Shock to the system. The American system. We were supposedly different than other countries.
When problems surfaced we dealt with them (sometimes so slowly as to break our hearts) according to our high standards of truth, justice & the American way.
From politicians and corporations to sports & entertainers, to crime and punishment, there were self evident limits to how much corruption and injustice the people would tolerate.
America is different, but human nature is the same the world ‘round. Germans in 1932, Cambodians in 1970, French in 1793, etc.,etc. And now Americans in 2016.
The highest virtues and just traditions that they (and we) aspired to can be laid low by politics & demagogues.
It’s pure politics now.
The Law didn’t stop the French terror or Hitler or Pol Pot, and it’s not going to stop Trump.
That’s our job — each and every one of us without exception.
IHMO, this is what we have sunk to. The great noble experiment has turned into a cult of personality and lawlessness… A kakistocracy combined with an oligarchy … A government led by the worst example of what can happen if we don’t vote according to the principles and premises put forth in the Constitution. In 2016, the country was subverted completely by the cult worship of Mammon. There have always been those who bought votes… There have always been those who counted upon cults of popularity to win office… There was a time in our history when the offices were won by those who could lead a meritocracy. We are no longer the government of the People, by the people, for the people. We are a people ruled by a government that is not only broken but for sale to the highest bidder. It may be possible to save our idealistic great experiment, but only if we act positively and vote in 2020 to eliminate those who worship Mammon and Chaos instead of morality and the rule of law….( please note that I did not say Christian morality… Because almost every religion in the world is based on the premise that morality is practiced for the good of all the people not just some)
Just like with climate change… There comes a Tipping Point… If we do not act early enough, strongly enough, and stringently enough we will lose everything that was established by our founding forefathers.
There are those who say we should eliminate a two party system. Those are the same ideals that caused hitlerism and Nazism in Germany …and communism and stalinism in Russia. The idea that one party could rule impartially is a fallacy. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. The two party system or a multi-party system like in England, means that competition must meet the expectations of the voters or lose the offices they are vying for. Be thankful we live in a country that allows us to vote. If we can get past the obstacles put in our way by the GOP, we may yet survive.
The election of Trump has demonstrated that there is nothing special about America. There is nothing new under the hood. The electorate went for the despot. Nothing to see here, move along.
lobo1939 over 4 years ago
I would not call it great. Foolish more so if not deadly.
Monchoxyz over 4 years ago
Is he the character that come down that escalator back in 2015?
Radish the wordsmith over 4 years ago
The face of the extremist right wing Republicans.
• Thomas over 4 years ago
Shock to the system. The American system. We were supposedly different than other countries.
When problems surfaced we dealt with them (sometimes so slowly as to break our hearts) according to our high standards of truth, justice & the American way.
From politicians and corporations to sports & entertainers, to crime and punishment, there were self evident limits to how much corruption and injustice the people would tolerate.
America is different, but human nature is the same the world ‘round. Germans in 1932, Cambodians in 1970, French in 1793, etc.,etc. And now Americans in 2016.
The highest virtues and just traditions that they (and we) aspired to can be laid low by politics & demagogues.
It’s pure politics now.
The Law didn’t stop the French terror or Hitler or Pol Pot, and it’s not going to stop Trump.
That’s our job — each and every one of us without exception.
Vote Nov. 3rd., 2020
Coopersdad over 4 years ago
Way too many people drank the “dumb-ass” kool aid! Vote him out in 2020 and vote out his allies!
ruthkando over 4 years ago
He has changed our National character; Bernie can help us to restore our better selves.
Kilrwat Premium Member over 4 years ago
Antidote: Vote, November 3, 2020.
Frankfreak over 4 years ago
To those who commented on my previous post, I stand humbly corrected.
S&C = Dismayed&Depressed over 4 years ago
IHMO, this is what we have sunk to. The great noble experiment has turned into a cult of personality and lawlessness… A kakistocracy combined with an oligarchy … A government led by the worst example of what can happen if we don’t vote according to the principles and premises put forth in the Constitution. In 2016, the country was subverted completely by the cult worship of Mammon. There have always been those who bought votes… There have always been those who counted upon cults of popularity to win office… There was a time in our history when the offices were won by those who could lead a meritocracy. We are no longer the government of the People, by the people, for the people. We are a people ruled by a government that is not only broken but for sale to the highest bidder. It may be possible to save our idealistic great experiment, but only if we act positively and vote in 2020 to eliminate those who worship Mammon and Chaos instead of morality and the rule of law….( please note that I did not say Christian morality… Because almost every religion in the world is based on the premise that morality is practiced for the good of all the people not just some)
Just like with climate change… There comes a Tipping Point… If we do not act early enough, strongly enough, and stringently enough we will lose everything that was established by our founding forefathers.
There are those who say we should eliminate a two party system. Those are the same ideals that caused hitlerism and Nazism in Germany …and communism and stalinism in Russia. The idea that one party could rule impartially is a fallacy. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. The two party system or a multi-party system like in England, means that competition must meet the expectations of the voters or lose the offices they are vying for. Be thankful we live in a country that allows us to vote. If we can get past the obstacles put in our way by the GOP, we may yet survive.
Bonita Voigt over 4 years ago
More like the Great American Mistake.
Dtroutma over 4 years ago
It’s time to neutralize, and flush, that experiment.
wirepunchr over 4 years ago
Any experiment can go bad. I think this one started bad.
poncavage1 over 4 years ago
An accurate portrait of how we feel.
jessie d. Premium Member over 4 years ago
Our checks and balances are a fraud or this monster would have been quelled a long time ago.
Mostly Water Premium Member over 4 years ago
The election of Trump has demonstrated that there is nothing special about America. There is nothing new under the hood. The electorate went for the despot. Nothing to see here, move along.
DeepState over 4 years ago
Great American failed experiment….
FrannieL Premium Member over 4 years ago
Excellent interpretation of what happened in 2016.