Tag Archives: donald-trump

#530: End of Trump Regime. Not If but When?

10 Sunday Aug 2025

Posted by in Causes of the Revolution, Lessons of Revolution, SCOTUS, Trump 47, Uncategorized

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Welcome to a discussion about the 5th Revolution in the US, which I’ve titled the “Revenge Revolution.” For more about the Revenge Revolution and the author, click “About the Author” tab.  Periodically I write a “sense check” about the status of the Revolution. The previous “sense check” was ENTRY #519. Yes, we are currently embroiled in the “Revenge Revolution.”

BEGIN ENTRY #530: Trump has proved the observation from Lord Acton, a British historian and moralist, “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”  

Thanks to SCOTUS’ decision, led by brain-dead Chief Justice Roberts, the president is immune from essentially any action taken while in office. SCOTUS has allowed Trump free reign in his effort to become a dictator.  

And you might ask, where is the 3rd branch of government, which according to the US Constitution is responsible for many actions being taken by Trump – minor issues like funding of the government, tariffs, international trade, declarations of war before invading foreign countries? The leadership of the House and Senate are bowing to the wannabe King of Orange and abdicating their sworn oath to uphold the Constitution, let alone their responsibility to protect the democracy.  Apparently Republicans all caught bird flu and turned into spineless chickens.

Alas, in all this insanity, there is hope.  History has shown that virtually all dictatorships end with the death of the dictator and/or a revolution by the people. So why should the end of the Trump regime be any different? It probably won’t.

So now the question becomes not how the Trump regime will end but when?

My initial prediction was the wannabe King of Orange would be assisinated within six months of the  inauguration. We’re not too far past the six months so that initial prediction might still be reasonably accurate, especially given all the people and groups that the regime has dumped on, including many who voted for him.

However, there’s a bigger issue in my view.  The issue is how does the US repair the damage caused by Trump’s destructive, revenge-driven mandates. Pick almost any action by Trump, look at the damage done by his mandates and then think about how much, time, effort and money will be required to repair the damage done.

Ruining something is always easier than rebuilding it or repairing it. Imagine that for just 30 minutes someone took a sledgehammer to the walls, fixture and furniture in your house. How long and how much money do you think it would require restoring your house? That analogy is a reasonable reference when considering the damage done to agencies of the Federal government – EPA, Education, HHS, FEMA, State Dep’t, and many more.

Power-hungry people, and Trump in particular, have an insatiable appetite for more power. No matter how much people bow down and try to appease the wannabe King of Orange, it will not be enough. History is very good at repeating itself because we the people fail to learn from the past. Dictators stop only when dead or overthrown.  END ENTRY #530

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#528. SCOTUS – Squirt Toothpaste. We’ll Put Back in Tube Later.

13 Sunday Jul 2025

Posted by in Causes of the Revolution, SCOTUS, Trump 47, Uncategorized

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Welcome to a discussion about the 5th Revolution in the US, which I’ve titled the “Revenge Revolution.” For more about the Revenge Revolution and the author, click “About the Author” tab.  Periodically I write a “sense check” about the status of the Revolution. The previous “sense check” was ENTRY #519. Yes, we are currently embroiled in the “Revenge Revolution.”

BEGIN #528. At the end of June 2025, the term of the SCOTUS officially ended. But from the perspective of conservative justices, the end of the term should not get in the way of helping Donnie. Even though out of session, the conservatives circumvent the system and use the shadow docket for key decisions. (Shadow docket so named because there are no briefings, no oral arguments, and no real records of how justices voted. So much for transparency.)

While the tRump administration has likely set a record seeking “emergency rulings” from SCOTUS, the case at hand centered on whether the tRump administration had the right to terminate without cause untold numbers of people at federal agencies. While the US Constitution spells out that Congress shall establish the budget, the scope of the agencies, etc., and that the Executive Branch shall execute what Congress approved, one might stretch the argument and claim that the Executive Branch has a right to ignore Congress’ budget and modify agencies as it sees fit.

A number of previous administrations have taken this stand, although the scope was far more limited, and all previous efforts were overruled by the courts. But, unfortunately for the country,  when did this SCOTUS let precedent get in the way? Roberts et al might as well have said, “We understand Donnie needs help and we’re here to help him.” 

“Let’s overturn an injunction issued by the appellate court prohibiting the administration from terminating people without cause. Rather than waiting until the fall term and hearing arguments by both sides and then deciding the case, as Donnie‘s Dunces, we’re afraid to offend the Orange Man. We must let our beloved dictator go forward, even though all lower courts had decided against letting the tRump administration fire these people.”

Continuing, Roberts stated, “As far as all those people who are fired without cause, not our problem. If those who are terminated don’t like it, they can go to court and attempt to seek redress. We, the highest court in the land must let those cases wind their way through the courts, and in 2-3 years, maybe we’ll just take up a case or two and see if the tRump administration‘s actions were unconstitutional. If they were unconstitutional, then Congress can begin to put the agencies back together. Not our job.” 

In the real world, what is the effect of the allegedly procedural decision by SCOTUS?  The decision is like squirting toothpaste, and then trying to put the toothpaste back in the tube.  It doesn’t work. As far as redress and undoing the damage, by the time the case gets to the Supreme Court, the damage will so extensive that repairs will take years and likely decades.

In addition, tRump will be at the end of the term, so Donnie‘s Dunces who also ruled tRump immune from virtually every action, might look at the case and declare it moot, therefore never having to rule.

What about the people who got fired? According to Donnie’s Dunces, “Oh, that’s not our real job to worry about such mundane items. They’re just, you know, ‘those people.’ We, SCOTUS, consider only the law and not how people are affected.”

“We always consider the law, well, except for a case useful to overturn precedent. Even if the plaintiffs don’t have standing, we will take the case. You know like the Dobbs and taking away abortion rights.”

Think about what this means for the country. Even if you are a MAGA Republican, is this the kind of behavior you want from SCOTUS? If you’re smiling and chuckling about how tRump has been able to manipulate SCOTUS, what tRump has done is establish the framework for a lawless society. You can keep chuckling and thinking it’s funny until the shoe is on the other foot and then you might wake up.

In the meantime, there are a lot of people who might follow a suggestion from a Broadway play, “Annie Get Your Gun.” END #528.

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524. Trump Administration Needs Intelligence, Even AI

27 Sunday Apr 2025

Posted by in Back Asswards Thinking, Stupid Is as Stupid Does, Trump 47, Uncategorized

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Welcome to a discussion about the 5th Revolution in the US, which I’ve titled the “Revenge Revolution.” For more about the Revenge Revolution and the author, click “About the Author” tab.  Periodically I write a “sense check” about the status of the Revolution. The previous “sense check” was ENTRY #519. Yes, we are currently embroiled in the “Revenge Revolution.”

BEGIN ENTRY #524: The last paragraph of Entry #523 stated, “…if the “organization in charge” – company, political party, group, etc. – views the world with a binary, zero-sum mentality, then all decisions are based on someone, or some group always having to win and someone having to lose.  Such an attitude inevitably leads to a revolution.”

With each passing week, the US public and people worldwide are realizing the Trump administration views all decisions through a zero-sum-game lens. Through this lens, there can be no shared wealth; no tide can lift all boats.  For each “winner,” there must be a “loser(s).”

What is also clear with the Trump administration is the lack of intelligence among cabinet members and deputies. The cabinet and staff are true representatives of the “gang that couldn’t shoot straight.“

From major blunders developing and implementing policy to typos in court filings (try using spellcheck) to terminating key people who transport nuclear weapons to deporting a two-year-old US citizen without any hearing.  Apparently, the Trump administration heard this 2-year-old was a real terror and thought that meant terrorist.

Maybe the easiest example for grasping the incompetence of the administration is how the tariffs were determined.  The tariff percentages for certain countries were grossly miscalculated. Tariffs were also levied on an island inhabited only by penguins. Those pesky penguins are really aggressive when it comes to trade.

Many of these “stupid-is-as-stupid-does“ mistakes could have been avoided simply by using such AI programs as ChatGPT or Copilot.

As a test of the value of AI, I asked Copilot the following question, “If you were thinking of implementing tariffs on goods imported from various countries around the world, what questions and analysis would you conduct, please?” The response took all of 3-4 seconds. The list of questions to consider and the suggested analytical steps are, based on my experience, an excellent start. (Link to response from Copilot.)

The AI response also asked if there were a particular industry or a particular country in mind for the tariffs. If so, responses to additional queries could be provided in more detail.

Apparently, Peter Navarro, Trump’s trade advisor, and convicted felon, never bothered to query AI for guidance and apparently did not complete much, if any, of the basic analysis suggested by AI before publishing the tariffs by country. When you think you’re so smart, what value is AI?

How has the American public been reacting to these seat-of-the-pants calculated tariffs? A range of opinion polls over the last few weeks indicates that the public is becoming more upset with the administration.  In every major poll asking about tariffs, the “unfavorable” rating exceeded the “favorable” rating, sometimes by more than 10 points.  Over time the gap between unfavorable and favorable re tariffs has continued to grow.  (The “unfavorable” gap on many other Trump administration actions is far greater than for tariffs.)

Since Trump, Musk and the DOGE dunces have terminated so many government employees with deep subject-matter knowledge – real analysis for many policy decisions is not intuitive – you’d think the Trump administration geniuses would be at least smart enough to start using AI for some basic guidance.

Well, no such luck. Apparently the Trump group is either too arrogant and/or too stupid to even consider using artificial intelligence for some guidance. More entries about AI coming. END ENTRY #524

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#522: Dumb and Dumber: Sledgehammer Efficiency and Tariffs

04 Friday Apr 2025

Posted by in Back Asswards Thinking, Economics, Societal Issues, Stupid Is as Stupid Does, Trump 47, Uncategorized

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Welcome to a discussion about the 5th Revolution in the US, which I’ve titled the “Revenge Revolution.” For more about the Revenge Revolution and the author, click “About the Author” tab.  Periodically I write a “sense check” about the status of the Revolution. The previous “sense check” was ENTRY #519. Yes, we are currently embroiled in the “Revenge Revolution.”

BEGIN ENTRY #522: Scene: you’ve decided that parts of your house need updating. The HVAC system seems a bit inefficient and probably should be updated. The roof might need a few repairs to prevent future leaks.

You are not sure what else might need to be improved. So, to help you call in someone who claims to be an expert in revamping systems that are supposedly outdated or could use some preventive maintenance. You and the self-proclaimed expert agree on a start date, and the expert arrives at the scheduled time.

The expert is accompanied by a team of people you have never met. Most are young and don’t look to have the credentials of someone in the skilled trades needed for the proposed scope of work.  You watch inquisitively as the work team unloads from the truck a set of tools of destruction – sledgehammers, chainsaw-like devices, crowbars, etc. – but no tools that you expected to be used for repairing and preventive maintenance. 

The expert tells the team to “Have at it,“ and you watch in horror as the team immediately begins destroying structural components of your house. As the expert gets ready to leave, you ask, “What’s going on here?“

Expert replies, “We’re going to make your house better.“ You reply, “But where are the plans? How do I know what you’re going to do? It looks as if you’re trying to tear the house down, not make improvements.“

“Don’t be concerned,” the alleged expert says, “we’ll rebuild everything later. But first we must tear up and tear out everything we don’t like. Step aside while the team makes your house more efficient with our sledgehammers and chainsaws.”

And so goes the approach Trump and the Muskovites are taking to “increase the efficiency” of your Federal government. The mantra of the Trump/Muskovites group has been, “Don’t plan, just break, then blame someone else and walk away.”

For those unfamiliar with Trump’s career, he has taken this same approach to virtually every major real estate project. The Trump Tower on 5th Avenue, for example, replaced one of the most beautiful buildings in midtown Manhattan. Do you think he tried to save any of the building and incorporate into Trump Tower? Of course not. Trump’s approach — demolish the building and then send the beautiful stonework to the dump. Fortunately, some of the stonework was saved thanks to a scrap dealer, but with no support from Trump.

As far as efficiency, virtually everyone agrees that most organizations, public and private, have some areas where efficiency could be improved. However, anyone with an ounce of brains knows that breaking or destroying something is relatively easy — give me a sledgehammer and chainsaw.  What takes longer and some serious thought is how to make an organization more efficient while maintaining its integrity, and keeping it running relatively smoothy during the transition. 

What Trump and Musk are doing to the Federal government might seem exciting to some MAGAts. But their approach to increasing efficiency is back asswards. Breaking something takes no brains. Further, breaking often has serious consequences that are hard to reverse. When a Federal agency is eviscerated, the result can increase the risk to national security.

“Oops, you mean, we just fired all the key people who guard the US’ nuclear weapons? And oops, you mean, we also deleted all their contact information? And, oops, since they all had top-secret clearances, the contact information isn’t in other databases?” (Yes, it is true.) How did Trump and Musk respond to such an egregious and inexcusable error? Ho hum. “DOD and the public, you need to get over it.  Everyone makes a minor mistake now and then.”

Whether or not you’re a Trump supporter, Trump and Musk have demonstrated they are incapable of managing the most basic tasks in government. Yes, managing an operation in the Federal government is far more complicated than operating a small family-owned real estate business or being a TV personality.

Managing an operation in the Federal in government is not like being some tech guru who thinks software solves all problems. 

If you still are happy with what Trump and Musk are doing, wait until your life is seriously disrupted by a non-functioning Federal agency that was effectively destroyed by the Trump regime. In the meantime, you’ll soon be reminded each day of the consequences of another “dumb-and-dumber” strategy – stiff virtually across-the-board tariffs for our best trading partners. Other than a select few examples, tariffs do not work, generate inflation and can lead to a severe recession and even Depression.

More on tariffs soon. In the meantime, take a look at the consequences of the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930. END ENTRY #522

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#521: When Does the Shooting Start?

23 Sunday Mar 2025

Posted by in Trump 47, Uncategorized

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Welcome to a discussion about the 5th Revolution in the US, which I’ve titled the “Revenge Revolution.” For more about the Revenge Revolution and the author, click “About the Author” tab.  Periodically I write a “sense check” about the status of the Revolution. The previous “sense check” was ENTRY #519. Yes, we are currently embroiled in the “Revenge Revolution.”

BEGIN ENTRY #521: As of mid-March 2025, there seems to be little doubt the US is in Revolution V, aka the Revenge Revolution. Trump and his minions, or maybe better described as Musk leading the MAGAt minions, are making every effort to dismantle the US constitution and implement an autocracy.

As the US courts continue to rule against the Trump regime, he is very likely to follow his well-worn tactics and ramp up claims that anyone not following his orders is a traitor, and with the implication that any traitor should be executed. His brainwashed followers will take heed, and begin attacking and even assassinating people who do not pledge loyalty to Trump.

Such behavior is not unusual in a revolution. One only needs to look at behavior during the US Civil War to appreciate how illogical thinking overtakes those committed to a cause and drives their behavior.

Want some evidence? Try the lynching of blacks in the southern states during and after the Civil War.  Or more recently, try actions by the Nazis in World War II against Jews and many other groups.

One of the first entries of this blog, written in December 2013, described how a dinner party was interrupted by zealots supporting some sort of dictator. The revolutionaries broke into someone’s home during dinner and so began US Revolution V. While that scene might have seemed a bit far-fetched at the time of the blog entry, it seems far more plausible today.

The invaders could be “official government forces,” such as ICE. Consider that the Trump regime claims that it has every right to invade a home without a want because Trump has authority to circumvent the US Constitution and the need for a warrant as designated by the “War Powers Act of 1798.”  The legislation has been used only during WWI and WWII. 

Are we at war with any country, even an undeclared war? No, but that doesn’t seem to matter to the Trump regime.

When answering questions from a reporter about whether he signed a declaration implementing the War Powers Act, Trump first said yes, then later said no with the explanation that Marco Rubio, as Secretary of State, or somebody had signed the declaration.  Later the White House claimed that Trump was referring to signing the actual 1798 document associated with the legislation rather than any current declaration. Somehow Trump thinks he’s participating in the “Rocky and Bullwinkle” cartoon series where he can travel back-and-forth in Mr. Peabody’s time machine.

The real challenge society faces is not how senile Trump has become, or the impact of his constant lies. The challenge is to what extent will we the people resist the antics of the clown show currently going on in the White House.

Like Bill Baird, the famous puppeteer, Musk seems to be the puppeteer pulling strings to make Trump and his minions dance to Musk’s script. Much of the published script for the clown show is Project 2025.

What backers of Project 2025, including Musk, seem to have forgotten is that actions taken without a lot of thought often have significant unintended consequences. What Project 2025 has done with the slash-and-burn approach to employment and functions of Federal agencies has managed to alienate large segments of the population.  Many of these segments voted for Trump.

Oops, the “Let them eat cake” Project 2025 crowd and the MAGAt minions apparently forgot some of the segments harmed by slash-and-burn tactics are also well armed, and include military veterans well trained with those arms.

Project 2025 supporters would do well to remember, “Heaven has no rage like love to hatred turned, Nor hell a fury like a woman scorned.”  Project 2025 guys – many former lovers of Trump feel scorned.

Exactly when the shooting begins, I don’t know.  What I do know is Trump’s approval ratings are already upside down and sinking fast.  As the chaos generated by the Trump regime results in more people feeling hopeless and with nothing left to lose, attacking MAGAts and the Trump regime carries little risk.  The unintended consequence might be the shooting is initiated not by the Trump supporters, but with those former lovers scorned by Trump. END ENTRY #521

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#520 — Trump Voters, Some Questions to Consider

08 Saturday Mar 2025

Posted by in Sense Check, Uncategorized

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Welcome to a discussion about the 5th Revolution in the US, which I’ve titled the “Revenge Revolution.” For more about the Revenge Revolution and the author, click “About the Author” tab. 

Periodically I write a “sense check” about the status of the Revolution. The previous “sense check” was ENTRY #519. Yes, we are currently embroiled in the “Revenge Revolution.”

BEGIN ENTRY #520: One is taught that when attempting to build a relationship, one should not insult the other party. Such advice has proved valuable over many years.

Part of a good relationship, also should include the willingness to accept from the other party hard questions that are fair, and not too personal. In return, one should answer such questions. 

So, here’s my fair question: For those who voted for Trump in 2024, “Do you believe the Trump  administration is approaching governing in a positive way for the US?”

Admittedly that is a rather broad question.  Maybe having a few more specific questions might help you to reach a conclusion.  Examples of more specific questions include:

  1. Do you believe Trump‘s actions as president strengthen or weaken the US democracy?
  2. Do you believe the Trump administration’s approach to assessing the performance of and budgets at various Federal agencies has been objective?
  3. Do you believe actions taken by the administration toward personnel employment have been legal?
  4. Do you believe actions taken by the administration have been for the benefit of the general public or have actions benefited a small group of generally wealthy individual individuals close to Trump?
  5. Do you believe actions taken by the administration have been based on facts and objective analysis or actions have been arbitrary with little, if any, fact-based analysis? 
  6. Do you believe that as president Trump should be immune from prosecution no matter how egregious or illegal the action?
  7. Do you believe the United States is more respected or less respected worldwide following actions by Trump administration?
  8. Do you believe that such programs as Social Security and Medicare are “entitlements” and therefore, should be cut or eliminated even though the programs are funded by withholding separate from income taxes?
  9. Do you regularly use multiple sources for gathering information or do you primarily rely on a single source?

You get the idea. Let’s go back to the original question worded separated into easier to answer questions:

  • “If you voted for Trump in 2024, do you have any voter’s remorse?”
  • “If you voted for Trump in 2024, would you vote for him again knowing what you know now?”
  • If the same actions as taken by Trump were taken by a Democratic president, say Kamala Harris, would your attitude be the same?

Give this some serious thought if you haven’t already.

Other Topics. Interested in more info about climate change, what’s required to electrify a fleet of cars/trucks, and an array of other topics, visit another page of this website, https://usrevolution5.com/jrd-thought-comments/

518. President Carter, “Dying Well Is the Best Revenge.”

05 Sunday Jan 2025

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Welcome to a discussion about the 5th Revolution in the US, which I’ve titled the “Revenge Revolution.” For more about the Revenge Revolution and the author, click “About the Author” tab. 

Periodically I write a “sense check” about the status of the Revolution, one of which seems to occur about every 50 years in the US. The previous “sense check” was ENTRY #500. Much has happened since Entry #500 to reinforce my belief we are currently embroiled in the “Revenge Revolution.”

BEGIN ENTRY #518: Listening to Donald Trump whine that flags will be flying at half-staff on federal buildings during the inauguration, made me think, “I wonder if former president Carter had constructed a subtle, but effective final revenge against Trump?” Especially during the past year or so, Trump in an apparent effort to deflect his ranking by historians as at or near the bottom as of presidents, claimed Carter was the worst president.

Recently, and for reasons that are not obvious, Trump stated he wants the US to retake control of the Panama Canal, one of Carter’s signature accomplishments. Next, maybe Trump will claim Habitat for Humanity is threat to national securioty and the 4,000+ houses that Carter helped build should be demolished.  

Jimmy Carter was remarkable in how long he survived with a host of serious ailments.  He also seemed to have some control over the timing of his death. I remember a friend of Carter’s, when discussing his tenacity, stated that Carter probably would try and set a record for the longest time in hospice care.

Earlier this year, Carter stated he wanted to stay alive long enough to vote for Kamala Harris. After Harris lost, his next goal could have been, “How do I aggravate Trump from my deathbed?“

No doubt, Carter believed that upon his death, Biden would follow the tradition of having flags flown at half-staff on federal buildings for 30 days following a president’s death. Counting back from the 01/20/2025 inauguration, Carter figured he needed to live until at least 12/21/2024. By dying a few days later, flags would be at half-staff during the inauguration, and some of the early days of the Trump administration.

In order to return flags to flying at full staff, Trump would have to issue an executive order. While Trump has repeatedly demonstrated no shame, such an insult to a former president would immediately stain his reputation further domestically and abroad, since all US embassies follow the half-staff guidelines.

Whether Carter considered this the dying option before his death we will likely never know. Nonetheless, dying within the 30-day window of the inauguration seems consistent with Carter’s personality.  Intentional or not, the public recognition of Carter’s accomplishments, including those after his term in office, has clearly aggravated Trump. For Carter, maybe dying well was his best revenge. END ENTRY #518

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511: Whoa, How to Fix the Clown Show. (Repairing Democracy #6)

01 Monday Jul 2024

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Welcome to a discussion about the upcoming 5th Revolution in the US, which I’ve titled the “Revenge Revolution.” For more about the Revenge Revolution and the author, click “About the Author” tab.  Periodically I write a “sense check” to assess whether a revolution in the US is possible or whether the entire exercise is based on a statistical aberration — i.e., a roughly 50-year cycle between major upheavals in the US. The previous “sense check” was ENTRY #500.

BEGIN ENTRY #511: The last five (5) entries outlined ideas for starting to rebuild the US democracy.  Unfortunately, most ideas worth considering are longer term and will have no effect on the 2024 election. 

Over the past couple of weeks, I have struggled to find other practical ideas. What keeps tainting my thinking can only be described as the appallingly lack of understanding by much of the American public about basic laws and/or blatant disrespect for those laws, including those who should know better.

One frustrating aspect of this behavior is an unwavering unwillingness to learn. The attitude can be summarized by those who proclaim, “I don’t need no stinking laws. I’ll do what I want!”

No, son, that’s not how democracy works. Laws are the foundation of a democracy.

When people state we need to get rid of government, I ask several simple questions. “Do you think you own your car or your house?“ The response is usually “Damn right I do. And I paid for them, unlike some liberal slackers.“

My follow up question, “And who do you think allows you to own your car and house?“ A typical response, “I’ve got the title. The house and truck are mine. What more proof do you want, buddy?”

“And who grants the title?” I ask. The question is usually followed by the deer-in-the-headlights look.  After a few more questions, the person grudgingly acknowledges that the government guarantees the right of ownership.

What makes lack of knowledge of civics dangerous is someone like Trump. For all his long list of faults, one must say he excels at spouting BS that appeals to a shockingly high percentage of the voting public.

If Trump has been a student of anything, the subject matter has been self-promotion and cheating. What’s the issue with self-promotion? Entertainers do it all the time. So do politicians. Real estate people are the worst!

The initial mistake with Trump was his election in 2016. While he will never admit it publicly, dollars to donuts Trump entered the 2016 presidential race never expecting to win. He entered the race to promote the Trump brand.  By building name recognition and being perceived as a national figure, rather than a clown on a reality tv show, he could charge more for his hotels, golf courses and memberships at Mar-a-Lago.

Yet he won in 2016.  And he won for two reasons: (i) the quirky way presidents are elected in this country – the Electoral College, rather than the popular vote, which he lost; (ii) a gift immediately before the election from then FBI Director, James Comey. 

Comey violated DOJ policy by publicly implicating Hillary Clinton with no evidence of any crime.  The implication convinced enough non-affiliated voters that Trump was credible, even after Trump’s incredibly gross remarks in the “Access Hollywood” tape that had been made public a few weeks previously.

Anyone who conducted the most rudimentary research would have discovered Trump’s long history of deceit, corruption and childish behavior.  Unfortunately, basic curiosity and history are not subjects for his supporters.

Fast-forward to 2024.  Trump is now a convicted felon – 34 counts of fraud, conviction for slander and assault with a $500 million judgment. And, oh yes, the admitted adulterer continues to the darling of the religious right.  Don’t bother me with the content of the Ten Commandments, Trump is exempt…but not you liberals!  I guess the Fundamentalists love the sinner and overlook all his real faults.

What’s worse is Trump has his MAGAts so brainwashed they are willing to discard the US Constitution and other fundamental laws.  Trump and the MAGAts are already claiming that if Trump is not elected, MAGAts will claim fraud and again storm the Capitol.  Given the MAGAts on SCOTUS, and their recent rulings restricting DOJ and effectively giving Trump near immunity from prosecution, the insurrectionists will face few consequences.

The solution? When I originally drafted this entry a few days ago, I thought a good step would be to force every candidate for public office, certainly at the national level, to take a test about US laws as a requirement before the filing was certified. The test would be the same as that required for US citizenship.

The requirement for passing a test about the US Constitution would at least expose candidates to the rules of law. I realize the idea is not great. But I was so frustrated, I wasn’t sure what else to recommend.

The need for credible candidates was reinforced in spades during the first presidential debate, which I admit, I did not watch.  It was going to be a “sh*t show” no matter what.  And it turned out worse. 

Biden was awful and no matter how much the Biden family and staff try to claim the performance was an aberration, the public’s not going to buy it and every single MAGAt will discuss the performance until the election. 

The performance was not a surprise. In an entry made last fall, I suggested, and I was not alone, that Joe Biden step down before the primaries. I even wrote a letter to the former president Obama, through the Obama Library, suggesting General Mark Millie replace Biden as the candidate.

We’re still a bit early for a replacement but the announcement needs to come soon.  Having someone like General Milley would allow rational Republics, rational Democrats and Independents, already more rational, to get behind a candidate who can unite the country.  Without a Millie-like candidate we’ll have Biden stumbling and claiming he’s up for the job and, Trump continuing to spout lies and the usual unsubstantiated crap and being unable to demonstrate any cognitive skills.

The country can do better than the two clowns.  Without a new candidate, it doesn’t matter which side as long as the person is more in the middle, the chances of an armed rebellion just shot up again. END ENTRY #511

Other Topics. Interested in more info about climate change, what’s required to electrify a fleet of cars/trucks, and an array of other topics, visit another page of this website, https://usrevolution5.com/jrd-thought-comments/

#506: The Road to Repairing Democracy, Part I

21 Sunday Apr 2024

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Welcome to a discussion about the upcoming 5th Revolution in the US, which I’ve titled the “Revenge Revolution.” For more about the Revenge Revolution and the author, click “About the Author” tab.  Periodically I write a “sense check” to assess whether a revolution in the US is possible or whether the entire exercise is based on a statistical aberration — i.e., a roughly 50-year cycle between major upheavals in the US. The previous “sense check” was ENTRY #500.

BEGIN #506: Over  the past month or so, I have been ambivalent about writing entries for the blog. What else is there to say?  US Revolution V, aka the Revenge Revolution, seems to be playing out in front of us.

The most obvious story is the Manhattan DA’s criminal charges against Trump. What would normally be a straightforward procedure in the criminal justice system has been turned into a 3-ring circus.

The circus was not created by the prosecutors or the judge, all of whom have behaved professionally and as one would expect.  The 3-ring circus was created by the defendant – the 2-year-old disguised as a 77-year-old with orange hair.

While Trump‘s behavior is no surprise – he’s acted like a petulant 2-year-old since he was well, 2-years old. The surprise continues to be why his followers willingly support every act of his aimed at destroying the foundations of our democracy.

What motivates people to support someone who wants to take away an individual’s rights, someone who wants to be accountable to no one, and someone who wants to be in office for life?  The rationale is beyond me, even with a gift of gold tennis shoes and autographed bible, I cannot imagine why anyone would support such a politician. Show me one other country anywhere in the world where the populous buys in to such BS.

 The quote attributed to Lincoln is spot on, “You can fool some of the people all the time, and fool all the people some of the time,  but you can’t fool all the people all the time.“

Unfortunately, the biggest issue facing the US is not Trump but what will it take and how long will it take to repair the damage done by followers of Orangeman.  Think about this for a perspective on time to make change – some states are still fighting the Civil War 150+ years after it ended. And the effort to revert to the Civil War era seems to be increasing.

Arizona, for example, wants to reinstate an abortion ban that became effective in 1864 when Arizona was a territory.  The ban was implemented almost 50 years before it became a state. The Board of Regents of the North Carolina University system wants to eliminate all personnel positions and any program associated with making the student population more diverse, admission more equitable, and programs more inclusionary. Read that effort as the Regents want only white faculty and students at the premier universities, except, of course, black students who can play football and basketball. Other blacks should attend state HCBU’s. Numerous other examples of states taking away rights are available.

This coming week should be telling about how steep the challenge and the time required to begin repairing the country.  Key issues include the Trump trial in Manhattan, another civil procedure beginning against Trump,  SCOTUS hearing oral arguments about Trump‘s immunity from prosecution. Why SCOTUS is even entertaining such a discussion is beyond what I would consider reasonable.

Another high-profile issue will be likely efforts by right-wing Republicans to oust Speaker of the House Johnson. Why?  Because Johnson had the temerity to work with Democrats to pass legislation to protect US security and even worse, pass legislation to provide arms to Ukraine.

What’s wrong with helping Ukraine fight Russia, which is trying to occupy Ukraine? Simply that Trump is still upset with Zelenskyy who wouldn’t bend to Trump’s wishes as part of Trump’s payback to Putin for helping with the 2016 election.  No matter how illogical Trump’s behavior and no matter how the behavior endangers national security, if Trump doesn’t like it, Republicans don’t like it.

No new news that the US Congress has clearly become dysfunctional. Thanks in part to Trump, but only in part. Republicans have been willing enablers.  Broken organizations take a long time to repair, especially when the executives of the organization – the Executive and Legislative branches — are elected.

Enough depressing news for this entry. There is hope that we can begin to repair our dysfunctional democracy. But likely more chaos first. Let’s see what happens this week. END #506

Other Topics. Interested in more info about climate change, what’s required to electrify a fleet of cars/trucks, and an array of other topics, visit another page of this website, https://usrevolution5.com/jrd-thought-comments/