If you’ve read any of my posts you know that I believe Trump colluded with the Russians in order to win the last election – whether or not that was a “turning point” we’ll NEVER know – but, the reality, to me, is that COLLUDING with another government to interfere in our most fundamental privilege is TREASON.  So, I believe I’ve been very clear on that.  Additionally, I believe Trump to be TOTALLY incapable of handling the duties of being president – although, I’ve stated before that I never hope for a president to FAIL (as Republicans did to President Obama – in fact, they more than “hoped,” they tried to cause him to fail) so, wouldn’t it be ironic if Trump ended up “getting things done” by working with Democrats.

I tend to be on the side of letting republicans figure out how to govern while all eyes are watching.  I’ve always said they’re great at winning elections because they totally believe the “end justifies the means.”  Republican insiders have been the masters at “dirty tricks” for as long as I can remember.  (This stuff with Russia is beyond anything I would have imagined prior to Trump)  So far, republicans have proven those correct who’ve said all along they don’t know how to govern – because, so far, NOTHING’S been accomplished legislatively since Trump’s election.  And, RIGHT NOW there’s a LOT “on the table.”  (With the odd exception of this past week when Trump worked with democrats to pass a bill to “kick the can down the road” regarding the debt ceiling – a bill which appropriated about $15 BILLION for disaster relief that, ironically representatives from both Texas and Florida voted AGAINST!)

Yesterday, we were hearing about Steve Bannon’s “pact” with the so-called “Freedom Caucus” (ie Tea party members elected by those who were repulsed by the thought America could elect a Black President) to create a “Bloody September.”  While Hurricane Irma (the strongest on record) was heading straight toward Florida they were announcing there would be no help for those in Texas and Louisiana after Hurricane Harvey.  The idea that the government would be “shut down” and worse that republicans would not increase the debt limit causing the government to default – which could have devastating affects on everyone’s “bottom line” was going to be negotiating “chips” for right wing agenda items – like, for example, Trump’s “wall.”

Well, today, republicans are up in arms because Trump did the unthinkable to them – he actually talked to democrats and then WORSE he negotiated with them and agreement to “kick the can down the road” (as referenced above – typical DC solutions to problems) for three months – so, we can all be on the edge of our seats around Christmas time as to whether or not Congress will actually pass a budget and raise the debt ceiling in a way that ends that issue being a constant question mark to “we the people” and, more importantly, countries around the world who would be affected by a government default. (Reportedly, after I started writing this post, it was announced Trump is working with democrats on the idea to permanently remove the problem of the debt limit.  Wouldn’t that be ironic????!!!)

Obviously, republicans have constantly shown a distaste for any “dealings” with democrats.  Since the early days of Newt Gingrich they’ve been all about obstruction and division.  Earlier, we heard John McCain suggest it was time to return to “regular order” and now you have Trump working with Democrats – and, apparently rebuffing republicans in the same meeting.  What if, all of a sudden, republicans and democrats started working together to solve the health care crisis (in a way that wasn’t a hidden tax cut for the wealthy)?  What if they worked together to provide relief for the Hurricane victims?  (Irma very well may make Harvey look like the JV team – which could make the damage reach well over $100 BILLION)  Incredibly, what if tax reform was passed that actually was AIMED at the MIDDLE CLASS and not the top 1%?  OMG – would people actually start liking Trump?  Including democrats?

I have friends who I have breakfast with periodically and they support Trump.  My bet with one of them is that Trump will never be reelected – I’ve predicted he’ll be impeached as soon as republicans feel his “antics” are jeopardizing their own reelections.  I agreed with my friend that if the economy surges forward Trump will be safe (less the “Russia thing”) – but, today what’s going through my mind is what would happen if it was Trump who got Congress to work together – that is where republicans and democrats worked together to “get things done.”  I have this uneasy feeling that Trump’s “approval ratings” would climb rapidly if that happened.

What if Congress actually did immigration reform to permanently allow “Dreamers” to be part of this country and eventually to be citizens?  Would Trump be able to take credit for that?  Again, this would require republicans and democrats to work together.  I can only imagine the headlines at Breitbart.  Here’s another incredible thought going through my head.  Is it possible for Trump to work with Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren to push us toward a Medicare for all solution to the health crisis – which would include the NEGOTIATING of drugs with “big pharma?”  I know I’m getting way ahead of myself – but, here’s the reality  as I see it.

For years “we the people” have been TOTALLY frustrated with Congress because they respond to their rich benefactors.  This has been no secret – and, it’s no secret that MOST of the rich benefactors have been BUYING republican politicians for years.  That’s how we got the STUPID “trickle down” (I call it “trickle up”) economic policy that has been foisted on us for the past 35+ years.  I really don’t expect Trump to move away from that, but what if he did?  What if he attempted to pass a budget that actually was going to reduce the deficit – or, as Clinton did, put us in a surplus that reduced the debt?  That would be un-republican, but, I can dream can’t I?

I could go on and on about the “what if’s” and, I know I’m being way too idealistic.  But, here’s what I do know.  Trump is the ultimate narcissist and, over the years of being a teacher you learn a lot about people.  Trump lives for the glowing reviews in the media.  He wants to be loved and he wants people to think he’s great.  The only way he can possibly do this is to work with democrats – and, I’ve not been one to suggest he’s totally stupid.  I’ve simply pointed out he has no understanding of how government works.  He does know how to understand failure and I don’t think he likes that feeling at all – and, with a republican party that is totally divided – the so-called “freedom caucus” doesn’t agree with anyone or anything thinking differently – Trump is apparently understanding there’s enough moderate republicans to make deals that work with democrats.  I find all of this INCREDIBLY IRONIC.

Now, don’t get me wrong.  Trump makes my skin crawl.  The Access Hollywood tapes caused me to assume he’d be written off by the “party of family values.”  (They proved that’s the all time joke)  The collusion of Russia, in my view, is Treason.  And, the CONSTANT LYING is more than I can handle – as soon as I here Trump’s voice I have to change the station.  And, the people who (at least until he started working with “Chuck and Nancy” – I think those words turn their stomachs) support him on the airwaves like Hannity and Limbaugh must be going crazy.  I can’t make myself listen to them to find out.  But, as I process all these thoughts, there’s an even BIGGER irony.

What if, when Mueller makes his final report, and, as expected Trump and his campaign COLLUDED with the Russians AND, as seems obvious (at least to me) Trump OBSTRUCTED JUSTICE and republicans do the right thing and IMPEACH him – would the democrats block the conviction in the senate?  They’d have a choice – Trump or Pense – and, Pense turns my stomach almost MORE than Trump.  He’s been like a “puppy dog” following Trump around and CONFIRMING enough LIES that he should be impeached as well – but, then we’d have Ryan.  Could it be that Trump’s crazy like a fox?  This should all be interesting and, I have to admit, my imagination is getting the best of me.

However, I regularly meet with a friend of mine who is a lifelong republican (more like a libertarian) and bet me that Trump would win the election.  Of course, I lost the bet despite thinking there was no chance I’d lose.  So, I went double or nothing on his re-election – thinking Trump won’t even make it to the nomination.  I still believe he SHOULD be IMPEACHED, but, as many have said, we’re in uncharted territory as far as politics is concerned.  The bottom line for me is I want our leaders to work to improve the lives of the middle class and find solutions to the problems of “the least of these” in the words of Jesus Christ.  Example:  There’s hundreds of thousands of homeless veterans – to me, that’s a national disgrace.  Too many sick people can’t afford to go to the doctor.  Wages are too low for those at the “bottom” and too high for those at the “top.”  These, and many other issues, won’t be solved by idealogues in Congress – like the so-called “Freedom Caucus” which is, essentially, the “Tea party” who took over republican politics back in 2010.

Even my right wing friend agrees we’re all better off if politicians are working together without regard for political party – just focusing on the issues that help those in the middle class and those in need.  We see the way to do this quite differently, but when we dialogue we realize each of us grows.  We’d love to see that happen in our nation – and, believe me, Donald Trump is the last person I can see facilitating that to happen.  But who knows, this last agreement was palatable to me – we didn’t have to go to the “brink” to make sure America was good on it’s economic promises.  Right wing extremists were not allowed to hold “we the people” hostage for their extreme agenda.  The surprise – it was because of Trump.

Three months from now, who knows.  But, it should be interesting!