American Insomniac is an insomniac citizen’s memoir-essay meditation on democracy, culture, and consciousness in a United States that feels like it’s slipping out of reach. Why was this an important book for you to write?

The politics in the United States are getting more and more out of sync with reality and the goals of democracy. I felt compelled to not remain silent in the face of watching our democracy and rights being dismembered by right-wing forces and the inability of both political parties to put a stop to this destruction.

Various pundits have called for certain actions to try to counter this rise of authoritarianism. My problem with this approach is that: (a) they still believe imperialist capitalism is not part of the problem;(b) that the elites are going to save America, when in fact they are a huge part of the problem across the political spectrum; (c) they will not shed the elitist privileged position they live in, and as such their “solutions” are always to regain some idealistic status quo that never really existed. They often call for a “mass movement” that is made up of “universities, law, business, nonprofits, and the scientific community, and civil servants,” which is bogus at face value. Lawyers and academics are never going to lead a revolution. And neither will they. They conveniently leave working people out of their movement, which is the vast majority of American citizens.

Did writing this book make you more hopeful or more worried about the future of American democracy, and why?

As I said in the book, we have ended up with a divided nation where civil discourse is nearly impossible to attain, where violence is considered a plausible option for personal expression, and where over forty percent of eligible voters do not engage in national elections. These are the problems that are on many people’s minds. Political parties have become increasingly inept and ossified in their effectiveness, presenting candidates so ideologically narrow within each party’s stated positions that the only difference seems to be the amount of money party leadership is willing to throw their way.

As such, I am as worried as ever, but the only solution is for the American people to become engaged citizens and to take back the power of “We the People.”

What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?

The main ones are these: If you are just the average citizen, it seems as if the Democrats want to “give it all away” and that the Republicans want to “take it all away.” The Dems have put a whole new meaning to the quip, “putting the fun back in dysfunctional.” They, apparently, couldn’t sell McDonald’s Happy Meals to hungry kids for a nickel a box if they gave them a coupon worth ten cents. The New GOP’s members, seemingly, hate almost everyone who’s not a white Christian nationalist, almost as much as they hate each other. It appears that their disdain for common decency and the rule of law is only surpassed by their hypocrisy on genuine Christian values.

Trump’s presidency is the logical outcome of decades of neoliberal political and economic policies and governance by both parties. While it appears that there is a difference between the Democratic Party of Clinton, Obama, and Biden compared with the Republicans and Reagan, and the Bushes, it is one of degree, not kind. Trump, on the other hand, is a unique kettle of fish. Like most bullies, it seems Trump’s personal insecurities stain everything in his presidency.

Democracy and freedom cannot be defined by those who actually hate such ideas. The redefining of liberty and democracy to be what we have today in the U.S. is part of the problem. That is one reason it is so important for people to become involved in the struggle today. Then they can shape what democracy is and what freedom entails.

For readers who feel politically exhausted, what forms of action or thinking still feel genuinely possible to you?

Engaging at the local level in some aspect of the various social movements and organizations that are fighting back against this destruction of democracy and the solidification of a government totally beholden to the oligarchy. “The U.S. has tipped the scales and is rapidly marching into fascism.” The militarization of local police forces and the use of ICE, DHS, and other federal law enforcement agencies to round up immigrants and anyone who gets in their way is the most overt sign that this statement is true.

Here are some of the key features of fascism:

• Absolute loyalty to the leader is paramount, often seen as a heroic figure.
• Mass media is controlled to spread the regime’s narrative and suppress the truth.
• Unifying the nation by identifying internal and external enemies (immigrants, minorities, intellectuals, etc.) as threats.
• Forcible suppression of political opponents, labor unions, and critical artists/intellectuals.
• Close ties between government officials and favored corporations, often leading to corruption.
• Emphasis on repressive law and order, using police with vast power to enforce control.

So, does the shoe fit? Are we already there? Under the second rendition of Trump’s presidency, it appears that we have arrived. ICE and its fellow federal agents have become a lawless mob rather than any form of law enforcement. They regularly break the law in carrying out their agenda, creating situations of chaos, violence, and violation of basic rights that are guaranteed by the Constitution.

Congress has abdicated its power to a president who thinks he is not bound by any laws, rather the limits on his power are “My own morality, my own mind.” Where is Congress on all this? Their silence in the face of this reality is shameful. We must pressure our congressional representatives to get a backbone and stop this now. If they won’t, then we must vote them out and replace them with people who will. Engagement of citizens in the recovery of our democracy, in a nonviolent social movement, and organizations is the only alternative.

Trump is just the logical outcome of seventy years of neoliberalism. We have to quit focusing on him and change the system that gave him and his minions power to do what they are doing. It’s up to all of us. There will be no hero on a white horse with a white hat. We need a great refusal of everyone to say, “Enough is enough – no more!” Short of this, we are just going to slide further into the abyss.

Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon