Do we need to talk about the Trumpton Debacle?
Do we need to talk about the Trumpton Debacle? I’m not sure if we do. Or what we can do about it if we do. I didn’t watch the ceremony and would like to bury my head in the sand and pretend what’s happening isn’t.Yet I also think it’s inevitable and necessary to confront the reality. I’m so horrified, scandalised, embarrassed and upset that I’m not sure I can have any sort of intelligent discussion on the issue. And make no mistake, it is an issue - a big one - with a megalomaniac, narcissistic felon in one of the most powerful positions in the world, a crazy spaceman side-kick in the newly created DOGE (doggy/dodgy?) welfare hacking post and a ‘governing trifecta’ (majorities in both houses). The power-crazed multi-millionaire (who’s just launched his own Bitcoin) is in a strong position to launch his right-wing agenda, already underway with a slew of executive orders, which sees women and migrants targeted, as well as withdrawal from the WHO and the Paris Agreement.
Media and social media moguls have thrown their lot in with Trump and when they’re given prime place at his inauguration, the implications are clear: wealth is ruling the roost at Capitol Hill. Facism is again a spectre in the West and hard-right European politicians were in attendance at the inauguration. Facism has always claimed to be grass-roots yet has always been lead by rich white men seeking power, sowing dissent in fields of discontent. The way this political situation has played out has implications for Europe, the UK in particular and of course, the world.
Democracy is a Verb
It’s difficult not to feel anger, fear and despair, but those reactions will not defeat right wing ideology or prevent the current President of the USA from advancing his strategies. The law and public opinion are tools we do have which can go a long way to throw repeated spanners in the works. We must uphold truth and fight for it where we need to. If media organisations are already bending the knee, then we must be vigilant to avoid the lies and equip ourselves with the methods for truth finding. In the UK, Byline Times is an independent media group which aims to dismantle the rhetoric and misinformation and present balanced reportage. The Guardian is also currently an independent news source (though this may change). There’s a war being waged on truth and if we believe in democracy and human rights, we need to be on the right side. It’s important to align ourselves with organisations who support those aims and objectives and to stand with those who are vulnerable. In such gloomy, pessimistic times it’s more imperative than ever to come together and make a stand for truth and decency and the better world that most of us wish for, for ourselves and future generations. As individuals, we have responsibility to fight, but we are not alone. According to the statistics, measured both by vote percentages and by raw votes, Trump’s margin of victory is modest, even compared with this century’s other close elections. Remember that almost half of Americans voted for the Democrats and a large proportion of voters - 90 million - didn’t vote at all. President Trump is not as popular as he may like to think and the Republicans will need to bear that in mind for their next campaign. The more extreme his policies the less likely moderates will want to see Republicans in power again.
I’ve had some daytime nightmares about how this might all pan out and it’s scary stuff. I think it’s important to imagine some positive storylines. We need to face the reality of the situation, rage, grieve, do whatever we need to express ourselves and then we need to move on and be positive about what we can do where we are. Be an ally for those hurting on the ground and always seek truth.
All things have their season and in the grand scheme of things, Trump will not be around for long. Let’s work for a better world now, in whatever way we can. The earth needs us and so does the human race. The ‘emperor’ may have money, but he has no clothes and one day everyone is going to notice - let’s not be afraid to say something.
Organisations Supporting Justice, Human Rights and Democracy
Amnesty International
Oxfam
Greenpeace
The Humanist Society
Avaaz
https://secure.avaaz.org
Independent Media Organisations UK
Skwakbox
Byline Times
The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/uk
He just told them what they wanted to hear. The Democrats didn't. It's the same here too. A left that has gone fishing for votes in 'communities' instead of doing what it's supposed to do. Remember Thatcher? She told people it was okay to be selfish, to look out for number one. So they voted for her, again and again.
Maybe a non political party movement is needed but somehow this new hierarchy of an elite money profit machine needs exposure. Your short post on this helps. The Fed Min Wage has never gone up?!!