I joyfully voted to "make JVL insufferable again". The wrestling belt would inspire me to become a true groupie at the live shows, rivaling my Dead Head days.
And yet however insufferable JVL may become, it wouldn't stand a chance against Ross Douthat's insufferability. Ross's illiberal musings are one thing. It's the persistent illogic in his writing that makes it so possible. Maximalist takeovers of society's major institutions is just Democracy Democracy-ing.
Question for Douthat - if this is “just the way democracy is” - i.e. a winner take all cage match - then he will surely be ok with the Dems doing the same. Goodbye to all things labeled Trump, reinstating DEI programs, funding NPR, reforming the court, prosecuting the lawbreakers, firing leadership in the exec branch and replacing with partisans … is this what he want American democracy to become? Not me.
JVL, I wish with all my heart that you didn't have to make everything about you. You're an incisive analyst, an strong interviewer, and an excellent writer, so I persist in reading your words. But the second you go High School I turn right off.
The Triad is always good, but this is my favorite so far. Wow! Years ago I realized that no matter what was happening in the world, the "conservative" columnists in the NYT would just poo poo the liberal response as alarmist hysteria. This piece succinctly and surgically cuts to pieces their laissez faire take on the Hungary situation.
My takeaway from the Hungarian election were big issues mobilizing voters, economy/quality of life and corruption enriching Orban's cronies (at expense of average Hungarian).
While us Bulwarkians are horrified by the attrocities of ICE, sadly, it's not necessarily an issue that opens the eyes of MAGA.
Similar to Hungary, the economy is starting to become an issue difficult for MAGA to ignore. The Iran war (aka gasoline prices and Iraq 2.0) and the recent blasphemous Trump postings are also starting to cause a tremor in the Force. Democrats don't necessarily have to drive the narrative, these issues mostly speak for themselves. This is important given the disorganization amongst the Democratic leadership
The corruption and greed of the Trump family and friends disgust the Bulwark staff and us readers. The challenge I see is boiling this story down to messaging that can pierce the MAGA information firewall. Here, I really appreciate the heavy lifting being done by JVL and Bulwark staff to continue to expose the corruption of the Trump crew. Thanks!
JVL is 100% on driving a stake through the heart of authoritarians. This bears repeating: "Because the rehabilitation of Viktor Orbán is the opening gambit in the attempt by American illiberals to prevent accountability and reform should Trumpism be defeated.
Because when Ross Douthat and his friends look at Hungary, they fear that they are looking at their future."
One advantage that the US has over Hungary is that it isn't easy to modify the constitution to favour one party. The disadvantage of that is that it is very difficult to fix the flaws that Trump has exploited such as the pardon power. On the other hand, with a compliant Supreme Court Trump has been able to violate the constitution pretty much at-will and many the SC has winked at using the Shadow Docket. The others take years to work their way through the courts and nobody knows what they might eventually bless either partially or fully. Before Trump nobody would have dared try to modify the constitution with an EO.
Who the hell cares about anything Douthat writes or for that matter, thinks. He's a hack and the NYT is not a better paper with his input. Gasbag at best.
The reason we have legal contracts is because ultimately people don’t keep their promises. If they did, we wouldn’t need them. A legal contract doesn’t force the parties to keep their promise. It just creates a legal framework to enforce it if necessary. But that’s time-consuming. And outcomes are not certain. In the real world of practicality, we have to operate in good faith. The legal framework of the constitution operates in the same way… as JVL would say the “honor system”. Our system of government requires people of character, moral integrity, and a willingness to act in good faith. We can’t codify that. A red light does not prevent you from going through it. We all agree in good faith to stop.
I don’t see this discussed much. I see it discussed a little bit, but you’re probably correct. If Nixon had been convicted and gone to jail for his crimes, it would’ve set a precedent going forward that would’ve prevented the moment we’re in.
That said, the presumption of a legal framework that is written and agreed upon and enjoys the faith and consent of the governed is that the legal framework is enforceable and that no one is above the law. I have a theory that the American subconscious has been poisoned by Gerald Ford's pardon of Nixon. His conceit that prosecuting Nixon would bring the country down has led us to the "unaccountability doctrine" for presidents which led us to Trump.
The Constitution has a lot in it that does codify good faith operation of government. The Emoluments clauses, the Bill Of Rights, and the primacy of consensus style legislation over time as the proper path to a good faith body of laws. I think the goal of any semblance of a potentially successful reform movement is that we must find a way to build a future Bulwark against the impunity of the bad faith electeds. I believe that many who voted for Trump voted purposefully for bad faith. They believe that "tearing it down" is what is required right now. It is too easy for masses of people to take that which we have that is good for granted in the pursuit of swift, radical change. I also think a lot of people don't realize, somehow, the extent of his selfish greed. For one, Congress and the press ignore it pretty good...possibly because too many of them are in on it with him.
I think we need to abolish the stock market, futures trading, prediction markets, gambling, and crypto as "private" industries. That kind of stuff should be what feeds the hungry, cares for the sick, and builds our roads and schools, instead of making gamblers rich.
Let all the Orbán disciples justify this (and Trump's) outright theft of government treasure for personal gains. What Orbán doesn't want you to see: https://youtu.be/H8LUPh_6qMg?si=hJbW6D4HZHYp7AOM
I was slow getting to read this but JVL it is a good piece - very thought-provoking!
Omg. That tesla truck review made my day. Perfect.
Great piece on Orban too.
I joyfully voted to "make JVL insufferable again". The wrestling belt would inspire me to become a true groupie at the live shows, rivaling my Dead Head days.
And yet however insufferable JVL may become, it wouldn't stand a chance against Ross Douthat's insufferability. Ross's illiberal musings are one thing. It's the persistent illogic in his writing that makes it so possible. Maximalist takeovers of society's major institutions is just Democracy Democracy-ing.
And OMG, that Mr. Regular Cyber Truck review 👏🏼😂
Question for Douthat - if this is “just the way democracy is” - i.e. a winner take all cage match - then he will surely be ok with the Dems doing the same. Goodbye to all things labeled Trump, reinstating DEI programs, funding NPR, reforming the court, prosecuting the lawbreakers, firing leadership in the exec branch and replacing with partisans … is this what he want American democracy to become? Not me.
The most important thing about Hungary's democratic renewal is the role of citizens, not politicians. https://www.twincities.com/2026/02/08/harry-boyte-citizen-is-much-more-than-a-legal-status-lets-rise-to-it/
JVL, I wish with all my heart that you didn't have to make everything about you. You're an incisive analyst, an strong interviewer, and an excellent writer, so I persist in reading your words. But the second you go High School I turn right off.
Just saying.
douthat's a dipstick. Everyone knows it
So glad you are focusing on this now JVL— the need to strengthen the commitment to accountability and reform post Trump
I want a JVL vs Ross debate
The Triad is always good, but this is my favorite so far. Wow! Years ago I realized that no matter what was happening in the world, the "conservative" columnists in the NYT would just poo poo the liberal response as alarmist hysteria. This piece succinctly and surgically cuts to pieces their laissez faire take on the Hungary situation.
My takeaway from the Hungarian election were big issues mobilizing voters, economy/quality of life and corruption enriching Orban's cronies (at expense of average Hungarian).
While us Bulwarkians are horrified by the attrocities of ICE, sadly, it's not necessarily an issue that opens the eyes of MAGA.
Similar to Hungary, the economy is starting to become an issue difficult for MAGA to ignore. The Iran war (aka gasoline prices and Iraq 2.0) and the recent blasphemous Trump postings are also starting to cause a tremor in the Force. Democrats don't necessarily have to drive the narrative, these issues mostly speak for themselves. This is important given the disorganization amongst the Democratic leadership
The corruption and greed of the Trump family and friends disgust the Bulwark staff and us readers. The challenge I see is boiling this story down to messaging that can pierce the MAGA information firewall. Here, I really appreciate the heavy lifting being done by JVL and Bulwark staff to continue to expose the corruption of the Trump crew. Thanks!
JVL is 100% on driving a stake through the heart of authoritarians. This bears repeating: "Because the rehabilitation of Viktor Orbán is the opening gambit in the attempt by American illiberals to prevent accountability and reform should Trumpism be defeated.
Because when Ross Douthat and his friends look at Hungary, they fear that they are looking at their future."
One advantage that the US has over Hungary is that it isn't easy to modify the constitution to favour one party. The disadvantage of that is that it is very difficult to fix the flaws that Trump has exploited such as the pardon power. On the other hand, with a compliant Supreme Court Trump has been able to violate the constitution pretty much at-will and many the SC has winked at using the Shadow Docket. The others take years to work their way through the courts and nobody knows what they might eventually bless either partially or fully. Before Trump nobody would have dared try to modify the constitution with an EO.
Who the hell cares about anything Douthat writes or for that matter, thinks. He's a hack and the NYT is not a better paper with his input. Gasbag at best.
The reason we have legal contracts is because ultimately people don’t keep their promises. If they did, we wouldn’t need them. A legal contract doesn’t force the parties to keep their promise. It just creates a legal framework to enforce it if necessary. But that’s time-consuming. And outcomes are not certain. In the real world of practicality, we have to operate in good faith. The legal framework of the constitution operates in the same way… as JVL would say the “honor system”. Our system of government requires people of character, moral integrity, and a willingness to act in good faith. We can’t codify that. A red light does not prevent you from going through it. We all agree in good faith to stop.
I don’t see this discussed much. I see it discussed a little bit, but you’re probably correct. If Nixon had been convicted and gone to jail for his crimes, it would’ve set a precedent going forward that would’ve prevented the moment we’re in.
I like your term “unaccountability doctrine”! Good stuff!
Yes, exactly, BillyN.
That said, the presumption of a legal framework that is written and agreed upon and enjoys the faith and consent of the governed is that the legal framework is enforceable and that no one is above the law. I have a theory that the American subconscious has been poisoned by Gerald Ford's pardon of Nixon. His conceit that prosecuting Nixon would bring the country down has led us to the "unaccountability doctrine" for presidents which led us to Trump.
The Constitution has a lot in it that does codify good faith operation of government. The Emoluments clauses, the Bill Of Rights, and the primacy of consensus style legislation over time as the proper path to a good faith body of laws. I think the goal of any semblance of a potentially successful reform movement is that we must find a way to build a future Bulwark against the impunity of the bad faith electeds. I believe that many who voted for Trump voted purposefully for bad faith. They believe that "tearing it down" is what is required right now. It is too easy for masses of people to take that which we have that is good for granted in the pursuit of swift, radical change. I also think a lot of people don't realize, somehow, the extent of his selfish greed. For one, Congress and the press ignore it pretty good...possibly because too many of them are in on it with him.
I think we need to abolish the stock market, futures trading, prediction markets, gambling, and crypto as "private" industries. That kind of stuff should be what feeds the hungry, cares for the sick, and builds our roads and schools, instead of making gamblers rich.
Let all the Orbán disciples justify this (and Trump's) outright theft of government treasure for personal gains. What Orbán doesn't want you to see: https://youtu.be/H8LUPh_6qMg?si=hJbW6D4HZHYp7AOM