Brilliant essay. Simply brilliant. It reminds me of the maxim that Republicans dislike government in precisely the same way that criminals dislike policemen. As I understand it, we instituted our government with the purpose, among other ends, of removing us from a Hobbesian state of nature- homo homini lupus. We did not want to live in a society a where the strong were free to prey on the weak. But that's precisely where the perverse designers of Project 2025 and Trump's own greed would have us. And we're only six months into the transition!
Voting for a felon was never a good idea. He's turned the US into a criminal enterprise. Can the US survive 3 1/2 more years ruled by a guy who doesn't give a shit about anyone but himself?
Yes, we can survive the remainder of his term. It’s time to borrow a little (actual, real) conservative philosophy and focus on our immediate situation - family, friends, neighbors, and our inner selves. Then, Trump and Republicans must be defeated at the ballot box - 2026, 2028, and beyond.
Cease doing business with those who fund these clowns. If possible, avoid debt. If you’re comfortable with the idea, exercise your rights and arm yourself. Join any peaceful protest imaginable. Stay peaceful and respectful as much as possible.
The next president will be gifted with all the powers Trump has accumulated for himself. We are six months into a soft civil war, and when this is finished, we will need to have reconstruction. Be loud when that time comes, and hopefully we do not make the same mistakes we made after 1865. Trust that these characters will be held to account by the law.
I admire your optimism. Do you think Project 25 and trump, its vessel, made all these societal and governmental changes to have them changed by electing Dems?
I also have no faith that any of these domestic terrorists will ever see legal accountability.
Project 2025 envisions societal change as if passing a bill or issuing an order makes it happen. At some point it will require them to use guns if they wish to actually make things happen, and I do not think they have the manpower or willpower to make it happen. This is the exact reason for the Second Amendment, and we are a well-armed citizenry.
Plus, authoritarians always make mistakes because they’re blinded by hatred and greed. History is filled with these stories, and almost none have ended well for dictators and despots. They simply cannot connect the dots to their future, which almost always ends hung upside down in a town square (Mussolini) for people to beat upon, shooting themselves in a bunker (Hitler), or being tried and executed on the spot while screaming about law and justice (Ceausescu).
Holding the military and the levers of power mean nothing versus the will of the People. You would think Trump would understand this but… nope. The only reason he is alive is because the assassin in Pennsylvania chose the wrong weapon for the job.
I still admire your optimism. I subscribe the the theory that it will take two generations to restore what trump, Project2025, and DOGE have broken. If we even get to do that.
We're already in a cold civil war. I wouldn't be surprised if things escalated.
Sadly, everything Paul says is a fact of life today. America is suffering from an epidemic of cynicism. Too many of us just shrug off the corruption as just another annoyance. We assert that there is nothing we can do to stop it besides dodging the obvious potholes in life.
At age 78, I have never once voted FOR president - just for the lesser of two lousy candidates. I suspect that this is a common worldview in America. Biden was the better of two lousy candidates thanks to DNC's corrupt manipulations. Then we learned that Biden was not really running the country due to senility - his staff was running things. They did a pretty good job, but I think a lot of people voted Trump due to feeling betrayed (conned?), or did not vote at all.
Will America's "greed is good" culture enable Trump to ascend to the throne of Fuhrer - deporting any who dare to oppose him? It seems to be working for Erdogan in Turkey, who has been busy arresting all of his political opponents - three this week alone. I suspect that the answer is yes. MAGA voters still do not get that they have been conned, and Red state legislatures are busy redistricting and passing laws that disenfranchise voters most likely to vote Blue in 2026.
And finally, while all the petty cons - the watches, meme coins, golden tennis shoes - are pure Trump, the intricacy of a power grab is mentally beyond him. So, who’s conning the conman? Heya, Russell—how’s tricks?
I've thought a lot about this. If everything this regime is doing is so great, why lie about it? The answer is: Power. The perverse delight (unlight?) of one's power to make people squirm and finally expire.
It’s not just Trump. Republicans, the party that the mainstream media seems to think is for ordinary Americans, sees regular people as marks who exist to enrich and empower them and they have for decades. Trump is just more blatant about it.
Agreed. Trump could do nothing without the spineless Republican senators and congressional representatives--and I mean every last Republican. They have blood on their hands already, and they will have more before they have finally been kicked to the curb in the coming elections.
Brilliant essay. Simply brilliant. It reminds me of the maxim that Republicans dislike government in precisely the same way that criminals dislike policemen. As I understand it, we instituted our government with the purpose, among other ends, of removing us from a Hobbesian state of nature- homo homini lupus. We did not want to live in a society a where the strong were free to prey on the weak. But that's precisely where the perverse designers of Project 2025 and Trump's own greed would have us. And we're only six months into the transition!
Voting for a felon was never a good idea. He's turned the US into a criminal enterprise. Can the US survive 3 1/2 more years ruled by a guy who doesn't give a shit about anyone but himself?
Yes, we can survive the remainder of his term. It’s time to borrow a little (actual, real) conservative philosophy and focus on our immediate situation - family, friends, neighbors, and our inner selves. Then, Trump and Republicans must be defeated at the ballot box - 2026, 2028, and beyond.
Cease doing business with those who fund these clowns. If possible, avoid debt. If you’re comfortable with the idea, exercise your rights and arm yourself. Join any peaceful protest imaginable. Stay peaceful and respectful as much as possible.
The next president will be gifted with all the powers Trump has accumulated for himself. We are six months into a soft civil war, and when this is finished, we will need to have reconstruction. Be loud when that time comes, and hopefully we do not make the same mistakes we made after 1865. Trust that these characters will be held to account by the law.
I admire your optimism. Do you think Project 25 and trump, its vessel, made all these societal and governmental changes to have them changed by electing Dems?
I also have no faith that any of these domestic terrorists will ever see legal accountability.
Project 2025 envisions societal change as if passing a bill or issuing an order makes it happen. At some point it will require them to use guns if they wish to actually make things happen, and I do not think they have the manpower or willpower to make it happen. This is the exact reason for the Second Amendment, and we are a well-armed citizenry.
Plus, authoritarians always make mistakes because they’re blinded by hatred and greed. History is filled with these stories, and almost none have ended well for dictators and despots. They simply cannot connect the dots to their future, which almost always ends hung upside down in a town square (Mussolini) for people to beat upon, shooting themselves in a bunker (Hitler), or being tried and executed on the spot while screaming about law and justice (Ceausescu).
Holding the military and the levers of power mean nothing versus the will of the People. You would think Trump would understand this but… nope. The only reason he is alive is because the assassin in Pennsylvania chose the wrong weapon for the job.
I still admire your optimism. I subscribe the the theory that it will take two generations to restore what trump, Project2025, and DOGE have broken. If we even get to do that.
We're already in a cold civil war. I wouldn't be surprised if things escalated.
Thank you, Donald Killer. We need hope that we translate into action.
Excellent article; thank you.
Sadly, everything Paul says is a fact of life today. America is suffering from an epidemic of cynicism. Too many of us just shrug off the corruption as just another annoyance. We assert that there is nothing we can do to stop it besides dodging the obvious potholes in life.
At age 78, I have never once voted FOR president - just for the lesser of two lousy candidates. I suspect that this is a common worldview in America. Biden was the better of two lousy candidates thanks to DNC's corrupt manipulations. Then we learned that Biden was not really running the country due to senility - his staff was running things. They did a pretty good job, but I think a lot of people voted Trump due to feeling betrayed (conned?), or did not vote at all.
Will America's "greed is good" culture enable Trump to ascend to the throne of Fuhrer - deporting any who dare to oppose him? It seems to be working for Erdogan in Turkey, who has been busy arresting all of his political opponents - three this week alone. I suspect that the answer is yes. MAGA voters still do not get that they have been conned, and Red state legislatures are busy redistricting and passing laws that disenfranchise voters most likely to vote Blue in 2026.
And finally, while all the petty cons - the watches, meme coins, golden tennis shoes - are pure Trump, the intricacy of a power grab is mentally beyond him. So, who’s conning the conman? Heya, Russell—how’s tricks?
Stephen Miller, Russel Vought, and Peter Thiel.
The unwholesome threesome
djt may go down as THE worst president in history; but, he will be remembered as the greatest conman, grifter in the history of the world todate.
I've thought a lot about this. If everything this regime is doing is so great, why lie about it? The answer is: Power. The perverse delight (unlight?) of one's power to make people squirm and finally expire.
He lies because it’s easier than research … or thinking at all. Also, his second nature.
First nature? 😉
As always, Donald is ahead of the game.
Silly me, but wasn’t abuse of power once actionable?
Idi Amin … but without the nifty uniform … and a sense of humor.
It’s not just Trump. Republicans, the party that the mainstream media seems to think is for ordinary Americans, sees regular people as marks who exist to enrich and empower them and they have for decades. Trump is just more blatant about it.
Agreed. Trump could do nothing without the spineless Republican senators and congressional representatives--and I mean every last Republican. They have blood on their hands already, and they will have more before they have finally been kicked to the curb in the coming elections.