Trump was well-schooled by Cohn and Daddy Fred in being a lying prick. But he has shown a special talent for cruelty that is beyond description. I have never rooted for someone's demise until now. Trump, keep up your fitness routine. Yes, that one.
How about peaceful implosion of communist regimes across Eastern Europe?
E.G. Poland, 1989. Facing immense economic crisis and strikes, the communist regime negotiated with Solidarity. Led by Lech Wałęsa, this resulted in the 1989 elections, which were partially free and led to the first non-communist government in the Eastern Bloc. contributed to the collapse of the Berlin Wall and the wider fall of communism across Eastern Europe.
December 8, 1991: The leaders of Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus signed the Belovezha Accords, declaring that the USSR had ceased to exist as a "geopolitical reality" and establishing the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
December 21, 1991: Eight more republics joined the CIS by signing the Alma-Ata Protocol, further sealing the Union's fate.
December 25, 1991: Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev delivered a televised farewell
The Soviet Union (USSR) was formally dissolved on December 26, 1991.
Most disturbing to this psychologist is Thom reminding us that Trump "rose to power by repeatedly appealing to the worst in us, including racism, xenophobia, and misogyny. " This is how nearly every dictator in history has risen to power. What is wrong with the human race that we cannot abandon such biases?
All three worsts are motivated by MALE insecurity. Those of us men who are not insecure do not feel the need to judge people because they look and act different from us. We do not need to go around dancing to machoman music (Trump) or cover ourselves in tattoos (Hegseth), which my Marine Gunnie reminded us in OCS, are permanent evidence of a temporary lapse in judgment. Of course, the more macho and/or the more tatts, the more one should be skeptical of their judgment.
Raised a Catholic, I was groomed as a child to deplore racism and respect everybody. But when it comes to serial sinners, LOL, respect does get more difficult.
Realistically, the focus needs to move toward what we are "for" in the future.
In 1973 Arthur Schlesinger published his book “Imperial Presidency,” which described how the U.S. presidency was far beyond the original design of the drafters of the Constitution. If we have a color revolution, resistance may be first, but there needs to be steps two, three, four, etc.
My suggestion is to replace the presidency with a Federal Council of nine. Just to show that it can be done, a draft of an amendment is below. An amendment such as this allows us to be “for” something rather than always against everything.
---
Proposed Constitutional Amendment: The Federal Executive Council Amendment
BE IT ENACTED that the following article is proposed as an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which shall be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the Constitution when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years from the date of its submission by the Congress:
ARTICLE XXVIII
Section 1: Establishment of the Council
The Executive Council The executive power of the United States shall be vested in a Federal Executive Council (hereinafter "the Council") consisting of nine members. The Office of the President and the Office of the Vice President are hereby abolished, and all powers and duties formerly held by the President of the United States shall be exercised collectively by the Council.
Section 2: Composition and Election
Regional Proportional Districts: The United States shall be divided into nine contiguous geographic executive districts of roughly equal population. Each district shall elect one member to the Council.
Non-Partisan Elections: Members shall be elected in non-partisan elections. No candidate shall appear on a ballot with a political party affiliation, nor shall any political party or affiliated organization provide formal financial or organizational endorsement.
Corporate Contribution Prohibition: The solicitation or acceptance of campaign contributions, expenditures, or "in-kind" support from any corporation, labor union, or non-human legal entity is strictly prohibited. Violation of this provision shall disqualify a candidate from holding office.
Term Limits: Members shall be elected to four-year terms. No person shall be elected to the Council more than twice.
Section 3: The Presidency of the Council
The Council shall annually elect from among its members a President of the Council. This member shall serve as the ceremonial head of state for a one-year term and shall have no powers beyond those of the other members, acting as a primus inter pares (first among equals). No member may serve as President of the Council more than two consecutive years.
Section 4: Collective Executive Authority
All executive actions, including the signing or vetoing of legislation, the issuance of executive orders, creation and adoption of rules of the Council, and the appointment of federal officers, shall require a majority vote of the Council.
Section 5: Commander-in-Chief Power
The Council shall collectively serve as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. In times of declared war or national emergency, the Council may, by a two-thirds vote, appoint a single military commander to direct operations, subject to continuous Council oversight.
Section 6: Implementation
This article shall supersede Article II of this Constitution. Congress shall have the power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation, including the drawing of the nine executive districts following each decennial census
Section 7. Effective Date
This article shall take effect on the 20th day of January following the second biennial election after its ratification. Provisions herein are considered self-executing unless so mentioned and the failure of Congress to pass enabling legislation in any area before the effective date shall render any affected provisions self-executing.
I think we have a different species of dictators/ oligarchs on our hands. These people in charge of our government operate in a closed entity only people like Elon Musk et al have access.
Trump was well-schooled by Cohn and Daddy Fred in being a lying prick. But he has shown a special talent for cruelty that is beyond description. I have never rooted for someone's demise until now. Trump, keep up your fitness routine. Yes, that one.
To quote Hakeem Jeffries: "Fuck Donald Trump!”
just subscribed for the year. always enjoy your take on the current American plight. look forward to reading your output. thanks.
Will it take a "Maidan?"
The "Orange" Revolution.
How about peaceful implosion of communist regimes across Eastern Europe?
E.G. Poland, 1989. Facing immense economic crisis and strikes, the communist regime negotiated with Solidarity. Led by Lech Wałęsa, this resulted in the 1989 elections, which were partially free and led to the first non-communist government in the Eastern Bloc. contributed to the collapse of the Berlin Wall and the wider fall of communism across Eastern Europe.
December 8, 1991: The leaders of Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus signed the Belovezha Accords, declaring that the USSR had ceased to exist as a "geopolitical reality" and establishing the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
December 21, 1991: Eight more republics joined the CIS by signing the Alma-Ata Protocol, further sealing the Union's fate.
December 25, 1991: Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev delivered a televised farewell
The Soviet Union (USSR) was formally dissolved on December 26, 1991.
Most disturbing to this psychologist is Thom reminding us that Trump "rose to power by repeatedly appealing to the worst in us, including racism, xenophobia, and misogyny. " This is how nearly every dictator in history has risen to power. What is wrong with the human race that we cannot abandon such biases?
All three worsts are motivated by MALE insecurity. Those of us men who are not insecure do not feel the need to judge people because they look and act different from us. We do not need to go around dancing to machoman music (Trump) or cover ourselves in tattoos (Hegseth), which my Marine Gunnie reminded us in OCS, are permanent evidence of a temporary lapse in judgment. Of course, the more macho and/or the more tatts, the more one should be skeptical of their judgment.
Raised a Catholic, I was groomed as a child to deplore racism and respect everybody. But when it comes to serial sinners, LOL, respect does get more difficult.
Realistically, the focus needs to move toward what we are "for" in the future.
In 1973 Arthur Schlesinger published his book “Imperial Presidency,” which described how the U.S. presidency was far beyond the original design of the drafters of the Constitution. If we have a color revolution, resistance may be first, but there needs to be steps two, three, four, etc.
My suggestion is to replace the presidency with a Federal Council of nine. Just to show that it can be done, a draft of an amendment is below. An amendment such as this allows us to be “for” something rather than always against everything.
---
Proposed Constitutional Amendment: The Federal Executive Council Amendment
BE IT ENACTED that the following article is proposed as an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which shall be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the Constitution when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years from the date of its submission by the Congress:
ARTICLE XXVIII
Section 1: Establishment of the Council
The Executive Council The executive power of the United States shall be vested in a Federal Executive Council (hereinafter "the Council") consisting of nine members. The Office of the President and the Office of the Vice President are hereby abolished, and all powers and duties formerly held by the President of the United States shall be exercised collectively by the Council.
Section 2: Composition and Election
Regional Proportional Districts: The United States shall be divided into nine contiguous geographic executive districts of roughly equal population. Each district shall elect one member to the Council.
Non-Partisan Elections: Members shall be elected in non-partisan elections. No candidate shall appear on a ballot with a political party affiliation, nor shall any political party or affiliated organization provide formal financial or organizational endorsement.
Corporate Contribution Prohibition: The solicitation or acceptance of campaign contributions, expenditures, or "in-kind" support from any corporation, labor union, or non-human legal entity is strictly prohibited. Violation of this provision shall disqualify a candidate from holding office.
Term Limits: Members shall be elected to four-year terms. No person shall be elected to the Council more than twice.
Section 3: The Presidency of the Council
The Council shall annually elect from among its members a President of the Council. This member shall serve as the ceremonial head of state for a one-year term and shall have no powers beyond those of the other members, acting as a primus inter pares (first among equals). No member may serve as President of the Council more than two consecutive years.
Section 4: Collective Executive Authority
All executive actions, including the signing or vetoing of legislation, the issuance of executive orders, creation and adoption of rules of the Council, and the appointment of federal officers, shall require a majority vote of the Council.
Section 5: Commander-in-Chief Power
The Council shall collectively serve as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. In times of declared war or national emergency, the Council may, by a two-thirds vote, appoint a single military commander to direct operations, subject to continuous Council oversight.
Section 6: Implementation
This article shall supersede Article II of this Constitution. Congress shall have the power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation, including the drawing of the nine executive districts following each decennial census
Section 7. Effective Date
This article shall take effect on the 20th day of January following the second biennial election after its ratification. Provisions herein are considered self-executing unless so mentioned and the failure of Congress to pass enabling legislation in any area before the effective date shall render any affected provisions self-executing.
Didn't work in Rome, France.
First order of business is to get rid of MAGA. Within a matter of hours, Hakeem Jeffries (or someone like Don Bacon) could be Speaker of the House
https://jerryweiss.substack.com/
I think we have a different species of dictators/ oligarchs on our hands. These people in charge of our government operate in a closed entity only people like Elon Musk et al have access.