Putinism on American Soil

Trump's fusion of political power and personal enrichment may seem familiar. It's how his dear friend, Vladimir Putin, has ruled Russia.

America is often described as a democracy and a capitalist nation in the same breath, as if the two are natural allies. But our Founders knew better. They feared that the unbridled power of wealth — what Keynes would later call the “animal spirits” of capital — could overwhelm the democratic institutions they were building.

Today, that fear feels prophetic. From corporate influence in elections to the market's dominance over public policy, capitalism often appears to rule democracy, not serve it. But that was never the intention. The Founders, for all their flaws, believed that the will of the people must be sovereign — and that capital must answer to democracy, not dictate its terms.

The early American republic was deeply suspicious of concentrated wealth. Thomas Jefferson worried about the rise of an "aristocracy of monied corporations." James Madison warned that inequality could erode the public good. Even Alexander Hamilton, who championed markets, believed the federal government should shape economic life — not be captive to it.

Fast forward to today, and the picture is inverted. Political candidates depend on massive fundraising machines. Lobbyists write legislation. Billionaires buy platforms, shape discourse, and even negotiate with foreign powers. Markets dictate policy choices, while citizens’ concerns that vast majorities support are ignored. This isn’t democracy reigning in capitalism — it’s capitalism consuming democracy.

Democracy is supposed to reflect the dignity and equality of citizens. Capitalism, for all its efficiency and innovation, doesn’t recognize either. It rewards accumulation, not consent; profit, not justice. Left unchecked, it will always devour public interests for private gain. That’s why it must be subordinated to democratic values — not elevated above them.

The choice isn't between capitalism and socialism. It's between a democracy that governs markets in the public interest, or a market that governs democracy for the private one.

Now, with Donald Trump back in the White House, we face the most dangerous form of capital's dominance yet: a fusion of political power and personal enrichment that corrodes both democracy and markets. This is not merely a return to a pro-business agenda or deregulation. It is the full flowering of crony capitalism — a system where loyalty to the leader is rewarded with contracts, immunity, and influence, and where state power is wielded in service of Trump and his obsessions. Drain the swamp has a different meaning when you realize we the people are the swamp and Trump is taking all he drains from us for himself, his family and to reward those that do his bidding.

This isn't traditional authoritarianism. It's not ideological. It’s transactional. Trumpism is not about building a strong state or a coherent political vision. It’s about building a network of loyalists who profit from proximity to the president. In that sense, it closely resembles the system Vladimir Putin has built in Russia — one where oligarchs thrive not because of free competition or innovation, but because of their personal loyalty to the regime. To call Trump an autocrat is to miss the point. He is bringing Putinism to America as Russian dissident Gary Kasparov has warned us he would.

Putinism isn’t just about silencing dissent or undermining elections. It’s about fusing state and capital into a single instrument of power — wielded for personal gain and political revenge. It creates the illusion of order while hollowing out institutions. It claims to speak for the people while enriching a narrow inner circle. And it erodes democracy not with tanks in the streets, but with deals behind closed doors, Fox News spin, and billion-dollar giveaways to insiders.

In the face of this creeping Putinism, the defense of democracy cannot be left to institutions alone. They are already under siege — from courts packed with loyalists to agencies purged of dissent. The true counterweight must come from the people themselves. Democracy is not self-executing. It lives only when citizens insist that it does.

If Americans still believe in government of, by, and for the people, then it's time to reassert the primacy of democracy — before it's too late.

That means more than voting. It means organizing, speaking out, and yes — peacefully protesting. It means standing in the streets, writing to editors, showing up at school boards and town halls, and refusing to accept a government that serves money over people. And one man over the Constitution. This is not about left or right. It is about whether public life will be shaped by democratic debate or sold off to the highest bidder.

The Founders feared the day when capital and the corruption of one man might overwhelm the republic. That day is here — and it comes not with market crashes or class warfare, but with an angry strongman and a circle of enablers cashing in at the expense of the people.

The revolt against all of this must come from us and it must be heard loud and clear in November 2026.

The founders envisioned the House of Representatives as the People’s House. But instead of standing up to Trump, Congress has abdicated its power to him and betrayed the American people. They have stood blindly by while the President of the United States enriches himself and those favored by him.. They have stood silent as Trump uses our nation’s power for his personal enrichment. Not a House of the people but instead a House that sees no evil, hears no evil and speaks no evil unless its to repeat Trump’s lies and enable his corruption.

As citizens we must act together, regardless of party and organize a movement to work in every House District to defeat any member who stands with Trump against us. We must make Trump’s supporters in our House fear defeat at our hands in the General Election more than they fear Trump and his MAGA base in the Primary Election. We must rise in numbers that none can mistake as anything other than the People’s House being returned squarely to the hands of the people, by the people. And elect a House for the people that acts immediately to stop Trump at every turn in our name.

A revolt for the ages that would make our founders proud and secure our democracy for our children’s future.

If we want democracy to survive, we must act like citizens, not subjects. We must remind the world — and ourselves — that in America, power still belongs to the people.

That is the fight we are in and the fight we must win.

Failure is not an option.

Stand up America.