Thank you for this. The lessons are in our history for all to see. But who pays attention. Seems that our MSM is on chump’s payroll. The oligarchs of today make the corruption of yesterday seem like small potatoes. Time to stop yawning and see the iceberg straight ahead. The political cartoons are powerful as are the satirists of today…
Appreciate your thoughtful comment—and for cross-posting the piece! Hope your audience finds the history just as illuminating (and unsettling).
You’re absolutely right—the lessons are there, written in bold, yet so often ignored. The spoils system, patronage politics, and unchecked oligarchy aren’t just relics of the past; they’re a playbook being dusted off in real-time. And as you say, today’s corruption makes the Gilded Age look almost quaint.
The hope is that political cartoons and satirists, both past and present, can cut through the noise and make people see what’s happening before it’s too late. The iceberg is straight ahead—but history reminds us that course corrections are possible, if we’re paying attention.
Exactly! This time, we’ve really upped the stakes—now we get to replay history with climate collapse, nukes, and AI in the mix. It’s like someone took the worst parts of the Gilded Age and gave them a sci-fi sequel. What could go wrong? Well… let’s just hope the algorithm is better at governance than the last guy.
Right?! Some things never change—why take the long road of merit and expertise when you can just buy your way in? Musk would probably call it ‘disrupting democracy’ and slap a subscription fee on the window.
Thanks, Jordan! I appreciate that. Just doing my part to shine a light on the past—because history has a way of becoming very relevant when we least expect it!
"A little history goes a long way to explaining the present." True. The reforms that happened and that we have enjoyed occurred because of the agitation and work of The People. Our present situation is motivated by the Trump tax cuts for Billionaires which is due to end this year. To continue them, the Mumpers have to come up with 4 Trillion dollars. Can't cut DOD so cut everything else . They will still come up short. They will still come up short because of the agitation and work of The People. There are more of us than them. Here in the DMV, there is a rally every day. Keep making your telephone calls to your representatives!
Well said! A little history does go a long way—and if there’s one lesson it teaches, it’s that The People have always been the wrench in the gears of the powerful. They scheme, they cut, they gut—but they still come up short, because agitation and action work. Love to hear there’s a rally every day in the DMV. Keep the pressure on, keep making noise, and keep reminding them: there are more of us than them!
Peter, outstanding historical analysis and comparison. The use of political cartoons helps bring home the fact that America has experienced this rise in populism before and survived. Ultimately, it will be up to the us to stop this political plunder.
ASB, Appreciate that! The political cartoons really do hit home—history’s way of reminding us that we’ve been here before and fought our way through. You’re absolutely right—it’s up to us to stop this latest wave of political plunder. The past offers the warnings, but we have to write the ending!
What a great post. The political cartoons a treasure in and of themselves. Way to go. A keeper for my archive. Also, a treat for our humble subscriptions.
Appreciate that, Fred! The history, the corruption, the fight for reform—it’s all right there in the political cartoons. They cut through the noise then, and they still do now. Glad this one’s earning a spot in the archive!
Great post Peter! I wonder it there's a correlation between the various cycles of corruption in this country and the patterns of economic recessions? The greedy and corrupt swoop in, take their profits and do their damage, then the economy falls to crap. It's almost like clockwork in 8 to 10 year cycles.
Appreciate that, E.R.! And I think you’re onto something—there’s definitely a rhythm to corruption and collapse. The cycles of boom-and-bust aren’t just about bad economic policy; they’re often driven by the very people rigging the system. The Gilded Age’s unchecked greed led to the Panic of 1893, the laissez-faire policies of the ‘20s fueled the Great Depression, and deregulation in the early 2000s gave us the financial crash of 2008. It’s almost like the corrupt always overplay their hand—until the whole thing collapses.
Now the question is: how far do they push it this time?
I think we can work out a Formula: The strength of the Dunning-Kruger effect in any administration + demagoguery + racism x [level of greed x sociopaths] + level of weapon advancement/technology = ...we're screwed for decades.
Great post, Peter. Thank you. There are so many similarities between America from 1828 through 1929 to what we are seeing from 1981 to current times. But I do think 2025 is worse. Even Andrew Jackson did not consider destroying the Constitution or forming a dictatorship. Until trump all Presidents have left office upon defeat or end of term.
Thanks, Fay! You’re absolutely right—history gives us plenty of parallels, but 2025 feels like we’re in uncharted territory. Even the most corrupt figures of the past didn’t go this far in openly dismantling democratic norms. Jackson may have bent the rules, but Trump wants to break them entirely. The real test now is whether we’ve learned enough from history to stop it
Ah, Stephen, ever the literary soul! Madame Defarge would be furiously knitting by now—though with this lot, she might need a bigger scarf. The guillotine may be out of fashion, but history still has a way of settling accounts. Stay tuned for the next chapter!
Thanks Peter. I remembered several of those old Harper's pics.
On a somewhat parallel note (taking a cue from 'persuasivemaps') I just posted a short review of the newest, bluest, whoop-de-doest body of water on Google Maps. You can find it by searching for Gulf of America, reviews, sort by, lowest.
My expanded review would look something like this, if I had a better editor:
Thanks, Bern! Love that you recognized some of the old Harper’s images—there’s something about historical visuals that makes the past feel eerily present. And I’ll definitely check out your Gulf of America review—sounds like some sharp satire at work!
I have long admired Peter Pappas sharing of old political cartoons. And yes, musk/trump/vance triumvirate is finishing off the path Reagan introduced for ushering in a new age of political corruption which the maga bumpkins are buying into with ignorant glee. But this time it is even more threatening. In the earlier lead up to the gilded age they had no intention of destroying the Constitution and reverting to a dictatorial perversion. This current triumvirate threatens the very foundations or our representative Republic. The imbecilic 'legislators' of the former Republican party have yet to see that musk/trump/vance have no need of Congress, Neither Hitler nor Napoleon had any Congress, they ruled with a few violent cohorts completely loyal to themselves.
And remember, Napoleon Bonaparte was not born in France.
Thank you for this excellent summary of history of the 19th century. Note how many years it took to create the merit based civil service. The civil service is established by congressional legislation and therefore cannot be changed by Executive Order as I read and understand our constitution.
Appreciate that, Lyle! You’ve got a solid grasp of the Constitution—certainly better than Trump, who treats it more like a suggestion than the law of the land. The fight for a merit-based civil service took decades, and yet here we are again, watching them try to dismantle it with the stroke of a pen. History really does love a sequel!
Thank you for this. The lessons are in our history for all to see. But who pays attention. Seems that our MSM is on chump’s payroll. The oligarchs of today make the corruption of yesterday seem like small potatoes. Time to stop yawning and see the iceberg straight ahead. The political cartoons are powerful as are the satirists of today…
Appreciate your thoughtful comment—and for cross-posting the piece! Hope your audience finds the history just as illuminating (and unsettling).
You’re absolutely right—the lessons are there, written in bold, yet so often ignored. The spoils system, patronage politics, and unchecked oligarchy aren’t just relics of the past; they’re a playbook being dusted off in real-time. And as you say, today’s corruption makes the Gilded Age look almost quaint.
The hope is that political cartoons and satirists, both past and present, can cut through the noise and make people see what’s happening before it’s too late. The iceberg is straight ahead—but history reminds us that course corrections are possible, if we’re paying attention.
Thanks again for sharing this!
Peter, excellent post. Thanks for this.
You're welcome. Cheers
Excellent history lesson. We have been here before.
We didn't have an over-populated planet, climate chaos and nuclear weapons. But we have AI!
What could go wrong?
Exactly! This time, we’ve really upped the stakes—now we get to replay history with climate collapse, nukes, and AI in the mix. It’s like someone took the worst parts of the Gilded Age and gave them a sci-fi sequel. What could go wrong? Well… let’s just hope the algorithm is better at governance than the last guy.
Who didn't look at the one of the person crawling through the window instead of using the steps and not think "ELON MUSK"??
Right?! Some things never change—why take the long road of merit and expertise when you can just buy your way in? Musk would probably call it ‘disrupting democracy’ and slap a subscription fee on the window.
What a brilliant post! A short lesson in history! Well done!
Thanks, Jordan! I appreciate that. Just doing my part to shine a light on the past—because history has a way of becoming very relevant when we least expect it!
"A little history goes a long way to explaining the present." True. The reforms that happened and that we have enjoyed occurred because of the agitation and work of The People. Our present situation is motivated by the Trump tax cuts for Billionaires which is due to end this year. To continue them, the Mumpers have to come up with 4 Trillion dollars. Can't cut DOD so cut everything else . They will still come up short. They will still come up short because of the agitation and work of The People. There are more of us than them. Here in the DMV, there is a rally every day. Keep making your telephone calls to your representatives!
Well said! A little history does go a long way—and if there’s one lesson it teaches, it’s that The People have always been the wrench in the gears of the powerful. They scheme, they cut, they gut—but they still come up short, because agitation and action work. Love to hear there’s a rally every day in the DMV. Keep the pressure on, keep making noise, and keep reminding them: there are more of us than them!
Peter, outstanding historical analysis and comparison. The use of political cartoons helps bring home the fact that America has experienced this rise in populism before and survived. Ultimately, it will be up to the us to stop this political plunder.
ASB, Appreciate that! The political cartoons really do hit home—history’s way of reminding us that we’ve been here before and fought our way through. You’re absolutely right—it’s up to us to stop this latest wave of political plunder. The past offers the warnings, but we have to write the ending!
What a great post. The political cartoons a treasure in and of themselves. Way to go. A keeper for my archive. Also, a treat for our humble subscriptions.
Appreciate that, Fred! The history, the corruption, the fight for reform—it’s all right there in the political cartoons. They cut through the noise then, and they still do now. Glad this one’s earning a spot in the archive!
Great post Peter! I wonder it there's a correlation between the various cycles of corruption in this country and the patterns of economic recessions? The greedy and corrupt swoop in, take their profits and do their damage, then the economy falls to crap. It's almost like clockwork in 8 to 10 year cycles.
Appreciate that, E.R.! And I think you’re onto something—there’s definitely a rhythm to corruption and collapse. The cycles of boom-and-bust aren’t just about bad economic policy; they’re often driven by the very people rigging the system. The Gilded Age’s unchecked greed led to the Panic of 1893, the laissez-faire policies of the ‘20s fueled the Great Depression, and deregulation in the early 2000s gave us the financial crash of 2008. It’s almost like the corrupt always overplay their hand—until the whole thing collapses.
Now the question is: how far do they push it this time?
I think we can work out a Formula: The strength of the Dunning-Kruger effect in any administration + demagoguery + racism x [level of greed x sociopaths] + level of weapon advancement/technology = ...we're screwed for decades.
That's a great question, E.R. History repeats itself, sure, but I'm still hoping, even with this MAGA shitshow, that it could somehow repeat better.
Great post, Peter. Thank you. There are so many similarities between America from 1828 through 1929 to what we are seeing from 1981 to current times. But I do think 2025 is worse. Even Andrew Jackson did not consider destroying the Constitution or forming a dictatorship. Until trump all Presidents have left office upon defeat or end of term.
Thanks, Fay! You’re absolutely right—history gives us plenty of parallels, but 2025 feels like we’re in uncharted territory. Even the most corrupt figures of the past didn’t go this far in openly dismantling democratic norms. Jackson may have bent the rules, but Trump wants to break them entirely. The real test now is whether we’ve learned enough from history to stop it
It was the worst of times, it was the worst of times...
Ah, Stephen, ever the literary soul! Madame Defarge would be furiously knitting by now—though with this lot, she might need a bigger scarf. The guillotine may be out of fashion, but history still has a way of settling accounts. Stay tuned for the next chapter!
It rhymes. It sure as hell does rhyme.
Many thanks for the reminder. I forget.
Thanks Peter. I remembered several of those old Harper's pics.
On a somewhat parallel note (taking a cue from 'persuasivemaps') I just posted a short review of the newest, bluest, whoop-de-doest body of water on Google Maps. You can find it by searching for Gulf of America, reviews, sort by, lowest.
My expanded review would look something like this, if I had a better editor:
Consid'rin' estrellas numerica
No sense in gettin' hysterica
The new lexicanos
Delete Mexicanos
Solo uno will do for America
Thanks, Bern! Love that you recognized some of the old Harper’s images—there’s something about historical visuals that makes the past feel eerily present. And I’ll definitely check out your Gulf of America review—sounds like some sharp satire at work!
I have long admired Peter Pappas sharing of old political cartoons. And yes, musk/trump/vance triumvirate is finishing off the path Reagan introduced for ushering in a new age of political corruption which the maga bumpkins are buying into with ignorant glee. But this time it is even more threatening. In the earlier lead up to the gilded age they had no intention of destroying the Constitution and reverting to a dictatorial perversion. This current triumvirate threatens the very foundations or our representative Republic. The imbecilic 'legislators' of the former Republican party have yet to see that musk/trump/vance have no need of Congress, Neither Hitler nor Napoleon had any Congress, they ruled with a few violent cohorts completely loyal to themselves.
And remember, Napoleon Bonaparte was not born in France.
“Ignorant glee”…Why don’t the Congress reps see that T-V-M are cutting their usefulness?
Soon to be useless
Checks and balances 🪦
Thank you for this excellent summary of history of the 19th century. Note how many years it took to create the merit based civil service. The civil service is established by congressional legislation and therefore cannot be changed by Executive Order as I read and understand our constitution.
Appreciate that, Lyle! You’ve got a solid grasp of the Constitution—certainly better than Trump, who treats it more like a suggestion than the law of the land. The fight for a merit-based civil service took decades, and yet here we are again, watching them try to dismantle it with the stroke of a pen. History really does love a sequel!
Thanks for posting this TC. Yes, history is repeating itself. Those Scoundrels all need to go!
Thanks, Jeanne! History may be on repeat, but so is the pushback—time to send these scoundrels packing (again)!