In 2014, comedian, musician, podcaster and Nashvillian Chris Crofton asked the Scene for an advice column, so we gave him one. Crowning himself the “Advice King,” Crofton shares his hard-won wisdom with whoever seeks it. Follow Crofton on Twitter and Instagram (@thecroftonshow), and check out his The Advice King Anthology and Cold Brew Got Me Like podcast. To submit a question for the Advice King, email bestofbread@gmail.com.
Dear Advice King,
I know hope is laughable after this Big Ugly Bill has destroyed our last chance of saving democracy in this country. What would you say to those still seeking hope and an end to all of this? What do we say to those who still think the midterms will change everything?
—Matthew W. in Scottsdale, Ariz.
These are the same questions I have, Matthew. These are the right questions. Do not let the corporate media’s endless roundtable discussions distract you from the fact that America has been overthrown. We are no longer on a slippery slope — we have hit bottom. The government is gutted. A U.S. senator was dragged out of a press conference and cuffed. Two judges have been arrested. The Mayor of Newark was arrested. New York City Comptroller Brad Lander was arrested. The president of the United States has suggested he’d be open to arresting New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani. In local news, the mayor of Nashville has expressed very legitimate concerns over being arrested.
Discussions are supposed to stop when your fellow citizens are being kidnapped. READ THAT AGAIN. When your fellow citizens are getting kidnapped, you take action. Again, don’t let them mislead you by talking about policies. “Policies” don’t exist under a dictator — because dictators simply ignore them. Especially when the U.S. Supreme Court gave the dictator immunity from prosecution. Can I say that? Because the roundtables on MSNBC aren’t saying it enough.
The Trump-backed federal budget package will slash TennCare, SNAP funding
Can I even say what I want to say here? I don’t just mean in the Nashville Scene — although that worries me. The people who work here are my friends. They are good people. (Can you believe I have to say this?)
I mean, can I say what I want to say in America?
Can I talk about ICE? Can I talk about Gaza? Am I allowed to say that I suspect an “administration” that is paying masked men to abduct people is not planning on having midterm elections? Am I allowed to say that these ICE raids are intended to be barbaric, in hopes of provoking people into fighting back against these anonymous goons, so that they can declare martial law and suspend elections? Am I allowed to say that even if there are midterm elections, that in light of the fact that Elon Musk had a team of hackers go through every government computer, they might not be real?
Are there things — true things — that I am not allowed to say? And if we can’t speak freely, how the fuck are we going to participate in policy-making?
“Democrats” — whatever they are now, since all their agencies have been defunded and dismantled — are seriously trying to get people excited for these midterms. With some exceptions, of course. But not many. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is making speeches. Bernie Sanders is making speeches. The New York Times is talking about “Abundance.” In the face of a $175 billion ICE budget — and that's billion with a B — they have the nerve to even say the word "abundance." The coup (that "Big Beautiful Bill" was a coup, FYI) just destroyed Medicaid and raised taxes on the poorest to pay for tax cuts for the richest. Read that again. And the wealthiest Democrats, with the largest megaphones, are trying to get me interested in ... abundance?!
The passage of the "Big Beautiful Bill" signals the end of democracy. Not hyperbole. Now what are we going to do?
Well, we’re going to need to start calling things what they are, for starters. The more you let people know that the government has been ransacked, the more people will get their heads on straight. Hope hinges on whether or not we are willing to loudly, fastidiously and courageously tell the truth, no matter the consequences. The current situation is not going to “work itself out.”
I love you. Stay strong. Speak the truth.
