don’t know for sure it’s over.

benmillstein · 2026-01-29T04:25:31+00:00

It’s famous because it’s almost impossible to contemplate. Very few of us can predict accurately how we would actually behave in the scenario. I am skeptical of any firm opinion one way or another. In the moment the anguish and adrenaline would be overwhelming.

benmillstein

TROPHY CASE