"The next time you hear a Republican at any level, from your local school board to the United States Senate, promise to “run government like a business,” understand what they’re really saying: they intend to serve the interests of whoever funds their campaign, strip your government of its ability to serve you, and call the resulting chaos 'efficiency.'"
There's a sucker born every minute. They believe they have a right and a duty to USE government for their business purposes.
I just watched a video by a Trump promoter, in essence saying that all true "patriots" will be able if they invest to get approximately $300,000 each, when Trump opens up the national parks to mining.
Mining and National Parks
Expansion of Mining: Trump has issued executive orders to streamline mining permits and prioritize mineral extraction on public lands, including identifying potential sites within or near national monuments and parks.
Strategic Reserves (Project Vault): In February 2026, the administration launched Project Vault, an initiative to create the nation's first strategic critical minerals reserve. While it mentions that taxpayers may "earn a return" on financing the reserve, this refers to national economic benefit or government revenue, not individual cash payouts.
National Park Fees: A July 2025 executive order increased entrance fees specifically for foreign tourists to fund park infrastructure and conservation, but these funds are earmarked for the National Park Service, not for distribution to citizens.
"Trump Accounts": There is a separate proposal for "Trump Accounts," which are investment accounts for minors starting with a $1,000 federal grant that could potentially grow to significant sums (estimated at ~$191,000 by age 18) over decades, but this is unrelated to mining payouts and does not involve immediate $300,000 payments.
My experience with school boards was that some officials thought that the schools were a cash cow and they hired their relatives (nepotism), solicited bribes and tried to use no bid contracts, etc. UMHO there is no magic to local control of schools and there is more corruption at the local level than at the national level.
This regime has perfected it through extortion and refusal to follow the law.
Both parties engage in pay to play. It's why most politicians get into politics.
Ergo, the system is broken. Fix the system, and democratic governance will stand a chance.
Politicians from both parties understand how the game is played. Very few resist.
Now, as the country sinks to a failed state, the politicians cling to what propelled them to power and financial security. Damn their constituencies. Damn the Constitution. Damn the Rule of Law. Their power and fortunes are more important than anyone or anything else.
While the analysis is excellent in all aspects, I feel that there should be only one thing on the minds and agenda of loyal, Progressive Americans.
Among many things, Thom rightfully points out that this Iran adventure may be bait for the one “incident” that will bail out DT.
Please consider: When it occurs, have we properly prepared the country to ask: Who benefits?
The narrative must be controlled before it happens. The IRAN war must be classed as a distraction AND an opportunity to invite domestic violence in America. And this purpose must be laid at MAGA’s door. Not Iran’s.
Anything that happens must be framed to occur because DT and the whole MAGA clown car want it to happen. They are hoping for it…
America’s national security apparatus has been gutted by DOGE.
DT puppets have cleansed the FBI of the professionals who have been tracking security threats,
and they have refocused Homeland Security upon made-for-TV immigrant round ups.
The stage has been set. The trap has been baited. If agents of Iran do not take the bait, I feel sure that some combination of MOSSAD and/or Saudi Intelligence assets will be invited to arrange for dupes to set the bomb, drive the truck, or steal the plane. They can do this in their sleep.
If ever free media and loyal Americans need to focus on one matter and speak in one voice, this is it. MAGA wants this so they can declare a national emergency and end free elections. Forever.
My father was a dyed in the wool conservative. Registered, letter writing Goldwater wisher and Buckley viewer. He wrote Reagan so many missives that I think we both lost count. He had an entire scrapbook filled with presidential commendations ,replies to his letters you name it. I grew up when JFK hit the office and I got worse as I grew older. I am a child of Viet Nam and Kent State and the Chicago Hoffmann trials. Thom, you expose of Republican politics is fantastic. I tried to tell my Dad he had it all wrong just to piss him up a bit. So here we are with the worlds dumbest rich man and the worlds worst President taking on the radical Muslims throughout the world and bombing all hell on a school full of young children. Whiskey Pete says he's gonna find out that Iran did it, not us. Have another shot Pete, you're going to hell for this one. And, as far as Republican ideals...Thom hit it right on the head with a BIG hammer. Us radical leftists just ain't got the guns to fight em' here .We're far to well versed in sanity. I still feel for that kid with the rifle. He shouldn't have missed and the blood capsule was too much of a giveaway! Thanks Thom for another great lesson!
"The next time you hear a Republican at any level, from your local school board to the United States Senate, promise to “run government like a business,” understand what they’re really saying: they intend to serve the interests of whoever funds their campaign, strip your government of its ability to serve you, and call the resulting chaos 'efficiency.'"
There's a sucker born every minute. They believe they have a right and a duty to USE government for their business purposes.
I just watched a video by a Trump promoter, in essence saying that all true "patriots" will be able if they invest to get approximately $300,000 each, when Trump opens up the national parks to mining.
Mining and National Parks
Expansion of Mining: Trump has issued executive orders to streamline mining permits and prioritize mineral extraction on public lands, including identifying potential sites within or near national monuments and parks.
Strategic Reserves (Project Vault): In February 2026, the administration launched Project Vault, an initiative to create the nation's first strategic critical minerals reserve. While it mentions that taxpayers may "earn a return" on financing the reserve, this refers to national economic benefit or government revenue, not individual cash payouts.
National Park Fees: A July 2025 executive order increased entrance fees specifically for foreign tourists to fund park infrastructure and conservation, but these funds are earmarked for the National Park Service, not for distribution to citizens.
"Trump Accounts": There is a separate proposal for "Trump Accounts," which are investment accounts for minors starting with a $1,000 federal grant that could potentially grow to significant sums (estimated at ~$191,000 by age 18) over decades, but this is unrelated to mining payouts and does not involve immediate $300,000 payments.
My experience with school boards was that some officials thought that the schools were a cash cow and they hired their relatives (nepotism), solicited bribes and tried to use no bid contracts, etc. UMHO there is no magic to local control of schools and there is more corruption at the local level than at the national level.
This regime has perfected it through extortion and refusal to follow the law.
Both parties engage in pay to play. It's why most politicians get into politics.
Ergo, the system is broken. Fix the system, and democratic governance will stand a chance.
Politicians from both parties understand how the game is played. Very few resist.
Now, as the country sinks to a failed state, the politicians cling to what propelled them to power and financial security. Damn their constituencies. Damn the Constitution. Damn the Rule of Law. Their power and fortunes are more important than anyone or anything else.
Dems to a FAR lesser degree. Throwing out the baby with the bathwater.
In general Dems oppose graft. Only a few bad apples.
Another great letter Thom!
While the analysis is excellent in all aspects, I feel that there should be only one thing on the minds and agenda of loyal, Progressive Americans.
Among many things, Thom rightfully points out that this Iran adventure may be bait for the one “incident” that will bail out DT.
Please consider: When it occurs, have we properly prepared the country to ask: Who benefits?
The narrative must be controlled before it happens. The IRAN war must be classed as a distraction AND an opportunity to invite domestic violence in America. And this purpose must be laid at MAGA’s door. Not Iran’s.
Anything that happens must be framed to occur because DT and the whole MAGA clown car want it to happen. They are hoping for it…
America’s national security apparatus has been gutted by DOGE.
DT puppets have cleansed the FBI of the professionals who have been tracking security threats,
and they have refocused Homeland Security upon made-for-TV immigrant round ups.
The stage has been set. The trap has been baited. If agents of Iran do not take the bait, I feel sure that some combination of MOSSAD and/or Saudi Intelligence assets will be invited to arrange for dupes to set the bomb, drive the truck, or steal the plane. They can do this in their sleep.
If ever free media and loyal Americans need to focus on one matter and speak in one voice, this is it. MAGA wants this so they can declare a national emergency and end free elections. Forever.
D. Laghezza
The magic word is EPSTEIN. Latest revelation is that the Epstein estate paid off a claim against Trump. https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/epstein-accountant-spills-bombshell-payout-215837049.html
So, granting that, the next question is: Where did Epstein get all that money? He was a grifter and never earned a dime.
D.
The Republican Party is just like Chis Armitage describes it, “A Transnational Criminal Organization (see his “The Existentialist Republic!”
My father was a dyed in the wool conservative. Registered, letter writing Goldwater wisher and Buckley viewer. He wrote Reagan so many missives that I think we both lost count. He had an entire scrapbook filled with presidential commendations ,replies to his letters you name it. I grew up when JFK hit the office and I got worse as I grew older. I am a child of Viet Nam and Kent State and the Chicago Hoffmann trials. Thom, you expose of Republican politics is fantastic. I tried to tell my Dad he had it all wrong just to piss him up a bit. So here we are with the worlds dumbest rich man and the worlds worst President taking on the radical Muslims throughout the world and bombing all hell on a school full of young children. Whiskey Pete says he's gonna find out that Iran did it, not us. Have another shot Pete, you're going to hell for this one. And, as far as Republican ideals...Thom hit it right on the head with a BIG hammer. Us radical leftists just ain't got the guns to fight em' here .We're far to well versed in sanity. I still feel for that kid with the rifle. He shouldn't have missed and the blood capsule was too much of a giveaway! Thanks Thom for another great lesson!
a