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John  (NJ-VT)'s avatar

ASK THE AVERAGE RUSSIAN IF THEY WANT A DICTATOR.

ASK THE 15 REGIONS THAT BROKE FREE IN 1991.

ASK UKRAINE, FIGHTING FEARLESSLY TODAY TO ESCAPE THE DEATH GRIP OF ONE.

“Today, for the second time in two days, Donald J. Trump hinted that Americans want a dictator. He said: ‘The line is that I’m a dictator, but I stop crime. So a lot of people say, “If that’s the case, I’d rather have a dictator.”’”

I’ve walked streets in Romania still scarred with bullet holes from their fight against tyranny. I’ve stood on church steps in Timișoara where a priest and dozens of children were gunned down for defying a regime.

I’ve watched a Ukrainian software team scatter back to their hometowns when Russia attacked Kharkiv — disappearing mid-call as power and communications collapsed.

I’ve heard a Chinese colleague, under the one-child policy, quietly admit what would happen if he had two: “Very bad.”

History isn’t distant. Watch 60 Minutes on Argentina and the tens of thousands “disappeared” — women, children, anyone who dared resist.

Meanwhile, FOX screams about crime in our cities but stays silent about the real rot: addiction, battered women, unaffordable education, homes, and healthcare — the everyday suffering in red Trump towns.

The King and his regime grow rich without fear of law. The people suffer. Those who resist are crushed.

Declare your independence. Before it’s too late.

Tyranny doesn’t arrive slowly.

It happens overnight.

Humor - i’ll leave that for Andy. Princeton University.

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Andy Borowitz's avatar

John - may I share this widely? To protect your privacy I won’t identify you as its author.

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John  (NJ-VT)'s avatar

Sure. I have a slightly less tight version under heather if you like to see, but sure.

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John  (NJ-VT)'s avatar

Absolutely Andy.

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Annette's avatar

thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences, John . . . you are absolutely correct about tyranny.

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DebbieM (OH)'s avatar

Thank you, John (NJ-VT). Excellently said. If you don't mind, I'm going to share this post.

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Brenda Reiss's avatar

Thank you for your post. We need it to get to more people who are completely uninformed

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KHKate's avatar

Yes, we have to circulate it Beyond the Borowitz!

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Mary Gilbert's avatar

Your information & insight: spot on 🎯

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Kate Decker's avatar

Brilliant.

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Elisabeth Birker's avatar

😭. Hear hear!

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Alan's avatar
10hEdited

Supporting Abigail Spanberger for Governor of Virginia is an excellent recommendation Andy!

Abigail was the Congressperson in my district for 6 years and she's highly respected, qualified, caring and intelligent plus has a very strong record for constituent services!

And here's an insider's tip: Every time her opponent unfairly criticizes Abigail relative to Virginia's business climate and state of affairs, she's actually criticizing herself (as incumbent Lt. Governor) and Virginia Governor Youngkin -- a Republican with eyes on the WH in 2028.

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LHS's avatar

And don't forget Mikie Sherrill, running for Governor of New Jersey! https://www.mikiesherrill.com/ Democrat Phil Murphy unexpectedly won a squeaker for his second term, and Republicans have been picking up registered voters in NJ, sad to say. Sherrill's opponent, Jack Ciattiarelli, the GOP nominee, has been busy cozying up to Trump.

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Ann Rock's avatar

Ciatriarelli is full on Trump. His slogan is make New Jersey great again and it looks likes he’s having fundraisers at trumps bedminster golf course. Hopefully new Jerseyans are paying attention…

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Deb Borrelli's avatar

And, everyone needs to get out and vote!

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SUZANNE Marie McAdam's avatar

I have a sister and brother-in-law living in Va.Bch

I will pass this on. Both are very unhappy Republicans.

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Alan's avatar

That's great Suzanne! You can add that (1) Abigail has assisted thousands of her constituents in getting things done by government agencies -- regardless of party and (2) Abigail was considered one of the most bipartisan members in Congress as she focused on benefits to all Americans.

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History Rhymes With Lee's avatar

Leave it to a writer to give succinct, specific instructions. Thanks. Also, wondering if you can use your media capital to get some outlets to begin to highlight particularly obsequious Republicans in Congress. FAR TOO MUCH hand-ringing coverage of DJT. Yeah, we know how HE is. Shame is a powerful motivator. This is why I love seeing those combative town halls; watching a jerk trying to justify his abdication of duty to the Constitution. I want to see a kind of Profiles in Cowardice. Anyway, that's just little ol' lady me.

Keep it up. I'm so glad I subscribed to this!

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Pam Birkenfeld's avatar

Robert Today’s Edition yesterday mentioned Grassley whining about some of his farm products being priced too high because of tariffs. Hello Grassley, you have the power to stop this you and your fellow senators, and you didn’t so don’t come whining to the rest of us now. Even now you could stop it. But no you did not take up your responsibility and you have handed over power to those who would hurt your own constituents. So he’s an egregious one.

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JL's avatar

Absolutely - but what he and other Repugs want is carve-outs for their specific issues - and alas they may well get them, as long as they toe the orange maggot's line.

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Theresa Westfall's avatar

Exactly! These people just sound stupid. They know how to get what they want.

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Susan von Beethoven's avatar

JL——-Absolutely! Just ask Lisa Alaskaski. She kissed and sucked the Big Fat Pig’s Orange ass, and got what she wanted for her state. The other 49 states be dammed.

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History Rhymes With Lee's avatar

Grassley should heed the recent election results. If he doesn't die first (looks like he was first elected to anything the year after I was born and I ain't young), Iowans could turn.

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Mary Greenwald's avatar

Nah. Those farmers are in love with Grassley. Supposedly because he is a farmer and understands their needs. Evidently a Democrat who is actually a farmer, would not understand. Grassley has not been on a tractor for years. He just takes the subsidies he put in place and laughs at the rubes who continue to vote for him.

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History Rhymes With Lee's avatar

I see. It’s that long tradition of certain groups voting against their self-interest out of tribalism or something.

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Marlene Lerner-Bigley (CA)'s avatar

Grassley complains to Donny Convict about the tariffs and how his farming communities are affected. If those farmers are smart, they’ll guide Chuck to the nearest pasture to live out his final days.

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Mary Roeser's avatar

It's not like Grassley didn't know this would happen. He KNEW. He didn't care.

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Susan C Goetschius's avatar

Profiles in Cowardice! Great idea!

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Susan Barnes's avatar

Mitch would lead the way.

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Elisabeth Birker's avatar

I‘m so glad I discovered Andy years ago too. If there is a scrap of pliable, viable brain and resilience left in me, I have to thank Andy for that…I look forward to his humour and insight daily!

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Justine Savage's avatar

Thank you so much for this. I will definitely share. I got somewhere between 20 to 30 requests a day for donations from all over the country! I figured out pretty quickly that most of them are scams claiming things like 400% mtch.

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LHS's avatar

The political spam on my husband's phone got so bad last fall that he changed his phone number! It was endless texts, most of which sounded pretty spammy.

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Susan Fisher's avatar

Really good post Andy. This is something we can DO !!! Everyone - tell all your friends !

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Peaceful Mary T.'s avatar

Great news out of Iowa! Congrats to Catelin Drey! Thanks for all the good advice, Andy!

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Patti's avatar

Well said, Andy. Thank you!

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Andy Borowitz's avatar

Every now and then I'm constructive!

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Sam Popkin's avatar

A terrific guide, thank you! Helps our sense of purpose.

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Annette's avatar

You are constructive . . . and caring . . . and always hilarious. You help many of us keep passing the open windows (thank you, John Irving, for one of my favorite lines).

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Wis's avatar

You’re always constructive, Andy. You lift our spirits and teach us, you express our wishes and angst with your satire, and today, you give practical, sane advice in a time of chaos and opportunism (rich Nigerian princes have gone into politics, I think). Thank you!

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Justine Savage's avatar

Always great

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Patti's avatar

DUH. ❤️

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Octavia Redwood's avatar

Don't be so modest-you are extremely constructive! Loved your interview with the "Strongmen" writer-truly fantastic points discussed. I agree with the "coffee-spitters" regarding the jolt of spontaneous giggling and am so grateful. Your suggestions are helpful-and Andy-you are NEEDED and appreciated. Not just now and then. Thank you.

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Marlene Lerner-Bigley (CA)'s avatar

And instructive!

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Joan Friedman (MA, from NY)'s avatar

All very good, thank you, except for one point. It’s good to support Dems running everywhere, including in unwinnable races where they are building infrastructure for the longer term. Groups like Blue Missouri, Blue Ohio, Blue Tennessee are doing that work. It took ten years of voter registration drives and losing candidates to turn Georgia into a purple state. Then Georgians elected two Dem senators and helped put Biden in the White House.

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Kathleen W.'s avatar

Catelin Drey ran for a state senate seat which she had no hope of winning - until she did.

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Mary Gilbert's avatar

Yes-we are trying in Missouri. And I am in frequent communication with Eric Schmidt’s offer trying to get him to see how his policies are hurting his own red supporters as well as all Missourians. It’s an uphill battle for sure; only a few blue dots (StL, KC & Columbia) in a sea of red…

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Donna's avatar

And in Missouri, work to turn the Republican legislature around. Time and again they have ignored the will of the people by overturning the laws Missourians passed via initiative petition. There is currently a group—Respect MO Voters— that is trying to collect enough signatures to put an amendment on the ballot to prevent the legislature from doing this in the future. Join them and give them a hand. I am working with them and they are a good group full of enthusiastic folk.

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Mary Gilbert's avatar

Thanks Donna; I’m familiar with the movement and have not yet volunteered but may do so.

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Dr. Karen Stafford's avatar

Hoping to get rid of no-show Ann Wagner!

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Mary Gilbert's avatar

I live in the city so don’t get to vote her out but I have lots of family in the suburbs who always support her opponents. Ann Wagner is a nightmare!

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Mary Sharp's avatar

Just posted same before I saw your comment. Thank you!

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Matthew Ward's avatar

Seriously good advice. Thank you!

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Frances Snedeker's avatar

Thank you. You confirm some of my biases and encourage thoughtful support for valid candidates.

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Susan Sharp's avatar

Thank you for this Andy!

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Liz Bayer's avatar

This is super helpful! Thank you

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solvay peterson's avatar

Thank you for the hope.

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Ellen Harris's avatar

Thank you Andy!! ❤️

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Ruth Bromer's avatar

Give to Roy Cooper running for Senate in North Carolina. He was governor for 2 terms, is very popular and has a good chance to win. Trump picked his opponent. Since NC is a Purple state, it's really important to support Roy Cooper. Please! He can win, but this may be the most expensive senate race ever.

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Marlene Lerner-Bigley (CA)'s avatar

I did that the minute he said he was running!

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Ruth Bromer's avatar

As did I, and thank you. It looks like you are from California.

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Marlene Lerner-Bigley (CA)'s avatar

I am, proudly!!

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Bruce Maslack's avatar

I like you when you’re serious and factual. I’d pay you for more of this.

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