An expert in authoritarianism named the “mafia state” tactics she says are helping Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) hide his health from the public.
Sarah Kendzior, author of several books on authoritarianism and an expert in Uzbek politics, argued in a new Substack essay that McConnell has largely avoided public scrutiny of his failing health because of the “entrenchment of Trump’s mafia state.” She said Americans have largely become unable to distinguish between fact and fiction, partly because of the hollowed-out media ecosystem and a president who lies constantly.
“Americans are less adept at discerning the mortality of our leaders because they do not fully realize they are living in a mafia state and that basic protocol — like letting the public know where an ailing senator has been for two months — will not be followed,” Kendzior wrote. “Americans lack the great skill of the Uzbeks: mish-mish, which replaced facts so long ago, it became honed into a form of discernment.
“When you constantly expect lies but refuse to accept lies (a critical distinction), you become better at finding the truth,” she added. “Surviving an autocracy means not only believing that the unfathomable is possible, but that it’s probably happening, so you better start planning for what comes next.”
“It is very unpleasant to live in a state run on mish-mish, but at least Uzbeks know it’s mish-mish, instead of calling it, like, ‘The Washington Post’ or something,” she added.
McConnell was hospitalized for several weeks after falling and contracting pneumonia, according to reports. Even though he was allegedly discharged in August, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, a Democrat, has claimed he has heard nothing from McConnell about his health.
Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) has also claimed that he hasn’t heard from McConnell.
“The reason the Mitch McConnell saga is so disturbing isn’t because McConnell may be dead, but because the Senate is,” Kendzior wrote.
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