WE will learn from it. Key is to be cognizant of who WE is. WE (each as individuals speaking out) cannot control others. But WE (both as individuals and as small and large groups) can influence others. Inspire those around you with your vision for democratic decision making and continuation of the republic (per Franklin) and the institutions of the rule of law. 🦉🌻✊🎶❤️
What makes you think Trump doesn't have control of the government? Didn't enough key American people give him the White House with a majority in the House and Senate, along with Supreme Court favoritism? I know it isn't a super majority, but it doesn't have to be.
Many of the Republicans in the House and Senate are concerned about democracy and also the national debt. A lot of what he wants to do will substantially increase the debt, and fly in the face of the Constitution. I think since he can't run again, more will feel they can stand up to him. We shall see. He really can't do much without Congress on board and even if they can't/won't stand up to him, they'll fight so much amongst themselves that they'll just spin for four years. Which is less than ideal, but better than the alternative. :)
I hope you are correct here, but I see the US completely heading off the rails. There's nothing from keeping trump in line, nothing to keep he and the majority of Republicans from tearing up the constitution, declaring him an absolute power and then setting his minions up in government to tear it apart, sell it for parts and create a Russian style Oligarchy in the US. The US people won't rise up quickly enough to stop this because the US people don't understand enough about how their government works and how quickly this could take place. They don't understand the way markers that have already been damaged by the first trump term. I hope I'm wrong, but democracy is falling out of fashion everywhere, thanks to social media, wealth inequity and paid-for traditional media outlets around the world spewing right-wing propaganda. You've had it too good for too long, people don't understand what is at stake.
We have to remember that it takes 2/3 of both Houses of Congress, plus 3/4 of all States to amend the Constitution. A President cannot just tear it up or change it using Executive power. I do believe you'd be surprised at the resilience of the American people, and the leaders of our military. I'm not saying don't pay attention and don't get involved. I am saying don't be scared. When we operate from a place of fear, we lose sight of our power, and we lose sight of how we can help each other.
I fear that the Republican Party will not stand up to him. They still seem to be afraid of him. I know his selections for the Cabinet and other positions are terrible, but also calculated. At the moment, he appears to have the consent of the governed. I saw gas prices jump $.20 in one day driving by a local station, which doesn’t bode well for inflation, but it may not get bad enough before inauguration for his voters to see what they have done. I think Elon Musk must be as power hungry as Trump. I would not be surprised to see Trump declare martial law. I have no idea what to expect if he does.
Gas is a commodity that is traded. Politicians have little to do with the fluctuation in gas and oil prices. What they do control is how much they are taxed. Many people are unsure what a commodity and commodity trading is exactly. https://commodity.com/commodities-explained/
He cannot govern without the consent of the governed. He's trying to gin up that consent by what we've seen and heard and read him do for the last decade: baldly prevaricate.
Who exactly are the "consenting governed" in a representative democracy? It isn't you and me unless you are an elective official. What is this "bait" you speak of?
I have zero confidence that Americans today would stand up against authoritarianism. In my world, I know few Republican or Democratic voters who have even a basic understanding of differing systems of government. In the months before the election in November, I asked people if they knew what fascism is; most didn't. One Trump supporter, who has a BA degree, told me the only thing she knew about fascism is that's what Meathead called Archie Bunker on the TV series. That might be funny in different circumstances.
I'm not sure Trump's form of authoritarianism will be so overt or take place in one dramatic event. His constant chaos (already begun) will wear us down and numb us to the removal of liberties and the plundering of the country.
Yes, like overt right-wing media has been doing over the last 40 years, creating chaos and numbness. That, in addition to a Democratic Party joining the Republicans in neoliberalism and neoconservativeism decades ago, and the mainstream media being bridled by their corporate heads, restricting what they are allowed to report. It doesn't look like there is any way out of this.
Well Heather thanks for the inspirational story of the people and legislators in South Korea. It will be some time before we have the whole story...if ever of why the coup actually failed. Perhaps the military just didn't have the stomach to shot down their fellow citizens...I wonder if the citizenry in our country will have the opportunity to join the South Koreans in defense of our constitutional democracy? With all the mercenary, for profit military groups that now exist for hire, Trump might not need to call out the National Guard or Army. Just a wee thought before dinner.
As Joelle wrote, there are parallels. South Korea is much smaller than the US and probably easier to react quickly, plus the more Democratic Party had a majority. If America were to follow the example of South Korea, it would far exceed January 6th. In addition, there was a reporter on site that got the truth out fast. Do we have reporters in our media who would publish the unvarnished truth or would it be sane-washed? I think the 2026 elections are our best hope, but how much damage can Trump and his billionaire buddies do in 2 years? I hate roller coasters and get sick and throw up. We are in for a roller coaster ride.
MAGAots look forward to being concentration camp guards. They have the skills to hold guns on unarmed civilians, while raping, beating, and looting anyone unfortunate enough to fall into their clutches.
I'm seeing parallels here too crazy to ignore. If we don't learn from this, we are DOOMED. And, we can only blame ourselves.
WE will learn from it. Key is to be cognizant of who WE is. WE (each as individuals speaking out) cannot control others. But WE (both as individuals and as small and large groups) can influence others. Inspire those around you with your vision for democratic decision making and continuation of the republic (per Franklin) and the institutions of the rule of law. 🦉🌻✊🎶❤️
I actually think this is hopeful for us. It's a bit of FAFO.
Totally agree! 🦉
Trump will be unable to govern without the consent of the governed. See Proverbs 16:18 also.
What makes you think Trump doesn't have control of the government? Didn't enough key American people give him the White House with a majority in the House and Senate, along with Supreme Court favoritism? I know it isn't a super majority, but it doesn't have to be.
Many of the Republicans in the House and Senate are concerned about democracy and also the national debt. A lot of what he wants to do will substantially increase the debt, and fly in the face of the Constitution. I think since he can't run again, more will feel they can stand up to him. We shall see. He really can't do much without Congress on board and even if they can't/won't stand up to him, they'll fight so much amongst themselves that they'll just spin for four years. Which is less than ideal, but better than the alternative. :)
I hope you are correct here, but I see the US completely heading off the rails. There's nothing from keeping trump in line, nothing to keep he and the majority of Republicans from tearing up the constitution, declaring him an absolute power and then setting his minions up in government to tear it apart, sell it for parts and create a Russian style Oligarchy in the US. The US people won't rise up quickly enough to stop this because the US people don't understand enough about how their government works and how quickly this could take place. They don't understand the way markers that have already been damaged by the first trump term. I hope I'm wrong, but democracy is falling out of fashion everywhere, thanks to social media, wealth inequity and paid-for traditional media outlets around the world spewing right-wing propaganda. You've had it too good for too long, people don't understand what is at stake.
We have to remember that it takes 2/3 of both Houses of Congress, plus 3/4 of all States to amend the Constitution. A President cannot just tear it up or change it using Executive power. I do believe you'd be surprised at the resilience of the American people, and the leaders of our military. I'm not saying don't pay attention and don't get involved. I am saying don't be scared. When we operate from a place of fear, we lose sight of our power, and we lose sight of how we can help each other.
Let's hope the norms hold. I have my doubts but more than happy to be proven wrong, hope I'm proven wrong more like.
I fear that the Republican Party will not stand up to him. They still seem to be afraid of him. I know his selections for the Cabinet and other positions are terrible, but also calculated. At the moment, he appears to have the consent of the governed. I saw gas prices jump $.20 in one day driving by a local station, which doesn’t bode well for inflation, but it may not get bad enough before inauguration for his voters to see what they have done. I think Elon Musk must be as power hungry as Trump. I would not be surprised to see Trump declare martial law. I have no idea what to expect if he does.
Gas prices fluctuate for a lot of reasons. Let's give this a little time. Don't be scared.
Gas is a commodity that is traded. Politicians have little to do with the fluctuation in gas and oil prices. What they do control is how much they are taxed. Many people are unsure what a commodity and commodity trading is exactly. https://commodity.com/commodities-explained/
Who says he can't run again? Or that he ever needs to "run" until he's good and ready to step down?
He cannot govern without the consent of the governed. He's trying to gin up that consent by what we've seen and heard and read him do for the last decade: baldly prevaricate.
The salient question is not whether he has or will have control of the federal government. Therefore, I will not take your bait.
His majority in the House is historically razor thin. As in, possibly only one seat.
Again, he will not be able to govern without the consent of the governed. 🦉✌🏻
Who exactly are the "consenting governed" in a representative democracy? It isn't you and me unless you are an elective official. What is this "bait" you speak of?
He CHEATED (see gregpalast.com).
I have zero confidence that Americans today would stand up against authoritarianism. In my world, I know few Republican or Democratic voters who have even a basic understanding of differing systems of government. In the months before the election in November, I asked people if they knew what fascism is; most didn't. One Trump supporter, who has a BA degree, told me the only thing she knew about fascism is that's what Meathead called Archie Bunker on the TV series. That might be funny in different circumstances.
I'm not sure Trump's form of authoritarianism will be so overt or take place in one dramatic event. His constant chaos (already begun) will wear us down and numb us to the removal of liberties and the plundering of the country.
Yes, like overt right-wing media has been doing over the last 40 years, creating chaos and numbness. That, in addition to a Democratic Party joining the Republicans in neoliberalism and neoconservativeism decades ago, and the mainstream media being bridled by their corporate heads, restricting what they are allowed to report. It doesn't look like there is any way out of this.
Well Heather thanks for the inspirational story of the people and legislators in South Korea. It will be some time before we have the whole story...if ever of why the coup actually failed. Perhaps the military just didn't have the stomach to shot down their fellow citizens...I wonder if the citizenry in our country will have the opportunity to join the South Koreans in defense of our constitutional democracy? With all the mercenary, for profit military groups that now exist for hire, Trump might not need to call out the National Guard or Army. Just a wee thought before dinner.
I wish that thought weren’t so valid. 😩
i applaud the people of South Korea. The ? i have is what would have happened had Yoon not backed down and the military backed him
As Joelle wrote, there are parallels. South Korea is much smaller than the US and probably easier to react quickly, plus the more Democratic Party had a majority. If America were to follow the example of South Korea, it would far exceed January 6th. In addition, there was a reporter on site that got the truth out fast. Do we have reporters in our media who would publish the unvarnished truth or would it be sane-washed? I think the 2026 elections are our best hope, but how much damage can Trump and his billionaire buddies do in 2 years? I hate roller coasters and get sick and throw up. We are in for a roller coaster ride.
I look for it every morning! It starts my day!
Nice read/listen
MAGAots look forward to being concentration camp guards. They have the skills to hold guns on unarmed civilians, while raping, beating, and looting anyone unfortunate enough to fall into their clutches.