PROJECT 2029 BLUEPRINT

PROJECT 2029: A Blueprint for Democratic Renewal

1. Strengthening Worker Cooperatives

We propose a federal policy initiative that supports the formation and growth of worker-owned cooperatives, businesses where employees are both workers and owners. This includes:

• Offering start-up grants and zero-interest loans to worker co-ops.
• Providing legal assistance and training for cooperative governance and financial literacy.
• Amending tax codes to incentivize employee buyouts of existing private firms, especially when founders retire.
• Creating a National Cooperative Bank to provide capital and infrastructure support for scaling.

This fosters economic democracy by aligning profits with labor rather than capital and reducing wealth concentration.

2. Expanding Public Ownership

We advocate the democratic public ownership of essential services, healthcare, energy, transportation, and broadband. Our public systems should operate not for profit but for need. This means:

• Universal public healthcare akin to Medicare for All, ending the privatized insurance middleman racket.
• Transitioning the fossil fuel economy to a publicly managed green energy grid.
• Reinstating and expanding Amtrak and public transit, especially in underserved rural and inner-city communities.
• Establishing municipal broadband networks to end the digital divide.

Wherever profit motives threaten access to life-sustaining services, public ownership provides a moral and practical alternative.

3. Democratizing the Workplace

True democracy must exist where people spend most of their adult lives—at work. We propose:

• Mandating worker representation on corporate boards (a policy already proven successful in parts of Europe).
• Expanding labor union protections and reversing anti-union laws like “right-to-work.”
• Requiring profit-sharing for employees in corporations above a certain size.
• Supporting sectoral bargaining to raise labor standards industry-wide.

A democratic economy requires shared decision-making power, not authoritarian corporate governance.

4. Reclaiming the Commons

The commons, public lands, water, airwaves, and the internet belong to all Americans. Project 2029 calls for:

• Public trusts for managing national parks, wilderness areas, and water resources to prevent private exploitation.
• Free access to open-source digital tools, AI technologies, and educational content developed with public funds.
• Taxing commercial use of the commons (like spectrum rights and federal lands) and redistributing revenues to public goods.

This is about ensuring intergenerational justice and sustainability.

5. Rewriting the Social Contract

The American social contract has been shredded by deregulation, privatization, and tax cuts for the wealthy. We propose:

• A universal basic income pilot to ensure a dignified standard of living regardless of employment status.
• Guaranteed paid family leave, child care, elder care, and retirement dignity.
• Tuition-free higher education and vocational training.
• A living wage minimum tied to inflation and productivity growth.

This is not a handout but a restoration of the promise that if you contribute to society, you won’t be left behind.

6. Democratic Constitutional Reform

To protect the republic, we must modernize and democratize our political system. That includes:

• Abolishing the Electoral College and replacing it with direct popular vote.
• Ending gerrymandering through independent redistricting commissions.
• Reforming or expanding the Supreme Court to dilute its current anti-democratic bias.
• Enacting term limits and age caps for federal judges and members of Congress.
• Overturning Citizens United and publicly funding elections.

These changes ensure majority rule, minority rights, and political accountability.

A Word on Democratic Ideals

Democracy is not just voting every four years. It also involves equality in the workplace, fairness in opportunity, shared decision-making, and collective responsibility. As Bernie Sanders and others have said, “Democracy means more than a ballot box; it means economic, racial, and environmental justice.”

Project 2029 seeks to build that democracy, not to defend the crumbled structure of the past but to rebuild it anew, inclusive, fair, and strong enough to resist the next autocratic wave.

William James Spriggs 

AMERICAN ZOMBIES

The Zombies of the American Republic: Asleep While Democracy Dies

I never believed in zombies. Not in movies, not in myths. I also stopped believing in the tooth fairy and Santa Claus long ago. But today, I see zombies everywhere, vacant-eyed, stumbling through the ruins of a republic they no longer recognize or, worse, never understood in the first place.

They are the American people.

It is more than 100 days into Trump’s second rise, not a presidency, but a dictatorship in all but name, and the country is still in a daze. There is no mass uprising. There were no sustained protests. No organized resistance worthy of the moment. Just handwringing, headlines, and helplessness. The population, hypnotized by infotainment and numbed by cynicism, wanders like the half-dead, unwilling or unable to confront what has happened.

America is no longer a functioning democracy. That is not hyperbole; it is fact. The transition began years ago, accelerated by the installation of loyalists, the gutting of government institutions, the war on truth, and the hollowing out of civic morality. The final nail came with Project 2025, a blueprint for authoritarian rule, which Trump’s followers proudly circulated and implemented right under our noses.

We warned everyone in 2024. We wrote about Project 2025. We published, we shouted, we pleaded. The warnings were clear. Trump openly promised to be a dictator “on day one.” It wasn’t a joke, it wasn’t rhetoric, it was prophecy.

And now it’s real.

The oligarchy is no longer forming; it is formed. It has seized the levers of power. The rule of law is being rewritten. The courts are under siege. The bureaucracy is being purged. And the people? Still glued to their screens. Still sleepwalking.

It’s as if the majority believe they’re extras in a reality show that will soon cut to a commercial or that a fortuitous power will swoop in and make things right. But this is not a show. There will be no cavalry. And the longer Americans remain inert, the deeper the dictatorship sets its roots.

We are past the point of saving the old democracy. That chapter is closed. The task is to replace it, imagine, and build a new democratic order: Project 2029.

We’ve outlined its foundation:

• Worker cooperatives that democratize the economy from the ground up.
• Public ownership of essential services like healthcare, energy, and transportation—controlled by the people, not profiteers.
• Democratic workplaces, where labor has absolute power.
• Guaranteed living wages and universal healthcare, not as charity, but as a birthright.
• Electoral reform to restore representative government.
• Constitutional rebalancing, where people govern, not money, not monopolies.

But none of this matters unless we awaken.

The appalling truth is that America is in the grip of a full-blown autocratic regime, and yet the streets are not constantly filled with protesters. The churches still preach meek obedience. The universities continue to debate nuance. The corporations chase profits as if the world isn’t burning.

Zombies do not fight. They do not organize. They do not save themselves.

And unless Americans shake off this walking coma, they will live the rest of their days under a flag that looks the same but stands for nothing.

Democracy is not merely fragile; it is mortal. Ours has died. What remains is whether we will rise from the grave of our own making.

Because if we do not act now, boldly, bravely, and together, we will not just have lost our republic.

We will have deserved its loss.

William James Spriggs

TRUMP'S POLL NUMBERS ARE IRRELEVANT

The Illusion of Polls and the Persistence of Power: America Under Siege

The thoughtless headlines are breathless. “Trump’s Poll Numbers Plummet.” “Approval Slips Below 40%.” “Voter Fatigue Sets In.”
And yet, none of it matters. 

Not to him.

Trump has never governed with the consent of the majority, and he has never cared to. The media clings to polling data as if public disapproval were still a meaningful lever of political consequence. But this is not the game he is playing; it has never been. He does not seek approval; he seeks control.

To Trump, the polls are white noise. His 40% base is intact, fervent, and more radicalized than ever. He does not need more than that. With voter suppression, disinformation, electoral loopholes, and crumbling opposition, that core minority is enough. Enough to regain power. Enough to keep it. Enough to end the American experiment in majority rule.

Despite the mounting warnings, nothing has improved. Project 2025 continues to be implemented in plain sight; its plan to dismantle the civil service, purge dissenters, and remake the federal government into a vehicle of personal loyalty remains unchecked. The machinery of democratic erosion hums along.

Where is the resistance?

Democrats issue press releases. Commentators shake their heads. Activists hold symbolic protests. But where is national mobilization? Where are the boycotts? Where are the millions in the streets, day after day? Where is the moral fire, the public outcry that matches the scale of the crisis?

We are watching, in real time, the normalization of authoritarianism.

Trump’s first 100 days of this phase, call it a soft coup, a slow-motion autocracy, or simply what it is: rule by personal whim, have been wildly successful. He has solidified control of the Republican Party, cowed much of the judiciary, and turned the Department of Justice into a weapon of retribution. And the rest of us? We watch and wait.

There is no real opposition. No unified voice. No strategic resistance on the scale that history demands.

Trump wakes up daily and tests the system to see what else he can get away with. And so far, the answer is anything. Everything.

He believes he will remain in power not because he is loved by all but because he cannot be removed. Unless something drastic changes, the king will remain on his throne unless the opposition finds courage, unity, and a spine.

This is not fearmongering. It is reportage. It is what we predicted. And it is precisely what has come to pass.

If we continue to treat this moment as normal politics, if we pretend that the next election alone will save us, we will wake up one day to find the idea of democracy nothing more than a memory, a footnote, an unkept promise.

And Trump? He’ll still be there. Not because he earned it but because we let him.

William James Spriggs

 

REGGIE

Reggie the Troubadour

In every life, the soul needs ground,
A steady drum, a constant sound,
And Reggie is that sacred beat,
Where laughter, rhythm, and spirit meet.

His beat and soul in twilight’s air,
Is melody beyond compare.
With music born of truth and grace,
He brings the light to every space.

A party's not a party ‘til
His songs begin to charm and fill
The air with joy, the time with cheer,
The weight of age will disappear.

He reads the room, he knows the flow,
A silent gift, a steady glow.
From Motown nights to memory themes,
He weaves the thread through all our dreams.

No grand applause, no curtain call,
Just Reggie, flowing through it all.
Our troubadour, our loyal guide,
The pulse that keeps us all alive.

So here’s to Reggie, bold and kind,
Whose music echoes in the mind.
A servant's start, a master’s art,
The soul and beat of every heart.

 

RESTORING THE PUBLIC GOOD

Restoring the Public Good: A Call to Reclaim What Was Ours

Since the Reagan era, America has suffered from a slow, calculated erosion of the public good. Under the banner of “small government” and “free markets,” we have privatized what should never have been for sale. Our most essential public services, healthcare, energy, transportation, education, and social welfare, have become profit centers for corporations and hedge funds. In doing so, we have not only weakened our democracy but also betrayed the very idea of a shared society.

The result is the America we see today: fragmented, selfish, overworked, and uncaring. It is a place where greed has replaced community, and the ethic of “every man for himself” has become our cruel new national motto.

It is time to reverse course. It is time to restore the public good.

What Is the Public Good?

The public good refers to society's collective well-being, a shared commitment to the welfare of all citizens. It means having institutions and services that are not for profit but for people: universal healthcare, clean energy, public transportation, fair education, livable wages, clean water, and safety nets for those in need.

These are not luxuries. They are the pillars of a civilized society.

Yet, over the last forty years, the public good has been sacrificed at the altar of privatization. Greed has hollowed out the middle class, stripped rural and urban communities alike, and turned human needs into revenue streams for the wealthy. The free market was never meant to be the final judge of justice, fairness, or care.

What Went Wrong: The Privatization Era

Ronald Reagan famously said, “Government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem.” With that, a campaign began, not to improve government but to dismantle it, defund it, and sell it off piece by piece to private corporations.

• Healthcare has become a for-profit industry, where illness is profitable and prevention is discouraged.
• Energy was deregulated and handed to monopolies that profit from pollution and price gouging.
• Transportation was underfunded or turned into toll systems, inaccessible to those who needed it most.
• Education was disinvested and replaced by charters and vouchers, draining public school budgets.
• Welfare and relief programs were slashed, rebranded, or offloaded onto churches and nonprofits.

Since then, we’ve learned that the market has no conscience. It chases profit, not justice, and it fails us in matters of human dignity every time.

What Must Be Restored

To rebuild the nation, we must recommit to the public good, expanding it beyond what it was even before Reagan. It’s not enough to reclaim, and we must reinvent the public sphere for the 21st century:

1. Healthcare as a Right, Not a Commodity

No one should go bankrupt because they got sick. A publicly funded, universally accessible healthcare system is not radical; it’s rational. It’s more efficient, humane, and just than the nightmare we now endure.

2. Public Ownership of Energy and Transportation

Energy and transport are lifelines. They should not be subject to the whims of profit-seeking monopolies. Public investment in green energy and reliable, affordable transportation will serve everyone and protect our planet.

3. Universal Education and Lifelong Learning

Education is the bedrock of democracy. Public schools, free college, vocational training, libraries, these aren’t expenses. They’re investments in a functioning society. They must be funded, defended, and elevated.

4. Community Welfare and Human Dignity

Food security, shelter, elder care, mental health, and addiction recovery are public goods, not private ventures. No child should go hungry in the wealthiest nation on Earth. No elder should be left without care.

5. Civic Engagement and Community Control

Democracy doesn’t stop at the ballot box. We must empower local communities to participate in the decisions that shape their lives. Town halls, participatory budgeting, and cooperative ownership are the tools of a renewed republic.

Project 2029: A Blueprint for Restoring the Public Good

Where Project 2025 seeks to dismantle government and privatize everything, Project 2029 seeks to restore democracy by restoring the public good.

It is our declaration that:

• The people come before profit.
• Government exists to serve all, not enrich a few.
• We are stronger together than we are alone.

Project 2029 calls for:

• Public investment in healthcare, education, and housing
• The re-nationalization of critical infrastructure and utilities
• A guaranteed minimum standard of living for all Americans
• Civic institutions that educate, organize, and empower the people

It is a plan to bring back care, compassion, and common sense to our politics.

The Moral Case for the Public Good

We cannot build a just society based on selfishness. We must reject the poisonous lie that freedom means being free from responsibility to others. In truth, freedom only flourishes in the community, with shared commitments, shared burdens, and shared prosperity.

We are not just taxpayers or consumers; we are citizens. The role of a citizen is to look beyond the self. The public good reminds us that we are connected, that our futures are bound together, and that democracy cannot survive without care.

Restoring the public good is not nostalgia, and it is a necessity. It is the only antidote to a nation sick with greed, disconnection, and despair. If we are to save this republic, we must revive its soul. We must invest in one another. We must believe again in the power of people coming together to solve common problems.

William James Spriggs

 

THE NEW DEMOCRACY

Overcoming the Fear of Socialism: Reclaiming a Misunderstood Word

For decades, Americans have been conditioned to recoil at the word socialism as if it were synonymous with tyranny, repression, and failed states. The term has been deliberately demonized and weaponized to instill fear and prevent meaningful reform. But it’s time to set the record straight: socialism is not communism and isn’t the antithesis of democracy. In fact, in many forms, socialism is democracy—extended into the economy, everyday life, and fairness.

Debunking the Myths

The myths are many, and they’re persistent:

• “Socialism means the government will control every aspect of your life.”

• “Socialism kills innovation and rewards laziness.”

• “Socialism is one step away from dictatorship.”

These statements aren’t grounded in fact. They’re rooted in Cold War propaganda and political opportunism. In truth, most developed nations today practice some form of democratic socialism, blending capitalist markets with strong public institutions. Think of universal healthcare in Canada, subsidized higher education in Germany, or nationalized transportation systems in Scandinavia. These aren’t dystopias. They’re functioning democracies with thriving economies and higher living standards than the U.S. in many categories.

Socialism Versus Communism

Let’s clarify: communism, as practiced in authoritarian regimes, abolishes private property and installs a single-party state. That’s not what we’re talking about. American socialism, or, more accurately, democratic socialism, simply seeks to mitigate the cruelty, inequality, and instability produced by unchecked capitalism.

It doesn't abolish private ownership but says that basic human needs, like healthcare, housing, education, and clean air, should not be commodities sold to the highest bidder. It affirms that markets serve people, not the other way around.

Capitalism Needs a Counterbalance

Unbridled capitalism has proven itself incapable of regulating its own worst impulses. Greed becomes a virtue. Corporations buy politicians. Wealth trickles up, not down. Inequality becomes a feature, not a bug.

Socialism, in the American context, simply means restraining capitalism's excesses through public policy. It means ensuring that workers have rights, that the environment is protected, and that billionaires don’t rule over a nation of wage slaves. This is not revolutionary. It’s responsible governance.

Socialism and Democracy Go Hand in Hand

The great irony is that while socialism is often painted as anti-democratic, it strengthens democracy by democratizing more than just the ballot box. It asks:

• Why shouldn’t workers have a say in how their workplace is run?

• Why should a handful of CEOs decide the fate of millions?

• Why do we call it freedom when only the rich can afford to be free?

Real democracy doesn’t end at the voting booth. It lives in the classroom, the hospital, the workplace, and the dinner table.

Building Support Through Education and Grassroots Movements

If socialism is to shed its unfair stigma, we must educate, organize, and reframe:

1. Education: Teach the history of socialist movements that fought for the 40-hour workweek, child labor laws, Social Security, and Medicare. These were socialist ideas before they became mainstream American policy.

2. Grassroots Organizing: Support local cooperatives, community land trusts, and worker-owned businesses. Show socialism in action, neighbors helping neighbors, and communities building sustainable economies from the ground up.

3. Language Matters: Don’t shy away from the word socialism—reclaim it. Define it not as state tyranny but as community empowerment, economic fairness, and moral responsibility.

4. Policy Wins: Highlight successful policies like public libraries, public parks, Social Security, and the Postal Service, which are socialist in principle yet cherished by Americans of all stripes.

The Moral Argument

We must ask ourselves a deeper question: What kind of society do we want to be?
One that allows billionaires to hoard more wealth than entire countries while children sleep in cars? Or one that prioritizes human dignity over profit margins?

Socialism, far from being a threat, offers a path back to balance, empathy, and justice, values that once formed the backbone of this nation.

It’s time to stop letting fear guide our politics. Socialism is not the end of America, it may be its salvation. By reining in capitalism's abuses and restoring power to the people, democratic socialism aligns perfectly with the founding ideals of democracy: liberty, equality, and justice for all.

Don't be afraid of a word. Embrace a future where we care for each other and call it by its name.

William James Spriggs

PROJECT 2029

Project 2029: A Blueprint for Democratic Renewal

As the American experiment has died and has been replaced by authoritarianism, corporate dominance, and theocracy, it is no longer enough to simply resist. We must rebuild. We must envision a new democratic architecture rooted not in profit, privilege, and power but in fairness, dignity, and collective well-being. That is the mission of Project 2029: to reclaim the Republic and restore democracy to the people.

This is not a partisan proposal—it is a people’s proposal. It calls for redefining the relationship between citizen and state, labor and capital, community, and governance. It is a blueprint for the next American chapter, replacing despair with agency and oligarchy with true self-rule.

Here are six foundational pillars of Project 2029:

1. Strengthening Worker Cooperatives

At the heart of economic democracy is the principle that those who do the work should have a voice and a stake in the fruits of their labor. Project 2029 encourages the widespread formation and support of worker cooperatives, businesses owned and managed by their employees.

This isn’t a fringe idea. Cooperatives have proven resilient, ethical, and community-centered. They foster better wages, safer workplaces, and more sustainable decision-making. Project 2029 would provide federal grants, tax breaks, and technical assistance for workers seeking to buy out retiring owners, convert existing businesses, or start new co-ops. By democratizing ownership, we build an economy that values contribution over-exploitation.

2. Expanding Public Ownership of Essential Services

Capitalism has failed to deliver necessities at fair prices. Healthcare, energy, and transportation, services essential to life and liberty, have been hijacked by profiteers. Under Project 2029, these key industries would be transitioned to public ownership.

Imagine a healthcare system that puts patients over profits. Energy providers are accountable to communities, not shareholders. A transportation infrastructure that connects people because it’s needed, not because it’s profitable. Through public ownership, we reclaim control over our future and ensure that no American’s access to life-sustaining services is determined by their bank account.

3. Democratizing the Workplace

In most of today’s corporations, decisions are made in boardrooms by executives who’ve never met the workers whose lives they affect. Project 2029 would mandate worker representation on corporate boards and decision-making bodies, ensuring that labor is not treated as a line item but as a partner.

This model already thrives in countries like Germany and Norway, where co-determination has produced more stable economies and higher levels of worker satisfaction. It's time American labor had a seat at the table—not just in negotiations, but in governance. This reform would apply to all corporations above a certain size, enforcing transparency and equitable power-sharing.

4. Guaranteeing Universal Basic Services

Freedom is meaningless without security. Project 2029 would enshrine a new social contract: that healthcare, housing, education, and childcare are not privileges but rights.

Through public investment, we would provide:

• Universal healthcare, decoupled from employment and profit.
• Guaranteed housing, ending homelessness and stabilizing rents.
• Tuition-free education, from early childhood to college or vocational training.
• Publicly funded childcare, enabling parents to work without sacrificing their children’s well-being.

These basic guarantees would reduce economic anxiety, promote social mobility, and unleash the human potential of millions.

5. Progressive Taxation to Fund the Future

Inequality is not inevitable; it’s a policy choice. Since Reaganomics, wealth has flowed upward, hollowing out the middle class and trapping millions in poverty. Project 2029 calls for a bold tax code restructuring to reverse this.

We would:

• Tax capital gains and income at the same rate.
• Reinstate higher tax brackets for the ultra-wealthy.
• Close corporate loopholes and offshore shelters.
• Institute a wealth tax on fortunes above $50 million.

The revenue generated would fund universal services, infrastructure, environmental restoration, and local innovation—all without burdening the working class. This is not punishment—it’s justice.

6. Political Reform: Ending Corporate Control

No real change is possible until we sever money's chokehold over our politics. Project 2029 demands a full-scale political detox:

• Ban all corporate donations to candidates and political parties.
• Outlaw corporate lobbying.
• Require public funding for campaigns.
• Mandate transparency in all political spending.

In short, we return political power to communities, not corporations. We empower civic action over dark money and citizens' voices over the influence of billionaires. Only then can legislation serve the common good rather than the special interests.

A Democratic Renaissance

Project 2029 is not a dream. It is a necessity. It is what democracy must become to survive the wreckage of oligarchy and theocracy. It is a roadmap for those who believe that power belongs with the people, not the prophets of greed, not the prophets of God, but the people.

William James Spriggs

 

Top of Form

 

Bottom of Form

 

ARE YOU AWAKE YET?

Are You Awake Yet?

Democracy is dead, or, if not yet fully buried, it lies on a slab in the morgue, awaiting a toe tag and final rites. The United States, once a shining beacon of representative government and the rule of law, is now being dismantled, brick by brick, law by law, institution by institution. And the worst part? We saw it coming. We were warned. And yet, we remain asleep.

Two powerful forces have executed a silent coup, each feeding the other until the American experiment in self-governance has been all but snuffed out.

First, there is Project 2025, an audacious and detailed plan hatched by the radical right to demolish America’s democratic institutions and replace them with a theocratic autocracy. It’s not just a policy roadmap; it’s a blueprint for regime change. It calls for the removal of career civil servants, the hollowing out of federal agencies, the centralization of power in a single figurehead, and the imposition of biblical fundamentalism as the law of the land. This is not reform; it is demolition. The goal is not to fix America; it is to burn it to the ground and rebuild it as a rigid, repressive theocracy governed by dogma, not law.

Second, and no less dangerous, is the rise of the billionaire oligarchy, personified most vividly by Elon Musk. A man not born on American soil, Musk has nonetheless managed to seize the levers of national power through wealth, technological monopoly, and political manipulation. He is no longer merely a private businessman, the unelected, unaccountable architect of our national infrastructure. His satellites serve our military, his platform shapes our public discourse, and his whims dictate the policies of elected leaders too spineless to challenge him. One man, with no loyalty to the country or the Constitution, now holds more sway over our future than the American people themselves.

These two forces—religious authoritarianism and corporate oligarchy—have found a common cause. The theocrats offer moral cover to the billionaires, and the billionaires offer financial power to the theocrats. It is an alliance of convenience and ambition. Together, they are forging a new American order in which power is divinely ordained, and wealth is the proof of righteousness. You will kneel to God or Gold, but either way, you will kneel.

The people? We’ve been shoved aside, pacified with culture wars and disinformation, manipulated into infighting, and rendered politically impotent. The institutions we thought would save us, courts, elections, and media, have been co-opted or neutralized. We are spectators at our demise.

So I ask again: Are you awake yet?

Because if not now, then when?

There is still a flicker of hope, though it grows dimmer by the day. The only viable path forward is grassroots resistance on a scale we have not yet dared to attempt. We must organize, unify, throw aside our petty differences, and build a coalition so vast, determined, and morally unyielding that it cannot be ignored.

It won’t be easy. It may not even be peaceful. And yes, we may have to consider once-unthinkable strategies to preserve what little remains of our freedom. The alternative submission to a billionaire-led theocracy is far worse.

There is still time, but not much.

So, are you awake yet?

William James Spriggs

 

THE PRINCESS

The Princess on Parade

Each morning she rises with flair and delight,
A vision of style, in colors so bright.
No day is the same—no garment reused,
She chooses her wardrobe as royalty would choose.

Sequins or satin, or floral in bloom,
She glides through the hallway, perfume in her plume.
With a twinkle of eye and a strut so serene,
She is grace on the move—a petite, living queen.

She greets every soul with a soft little sway,
As if blessing our burdens and brightening the day.
Her charm is magnetic, her joy contagious,
Her poise unshaken, her mood outrageous.

From room unto room she commands a mild hush,
As whispers of wonder and compliments rush.
Is she from Paris, or maybe Versailles?
No one can say, but we all sigh.

With a face full of sunshine and features so fair,
She tosses her head and ascends every stair.
She doesn’t just walk—she reigns where she goes,
With jewels in her collar and bows on her toes.

She curtsies in silence, accepts each caress,
Then pirouettes off in her daily new dress.
No tantrums, no barking, no fuss, no complaint—
Just the presence of peace, like a living saint.

And though she is regal, adored and adored,
She never demands, she’s simply adored.
She teaches us kindness with every small prance,
A lesson in joy, a masterclass dance.

Some say she’s a Duchess, some say a Muse,
Others suspect she once walked in high shoes.
But those in the know all smile and say,
“She’s a Princess, of course…

in a four-pawed way.” 

ODE TO SMOKERS

 

Ode to the Smokers’ Soirée
(A Florida Friday Night Delight)

Beneath the stars, in evening’s glow,
Where smoky whispers gently flow,
A crowd once gathered, bold and bright—
To toast the joy of Friday night.

No formal plans, no RSVP,
Just word-of-mouth and esprit de vie.
Sharon, our queen, with libations in hand,
Prepared the feast, and made it grand.

David, with grace, took up the floor,
Made sure all hearts were fed—and more.
He welcomed each soul with a laugh and a cheer,
No one went hungry, forgotten, or mere.

Reggie, the bard with a Bluetooth beat,
Spun songs so smooth they stirred our feet.
Some swayed, some danced, some just tapped a shoe—
But all of us felt the rhythm ring true.

We lit our smokes with stories shared,
With sass and wisdom, none were spared.
A gathering rare, a wish in the dark,
A flaming reminder of our inner spark.

No age can dim the joy we bring,
No rules restrain the songs we sing.
Worldly, witty, warm and wise,
We toast to life beneath open skies.

And now a plan, as stars align:
Each Friday night, a toast, a sign,
That joy lives on in our little crew,
With smoke, and stories, and something new.

So raise your glass, your cane, your light,
To friendship found on Friday night.
Our sassy circle, ever bold—
Where no one’s young, but none feel old.

IT'S ALL ABOUT TRUMP

Understanding the Chaos: It’s Always About Donald J. Trump

Across the country, there’s a palpable sense of confusion, unease, and dread. People of all political leanings ask the same questions: What’s happening? What’s next? What are we supposed to do? Every day seems to bring a new shock, twist, and norm shattered. There’s no clear plan. No steady leadership. Just endless volatility.

But the truth is simpler than we’d like to believe. The uncertainty isn’t due to some complex, high-level strategy. It’s not part of a master plan with hidden gears and genius manipulation. The answer is much more straightforward, even if it’s more terrifying in its implications:

It’s all about Donald J. Trump.

It always has been.

From the moment he descended that golden escalator, Trump made it clear: he is the center of his universe and intends to make himself the center of ours. He doesn’t govern. He doesn’t lead. He manipulates, dictates, and dominates. He doesn’t pursue policies for the common good—he pursues power for the personal glory it brings him.

A Malignant Narcissist with Global Aspirations

Donald Trump exhibits the hallmarks of malignant narcissism—an extreme mix of narcissism, paranoia, aggression, and grandiosity. He shows no empathy, real connection to others, humility, or curiosity. He needs constant affirmation, absolute loyalty, and total control.

He fancies himself a ruler. A king. A strongman. Maybe even a god. In his mind, laws are for other people. Truth is negotiable. Reality is a tool to be shaped, not respected. And history? That’s just the set dressing for his show.

The confusion we feel isn’t because we don’t understand Trump. We keep trying to understand him like a normal political figure. He’s not. He’s not a traditional conservative, a populist in the real sense, or a nationalist with a structured ideology.

He’s a man obsessed only with his own power, image, and survival.

Unpredictability as a Weapon

The only constant in Trump’s world is that he will do whatever he wants if he thinks it benefits him. That means today’s enemy may be tomorrow’s ally. Those laws are suggestions. That loyalty is temporary and conditional, and that truth is another tool in his belt.

He thrives in confusion because it lets him be the only fixed point. Everyone must react to him, orbit him, interpret him. In this way, he exerts control even when he does nothing. He keeps the public, the press, and even his allies and enemies guessing.

But you don’t need to guess. You only need to remember that whatever happens next will be about Donald J. Trump.

He will fire, insult, pardon, destroy, praise, attack, or abandon anyone at any time as long as it feeds his need for dominance. He will surround himself with sycophants. He will dismantle institutions. He will break norms. He will tear down the scaffolding of democracy itself if it means he can rule the ruins.

What Do We Do Now?

We must stop asking, “Why would he do that?” and “What’s the strategy?” There is no strategy except self-service. We must stop pretending this is politics as usual and start calling it what it is: a slow and deliberate authoritarian takeover wrapped in the personality cult of one man.

We must resist normalization, stay informed, engaged, and organized, protect institutions, defend truth, elevate real leadership, and be prepared for anything.

Because while no one knows exactly what Trump will do next, we do know one thing for sure:

Whatever it is, it will be about Trump. Always Trump. Only Trump.

And that, in itself, is the greatest threat democracy has ever faced from within.

William James Spriggs

CHOOSING A DEMOCRATIC FUTURE

Choosing a Democratic Future: Debunking Myths, Embracing Socialist Values

In recent decades, the term socialism has been dragged through the mud of misunderstanding, misrepresentation, and deliberate distortion. Used as a political boogeyman by those clinging to systems of entrenched privilege, socialism has been branded a threat to freedom, productivity, and even patriotism. But as we confront widening inequality, fragile institutions, and the rising tide of authoritarianism, it is time to separate myth from reality and recognize that democratic socialism not only aligns with democratic values but is essential to preserving them.

Debunking Myths and Misconceptions

The most common myth about socialism is that it inevitably leads to authoritarianism. Critics often point to failed regimes like Stalinist Russia or Venezuela as evidence. But these are distortions. Democratic socialism, particularly in the tradition espoused by leaders like Bernie Sanders, bears no resemblance to totalitarian rule. Instead, it seeks to empower the people, not the party. It supports democratic elections, civil liberties, free speech, and a mixed economy where the government plays a regulatory and redistributive role to promote fairness, not to abolish markets altogether.

Another misconception is that socialism punishes success. On the contrary, democratic socialism believes that success should not come at the expense of others’ basic needs. It champions systems where a few do not hoard the wealth created by many and where healthcare, education, housing, and a livable wage are treated not as luxuries but as rights.

Socialism and Democratic Values

Far from opposing democracy, democratic socialism is its natural evolution. In a system where money buys access, policy, and power, what good is a vote if one’s voice is drowned out by corporate influence? Socialism insists on removing the barriers that keep people from participating fully in the democratic process, be they economic, social, or institutional.

Freedom is not merely the right to vote; it is the right to live with dignity. True liberty is the ability to afford medicine, feed your children, retire with security, and work without exploitation. These are not the spoils of the lucky few; they are the birthrights of every person in a democratic society.

Educating and Organizing for Change

The path forward requires more than political slogans; it requires education and grassroots engagement. Knowledge is the most powerful tool in the hands of the working majority. By dispelling fear and explaining how democratic socialism functions, often through successful real-world examples like the Nordic countries, we can demystify the concept and build broad-based support.

Grassroots movements are already shifting the conversation. From union drives to climate activism, from mutual aid groups to democratic reform coalitions, people reject the idea that our current system is as good as it gets. Democratic socialism gives them a framework for what comes next.

 Choosing a Democratic Future

To preserve democracy, we must change the system that undermines it. The myth of trickle-down economics has failed. The corporate stranglehold on government has compromised our rights. Rampant inequality has turned the American dream into a mirage for most. Systemic change is not a radical idea; it is a moral necessity.

We face a choice: either double down on a failing status quo or embrace a future that prioritizes human dignity over corporate profit, community over greed, and justice over power. This is not a utopian fantasy; it is a democratic imperative.

Bernie Sanders has long embodied this vision. He has spoken about what is politically expedient and morally correct, calling for universal healthcare, tuition-free public college, higher wages, and corporate accountability. He is not perfect, but he is principled. He is not driven by polls but by purpose. In Bernie, we see not a cult of personality but a consistent champion for a democratic socialist future that works for everyone.

Now it’s our turn.

Let us organize, educate, and advocate for a nation where democracy means more than a vote every four years. Let us build a society where equality is not charity but the standard. And let us do so with courage, conviction, and clarity of purpose.

Because the future belongs not to those who hoard wealth and power but to those who dare to share both.

William James Spriggs

MARIA

 

Maria, Our Princess in Smoke and Silk

She glides through the courtyard, a vision, a breeze,
In gowns that would make springtime flowers say please.
With colors that shimmer, with fabrics that dance,
She stirs up the air in a spellbinding trance.

Each morning she floats like a dream through the haze,
Bedazzled in jewelry that captures sun’s rays.
Her hair just so, and her perfume a sigh,
Maria, the monarch who won’t even try.

For she is who she is, with no need to impress—
No peacocking here, just effortless finesse.
With Lucy beside her, proud pup on parade,
The two bring a glamor that never will fade.

She once flew through clouds with the wind in her hand,
A pilot, a captain, with sky at command.
Some say she still hovers just inches above,
With wings made of silk, and a life lived with love.

But don’t let the dazzle or elegance blind—
Her laughter is sharp, her wit quick and kind.
She fits in our din with a twinkle and grin,
Though her grace is a whisper the angels lean in.

We joke as we smoke, as the gossip takes flight—
“Does she dream of romance on some starlit night?”
But Maria just smiles, like a woman who knows
That mystery lingers where true beauty glows.

So here’s to our princess, refined and unshaken,
By trends never swayed, by pretense forsaken.
The crown that she wears is of class and of style—
And we’re better just basking in her every smile.

SMOKING

 

The Smoking Section: Where the Real Party Lives

Out back by the benches, where smoke gently swirls,
You'll find the wise women, the sharp-tongued old girls,
And gents with a grin and a glint in their eye—
The smokers, my friend, where the truth doesn't lie.

They puff and they ponder, they laugh and they tease,
They chat about politics, movies, and cheese.
No topic’s too sacred, no filter too tight,
Their conversations spark day into night.

With dogs at their feet and opinions in tow,
They'll tell you what’s wrong with the world, and you'll know!
With stories from decades of living out loud,
They're the sassiest, classiest bunch in the crowd.

They’ve danced through the eras, seen fads come and go,
But still light up freely, with spirit aglow.
Convention? They crushed it. Inhibition? Please—
They speak truth and mischief with elegant ease.

Some say, “That’s the rebel crew, hard to ignore,”
We say, “That’s the heartbeat outside of the door!”
They’ve got hearts of gold and minds sharp as tacks,
With jokes that will floor you—and never hold back.

They’ve earned every wrinkle, each chuckle and quip,
Each cigarette paired with a fast-flying lip.
Let the world pass its judgment—they just roll their eyes,
And light up again 'neath the wide open skies.

So here’s to the smokers, the joy they ignite—
The rebels of reason, the keepers of light.
If you want the real story, the fun, and the flair—
You’ll find it out back, in the fresh smoky air.

LIFE, LOVE, AND LIMERICKS IN ASSISTED LIVING

 Life, Love, and Limericks in Assisted Living

Three ladies, all worldly and bold,
With lipstick and laughter—not old!
Said one with a pout,
"These men here are out—
But I'd settle for one I could mold!"

The second said, “Lord, what a drought!
Most days, I just lounge in my clout.
But bring me a beau
With a pulse and some go—
I’ll show him what passion’s about!”

The third raised her glass with a grin,
“It’s time that we all dive back in!
With charm and some lace,
We’ll quicken the pace—
And maybe inspire some sin!”

They plotted by moonlight and tea,
Rehearsing each move cleverly.
“If youth we can’t find,
We’ll dazzle the mind—
And seduce with a well-baked brie!”

They posted a sign by the door:
“Three Ladies: Mature, Wanting More.
Apply if you’re game,
With charm, not just name—
And meet us tonight by the floor!”

Now whispers and chuckles abound,
The men try to not look spellbound.
But deep down they know,
They’re ready to go—
When queens of the court come around!

ODE TO DAVID

 

Ode to David, the Hail Fellow Well Met

In the courtyard where stories unfold,
Where laughter and smoke trails are bold,
There’s one who leads with a radiant cheer,
Our friend David, the spirit we hold dear.

Effervescent, with a smile so wide,
Ebullient soul with the world on his side,
He’s the first to greet, the last to retreat,
A true friend to all, making life sweet.

Out in the gathering where smokers unite,
David’s the spokesman, our guiding light.
With a joke on his lips and warmth in his eyes,
He lifts up our spirits, no need to disguise.

Hail fellow well met, wherever he goes,
The kind of good soul everyone knows.
He’s more than just kind; he’s laughter and song,
A friend who reminds us that we all belong.

Whether we’re sitting to chat or just stroll,
David’s the heart that enlivens the whole.
In this place where we share our days and our tales,
He’s the breeze in our sails, the wind that prevails.

Cheers to David, our friend tried and true,
Whose spirit shines bright, whose laughter breaks through.
We’re grateful for him, our constant delight,
A man who brings joy, a perpetual light.

A LIMERICK FOR WAYNE

 A LIMERICK FOR WAYNE

There once was a neighbor named Wayne,
Whose kindness was never in vain.
He’d take out the trash,
Walk dogs in a flash,
And errands he’d run through the rain.

When someone needs help, there’s no doubt,
Wayne’s there with a smile and a shout.
Groceries to carry,
Or packages to ferry,
He’s always about and about.

With limericks tucked in his head,
He shares them with humor and tread.
From morning till night,
He’s spreading delight,
And keeping our spirits well-fed.

Wayne, our good soul and good friend,
On him we can always depend.
A helper so true,
Through and through,
With laughter and kindness to lend.

ODE TO SHARON

Ode to Sharon, the Perpetual Light

In the halls where time gently flows,
Where age weaves wisdom, and courage grows,
There shines a soul, so bold and bright,
A guiding star, our perpetual light.

She stirs the dawn with a laugh so grand,
Rallies the troops with a wave of her hand,
A leader of septuagenarians’ cheer,
Fighting for justice, casting out fear.

When spirits falter, or hearts grow weary,
She lifts the room with tales and theory,
A crusader for those who can’t stand tall,
A voice for the voiceless, a heart for us all.

Sharon, our spark, our eternal flame,
Never content with the slow or the same,
She rallies us forward, bold and alive,
Reminding us daily how to thrive.

A champion of joy, of laughter and song,
A friend to the frail, who helps them belong,
In every meeting, in each little fight,
She stands as our beacon, our steadfast light.

May her spirit keep dancing, her fire never fade,
In this home where memories and stories are made.
To Sharon, who brightens the darkest of days,
We raise up our voices in thanks and in praise.

A NURSERY RHYME

 

LITTLE BOY BLUE

Little Boy Elon, come blow up your toy,
The rockets and Teslas and gadgets of joy.
Where is the boy who dreams of Mars?
Blowing up futures and reaching for stars.

He’s in the boardroom, setting worlds on fire,
Sending his minions to chase his desire.
He’s at the launch pad, counting down fast,
Hoping his spaceship won’t break like the last.

“Little Boy Elon, your dreams are so vast,
But rockets explode and your ventures don’t last.
Why must you break what’s already in place?
Why must your chaos leave dust in its trace?”

Little Boy Elon just shrugs and he grins,
Saying, “Disruption’s the way the future begins.
To make something great, you must break what’s old,
Blow up conventions, be daring and bold.”

But the world shakes its head and mutters in scorn,
Tired of fires, of wreckage, of scorn.
Sometimes it’s wiser to build with your hand
Than to scatter the pieces across the whole land.

Little Boy Elon, grow up and be wise,
See that innovation means more than surprise.
Blowing up dreams just to see them ignite
Leaves the adult world weary, craving what’s right.

 

IMAGINING EGALITARIANISM

Imagining an Egalitarian Future

In a world where capitalism has led to the erosion of democracy and fostered inequality, envisioning an egalitarian, worker-determined socialist society becomes an aspiration and a necessity. Such a society prioritizes equality, shared ownership, and collective decision-making, allowing democracy to flourish by placing the power directly in the hands of the people.

What an Egalitarian, Worker-Determined Socialist Society Looks Like

An egalitarian, worker-determined socialist society is rooted in shared governance and communal responsibility. Unlike capitalist systems, where profit dictates priorities, this society prioritizes human welfare, equity, and community well-being.

Workers in this society are not merely employees but co-owners of the means of production. Decisions regarding production, distribution, and workplace policies are made democratically through councils or worker assemblies. This structure ensures that every voice is valued and decisions are driven by the collective good rather than individual gain.

Social programs, including healthcare, education, and housing, are universal and guaranteed as fundamental rights. These services are not treated as commodities but as societal investments, reinforcing that everyone deserves dignity and security.

Practical Steps for Implementing Socialist Democratic Reforms

1. Strengthening Worker Cooperatives: Encouraging the formation of cooperatives where workers collectively own and manage businesses foster economic democracy.
2. Expanding Public Ownership: Key industries, such as healthcare, energy, and transportation, would be publicly owned to ensure that essential services prioritize public needs over profit.
3. Democratic Workplaces: Mandating worker representation on corporate boards and decision-making bodies ensures that labor has a say in businesses' operations.
4. Universal Basic Services: Guaranteeing healthcare, housing, education, and childcare to reduce economic insecurity and ensure equal access.
5. Progressive Taxation: Implementing tax reforms to redistribute wealth from the top to the broader community, funding public initiatives, and reducing inequality.
6. Political Reform: Eliminating corporate donations and lobbying from politics to reduce capitalist influence and foster grassroots, community-driven political participation.

Historical and Modern Contexts Where Socialism Strengthened Democracy

Social democratic policies in Scandinavian countries offer practical examples of how combining socialist principles with democratic governance enhances societal well-being. These nations have maintained high standards of living, robust social safety nets, and inclusive political processes.

In post-war Britain, the creation of the National Health Service (NHS) exemplified a move toward socialized healthcare, grounded in the belief that health is a public right, not a privilege. Despite ongoing challenges, the NHS remains a pillar of social justice.

In modern contexts, cooperative movements in countries like Spain (Mondragon Corporation) demonstrate how worker-owned businesses can thrive while promoting equity and economic stability.

The Path Forward

Imagining an egalitarian future requires rethinking economic structures and cultural attitudes toward work, profit, and community. It demands a shift from individualism to collective responsibility, from competition to cooperation. By adopting socialist democratic reforms, society can lay the groundwork for a future where democracy and equality are not ideals but lived realities.

William James Spriggs 

UNBRIDLED CAPITALISM PROMOTES RACISM

Unbridled Capitalism Promotes Racism

The American experiment, once celebrated as a beacon of democracy and freedom, has been imperiled by the failure to control capitalism. While the United States has maintained a semblance of democracy for nearly 250 years, the unchecked growth and consolidation of capitalist power have created the conditions for the rise of fascism. This outcome is not a coincidence but an inevitable consequence of allowing capitalism to operate without limitations.

Capitalism: An Antithesis to Equality

One of the most insidious aspects of unbridled capitalism is its inherent opposition to egalitarianism and equality of opportunity. At its core, capitalism is a system built on individual profit, competition, and wealth accumulation. Within this framework, there is no room for equal opportunity, as success is often predicated on exploiting disparities rather than leveling the playing field. This dynamic naturally fosters discrimination and prejudice, particularly against racial minorities.

Capitalism’s profit-driven mentality has, over time, entrenched systemic racism within American society. Since capitalism thrives on competition rather than cooperation, it inevitably pits individuals and groups against one another, fostering an environment where those already disadvantaged remain perpetually marginalized. Racial minorities, historically kept at an economic and social disadvantage, continue to face barriers that capitalism not only perpetuates but requires to maintain its hierarchical structure.

Racism: A Necessary Byproduct of Capitalism

Racism in America is not merely an unfortunate social ill that coincides with capitalism; it is an essential component of a system that prioritizes individual gain over collective well-being. Unbridled capitalism encourages a mentality of 'me first,' where success is measured by how much wealth one can accumulate, often at the expense of others. In this framework, minority groups are often seen as obstacles or competitors rather than equal participants.

This divisive mindset has made it nearly impossible to address racism separately from capitalism itself. Any attempts to combat racial inequality that do not also confront the profit-driven, individualistic culture of capitalism are bound to fail. Capitalism inherently supports the creation of social hierarchies, leading to the formation of a de facto caste system where those at the top solidify their power while those at the bottom remain oppressed.

Oligarchy and the Fall of Democracy

As capitalism continues to thrive without restraint, it inevitably leads to oligarchy, the rule of the few wealthy over the many. Economic inequality becomes entrenched, and political power shifts to those who can afford to influence policy through wealth. In this way, capitalism naturally gravitates toward creating kings rather than empowering citizens, undermining the democratic ethos of equal representation and opportunity.

The trajectory is clear: unbridled capitalism leads to oligarchy, and oligarchy paves the way for authoritarianism. As wealth consolidates, the power to shape the nation’s future falls into fewer hands, and democracy erodes. The rise of fascism in America is not an accident but a predictable outcome of capitalism’s failure to balance economic power with social responsibility.

Replacing Capitalism to Save Democracy

To preserve democratic ideals, capitalism as we know it must be controlled or replaced with a system that prioritizes the public good over private gain. While the exact form of this new system remains open to discussion, one thing is clear. As long as capitalism remains unchecked, racism and inequality will continue to thrive, and democracy will remain under threat. The survival of the American experiment hinges on our willingness to rethink the role of capitalism in society, confront its failures, and envision a system that upholds the principles of equality and justice.

William James Spriggs

CAPITALISM KILLED DEMOCRACY

Capitalism and the Demise of Democracy

The United States of America once heralded as the bastion of democracy, now stands as a somber example of how capitalism can erode democratic values and institutions over time. It took nearly 250 years, but capitalism, with its inherent inequalities, has succeeded in undermining the core principles of democracy. Fascism, the antithesis of democracy, has emerged within a remarkably short span of just over five years, highlighting the rapidity with which authoritarianism can take hold when capitalism is left unchecked.

The Incompatibility of Capitalism and Democracy

Capitalism is a system designed for economic gain, prioritizing profit and competition over collective welfare and equality. There is nothing inherently egalitarian within capitalism. On the contrary, it thrives on disparity, fostering a society where wealth accumulation becomes the ultimate measure of success. This structure inherently disadvantages the majority, consolidating power in the hands of a wealthy few while eroding the foundational democratic value of equality among citizens.

Capitalism not only fails to promote equality but actively subverts it. Wealth becomes concentrated in fewer hands, and those who amass capital wield disproportionate influence over public policy. This phenomenon has played out in the United States as corporate interests infiltrate every facet of governance, from the legislative process to judicial appointments. The result is a government more attuned to the demands of big business than the needs of ordinary citizens.

Authoritarian Challenges and Corporate Domination

Capitalism inherently encourages authoritarian tendencies because power, once consolidated, naturally seeks to sustain itself. Corporate interests, once entrenched, act to suppress dissent and maintain the status quo. This reality manifests in the increasing prevalence of corporate lobbying, political donations, and the revolving door between government and private industry. Corporate capture of public institutions leads to the prioritization of profit over public welfare, eroding social safety nets and perpetuating economic inequality.

As the gap between the rich and the poor widens, social tensions escalate, and the disenfranchised masses become increasingly marginalized. This atmosphere is fertile ground for authoritarian leaders who capitalize on public discontent while perpetuating the very systems that caused the grievances. In this way, capitalism indirectly fosters conditions conducive to fascism.

Capitalism’s Attack on the Public Good

Capitalism does not prioritize the public good. In a profit-driven system, social programs, education, healthcare, and other public welfare initiatives are seen as burdens rather than investments. Under capitalist influence, the United States has seen a decline in public infrastructure, the weakening of unions, and the erosion of workers’ rights. Profit is prioritized even at the cost of societal well-being, and the most vulnerable members of society bear the brunt of neglect.

Democracy Undermined: The Corporate State

A democracy’s health relies on active, informed participation by all citizens and a commitment to the common good. However, capitalism’s corporate dominance skews this balance, creating a de facto oligarchy where money dictates political outcomes. The rise of fascism within such a system becomes almost inevitable as democratic institutions weaken and the public loses faith in governance designed to serve only the elite.

The Urgency for Change

To salvage democracy, the United States must confront the inherent contradictions between capitalism and democratic governance. This means implementing regulations that curb corporate power, ensuring that public policy is determined by the people rather than profit, and revitalizing the concept of equality as a fundamental right. The alternative is to accept the continued erosion of democracy and the rise of an authoritarian state driven not by the will of the people but by the relentless pursuit of wealth.

In essence, democracy cannot survive in a purely capitalistic society. To preserve democratic values, we must fundamentally rethink how economic systems intersect with governance, ensuring that the pursuit of profit does not outweigh the principles of equality and public service.

William James Spriggs

NEW BOOK INTRODUCTION

The Lie We Lived

America was built on a promise. It was an audacious experiment, an idea so radical that it shook the foundations of the old world: that power could rest not in kings, aristocrats, or priests but in the hands of ordinary people. That government would be accountable to the governed. That law would apply equally to all. That truth and reason would guide our politics and that liberty, once secured, would endure.

We were raised to believe that democracy was not just an idea but an unbreakable reality. No matter how dark the days or how strong the opposition, the system would self-correct, the truth would win, and justice would prevail. We thought America had safeguards, laws, institutions, and elections that would make tyranny impossible. We assured ourselves that a demagogue could never take control here, that the people would always reject dictatorship, that the mistakes of history belonged to other nations, to other peoples, to a distant and less enlightened past.

It was all a lie.

Not a deliberate lie, perhaps, but a myth we told ourselves to avoid facing the fragility of our system. Because the truth is this: democracy was never permanent. It was never self-sustaining. It was an ongoing struggle that required constant vigilance, education, and a shared moral code. And America, lulled into arrogance and complacency, let all three slip away.

We let ignorance become a political force, no longer something to be corrected but something to be embraced and weaponized. We let wealth buy power so that laws became tools of the few rather than protections for the many. We let religious extremists creep into government, stripping away the barrier between church and state, replacing reason with dogma, and turning faith into a justification for oppression.

Worst of all, we ignored the warnings. We saw the signs: leaders who praised dictators, dismissed truth as inconvenient, encouraged violence, attacked the press, and dismantled the guardrails of democracy one by one, and we did nothing. We told ourselves the system would hold. We told ourselves the courts would stop them. We told ourselves that "it could never happen here."

But it has.

America is no longer a democracy. That is not a statement of fear but a statement of fact. The transition is complete. What we are witnessing now is not the destruction of democracy; it is what comes after. It is the entrenchment of a new order: an oligarchy ruled by billionaires, a theocracy dictated by religious fundamentalists, and an autocracy controlled by a man who views himself as above the law.

There is no cavalry coming, no institutional failsafe, no automatic correction. There is no next election that will fix this, and there is no Supreme Court ruling that will undo what has been done. The game has been rigged, the rules are rewritten, and those who hold power will not give it up willingly.

So, what do we do?

This book is not a warning. Warnings are for those who still have time to act. This is a reckoning, a reflection on what has already happened and what it means for those of us who now live under the reality of American fascism. Some will accept it, some will fight it, and some will flee.

But the lie is dead. The illusion has shattered.

The question now is not whether America can be saved. It is whether America, as we knew it, still exists at all.

William James Spriggs

 

BEYOND FASCISM, A NEW SOCIETY

A Democratic Alternative

A troubling trend is emerging in both the United States and Europe. As fascistic movements gain momentum, there is a growing temptation among many to focus on preserving the fragmented remnants of our democracy rather than addressing the underlying issues that have allowed such movements to thrive. This defensive approach, while understandable, risks overlooking a fundamental truth: it may have been the inherent weaknesses within non-socialist democracy that brought us to this precarious point.

The rise of authoritarian ideologies did not happen in a vacuum. It is the result of a long process of social and economic decay, one that has deepened the class divide, entrenched systemic racism, and eroded the notion of the public good. The capitalist model prioritizes profit over people and has led to a hollowed-out public sphere, where community welfare and social equity have been neglected in favor of individual gain and corporate dominance.

Yet, the revolution that might challenge this system still feels distant, more an idealistic aspiration than a practical reality. Even so, the current task is straightforward: we must address the class disparity, confront racism head-on, and restore the value of the public good. We cannot afford to merely survive under the status quo, patching together a fractured democratic framework while ignoring its inherent flaws.

The only genuine democratic alternative is pursuing an equal opportunity, worker-sponsored socialist society. Such a society would prioritize collective well-being over individual accumulation, placing decision-making power into workers' hands rather than concentrating it among the economic elite. It would be a democracy not just in name but in practice. Equality and fairness are the foundations of governance in this society, and the public good is once again a central tenet of our collective identity.

To confront the rising tide of authoritarianism, we must be bold in reimagining democracy. We must not settle for the mere preservation of democracy’s fragmented pieces but strive to rebuild it on more solid, equitable ground. In the face of this challenge, the choice becomes stark: will we resist by merely clinging to what remains, or will we dare to imagine and build a genuinely democratic future, one rooted in equality, justice, and collective empowerment?

William James Spriggs