When you think of the present iteration of the republican controlled House of Representatives I can’t help but think of the previous group – AND, continue to be living in unbelief that “we the people” would have elected a republican majority after witnessing the fiasco of the previous two years. Republicans spent FOUR years “investigating” President Biden, attempting to connect him to something like $5 MILLION his son, Hunter, collected from his job in Ukraine, and actually trying to IMPEACH Biden based on his son’s business activity.

Well, Hunter Biden’s $5 MILLION seems rather inconsequential compared to what we are witnessing in the first four months of Trump 2.0. (And, it’s going to get much worse) But, let me start with my comparison of Hunter with what’s going on with Trump’s sons and son-in-law. Jared Kushner, as most know by now, collected close to $3 BILLION from various Middle East nation’s sovereign wealth funds – most notably the $2 BILLION coming from MBS and the Saudi’s. That’s BILLION with a “B.” To date not the slightest interests of House republicans to investigate what might be called the “mother of all grifts.” Even the Saudi’s running the wealth fund originally denied Kushner’s attempted grift, only to be overturned by MBS.

Of course, Trump is busy trying to outdo his son-in-law with his OWN grifting – while holding office and totally ignoring the emoluments clause of the constitution. Not only did he just take a “gift” from the leader of Qatar – a leading supporter of HAMAS in the battle in GAZA. Get this: Trump is taking a plane from Qatar while, at the same time, attacking American Universities (at this point, namely Harvard) for their alleged “Antisemitism.” Not to mention, of course, his soliciting close to $400 MILLION in what amounts to personal grifting – and violating the constitution – on a massive scale. (Not,, at this point, the equal of Kushner’s grift)

But, never fail, with republicans there’s always more. So, Trump has two sons who are busy working deals for Trump “towers” or Trump golf courses in various countries around the globe – like, for example, the Middle East countries Trump just visited about one week ago. Add to that a golf course and building in Viet Nam and, of course, Trump actually seems serious about “taking” GAZA – after moving the Palestinians to various other countries in the region – so, he and his sons can build the “Riviera of the Middle East.” I’ll say this, Trump is certainly not discouraging Benjamin Netanyahu from continuing his Russian style assault on GAZA. I certainly doubt this republican Congress will do ANY investigating in these instances, but, hay, Hunter Biden. (At this point it should be OBVIOUS why President Biden pardoned his son and the Jan. 6th Committee members.)

The Justice Department has been rendered impotent when it comes to defending the constitution – as EVERYONE involved took an oath to protect. Not only is the DOJ working as the tool of Trump’s “retribution” but it is supporting the ICE assault on our constitutional order by defending, in court, ICE’s removing PEOPLE from the streets of the U.S. – WITHOUT due process – to unimaginable landing spots in third world countries. The latest example was removing 8 PEOPLE, directly violating a court order, to South Sudan – right in the middle of a Civil War.

Pam Bondi is, to me, an embarrassment. A complete sycophant to Trump as opposed to actually being an apolitical Attorney General. Bondi, along with virtually every other member of Trump’s cabinet doesn’t seem to understand where her place in American history will be. I’ve already, on several occasions, pointed out Trump will end up right next to Benedict Arnold (he attempted a coup, for heaven’s sake – what is more treasonous than that?) and his cabinet members will be on the seats right behind him – AND, I’ve got to include all those BILLIONAIRES who attempted to crowd right next to Trump on inauguration day – in a (disgusting) photo for the ages. As far as I’m concerned, let them keep crowding – as those history books are written!

(f)Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, Tim Cook, and a bunch more BILLIONAIRES have way more MONEY than most of us peons can even imagine, but it seems they are NEVER satisfied. (Trump is figuring out how to get his “share”) Well, when “judgment day” comes for them, and they could get more than one, Jesus will remind them of what they did “for the least of these.” (Musk/Trump are going to be personally responsible for the deaths of around 3 MILLION by the end of this year) At some point all those MAGAs in the red states are going to understand how badly they’ve been “had” and when the “worm turns” it’s not going to be pleasant for any of these people. Almost every time I write, I share my hope that someone in a position to know would be keeping a “scorecard” on all the ILLEGAL activities which have become rampant under Trump 2.0. There’s an old saying, “ignorance of the law is no excuse.” There’s going to be a lot to be answered for. Making Trump 1.0 seem like “child’s play.”

Due to Merrick Garland’s timid nature leading to about an 18 month delay in pursuing the investigation into Trump’s January 6th, 2021 coup attempt, a conspiracy which SHOULD have included dozens of co-conspirators (including Clarence Thomas’ wife), Jack Smith just focused on Trump in his attempt to bring the case in front of a jury before the 2024 election. Well, Trump used his due process rights to delay each of the cases against him (save for the Manhattan election interference case – leading to the 34 FELONIES he was convicted on) and, with the help of the SCOTUS Trump was successful. Of course, subsequently, “we the people” made the DEPLORABLE decision to put Trump back in the “Oval Office.”

Does anyone besides me see the irony in Trump being the master of using our due process rights in his “delay, delay, delay” strategy in every one of the four indictments he faced (88 alleged FELONIES) in 2023 and, then, having not the slightest compunction as he sends PEOPLE to, for example, a notorious prison in El Salvador without granting them their due process rights. Trump even had the nerve to suggest “if these people all got ‘trials’ it could take years.” We all know, in his mind, Trump considers himself above the law and he refers to immigrants (and democrats) as “scum.” We also know he’s all about enriching himself – based on “we the people” giving him a “get out of jail free” card – on the one hand, and, on the other, using his POWER to get retribution against his “enemies.” What on earth could go wrong?

We are now at a place where various Federal Judges are realizing Trump is simply ignoring their rulings. This is the place where the constitution becomes virtually nothing more than the paper it’s written on. Do you believe the DOJ will enforce criminal contempt citations sent their way by the courts involved – that would mean AG Bondi would have to sign off on any investigation or indictment? I can assure you, it ain’t happenin! The SCOTUS – and, by this I’m talking about the six Justices who granted Trump “absolute immunity” last year – appear to be afraid of what lies ahead knowing, at some point, they are going to have to “step up” and the outcome of that occasion is daunting. They know what it will mean when Trump gives them the middle finger salute! Game over!

For all intents and purposes, that day has already come and gone. Kilmer Abrego Garcia is STILL stuck in that disgusting prison in El Salvador and the American government is STILL paying for him, and about 250 others, to be “staying there.” Not only is that in direct VIOLATION of a Supreme Court edict, but, by rights, those other 250 PEOPLE should be back in the U.S. as well waiting for their day in court. I’ve been saying since the day Trump took (lied about) his oath, while refusing to put his hand on the Bible, when we get to the point where Trump is telling the courts to “pound sand,” republicans have taken us all “over the ledge.” We are officially a FASCIST state!

So, it SHOULD surprise no one that our government is cutting assistance to “the least among us” while continuing the OBSCENE transfer of American’s taxpayer dollars to the those among us who need it the least. Reports indicate, since the days of Ronald Reagan, the top “1%” have plundered something like $40 TRILLION (and counting) from the taxpayers and, just like clockwork, the GOP Congress is working on the next ideation. (Mostly by extending the 2017 tax scam) Those BILLIONAIRES lined up behind Trump at the inauguration have MORE wealth than, by most accounts, the bottom 50% of the nation. It’s obscene, and they will benefit from Trump’s “big ugly bill” to the tune of about half a BILLION in tax cuts per year – EACH! This while the Medicaid and Food Stamps cuts in Trump’s bill affect those at the bottom. The Speaker of the House calls this a “moral plan.”

And, of course, there’s more (the bill is 1100 pages) – lots of stuff thrown in to get the votes needed to pass it which won’t be public for some time, although, there are reports Medicare will also be cut by about $500 BILLION. We won’t know what stuff is being cut – like education, environmental projects, etc. But, what was disclosed the other day is the bill is aimed at RETROACTIVELY preventing Federal Judges from finding Trump or anyone in his administration in CONTEMPT! Now, if that ends up in the final bill and isn’t ruled unconstitutional by the SCOTUS, it will simply be further proof that our constitutional republic is history. Trump and his project 2025 puppet masters will have succeeded where Adolf Hitler failed 80+ years ago. Apparently, that’s why (f)Elon Musk was able to throw those Sieg Hiels with little notice from our “liberal media.”

Final Thought: Have you noticed how anyone who tries to “appease” Trump just gets more and more screwed by Trump. He feeds on “appeasement.” Yet, have you watched Vladimir Putin playing Trump like a fiddle as Trump has attempted to “appease” Putin regarding the ILLEGAL Russian invasion of Ukraine. What the Russians have made clear is they won’t stop until they have control of all of Ukraine – and, the election of Trump was a key part of their strategy. Trump has already, for all intents and purposes, become a turncoat to American interests around the globe – most especially because of his subservience to Putin. Lord help us and the people of Ukraine!

Apparently, Trump is threatening to “walk away” from the peace talks (?) because Putin is not being nice. Trump seems to have no understanding of what’s going to happen if “we the people” abandon Ukraine – Zelenskyy is on Trump’s list for “retribution,” of course, because he refused to “open in investigation” on Joe Biden back in 2016. I’m sure Trump blames Zelenskyy for his LOSS to Joe Biden – by over 7 MILLION votes. His “retribution” will be allowing Putin to take Ukraine – of course, then targeting Poland next, and then…… (You know how this works) Trump will go down in history as not only a TRAITOR To the United States, but also to the rest of the world by allowing Putin to MURDER even MORE Ukrainians than he already has and potentially start WW III. Thinking of a commercial I’ve seen on TV lately, if I could say anything to Trump it would be “how do you sleep at night?” But, I’m pretty sure, based on his “tweeting” schedule, he doesn’t.

Trump’s “Memorial Day” Tweet was maybe the worst ever – in two ways. The grammatical errors were, well, “deplorable.” But, that didn’t hold a candle to how disgusting the “tweet” (or whatever you call it – and, if they call it a “truth,” well, that’s as absurd as most everything else Trump does, writes, or says. In this case, it was hard to understand this would be something an American president would write on Memorial day : a day we’re supposed to keep a remembrance of those who’ve given their lives in service to this country. Here it is if you’ve got the stomach for it:

“HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY TO ALL, INCLUDING THE SCUM THAT SPENT THE LAST FOUR YEARS TRYING TO DESTROY OUR COUNTRY THROUGH WARPED RADICAL LEFT MINDS, WHO ALLOWED 21,000,000 MILLION PEOPLE TO ILLEGALLY ENTER OUR COUNTRY, MANY OF THE BEING CRIMINALS AND THE MENTAO INSANE,THROUGH AN OPEN BORDER THAT ONLY AN INCOMPETENT PRESIDENT WOULD APPROVE, AND THROUGH JUDGES WHO ARE ON A MISSION TO KEEP MURDERERS, DRUG DEALERS, RAPISTS, GANG MEMBERS, AND RELEASED PRISONERS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD, IN OUR COUNTRY SO THEY CAN ROB, MURDERERS, AND RAPE AGAIN, PROTECTED BY THESE USA HATING JUDGES WHO SUFFER FROM AN IDEOLOGY THAT IS SICK, AND VERY DANGEROUS FOR OUR COUNTRY. HOPEFULLY THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT, AND OTHER GOOD AND COMPASSIONATE JUDGES THROUGHOUT THE LAND, WILL SAVE US FROM THE DECISIONS OF THE MONSTERS WHO WANT OUR COUNTRY TO GO TO HELL.” Stay tuned!!!

If he’d been one of my sixth graders his grade would be an “F!”

I’ve never started a “rant” with the title, but I’ve gotten so out of patience with members of the media and democrats referring to what is happening in our country as “authoritarianism.” The trouble I have with that is I don’t particularly like euphemisms. Authoritarianism is simply a euphemism for FASCISM. Full Stop!

Look around you. The evidence is overwhelming. Once again, here’s the definition of FASCISM:

“A system of government marked by centralization of authority under a dictator, a capitalist economy subject to stringent governmental controls, violent suppression of the opposition, and typically a policy of belligerent nationalism and racism.

A political philosophy or movement based on or advocating such a system of government.

Oppressive, dictatorial control.” (American Heritage Dictionary)

For years I’ve pointed out as the United States creeps closer to fascism you can judge what’s happening by understanding the foundation for a fascist regime is a government/corporate partnership. Another way to put that is OLIGARCHY! Well, we’ve FINALLY accomplished that in “spades.” America is, as far as I can tell now a full fledged “oligarchy.” You’ve got BILLIONAIRES getting on their knees in front of Trump in order for him to allow them to get even RICHER. And, you’ve got an “equal” branch of government (the Congress) cowering to avoid a nasty tweet. And, you’ve got a third “equal” branch of government (Judicial) wondering how to respond to a plethora number of examples of Trump et al thumbing their noses at court rulings.

To our media (and, I’m talking about the so-called “liberal media”) this is “authoritarianism” – apparently afraid to use the “F” word on TV. You can bet they aren’t going to publicize the parallels to Hitler’s Nazi’s of the Third Reich – out of fear of another frivolous Trump inspired lawsuit. I’ve even noticed on MSNBC a lack of sponsors on some of the most popular programs. Is this something nefarious? Remains to be seen – but, it wouldn’t surprise me if potential sponsors are facing THREATS from Trump himself. A “great” way to eliminate opposing viewpoints.

Look, all the ingredients of fascism are right out front. The racism, check! (In fact, the racism shows its ugly head virtually every day – the last example I saw was Trump “ambushing” the president of South Africa with conspiracy bull s@@t while meeting in the oval office. Stuff that didn’t even resemble facts. But, hey, when did Trump – and, in this instance co-president Musk – resort to FACTS in any argument? And, “belligerent nationalism?” Oh, where to start? Well, to make this easy, let’s look at the logic behind Trump’s Trade fiasco. Oh yes, there is no logic.

As a Christian myself, I’m offended by Trump claiming to be a “man of God” when it seems to suit his fancy – as he’s strong arming members of the GOP in the House to vote for a very “unChristian” “big beautiful bill.” A bill that takes health care away from about 10 – 15 MILLION low income Americans, takes food out of the mouths of around 10 MILLION low income Americans, gives close to half a BILLION dollars per year in tax cuts to – you guessed it – BILLIONAIRES (makes their $1 MILLION “donations” to Trump’s inauguration – much apparently going into his family’s “pockets” – seem like prudent “investments”) and reverses virtually ALL of the climate change “first step” of the previous couple of years as it encourages Americans to use MORE fossil fuels.

Of course, Education is in the crosshairs of Trump and his project 2025 puppet masters because one thing is crystal clear to them – an uneducated public is critical to their long term viability. Not only is the Trump administration attempting to shudder the Department of Education – affecting, once again, low income students and increasing the cost of higher education in a very public attempt to dumb down America (more than it is – which allowed this fiasco to happen in the first place) – but, they’ve gone “all in” on a full throated attack on the Nation’s OLDEST private university – and, of course, that would be Harvard – where MUCH of the advances in medical and other research gains have taken place over the previous hundred years of so. Not only are they attacking Harvard very publicly – but ALL private universities with their big “beautiful” bill – putting taxes on the endowments of private universities.

Now, I wasn’t one who could afford to go to a private university like Harvard – although, had I been a strong enough student to “get in,” as I’ve since discovered, they would have found ways to help me be able to afford being there. I came from a very low income family (in the 1950’s and 60’s) and I always felt my “ticket” to college was sports. However, back when I first attended college, the schools where I was good enough to play (basketball) there weren’t “scholarships.” (Of course, Tuition and living expenses were very LOW) Trump is doing everything he can to make a higher education today as EXPENSIVE as possible.

The project 2025 puppet masters, Trump, and his GOP sycophants are doing everything they can to CONTROL what the rest of us can do. They are threatening media outlets, they are threatening public servants – in fact, they are now arresting some on “trumped up” charges, they are “snatching” people off the streets and “disappearing” them – just like some of the brutal dictatorships I’ve read about from Central and South America, they are spreading obvious LIES about people they’ve decided to make “examples of” and they’ve even gone so far as to remove any oversight the government might have on police departments around the country who might be inclined to abuse their power.

Look, there’s a lot more, I’m just pulling off as much as my elderly head can think of in the moment – but, the reality – and, I’ve been warning about this since the days of Bush/Cheney – is the U.S. has finally stepped over the edge into FASCISM. My biggest complaint, at this point, is I wish people who should know better would quit calling it “authoritarianism.” I “get” that talking about “Nazi’s” and “Hitler” in America has been simply a place no one was willing to go – since WW II – but, the reality is what is happening is OBVIOUS – or, at least it should be. For heaven’s sake, our co-president (f)Elon Musk threw a couple Sieg Hiels at Trump’s coronation. What more did they need? Of course, there was hardly a “peep” when that happened.

Here’s what I hope – that someone is “memorializing” ALL the blatantly ILLEGAL activity of Trump and his sycophants for possible prosecution once this reign on America if finally over. There’s a good chance I won’t be around at that point – and, I’m not even taking in to account they might “disappear” people like me before long – but, I believe MOST of the Justices on the SCOTUS may be realizing the folly of their “absolute immunity” decision last year, realizing what they’ve “unleashed” on the rest of us. Clearly, Trump believes he is “above the law” and the SCOTUS is the reason.

America is becoming unrecognizable. Trump embarrasses (many of) us everytime he opens his pathetic mouth – always with a torrent of LIES. Sometimes I wonder if he’s simply STUPID enough he doesn’t understand what he’s saying – but, most of the time it comes across to me as a deranged narcissist spewing garbage which somehow makes him feel better about himself. Sadly, pathological LIARS believe their own LIES as the words trickle over their tongues – but, you know, “we the people” voted for this. The country would be much better off if our “liberal media” AND democrats started calling it for what it is – FASCISM!

For many years (on this site) I’ve pointed out my believe “rights” are much easier to lose than to get back. Well, we’re in the middle of finding out whether, or not, I was right. This all started – at least in “recent” history – with the Citizen’s United Supreme Court decision (ONE of the decisions which will place John Roberts and Sam Alito on the dark pages of American history) where about 100 cumulitive years of campaign finance reform was tossed – leading to the BILLIONS (including from foreigners) polluting our democratic processes – and, it’s progressed from their.

Voting Rights, Civil Rights, Women’s rights, and on and on, being swept away in this FASCIST purge. This will require a nationwide backlash to begin a turn around – but, it’s going to take YEARS. And, trust me, just as the BILLIONAIRES continue lobbying for tax breaks they don’t need, those in POWER will continue placing that POWER as more important than their oaths to our constitution. And, once the “liberal media” has been vanquished (and, I guarantee you that’s part of the “plan” – once again, read project 2025) Trump will be able to brag he’s turned us into being more like Russia. Stay tuned…..

Final Thought: My final thought today is I continue to pray for our country. It’s almost impossible for me to understand America as a FASCIST country – yet, my eyes aren’t deceiving me. Trump (a second generation German – whose father was possibly part of the Nazi movement in the U.S. back in the 1930’s – based on things I’ve read, including getting arrested at a KKK rally in New York) is pushing FASCISM by every measure of the definition. People I know who frequent “conservative” media for their “information” seem to have no idea what is happening. In fact, when I bring it up, I haven’t found one yet who even understands what fascism actually entails. As Trump has said on more than one occasion: “I love my uneducated voters.” Yep, they are the key! Yikes!!!

If you’re the Qatari’s and you have a plane you’ve been trying to dump for five years and it’s become clear you’re unable to sell it, what would you do with that plane – it’s costing you big bucks for maintenance and fuel, after all? Well, by now, most Americans know the answer: You offer the plane to Donald Trump, FOR “FREE!” And, of course, Trump won’t let a small issue like the emoluments clause in the constitution stop him from getting the plane which he plans to “donate” to his presidential library (are there enough books left for Trump’s library – other than Kash Patel’s?) once he’s out of office. Are the MAGAs stupid enough to miss this one? Well, the Fox “news” and “Newsmax” MAGAs very well might be because right wing media either won’t mention it or they’ll call it the deal of the century – after all “it’s free.”

However, they might, at some point, find out it’s a second hand hand me down which no one else wanted PLUS it’s likely to cost about a BILLION dollars to retrofit it to the requirements of an actual “Air Force One” plane – remodeling which will likely take several years to complete – right before Trump’s set to go off into the sunset. (Unless “we the people vote in enough democrats to actually IMPEACH him for the THIRD time and, who knows, convict him in the Senate.) And, of course, he wouldn’t be allowed to take a plane with him as he leaves office that is fitted with all the stuff they would need to put on the plane before it would be usable as “Air Force One.” So, right after they put the stuff on to make it a flying “oval office” they’d have to take it all off again. Talk about a “good deal?” Possibly when “free” is NOT a very good price!

It appears it’s going to take me a bit to finish this post: I’ve been writing since almost the day Trump took (lied about) the oath of office about how ANGRY I am about Musk/Trump and the Dogeshits shutting off the American aid going to some of the poorest parts of the globe via the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) potentially leading to over 3 MILLION deaths in areas like Sudan, GAZA, and other REALLY poor parts of the world by the end of this year. Not only are people starving to death but people are dying from the lack of medicine which was included in the aid – in programs like PEPFAR in Africa which has been saving lives in Africa since George W Bush was president. It’s a bad look. Two BILLIONAIRES in America (Trump/Musk) are depriving some of the POOREST people on earth of life saving assistance. It pisses me off every time I have to write those words.

But, as I often say, with republicans there’s always more. So, these two RICH Americans (actually, Musk is an “Afrikaner” – South African) are not only taking food and medicine away from the poorest people around the globe – but, the republican budget which is working its way through the House is planning to take food and medicine away from the POOREST Americans as well – by cutting Medicaid (to the tune of about $800 BILLION) and “SNAP” (ie – food stamps) not to mention a proposed cut of $500 BILLION from Medicare. Republicans are so sure of what they are doing, they’re doing it in the middle of the night. Apparently, that means “we the people” will have no idea of what they are doing. Did you really believe Trump when he said “Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid won’t be “touched?”

Isn’t this just the perfect picture of life in America during Trump 2.0? Our so-called TWO TIME popular vote LOSING 34 times convicted FELON is violating the emoluments clause of our constitution his attempt to get a Boeing 747-8 while he’s taking food and medicine away from the poorest Americans (along with the poorest people around the world). Can you just see the political advertisements? Do you think the democrats have what it takes to actually come up with messaging about this “deplorable” s@#t? I’d have to say if they can’t come up with a message that resonates with this dichotomy then they really are helpless. I can see an image on the TV of the Qatari plane superimposed over people standing in bread lines or people who’ve lost their health care – many who will be MAGAs in “red states.”

Musk/Trump have been violating our constitution (with the acquiescence of republicans in Congress) repeatedly, and most seriously through the repeated violations of direct orders from the “bench.” (Meaning, the Judiciary) I’ve said several times here, when Trump gets comfortable ignoring the orders of Federal Judges then “all bets are off.” For years I’ve pointed out the agency which is the backbone of our democratic republic is the Justice Department. Never could I have believed “we the people” would put a 34 times FELON (who attempted a coup) into the “Oval Office” thus rendering our Justice Department, in essence, void. So far the obvious results are attacks levied at individuals coming from the so-called president, laughing at the emoluments clause (while taking a “gift” from one of the sponsors of HAMAS), and telling judges “enforce your order yourself” (or words to that affect)

America is now a full blown fascist country – while “hiding” as the “democracy” of the previous 250 years. Trump and his puppet masters (Project 2025 – read it if you don’t believe me) have accomplished what Hitler failed to do back in the 1930’s and 1940’s during WW II. My father was in the Army during WW II and he NEVER said a word to me about the experience – which has left me with lots to imagine – but, based on my high school classmates who came back from Viet Nam (those who came home alive) it’s virtually impossible to participate in WAR without serious mental/physical issues once it’s over. Trump has pulled off what amounts to a “bloodless (kind of) coup d’etat.”

More and more Americans are protesting what is happening in Trump 2.0, but I’m convinced the Project 2025 puppet masters anticipated everything which is happening (save for maybe the protests outside of Tesla dealerships – which I encourage, by the way). I’m trying to get healthy enough to be able to participate in the protest movement, but I remain on “edge” as I believe the Project 2025 “plan” is for our “elections” to resemble those in Russia by the 2026 mid terms. I truly hope I’m wrong, but I believe they (the “puppet masters”) already have a plan in place which will guarantee those elections – in true Trump projection “form” – will be “rigged.”

One thing they can’t “rig” is the economy (although Trump is trying) and the financial markets. Keeping in mind, much of the money flowing through Wall Street and the Federal government (meaning Treasury bonds) comes from other places around the world. Plus, the Federal Reserve is STILL independent (we’ll be in a really bad place when Trump attempts to take control of the “Fed”) and the red flags are up with the REAL economists out there. It appears investors are becoming less and less eager to invest in America’s “Treasury bills” – the supposed “safe haven” for when the economy gets a bit “rocky.” I’ve been saying since the day Trump announced “liberation day” with his ridiculous (and illegal) tariff “war” that he’s simply speeding up the time it will take for him to “tank” the entire economy. I’ve put it as BANKRUPTCY #7 for Trump – only, this time his daddy isn’t around to “bail him out.” This will be the big one.

Just try to imagine the results of the cuts to Medicaid, Food Stamps, and Medicare – among other poorly thought out cuts to the economy. The cuts to Medicaid will simply make the availability of health care in rural areas even more difficult. Rural hospitals will close (many already have) and people who can’t afford any other insurance than Medicaid will be going without health care – potentially affecting everyone else because they won’t go to the doctor until whatever they’re dealing with has become much more SERIOUS. This is all so predictable – but, don’t tell that to someone who gets their “news” from Fox of Newsmax. Apparently, Steve Bannon does understand where most of the Americans who’ll be hurt the worse from the Medicaid cuts actually live – in red states. Talk about “cutting off your nose to spite your face.”

I’ve always been an “independent voter” although since Bush/Cheney I’ve voted AGAINST republicans. I’ve seen this “deplorable” disaster “we the people” are facing coming since the days of Ronald Reagan. The “seeds” for America tilting into fascism began with the writings of Milton Friedman and Lewis Powell – from what I’ve learned – dating back to the early 70’s. Reagan put their “plan” into action with his so-called “trickle down” economics (I call it trickle up) leading to the pilfering of the American taxpayers by corporate interests and the “top 1%” of between (by estimates I’ve seen) $30 TRILLION and $50 TRILLION. And, of course, these republicans are at it again, to the tune of another $5 TRILLION or more to those who DON’T need it. Yep, robbing the “poor” to give to the “rich.” Nice work if you can get it!

Keep in mind, republicans are going to have to come up with about a BILLION dollars to turn Trump’s present from Qatari into a flying “White House” – which, as I’ve said, should take almost the number of years Trump has left to destroy America. And, then, take all the new stuff away before he gets HIS plane upon leaving office. And, Trump isn’t the only member of his cabinet who is/will be pilfering tax dollars to make their lives more “peachy” (for lack of a better word). And, it’s all right out in the open, which apparently makes them feel it must be OK. If there’s no mechanism to stop them (Trump et al) – meaning, of course, the constitution – then why hide anything. Hell, Musk threw a couple Sieg Hiels at Trump’s coronation and not even a “peep” from republicans in Congress. I mean you can’t be more obvious than that – can you?

Final Thought: Trump keeps hinting he’s going to run again in 2208. Just the other day he was speaking in his give them the “house” Mid East Tour. He started bragging about how his followers are now buying “Trump 2028 hats.” Well, I’ve got an answer for that “phenomenon:” “Obama 2028 hats.” Can’t you just picture Trump when he would start seeing these hats on MILLIONS of Americans (I’d buy one – for golf) as he witnesses the exploding protests which are metastasizing all around the country as he gives the perfect political ad with his “new” plane superimposed over the listed cuts to MEDICAID. And, OBTW. now it’s being reported the House GOP is also cutting a “half TRILLION” from Medicare. Yikes!!

One more thing: I’ve been writing for nearly 10 years here about how Trump is a pathological LIAR – and, recently as I’ve been observing some video and photos of him, I’ve come to the conclusion there’s another example of his (or his “physician’s”) absolutely absurd LYING. Based on his latest physical which was publicly reported Trump is “6 foot 3 inches” (and 224 pounds). Now, I don’t question his weight, but I’ve been looking at photos of him next to other people whose height is public knowledge and, well, what’s with a so-called TWO TIME popular vote LOSING 34 times convicted FELON president LYING about how tall he is.

When I first saw Trump standing next to, for example, (f)Elon Musk I had to wonder how tall is Musk? He must be 6′ 5″ because he is obviously at least a couple inches taller than Trump. Then I saw Trump in Saudi Arabia standing next to MBS and they appeared to be about the same height. So, when I finally did a little checking it turns out Musk is 6 foot 2 inches and MBS is 6 foot (and, that’s it). So, it appears Trump is no more than 6 feet tall (about the same as me – I’m 77 years old) and 224 pounds. Now, I get that when you get OLD – Trump will soon be 79 years OLD – you do a bit of shrinking. Maybe he was once 6’3″ – but, during his last physical, there’s NO WAY! So, our so-called president (a 34 times convicted FELON) even LIES about how tall he is. He embarrasses me when he’s speaking ANYWHERE – and, LYING about how tall he is, well, “deplorable.”

The CORRUPTION is palpable. It’s happening right out in “plain view” which, apparently, is what is allowing “conservatives” to say nothing about it. Right before taking (LYING about) the oath of office (while refusing to put his hand on the Bible) Trump, along with his two sons and his wife, introduced what are called “meme coins” – (full disclosure, the only thing I know about these “coins” is they are not real) – and, after the initial rush by people with too much money to purchase them in HUGE quantities – Trump managed to pull in about $100 MILLION in transaction fees. That was BAD – but it was “then.”

The “now” is the latest grift by Trump in relationship to this scam. He’s offered a “dinner” at one of his golf clubs to the 220 highest owners of these fake coins. Well, first up it seems comes from the government of the United Arab Emirates who decided to “invest” $2 BILLION in Trump’s most successful grift (actually, he might have a second crypto scam?) – again, right out in the open the “Emoluments Clause” be damned. A while back I read a report where an “investor” put $75 MILLION into Trump’s $cam and soon, thereafter, coincidentally had an investigation into his own crypto fraud “paused” by “Trump’s” Securities and Exchange Committee. Certainly, this person, Justin Sun, will be one of the guests at Trump’s dinner for those who’ve been funneling the MOST money into his pockets.

The CORRUPTION goes much deeper than the actual grifting Trump and his two sons are showing no shame in enacting – it’s just that, to me, it appears the constitution’s emoluments clause is no longer even considered valid. First, there’s the “domestic emoluments clause” which reads as follows: “The President shall, at stated Times, receive for his Services, a Compensation, which shall neither be increased nor diminished during the Period for which he shall have been elected, and he shall not receive within that Period any other Emolument from the United States, or any of them.” I suppose “or any of them” is open for interpretation – but, the literal reading is the ONLY compensation a president may receive is the fixed salary which may not be “increased or diminished” in order to prevent Congress from manipulating the president. (Or vice versa)

Then there’s the foreign emoluments clause: “No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.” According to Hamilton in Federalist 22:  “One of the weak sides of republics, among their numerous advantages, is that they afford too easy an inlet to foreign corruption.” Therefore, to counter this “foreign corruption” the delegates at the Constitutional Convention worded the clause in such a way as to act as a catch-all for any attempts by foreign governments to influence state or municipal policies through gifts or titles. The framers intention was to prevent “nobility” from being established in the United States and curbing “influence” from foreign governments.

Has Trump violated these two clauses of our constitution? Check and check! Did he do so in his first reign? Once again, check and check. One thing I’m sure of is we have no idea to what extent these parts of our constitution have been violated by Trump and his family. What we do know, for example, is son-in-law Jared Kushner pulling in around $3 BILLION shortly after Trump 1.0 – for an investment “firm” to which he had NO experience. Of course, he did set it up to provide him with a salary of $25 MILLION per year. But, of course, Hunter Biden!

Here’s the reality, for the next 3 1/2 years there’s virtually NOTHING “we the people” can do about this – other than to march in the streets until Trump declares martial law and eliminates the 2026 mid-terms. OK, there’d be nothing “we the people” could do about that either. It’s simply a matter of time until Americans realize what they’ve done in electing a fascist organized crime boss to be our so-called two times popular vote LOSING 34 times convicted FELON who has no intention of allowing the courts to “check” him. And, of course, he’s got about 170 unelected surreptitious fascist puppet masters, the authors of Project 2025, in the background filling out illegal executive orders for him to sign and advising him on how to trash our constitution.

One of the “puppet masters” Stephen Miller was recorded on tape the other day pointing out Trump’s administration is “studying” what they need to do in order to “torpedo” Habeas Corpus. If you don’t understand what that means, here’s a definition which may get your attention of the “greatest writ:”

“A writ that a person may seek from a court to obtain immediate release from an unlawful confinement, as when the confinement has occurred through a means that violated the person’s constitutional rights.

The right of a person to obtain such a writ.

A writ to bring a person before a court or a judge, most frequently used to ensure that a person’s imprisonment, detention, or commitment is legal.”

In other words, “due process” – which is GUARANTEED under our constitution. But just the other day Trump was asked if he felt obligated (or words to that affect) to follow the constitution? His answer was: “I’m not sure.” Now, let me remind you of that pesky “oath of office” Trump has taken (LIED about) twice now: The president has to “swear or affirm that they will faithfully execute the office and preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.” They MUST swear to this oath before they can assume the official duties as president. Is that “oath” hard to understand? Also, has Trump rendered it as meaningless?

Or, maybe the question should be, “why would anyone believe Trump takes his oath seriously after attempting a coup d’etat in Trump 1.0?” Reminds me of the saying, “fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.” “We the people” had advance notice of what was going to transpire should we be STUPID enough to put this TRAITOROUS FELON back into the Oval Office. Can the United States survive four years of this fascist FELON and his fascist puppet masters? I really have my doubts.

I’ve long felt the one department which would hold things together in the United States would be the Justice Department – but, that is going to be a hopeless mess for the next 3 1/2 years. Pam Bondi is a disgraceful and pathetic sycophant as our “attorney general.” Just ask yourself which, if ANY, of Trump’s ILLEGAL activities will she be investigating? Is anyone “memorializing” the corruption of Trump 2.0? Of course not. The head of the FBI is someone (Kash Patel) who shows up for work late – when he shows up – according to accounts published of late – and he referred to Trump as the “King” who’s the victim of a plot by “Hillary.” I’m not kidding. He did this in a children’s book – one of the books “conservatives will leave on the shelves. Do you really believe the FBI is going to be solving serious white collar crimes for the next 3 1/2 years? Yikes!!

To make matters worse, Trump is ordering the Justice Department to take down the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement task force. Huh??? Why would Trump want to do that after all of his BS about needing “law and order?” This task force was created to take down drug cartels, human trafficking rings, and transnational crime syndicates and Trump wants it disbanded by September 30. I believe he’s already fired the task force’s director. This is the group that helped capture Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzman — the head of the Sinaloa Cartel, possibly the largest drug trafficking organization in the Western Hemisphere—and seize over $2 billion from criminal enterprises. Your guess is as good as mine as to why Trump wants this shut down. But, are you getting the “law and order” picture of what lies ahead in the U.S.?

My guess is Trump is attempting to “out Putin” Putin when it comes to running an organized crime syndicate from the head of state. Despite most people claiming (f)Elon Musk is the “world’s richest man” – from what I’ve read it’s not even close with regard to Putin. It’s just that Putin doesn’t publish his wealth in the Forbes list of the wealthiest people in the world. Regardless, it appears to me Trump’s goal is to put himself into the upper registers of Forbes’ “richest people in the world.” But, as usual, there’s always more!

And, this time it’s significant if not ridiculous arrogance. I started this rant several days ago with the focus on how Trump is destroying whatever was left in belief in the constitution’s emoluments clause and, well, it’s like now he’s kicking it while it’s down. This past weekend it was reported Trump is getting a $400 MILLION gift from the Qatari’s – you know that outfit (country) which is aligned with Iran – as long as Trump seems to be focused on “anti-Semitism” in America’s universities. Could the hypocrisy be any “thicker?”

The Qatari’s are giving Trump a Boeing 747 plane worth $400 MILLION to use as “Air Force “one” until right before his term is up when it will be transferred to Trump’s “presidential library foundation.” Talk about something obliterating the emoluments clause. I have to wonder if there are any members of the republican party in Congress who will give a “peep?” The Qatari’s, for example, are reported to be affiliated with HAMAS – you know, those who attacked Israel on October 7th, 2023. Do you wonder what Trump will be giving to the Qatari’s? If you remember, during Trump 1.0 it was the Qatari’s who bailed out the aforementioned Jared Kushner and his family on their disastrous investment in 666 5th Avenue in New York. (In case you don’t do the Bible, 666 is the number of the devil) Apparently, that wasn’t enough for Trump in regard to what he’s planning to “give” to the Qatari’s. OMG!!!!

Final Thought: Above all of this is what Trump is doing to what was the “best economy in the world” the day Trump 2.0 began. Will Trump be “played” by only the Chinese? Or, are they simply setting the “stage” for other leaders around the world who are planning to push back on Trump’s tariff bluffs. And, do you really believe the on again off again tariffs will be the way to get companies to build factories in the U.S.? (Factories, by the way, which will be largely “manned” by robots) I’ve said it before – in my lifetime (77 years) – when the stock market is making wild swings up and down there is a serious downturn in the offing. Will it happen this time? We’ll see. Stay tuned……

Don’t get me wrong here – I’m absolutely no expert on the stock market, and I’m no economist. That said, I’m feeling pretty confident my prediction made before Trump took (LIED about) the oath of office (while refusing to put his hand on the Bible) that it would only take Trump around six months to destroy the “best economy in the world” – which is how the economy Trump inherited from President Biden was described by, well, virtually everyone who’s a “real” economist. We are now around 100 days into Trump’s second reign on America and he’s well on his way to destroying the economy well before the six months are up.

Of course, I wasn’t sure how he’d do it – because, as I just said I’m not an economic expert, I’m just an interested observer. Plus, there’s one other thing I’ve got going for myself in all things Trump – I read a good section of Project 2025 well before the election and, while I don’t remember the list of “authors” of that “roadmap to fascism” what I read convinced me the U.S. economy would be one of the first casualties to Trump’s assault on our democratic republic. A couple people I know of who were part of that “manifesto” are Stephen Miller and Russel Vought.

I believe it’s Miller who is pushing the illegal rounding up of immigrants on the streets and hustling them out of the nation without ANY “due process” – the foundation of our constitution. And, it’s Vought who’s the head of the Office of Management and Budget and he’s been the push behind all the illegal cutting of funds duly authorized by Congress because, well, because they believe that to be a critical strategy for undermining our government. The number of legal challenges is dizzying, which is their point. And, as I (among many) predicted the Musk/Trump administration would refuse to abide by court decisions they don’t like – they are in the process of making me/us out as prophets. They’ve been telling multiple judges to “pound sand.”

Of course, Trump initiated his bungling tariffs a few weeks ago and, even if the tariffs on China come down, the reality is the other tariffs will be enough to torpedo the economy even more than we’ve witnessed in the past couple of weeks. That doesn’t even take into account all the people who’ve been summarily FIRED by (f)Elon Musk – along with attempting to “torpedo” agencies of the government the Project 2025 “crew” don’t like. And, if they can pull it off in the republican economic plan Medicaid, Food Stamps, Meels on Wheels, Head Start, and the Child Tax Credit will be just some of the casualties of their budget proposal – in order to fund a $5.3 TRILLION tax cut – mostly aimed at people like, well, Trump and Musk.

Somehow, Trump and his lead sycophant, Mike Johnson, think they’ll be able to get all the deficit hawks in their party to go along with the need to increase the Debt Ceiling by about $6 or $7 TRILLION to allow for Trump’s newest plan to increase his standing as the president who created the MOST debt (over four years) in American History. Of course, he already holds the record, but, as the saying goes, records are made to be broken. Personally, I’ve been in favor of the government attempting to reduce the national debt for years – it’s just been near impossible after the “trickle down” (trickle up) philosophy enacted by Ronald Reagan – and EVERY republican administration since. (with the possible exception of HW Bush)

If/when the republicans succeed in their dismantling what they call “entitlements” – which, by the way, target Social Security and Medicare as well as the aforementioned items on their list of unnecessary “gifts” to MILLIONS of either old or poor Americans, the “hit” to the economy will be something akin to 1929 – which seems to be their goal. And, as I’ve pointed out here, I don’t think they’re worried about the 2026 mid-term elections because I believe they have “plans” for that as well. I believe the republicans, and I’m focusing on the Project 2025 republicans, view the “elections” in Russia to be the “crown jewel.” Can they pull this off? It’s hard for me to imagine – but, then again, what is happening has been beyond my ability to imagine.

For example, I could NEVER have imagined almost 50% of the Americans who vote would actually believe a 34 times FELON, who attempted a coup on this very nation only four years ago could possibly have wanted MORE from him. And, as I’ve said, Project 2025 was published WELL before the 2024 election, was easy to get, and was, well, hard to read – because hardly anyone took the time to read it. Project 2025 was mentioned over and over by the democrats during the campaign, but in a way that assumed people were reading it. There was never, as far as I could tell, a concerted effort to explain to the American public what was in it.

You didn’t have to read very far into the document – the introduction was long and detailed – to understand that federal employees were going to be summarily FIRED in order to create jobs for those who would pledge their loyalty to Trump above the constitution. The power of the courts were to be challenged and, with the reality “we the people” also left republicans in control of the House – despite the previous two years being the least productive and the most bungling House maybe EVER – the assault on the so-called “entitlements” would be not only possible but number one on the priority list. And, of course, tax cuts – that would be the real priority – tax cuts aimed at those who don’t need them. the insatiable BILLIONAIRES.

Trump is the perfect “puppet” for those who wrote Project 2025 because of his incredible ability to LIE. He has no problem looking someone in the face, someone he knows understands the “truth” of the subject at “hand,” and throw out a “whopper.” Just the other day in an interview, where Trump was using a photoshopped image of Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s “knuckles” bearing the image of “MS 13” to justify the governments illegal act of rounding him up and sending him to the El Salvador gulag, and the interviewer pointing out the image had been “doctored” – Trump responded by suggesting he granted the interview because he didn’t know the person interviewing and that – because the interviewer pointed out the truth – Trump said he was “not nice.”

So, to the puppet masters, Trump is a perfect stooge. He can’t handle anyone saying “no” to his pathological LYING and his focus is on his “revenge tour” of America – based on the FACT he’s a FELON and would have “likely” been a FELON on more occasions – according to the words of Jack Smith and a bunch of lawyers who analyzed the “public” data in the cases that were underway as of election day 2024 – while Russel Vought, Stephen Miller, and co-president Musk (with his Sieg Hiels) are busy dismantling the “administrative state” (in the words of Steve Bannon) and attempting to drive undocumented immigrants out of the country with Nazi like fear tactics.

And, while they keep BUNGLING what they’re doing, you’ll NEVER hear anyone in the Musk/Trump administration admit to an error. (OK, I guess Musk did so on at least one occasion – the time when Musk’s four year old son was picking his nose and wiping the results on the resolute desk right in front of Trump) Yes, a fifteen year member of DOJ, a Prosecutor who had the temerity to admit Abrego Garcia was sent to El Salvador by mistake – he did this IN COURT – but, the message was soon sent – DON’T DO THAT! The guilty party – the well respected prosecutor – was summarily FIRED! Message sent! (And, since then members of the Musk/Trump administration have been arguing it was no mistake – of course they have!)

On top of all of that we still have a national security issue with Pete Hegseth at the helm – another unqualified member of Trump’s cabinet – bungling almost daily in ways that would have had anyone in another administration FIRED long ago – of course, in any other administration being a Fox “news” host is not the main qualification of someone to head the Pentagon. Then there’s Tulsi Gabbard, considered by many to be a Russian “useful idiot,” heading the Department of National Intelligence (DNI), and Robert Kennedy Jr., considered by MANY health experts to be a “quack,” heading the nation’s health department (HHS). Not to mention (f)Elon Musk and, what I call, his DOGEshits sifting through the personal data of potentially EVERY American citizen – in Social Security data, IRS data, HHS data (Health and Human Services), and the Department of Education data to name a few places where Musk/Trump et al are violating our Privacy rights.

Musk/Trump are turning our traditional allies against America while they seem to be cozying up to Putin and Russia. This was no secret during the election so it’s on us, “we the people,” for whatever the results will be. For example, Ukraine is in a very vulnerable spot with Trump cutting off the military and humanitarian assistance it was receiving under President Biden’s administration. To me, this is a disastrous way for Trump to cause “we the people” to better appreciate Joe Biden. While Biden was a poor campaigner he was the MOST adept at running the federal government – i.e. “governing.” I’m not sure how long it will take for “we the people” to realize how good we had it under the Biden administration – but Musk/Trump are pushing the timeline UP.

The economic data for the first 3 months of the Musk/Trump administration is not good. GDP went from a growth rate of 2.4% in Biden’s last quarter to a MINUS .3% in the first quarter of Musk/Trump. One more NEGATIVE report on GDP will signal the U.S. has gone from the “best economy in the World” under Biden to being in a recession in record time under Trump. (Just as I had predicted back in December) While the focus is understandably on Trump’s idiotic “tariff war” – I believe once republicans have succeeded in undermining Medicaid – and, possibly Social Security and Medicare – we will be in the “you ain’t seen nothin yet” territory. Musk/Trump will have succeeded in turning America back to 1929. And, Trump will have a two places in American history. One right next to Benedict Arnold (i.e. TRAITOR) and the other right next to Herbert Hoover. Who could ask for more? Stay tuned….

Final Thought(s) : A couple more “things.” First, I read an article today about the grifting of members of Trump’s cabinet – most specifically Tulsi Gabbard. And, I would agree it’s very concerning she has a substack where people are encouraged to “invest” at least $1000 to get “founding member” status. Apparently, no restrictions on, for example, what country the “investor” comes from. Additionally, she has an “X” (Twitter) account were people are encouraged to pay $5 per month for “bonus content.” Yikes!! But, the article was talking about how members of Trump’s administration are profiting off of their government gigs.

Here’s what the article DIDN’T mention. The “grifter in chief” (I’m assuming you know who I’m talking about) has several grifts going which makes all others pale in comparison. Take, for example, the “meme coin.” Actually, two of them because there’s one for Melania as well (likely aimed at keeping her happy – along with the Bezos “documentary” for $40 MILLION – it’s been reported Trump has cashed in on OVER $100 MILLION just in transaction fees from this scam (he’s famous for scams, isn’t he?) and, now he’s offering “dinner” to the top 220 “investors” on his meme coin website (along with a tour of the ……. wait, they erased “White House” from the ad) One, “investor” who had some issues with the authorities on his own crypto scam doled out a cool $75 MILLION to be on that top 220 list, based on accounts I’ve read. Do you think he might get a pardon? Great example of American exceptionalism corruption!!

Here’s my other “peeve.” When I choose to watch TV or read online “news” articles I keep seeing Trump being accused of “authoritarianism.” To me, that’s the classical political euphemism. What Trump, and his Project 2025 puppet masters are attempting is a FASCIST takeover of America’s government. Democrats and “progressives” keep talking about taking back power after the “mid-terms” in 2026 – as if they’re sure there will be “mid-terms” in 2026. And, I’ve said repeatedly here, my biggest concern is that our “mid-terms” will be something Vladimir Putin could be proud of. As usual, I hope I’m wrong, but, as usual, I worry democrats are ten moves behind – and, I have to wonder how many of THEM actually took the time to read Project 2025.

If you believed Trump when, during the campaign, he had no idea what Project 2025 is – he often referred to it as “25” – for good measure – then you’re susceptible to all the other LIES he so majestically foists on the American public. That would mean you weren’t paying attention to the 30,000 PLUS provable LIES he spun in Trump 1.0. Maybe you believe he’s been reformed. You might even believe these 200 PLUS executive orders were actually written by him – that he’s got such a grip on America’s “democracy” that he could imagine all these brazen attempts to undermine our constitution. Well all I can say to that is if you actually believe it, I’ve got a bridge……….. (You know the rest) OMG ….

I have to add: As I watch the day to day activity of Wall Street, I’ve come to the conclusion the Wall Street traders really WANT to believe Trump will eventually (before it’s too late) remove the tariffs. The economy just SHRANK by -.3% and they’re trying to put a positive spin on it. The P/E (Price to Earnings) of Tesla, for example, is 3 to 4 times higher than the other key stocks (like Apple, Microsoft, Meta, etc.) and the companies sales and profits are plummeting – yet, Wall Street traders keep pushing it up. I’m saying this because it feels to me as if a HUGE crash is in the offing. But, as I stated above, (in other words) “what do I know?”

Costco has plenty of eggs! 🙂