The United States of America is shattering before our eyes.
Under the leadership of one individual, with the support, encouragement, and instigation of a group of anti-democratic-Americans, the rules, regulations, laws, traditions, even the physical embodiments of American life are being destroyed as they reject, distort, and dissolve our constitutional, communal, and cultural heritage.
The demolition of the East Wing of the White House is a metaphor for the wreckage DJT and his cronies inflict every day on the country and the world. We the People stare in disbelief as an entire wing of the building is reduced to rubble. Pictures of the destruction flash across our screens. TV and social media commentators discuss the damage, then move on to the next deed perpetrated by the regime. A sense of hopelessness overwhelms, and that is exactly what those in power want. They assume the opposition will give up and crawl away.
The opposition – anyone of any party or group outraged by the madness – responds with marches, lawsuits, protests, opinion pieces, speeches – background noise. Meanwhile the loyal horde nods in agreement at whatever DJT does or says.
Will the descent into lawlessness result in the US becoming, long-term, an evil empire? Will the empire’s ruling Mafia of oligarchs, self-seeking politicians, crooked characters and ill-informed admirers prevail? Will corruption be the new canon?
Steve Bannon, an ally and former adviser to DJT, stated a third DJT term will happen. The 22nd Amendment to the Constitution states: “No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice.” But the current rulers ignore or circumvent the law. Gerrymandering, onerous rules instituted for voting, a send-in-the-troops mentality, lead to one goal – controlling elections.
How did a country that threw off monarchic and despotic rule, a people that prided itself in its individualism and democratic ideals, slide into autocracy? Why have so many blindly rallied around a heartless bully? Historians will ponder the question long into the future. Meanwhile we the people observe the cancer on our society fester and grow.
We witness the damage daily. A few examples:
- no financial assistance for Democratic areas, while Republican regions receive minimal funds for weather-related disasters,
- vengeance-induced lawsuits against those who have maligned DJT, past and present,
- increased ICE raids and a growing militarized country,
- hate language and crimes against minorities – blacks, Hispanics, Jews, Asians, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, the educated and the vaccinated – the list grows, and hatefulness and violence increase as DJT hangs on.
- Farmers and small businesses are squeezed as a result of tariff feuds,
- Folks are upset about health care cuts.
- Tough tasks at home – high grocery and utility bills, rising housing costs, stagnant employment – await action as DJT deals with other countries and intimidates foreign leaders.
What kind of nation are we becoming? Poorer, sicker mentally and physically, with numerous unemployed, growing numbers of homeless, a severe reduction and elimination of the social safety net, while political and business corruption is ignored.
However, I believe there is hope. Too many DJT actions impact Americans adversely. The economy will eventually collapse.
Wouldn’t it be nice to have a President who does not make derogatory comments about and vilifies the opposition, who lies constantly, who does not make his office a personal depository, whose decision-making is based on more than bribes and extortion, who will be remembered for more than being the most incompetent and reckless occupant of the White House?
I have a dream…Martin Luther King Jr.