“It was time to set aside childish things in 2009 and it’s time to set aside childish things now as our globe faces profound challenges. But we are saddled with a seriously corrupt and criminal man in the White House, who is also childishly undeveloped, acts on whim, and never was educated or motivated by democratic principles. How childish could an electorate be that they would put him back in power?”
Not just childish but shortsighted and aggrieved. As much as I admire Obama, I wish he, and equally well respected public figures whether Democrat, Republican or Independent, would start presenting a unified forceful opposition to this mendacious, corrupt, incompetent and sadistic regime.
He chose corruption and stupidity. Others followed. They are grifters and sycophants. He is not respected; no bully is ever respected. His ultimate fate and history will validate that.
Trump plans to impose the political economy of these extractive, exploitative oil sheiks in place of our more inclusive distributive growth model.
It makes sense. Trump can't comprehend what drives economic growth but he can understand the economics of an oil well.
But the trade offs are terrible.
But hey, don't take my word for it.
Allow me to introduce you to the views that won the Nobel Prize in Economics in 2024.
"The laureates have shown that one explanation for differences in countries’ prosperity is the societal institutions that were introduced during colonisation. Inclusive institutions were often introduced in countries that were poor when they were colonised, over time resulting in a generally prosperous population. This is an important reason for why former colonies that were once rich are now poor, and vice versa."
Jesus, take the wheel. I almost cried at what I'm sure everyone else has realized: all Trump wants is more and more and more money. That's it. Period. That the Republican weasels in Congress are willing to deplete Medicaid to enrich million and billionaires is so depraved, it's monstrous. I'm almost done with the whole lot of them. There be monsters is correct.
The ‘big beautiful bill’ failed to get out of committee today. Not because it has a provision that attacks non-profits (the worst section would let Bessent declare them terrorist organizations & then revoke their status) but because some are holding out for a worse bill & more cuts.
My scariest thought in these scary times is that *we the people deserve this.* When it comes to self-governance and democracy in general, your description of Trump fits too many of us, especially we white people who've never had to fight for our rights and tend to take them for granted without understanding what they are or the obligations they impose.
Your description of Trump fits at least 77 million members of the electorate: "childishly undeveloped, acts on whim, and never was educated or motivated by democratic principles." Especially the last part: "never was educated or motivated by democratic principles." However, I disagree with the "childish" part. As the song in the venerable (1958!) musical SOUTH PACIFIC pointed out, "You've got to be taught to hate and fear." None of us are born that way. We aren't born knowing and understanding democratic principles either.
This is the wakeup call to end all wakeup calls. Will we the people wake the hell up this time?
If you read Substacks by Steven Beschloss and others, you can see the encouragement to stand against the regime by every day Americans.
The Meidas Touch Network, the Dworkin Report and many others are advocating for nonviolent resistance, and bring us news of ways to use our voices to support democracy in its best form. We the People must get into John Lewis’ ‘good trouble’, and take back our government from the evil forces that are trying to destroy it.
I agree in part with some of what you say. I think some fault needs to be placed with our schools and parents. Many school curriculums don't teach civics as a separate course but lump it into social studies on the grade school level. And it's not taught at all in many high schools. And parents need to lead by example and explain to their children why they are voting and its importance. Parents should also attend school board meetings so they can participate in their children's educational process. If we adults are too busy with our own lives to get involved, what message is that sending to our kids--our future generation?
Thank you! So well said! And a welcome reminder of a time when our leaders had courage, dignity, and belief in our ideals. It seems like this administration is taunting us—pushing us to see just how much lawlessness and corruption we will put up with.
Please sign and encourage others to sign The People’s Articles of Impeachment Against Donald J. Trump:
Oh yeah, tRump really changed how we look to the World. A once great nation now relegated to groveling in embarrassment, shame and fear! One that allowed itself to be taken over by a very low class, grubbing crime Family. Led by a cheap, conniving crook! What a humiliating picture we pose to the World…to many we are to be pitied for what we lost, laughed at by many more and thought to have finally gotten their due comeuppance at long last by the rest.
I feel totally humiliated by our absolute lack of resistance. Our Government was like a Billboard depicting a mighty force of “Right” protecting the weak and downtrodden of the world. Then along came a gust of wind and our “mighty force” was gone like a leaf blown before the storm!
To coin an old phrase, I can imagine all those brave Americans who made the Supreme Sacrifice “turning in their Graves!” When they see what we’ve become!
Now on to one of the most humiliating spectacles we have ever been forced to endure! The “parade” for one of the most undeserving American in our history, surrounded by a Military, this individual, a draft dodger, has insulted, debased and completely disrespected…forced to act as a “Guard of Honor!” I would NEVER attend such a debacle…but if forced to…I would turn my Back and hang my Head in shame!
I’m saving this to read when things are feeling especially dark, as I assume they will be as this insanity continues. This is like a light, a pulling up of pants, a deep breath.
As painful as it is to read the words and dreams of two Presidents who are polar opposites, it should illustrate to everyone how far we have descended into the twisted mind and world of a mad man. I can only say, "I don't want to live under a Dictator, do you?" Democracy will die in silence, find your voice.
Our first goal has to be to rid ourselves of this evil regime through mass civil disobedience on a scale that is unprecedented (please mark June 14 in your calendars, folks, and bring friends along with you). Our larger goal, however, must be to reinvent ourselves. We cannot afford to simply go back to the status quo.
There has to be fresh, commonsensical thinking, for example, about the ways in which we approach education, healthcare and the scourge of guns. That is our true challenge.
Never thought in my 46 years living in this country to see the US as corrupted by a government where the leaders care so little for the people And so much for themselves. Thank God for the opposition who are speaking loud enough and you are one of them. Always looking forward to seeing your articles
It is hard to imagine that Trump is so stupid and so narcissistic that he actually thinks anyone respects him. Yet it is true . But he doesn't gain his power just from his own corruption. Trump only has this much power because dozens of traitorous Republicans will not stand up to him. And the millions of people who voted for Trump, combined with the millions of people who didn't bother to vote at all, these are all responsible for the unprecedented destruction that Trump is wreaking. He made it very clear what he planned to do. How could anyone be so foolish to think he would bring down the price of eggs? And even if so, why did they vote as if that was all that mattered? And I'm tired of hearing people who voted for Trump be coddled and infantilized, as if they had no choice but to believe fake news. Let's not deny them agency. If they get their news from Fox that's a choice they made
I can hardly wait until the blame game stops and we start talking as a community about what we need to do to fix this mess. Some folks are, but too many other folks are dragging it down by reverting over and over back to pointing fingers. WE ALL have a role to play in creating change, instead of continually revisiting stuff that's been hashed to death. Please, let's move on so we can join our energies in recreating (or reinventing) our democracy.
He thinks he’s being feted: he’s being bought. And he’s fine with selling us out. Excellent essay, Steve.
“It was time to set aside childish things in 2009 and it’s time to set aside childish things now as our globe faces profound challenges. But we are saddled with a seriously corrupt and criminal man in the White House, who is also childishly undeveloped, acts on whim, and never was educated or motivated by democratic principles. How childish could an electorate be that they would put him back in power?”
Not just childish but shortsighted and aggrieved. As much as I admire Obama, I wish he, and equally well respected public figures whether Democrat, Republican or Independent, would start presenting a unified forceful opposition to this mendacious, corrupt, incompetent and sadistic regime.
Trump is a baby in rich people's arms. He can cry all he likes, but he is as dumb as a handful of grass
I yearn for adult conversation.
“We are our choices.” - Jean-Paul Sartre
He chose corruption and stupidity. Others followed. They are grifters and sycophants. He is not respected; no bully is ever respected. His ultimate fate and history will validate that.
Excellent piece. Sad truth. If only this were one man deep we might survive.
Trump plans to impose the political economy of these extractive, exploitative oil sheiks in place of our more inclusive distributive growth model.
It makes sense. Trump can't comprehend what drives economic growth but he can understand the economics of an oil well.
But the trade offs are terrible.
But hey, don't take my word for it.
Allow me to introduce you to the views that won the Nobel Prize in Economics in 2024.
"The laureates have shown that one explanation for differences in countries’ prosperity is the societal institutions that were introduced during colonisation. Inclusive institutions were often introduced in countries that were poor when they were colonised, over time resulting in a generally prosperous population. This is an important reason for why former colonies that were once rich are now poor, and vice versa."
https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/economic-sciences/2024/press-release/
Thanks for flagging that, David.
Jesus, take the wheel. I almost cried at what I'm sure everyone else has realized: all Trump wants is more and more and more money. That's it. Period. That the Republican weasels in Congress are willing to deplete Medicaid to enrich million and billionaires is so depraved, it's monstrous. I'm almost done with the whole lot of them. There be monsters is correct.
The ‘big beautiful bill’ failed to get out of committee today. Not because it has a provision that attacks non-profits (the worst section would let Bessent declare them terrorist organizations & then revoke their status) but because some are holding out for a worse bill & more cuts.
My scariest thought in these scary times is that *we the people deserve this.* When it comes to self-governance and democracy in general, your description of Trump fits too many of us, especially we white people who've never had to fight for our rights and tend to take them for granted without understanding what they are or the obligations they impose.
Your description of Trump fits at least 77 million members of the electorate: "childishly undeveloped, acts on whim, and never was educated or motivated by democratic principles." Especially the last part: "never was educated or motivated by democratic principles." However, I disagree with the "childish" part. As the song in the venerable (1958!) musical SOUTH PACIFIC pointed out, "You've got to be taught to hate and fear." None of us are born that way. We aren't born knowing and understanding democratic principles either.
This is the wakeup call to end all wakeup calls. Will we the people wake the hell up this time?
If you read Substacks by Steven Beschloss and others, you can see the encouragement to stand against the regime by every day Americans.
The Meidas Touch Network, the Dworkin Report and many others are advocating for nonviolent resistance, and bring us news of ways to use our voices to support democracy in its best form. We the People must get into John Lewis’ ‘good trouble’, and take back our government from the evil forces that are trying to destroy it.
I agree in part with some of what you say. I think some fault needs to be placed with our schools and parents. Many school curriculums don't teach civics as a separate course but lump it into social studies on the grade school level. And it's not taught at all in many high schools. And parents need to lead by example and explain to their children why they are voting and its importance. Parents should also attend school board meetings so they can participate in their children's educational process. If we adults are too busy with our own lives to get involved, what message is that sending to our kids--our future generation?
Thank you! So well said! And a welcome reminder of a time when our leaders had courage, dignity, and belief in our ideals. It seems like this administration is taunting us—pushing us to see just how much lawlessness and corruption we will put up with.
Please sign and encourage others to sign The People’s Articles of Impeachment Against Donald J. Trump:
https://chng.it/mXLxNB9nRH
Oh yeah, tRump really changed how we look to the World. A once great nation now relegated to groveling in embarrassment, shame and fear! One that allowed itself to be taken over by a very low class, grubbing crime Family. Led by a cheap, conniving crook! What a humiliating picture we pose to the World…to many we are to be pitied for what we lost, laughed at by many more and thought to have finally gotten their due comeuppance at long last by the rest.
I feel totally humiliated by our absolute lack of resistance. Our Government was like a Billboard depicting a mighty force of “Right” protecting the weak and downtrodden of the world. Then along came a gust of wind and our “mighty force” was gone like a leaf blown before the storm!
To coin an old phrase, I can imagine all those brave Americans who made the Supreme Sacrifice “turning in their Graves!” When they see what we’ve become!
Now on to one of the most humiliating spectacles we have ever been forced to endure! The “parade” for one of the most undeserving American in our history, surrounded by a Military, this individual, a draft dodger, has insulted, debased and completely disrespected…forced to act as a “Guard of Honor!” I would NEVER attend such a debacle…but if forced to…I would turn my Back and hang my Head in shame!
A Dem House and 2/3rds Senate, baby! Put it all on the line so we can actually get rid of this guy. 2026 or bust!
I’m saving this to read when things are feeling especially dark, as I assume they will be as this insanity continues. This is like a light, a pulling up of pants, a deep breath.
Glad to hear. Nicely said.
As painful as it is to read the words and dreams of two Presidents who are polar opposites, it should illustrate to everyone how far we have descended into the twisted mind and world of a mad man. I can only say, "I don't want to live under a Dictator, do you?" Democracy will die in silence, find your voice.
So exactly right Steven
Our first goal has to be to rid ourselves of this evil regime through mass civil disobedience on a scale that is unprecedented (please mark June 14 in your calendars, folks, and bring friends along with you). Our larger goal, however, must be to reinvent ourselves. We cannot afford to simply go back to the status quo.
There has to be fresh, commonsensical thinking, for example, about the ways in which we approach education, healthcare and the scourge of guns. That is our true challenge.
Never thought in my 46 years living in this country to see the US as corrupted by a government where the leaders care so little for the people And so much for themselves. Thank God for the opposition who are speaking loud enough and you are one of them. Always looking forward to seeing your articles
It is hard to imagine that Trump is so stupid and so narcissistic that he actually thinks anyone respects him. Yet it is true . But he doesn't gain his power just from his own corruption. Trump only has this much power because dozens of traitorous Republicans will not stand up to him. And the millions of people who voted for Trump, combined with the millions of people who didn't bother to vote at all, these are all responsible for the unprecedented destruction that Trump is wreaking. He made it very clear what he planned to do. How could anyone be so foolish to think he would bring down the price of eggs? And even if so, why did they vote as if that was all that mattered? And I'm tired of hearing people who voted for Trump be coddled and infantilized, as if they had no choice but to believe fake news. Let's not deny them agency. If they get their news from Fox that's a choice they made
I can hardly wait until the blame game stops and we start talking as a community about what we need to do to fix this mess. Some folks are, but too many other folks are dragging it down by reverting over and over back to pointing fingers. WE ALL have a role to play in creating change, instead of continually revisiting stuff that's been hashed to death. Please, let's move on so we can join our energies in recreating (or reinventing) our democracy.