As Elon Musk continues to insert his opinions on international politics, European leaders are showing their naïveté when it comes to the threat Musk poses.
Closer to home, the MAGA-controlled North Carolina State Supreme Court is blocking the appointment of Allison Riggs to the same Court. She beat her MAGA opponent by 732 votes, but I assume word came down from the MAGA Bosses to find more votes. If you think we live in a democracy, then you also believe in the Gulf of America.
You bring up the Crux of the problem. Why, oh why, can't most Americans see that MAGA is doing exactly what they accuse Democrats of doing, weaponizing the DOJ, interfering in elections, hurting poor and middle class Americans with higher prices and shortages due to impending tariffs and deportations, destroying our democratic institutions, and making us look like belligerent fools on the international stage.
I can't believe this is happening. Am I living in Alice's Wonderland, ruled by mad hatters and cruel Queens, Kings in this case.
I am not a believer in blaming Fox and other media and so forth for the problems we face. I believe they are part of the problem, but I think other forces are at work. Education, drug problem, financial challenges, mounting debts. It creates a problem that can be exploited by demagogues. What do we have today — over a million deaths from drugs? Maybe a lot more than that? That is wreckage, terrible wreckage to families.
I know I am being redundant, but our only hope for success as a nation is to become a social democracy; all working together to make life as good as possible for all while continuing to reward excellence and hard work. Let me sum it up this way, doctors should make more than the average American, their education should be at public expense, and all should be entitled to competent medical care at all stages of life. This same maxim should apply to all aspects of the economy. Managers should make more than the people they manage in government and private enterprise. Managers must respect and value employees, listening to and evaluating their suggestions. The differential in pay must not be such that Americans live in different worlds. No one should control enough wealth to buy legislators. All people over 18 should be allowed to vote. Even the incarcerated. People are often incarcerated for breaking laws that that are unreasonable and accomplish nothing good. Some are not guilty.
I don't know if such structural changes are possible given the realities of human nature, the outcome of eons of the struggle to survive. If our intellect cannot overcome our instinct to form hierarchies and convince those in power it is not in their interests to use violence to maintain their supremacy, we are doomed. And so be it. Live for today and enjoy life to the fullest.
This doesn't help, I know, but I keep saying it. Maybe somebody smarter than me will figure out what to do about it. The MAGGOTS can't "see" all this because they are STUPID. And you cant fix stupid. So we're fucked.
And we're not supposed to hate stupid, not supposed to look down on stupid. I'm hoping that smarter person will show me how not to feel these things cause I dont like feeling this way - it makes me feel like I'm becoming just like the MAGGOTS
trump has already admitted publicly that bringing the price of eggs (and other goods) down is probably not gonna happen - "too hard to pull off" etc. And now there's a battle over bringing people in from overseas to work here, many with brown skin. So I guess they ARE coming in to "take your jobs".... pretty soon those who voted for trump will begin to see the picture. Some already have, because in November, the companies many worked for sat employees down to explain how a tariff REALLY works. They said they were in the process of buying as many goods their business needs NOW, while prices were still lower, and this meant there would be no Christmas bonuses, or 2025 pay raises, This was shocking news. Apparently, some who heard this only a few days after the election contacted their Election Authorities to ask if they could change their votes. The point is, there are LOTS of opportunities now for people to see how their candidate promised certain things but is now going back on them. This means they may leave the gop. This could be really hard for some who spent a lot of time & money for somebody they believed in. We need to make it as easy as possible for them to see/understand what is really going on, and same for moving to another party. For this reason, I suggest we all give thought to how we refer to them or describe them. They are fellow Americans.
What MAGA is trying to do is toss out 60,000 legitimate votes. North Carolina has the most voter suppression in the country and its mail in ballot is a horror show of complication. Not every person was able to get the requirements down to a T, but they tried. MAGA wants these votes tossed in the hope that their candidate will win. We are on the slide to oblivion with North Carolina leading the way.
Yes. That situation is horrible. Why hold an election in the first place? And I think they're not the only state that has given the legislative body the power to override things like this. But WHERE ARE THE CONSTITUENTS???? There, and far too many other places, FAR too many of us do not pay attn to politics on any level. They have no clue what is happening to this entire country. And right now it's GOING ON RIGHT IN OUR FACES. How DO we bring them into the fold??
Steve, how can you claim that Democrats lost because of lack of honesty and then follow that with the observation that Trump is the most prolific liar in our history!?
That is the irony Steve is pointing out. In the end Biden was dishonest. He ran a second term that he promised not to do. As a result He prevented the strongest, the best, and the most charismatic democratic candidate to have the possibility to rise. Then he and those who surrounded him lied about his heath which was in deplorable state due to age. He became an embarrassment to those of us who were given no other option. Biden was weak physically and mentally. The decent people for democracy were betrayed by the Democratic Party It was unforgivable. So enough refused to vote giving the presidency to the most prolific liar ever known. It ended up being liar vs liar. Trump won because he was stronger and actually seemed more authentic than Biden. True or not. Doesn’t matter. It is perception that matters.
Yes Democrats made mistakes, failed at messaging, didn’t adequately address the real economic pain people were experiencing, but, Republicans flat out lied constantly. They undermined immigration reform, took credit for programs they voted against and normalized every stupid thing Trump said.
Our fractured media has turned news into propaganda. Voters no longer know who to believe. While we Democrats have work to do, I’m not willing to put all the blame on Biden. He never promised one term, he promised to be a bridge. Democrats shouldn’t have selected Biden as their candidate, he was too old and frail; Republicans shouldn’t have selected Trump, a conman and felon.
The insane OAF (Orange Adjudicated Felon) sent his bad apple (OAF Junior) to scout out Greenland? The STUPIDITY AND INSANITY has just begun and Steve is correct that we Democrats lost to the BEST LIAR as our candidate was talking about joy! I see NO joy coming our way!!!
As I watch President Jimmy Carter memorialized, having just been placed to lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda, an overpowering emotion of sadness and forlornness fills my heart and soul. Here is a man who is more honorable in death than Donald J. Trump will ever be in either life or death. My yearning and hope is that democracy has not already died along with Jimmy Carter.
Kamala Harris' eulogy was beautiful. I may be projecting, but it seemed when describing President Carter, she was also describing the anti-Christ of him, DJT. How very far we have fallen as a country. I still don't understand it.
Well stated, Elaine. I remain convinced that the principal underlying cause of our dire political situation is Trump's success at exploiting American politics to externalize his severe mental pathology, which has bolstered his power by inducing, projecting and sharing that psychopathology among a cult of projective identifiers who have adopted his own mental deficiencies as their own.
When an “honesty election” is lost to the biggest liar on the stage, the remorse of folks who believed the lie may be a powerful force for defeating it. People who wanted better prices on eggs and lower mortgage rates do not necessarily want to live as serfs in a Muskesque oligarchy. They don’t want to go to war,or to send their children to war, to satisfy Trump-Musk’s fever for territorial expansion.They don’t want their children fighting in the Middle East yet again. Even if a candidate can do the best job of lying, an inability to produce based on those lies will have consequences. And when you’re dealing with folks who don’t have much to lose, the consequences might be dire.
Elon and Donnie are acting like spoiled children. Cross Elon and he yells "go fuck yourself in the face". Donnie begs for coverups of his crimes and screams "unfair mommy" when the parents try to spank him. These guys are not adults.
"Gimme Greenland!"
"Gimme Germany and England!"
"Gimme Canada and Panama!"
"Gimme more candy or I will beat you up!"
When are the Parents going to show up and tell these brats they will not get what they want?
I agree and also disagree, I see Musksputin as Icarus myth that flew too close to the sun and fell back to earth. He has purchased a toy that no dare criticize him or they will be deleted, but what may seem as too rich to fail well, the biggest attention craver of all 45 soon to be 47 will not stand to be sidelined by anyone and he will be the most powerful in the world a clash of the Titans is coming just hope no one that is innocent gets caught up in the crossfire
The Democratic hierarchy, the DNC, the DCCC robbed the American people of their chosen candidate in 2016 by stuffing the primary ballot box with Superdelegates for Hilary. If the Democratic Party really wanted to stop the lies, they would have made Bernie their candidate in 2016. He would have kicked Trump's phony ass and we wouldn't be in this goddamn mess now. They cronyism still goes on Fast forward to now. Nancy Pelosi refused to endorse AOC for a committee because Nancy is still holding a grudge over Joe Crowley. The DNC do not listen to their voters. They patronize them. They condescend to them. Lastly, they stab their own candidates in the back like they did to Biden. Time to clean house.
This was a great presentation. I was especially taken by the expression "tyranny of the big," which neatly summarizes the main problem facing the average American, whatever his or her political leanings.
Closer to home, the MAGA-controlled North Carolina State Supreme Court is blocking the appointment of Allison Riggs to the same Court. She beat her MAGA opponent by 732 votes, but I assume word came down from the MAGA Bosses to find more votes. If you think we live in a democracy, then you also believe in the Gulf of America.
You bring up the Crux of the problem. Why, oh why, can't most Americans see that MAGA is doing exactly what they accuse Democrats of doing, weaponizing the DOJ, interfering in elections, hurting poor and middle class Americans with higher prices and shortages due to impending tariffs and deportations, destroying our democratic institutions, and making us look like belligerent fools on the international stage.
I can't believe this is happening. Am I living in Alice's Wonderland, ruled by mad hatters and cruel Queens, Kings in this case.
I am not a believer in blaming Fox and other media and so forth for the problems we face. I believe they are part of the problem, but I think other forces are at work. Education, drug problem, financial challenges, mounting debts. It creates a problem that can be exploited by demagogues. What do we have today — over a million deaths from drugs? Maybe a lot more than that? That is wreckage, terrible wreckage to families.
I know I am being redundant, but our only hope for success as a nation is to become a social democracy; all working together to make life as good as possible for all while continuing to reward excellence and hard work. Let me sum it up this way, doctors should make more than the average American, their education should be at public expense, and all should be entitled to competent medical care at all stages of life. This same maxim should apply to all aspects of the economy. Managers should make more than the people they manage in government and private enterprise. Managers must respect and value employees, listening to and evaluating their suggestions. The differential in pay must not be such that Americans live in different worlds. No one should control enough wealth to buy legislators. All people over 18 should be allowed to vote. Even the incarcerated. People are often incarcerated for breaking laws that that are unreasonable and accomplish nothing good. Some are not guilty.
I don't know if such structural changes are possible given the realities of human nature, the outcome of eons of the struggle to survive. If our intellect cannot overcome our instinct to form hierarchies and convince those in power it is not in their interests to use violence to maintain their supremacy, we are doomed. And so be it. Live for today and enjoy life to the fullest.
These are important points, Anthony; we need to have this conversation.
Right On, John; please keep speaking out on these extremely important issues.
Damn good question Anthony.
This doesn't help, I know, but I keep saying it. Maybe somebody smarter than me will figure out what to do about it. The MAGGOTS can't "see" all this because they are STUPID. And you cant fix stupid. So we're fucked.
And we're not supposed to hate stupid, not supposed to look down on stupid. I'm hoping that smarter person will show me how not to feel these things cause I dont like feeling this way - it makes me feel like I'm becoming just like the MAGGOTS
trump has already admitted publicly that bringing the price of eggs (and other goods) down is probably not gonna happen - "too hard to pull off" etc. And now there's a battle over bringing people in from overseas to work here, many with brown skin. So I guess they ARE coming in to "take your jobs".... pretty soon those who voted for trump will begin to see the picture. Some already have, because in November, the companies many worked for sat employees down to explain how a tariff REALLY works. They said they were in the process of buying as many goods their business needs NOW, while prices were still lower, and this meant there would be no Christmas bonuses, or 2025 pay raises, This was shocking news. Apparently, some who heard this only a few days after the election contacted their Election Authorities to ask if they could change their votes. The point is, there are LOTS of opportunities now for people to see how their candidate promised certain things but is now going back on them. This means they may leave the gop. This could be really hard for some who spent a lot of time & money for somebody they believed in. We need to make it as easy as possible for them to see/understand what is really going on, and same for moving to another party. For this reason, I suggest we all give thought to how we refer to them or describe them. They are fellow Americans.
Agreed.
What MAGA is trying to do is toss out 60,000 legitimate votes. North Carolina has the most voter suppression in the country and its mail in ballot is a horror show of complication. Not every person was able to get the requirements down to a T, but they tried. MAGA wants these votes tossed in the hope that their candidate will win. We are on the slide to oblivion with North Carolina leading the way.
Un-believable. SMH.
Yes. That situation is horrible. Why hold an election in the first place? And I think they're not the only state that has given the legislative body the power to override things like this. But WHERE ARE THE CONSTITUENTS???? There, and far too many other places, FAR too many of us do not pay attn to politics on any level. They have no clue what is happening to this entire country. And right now it's GOING ON RIGHT IN OUR FACES. How DO we bring them into the fold??
Steve, how can you claim that Democrats lost because of lack of honesty and then follow that with the observation that Trump is the most prolific liar in our history!?
Non sequitur.
That is the irony Steve is pointing out. In the end Biden was dishonest. He ran a second term that he promised not to do. As a result He prevented the strongest, the best, and the most charismatic democratic candidate to have the possibility to rise. Then he and those who surrounded him lied about his heath which was in deplorable state due to age. He became an embarrassment to those of us who were given no other option. Biden was weak physically and mentally. The decent people for democracy were betrayed by the Democratic Party It was unforgivable. So enough refused to vote giving the presidency to the most prolific liar ever known. It ended up being liar vs liar. Trump won because he was stronger and actually seemed more authentic than Biden. True or not. Doesn’t matter. It is perception that matters.
Yes Democrats made mistakes, failed at messaging, didn’t adequately address the real economic pain people were experiencing, but, Republicans flat out lied constantly. They undermined immigration reform, took credit for programs they voted against and normalized every stupid thing Trump said.
Our fractured media has turned news into propaganda. Voters no longer know who to believe. While we Democrats have work to do, I’m not willing to put all the blame on Biden. He never promised one term, he promised to be a bridge. Democrats shouldn’t have selected Biden as their candidate, he was too old and frail; Republicans shouldn’t have selected Trump, a conman and felon.
Truth!
Right On, Diane!🎯
Your last sentence.
The insane OAF (Orange Adjudicated Felon) sent his bad apple (OAF Junior) to scout out Greenland? The STUPIDITY AND INSANITY has just begun and Steve is correct that we Democrats lost to the BEST LIAR as our candidate was talking about joy! I see NO joy coming our way!!!
As I watch President Jimmy Carter memorialized, having just been placed to lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda, an overpowering emotion of sadness and forlornness fills my heart and soul. Here is a man who is more honorable in death than Donald J. Trump will ever be in either life or death. My yearning and hope is that democracy has not already died along with Jimmy Carter.
Kamala Harris' eulogy was beautiful. I may be projecting, but it seemed when describing President Carter, she was also describing the anti-Christ of him, DJT. How very far we have fallen as a country. I still don't understand it.
Well stated, Elaine. I remain convinced that the principal underlying cause of our dire political situation is Trump's success at exploiting American politics to externalize his severe mental pathology, which has bolstered his power by inducing, projecting and sharing that psychopathology among a cult of projective identifiers who have adopted his own mental deficiencies as their own.
When an “honesty election” is lost to the biggest liar on the stage, the remorse of folks who believed the lie may be a powerful force for defeating it. People who wanted better prices on eggs and lower mortgage rates do not necessarily want to live as serfs in a Muskesque oligarchy. They don’t want to go to war,or to send their children to war, to satisfy Trump-Musk’s fever for territorial expansion.They don’t want their children fighting in the Middle East yet again. Even if a candidate can do the best job of lying, an inability to produce based on those lies will have consequences. And when you’re dealing with folks who don’t have much to lose, the consequences might be dire.
Now I believe that these people will be told it is Soros’ fault, or any Democrat’s.
And they will believe it.
They will have a problem with that excuse this time, since the GOP controls all three branches of government.
Hi Anthony, if these were thinking people, I agree. It is always the Libs
causing the problems and this opinion is entrenched.
Elon and Donnie are acting like spoiled children. Cross Elon and he yells "go fuck yourself in the face". Donnie begs for coverups of his crimes and screams "unfair mommy" when the parents try to spank him. These guys are not adults.
"Gimme Greenland!"
"Gimme Germany and England!"
"Gimme Canada and Panama!"
"Gimme more candy or I will beat you up!"
When are the Parents going to show up and tell these brats they will not get what they want?
"Gimme tax cuts and no-bid government contracts!"
"Gimme power without questions and I'll go play golf!"
"Gimme smart immigrants for my companies but get rid of the food and home building workers for everyone else!"
How stupid are we to put up with this shit?
Obviously 77 million strong.
I am very sorry for all of you true Americans that you now have such a disgusting scumbag as Donald Trump as your POTUS.
But as a Canadian I am also very worried about and appalled by Trump’s stated plans to make my own beloved nation of Canada the 51st State of America!
And our Prime Minister Trudeau has now resigned, leaving my beloved Canada 🇨🇦 in a huge Mess.
So please recognize that you are NOT alone in trying to figure out how to get rid of your sleazy, disgusting and very dangerous orange monster.
Courage, and good planning my American friends, and HOPE!
The Allies LOST in WWII. Hitler's embers were never sufficiently cremated, and they will always re-ignite in humanity's breast. All is lost.
Fascism, as it was destined to do, has won, We never buried Joe McCarthy either.
McCarthyism and Fascism have won.
I agree and also disagree, I see Musksputin as Icarus myth that flew too close to the sun and fell back to earth. He has purchased a toy that no dare criticize him or they will be deleted, but what may seem as too rich to fail well, the biggest attention craver of all 45 soon to be 47 will not stand to be sidelined by anyone and he will be the most powerful in the world a clash of the Titans is coming just hope no one that is innocent gets caught up in the crossfire
If people can be convinced there is a god who created the universe they can be convinced of anything.
Slam Dunk, Steve!🏀 Let's hope the Europeans are listening to you.🙏 Way to hit hard!🥊🥊
The Democratic hierarchy, the DNC, the DCCC robbed the American people of their chosen candidate in 2016 by stuffing the primary ballot box with Superdelegates for Hilary. If the Democratic Party really wanted to stop the lies, they would have made Bernie their candidate in 2016. He would have kicked Trump's phony ass and we wouldn't be in this goddamn mess now. They cronyism still goes on Fast forward to now. Nancy Pelosi refused to endorse AOC for a committee because Nancy is still holding a grudge over Joe Crowley. The DNC do not listen to their voters. They patronize them. They condescend to them. Lastly, they stab their own candidates in the back like they did to Biden. Time to clean house.
Yes! Thank you for speaking the painful but actual truth!!
Steve, perfectly distilled!
This was a great presentation. I was especially taken by the expression "tyranny of the big," which neatly summarizes the main problem facing the average American, whatever his or her political leanings.