The incompetence in the Trump administration is beyond believable for an American president who’s been in office for only two months.  Trump and his surrogates have proven those of us who believed they had no idea what they were getting into RIGHT virtually every day.  As I wrote the other day it would be comical if it wasn’t so serious and getting to the point of scary.  I, like many, have lamented on the damage that Trump will be able to do to this great nation in whatever time he has in the “Oval Office,” and the difficulty we’ll have in “fixing” it once he’s gone.  But, the more I observe what’s really happening, the more I realize the damage could be well beyond my wildest imagination.

For example, what if Rachel Maddow is correct in her inference (with much circumstantial evidence to back it up) that the Russians not only colluded with Trump to get him elected, but they have enough on Trump to be able to actually influence US policy.  Certainly to the people I know who support Trump this is all “conspiracy theory,” but, when you look closely what is “out there” not so much.  I mean, there’s NO dispute that the Russians were attempting to swing the election to Trump.  Now it’s come out that there was likely a “quid pro quo” during the Republican National Convention when Trump’s surrogates got a republican “plank” designed to provide aid to Ukraine in its fight against Vladimir Putin’s attempt to “re-acquire” it removed.  Trump was actually asked about this and, like he does with most situations, he LIED about it, saying he had no knowledge of what happened.  Of course, the person responsible for getting the “plank” removed (or as it was reported “softened”) did so on orders from Trump himself.  (Of course, Trump’s LYING has become routine – and, apparently. it’s just accepted by the “liberal media” as OK – I’ll write more about that later in this post)

All the reported evidence regarding Trump and the Russians during the campaign is suggesting there was collusion.  Should that get ultimately “proved” by Congress or another investigative body I believe that will be enough to make Mike Pense the 46th President of the United States.  I don’t think even these republican congress people want to defend allowing collusion with Vladimir Putin to be OK as a way to win office in America.  (That despite the FACT republicans have proven they believe “the end justifies the means” in the past)  But, if Ms. Maddow is correct, it goes way beyond the collusion in the election and EVERY American should be concerned with the implication – and, this needs to be figured out SOONER rather than LATER!  Last night she brought up the State Department.  Of course, I was one of the people who wondered why on earth would Rex Tillerson be nominated as Secretary of State.  (Evidently, the republicans who confirmed him had no worries)

Well, since Tillerson took over, virtually ALL of the top (and important) career diplomats at State have been FIRED.  People who’ve committed as many as 40 years of their lives to the security of this nation.  They’ve worked for presidents since Gerald Ford all the way to Trump – but, soon after Tillerson was sworn in, the axe fell on many of them.  As I’m writing this Tillerson does not have an assistant Secretary of State, I haven’t heard a SINGLE word from his mouth since he’s been on the job, State no longer is doing daily press briefings so it’s hard to keep up on “what’s happening,” and as I ponder all this all I can do is remember the photos I saw of Vladimir Putin pinning a Russian meddle of honor on Tillerson’s lapel sometime in the past couple of years.  I read the book “Private Empire” about Exxon Mobil by Steve Coll which, in itself, gave me pause to think Tillerson would be representing me as Secretary of State.  The one person thrilled with this choice by Trump, I’m sure, was Vladimir Putin.  (I have to wonder if Putin was one of Tillerson’s “references” on his resume?)

Just like Trump has no idea what he’s doing as far as the nuances of running our government, I believe Tillerson is in the same place at the State Department.  Evidently, they look at the State Department as they do the EPA, the Department of Education, and other agencies that fall in the purview of Steve Bannon’s deconstructing our government.  The report I heard is that the budget of the State Department will be slashed by a third.  Of course, they do all of this – including things like the “Muslim ban,” while they’re claiming the goal is to “keep America safe.”  That’s one of the great cliche’s of those in government who are trying to slip something untoward past “we the people.”

While these people are incompetent at running the government they, obviously, are not STUPID. (Even though many suggest that)  There’s an ulterior motive here,  and I’m thankful for people like Maddow who seem determined to find what it is.  “Conservatives” have been pillaging taxpayers for years.  Many on the “conservative” side – in the electorate – and, here I’m talking about “Conservative Christians” vote for republicans because back in the day of Reagan they were convinced republicans were “pro-life.”  And, it doesn’t go past that issue.  Most of the republicans I know have NO IDEA what their party is really up to.  And, now I believe that goes for republicans in Congress as well.  I’ve written ad nauseum about my frustration with today’s republican party and it’s surge to the “right,” but I in no way feel that people like Paul Ryan, Mitch McConnell, and the others are in cahoots with the Russians.  I’m guessing that as I’m writing this they are very nervous in their backroom discussions – although, I also believe they like having a president who will sign their draconian legislation if they can get it past filibusters in the Senate.  I can assure you they will push as much as they can as fast as they can in anticipation that Trump will eventually be exposed.

For example, I don’t believe for a minute that the reason Ryan is trying to “cram” the “repeal/replacement” of the Affordable Care Act through in three weeks is because it’s that necessary.  No, I believe it’s because he knows the “you know what” is going to hit the fan and the republican agenda will be in peril if all the dots get “connected” regarding Trump and Russia.  The agenda won’t be health care.  It will be impeachment and then figuring out how deep the Russian intrusion into our “system” has managed to succeed.  I believe there’s going to be some people who are exposed for some really bad stuff. (I read this morning one of Trump’s “top advisers” is a “lifetime member” of a pro-Nazi organization in Europe)  When Trump uses the term “bad dudes” he may need a mirror for himself and some of his surrogates.  Trump is yet to say a bad word about Vladimir Putin (everything I’ve heard him say makes Putin sound like Trump’s hero) and there could be a very good reason why.  If you haven’t read the so-called “dossier” that was published by “Buzzfeed” some time back, you should do so.

When the “dossier” first came out our “liberal media” attacked the publisher of putting out uncorroborated material – which had been known for some time but most “news” people were keeping “under wraps.”  Well, bit by bit pieces of that “dossier” are proving to be corroborated.  And, some of it is really salacious – and, if true will mean more than impeachment for Trump.  If you remember, Trump virtually admitted to sexual predator behavior on the Access Hollywood Tapes (which, by the way, were followed within hours by the first of the democratic emails Wikileaks published – thanks to Russian hackers) so the allegations in the “dossier” seem more believable (The “Golden shower”?).  The British agent who compiled the “dossier” disappeared after Buzzfeed published it and, reportedly, some Russians who gave him the material met with the wrath of Putin.  Reportedly, there’s video evidence of some of the allegations, which would make Trump vulnerable to blackmail.  It all seems like a British spy movie – but, well, who knows?

The British (former) spy has resurfaced and I certainly am one of the many who would love for the investigators to interrogate him and try to find out how much of that dossier is able to be corroborated.  Like who’s got the video.  I don’t actually want to see it, but I’d like someone who’s in a position to investigate all this to see it if it exists.  There’s enough of that dossier that’s already proving to be accurate that this guy needs to talk to the investigators about all of it.  There’s too much here suggesting that the collusion is going way past the previous election and if that’s the case this will be the greatest national crisis in my lifetime.  Again, Tillerson as Secretary of State???  It’s hard to imagine how that came about without wondering what influence does Vladimir Putin have on Trump.  (And, Michael Flynn and the Russians in another piece of the “puzzle” that is more than intriguing)

Earlier in this post I said I would get to the LYING of our president and the implications of having a pathological LIAR in the White House.  Of course, he’s busy brainwashing his “base” into believing our media is “fake news” (Ironically, “fake news” is a prime tactic of Russian interference in countries around the world) and anyone who disagrees with him is “dishonest.”  There are many who support Trump who won’t believe ANYTHING that comes out regarding the Russians, but there are enough people in America who already understand Trump to be a LIAR that he won’t be able to overcome the truth when it finally comes out if the dots actually get connected.  (I’m suggesting that until they’re connected it’s all speculation which is why Trump, if he’s “innocent” of collusion, should be pushing for an independent investigation more than anyone)  But, here’s the thing – a little over a week ago Trump gave a speech to a joint session of Congress that was somewhat well received because his “tone” was better (he actually proved he could read from a teleprompter).  That just shows how low the “bar” for this man is.  It was reported (I believe in Politico) that he LIED 51 times during the speech, but the focus was positive because he was nicer as he was LYING.  Makes me shiver as I write that – what has become of us?

Trump is so engrossed in his own self that, since the day he took office, he continues to PROVE that he has no idea how this all works – and, fortunately for him, neither do most of the people who support him.  Yes, the stock market has surged up since he won – in anticipation of all the tax cuts and reduced regulation Wall Street is anticipating which is really ironic to me because most of his supporters voted for him because he portrayed himself as anti-Wall Street.  But, Trump is claiming credit for one President Obama accomplishment after another.  He’s claiming credit for jobs created in January and February that are the result of actions taken as much as two to three years earlier – the man is clueless.  This fiscal year the government is functioning under the guidance it received from Obama – just as Obama was “stuck” with the Bush/Cheney fiasco for most of his first year in office.  The job numbers that Trump will be able to claim credit for will come next year and beyond (if he’s still president).

I reluctantly have to agree with my libertarian friend who “likes everything Trump is doing” that if Trump’s policies bring jobs “back to America,” if the economy flourishes and wages go up Trump will likely become much more popular.  However, when I try to look with a sober mind at what is transpiring I don’t see that as the result of Trump initiatives for anything more than a short period of naive anticipation – from those on Wall Street and in executive office buildings who loathe being restricted by things like environmental and/or financial regulations.  Many of Trump’s supporters don’t understand who will benefit from the “deconstructing” of our government.  When the health care crisis gets worse, when deficits balloon, when the financial industry gets out of control, when the haze returns to our cities, when seniors get their fixed incomes reduced even more, when our food supply gets less safe, when our national defense is focused on our military even more and our diplomats even less, when the jobs (lost to technology) don’t “come back,” when people realize the repeal of “Obamacare” is really a HUGE tax cut for the top 2% of Americans, and when we realize we’re being duped by a dictator in another nation many of Trump’s supporters will not be so happy.  To me, the “essential question” is:  How much damage will the Trump administration create before their Russian entanglement and their incompetence is fully exposed?

Final note:  There’s a part of me who wants to hope that my friend is correct and I’m wrong.  I’m not one to want my president to FAIL – as republicans tirelessly attempted to do to President Obama (and, continue as they attempt to rewrite history with no Obama accomplishments allowed) – if the president fails, America fails.  Yet, the LYING, the narcissistic behavior, AND (most of all for me) the Access Hollywood tapes – makes it difficult for me to even look at Trump – I turn the channel when he comes on TV.  My hope is that there will be a resolution to the “Russian connection,” the abuses of the emoluments clause of the constitution, or whatever it takes for an impeachment.  Maybe once that takes place government can function in a way that involves something resembling bipartisanship.  I sense that’s the only way, long term, republicans can save their party.  If they continue the “all in” with Trump, they will sink or swim with him – and, I’d hate to be in deep water in that boat!