The world struggle between democracy and repression has been going oppression's way for ten years. The influence of repressive powers, China and Russia plays an important role, and so do the supporters of the bullshitter.

The existence of a powerful antidemocratic party in the US undermines its influence for democracy in several ways: it makes the US a disappointing example of democracy's functioning; it encourages repressive and aggressive US policies, which set bad examples themselves; its support for plutocracy weakens the US and thus undermines its ability to do anything inspiring.