This article about New Jersey gov. Phil Murphy’s authoritarian behavior is pretty insightful. What’s worrying is that this type of “strongman” autocracy is becoming normalized by the corporate press:
“With immense emergency powers afforded under New Jersey’s constitution, the one-time Goldman Sachs partner has almost unchecked sway over how the state navigates the most complex public health and economic challenge in a century.
Every 30 days for the last six months, Murphy has re-upped a state-of-emergency order that’s allowed him to bypass the Legislature and normal rule making procedures. Businesses were directed to close. Evictions and foreclosures have been suspended. Should it come to it, the state could confiscate privately held medical supplies.“
Doesn’t really sound like the mainstream press minds at all the way that these governors have been ruling over their populations. I even detect a hint of admiration. A press that fawns over dictators is a very dangerous development. They’ll whitewash their crimes, and witch hunt political enemies and dissidents. They’ll target and smear actual journalists. Much of this is already happening.
