Alvin Finkel
@alvinfinkel.bsky.social
Socialist historian; author of Humans: The 300,000 Year Struggle for Equality; president, Alberta Labour History Institute
Trump with ICE reminds me of Hitler and the bullyboy SA in the streets of Berlin.
December 6, 2025 at 5:37 AM
Trump with ICE reminds me of Hitler and the bullyboy SA in the streets of Berlin.
I hope he sues for millions. This isn't something that should happen in a "civilized" country. But my reading of American history is that it remains a country with just a veneer of civilization. It needs a hard look at itself b4 it can create the degree of civilization its Indigenous people enjoyed.
December 6, 2025 at 5:33 AM
I hope he sues for millions. This isn't something that should happen in a "civilized" country. But my reading of American history is that it remains a country with just a veneer of civilization. It needs a hard look at itself b4 it can create the degree of civilization its Indigenous people enjoyed.
Yes, they shapeshift but have developed anti-humanist thinking overall. I argue in my book, Humans: The 300,000 Year Struggle for Equality, the early Christians were egalitarians, not Calvinist capitalists. Christianity took a dive when Rome made it the state religion, & the entrepreneurs took over.
December 6, 2025 at 5:29 AM
Yes, they shapeshift but have developed anti-humanist thinking overall. I argue in my book, Humans: The 300,000 Year Struggle for Equality, the early Christians were egalitarians, not Calvinist capitalists. Christianity took a dive when Rome made it the state religion, & the entrepreneurs took over.
True. When we define society purely in terms of meeting economic needs and ignore building community and individual worth, we ignore human needs. A big investment in our schools, recreation centres, sports, and culture is as important as a guaranteed annual income, though I do support the latter.
December 5, 2025 at 10:12 PM
True. When we define society purely in terms of meeting economic needs and ignore building community and individual worth, we ignore human needs. A big investment in our schools, recreation centres, sports, and culture is as important as a guaranteed annual income, though I do support the latter.
It isn't all nonsense! Things were getting better for many in the postwar period though many others were marginalized. Unions, improved social services, Keynesian policies that favoured low unemployment, & government economic regulation created stability. The pullback since the 80s has removed that.
December 5, 2025 at 8:33 PM
It isn't all nonsense! Things were getting better for many in the postwar period though many others were marginalized. Unions, improved social services, Keynesian policies that favoured low unemployment, & government economic regulation created stability. The pullback since the 80s has removed that.
True. The focus on economic growth, which despite the trickle-down mythology, just makes the rich richer, rather than distribution of wealth, makes for a grumpy society of insecure people. That contributes to the growth of fascist ideology, downplaying the environment, nastiness to immigrants, etc.
December 5, 2025 at 8:29 PM
True. The focus on economic growth, which despite the trickle-down mythology, just makes the rich richer, rather than distribution of wealth, makes for a grumpy society of insecure people. That contributes to the growth of fascist ideology, downplaying the environment, nastiness to immigrants, etc.
Not so. From 1980 to 2015, while the US economy grew 70%, the bottom 50% got none of it. That may not excuse them for supporting a fascist, but it goes a long way to explain it. We don't have to absolve them of their choices but we have to understand why what we've offered in the past aids fascists.
December 5, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Not so. From 1980 to 2015, while the US economy grew 70%, the bottom 50% got none of it. That may not excuse them for supporting a fascist, but it goes a long way to explain it. We don't have to absolve them of their choices but we have to understand why what we've offered in the past aids fascists.
Scolding them only helps our real enemies. While the true believers can't be reached, the folks who mostly vote to throw out the current rascals in power, whoever they may be, need to see real alternatives being provided by the Dems, not wagging fingers. Our side is rather lazy on that score.
December 5, 2025 at 8:18 PM
Scolding them only helps our real enemies. While the true believers can't be reached, the folks who mostly vote to throw out the current rascals in power, whoever they may be, need to see real alternatives being provided by the Dems, not wagging fingers. Our side is rather lazy on that score.
If I was a Republican propagandist, I would have a field day reprinting comments from people with their noses so high in the air. Did no one learn a thing from how much the Trumpistas benefited from Clinton's "deplorables" shtick? Focus on the economic issues that bound marginal voters to Trump.
December 5, 2025 at 8:09 PM
If I was a Republican propagandist, I would have a field day reprinting comments from people with their noses so high in the air. Did no one learn a thing from how much the Trumpistas benefited from Clinton's "deplorables" shtick? Focus on the economic issues that bound marginal voters to Trump.
There might be many more people who join you in leaving the Trump cult--or simply voting Repub because of disillusionment with the Dems--if more Dems broke from corporate financial control & focused on real issues that have caused desperate people to think wrongly that Trump offers them something.
December 5, 2025 at 8:03 PM
There might be many more people who join you in leaving the Trump cult--or simply voting Repub because of disillusionment with the Dems--if more Dems broke from corporate financial control & focused on real issues that have caused desperate people to think wrongly that Trump offers them something.
Actually tons of them have no ideology at all and are just unhappy that regardless of whether Democrats or Republicans are in power, their lives are shitty. Many will switch back to the Dems next year. But unless the Democratic Party can offer some real changes, they'll soon be back to the Repubs.
December 5, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Actually tons of them have no ideology at all and are just unhappy that regardless of whether Democrats or Republicans are in power, their lives are shitty. Many will switch back to the Dems next year. But unless the Democratic Party can offer some real changes, they'll soon be back to the Repubs.
That's the attitude of superiority that makes life easier for the propagandists who hold the Right together. As long as those of us on the Left look like smug assholes who want to slap the "deplorables" in the face, they will stick with the right-wing assholes. We are our own worst enemy.
December 5, 2025 at 7:54 PM
That's the attitude of superiority that makes life easier for the propagandists who hold the Right together. As long as those of us on the Left look like smug assholes who want to slap the "deplorables" in the face, they will stick with the right-wing assholes. We are our own worst enemy.
Yes, it's time for some of the workers who face the greatest precarity and poverty to enjoy some stability and dignity.
December 5, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Yes, it's time for some of the workers who face the greatest precarity and poverty to enjoy some stability and dignity.
Such short memories these opportunists have! Maybe they're all dementing, just like King Asshole himself.
December 5, 2025 at 6:50 AM
Such short memories these opportunists have! Maybe they're all dementing, just like King Asshole himself.
Orwell was a socialist who fought fascism in Spain & wrote about the terrible poverty in Britain. He wrote 1984 to attack all authoritarianism, including the American Cold War which he did not think had anything to do with democracy. Animal Farm was an attack on Stalin, not small-c communism.
December 4, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Orwell was a socialist who fought fascism in Spain & wrote about the terrible poverty in Britain. He wrote 1984 to attack all authoritarianism, including the American Cold War which he did not think had anything to do with democracy. Animal Farm was an attack on Stalin, not small-c communism.
Very revealing. This greedy, ultra-rich asshole thinks that society is better off enriching him and experiencing more warfare rather than taking his wealth and using it to educate people, feed people, and provide healthcare so that they can contribute to the development of a healthy society.
December 4, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Very revealing. This greedy, ultra-rich asshole thinks that society is better off enriching him and experiencing more warfare rather than taking his wealth and using it to educate people, feed people, and provide healthcare so that they can contribute to the development of a healthy society.
That settlement was almost certainly more democratic, egalitarian, and peaceful than the US today. You can check out my book, Humans: The 300,000 Year Struggle for Equality for the evidence for that and for the story of how we descended into what we have now and called it "civilization."
December 4, 2025 at 8:41 PM
That settlement was almost certainly more democratic, egalitarian, and peaceful than the US today. You can check out my book, Humans: The 300,000 Year Struggle for Equality for the evidence for that and for the story of how we descended into what we have now and called it "civilization."
The "good for business" notion assumes that economic growth is the answer but never indicates the question. Redistribution of wealth through social programs answers the question of how to create a peaceful, happy society. The historical and sociological literature is clear on this.
December 4, 2025 at 10:07 AM
The "good for business" notion assumes that economic growth is the answer but never indicates the question. Redistribution of wealth through social programs answers the question of how to create a peaceful, happy society. The historical and sociological literature is clear on this.
They will, and the insurance principle alone should tell all of us that just in case we or a loved one becomes disabled that we want to be sure that all the things you mention above will be in place when needed.
December 4, 2025 at 10:03 AM
They will, and the insurance principle alone should tell all of us that just in case we or a loved one becomes disabled that we want to be sure that all the things you mention above will be in place when needed.
I was super-impressed with Norway during a one-month stay. It's far more egalitarian than Canada, & Canada, in turn, is far more egalitarian than the US. While Norwegians may see areas for potential improvement, we would be in better shape in N. America if we implemented Norwegian social policies.
December 4, 2025 at 10:01 AM
I was super-impressed with Norway during a one-month stay. It's far more egalitarian than Canada, & Canada, in turn, is far more egalitarian than the US. While Norwegians may see areas for potential improvement, we would be in better shape in N. America if we implemented Norwegian social policies.
Much less inequity. Somebody asked our guide on our Norwegian fjord tour if there was an area they should avoid in Oslo. She mentioned a street where there were drug users. "That's where we stayed," I said. "No one hassled us." "Of course not," she said. "The state looks after all their needs."
December 4, 2025 at 9:54 AM
Much less inequity. Somebody asked our guide on our Norwegian fjord tour if there was an area they should avoid in Oslo. She mentioned a street where there were drug users. "That's where we stayed," I said. "No one hassled us." "Of course not," she said. "The state looks after all their needs."
& that's how a "no masters zone" has been created throughout history. When the people rise collectively to tell would-be masters that they refuse to be dominated by bullies and to have all the rules that stipulate that we are equals torn up by dictators, the dictators fall. They depend on fear.
December 4, 2025 at 9:49 AM
& that's how a "no masters zone" has been created throughout history. When the people rise collectively to tell would-be masters that they refuse to be dominated by bullies and to have all the rules that stipulate that we are equals torn up by dictators, the dictators fall. They depend on fear.
An impartial Supreme Court, as opposed to the current criminal majority, would tell thug Trump that "executive privilege" does not include the right to commit treason and attempt to dismiss the victory of your opponent.
December 4, 2025 at 9:45 AM
An impartial Supreme Court, as opposed to the current criminal majority, would tell thug Trump that "executive privilege" does not include the right to commit treason and attempt to dismiss the victory of your opponent.
They are traitors and racists. & they are crooks too. In fact I suspect that they take advantage of racism on the part of a certain element of American society to distract from their personal ripping off of taxpayers' money. Trump himself is a classic political prostitute, open for sale to bidders.
December 4, 2025 at 9:36 AM
They are traitors and racists. & they are crooks too. In fact I suspect that they take advantage of racism on the part of a certain element of American society to distract from their personal ripping off of taxpayers' money. Trump himself is a classic political prostitute, open for sale to bidders.
Yikes. In North America, poor people who have harmed no one but who have disabilities end up in a shared room in a slum with no facilities at all. In Norway it seems even a hardened criminal is treated humanely. I hope that shames governments in the US and Canada about how we treat unfortunates.
December 4, 2025 at 5:41 AM
Yikes. In North America, poor people who have harmed no one but who have disabilities end up in a shared room in a slum with no facilities at all. In Norway it seems even a hardened criminal is treated humanely. I hope that shames governments in the US and Canada about how we treat unfortunates.