Trump Fatigue Syndrom (TFS) - The First 100 Days

The Hallelujah Chorus

Personal Note: I am done with political discourse as a focus. It has become to disconcerting to continue. Complacency rules. Until there is grown swell opposition and a leader emerges, the unimaginable is commonplace.   

I hear you queuing up the Hallelujah Chorus. However, I will continue with my Sunday political cartoons. Satire often reveals the absurdity of the current happenings. My daily blog posts will shift toward fashion, outings, and success stories. I also would welcome more guest post contributions. Please... 

I want to thank everyone for their loyal readership and comments. I am close to 10,000,000 views. The survey has been helpful in me knowing what you like/dislike. Thank you again. 

Here is my today shot and call to action:

The Obvious

Does this scare you?  

Back during the campaign, Trump pretended his “Dictator on Day 1” talk was just a joke. One hundred days in, it’s clear he was not joking. 

Trump exhibits a madness reminiscent of King Henry VIII. Some theorize late-stage venereal disease, which could explain his mental instability as an obsession with his own grandeur. However, I believe his ego has simply become unhinged, further fueled by fellow egomaniac—Musk. With the erosion of checks and balances, all guardrails are off. Trump is already disregarding lower court rulings and may well defy the Supreme Court if it opposes him, effectively establishing an untethered ruler — a political Coup d'état.

As a fellow blogger stated:

Four years like the first two months have been in the US will render the country fully unrecognizable. 

Modern history is rife with strongmen precedents: Muammar Gaddafi in Libya, Bashar al-Assad in Syria, Idi Amin in Uganda, Vladimir Putin in Russia, and Viktor Orbán in Hungary. Many were duly elected, only to dismantle the very democracy that empowered them.

The Strongman Playbook

Once in power, strongmen diminish the free press and undermine opposition. As their reach expands, they rely on intimidation and outright lies. The key tool. A boogeyman—one only they can protect their loyal disciples from. Whether it’s immigrants, transgenders in the bathroom, or ethnic minorities, the strategy remains the same; demean and diminish. Remember, Hitler’s boogeyman were the Jews.

Another fabricated enemy is governmental waste. Yes, inefficiency exists, but which Jenga block will bring down the tower? Florida, the Gulf States, and the East Coast depend on the National Hurricane Center for life-saving storm warnings. Pilots rely on accurate weather reports and air traffic control. We all depend on food inspections, verified pharmaceutical testing, and the U.S. Postal Service. Musk’s reckless gutting of entire departments nearly bankrupted Twitter as advertisers fled. His model, applied to government, would be catastrophic.

Note: Read the Summary of Government Ethics Rules for Special Government Employees—Musk has violated nearly all restrictions.

America’s Democratic Principles in Shreds

One would hope that legislators, regardless of party, would resist the erosion of their constitutional powers. Yet, personal financial gain keeps them complicit. Many enter office with modest means and leave as multimillionaires. The loss of this financial spigot—because enough is never enough—ensures they toe the party line. Impeachment, even in the face of blatant "High Crimes and Misdemeanors", will never occur in the current Congress.

Here, according to my internet research, is just one example: My district congressman, Brian J. Mast (Republican / House / Florida 21) went into office in 2017 with a net worth of $217,000. In 2023, four years later, it is estimated that his new worth is $3.38 million. The candidate in three congressional elections has raised a total of $15,285,257. Although this money cannot be used for personal expenses, its discretionary use is flexible. Also there have been three allegations of "STOCK Act violations"; a federal transparency and conflict-of-interest law. 

Side Note: A Pew Research Center survey found that 87% of Americans—across the political spectrum—support congressional age and term limits. Yet, it remains unlikely to ever happen. Why would politicians willingly give up such a lucrative graft. 

The Supreme Court: The Final Check… or Not

The judiciary, once a pillar of the non-political democracy, has become so politicized that it has granted near-absolute immunity to the president, even in the case of illegal actions. Future vacancies will likely be filled with even more loyalists—not to the Constitution, but to the president who appoints them for life. 

The Question Remains - Is Trump mad?  

I can't prove it. I am not clinically qualified. However, madness can be defined as  being out of touch with reality. It means you simply can't comprehend the world as it exist. You make and believe alternate truths (lie). He has made unscientific proclamations about gender. He can't imagine what it's like to be persecuted for your gender or other identity. He fails to understand the consequences of tariff based trade wars. He is allowing governmental essential services to be decimated. He can't imagine the fear of the migrants who may have been here a generation or who were born in the USA feel

We can look at the evidence and say it does not look good for him.

WSJ  - Republicans Face Angry Protests at Town Halls
A good start

The Power of the People

Our generation has achieved great things: Ending the Vietnam War, advancing civil rights, forcing a corrupt president from office, and learning that trusting oneself is often wiser than trusting the government. 

If enough people recognize the existential threat of strongman rule, change can happen.

Wake up and act! "We the People" must see that America is being destroyed from within. No foreign enemy or boogeyman required. What is happening is not okay. It is not too late. This is a call to action. Speak out!

Huffpost: Pritzker Calls For 'Mass Protests!

____________________

I may be stepping back from political commentary, but I am not done being an activist. My hope is that a single drumbeat will become a thundering roar. Until then, I will wait on you.

Not Just Bikes - Fashion

 

My Fashion Choices 

Google AI:

While Harley-Davidson is primarily known for motorcycles, it's also a major player in the apparel industry, including t-shirts. Harley-Davidson offers a wide range of apparel, from casual wear like t-shirts and hoodies to riding gear, and its clothing line has become a fashion statement enjoyed by both bikers and fashion enthusiasts. 

My Notes on Harley's future: Harley Davidson, as a company, seems hell bent on destroying itself - again. Historically, poor quality and not responding to its customers (the Japanese bike invasion) nearly did it in. This time it is being out of touch with it's customer base. Same playbook different generation. Their '25 (pre-tariff) prices are unrealistic and there is nothing in their inventory to attract younger riders. One only needs to visit a dealership to see their vast unsold inventory and how deep the hole. 

Even if someone is interested, like myself a year ago, the dealer buying process is fraught with lies, fraud and misdirection. "Buyer beware".  I went in with researched numbers and a specific product /cost in mind. I should have never accepted what happened during their buying process. Impulse buying exceed all good sense.   

Although never a Harley cult "HOG*" purest, what is happening to an American icon is sad to witness; like a car accident you can not look away from. No longer can it say it is "Made in America"; which was part of its flagship existence. So, it will likely devolved into a limited niche product / ghost, that old guys riminess about over coffee and Metamucil. Maybe it is destine to become just a fashion brand.  

*HOG - "Harley Owners Group."