Thomas Avant
@tcavant.bsky.social
Writer, Progressive Southerner, Liberal Democracy Proponent
Book: https://www.amazon.com/Damaged-People-Narcissism-Foundation-Dysfunctional/dp/0578821664
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/damaged-people-thomas-avant/1138874224
Substack: tcavant.substack.com
Book: https://www.amazon.com/Damaged-People-Narcissism-Foundation-Dysfunctional/dp/0578821664
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/damaged-people-thomas-avant/1138874224
Substack: tcavant.substack.com
A message for America today in our decades-long descent into decadence, from the album Hunger Strike by the band, Temple of the Dog (1991).
This half-century slide directly corresponds to the rise of the radical conservative movement, which has strangled all American institutions.
This half-century slide directly corresponds to the rise of the radical conservative movement, which has strangled all American institutions.
November 3, 2025 at 12:24 PM
A message for America today in our decades-long descent into decadence, from the album Hunger Strike by the band, Temple of the Dog (1991).
This half-century slide directly corresponds to the rise of the radical conservative movement, which has strangled all American institutions.
This half-century slide directly corresponds to the rise of the radical conservative movement, which has strangled all American institutions.
The Mayo Clinic lists 9 characteristics of those with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD). You'll see these characteristics inherent in many in positions of power today and throughout American government. Sadly, the American culture of narcissism has reached new heights.
October 25, 2025 at 12:03 PM
The Mayo Clinic lists 9 characteristics of those with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD). You'll see these characteristics inherent in many in positions of power today and throughout American government. Sadly, the American culture of narcissism has reached new heights.
Money in politics on both sides of the political aisle has driven the interests of voters and their elected representatives further away, undermining faith and confidence in our institutions. Our public policies are decades behind the functional liberal democracies of the world. Let’s catch up now.
September 23, 2025 at 9:53 AM
Money in politics on both sides of the political aisle has driven the interests of voters and their elected representatives further away, undermining faith and confidence in our institutions. Our public policies are decades behind the functional liberal democracies of the world. Let’s catch up now.
Sadly, 50 plus years later, the Southern strategy is still in play and still works for Republican politicians.
Nixon knew that racism extended throughout the country, and the strategy would be effective everywhere - the southernization of America.
We have a long way to go to racial justice.
Nixon knew that racism extended throughout the country, and the strategy would be effective everywhere - the southernization of America.
We have a long way to go to racial justice.
September 22, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Sadly, 50 plus years later, the Southern strategy is still in play and still works for Republican politicians.
Nixon knew that racism extended throughout the country, and the strategy would be effective everywhere - the southernization of America.
We have a long way to go to racial justice.
Nixon knew that racism extended throughout the country, and the strategy would be effective everywhere - the southernization of America.
We have a long way to go to racial justice.
During the Great Prosperity, we taxed the rich and had the best middle class run in American history. In 1944, the top tax rate was 94%, and it never dipped below 70% through the 50s, 60s, and 70s.
In the 1980s, Ronald Reagan lowered rates to 28%. Income inequality has soared since.
In the 1980s, Ronald Reagan lowered rates to 28%. Income inequality has soared since.
September 21, 2025 at 11:15 AM
During the Great Prosperity, we taxed the rich and had the best middle class run in American history. In 1944, the top tax rate was 94%, and it never dipped below 70% through the 50s, 60s, and 70s.
In the 1980s, Ronald Reagan lowered rates to 28%. Income inequality has soared since.
In the 1980s, Ronald Reagan lowered rates to 28%. Income inequality has soared since.
Without adoration and constant attention, a narcissist feels less than zero, which opens the narcissistic wound and threatens the “false-self” - a confident and capable persona they try to portray to the world to mask their true feelings.
September 20, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Without adoration and constant attention, a narcissist feels less than zero, which opens the narcissistic wound and threatens the “false-self” - a confident and capable persona they try to portray to the world to mask their true feelings.
Has the Democratic establishment received the memo? It’s time to ditch the party’s “consultants” and “pundits”. It’s a new era, and if the Democratic Party wants to be viable long term and win elections, embracing democratic socialism is a necessity. Will the lifeline be accepted by party leaders?
September 19, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Has the Democratic establishment received the memo? It’s time to ditch the party’s “consultants” and “pundits”. It’s a new era, and if the Democratic Party wants to be viable long term and win elections, embracing democratic socialism is a necessity. Will the lifeline be accepted by party leaders?
The GOP has displayed repeatedly that it’s purported values (law and order, transparency in government, fiscal responsibility, etc.) were all a sham. There's nothing “conservative” about a party hellbent on destroying - not “conserving” - democratic values, institutions, and the rule of law.
September 17, 2025 at 10:12 AM
The GOP has displayed repeatedly that it’s purported values (law and order, transparency in government, fiscal responsibility, etc.) were all a sham. There's nothing “conservative” about a party hellbent on destroying - not “conserving” - democratic values, institutions, and the rule of law.
The autocratic playbook is being executed here, now, and in rapid fashion.
theconversation.com/so-you-want-...
theconversation.com/so-you-want-...
September 17, 2025 at 12:06 AM
The autocratic playbook is being executed here, now, and in rapid fashion.
theconversation.com/so-you-want-...
theconversation.com/so-you-want-...
Deploying troops to U.S. cities controlled by Democratic leaders - under the guise of “law and order” - is nothing more than a tactic to instill fear and a test run for voter suppression in these Democratic voter strongholds for the 2026 midterms.
September 16, 2025 at 10:22 AM
Deploying troops to U.S. cities controlled by Democratic leaders - under the guise of “law and order” - is nothing more than a tactic to instill fear and a test run for voter suppression in these Democratic voter strongholds for the 2026 midterms.
Colin Kaepernick is a true patriot who exhibited true strength. He was willing to take an unpopular action to stand up for racial justice. He sacrificed his multi-million dollar career to speak truth to power. Shame on the NFL and its owners for not allowing him to continue his career in his prime.
September 13, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Colin Kaepernick is a true patriot who exhibited true strength. He was willing to take an unpopular action to stand up for racial justice. He sacrificed his multi-million dollar career to speak truth to power. Shame on the NFL and its owners for not allowing him to continue his career in his prime.
For all hoping this court would somehow step up, do the right thing, reign in this lawless regime, and rule objectively based on the law instead of radically partisan political loyalty, those hopes died early on in Trump 2.0.
Our worst fears have come true; No branch is protecting our freedoms.
Our worst fears have come true; No branch is protecting our freedoms.
September 10, 2025 at 3:21 PM
For all hoping this court would somehow step up, do the right thing, reign in this lawless regime, and rule objectively based on the law instead of radically partisan political loyalty, those hopes died early on in Trump 2.0.
Our worst fears have come true; No branch is protecting our freedoms.
Our worst fears have come true; No branch is protecting our freedoms.
This is a court far out of step with the nation’s values and tainted by special interests/conflicts of interest - with no oversight; indoctrinated in radical rightwing political ideology. Its decisions are based less on the law and more on political loyalty to a party with minority public support.
September 10, 2025 at 12:45 PM
This is a court far out of step with the nation’s values and tainted by special interests/conflicts of interest - with no oversight; indoctrinated in radical rightwing political ideology. Its decisions are based less on the law and more on political loyalty to a party with minority public support.
Truth to the narcissist is malleable; truth is whatever it needs to be at that particular moment for the narcissist to get what he needs or desires. Malignant narcissists are extremely thin-skinned, with a deep-rooted insecurity masked as confidence and superiority. The slightest criticism lingers.
September 9, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Truth to the narcissist is malleable; truth is whatever it needs to be at that particular moment for the narcissist to get what he needs or desires. Malignant narcissists are extremely thin-skinned, with a deep-rooted insecurity masked as confidence and superiority. The slightest criticism lingers.
Fake populism created the MAGA movement. True economic populism - progressivism - will banish it.
With under 30% public favorability, the opportunity is there for the taking, but Dems must provide a clear alternative to the neoliberalism embraced by both parties over the last half century.
With under 30% public favorability, the opportunity is there for the taking, but Dems must provide a clear alternative to the neoliberalism embraced by both parties over the last half century.
September 1, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Fake populism created the MAGA movement. True economic populism - progressivism - will banish it.
With under 30% public favorability, the opportunity is there for the taking, but Dems must provide a clear alternative to the neoliberalism embraced by both parties over the last half century.
With under 30% public favorability, the opportunity is there for the taking, but Dems must provide a clear alternative to the neoliberalism embraced by both parties over the last half century.
The Narcissist’s Prayer by Dayna Craig sums up the narcissistic mentality of the authoritarian Right and a large swath of white America.
Collective narcissism has driven the notion and preservation of white supremacy since the country’s inception.
Collective narcissism has driven the notion and preservation of white supremacy since the country’s inception.
August 31, 2025 at 4:28 PM
The Narcissist’s Prayer by Dayna Craig sums up the narcissistic mentality of the authoritarian Right and a large swath of white America.
Collective narcissism has driven the notion and preservation of white supremacy since the country’s inception.
Collective narcissism has driven the notion and preservation of white supremacy since the country’s inception.
For tyranny to take hold of a society, the society must willingly give itself to the tyrant. To banish the tyrant, the only requirement of the populace is to withdraw its support and cooperation.
August 16, 2025 at 11:45 AM
For tyranny to take hold of a society, the society must willingly give itself to the tyrant. To banish the tyrant, the only requirement of the populace is to withdraw its support and cooperation.
Don Trump is a delusional malignant narcissistic psychopath, career criminal, convicted felon, tax cheat, business fraudster, six-time bankrupt con-man, wannabe authoritarian and autocratic dictator, and fascist. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
August 9, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Don Trump is a delusional malignant narcissistic psychopath, career criminal, convicted felon, tax cheat, business fraudster, six-time bankrupt con-man, wannabe authoritarian and autocratic dictator, and fascist. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
While non-narcissists view Trump as what he is, despicable; his narcissism is the main attractor of his followers. Essentially, both the leader and followers may have narcissistic tendencies and a lack of emotional depth. Narcissism is blind to itself.
August 7, 2025 at 10:33 AM
While non-narcissists view Trump as what he is, despicable; his narcissism is the main attractor of his followers. Essentially, both the leader and followers may have narcissistic tendencies and a lack of emotional depth. Narcissism is blind to itself.
To attempt to justify atrocities, the oppressor must attempt to convince itself and others that the oppressed is less than human. This is the methodology of the Trump administration, its Christian nationalist supporters, and the Netanyahu administration and those supporting the genocide in Gaza.
July 27, 2025 at 12:49 PM
To attempt to justify atrocities, the oppressor must attempt to convince itself and others that the oppressed is less than human. This is the methodology of the Trump administration, its Christian nationalist supporters, and the Netanyahu administration and those supporting the genocide in Gaza.