I couldn’t agree more with your pragmatism in that false optimism and thinking that there is an easy answer to the complex social economic political problem isn’t going to do anything other than possibly detract from the real answer for positive change.

My thoughts is that Zelenskyy and even Trump showed that they were politically viable because they were more relatable than their political competition at the time. So understanding who the majority of Americans find relatable but with a twist in that they actually have a soul, a strong enough constitution to resist oligarch influence and will run for office will be the proverbial million dollar question.

I think Jon Stewart would only run if his wife and family made him and/or things got really bad. But it might be too late if that were to happen. He knows what that road is likely going to be and doesn’t want to subject his family and himself to a life that they can never go back to. I don’t blame him of this was the case. But at this rate, unless he moves his family overseas, it might be worth it to him to go for it.

It’s inconsequential that’s he’s a comedian. He’s a popular dude who believed in righting a wrong. I recall that there is a certain leader of a certain country who was a comedian.

I get that he’s repeatedly stated he will not run for public office but most people often change their minds if the circumstances are just right.

So the question is, what would it take for him to change his mind?

The world is a much different place right now than it was just a few months ago.

Edited - Added some clarifying points.

LOAD “*” ,8,1

I couldn’t have said this better. This is the best insightful response so far IMO.

OP I sincerely wish you well in whatever choice and/or path in life you take.

Chappelle’s Show - Black Bush (ft. Jamie Foxx)

Euro beats intensifies

Technology, such as social media and the platforms that easily provides instant access to them to large masses of people absolutely enables disconnect that is agnostic to liberalism, conservatism, etc. It had been in my observation that we are more disconnected to one another because “technology” has enabled individuals who are not of the “status quo” to find each other and empowers them for either good or for bad. We have all seen countless encounters with friends, families and strangers who rather duck into their smart phones than engage in a conversation.

To say liberalism causes fascism by way of individualism is like saying when you eat McDonald’s you’re going to get fat. You’re not totally wrong but there’s a little more to it than that.

Masha Gessen has great insights on fascism and has stated in the past that fascism is fueled by disenfranchised individuals looking for easy/simplistic answers. This why I believe Trump is so widely popular and accepted.

https://www.newyorker.com/news/our-columnists/donald-trumps-fascist-performance

Masha has lived under fascism (USSR) so I tend to feel they have a strong qualified opinion on the subject. Those who truly understands society and what underpins it knows that it is very nuanced and generalizations simply aren’t enough to frame it let alone “fascism”.