[anon4984]

> Your "Trump-Julius" alignment is too contrived.

I didn't set out to establish equivalence (clearly a fool's errand) I only aimed to suss out similarities. How did you find otherwise?

I think I specifically called out that while Cesar was successful in wielding populism to maintain power, Trump was not. The key differences being the American people are kept divided.

> I doubt very much that anything can alter our decline. Your suggestion that the blue and white collar "come together" is simply wishful thinking.

The republic lives for as long as independent people prevail. Preserving the middle class as such, and as a political force, can save the republic.

[truro]

Again, saving the middle class is myopic at best. There are prevailing forces beyond the reach of a middle class salvation narrative.

You are not considering economic and social issues, political and national issues, legal issues promoted by a new conservative court, and other nations actively working to undermine the republic--all of which are not controlled by a middle class, despite the romantic idea that they somehow are.