Empathy Politics

From Robert Reich:
Keep your eye on the big picture…
5 ways Trump is concentrating power in his own hands, thereby replacing democracy with oligarchy
It can be overwhelming. Trump is trying to “flood the zone” so we focus on a few outrages that we find most offensive and lose sight of the big picture — the larger strategy he and Musk and their cronies are pursuing.
Their major goal is not only or even mainly to impose white Christian nationalism on America, nor to downsize the federal government, nor to wreak vengeance on Trump’s enemies.
It is to concentrate ever more power in Trump’s hands, so he can concentrate ever more wealth in the oligarchy’s hands.
The overall strategy boils down to five tactics.
1. Replace federal civil servants with Trump loyalists.
It’s like the communist witch hunts of late 1940s and early 1950s, only not with loyalty oaths to the United States but loyalty oaths to Trump.
Under one of Trump’s first executive orders, known as “Schedule F,” job protections shielding tens of thousands of senior career federal workers will be eliminated, making it easier to replace them with loyalists.
This week, Trump (via Musk) issued to all 2.3 million federal workers an offer to quit and get 8 months pay or face possibility of being furloughed without pay or fired. This, too, is aimed at getting rid of the professional civil service and installing people more loyal to Trump than to the United States.
Dozens of career officials at the National Security Council have been sent home while their loyalty is being reviewed. Dozens of other career officials, at the U.S. Agency for International Development, have been put on leave for suspicion of resisting an order by Trump.
Trump has conducted a mass purge of more than a dozen Inspectors General (in direct violation of a law requiring written notice to Congress with a “substantive rationale, including detailed and case-specific reasons” at least 30 days in advance). The only Inspector General who remains is a Trump loyalist.
2. Take over independent decision making across government.
Last Monday night, Trump froze up to $3 trillion in federal grants and loans to determine whether they “meet his priorities,” even though they had been passed by Congress — in direct violation of the Impoundment Act of 1974. (Later in the week, the freeze was rescinded but it is expected to be reimposed in a form less vulnerable to legal challenges.)
He fired Democratic members of independent agencies — the National Labor Relations Board and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission — leaving each without enough members to legally act.
This action is also unlawful. The law creating the labor board makes it independent of the White House in part by limiting a president’s ability to fire its members at will, stating: “Any member of the board may be removed by the president, upon notice and hearing, for neglect of duty or malfeasance in office, but for no other cause.”
3. Put current officials on notice that defiance will be punished.
The media calls this Trump’s retribution for past perceived wrongs, but as a practical matter it’s Trump warning to current officials that he will punish any disloyalty or defiance.
Trump has fired more than a dozen prosecutors from the Justice Department who worked for the special counsel Jack Smith on investigations into Trump.
A memo to the fired prosecutors from the acting attorney general, James McHenry, says a major factor in firing them was disloyalty to Trump: “Given your significant role in prosecuting the president, I do not believe that the leadership of the department can trust you to assist in implementing the president’s agenda faithfully,” he wrote.
Trump’s Justice Department has also opened an investigation into the actions of career prosecutors who criminally charged the Trump supporters who attacked the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.
Trump has withdrawn security details from former public officials who have criticized him, although the threats on their lives continue — Anthony Fauci, John Bolton, and General Mark Milley. Trump has also rescinded additional protections for certain senior civil servants whose lives have been threatened.
4. Eliminate or intimidate sources of news and facts that have criticized Trump.
Trump has threatened to throw journalists in jail and revoke broadcast licenses of television networks he perceives as unduly critical of him. He is also threatening universities, scientists, and government research agencies whose findings he dislikes. Trump’s education department plans to control classroom curricula.
The threats are escalating. Days ago, Elon Musk lashed out at the nonprofit Wikipedia, after his page was updated with a description of his controversial Nazi-like salute during Trump’s Inauguration Day celebrations.
5. Divide and conquer.
Trump wants Americans to get so riled up against one another that we don’t look upward and see where all the wealth and power have gone. This, too, is a tactic for consolidating ;power.
Yesterday, for example, Trump blamed the tragic air crash on Biden and Obama initiatives to make the federal workforce more diverse, claiming they “came out with a directive — ‘too white’”, but that “we want the people that are competent.”
***
It’s important to see Trump’s strategy as a whole. It is designed to consolidate his power. If we see it as a whole, the rest of us are better able to counter it — by demanding and fortifying our members of Congress, organizing for the midterm elections in 2026 to take back both chambers, conducting boycotts, and supporting and defending those who are vulnerable to Trump.
Americans don’t want a dictator. We don’t want an oligarchy. We were founded in rebellion against a king and his aristocracy.
Trump’s consolidation of power comes at a time when huge wealth has been consolidated in hands of 640 billionaires, including many who are in Trump’s White House — including the richest person in the world, who is now giving out orders as if he were Trump.
This concentration of power increases opportunities for oligarchic transactions — more power for more wealth, and more wealth for more power — that siphon off wealth and power from everyone else and undermine democracy.
This is the central reality of what has happened during the first ten days of the Trump regime.

1 year ago | [YT] | 1

Empathy Politics

Beyond Your Self Concept

See a dawning of a new sun,
Time is dancing,
Dancing you alive,
A higher love,
Your mind,
Calling to you to rise,

Stand tall in the rising,
Though hate’s cold wind confronts you,
Love’s wings will lift you,
Never surrender,

Small wonder of wonders,
Hero of heart,
Wind of courage,
Soul on fire,
Always believe,
Beyond belief.

Conquering light,
Perfect imperfection,
Hidden treasure,
Temporary song,
Sung to overwhelming darkness,
This you are,
And more.

1 year ago | [YT] | 2

Empathy Politics

Trump & Elon Joked About Ignoring Labor Laws: Disrespect!

Trading partners have a right to organize just as any other trading partners do. That is what makes us free and empowered to be more than slaves just ordered around or thrown out of work by someone who tries to gain money the easy way: through the labor of others, and often, economic tricks.

Trump and Elon, joking about firing striking workers showed a deep disrespect for laborers and human rights in a true democracy. Firing workers on strike is against the law, thus they, as they often have, showed a disrespect for law, but also for anyone, even the highly skilled, who have a job.

Supporting such men is against all that America stands for. It also shows a profound lack of empathy for those who by rights of a true democracy should be setting the rules, with a government that is not bought, but ultimately is the boss of society which should be guaranteeing a truly fair trade, which is the only real free trade.

Such men do not create the wealth of any nation by themselves, this wealth is created by and should be shared by all who helped them gain the wealth they have, a wealth gained, but not gained by their labor alone. Workers must stand up and demand their rights to a truly fair and rightfully caring government that leaves no one hopelessly behind.

Until next time, remember the empathy that holds any democracy together, lift up the fallen, heal the sick, correct the wayward, avoid punishing cruel attitudes and like better to heal than to harm. And remember that you are not just in a world of wonder, you are part of it.

1 year ago | [YT] | 1

Empathy Politics

Not Voting in a Democracy is a Sin Against Personal and Social Empowerment & Communicates a Failure to Empathize

Empathetic Inner Mind Communication is about a love that not just overcomes damaged faith in love, but transcends our limited sense of self to embrace and understand the duty to vote, in spite of being just “one”. Because one is a lonely number that craves faith in the love of others to join even one small effort. EIMC is social because it is individual, individual because it is social, and seeks the empowerment to make even a single voice of love courageous enough to cast a vote.

Join our effort to spread loving empathy within and beyond everyone on our troubled planet. You can do that without any cost by: Subscribing, sharing, commenting and liking, as you are inclined.

Until next time.

1 year ago | [YT] | 1

Empathy Politics

No votar en una democracia es un pecado contra el empoderamiento personal y social y comunica una falta de empatía

La comunicación empática de la mente interior se trata de un amor que no solo supera la fe dañada en el amor, sino que trasciende nuestro limitado sentido del yo para abrazar y comprender el deber de votar, a pesar de ser solo "uno".

1 year ago | [YT] | 1

Empathy Politics

Susurrada en los vientos de la apatía: la oligarquía oculta de Trump

Oculta en la odiosa culpa común del otro,
Fomentada en la sacudida simiesca de las plantas enraizadas de la normalidad,
Aliviando los temores cobardes y adoradores de la opresión de los ricos,
Trump cabalga hacia la victoria por medio de glorias robadas, mentiras repetidas y creídas por mentes embotadas,
Y la apatía de aquellos que, al ver malas decisiones, no ven el bien mayor,
Mientras que los buenos, recurriendo a meras reglas de orden, son ignorados,
Por vientos de coalescencia apática y cómoda, ignorando los árboles que caen de la virtud,
Aferrándose a nada, aspirando a la droga de la esperanza de que todo estará bien en la tormenta,
Susurrando las verdades, ahogadas, no escuchadas,
En los vientos de la apatía, la oligarquía juega en el ascenso de un cruel aspirante a rey.

1 year ago | [YT] | 0

Empathy Politics

Whispered in the Winds of Apathy: the Trump Hidden Oligarchy

Concealed in hateful common blame of the other,
Fomented in apelike shaking of the rooted plants of normalcy,
Relieving the cowardly worshipful fears of wealthy oppression,
Trump rides to victory by stolen glories, lies repeated and believed by dulled minds,
And the apathy of those who seeing evil choices, fail to see the better good,
As the good, resorting to mere rules of order, are ignored,
By winds of apathetic, comfortable coalescence, ignoring the falling trees of virtue,
Clinging to nothing, aspiring to the hope dope that all will be fine in the storm,
Whispering the truths, drowned, unheard,
In the winds of apathy, the oligarchy play in the rise of a cruel would be king.

1 year ago | [YT] | 0

Empathy Politics

With Love the Mystic in You Awakens Practice Love Within and Outwardly Even if Only by Voting

Before we begin, don’t forget to join our mission of empowering empathetic love around the world, by subscribing, sharing, commenting, and liking as you are inclined in your heart to do. It costs nothing. Join our team.

It is sad to cultivate a loving soul, then fail to vote accordingly. It is imperative for the mystic, one devoted to virtuous love, to fail to vote in a democracy. But voting selfishly with no thought of those who may suffer from your voting decision, that is worse.

The test of a democracy is how well love flows, not by how some may benefit, but in how well what is wanted is an investment in all. Craving enough power and money to buy or control the governance is a path to destruction of the loving glue that holds any social group or nation together. Acting against this love may end great violence by which all can lose.

As we work to become more loving in our communication within, we must practice it outwardly in society, and in a democracy, in our vote.

Those supporting any who would crave to control the democratic will of the people for selfish reasons are harming their inner dialog with the source of all love.

The mystic in you is activated by taking the power of your awareness and love into motion within your mind, but it will start to deactivate if that love flow doesn’t grow in your outreach of love to others and your nation, with the power of social activism and voting.

Beware of those who would make it harder to vote, they are blocking the love flow that keeps democracy strong and united with caring hearts.

You are a mystic, take your power to love and be who you were intended to be: a loving light in a trying difficult world.

Until next time.

1 year ago | [YT] | 0

Empathy Politics

Comprensión del Distanciamiento en la Comunicación y el Trauma

Centrarse, ser lúdico y expresivo en relación con los sentimientos de cualquier tipo, incluso los dolorosos, ayuda a tener una zona de confort equilibrada que puede generar una sensación de amor y alegría. Son formas de distanciarse de aspectos de uno mismo. También son útiles en lo que evolucionan, que son formas objetivas, creativas y expresivas de empatía.

Todas estas cosas, dentro de nuestras mentes, son formas de encontrar consuelo que puede ser sanador. Las formas de distanciamiento se pueden ver en experiencias cercanas a la muerte, y en algunas experiencias místicas, así como en algunas terapias para el trauma. Distanciarse de las expresiones simbólicas de los sentimientos o las necesidades no es tan efectivo, revivir traumas pasados ​​o experimentar sentimientos actuales, junto con uno mismo en ellos, es más efectivo para contactar sentimientos dolorosos de una manera curativa.

Los sentimientos dolorosos son formas de ataque a nuestra fe en el amor, nos tocan y dañan nuestra capacidad para encontrar alegría, amor y paz.

Curiosamente, el distanciamiento lo pone más en contacto con la realidad como espectador. Volver a experimentar eventos pasados ​​con una parte de uno mismo, una parte de su cerebro, observando y teniendo una sensación de control, en el sentido de conciencia real, hace que uno se sienta más conectado consigo mismo.

La autotrascendencia es una especie de distanciamiento de la noción misma de un yo inmutable, ayuda a crear una sensación más flexible y adaptable de quiénes somos y quiénes podemos llegar a ser, una persona que puede crecer y disfrutar más de la vida y contribuir a ella.

Hay más en esto y ayuda a abrir la puerta a muchas otras ideas sobre la sociedad, la virtud y un mejor gobierno. Es el camino del místico objetivo. Un camino en el que has entrado cada vez que has reflexionado sobre quién crees que eres.

Tu Artista Interior es un intento de ser ese observador, en un lugar sin tiempo, lleno de amor y alegría, pero sacrificándolo para conectarte con la parte de ti que experimenta el drama, el dolor y la alegría de tu vida, amando al Niño Interior o Niño en ti que está emocionalmente involucrado en tus experiencias.

La profundidad de esta comprensión requiere entrenamiento para comprenderla completamente. Se expande en la práctica al activismo social que apoya la democracia con mayores capacidades para tener empatía con los demás. Esto significa que inspira un papel activo en la política para ayudar a crear un mejor flujo de amor y mejores vidas para todos los ciudadanos, así como apoyo a los derechos humanos.

Hasta la próxima, asegúrese de dejar sus comentarios y preguntas, suscríbase, no cuesta nada, comparta y haga clic me gusta según se inspire para hacerlo. Y mantenga viva la esperanza y el amor dondequiera que esté, y quienquiera que sea, y con todas las habilidades con las que fue bendecido.

Espero que esta traducción sea útil.

Nota: Esta traducción se proporciona únicamente con fines informativos y puede no ser perfecta. Si necesita una traducción profesional o precisa, le recomiendo que consulte con un traductor humano.

1 year ago | [YT] | 0

Empathy Politics

Understanding Distancing In Communication & Trauma

Being focused, playful, and expressive in relationship with feelings of any kind, even painful ones, helps with a balanced comfort zone that can yield a sense of love and joy. They are ways of distancing from aspects of oneself. Also helpful are what they evolve into which are objective, creative and expressive forms of empathy.

All of these things, within our minds, are ways of finding comfort which can be healing. Forms of distancing can be seen in near death experiences, and in some mystic experiences, as well as in some therapies for trauma. Distancing from symbolic expressions of feelings or needs aren’t as effective, reliving past traumas, or experiencing current feelings, along with oneself in them is most effective in contacting painful feelings in a healing way.

Painful feelings are forms of attack on our faith in love, they touch us and harm our ability to find joy love and peace.

Distancing oddly enough puts you more in touch with reality as the watcher. Re-experiencing past events with part of oneself, part of one’s brain, observing and having a sense of control, in the sense of real awareness makes one feel more in connection with oneself.

Self transcendence is a kind of distancing from the very notion of an unchanging self, it helps create a more flexible adaptable sense of who we are and who we can become, a person that can grow and better enjoy life and contribute to it.

There is more to this and it helps open the door to many other insights about society, virtue, and better government. It is the path of the objective mystic. A path which you have entered whenever you have reflected on who you think you are.

Your Inner Artist is an attempt to be that watcher, in a place without time, full of love and joy, but sacrificing it to connect to the part of you experiencing the drama, the pain, and the joy of your life, loving the Inner Kid or Child in you that is emotionally involved in your experiences.

The depth of this understanding needs training in order to fully grasp it. It expands in practice to social activism that supports democracy with greater abilities to have empathy with others. This means it inspires an active role in politics to help create a better flow of love and better lives for all citizens, as well as support for human rights.

Until next time be sure to leave your comments and questions, subscribe, it costs nothing, share and like as you are inspired to do. And keep hope and love alive where ever you are, and whoever you are, and with all the skills you were blessed with.

1 year ago | [YT] | 0