@hip2yall.bsky.social
Authoritarianism works by fostering confusion and division. Countering it requires naming the problem—an authoritarian takeover—and defining the alternative: genuine democracy.
Pinned
Authoritarian Tactic: Neutralize or weaken the press through fear, complicity, or ambiguity.
• Instead of clear warnings, media use vague, watered-down language.
• This keeps the public confused or complacent about the threat. (1)
• Instead of clear warnings, media use vague, watered-down language.
• This keeps the public confused or complacent about the threat. (1)
The new democracy doesn’t have to start big, it just has to start real.
May 30, 2025 at 2:50 AM
The new democracy doesn’t have to start big, it just has to start real.
Our current system lets:
• Large corporations pay low wages and rely on scale and subsidies to survive
• Small businesses underpay because it’s the only way to compete
• And workers carry the cost — in hunger, housing instability, and debt
That’s not a free market. That’s structural exploitation.
• Large corporations pay low wages and rely on scale and subsidies to survive
• Small businesses underpay because it’s the only way to compete
• And workers carry the cost — in hunger, housing instability, and debt
That’s not a free market. That’s structural exploitation.
May 24, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Our current system lets:
• Large corporations pay low wages and rely on scale and subsidies to survive
• Small businesses underpay because it’s the only way to compete
• And workers carry the cost — in hunger, housing instability, and debt
That’s not a free market. That’s structural exploitation.
• Large corporations pay low wages and rely on scale and subsidies to survive
• Small businesses underpay because it’s the only way to compete
• And workers carry the cost — in hunger, housing instability, and debt
That’s not a free market. That’s structural exploitation.
In Iceland citizens enjoy:
• Universal, publicly funded childcare
• Equal paid parental leave for both parents
• Legally enforced equal pay
• Free or very low-cost university tuition
• Government-backed renewable energy
• Strict limits and transparency in campaign finance
#HumanFirstGov
• Universal, publicly funded childcare
• Equal paid parental leave for both parents
• Legally enforced equal pay
• Free or very low-cost university tuition
• Government-backed renewable energy
• Strict limits and transparency in campaign finance
#HumanFirstGov
May 23, 2025 at 7:34 PM
In Iceland citizens enjoy:
• Universal, publicly funded childcare
• Equal paid parental leave for both parents
• Legally enforced equal pay
• Free or very low-cost university tuition
• Government-backed renewable energy
• Strict limits and transparency in campaign finance
#HumanFirstGov
• Universal, publicly funded childcare
• Equal paid parental leave for both parents
• Legally enforced equal pay
• Free or very low-cost university tuition
• Government-backed renewable energy
• Strict limits and transparency in campaign finance
#HumanFirstGov
Portugal decriminalized ALL drugs in 2001. Drug use is treated as a public health issue, not a criminal one.
• Drug deaths plummeted.
• HIV infections from injection use dropped by 94%.
• Incarceration for drug offenses collapsed.
• Public support for the policy grew after they saw the results.
• Drug deaths plummeted.
• HIV infections from injection use dropped by 94%.
• Incarceration for drug offenses collapsed.
• Public support for the policy grew after they saw the results.
May 23, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Portugal decriminalized ALL drugs in 2001. Drug use is treated as a public health issue, not a criminal one.
• Drug deaths plummeted.
• HIV infections from injection use dropped by 94%.
• Incarceration for drug offenses collapsed.
• Public support for the policy grew after they saw the results.
• Drug deaths plummeted.
• HIV infections from injection use dropped by 94%.
• Incarceration for drug offenses collapsed.
• Public support for the policy grew after they saw the results.
Norway discovered oil in the 1960s. Instead of selling it to corporations, the government kept control.
• Profits go into a sovereign wealth fund now worth over $1.5 trillion.
• That money is used to fund public services and pensions — with strict limits on political tampering.
#SharedWealthFund
• Profits go into a sovereign wealth fund now worth over $1.5 trillion.
• That money is used to fund public services and pensions — with strict limits on political tampering.
#SharedWealthFund
May 23, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Norway discovered oil in the 1960s. Instead of selling it to corporations, the government kept control.
• Profits go into a sovereign wealth fund now worth over $1.5 trillion.
• That money is used to fund public services and pensions — with strict limits on political tampering.
#SharedWealthFund
• Profits go into a sovereign wealth fund now worth over $1.5 trillion.
• That money is used to fund public services and pensions — with strict limits on political tampering.
#SharedWealthFund
Denmark is ranked one of the least corrupt countries on Earth:
• Officials must declare all financial interests, lobbying is strictly limited, and public records are accessible to all.
• Whistleblower protections are strong.
• TV/radio campaign ads are banned in Denmark.
#AdFreePolitics
• Officials must declare all financial interests, lobbying is strictly limited, and public records are accessible to all.
• Whistleblower protections are strong.
• TV/radio campaign ads are banned in Denmark.
#AdFreePolitics
May 23, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Denmark is ranked one of the least corrupt countries on Earth:
• Officials must declare all financial interests, lobbying is strictly limited, and public records are accessible to all.
• Whistleblower protections are strong.
• TV/radio campaign ads are banned in Denmark.
#AdFreePolitics
• Officials must declare all financial interests, lobbying is strictly limited, and public records are accessible to all.
• Whistleblower protections are strong.
• TV/radio campaign ads are banned in Denmark.
#AdFreePolitics
Canada launched the Critical Election Incident Public Protocol — a rapid response team.
If foreign or domestic disinfo campaigns are detected during elections, the public is notified — clearly, calmly, with evidence.
They beat the lie before it sticks — using transparency.
#ElectionShield
If foreign or domestic disinfo campaigns are detected during elections, the public is notified — clearly, calmly, with evidence.
They beat the lie before it sticks — using transparency.
#ElectionShield
May 23, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Canada launched the Critical Election Incident Public Protocol — a rapid response team.
If foreign or domestic disinfo campaigns are detected during elections, the public is notified — clearly, calmly, with evidence.
They beat the lie before it sticks — using transparency.
#ElectionShield
If foreign or domestic disinfo campaigns are detected during elections, the public is notified — clearly, calmly, with evidence.
They beat the lie before it sticks — using transparency.
#ElectionShield
Canada embeds digital literacy and critical thinking into school curriculums.
Students are taught to spot disinformation, understand algorithms, and evaluate sources.
Instead of banning ideas, they strengthen minds.
It’s a long-term immunity plan for democracy.
#MediaSmart
Students are taught to spot disinformation, understand algorithms, and evaluate sources.
Instead of banning ideas, they strengthen minds.
It’s a long-term immunity plan for democracy.
#MediaSmart
May 23, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Canada embeds digital literacy and critical thinking into school curriculums.
Students are taught to spot disinformation, understand algorithms, and evaluate sources.
Instead of banning ideas, they strengthen minds.
It’s a long-term immunity plan for democracy.
#MediaSmart
Students are taught to spot disinformation, understand algorithms, and evaluate sources.
Instead of banning ideas, they strengthen minds.
It’s a long-term immunity plan for democracy.
#MediaSmart
What if your government asked permission to see your data — and logged every time they touched it? Estonia does. Why doesn’t yours?
May 23, 2025 at 5:10 PM
What if your government asked permission to see your data — and logged every time they touched it? Estonia does. Why doesn’t yours?
New Zealand — a democracy known for governing with empathy, transparency, and long-term thinking.
What makes New Zealand stand out:
They built a “Wellbeing Budget” — where success is measured by mental health, child welfare, and environment, not just GDP.
#WellbeingBudget
What makes New Zealand stand out:
They built a “Wellbeing Budget” — where success is measured by mental health, child welfare, and environment, not just GDP.
#WellbeingBudget
May 23, 2025 at 3:12 PM
New Zealand — a democracy known for governing with empathy, transparency, and long-term thinking.
What makes New Zealand stand out:
They built a “Wellbeing Budget” — where success is measured by mental health, child welfare, and environment, not just GDP.
#WellbeingBudget
What makes New Zealand stand out:
They built a “Wellbeing Budget” — where success is measured by mental health, child welfare, and environment, not just GDP.
#WellbeingBudget
Ireland rewrote its constitution with a citizens’ assembly. Putting 99 strangers (randomly selected non-politicians) in a room with facts and time. Then the public voted. It worked so well they did it again to address deeper issues.
#DemocracyWithoutDistortion
#DemocracyWithoutDistortion
May 23, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Ireland rewrote its constitution with a citizens’ assembly. Putting 99 strangers (randomly selected non-politicians) in a room with facts and time. Then the public voted. It worked so well they did it again to address deeper issues.
#DemocracyWithoutDistortion
#DemocracyWithoutDistortion
Taiwan builds its democracy in the open.
Budgets, laws, proposals — all online.
Citizens can suggest edits like Google Docs.
It’s not just transparency. It’s collaboration.
Budgets, laws, proposals — all online.
Citizens can suggest edits like Google Docs.
It’s not just transparency. It’s collaboration.
May 23, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Taiwan builds its democracy in the open.
Budgets, laws, proposals — all online.
Citizens can suggest edits like Google Docs.
It’s not just transparency. It’s collaboration.
Budgets, laws, proposals — all online.
Citizens can suggest edits like Google Docs.
It’s not just transparency. It’s collaboration.
In Estonia, you can vote online, check laws, see where your taxes go.
Transparency isn’t a buzzword — it’s the default.
Transparency isn’t a buzzword — it’s the default.
May 23, 2025 at 2:48 PM
In Estonia, you can vote online, check laws, see where your taxes go.
Transparency isn’t a buzzword — it’s the default.
Transparency isn’t a buzzword — it’s the default.
“The real safeguard of democracy is education.”
“Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely.” Thomas Jefferson
Other countries teach democracy to everyone — immigrants and kids alike.
A stronger democracy starts when all of us learn how it works.
“Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely.” Thomas Jefferson
Other countries teach democracy to everyone — immigrants and kids alike.
A stronger democracy starts when all of us learn how it works.
May 23, 2025 at 2:41 PM
“The real safeguard of democracy is education.”
“Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely.” Thomas Jefferson
Other countries teach democracy to everyone — immigrants and kids alike.
A stronger democracy starts when all of us learn how it works.
“Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely.” Thomas Jefferson
Other countries teach democracy to everyone — immigrants and kids alike.
A stronger democracy starts when all of us learn how it works.
⚓️
May 21, 2025 at 10:24 PM
⚓️
Reposted
#USDemocracy
When Bush 2 left office, lenders weren’t lending, houses weren’t selling, unemployment was ridiculously high. The American Auto Industry was crashing, threatening well over a million jobs. President Obama turned it around. More businesses opened up because insurance was available.
When Bush 2 left office, lenders weren’t lending, houses weren’t selling, unemployment was ridiculously high. The American Auto Industry was crashing, threatening well over a million jobs. President Obama turned it around. More businesses opened up because insurance was available.
May 18, 2025 at 1:40 PM
#USDemocracy
When Bush 2 left office, lenders weren’t lending, houses weren’t selling, unemployment was ridiculously high. The American Auto Industry was crashing, threatening well over a million jobs. President Obama turned it around. More businesses opened up because insurance was available.
When Bush 2 left office, lenders weren’t lending, houses weren’t selling, unemployment was ridiculously high. The American Auto Industry was crashing, threatening well over a million jobs. President Obama turned it around. More businesses opened up because insurance was available.
Reposted
So when are we going to talk about the possibility that a lot of the “federal agents” in masks could be paramilitary goons and that authoritarianism inevitably partners law enforcement with extremist street gangs?
May 17, 2025 at 8:52 PM
So when are we going to talk about the possibility that a lot of the “federal agents” in masks could be paramilitary goons and that authoritarianism inevitably partners law enforcement with extremist street gangs?
Of the 10 most intelligent U.S. presidents (estimates based on educational background, speech analysis, decision-making patterns, and historical assessments), 8 were democrats. Of the 10 least intelligent, 7 were republicans.
May 17, 2025 at 3:08 AM
Of the 10 most intelligent U.S. presidents (estimates based on educational background, speech analysis, decision-making patterns, and historical assessments), 8 were democrats. Of the 10 least intelligent, 7 were republicans.
MAGA voted for a guy who doesn’t know what “groceries” are.
May 16, 2025 at 9:41 PM
MAGA voted for a guy who doesn’t know what “groceries” are.
Reposted
Justice Souter taught his law clerks and all whom he encountered “the most important lesson a young lawyer can be taught: the value of caring for others, the wisdom in slowing down to get the law right, and the incredible power when those two forces are combined.”
www.scotusblog.com/2025/05/the-...
www.scotusblog.com/2025/05/the-...
The heartbeat of the law is human connection
This article is part of a series on the legacy and jurisprudence of the late Justice David Souter. Allison Orr Larsen is the Alfred Wilson & Mary I.W. Lee Professor […]
www.scotusblog.com
May 14, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Justice Souter taught his law clerks and all whom he encountered “the most important lesson a young lawyer can be taught: the value of caring for others, the wisdom in slowing down to get the law right, and the incredible power when those two forces are combined.”
www.scotusblog.com/2025/05/the-...
www.scotusblog.com/2025/05/the-...
Reposted
A judge on Tuesday struck down Michigan’s 24-hour waiting period before an abortion, saying it conflicts with a voter-approved amendment that locked abortion rights in the state constitution in 2022.
Judge overturns Michigan’s 24-hour waiting period before an abortion | CNN
A judge on Tuesday struck down Michigan’s 24-hour waiting period before an abortion, saying it conflicts with a voter-approved amendment that locked abortion rights in the state constitution in 2022.
www.cnn.com
May 14, 2025 at 12:59 AM
A judge on Tuesday struck down Michigan’s 24-hour waiting period before an abortion, saying it conflicts with a voter-approved amendment that locked abortion rights in the state constitution in 2022.
Reposted
A Montana court has struck down the state’s ban on gender-affirming care for minors, finding that it violates the rights to privacy, equal protection, and free expression guaranteed by the Montana Constitution. lambdalegal.org/wp-content/u...
May 13, 2025 at 11:10 PM
A Montana court has struck down the state’s ban on gender-affirming care for minors, finding that it violates the rights to privacy, equal protection, and free expression guaranteed by the Montana Constitution. lambdalegal.org/wp-content/u...
Reposted
Ages 0-4 are the most important, emotionally & intellectually, in human development.
Yet, in the US, we have a very high rate of childhood poverty and a broken child care system.
Congratulations to New Mexico for leading the way forward for high quality, free child care. Other states must follow.
Yet, in the US, we have a very high rate of childhood poverty and a broken child care system.
Congratulations to New Mexico for leading the way forward for high quality, free child care. Other states must follow.
May 11, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Ages 0-4 are the most important, emotionally & intellectually, in human development.
Yet, in the US, we have a very high rate of childhood poverty and a broken child care system.
Congratulations to New Mexico for leading the way forward for high quality, free child care. Other states must follow.
Yet, in the US, we have a very high rate of childhood poverty and a broken child care system.
Congratulations to New Mexico for leading the way forward for high quality, free child care. Other states must follow.
Reposted
Just curious, what’s the tariff on a $400 million jet from Qatar?
May 11, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Just curious, what’s the tariff on a $400 million jet from Qatar?