Riot Club Guide: Leading The People
Gator Thunderstorm ~ 10/18/2024
Leadership is hard, and because it is so difficult for our elected officials to get their heads out of their asses, I thought it would be a good idea to write a how-to guide on leading the people. It’s not as easy as doing the right thing even when it’s unpopular. No! It’s about getting a hold of power and never letting go. Best case scenario, the only way they get you out of office is how Saddam Hussein was kicked out.
1. Nepotism
Favoring relatives or friends by giving them jobs or advantages.
Example: A president appoints his sibling to a key government position, overlooking more qualified candidates, resulting in inefficiency and allegations of favoritism.
2. Power Struggles
Competing for control or dominance within an organization or group.
Example: Rival factions within a ruling party vie for control, leading to internal conflicts that paralyze legislative progress and weaken the party’s public standing.
3. Pandering to Groups
Appealing to specific groups to gain their support, often at the expense of broader principles.
Example: A candidate promises extensive handout to a urban areas in exchange for votes, neglecting the middle class and causing a divide in policy focus.
4. Manipulating Media Sources
Controlling or influencing the media to shape public perception.
Example: A government leader uses state media to promote favorable stories while censoring dissenting opinions, creating a biased public narrative.
5. Smearing Political Enemies
Spreading false or exaggerated information to tarnish an opponent’s reputation.
Example: During an election campaign, a leader circulates baseless allegations about an opponent’s financial misconduct to damage their reputation and credibility.
6. Repeating Lies with Credible Backing
Repeating falsehoods often enough that they begin to seem true, supported by seemingly credible sources.
Example: A government repeatedly insists that their economic policies are successful, despite clear evidence to the contrary, using biased reports to back their claims.
7. Hiding Scandalous Information
Concealing information that could damage one’s public image.
Example: A political leader suppresses a scandal involving systemic abuse of women by her husband and ensure the story doesn’t get published.
8. Avoiding Tough Questions
Steering clear of interviews or questions that could reveal weaknesses or controversial views.
Example: A prime minister avoids press conferences and only grants interviews to media outlets known for favorable coverage, dodging tough questions about their policies.
9. Name-Calling
Using derogatory terms to discredit opponents and reduce their credibility.
Example: During a parliamentary debate, a leader resorts to calling opposition members “racist” and “sexist,” diverting attention from policy issues.
10. Dividing Citizens
Creating divisions among the populace to weaken opposition and consolidate power.
Example: A ruling party exploits ethnic tensions to galvanize their base, portraying certain groups as more deserving for no reason.
11. Defending Guilty Criminals
Protecting individuals who are guilty of crimes to maintain their loyalty or to avoid implicating oneself.
Example: A government official intervenes to halt an investigation into a person propped up by the media, fearing that further inquiry could reveal the truth.
12. Prosecuting Innocent Political Enemies
Using legal mechanisms to harass or eliminate opposition by falsely accusing them of crimes.
Example: A regime fabricates charges against a vocal critic, using the judicial system to imprison them and silence dissent.
13. Controlling the Election Process
Manipulating the rules and procedures of elections to ensure a desired outcome.
Example: An incumbent party changes voting laws, removes ID requirements, and controls the ballot counting process to ensure their victory in the upcoming election.
