Thanks, Steven, for the call-out to Chris Murphy. He is an example of one who entered politics as a calling, not as a self-serving opportunity.
My only tiny disagreement with your analysis is your allusion to Watergate as a potential rival for the current Constitutional crisis. The guardrails held in 1974, the senators honored their oath of office. Professionalism and patriotism prevailed, and the crisis was averted. The news media faithfully told us the new.
The situation today is so very different. And I suspect that the senators we might have thought we could count on--Collins, Murkowski-- perhaps Ernst, Cassidy, and even McConnel-- have capitulated in the face of threats to their own and their family's safety. Our generation's test indeed.
McConnell? Nope. Never count on McConnell, especially now when he has no carrot to offer his ‘colleagues’. He is long on strategy, longing for influence & $$, and very very short on almost everything we need.
MAGA is a whiny, petulant, juvenile political movement. It is also (as now even more apparent) increasingly cruel and dangerous. And yet, a whole political party and its enablers are putting their interests above the constitution.
“A body of men holding themselves accountable to nobody ought not to be trusted by anybody.” - Thomas Paine
There are women in the Democratic Party speaking out as well so don’t overlook them. AOC was one of the first to step up and speak against the aggressive actions of Trump. Jasmine Crockett from Texas, I am proud to say, has been a vocal opponent of Trump and Musk. So has Elizabeth Warren. It’s not just the men…and I would say, the men have been a little late to the party.
Well said! As an old white guy who has always believed in the strength of women and their view of the world, I will never drink the orange koolaid. Once again we missed an opportunity to entrust the leadership of our country to a woman in 2025. If our Democracy falls, it will not be at the hands of women.
T—-p lied with his oath of office in 2017 so it’s no surprise that he doubled down in 2025. As for M—k he took a similar oath when he presumably became a citizen. As did Senators, members of Congress and Presidential appointees. Did they all lie? They all should be held accountable.
It is much better to read information from your Substack than sit through and be bludgeoned by news repeated 3-4 times in the same broadcast, on TV news programs, followed by unknowns giving their opinions. Thanks for posting on Substack.
My representative is the sycophant who called for the deportation of Bishop Budde. But I will email him again--he accepts emails only from those who live in his district. The sad thing is that those in the Trump Cult believe what he is doing is great--securing the borders from would-be criminals, according to Faux News. And now he's going after Canada? I keep thinking to myself, Who the **** does he think he is? It's like Mad King George all over again.
I don't know if you saw my comment on an earlier essay or not, but am re-sending the info. I am starting a new group of older folks in my apt. building with a goal of supporting on another, basic education and discussion of current events and, importantly, defining such terms as oligarchy, dictatorship, propaganda, etc.. I also envision us taking part in some actions, like contacting senators etc. This is an informal group with structure. While I have experience in starting and running groups, I think most people could do this. I'm only starting with 4 people, but I envision it growing. However, I don't think I want it too big. We are making human to human contact and discussing our concerns. I'm excited about it and hope it endures.
Karen, I hope the group discussions go well. I believe that one thing that holds us together as a society and country is human contact and interaction.
I am composing a Pamphlet similar to Thomas Paine's 1776 COMMON SENSE regarding our situation now. I will release it ASAP. It will cover: how we got here, what has never or will no longer work because our Constitution has been shredded so badly by SCOTUS, and what we must do to remedy the situation hopefully without violence. When the Pamphlet is ready I will post it on Subsack and how you can get a copy. It will be ASAP.
It is a coup, Steven!….just called both Schumer and Gillibrand offices…actually got an assistant in Kirsten’s office, asked what the Senator was doing regarding the coup now going on. Silence….so I said it was a rhetorical question, I didn’t expect an answer from the aide. Left my name and phone number. Assume these calls are recorded?
We are in an existential crisis where Trump and his cabal of Nazi/GOP henchmen are blatantly breaking the law and ignoring the courts. Because they have decapitated the FBI and the investigative offices of most Federal agencies, and have commandeered the Justice Department we are in trouble. The law means noting to them. To quote a line from the film “Conspiracy” (2001) about the Wannsee Conference. One attendee say to another during a break about the SS who compromise many of the attendees “to them the law is like ice cream, easily melted.” That applies to the Trumpified Nazi GOP today.
Thanks, Steven, for the call-out to Chris Murphy. He is an example of one who entered politics as a calling, not as a self-serving opportunity.
My only tiny disagreement with your analysis is your allusion to Watergate as a potential rival for the current Constitutional crisis. The guardrails held in 1974, the senators honored their oath of office. Professionalism and patriotism prevailed, and the crisis was averted. The news media faithfully told us the new.
The situation today is so very different. And I suspect that the senators we might have thought we could count on--Collins, Murkowski-- perhaps Ernst, Cassidy, and even McConnel-- have capitulated in the face of threats to their own and their family's safety. Our generation's test indeed.
That’s Murphy’s notion. I agree its far more serious than that.
Truth to that Jill ... the guardrails held... we are out at sea
McConnell? Nope. Never count on McConnell, especially now when he has no carrot to offer his ‘colleagues’. He is long on strategy, longing for influence & $$, and very very short on almost everything we need.
Exactly Jill Stoner- the Congressional guardrails held in 1974, but the GOP in Congress both Senate and house are caving to Trump
MAGA is a whiny, petulant, juvenile political movement. It is also (as now even more apparent) increasingly cruel and dangerous. And yet, a whole political party and its enablers are putting their interests above the constitution.
“A body of men holding themselves accountable to nobody ought not to be trusted by anybody.” - Thomas Paine
There are women in the Democratic Party speaking out as well so don’t overlook them. AOC was one of the first to step up and speak against the aggressive actions of Trump. Jasmine Crockett from Texas, I am proud to say, has been a vocal opponent of Trump and Musk. So has Elizabeth Warren. It’s not just the men…and I would say, the men have been a little late to the party.
Well said! As an old white guy who has always believed in the strength of women and their view of the world, I will never drink the orange koolaid. Once again we missed an opportunity to entrust the leadership of our country to a woman in 2025. If our Democracy falls, it will not be at the hands of women.
T—-p lied with his oath of office in 2017 so it’s no surprise that he doubled down in 2025. As for M—k he took a similar oath when he presumably became a citizen. As did Senators, members of Congress and Presidential appointees. Did they all lie? They all should be held accountable.
It is much better to read information from your Substack than sit through and be bludgeoned by news repeated 3-4 times in the same broadcast, on TV news programs, followed by unknowns giving their opinions. Thanks for posting on Substack.
My representative is the sycophant who called for the deportation of Bishop Budde. But I will email him again--he accepts emails only from those who live in his district. The sad thing is that those in the Trump Cult believe what he is doing is great--securing the borders from would-be criminals, according to Faux News. And now he's going after Canada? I keep thinking to myself, Who the **** does he think he is? It's like Mad King George all over again.
Trump insisting that Musk - humble, always truthful Musk - is simply looking for “fraud and abuse.” From the very face of fraud and abuse himself!
How does that work when the fraudsters and abusers are defining fraud an abuse...the country looses along with Democracy.
Thank you for this. I plan on sharing it with a small group of older folks that I am starting tomorrow.
I don't know if you saw my comment on an earlier essay or not, but am re-sending the info. I am starting a new group of older folks in my apt. building with a goal of supporting on another, basic education and discussion of current events and, importantly, defining such terms as oligarchy, dictatorship, propaganda, etc.. I also envision us taking part in some actions, like contacting senators etc. This is an informal group with structure. While I have experience in starting and running groups, I think most people could do this. I'm only starting with 4 people, but I envision it growing. However, I don't think I want it too big. We are making human to human contact and discussing our concerns. I'm excited about it and hope it endures.
Karen, I hope the group discussions go well. I believe that one thing that holds us together as a society and country is human contact and interaction.
I am composing a Pamphlet similar to Thomas Paine's 1776 COMMON SENSE regarding our situation now. I will release it ASAP. It will cover: how we got here, what has never or will no longer work because our Constitution has been shredded so badly by SCOTUS, and what we must do to remedy the situation hopefully without violence. When the Pamphlet is ready I will post it on Subsack and how you can get a copy. It will be ASAP.
Thanks Steven for your work in alerting us to what’s going on.
Hey, it’s capitalism! Buy a president for 250 mil (pocket change for the world’s richest man), own a country!
And really, isn’t Vladimir Putin the richest man in the world?
It is a coup, Steven!….just called both Schumer and Gillibrand offices…actually got an assistant in Kirsten’s office, asked what the Senator was doing regarding the coup now going on. Silence….so I said it was a rhetorical question, I didn’t expect an answer from the aide. Left my name and phone number. Assume these calls are recorded?
They probably are.
Steven,
We are in an existential crisis where Trump and his cabal of Nazi/GOP henchmen are blatantly breaking the law and ignoring the courts. Because they have decapitated the FBI and the investigative offices of most Federal agencies, and have commandeered the Justice Department we are in trouble. The law means noting to them. To quote a line from the film “Conspiracy” (2001) about the Wannsee Conference. One attendee say to another during a break about the SS who compromise many of the attendees “to them the law is like ice cream, easily melted.” That applies to the Trumpified Nazi GOP today.
Be safe and watch your six.
Steve Dundas
Excellent letter Steven. And good advice to call Congress. As Michelle Obama said “ do something!”
Thanks for an inspiring article; it is exactly what we all needed to hear & read.
Keep calling, friends, this is the way.