This essay examines the growing threat to American democracy, focusing on the shift toward authoritarianism, particularly under President Trump and the Republican Party’s transformation. It argues that the erosion of democratic norms and the centralization of power in the executive branch has weakened the system of checks and balances.

With Congress unable to counteract this shift due to Republican control, the essay highlights the critical role state Governors can play in resisting federal overreach. Governors, regardless of party, can protect citizens' rights by refusing to enforce unconstitutional federal orders and enacting state-level protections. The essay calls for bipartisan cooperation among Governors and Congressional Democrats to combat the rising authoritarian threat.

Ultimately, the essay stresses that the survival of American democracy depends on the collective action of state leaders, lawmakers, and citizens in defending democratic values.

In Part II of The Oligarchs Won, The Ordinary Thinker outlines a strategic roadmap for the 2026 midterm elections, emphasizing the need for early preparation, grassroots mobilization, and targeted voter outreach. The audio essay highlights the importance of countering misinformation, engaging disillusioned voters, and recruiting candidates who challenge the status quo while addressing key economic and social issues. By exposing the failures of incumbents, leveraging local influencers, and fostering division within the opposition, the movement aims to build a lasting coalition for political change. The message is clear: the time to act is now.

This audio essay argues that the rise of an oligarchy in the United States has been facilitated by decades of unchecked capitalism and eroded democratic principles. It highlights the growing economic insecurity and disillusionment among the population, despite the rhetoric of prosperity. The essay emphasizes that the seeds of discontent are already being sown, particularly through rising economic inequality, the erosion of social safety nets, and the suppression of dissent. It concludes by outlining a strategy for a resistance movement to capitalize on these factors, including amplifying economic struggles, addressing specific concerns of the disillusioned, developing a comprehensive plan for government reform, fostering dialogue, and leveraging cognitive dissonance.