Michael Wayne
@mwayne2.bsky.social
Writer, filmmaker (new documentary film,”How to Save Democracy,” coming soon), acupuncturist, activist for a just society and world, progressive, advocate for economic democracy
This morning while at gym, the bank of TVs were on Fox, MS NOW & CNN
MS & CNN called Trump's Davos speech a rambling, incoherent mess. Fox portrayed Trump as triumphant, showing Europe who's boss & getting his demands met
No wonder so many people think Trump's the greatest thing since sliced bread
MS & CNN called Trump's Davos speech a rambling, incoherent mess. Fox portrayed Trump as triumphant, showing Europe who's boss & getting his demands met
No wonder so many people think Trump's the greatest thing since sliced bread
January 22, 2026 at 4:07 PM
This morning while at gym, the bank of TVs were on Fox, MS NOW & CNN
MS & CNN called Trump's Davos speech a rambling, incoherent mess. Fox portrayed Trump as triumphant, showing Europe who's boss & getting his demands met
No wonder so many people think Trump's the greatest thing since sliced bread
MS & CNN called Trump's Davos speech a rambling, incoherent mess. Fox portrayed Trump as triumphant, showing Europe who's boss & getting his demands met
No wonder so many people think Trump's the greatest thing since sliced bread
ICE is out of control: they're Gestapo. They're also probably taking anabolic steroids. John Hoberman, who's researched steroid use by police, says steroid use by police is widespread
Asked if there's widespread usage of steroids by ICE agents, he said "This is Trump’s goon squad for Christ’s sake”
Asked if there's widespread usage of steroids by ICE agents, he said "This is Trump’s goon squad for Christ’s sake”
January 21, 2026 at 4:57 PM
ICE is out of control: they're Gestapo. They're also probably taking anabolic steroids. John Hoberman, who's researched steroid use by police, says steroid use by police is widespread
Asked if there's widespread usage of steroids by ICE agents, he said "This is Trump’s goon squad for Christ’s sake”
Asked if there's widespread usage of steroids by ICE agents, he said "This is Trump’s goon squad for Christ’s sake”
Donald Trump is certifiably insane. Saying the U.S. will take Greenland by force because Norway didn't give him Nobel Peace Prize is final straw in proving his insanity.
I created a 30 second short film, "Trump: They're Coming to Take Me Away," to state he needs to be taken away to an insane asylum
I created a 30 second short film, "Trump: They're Coming to Take Me Away," to state he needs to be taken away to an insane asylum
January 20, 2026 at 2:16 PM
Donald Trump is certifiably insane. Saying the U.S. will take Greenland by force because Norway didn't give him Nobel Peace Prize is final straw in proving his insanity.
I created a 30 second short film, "Trump: They're Coming to Take Me Away," to state he needs to be taken away to an insane asylum
I created a 30 second short film, "Trump: They're Coming to Take Me Away," to state he needs to be taken away to an insane asylum
On this MLK Day, let us remember that MLK worked tirelessly both for racial and economic equality, and that for democracy to succeed, both need to be addressed directly.
January 19, 2026 at 5:44 PM
On this MLK Day, let us remember that MLK worked tirelessly both for racial and economic equality, and that for democracy to succeed, both need to be addressed directly.
Why do people obey? Why did the ICE agent kill Renee Good? This is the same question people wondered about w/ Nazi Germany--what Hannah Arendt called “the banality of evil.”
In this essay, “Why Do People Obey?" I examine why people can be driven to cruelty & claim they’re “just following orders.”
In this essay, “Why Do People Obey?" I examine why people can be driven to cruelty & claim they’re “just following orders.”
Why Do People Obey?
What the Stanley Milgram Experiments Reveal About Power, Authoritarianism, the Death of Renee Nicole Good, and the Road to Democratic Revolution
mwayne.substack.com
January 14, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Why do people obey? Why did the ICE agent kill Renee Good? This is the same question people wondered about w/ Nazi Germany--what Hannah Arendt called “the banality of evil.”
In this essay, “Why Do People Obey?" I examine why people can be driven to cruelty & claim they’re “just following orders.”
In this essay, “Why Do People Obey?" I examine why people can be driven to cruelty & claim they’re “just following orders.”
I'm excited to announce that my 2025 feature documentary, "How to Save Democracy," will be officially released by X4 Pictures, on Feb. 24th.
X4 Pictures created a striking poster for the film, which I have posted here.
It goes without saying that it's a film very relevant to our current times.
X4 Pictures created a striking poster for the film, which I have posted here.
It goes without saying that it's a film very relevant to our current times.
January 14, 2026 at 4:04 PM
I'm excited to announce that my 2025 feature documentary, "How to Save Democracy," will be officially released by X4 Pictures, on Feb. 24th.
X4 Pictures created a striking poster for the film, which I have posted here.
It goes without saying that it's a film very relevant to our current times.
X4 Pictures created a striking poster for the film, which I have posted here.
It goes without saying that it's a film very relevant to our current times.
I made this short video, "Renee Nicole Good: For What It’s Worth," to honor her memory. It’s about her death and how we go forward, set to the music of the Buffalo Springfield’s "For What It’s Worth."
January 12, 2026 at 3:09 PM
I made this short video, "Renee Nicole Good: For What It’s Worth," to honor her memory. It’s about her death and how we go forward, set to the music of the Buffalo Springfield’s "For What It’s Worth."
The killing of Renee Good in Minneapolis adds to all atrocities ICE & DHS have perpetrated since Trump took office. To them, Renee Good was just collateral damage.
It's not just Renee Nicole Good who was collateral damage. Right now, we're all collateral damage to Trump.
It's not just Renee Nicole Good who was collateral damage. Right now, we're all collateral damage to Trump.
January 8, 2026 at 3:59 PM
The killing of Renee Good in Minneapolis adds to all atrocities ICE & DHS have perpetrated since Trump took office. To them, Renee Good was just collateral damage.
It's not just Renee Nicole Good who was collateral damage. Right now, we're all collateral damage to Trump.
It's not just Renee Nicole Good who was collateral damage. Right now, we're all collateral damage to Trump.
Gene Sharp was world’s leading expert on nonviolent revolution.
He treated nonviolence as a science; his core insight: political power depends on obedience. Withdraw obedience & even strongest regimes collapse. Sharp identified 198 methods of nonviolent action. In this essay, I name all of them.
He treated nonviolence as a science; his core insight: political power depends on obedience. Withdraw obedience & even strongest regimes collapse. Sharp identified 198 methods of nonviolent action. In this essay, I name all of them.
Gene Sharp's 198 Methods of Nonviolent Action
The Revolution Will Be Televised...Continues
mwayne.substack.com
January 8, 2026 at 3:54 PM
Gene Sharp was world’s leading expert on nonviolent revolution.
He treated nonviolence as a science; his core insight: political power depends on obedience. Withdraw obedience & even strongest regimes collapse. Sharp identified 198 methods of nonviolent action. In this essay, I name all of them.
He treated nonviolence as a science; his core insight: political power depends on obedience. Withdraw obedience & even strongest regimes collapse. Sharp identified 198 methods of nonviolent action. In this essay, I name all of them.
Jan. 6 was based on belief that 2020 election was stolen & U.S. had been stolen away from true believers & patriots
The US invasion of Venezuela & capture & arrest of Maduro is that Venezuela stole U.S. property
So, should Native Americans capture & arrest Trump, since the U.S. stole their land?
The US invasion of Venezuela & capture & arrest of Maduro is that Venezuela stole U.S. property
So, should Native Americans capture & arrest Trump, since the U.S. stole their land?
January 6, 2026 at 5:21 PM
Jan. 6 was based on belief that 2020 election was stolen & U.S. had been stolen away from true believers & patriots
The US invasion of Venezuela & capture & arrest of Maduro is that Venezuela stole U.S. property
So, should Native Americans capture & arrest Trump, since the U.S. stole their land?
The US invasion of Venezuela & capture & arrest of Maduro is that Venezuela stole U.S. property
So, should Native Americans capture & arrest Trump, since the U.S. stole their land?
The new year is five days old, and Trump has invaded Venezuela, and threatened Cuba, Greenland, Iran, Canada, Columbia, and Mexico.
Generalissimo Trump has opened up a Pandora's Box. And just like what Pandora did, once the box was opened, it unleashed evils, sorrows, and plagues upon humanity.
Generalissimo Trump has opened up a Pandora's Box. And just like what Pandora did, once the box was opened, it unleashed evils, sorrows, and plagues upon humanity.
January 5, 2026 at 7:40 PM
The new year is five days old, and Trump has invaded Venezuela, and threatened Cuba, Greenland, Iran, Canada, Columbia, and Mexico.
Generalissimo Trump has opened up a Pandora's Box. And just like what Pandora did, once the box was opened, it unleashed evils, sorrows, and plagues upon humanity.
Generalissimo Trump has opened up a Pandora's Box. And just like what Pandora did, once the box was opened, it unleashed evils, sorrows, and plagues upon humanity.
2025: What a year.
It was like living inside a focus group run by billionaires, MAGA, algorithms & conspiracy-minded people who say “just asking questions.” Yet, we're still here. Still voting. Still protesting. Still believing democracy is worth the hassle.
See you in 2026—bring snacks & a spine
It was like living inside a focus group run by billionaires, MAGA, algorithms & conspiracy-minded people who say “just asking questions.” Yet, we're still here. Still voting. Still protesting. Still believing democracy is worth the hassle.
See you in 2026—bring snacks & a spine
December 31, 2025 at 8:06 PM
2025: What a year.
It was like living inside a focus group run by billionaires, MAGA, algorithms & conspiracy-minded people who say “just asking questions.” Yet, we're still here. Still voting. Still protesting. Still believing democracy is worth the hassle.
See you in 2026—bring snacks & a spine
It was like living inside a focus group run by billionaires, MAGA, algorithms & conspiracy-minded people who say “just asking questions.” Yet, we're still here. Still voting. Still protesting. Still believing democracy is worth the hassle.
See you in 2026—bring snacks & a spine
Here's the correct headline that should have been on the front page of every newspaper about Trump's speech last night:
"Demented, Dystopic, Druggy, Dazed Don Delivered a Doo-Doo Diaper Dud of a Diatribe Last Night."
"Demented, Dystopic, Druggy, Dazed Don Delivered a Doo-Doo Diaper Dud of a Diatribe Last Night."
December 18, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Here's the correct headline that should have been on the front page of every newspaper about Trump's speech last night:
"Demented, Dystopic, Druggy, Dazed Don Delivered a Doo-Doo Diaper Dud of a Diatribe Last Night."
"Demented, Dystopic, Druggy, Dazed Don Delivered a Doo-Doo Diaper Dud of a Diatribe Last Night."
In a world that appears w/ each & every day incredibly chaotic, topsy-turvy & upside down, what better way to bring in the holiday season than to celebrate “Imagine.”
In 1971, John Lennon released his song “Imagine,” which became the best-selling single of his solo career.
In 1971, John Lennon released his song “Imagine,” which became the best-selling single of his solo career.
Imagine All the People
YouTube video by Michael Wayne
www.youtube.com
December 18, 2025 at 4:38 PM
In a world that appears w/ each & every day incredibly chaotic, topsy-turvy & upside down, what better way to bring in the holiday season than to celebrate “Imagine.”
In 1971, John Lennon released his song “Imagine,” which became the best-selling single of his solo career.
In 1971, John Lennon released his song “Imagine,” which became the best-selling single of his solo career.
Gene Sharp was considered the world’s leading expert on nonviolent revolution. In the U.S., where democracy is teetering, he remains almost unknown.
The significance & importance of his work to our current time can't be overstated, as his ideas are as relevant now as they have ever been.
The significance & importance of his work to our current time can't be overstated, as his ideas are as relevant now as they have ever been.
Gene Sharp and the Blueprint for Nonviolent Revolution
The Hidden Architect Behind the Movements That Toppled Dictators — and Why His Work Matters More Than Ever Now
mwayne.substack.com
December 11, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Gene Sharp was considered the world’s leading expert on nonviolent revolution. In the U.S., where democracy is teetering, he remains almost unknown.
The significance & importance of his work to our current time can't be overstated, as his ideas are as relevant now as they have ever been.
The significance & importance of his work to our current time can't be overstated, as his ideas are as relevant now as they have ever been.
Reposted by Michael Wayne
The Supreme Court, Presidency, Senate and two party system are all quite anti-democratic institutions as presently constructed.
Our institutions are not only incapable of preventing tyranny—they’re currently enabling it.
When democracy returns, we need to reform our political system.
Our institutions are not only incapable of preventing tyranny—they’re currently enabling it.
When democracy returns, we need to reform our political system.
December 8, 2025 at 4:39 PM
The Supreme Court, Presidency, Senate and two party system are all quite anti-democratic institutions as presently constructed.
Our institutions are not only incapable of preventing tyranny—they’re currently enabling it.
When democracy returns, we need to reform our political system.
Our institutions are not only incapable of preventing tyranny—they’re currently enabling it.
When democracy returns, we need to reform our political system.
How do we create meaningful change in the U.S.? With democracy at a tipping point, we're at a crossroads.
The recent No Kings rally in October was largest 1-day demonstration ever, but the question now is, Where do we go from here? That's what I discuss: not only that, but a strategy to get there.
The recent No Kings rally in October was largest 1-day demonstration ever, but the question now is, Where do we go from here? That's what I discuss: not only that, but a strategy to get there.
The Anatomy of a Nonviolent Uprising
The Path Forward for Creating Meaningful Change
mwayne.substack.com
December 4, 2025 at 5:38 PM
How do we create meaningful change in the U.S.? With democracy at a tipping point, we're at a crossroads.
The recent No Kings rally in October was largest 1-day demonstration ever, but the question now is, Where do we go from here? That's what I discuss: not only that, but a strategy to get there.
The recent No Kings rally in October was largest 1-day demonstration ever, but the question now is, Where do we go from here? That's what I discuss: not only that, but a strategy to get there.
Reposted by Michael Wayne
The House passed a resolution condemning socialism. Okay.
When are they going to pass a resolution condemning fascism?
When are they going to pass a resolution condemning fascism?
November 25, 2025 at 12:51 AM
The House passed a resolution condemning socialism. Okay.
When are they going to pass a resolution condemning fascism?
When are they going to pass a resolution condemning fascism?
With democracy in the U.S. under fire, we know what we don’t want. But what is it we do want?
Democracy has a rich history. It’s been practiced throughout the world by indigenous cultures.
David Graeber knew this. He showed that democracy is never top down nor is voting its full sole expression.
Democracy has a rich history. It’s been practiced throughout the world by indigenous cultures.
David Graeber knew this. He showed that democracy is never top down nor is voting its full sole expression.
Democracy Beyond the Ballot Box: David Graeber’s True Vision of Democracy
Democracy is Never Top Down, Nor is Voting the Sole Expression of Democracy
mwayne.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 3:23 PM
With democracy in the U.S. under fire, we know what we don’t want. But what is it we do want?
Democracy has a rich history. It’s been practiced throughout the world by indigenous cultures.
David Graeber knew this. He showed that democracy is never top down nor is voting its full sole expression.
Democracy has a rich history. It’s been practiced throughout the world by indigenous cultures.
David Graeber knew this. He showed that democracy is never top down nor is voting its full sole expression.
Bangladesh is latest country to sentence a former head of state: a former prime minister was sentenced to death for her role in a crackdown on last year's uprising that left 1,400 people dead. There is precedent for holding heads of state liable for their crimes. The U.S. should follow suit.
November 18, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Bangladesh is latest country to sentence a former head of state: a former prime minister was sentenced to death for her role in a crackdown on last year's uprising that left 1,400 people dead. There is precedent for holding heads of state liable for their crimes. The U.S. should follow suit.
Reposted by Michael Wayne
Mike Johnson might end up in prison, too.
November 12, 2025 at 11:58 PM
Mike Johnson might end up in prison, too.
What is democracy? It’s not just a system where we vote, choose & delegate power to others. It’s more than that. It’s a culture.
It's also a moral idea: that every human being carries intrinsic dignity, & no one should be governed without their consent.
As this culture dies, so does democracy.
It's also a moral idea: that every human being carries intrinsic dignity, & no one should be governed without their consent.
As this culture dies, so does democracy.
Democracy as a Living Culture, Not Just a System
Everyday Practices of Collective Power
mwayne.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 3:47 PM
What is democracy? It’s not just a system where we vote, choose & delegate power to others. It’s more than that. It’s a culture.
It's also a moral idea: that every human being carries intrinsic dignity, & no one should be governed without their consent.
As this culture dies, so does democracy.
It's also a moral idea: that every human being carries intrinsic dignity, & no one should be governed without their consent.
As this culture dies, so does democracy.
Reposted by Michael Wayne
If you want more outsider anti-oligarch candidates, then start replicating New York City's system of publicly financed campaigns in your city and state.
How Zohran Mamdani Beat Citizens United
The New York City mayoral candidate used an undervalued political strategy to battle against dark money.
www.levernews.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:29 PM
If you want more outsider anti-oligarch candidates, then start replicating New York City's system of publicly financed campaigns in your city and state.