Saying Uncle to Uncle Sam

“If Trump has been right about anything, it is that there is a deep rot in the upper echelons of American society, among people who have been put in positions of power and leadership. Trump understands that many of these people are weak, that their public commitment to civic principles can crumble under sustained pressure. In many cases, those folding have had ample resources to resist Trump’s shakedowns but haven’t been brave enough to do so. They are, in a word, chickenshit.” Adam Serwer in The Atlantic on the surrender of America’s elites. (Gift Article): Lower Than Cowards.

+ This piecemeal surrender is just part of a broader set of trends that is careening our republic down a slip ‘n slide toward a form of modern authoritarianism. George Packer in The Atlantic (Gift Article): America’s Zombie Democracy.