It is unmistakably clear that Dr. Bandy Lee was absolutely correct in her forewarnings about Donald Trump. It has now become unmistakably obvious that Donald Trump lacks any traits desirable in a President and that he has an astonishing configuration of most every conceivable undesirable trait that one could assemble in a President. Trump is scary, but his millions of followers and their cult-like following of him is even more scary. Trump has likely caused great harm to the zeitgeist in America and it may take decades or generations to restore it to some level of normalcy.
Would it be possible to give some insight or comment on the possibility that there is more going on than just a malignant narcissist that can fool not just the poorly educated but has been able to take over a political party along w many educated and ranking politicos that do not like him or have the same conservatism. That is, what explains this “getting in line”. I honestly believe he running his campaign ( as well as his previous administration) like an organized crime syndicate. Do you think there are threats to these people as well as their families? Supposedly some young women he and Epstein “knew” are no where to be found.
Listened to your interview with Scott Dworkin today. Al. I can say is that what you spoke about trump and his followers makes complete sense. Thank you.
Dr Lee, i would like to point out 3 dimensions of Trump crisis.
1. The personality of Trump himself
2. MAGA as a psychological phenomenon
These two things you have covered extensively and provided much clarity.
I would add a 3rd.
3. The psychology of Ruling class
Let's be clear. Trump is an expert Gas lighter, Trump is a devious social manipulator, Trump has super-inflated self entitled view as the ruler of America. But these qualities alone doesn't get him anywhere unless he's provided with Billions of $$$ of media publicity, billions of $$$ campaign financing & Super PAC support, excesses to social media platforms, the backing of billionaires like Musk, Mercers, Murdoch, Koch, tech brothers etc and their business empires, and the protection of corrupted judges of American courts.
Only way Trump establishes himself politically is through his ruling class enablers, the plutocrats of America that subsidize Trump. Why the plutocrats enable such madman like Trump?
This goes back to Hitler. Only way Hitler got power was when he was finally given power. This point is explained by Daniel Guerin in his Book - 'Fascism and Big Business' , this point is also made in this article - 'The Forgotten History of Hitler’s Establishment Enablers'
To be very brief. Trump is 'man of destiny' (borrowing Guerin's phrase on Hitler) in American politics. A deranged charismatic mystical power figure who controls the masses and like to bend the world to his wishes. When such 'man of destiny' who has sway over masses arrives in politics, variety of operators want to manage and use him to their own nefarious purposes.
German plutocrats wanted to use Hitler to rescue their failed and sinking businesses. German traditional bourgeoisie politicians thought once Hitler was given power, he will be tamed by norms, laws, legal constraints of the state. Ultimately, all of them thought Hitler would be made a puppet to fulfill their goals. Hitler was thought of as a political imbecile and outlandish clown. Trump is like same thing.
Adventurists in American ruling class think they will control Trump once they rescue him from indictments. Trump will give them big policy favors, big tax cuts, deregulation etc etc.
But if history offers some clues, nobody could control the 'man of destiny' and he destroyed Europe and Germany itself. The big capitalists and political enablers of Hitler perished by the very man they thought they would manage, control and manipulate.
This is great, Bandy! I will circulate this announcement and hopefully more people will subscribe, read the book chapter by chapter and continue to spread the word. From the moment TFG came down the escalator and shockingly started scapegoating Mexicans and Muslims, mental health experts knew what this country was in for and dreaded what was to come. Most Americans weren't prepared to understand character disorders and had no way of understanding what they were witnessing. But gratefully, you and your colleagues hit the bookstores with DANGEROUS CASE and began the gradual psycho-education of a nation caught unawares.
I'm looking forward to each chapter as this master-class in the pathology of authoritarians and how to marginalize them, moves through the world spreading awareness and empowerment country by country. Ours is a nonlinear movement that's unstoppable because at its heart is the love of freedom from tyranny, something most humans everywhere, desire.
The only voting that I do is within my church organizations and within some professional and civic bodies that I have membership in. Not partipating in partisan politics makes my ministry to persons of all political persuasions comprehensively effective. However, our members freely vote in national, state elections, and are represented in politics. In the USA there is a strong bastion of republican support in our church organization, due to particular concerns, as well as many members who identify as Democrats. In political elections, particularly where voters have concerns about the suitability of particular candidates, it is important for the voting public to ensure emphatic support for their preferred candidates. This contributes to maintaining a balance of power, by preventing unpreferred candidates from projecting countrywide dominance from their bastions of support.
Though an erstwhile Republican and temperamentally conservative, I find the liberal journal "Daily Kos" to feature some interesting articles. This essay suggests whence this contagion comes. 😯
My first reaction to your thoughtful essay was to resist the idea of a contagion because I focus the source on the cognitive under-class, many of whom are educated (i.e., like the German intellectuals flocking to the Nazi S.S.). The more I read, however, the more I agree with you, Dr Lee. I do not understand mental illness since I am not trained to understand it; thankfully, I can rely upon you. 🙏
But I do know alcoholism. It is a systemic disease within a family; there is the tippler and then there are those who enable the sickness. So the madness is not limited to the M.A.G.A. Republicans. Too many of the rest of us are letting the contagion ensue by simply gnashing teeth and letting the down-fall of our cherished republic proceed, accelerated by the social media. 🫣
Chapter 13 interests me the most: "A new paradigm for safeguarding public health and our collective survival."
I wouldn't give DJT the gratification, or status, of naming the contagion after him that drove Nazi Germany, every authoritarian, violent criminal, and domestic abuser in history before him: out-of-control Ego.
A paradigm that safeguards public health is one that defines mental health as an affirmation and valuing of all life, in all forms, before it attempts to identify pathology. We cannot get a handle on pathology if we cannot first grasp what is healthy in mental health; an adult's ability to identify, see-through, sideline, and tame Ego.
Mental health professionals often reply that we need a healthy, strong Ego. Children need strong Ego; adults mature by taming Ego. That such a task is often ignored in the mental health profession exemplifies how much Ego has contaminated the profession. Ego is indeed contagious.
As a Proud Marine Corps Corporal till I die, I felt it was my patriotic duty, to turn Donald Trump in, and Republicans in, for the many crimes they've committed and are still committing, that the FBI contrary, to Merrick Garland's words "we will follow the law wherever it leads" Merrick Garland broke that promise for sure if you listen to the call, by totally ignoring many laws, please listen to the phone call and consider it a free lesson in the law I have been studying for 20 years. It's about 8 minutes long.
And help me do the same thing in writing. Like a mass letter drive to the headquarters of the FBI to overwhelm them with complaints of these crimes. But all the same because I've already typed it up just for you.
If you still like reading my stuff then read my free ebook happy birthday.
It is unmistakably clear that Dr. Bandy Lee was absolutely correct in her forewarnings about Donald Trump. It has now become unmistakably obvious that Donald Trump lacks any traits desirable in a President and that he has an astonishing configuration of most every conceivable undesirable trait that one could assemble in a President. Trump is scary, but his millions of followers and their cult-like following of him is even more scary. Trump has likely caused great harm to the zeitgeist in America and it may take decades or generations to restore it to some level of normalcy.
Would it be possible to give some insight or comment on the possibility that there is more going on than just a malignant narcissist that can fool not just the poorly educated but has been able to take over a political party along w many educated and ranking politicos that do not like him or have the same conservatism. That is, what explains this “getting in line”. I honestly believe he running his campaign ( as well as his previous administration) like an organized crime syndicate. Do you think there are threats to these people as well as their families? Supposedly some young women he and Epstein “knew” are no where to be found.
Listened to your interview with Scott Dworkin today. Al. I can say is that what you spoke about trump and his followers makes complete sense. Thank you.
Thank you Dr. Lee! Stay strong!
Dr Lee, i would like to point out 3 dimensions of Trump crisis.
1. The personality of Trump himself
2. MAGA as a psychological phenomenon
These two things you have covered extensively and provided much clarity.
I would add a 3rd.
3. The psychology of Ruling class
Let's be clear. Trump is an expert Gas lighter, Trump is a devious social manipulator, Trump has super-inflated self entitled view as the ruler of America. But these qualities alone doesn't get him anywhere unless he's provided with Billions of $$$ of media publicity, billions of $$$ campaign financing & Super PAC support, excesses to social media platforms, the backing of billionaires like Musk, Mercers, Murdoch, Koch, tech brothers etc and their business empires, and the protection of corrupted judges of American courts.
Only way Trump establishes himself politically is through his ruling class enablers, the plutocrats of America that subsidize Trump. Why the plutocrats enable such madman like Trump?
This goes back to Hitler. Only way Hitler got power was when he was finally given power. This point is explained by Daniel Guerin in his Book - 'Fascism and Big Business' , this point is also made in this article - 'The Forgotten History of Hitler’s Establishment Enablers'
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2024/03/25/takeover-hitlers-final-rise-to-power-timothy-w-ryback-book-review
And i have made my own summary here
https://3rdworldecon.substack.com/p/billionaire-financiers-of-maga
To be very brief. Trump is 'man of destiny' (borrowing Guerin's phrase on Hitler) in American politics. A deranged charismatic mystical power figure who controls the masses and like to bend the world to his wishes. When such 'man of destiny' who has sway over masses arrives in politics, variety of operators want to manage and use him to their own nefarious purposes.
German plutocrats wanted to use Hitler to rescue their failed and sinking businesses. German traditional bourgeoisie politicians thought once Hitler was given power, he will be tamed by norms, laws, legal constraints of the state. Ultimately, all of them thought Hitler would be made a puppet to fulfill their goals. Hitler was thought of as a political imbecile and outlandish clown. Trump is like same thing.
Adventurists in American ruling class think they will control Trump once they rescue him from indictments. Trump will give them big policy favors, big tax cuts, deregulation etc etc.
But if history offers some clues, nobody could control the 'man of destiny' and he destroyed Europe and Germany itself. The big capitalists and political enablers of Hitler perished by the very man they thought they would manage, control and manipulate.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for putting this out right here and right now.
This is great, Bandy! I will circulate this announcement and hopefully more people will subscribe, read the book chapter by chapter and continue to spread the word. From the moment TFG came down the escalator and shockingly started scapegoating Mexicans and Muslims, mental health experts knew what this country was in for and dreaded what was to come. Most Americans weren't prepared to understand character disorders and had no way of understanding what they were witnessing. But gratefully, you and your colleagues hit the bookstores with DANGEROUS CASE and began the gradual psycho-education of a nation caught unawares.
I'm looking forward to each chapter as this master-class in the pathology of authoritarians and how to marginalize them, moves through the world spreading awareness and empowerment country by country. Ours is a nonlinear movement that's unstoppable because at its heart is the love of freedom from tyranny, something most humans everywhere, desire.
Can’t wait for this necessary work!
Thank you!
I can't wait! So looking forward to your book!
The only voting that I do is within my church organizations and within some professional and civic bodies that I have membership in. Not partipating in partisan politics makes my ministry to persons of all political persuasions comprehensively effective. However, our members freely vote in national, state elections, and are represented in politics. In the USA there is a strong bastion of republican support in our church organization, due to particular concerns, as well as many members who identify as Democrats. In political elections, particularly where voters have concerns about the suitability of particular candidates, it is important for the voting public to ensure emphatic support for their preferred candidates. This contributes to maintaining a balance of power, by preventing unpreferred candidates from projecting countrywide dominance from their bastions of support.
Though an erstwhile Republican and temperamentally conservative, I find the liberal journal "Daily Kos" to feature some interesting articles. This essay suggests whence this contagion comes. 😯
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2024/4/10/2234529/-White-rural-rage
My first reaction to your thoughtful essay was to resist the idea of a contagion because I focus the source on the cognitive under-class, many of whom are educated (i.e., like the German intellectuals flocking to the Nazi S.S.). The more I read, however, the more I agree with you, Dr Lee. I do not understand mental illness since I am not trained to understand it; thankfully, I can rely upon you. 🙏
https://nedmcdletters.blogspot.com/2018/03/letter-153-fake-news-hate-speech-social.html
But I do know alcoholism. It is a systemic disease within a family; there is the tippler and then there are those who enable the sickness. So the madness is not limited to the M.A.G.A. Republicans. Too many of the rest of us are letting the contagion ensue by simply gnashing teeth and letting the down-fall of our cherished republic proceed, accelerated by the social media. 🫣
Chapter 13 interests me the most: "A new paradigm for safeguarding public health and our collective survival."
I wouldn't give DJT the gratification, or status, of naming the contagion after him that drove Nazi Germany, every authoritarian, violent criminal, and domestic abuser in history before him: out-of-control Ego.
A paradigm that safeguards public health is one that defines mental health as an affirmation and valuing of all life, in all forms, before it attempts to identify pathology. We cannot get a handle on pathology if we cannot first grasp what is healthy in mental health; an adult's ability to identify, see-through, sideline, and tame Ego.
Mental health professionals often reply that we need a healthy, strong Ego. Children need strong Ego; adults mature by taming Ego. That such a task is often ignored in the mental health profession exemplifies how much Ego has contaminated the profession. Ego is indeed contagious.
Thank you!
This is fantastic. Subscribers need to help you spread the word!
As a Proud Marine Corps Corporal till I die, I felt it was my patriotic duty, to turn Donald Trump in, and Republicans in, for the many crimes they've committed and are still committing, that the FBI contrary, to Merrick Garland's words "we will follow the law wherever it leads" Merrick Garland broke that promise for sure if you listen to the call, by totally ignoring many laws, please listen to the phone call and consider it a free lesson in the law I have been studying for 20 years. It's about 8 minutes long.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-MCS9q-CXLLOrO3Yj9Z1EyBDCskhglsX/view?usp=drivesdk
If you like that then read this.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pOKldt2eT51s2g90zaGYLJSGjzFdEIOY/edit?usp=drivesdk&ouid=112160789988355843868&rtpof=true&sd=true
And help me do the same thing in writing. Like a mass letter drive to the headquarters of the FBI to overwhelm them with complaints of these crimes. But all the same because I've already typed it up just for you.
If you still like reading my stuff then read my free ebook happy birthday.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_iG4MD8AM4YmhyylHrbuLzJFyNpfq_K0F1ksDqaFiXQ/edit?usp=drivesdk