What is remarkable is how shocked the trump voters are. There was every opportunity to learn, listen and read about his lack of character and lifetime of corruption. His repulsive, ignorant and cruel mismanagement of the country is no surprise to those who pay attention. It’s called being WOKE #mobsterfromqueens
This is really where I do not understand how MAGA thought trump was a good solution. Sorry Mike, but I think you are over simplifying the answer. If they really wanted to Drain The Swamp, why would you think the slimiest creature in the country would be the one to do this? Because he said so? The man had a HORRIBLE reputation as a scam artist, racist and cheat. 2 + 2= 5?
I agree. I've called it the Big Betrayal since the beginning of his second term. These folks need to get their head out of right wing media and find out what else is going on in the world. They're addicted, but waking up fast.
From "eggs are too high" from his campaign speeches, to the price of hamburger and gas are too high after they've elected him. But now his messaging is carried out by his Secretary of Ag and other officials. Trump is too busy golfing. He's got fall guys.
Bingo: "What we’re watching is the slow unraveling of the anti-establishment coalition that made Trump possible in the first place." And yes...extremely dangerous point.
I wish I could believe that all that trump voters wanted was an economy that worked for everyone and a country that respected all of its residents, but sadly, I think the moral and ethical level of a trump voter ( I suppose sheer determined ignorance played a part in a few) is low and they only wanted what they wanted for themselves and the rest be damned.
I know a few people like that. It's so frustrating. It's as if they're living in outer space FGS! Some are SO ignorant that it's very hard to believe. I see it as willful ignorance.
As has often been the case when you actually write an opinion piece, I both agree with you and disagree with you, Mike. Probably the best way to say it is that I think you’re half right.
When Arnold Schwarzenegger was elected governor of California, he promised to “blow up boxes“. He didn’t blow up a single box. He was another unqualified person running the state, and he accomplished almost nothing. He got elected because Gray Davis was useless, a bad symptom of precisely what you are decrying: a politician who did nothing. And he was replaced by an actor/politician who also did nothing.
Yes, a portion of Trump voters are deserting him because he is not delivering on anything. But his base still remains committed to him on so many levels. The worst of these are the the uber rich, whose unsatisfied and unsatisfiable hunger to own everything is funding all of this. But right next to them are the evangelIcal Christians. Their cultural dominance has been declining for decades, and they are desperate to stop it From progressing any further. Their goals are power, money, religious Dominion, and in the age of Trump, revenge on every single group, especially gay people and women, that they believe have “dissed” them. No matter what he does or says, they continue to support him overwhelmingly. They don’t give a crap about the political state of this country.
But the political state of this country, as I have written before on these very pages, is also part of the problem. Our constitution has stopped serving us because the people in charge of making it sure that it does serveus have either abandoned their posts, or are actively working to subvert the constitution. Whether it’s gun “rights” or the separation of church and state, it doesn’t matter. The electoral college is an obstacle to democracy. It is also become an obstacle to effective government, because it ensures the power and money are represented, not the people, not government quality .The Senate has become the equivalent of the British House of Lords. The Senate does not represent the people, and doesn’t even really represent the states. The Senate represents power and money. The Supreme Court is at this point openly corrupt, and has long since ceased to represent the constitution. The originalists have claimed that money is speech and corporations are people and that no regulation may be placed on guns, and that religious belief will “Trump” secular and civil law at all times.
You wrote that Trump tapped into the anti-establishment feelings of so many people. That may well be true. But concomitant with that anti-establishment fervor is something I have written about for quite some time, and occasionally on these very pages: contempt and despite. Whether it’s racism, homophobia, misogyny, it doesn’t really matter. I’m guessing that 90% of the antisemitism that is reared its ugly head is coming from zionists— and these people are not Jewish, they are evangelical Christians, who can’t wait to use the Jews and Israel as their means of forcing Jesus to make a comeback. Arm sales to everybody in the Middle East is of course a part of the military industrial complex, but I think it would be a real mistake to ignore how much war in the Middle East plays into these end time fantasies. It may indeed be the end times, but not because Jesus is coming back.
These are also issues that must be addressed, especially the entrenched dysfunctionality of a constitution that no longer can or will serve us.
It's MY belief that ACTORS should NOT be allowed to run for office. They can lie too easily and really fool people. I felt the SAME way about Reagan. I MEAN! It's like shooting yourself in the freaking foot. It's BEGGING to be TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF FGS.
And that I have no problem with. Reagan was a very effective communicator even if he dealt in platitudes and have truths.
I knew a gay man who voted for Arnold, even though it was obvious that Arnold had absolutely no business running the state of California, and that Republicans were bad for gay people. He admitted that what interested him was Arnold’s persona of a strong man who would get things done. I tried to explain to him that Arnold was an actor, and that beating the crap out of everyone on screen did not qualify him for anything except for another action movie. But he felt that Arnold would shake things up.
But Arnold shook nothingup because he didn’t have much of a clue of what he was doing. Arnold ran because he believed his own press kit – that he was an outsider who could shake up the usual way of doing business. But since he didn’t understand how business was done, he accomplished nothing.
I don't like ANYone with half truths. I don't care about how much bs they try to preach. I could never stand Reagan either back then, and NOW that we know he was in with the Heritage Foundation & the Federalist Society, I know WHY! We wouldn't be in THIS position today if he hadn't conned us with HIS BS. I will ALWAYS say, "DO NOT VOTE FOR NYONE THAT HAS A BACKGROUND IN ACTING. To ME, it's common sense.
Yes, MAGA adherents may be frustrated and angry, and rightfully so, but they’re still stupid. Anyone with any kind of critical thinking skills saw this coming a decade ago. Most chose to not see it or willfully ignore it. Those who did see it and went along with it are not stupid, just evil. Nothing has happened that couldn’t have been predicted when he first came down that escalator, and certainly not after Project 2025 came out.
> And I think Democrats misunderstand this when they reduce every Trump voter to being stupid or evil or brainwashed. A lot of these people were genuinely angry about corruption, economic inequality, endless war, and institutions that felt completely disconnected from normal life in America. Trump tapped into that frustration better than any politician in decades. The problem is that instead of dismantling that system, he increasingly became a version of it.
Increasingly???? He was that way from the start, something that was obvious to progressives. How can you blame us for rolling our eyes when things turn out exactly the way we predicted and people act surprised?
The DNC is what, really? A thing willing to accept Martin's "We did an autopsy but I can't share it with you" - accept this and DO NOTHING about it????? Sounds like the committee members enjoy whatever perks and titles they can get, and have no capacity at all beyond that. They exemplify the problems; they are not answers. Not a very good basis for" putting...right strategy together."
I'm a life long Democrat. I have increasingly felt that our government (both parties) has forgotten their constituents. I never thought Trump was the answer.
The problem for anyone really paying attention is that politicians from either party aren't interested in we, the people. They're interested in power and money. I'm sure there are a couple of people scattered around who might actually care about their constituents, but as a whole, they just don't. From my perspective as an Independent, Republicans are either scared of Trump or are completely complicit. While, Democrats are weak, and want to play by rules that Republicans don't want to acknowledge any longer. I don't see either side being authentic. What I do see is Trump screwing with the midterms, even more. If Republicans lose, Trump won't be able to continue, easily, with Project 2025 and his takeover agenda.
At least Phyllis addressed the point of this article, that Democrats need to replace their leadership NOW and create a platform that addresses the problems that Trump and co. are so good at finding, which resonate with all Americans, but with sensible, well thought out, legal and efficient solutions instead of the brutal, incompetent and thoughtless nightmares that seem to be the only way the administration handles the problems the correctly identify. Most everyone else is still talking Trump and GOP.
"I think Democrats misunderstand this when they reduce every Trump voter to being stupid or evil or brainwashed. A lot of these people were genuinely angry about corruption, economic inequality, endless war, and institutions that felt completely disconnected from normal life in America."
I think this is correct, and rather than viewing this entire situation as a new Civil War - pro-tip, it isn't; it just feels that way - we need to unite as a nation against the soulless rich/traitors who drove Trump to the WH.
It is beyond belief that you could say that the people who voted for Trump were anything other than stupid (and some maybe evil). He was/is corrupt and he cared/cares nothing about economic equality, To be angry about corruption and economic inequality and think Trump would fix that can only mean one thing -- you are stupid. Sorry. but I don't think there is any other conclusion. And for Trump supporters, "normal life in America" is racist, mysoginist, and homophobic. If that is the life they want that, then they are both stupid and evil.
What is remarkable is how shocked the trump voters are. There was every opportunity to learn, listen and read about his lack of character and lifetime of corruption. His repulsive, ignorant and cruel mismanagement of the country is no surprise to those who pay attention. It’s called being WOKE #mobsterfromqueens
This is really where I do not understand how MAGA thought trump was a good solution. Sorry Mike, but I think you are over simplifying the answer. If they really wanted to Drain The Swamp, why would you think the slimiest creature in the country would be the one to do this? Because he said so? The man had a HORRIBLE reputation as a scam artist, racist and cheat. 2 + 2= 5?
I agree. I've called it the Big Betrayal since the beginning of his second term. These folks need to get their head out of right wing media and find out what else is going on in the world. They're addicted, but waking up fast.
From "eggs are too high" from his campaign speeches, to the price of hamburger and gas are too high after they've elected him. But now his messaging is carried out by his Secretary of Ag and other officials. Trump is too busy golfing. He's got fall guys.
Yup.
Woke up. Woke the F up little sheepies!!!
Bingo: "What we’re watching is the slow unraveling of the anti-establishment coalition that made Trump possible in the first place." And yes...extremely dangerous point.
I wish I could believe that all that trump voters wanted was an economy that worked for everyone and a country that respected all of its residents, but sadly, I think the moral and ethical level of a trump voter ( I suppose sheer determined ignorance played a part in a few) is low and they only wanted what they wanted for themselves and the rest be damned.
I know a few people like that. It's so frustrating. It's as if they're living in outer space FGS! Some are SO ignorant that it's very hard to believe. I see it as willful ignorance.
Sexism, misogyny and racism and big money donors propelled Trump.
As has often been the case when you actually write an opinion piece, I both agree with you and disagree with you, Mike. Probably the best way to say it is that I think you’re half right.
When Arnold Schwarzenegger was elected governor of California, he promised to “blow up boxes“. He didn’t blow up a single box. He was another unqualified person running the state, and he accomplished almost nothing. He got elected because Gray Davis was useless, a bad symptom of precisely what you are decrying: a politician who did nothing. And he was replaced by an actor/politician who also did nothing.
Yes, a portion of Trump voters are deserting him because he is not delivering on anything. But his base still remains committed to him on so many levels. The worst of these are the the uber rich, whose unsatisfied and unsatisfiable hunger to own everything is funding all of this. But right next to them are the evangelIcal Christians. Their cultural dominance has been declining for decades, and they are desperate to stop it From progressing any further. Their goals are power, money, religious Dominion, and in the age of Trump, revenge on every single group, especially gay people and women, that they believe have “dissed” them. No matter what he does or says, they continue to support him overwhelmingly. They don’t give a crap about the political state of this country.
But the political state of this country, as I have written before on these very pages, is also part of the problem. Our constitution has stopped serving us because the people in charge of making it sure that it does serveus have either abandoned their posts, or are actively working to subvert the constitution. Whether it’s gun “rights” or the separation of church and state, it doesn’t matter. The electoral college is an obstacle to democracy. It is also become an obstacle to effective government, because it ensures the power and money are represented, not the people, not government quality .The Senate has become the equivalent of the British House of Lords. The Senate does not represent the people, and doesn’t even really represent the states. The Senate represents power and money. The Supreme Court is at this point openly corrupt, and has long since ceased to represent the constitution. The originalists have claimed that money is speech and corporations are people and that no regulation may be placed on guns, and that religious belief will “Trump” secular and civil law at all times.
You wrote that Trump tapped into the anti-establishment feelings of so many people. That may well be true. But concomitant with that anti-establishment fervor is something I have written about for quite some time, and occasionally on these very pages: contempt and despite. Whether it’s racism, homophobia, misogyny, it doesn’t really matter. I’m guessing that 90% of the antisemitism that is reared its ugly head is coming from zionists— and these people are not Jewish, they are evangelical Christians, who can’t wait to use the Jews and Israel as their means of forcing Jesus to make a comeback. Arm sales to everybody in the Middle East is of course a part of the military industrial complex, but I think it would be a real mistake to ignore how much war in the Middle East plays into these end time fantasies. It may indeed be the end times, but not because Jesus is coming back.
These are also issues that must be addressed, especially the entrenched dysfunctionality of a constitution that no longer can or will serve us.
It's MY belief that ACTORS should NOT be allowed to run for office. They can lie too easily and really fool people. I felt the SAME way about Reagan. I MEAN! It's like shooting yourself in the freaking foot. It's BEGGING to be TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF FGS.
Zelenskyy in Ukraine appears to be doing a fantastic job!
I agree and disagree. The problem is we cannot stop actors running for office.
Maybe not, but we should NEVER vote for one IF we have an ounce of brainmatter.
And that I have no problem with. Reagan was a very effective communicator even if he dealt in platitudes and have truths.
I knew a gay man who voted for Arnold, even though it was obvious that Arnold had absolutely no business running the state of California, and that Republicans were bad for gay people. He admitted that what interested him was Arnold’s persona of a strong man who would get things done. I tried to explain to him that Arnold was an actor, and that beating the crap out of everyone on screen did not qualify him for anything except for another action movie. But he felt that Arnold would shake things up.
But Arnold shook nothingup because he didn’t have much of a clue of what he was doing. Arnold ran because he believed his own press kit – that he was an outsider who could shake up the usual way of doing business. But since he didn’t understand how business was done, he accomplished nothing.
I don't like ANYone with half truths. I don't care about how much bs they try to preach. I could never stand Reagan either back then, and NOW that we know he was in with the Heritage Foundation & the Federalist Society, I know WHY! We wouldn't be in THIS position today if he hadn't conned us with HIS BS. I will ALWAYS say, "DO NOT VOTE FOR NYONE THAT HAS A BACKGROUND IN ACTING. To ME, it's common sense.
Anger and frustration does not excuse poor judgement. The guy is a con man and if you couldn't tell before he took over, you will always be the mark!
Yes, MAGA adherents may be frustrated and angry, and rightfully so, but they’re still stupid. Anyone with any kind of critical thinking skills saw this coming a decade ago. Most chose to not see it or willfully ignore it. Those who did see it and went along with it are not stupid, just evil. Nothing has happened that couldn’t have been predicted when he first came down that escalator, and certainly not after Project 2025 came out.
> And I think Democrats misunderstand this when they reduce every Trump voter to being stupid or evil or brainwashed. A lot of these people were genuinely angry about corruption, economic inequality, endless war, and institutions that felt completely disconnected from normal life in America. Trump tapped into that frustration better than any politician in decades. The problem is that instead of dismantling that system, he increasingly became a version of it.
Increasingly???? He was that way from the start, something that was obvious to progressives. How can you blame us for rolling our eyes when things turn out exactly the way we predicted and people act surprised?
So well written. Please share with the DNC so they put the right strategy together on what Americans need in leadership.
The DNC is what, really? A thing willing to accept Martin's "We did an autopsy but I can't share it with you" - accept this and DO NOTHING about it????? Sounds like the committee members enjoy whatever perks and titles they can get, and have no capacity at all beyond that. They exemplify the problems; they are not answers. Not a very good basis for" putting...right strategy together."
Ditto!!
I'm a life long Democrat. I have increasingly felt that our government (both parties) has forgotten their constituents. I never thought Trump was the answer.
The problem for anyone really paying attention is that politicians from either party aren't interested in we, the people. They're interested in power and money. I'm sure there are a couple of people scattered around who might actually care about their constituents, but as a whole, they just don't. From my perspective as an Independent, Republicans are either scared of Trump or are completely complicit. While, Democrats are weak, and want to play by rules that Republicans don't want to acknowledge any longer. I don't see either side being authentic. What I do see is Trump screwing with the midterms, even more. If Republicans lose, Trump won't be able to continue, easily, with Project 2025 and his takeover agenda.
Thank you, Mike, for sharing your insight.
At least Phyllis addressed the point of this article, that Democrats need to replace their leadership NOW and create a platform that addresses the problems that Trump and co. are so good at finding, which resonate with all Americans, but with sensible, well thought out, legal and efficient solutions instead of the brutal, incompetent and thoughtless nightmares that seem to be the only way the administration handles the problems the correctly identify. Most everyone else is still talking Trump and GOP.
Thanks, Mike. This was good info.
"I think Democrats misunderstand this when they reduce every Trump voter to being stupid or evil or brainwashed. A lot of these people were genuinely angry about corruption, economic inequality, endless war, and institutions that felt completely disconnected from normal life in America."
I think this is correct, and rather than viewing this entire situation as a new Civil War - pro-tip, it isn't; it just feels that way - we need to unite as a nation against the soulless rich/traitors who drove Trump to the WH.
It is beyond belief that you could say that the people who voted for Trump were anything other than stupid (and some maybe evil). He was/is corrupt and he cared/cares nothing about economic equality, To be angry about corruption and economic inequality and think Trump would fix that can only mean one thing -- you are stupid. Sorry. but I don't think there is any other conclusion. And for Trump supporters, "normal life in America" is racist, mysoginist, and homophobic. If that is the life they want that, then they are both stupid and evil.