The Gilded Age...Redux

Same thing, Same fate?

Jun 30, 2025

Part 1 - Art Imitates Life
We are looking forward to the next season of the HBO-MAX show “Gilded Age”. It’s fun to get lost in another time for the imagery and fine acting of Carrie Coon and Christine Baranski and others. And it is a timely series. The parallels with 2025 are inescapable. In the 1890s the rich pulled the strings of every element of politics and social life. And the poor were suffering as spectators.

”The Panic of 1893 was a depression set off by the failure of two of the largest employers in the country: The Philadelphia and Reading Railroad and the National Cordage Company. The stock market plummeted as businesses that had borrowed heavily to invest in railroads went bankrupt. The value of crops in the American South and West fell. Unemployment rose as high as 19 percent.

The crash threw the power of the wealthy—and the powerlessness of labor—into stark relief. The Panic of 1893 showed that this notion of a laissez-faire, unregulated economy was not working. It never worked for the poor, but it took the panic for the idea to hit the middle class, who had the most to lose,”

Part 2 - Public Displays and Obscene Theft

The wedding of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez is estimated to have cost **between $46.5 million and $55.6 million**.

The current Senate Version of the “Big Beautiful Bill” cuts Medicaid funding by over $900 Billion and increases the Federal debt by Trillions (pick the way you want to calculate it - anywhere from $1 to $4 Trillion) - all to finance tax cuts that overwhelmingly benefit the already very rich. That qualifies as robbery to me. But I guess somebody needs to pay for these ostentatious weddings.

Part 3 - Deja Vu

The BBB will probably pass and be signed by President McKinley, I mean Trump. You will excuse my confusion.

Trump admires McKinley who famously said:
”I am a tariff man, standing on a tariff platform.”

but also, ironic drumroll please:
”The mission of America is one of benevolent assimilation”

Google:
President William McKinley’s tariffs passed in 1890 when he introduced them as a member of the House of Representatives. They were very popular at the time they were enacted, but they caused an almost immediate inflation spike. Voters were very unhappy: a few months later, the GOP lost 100 seats in the 1890 midterm elections.”

The 1890s in the U.S. economy were characterized by significant growth, followed by a severe depression, and ultimately, a shift towards progressive reforms. While the decade began with rapid industrialization and expansion, it was punctuated by the Panic of 1893, leading to widespread unemployment and economic hardship. The decade concluded with a move towards greater government regulation and a focus on addressing social and economic inequality.

Part 4 - A New Era
On September 6, 1901, McKinley was shot. While initially, it seemed he could survive, he passed on September 14. His successor was Teddy Roosevelt who had been selected as VP to assuage the Republican progressive wing - their constituents had had enough of an age that was gilded for just the few.

If you Google Teddy Roosevelt, this is the result:

AI Overview

Theodore Roosevelt is renowned for his progressive reforms, conservation efforts, and assertive foreign policy. He is remembered for his "Square Deal" domestic agenda, which focused on regulating corporations, protecting consumers, and conserving natural resources. He was also a key figure in the conservation movement, establishing national parks and forests, and he played a significant role in the construction of the Panama Canal. In foreign affairs, he famously brokered the end of the Russo-Japanese War, earning the Nobel Peace Prize.

Here's a more detailed look at his key accomplishments:

Progressive Reforms (Square Deal):
Roosevelt's "Square Deal" aimed to balance the interests of labor, capital, and the public. This included:
- Trust Busting: He actively pursued antitrust lawsuits against large corporations he deemed harmful, earning the nickname "trust-buster".
- Regulation: He pushed for government regulation of industries like railroads and food production, ensuring fairer practices and safer products.
- Consumer Protection: He championed legislation like the Pure Food and Drug Act to protect consumers from harmful products.
Conservation:
Roosevelt was a passionate conservationist.
- National Parks and Forests: He significantly expanded the national park system and created numerous national forests to protect natural resources and recreational areas.
Land Management: He oversaw the development of scientific forest management practices and promoted the idea of using natural resources wisely.

Part 5 - The Cruelty

Most Americans are now headed towards some very tough times. If the BBB is passed, healthcare will become an even greater struggle for all of us - but especially for the poor and vulnerable. Hospitals and clinics will close. People will suffer and die so the rich can get tax breaks. People will die needlessly. The rich will be richer. Say it.

Weather related disasters are inevitable and a crippled FEMA won’t be there to help. Veterans will wait longer for care. Schools and critical life saving research will be defunded. Women will be deprived of reproductive healthcare.

Our Dear Leader has unleashed all manner of chaos on the planet. His approach on trade sounds as if it is an SNL skit or conducted by someone on an acid trip.

The value of the dollar is dropping. American bonds will be less attractive. Interest rates will rise to attract investment. Borrowing will slow, profits will suffer. Jobs will be lost.

Despair will be in the air. But not for the few who were made more fortunate.

$500 million to build. $25 Million/year to operate. Crew of 45.

Jeff and Lauren will sun themselves on their enormous “sailing yacht”. A deckhand will approach and ask if they would like cucumber and caviar sandwiches soon. She will respond with “No! I told you. I want cake!”

For another view of the “wedding from Hell”: Here is a gifted article by Frank Bruni. We have stuck with the embarrassing NY Times because of a few writers like Frank. Among other fine attributes, he has a dog named Regan. A senior canine who makes me melt.

Part 6 - The Response

A new economic populism is being born. People are listening to Senators Sanders and Murphy. AOC is more popular than ever. Mamdani’s win in NYC is a message and an inspiration. The resistance is growing. It has to. The alternative is impossible to accept.

Pass the torch of democracy. They are ready.

A message to Democrats. Stop self flagellating. The party with problems, causing problems and making them worse every day is the MAGA Republicans. Democrats need to erect a big tent without litmus tests for favorite subjects.

I believe in DEI. I believe in Medicare for All. I believe in equal education - publicly funded. Call me a socialist. I also believe the biggest crime (there are so many) of this fascist regime is the denial of a Climate Catastrophe. If you disagree, I get it. But we still have the same enemy.

There is one subject that every Democrat and most Independents can agree on. There is too much money flowing to the top, too much money illegally flowing to the White House, too much money being stripped from schools, veterans and hospitals. Our banner needs to be “Economic Justice”. We can sort out everything else when we regain power. And we will - if we stick together.

Personal Therapy - we’re having babies!

The Gilded Age...Redux

Same thing, Same fate?

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