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It is satisfying ,yet frightening, to watch Trump fail. Frightening because as he fails (and he is), he is trying to take as much as he can from the American people before he goes. And I am sure he and those around him hope to continue to take, too, as long as they can. That’s what this new plan of Trump’s slush fund (that he wants us to pay for) is about.
“So the Trump administration is creating a $1.776 billion slush fund — 1776, get it? — to pay off victims of “lawfare and weaponization.” Just to be clear, if you’re a U.S. taxpayer, this action means that almost $1.8 billion of your money will be handed out to whomever a panel appointed by Donald Trump decides to reward. The beneficiaries are likely to include January 6 insurrectionists, as well as Trump, his family, and his allies.” —Paul Krugman
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“This is one of the single most corrupt acts in American history,” said Donald K. Sherman, president of the nonprofit Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.
Krugman goes on to say that Trump’s polling is so bad that he and his minions are aware that the midterms will be bad for Trump. The GOP might even lose the Senate along with the House. But 2028 is still in play, and the GOP is trying to mess the voting system with that in mind. That’s why as important as it is to focus on the midterms, we also need to focus on the next presidential election.
On one level, what Trump does doesn’t suprise me, although I hope it always does. On another level I am astounded that a person could have so little regard for the people he is meant to protect. Trump is either a horrible man, or completely delusional. Or both. I believe that he has surrounded himself with corrupt and ruthless people who simply “yes” him all the time so that they can gain wealth and power. And he thinks he’s doing a great job.
His base is still there for him, but their numbers have dwindled. They will follow him anywhere. They are uninformed and motivated by a form of identity politics: they believe he represents who they are. These Trumpers are like how Swifties are to Taylor Swift. It’s who they are. They worship him, and don’t pay attention to any facts that point to how Trump in actuality could care less about them. I don’t think they are “bad” people.
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It’s the power hungry perhaps who are sadly more numerous. They are not supporting Trump out of any identity need or belief system, except belief in themselves. They are informed and know what they are doing. Trump people in the power-hungry category have convinced themselves of a way of thinking that I just do not understand.
I believe government exists to help people. Really actively help people.
I had an uncle whom I loved who was a Republican. He would argue politics with his Democrat brother, my father. Uncle Fred was a CEO of a major corporation, and his GOP thought Reagan’s trickle-down theory made sense. I believe Reagan was the modern culprit of our current mess, although I am sure it’s also pure racism and sexism which are as old as the hills in this country. It’s the notion that those with money (white men) should be given tax breaks, etc, so that they invest, eventually trickling down to help the common man/woman.
Trump doesn’t even pretend that a theory is at the heart of his actions: he just wants the money for his family and friends, period. He wants vengence. It’s not about an economic system. Of course, that’s assuming Reagan was a believer in the system, I don’t really know what was in his heart.
The greedy are always with us. It’s those who believe in helping others and not just ourselves who have to be strong. And LOUD. There are plenty such people in our government, and we need to support them.
Thanks for letting me rant, and I’d love to hear your thoughts.
And thanks for being here! It is a long slog, and there are days when I feel I can’t write or draw about this anymore.
But I think we are getting there and I have hope.