Exactly what does absolute power look like? Do totalitarian leaders have absolute power? Or, do We The People have the ultimate absolute power? While I can’t answer these questions with any degree of confidence or certainty, I think I’ve figured out the quickest path to gaining unchecked power.

What I have picked up over my years of observing and studying powerful leaders (good and bad) is that unchecked power depends on who controls the narrative. Simply put, if one controls the definition of what is right or wrong and has the political power to punish, then unchecked power is activated. So, the power to define and the power to punish are a lethal combination in the hands of a Dictator.  Allow me to share some example:

• Who defines what is a terrorist and what is a freedom fighter?
• Who defines what a patriot looks like versus traitor?
• Who defines what illegal immigration looks like and who should be invited in to stay and who should be deported?
• Who defines what free speech looks and sounds like?

Now, once the event, person, place or thing has been defined by those in power as illegal, unethical or immoral, a so-called appropriate punishment is levied. That so-called appropriate punishment could range from public shame/embarrassment to death. As alert citizens, we must remain vigilant and aware of the mind games played by those in power–regardless of partisan affiliation. As alert citizens, we must remain vigilant and aware of the mind games played by those in power–regardless of partisan affiliation.

In addition to politicians and their messaging strategy, there is one group making obscene profits while hiding in plain sight. More specifically, that group is the “media”. By “media” I mean local TV stations, cable, radio, newspapers, et al. The media is reaping the benefits of societal divisions and rancor. For example, during the 2024 campaign cycle “total political advertising spending was projected to exceed $12 billion, making it one of the most expensive election cycles ever.”

So We The People have no objective third party to protect us from sleazy politicians telling and selling lies. The fact is that the  “media” is compromised.  Remember, people don’t spend money just to spend it. Rather, money is used to sway low-informed potential voters and to keep their cult like followers in line. While the media’s celebrity talking heads perform like they are politically neutral, the reality is that the more division they can generate, the greater the financial windfall for their media companies. Knowing that we’re on our own, we must never trust and always validate.