The fact that Donald Trump has been indicted again may indicate to us some much-needed accountability. But, if we allow ourselves to believe that he needs to be found guilty of his crimes in order for us to have our problems resolved, we will remain in a place of danger in terms of a democracy being our way of life. My friends, what is happening in the politics of the United States today is not about the Republican Party, the Supreme Court, or the constant drumming up of culture war. It’s about us. We have to decide how we want this country to be and, indeed, how we want our individual lives to be. In this way, we hold ourselves accountable, for it is we who decide the type of government we want to represent us. The policies and activities of our government are but a reflection of the condition of our own lives. There are some within this country, most notably Donald Trump, who believe that an autocratic government is the way for us to go. We must understand that autocracy is the antithesis, or polar opposite, of the democracy we currently enjoy. If Donald Trump is reelected, or someone just like him is elected, for they do exist, our entire way of life will change, and not for the better. Only we can decide which way we want to go. It is an autocratic government that is well on its way if we do not choose correctly right now. There are many who are already attempting to establish this reality, and they will succeed if we remain apathetic, uninformed, and unwilling to take necessary action. We create our own danger. The following are a few questions each of us must ask ourselves if we are to know the best way to move forward. I, of course, have some thoughts to help you appropriately consider what’s at stake.
What kind of person is Donald Trump, really?
Although I am not a clinical psychologist, I believe the most accurate description of Donald Trump would be that of a sociopath. A sociopath is the epitome of true self-centeredness, meaning, they have no awareness of anyone or anything outside their own mind. Donald’s only motivation is serving his own self-interest. Every action, every word is about him and him only. The only thing he cares about is money. He doesn’t even really care about power, but he is intelligent enough to realize that power will bring to him the money he so desperately needs. A sociopath has no capacity for empathy or compassion, and will even engage in violence to get what they need. There is nothing they will not do, no matter how cruel and deplorable it may be. The apparent success Donald has achieved in his life was created through lying, cheating, and stealing at every turn. That is who he is now, and all that he has ever been and done. Having considered all of these facts, and they are facts, is this who should be leading the United States of America? Does he represent the views and behavior of the majority? Is this the kind of person you want telling you about your life, and how you can and cannot live it? The reality, my friends, is that Donald Trump does not care about you or what you need, not because he doesn’t want to, but because he is completely unable to. Unfortunately, Donald also believes that it’s ok to force himself on women. You see, a sociopath does not see others as real, they are mere objects to use and abuse at their will. Because everyone and everything belongs to them, they will take what is theirs at any cost.
Who wants to establish an autocracy?
We know, that is, if we’re willing to be honest and see, that the corporate world and the wealthy among us have a strangle hold over our lives through greed. These people not only wish to maintain this hold but make it even stronger. A person like Donald Trump, or many like him, would ensure their success. The members of the Republican Party who continue to support Donald Trump and are willing to replace our democracy with an autocracy, have not only the motivation of protecting their jobs, but the motivation of acquiring more wealth and power for themselves, just like Donald Trump and the corporate world. They have no interest in making our lives better or making this country a better place for all. As far as the conservative members of the Supreme Court wanting to uphold Christian values, and have these values be the way of life for all, they have no real understanding of the Christ’s message. They twist, they manipulate, they lie in order to acquire money and power as well. The democracy we intend to improve upon, or even maintain, has no chance in hell with this kind of hypocrisy and behavior. I’m afraid we’re all being used, every one of us is being disenfranchised, by a few who believe they are special. My friends, if we allow an autocracy to become established, we will not only become total slaves to corporate greed, but we will have no rights at all as a human being. If we let certain people take us down this dark road, it will be very difficult for us to change, for a very long time to come. We can change all of this by choosing the right direction today. Some of you might be saying, “Todd, I think you’re exaggerating here, these things could never happen here”. Again, I will tell you, they are already happening. If you want to know the full effects of autocracy, you need only look at the unfortunate reality of many of our fellow human beings across the world. We could look at Russia, China, North Korea, just to name a few. It is a reality for them, and we must consider it to be at least a possibility for us here in the U.S., if we don’t pay attention and create the changes we need to create. What can be somewhere else can be here. It is freedom we all want and require, and it is democracy that is the best vehicle for us today.
Do we want to pursue what we believe we need in our lives at the cost of everyone and everything else?
How much money do we really need to be happy? Do we have to have that big home, expensive clothing, over-priced vehicles, obscene bank accounts and salaries in order to prove ourselves as successful? The fact that many have nothing and die of starvation because of it, the fact that children die of horrible and unnecessary disease on a daily basis, should be a sign that our pursuits may not only be unwarranted, but unjustified. To have our beliefs about religion, sexuality, gender, politics, and race be something we must force on others, as a way to prove to ourselves we know some ultimate truth, may not be worth the cost either. For those of you who believe that winning is the only thing that matters, the only way for you to feel important, this is the way that will ensure humanity’s continued suffering. If we give ourselves a chance, we can learn how to love, we can learn how to accept, we can learn how to share, and we can overcome all fear. My friends, we come from a great place. Our job is to make this place be a great place. We have every opportunity to achieve this most important goal. Democracy is truly a gift worth pursuing.
Is the demonization of our justice system a pathway to autocracy?
The answer to this question is yes. There are those within the Republican Party, and the various conservative news outlets, who want us to believe that our Justice Department, and our other law enforcement institutions are broken and must be abandoned. They want us to believe our jury system is unfair. Why, because their guy didn’t win? As imperfect as our judicial system is, it’s better than what we had before. The government of the United States is based on laws. If someone breaks these laws, no matter who it is, they must be held accountable, for then we know what our boundaries are. Without law and justice, anarchy would be our way of life. Nobody could survive that reality. We must continue to pay attention to the words of those who wish to destroy, and what their true motivations are. We cannot be deceived unless we choose it.
Is violent and hateful rhetoric, the instigation of violence, and a constant lying the way to lead?
Here are a couple of examples of what is being said, just today:
Lindsey Graham: “Donald Trump is being unfairly treated. The District Attorney hates Donald Trump. I no longer trust our jury system.” Should Lindsey Graham be a United States Senator?
Ron DeSantis: “If you elect me, if you elect Republicans, we’ll slit the throats of all within the Deep State”, meaning of course Joe Biden, the Democrats, and those leading the Justice Department. Is this a man you want to be President of the United States?
Is this a man you want to be President of the United States?:
Donald Trump – The Great Destroyer
“Make America Bad Again”
Cruelty, violence, dishonesty, autocracy is not the way to go. We, the majority, have the opportunity to improve our democracy today, by staying with it. A movement backwards into the past is the way to destroy. A movement forward into the future, creating a better way for all, is the way to build.
Many are saying that the indictment of our former president is a sad day for America. My friends, it is a great day for America. Why? Well, it shows us, if we care to see, that our justice system is working and, more importantly, that our democracy can continue working with our utmost dedication.
Donald Trump cannot be President
*A very important side note – The trial of Donald J. Trump must be made available to the public, it must be televised for all to see. This is the most important trial of our lifetimes, perhaps in the entire history of the United States. It does, my friends, have the most serious implications we have seen in our nation yet. Write a letter to the Supreme Court, contact the Justice Department, call your congressional representatives. This is still a democracy we live in. We have a right to see this trial. We have a right to see how our justice system works. We have a right to hear the testimony of these witnesses. We have an absolute right to be properly informed as we approach the upcoming Presidential Election.
All my love and support, be well