-The 13th amendment only passed after a provision was added that allows for carceral slavery. This is why Jim Crow laws included severe penalties for little things like loitering, and why most convicts for those "offenses" were black. So they could be incarcerated and used as slave labor.

-During the constitutional convention, there were multiple proposals to remove slavery from the new US society. These proposals were hotly debated and not only was slavery maintained, it was ratified in the constitution through the 3/5ths compromise.

-Thomas Jefferson's original Declaration of Independence listed slavery among the abuses incurred against the colonies by England/George III. This was removed from the list to appease slavers.

A society built on empire, greed, and gain was always already authoritarian. Was always already controlled from the top down. There has never been "We the People" in the US--because "the people" have never had a voice.

But the protests' focus on Trump and figure-head authoritarianism misses the mark and misses the bigger picture.

Only the capitalists, only the neo-aristocrats, only the "representatives" have ever had a say. The No King's protests were a good rallying point--another chance for education and consciousness-raising.

A society built on empire, greed, and gain was always already authoritarian. Was always already controlled from the top down. There has never been "We the People" in the US--because "the people" have never had a voice.

This is the man who has been wreaking havoc on our government systems for months. Cost taxpayers more than he "saved." The epitome of corruption.