Yes, it is a coup against Congress, but one that Congress is enthusiastically embracing. The most chilling moment of Trump's State of the Union address is when he said (paraphrasing) “We don't need new legislation. As it turns out all we needed was a new president.” This drew cheers and a standing ovation from the Republican members of Congress. They were cheering making themselves irrelevant. Images of the Reichstag voting to dissolve itself ran through my mind.
Another point about Trump’s power, manifested through DOGE: it stems from the broad trend over decades of the federal government funding states and innumerable private institutions like universities. This “power of the purse” is the power to control; and it is now being exercised ruthlessly.
Robert, HOW do we demand to take it back? Large peaceful protests? Lawsuits (at least until Trump gets rid of all the judges he doesn't like)? Calling congressional offices (although many of us have done that without any impact on outcomes)?
I had a bit of an epiphany the other day. Since there's no realistic way for Trump to overturn the 22nd Amendment, he's got 2 options to continue as President.
One is to run as VP and then have the President resign soon after Inauguration. Or even just stay VP but run everything through his puppet.
The other option is to simply declare some sort of emergency and impose martial law and suspend an election. He can use Ukraine as his template. I think this may end up being the chosen option.
I think polling will show he can't win as a VP so suspending the Constitution will end up being his only option. I suppose there could be a real rigged election - stuff like saying California's Electoral College votes don't count for whatever reason, for example, which would enable him to declare victory.
I think it sounds ridiculous but who would have thought he'd be trying to annex Canada of all things.
If only Kamala Harris had a brain. She should have chewed him up and spat him out for being the vile, racialist bigot that the Heat Miser is when The Orangeman threw up that racist nonsense about Haitian migrants eating their neighbors pets…Not to mention she should have offered to resign as Vice President and demand Slow Joes in absentia if The Don could offer up actual proof the election was stolen. Thanks progressives for not nominating someone who does not check all the right D.I.E., I mean leftists D.E.I. box scores. Thanks for all the totalitarian, Ill Duce meets Tony Soprano, in the flesh, updates. Calgon take me away. Gotta run on. Thanks for taking my rant R.T. We the Living in Idiocracy. Peace through superior mental firepower
Good observation about how Trump relishes in his authority to change tariffs at will. He raises tariffs… because he can. Congress should reclaim its constitutional authority over this type of taxation, but that is highly unlikely for the foreseeable future.
Ronbo sends: You really didn't think "The American Empire" created by the liberals would just go quietly into the night? The Imperialists in D.C. rejected the "old empire" created after WWII in favor of a new one based on the ancient Roman model where the client states pay for the Roman state - instead of the other way around. Donald Trump is the new American Caesar whose tariffs will build a "New Golden Age."
Yes, it is a coup against Congress, but one that Congress is enthusiastically embracing. The most chilling moment of Trump's State of the Union address is when he said (paraphrasing) “We don't need new legislation. As it turns out all we needed was a new president.” This drew cheers and a standing ovation from the Republican members of Congress. They were cheering making themselves irrelevant. Images of the Reichstag voting to dissolve itself ran through my mind.
Another point about Trump’s power, manifested through DOGE: it stems from the broad trend over decades of the federal government funding states and innumerable private institutions like universities. This “power of the purse” is the power to control; and it is now being exercised ruthlessly.
Good post. Here's what Ayn Rand had to say (h/t Augustina Vergara Cid) answers: https://x.com/agustinavcid/status/1902069050605498763
Robert, HOW do we demand to take it back? Large peaceful protests? Lawsuits (at least until Trump gets rid of all the judges he doesn't like)? Calling congressional offices (although many of us have done that without any impact on outcomes)?
I had a bit of an epiphany the other day. Since there's no realistic way for Trump to overturn the 22nd Amendment, he's got 2 options to continue as President.
One is to run as VP and then have the President resign soon after Inauguration. Or even just stay VP but run everything through his puppet.
The other option is to simply declare some sort of emergency and impose martial law and suspend an election. He can use Ukraine as his template. I think this may end up being the chosen option.
I think polling will show he can't win as a VP so suspending the Constitution will end up being his only option. I suppose there could be a real rigged election - stuff like saying California's Electoral College votes don't count for whatever reason, for example, which would enable him to declare victory.
I think it sounds ridiculous but who would have thought he'd be trying to annex Canada of all things.
If only Kamala Harris had a brain. She should have chewed him up and spat him out for being the vile, racialist bigot that the Heat Miser is when The Orangeman threw up that racist nonsense about Haitian migrants eating their neighbors pets…Not to mention she should have offered to resign as Vice President and demand Slow Joes in absentia if The Don could offer up actual proof the election was stolen. Thanks progressives for not nominating someone who does not check all the right D.I.E., I mean leftists D.E.I. box scores. Thanks for all the totalitarian, Ill Duce meets Tony Soprano, in the flesh, updates. Calgon take me away. Gotta run on. Thanks for taking my rant R.T. We the Living in Idiocracy. Peace through superior mental firepower
Good observation about how Trump relishes in his authority to change tariffs at will. He raises tariffs… because he can. Congress should reclaim its constitutional authority over this type of taxation, but that is highly unlikely for the foreseeable future.
This post is a masterpiece. Thank you.
Ronbo sends: You really didn't think "The American Empire" created by the liberals would just go quietly into the night? The Imperialists in D.C. rejected the "old empire" created after WWII in favor of a new one based on the ancient Roman model where the client states pay for the Roman state - instead of the other way around. Donald Trump is the new American Caesar whose tariffs will build a "New Golden Age."