Thank you as always, Robert! Nothing the Trump administration has done cannot be undone. However, it takes decisive and bold leadership. I currently do not see that in the Democratic Party. There are fantastic Democrats in the house and in the Senate. There are impressive Democratic governors. However, the Democrats have not been working together as an organized force. They have thus far refused to harness the system for their own agenda, and instead remained relatively impotent in the face of institutional guidelines. Robert Mueller, case in point. Merrick Garland ditto. Nonetheless, the polity is beginning to demand bold leadership, and we see that in the mayoral primary that elected Zohran Mamdani (Cuomo trying to dilute the vote not withstanding). But I hear from fellow Democrats in my social circle, people I really respect, say things like “aren’t you worried about him?” “You know he’s a socialist.” “He is too far left.” Similarly with people like AOC. When I push, and ask specifically, what about the policies of these politicians is objectionable, I have not gotten a satisfying answer. So though I think the Democrats are moving more toward demanding bold action, I don’t think those who count themselves among the Democratic Party are truly ready, yet, to embrace what it will take to seize our democracy back from the jaws of a fascist monster. I hope that changes soon.
Robert, the points you make about the Supreme Court are perfect as usual, including: "Joe Biden did what Democrats always do: He referred the issue of Supreme Court reform to a committee for study, hoping that nothing would happen." If real Dem leadership magically appeared, maybe the next 2+ years could be used to set up "shadow committees" of both politicians and experts (e.g., from the academy and various think-tanks) to study exactly these sorts of things and propose specific measures that would then appear prominently in the Democratic platform for 2028. Maybe publish the committee reports and call it "Project 2029".
There doesn’t seem to be any failure of imagination in Miami, FL ! The city mayor and commissioners have canceled their election (they are term limited) for a year, extending their terms for a year without asking the residents for permission.
What's to keep immoral sadist trump from doing the same thing at a Federal level? There are no laws or parts of our Constitution that he won't break or ignore so far. He is breaking any laws that he wants, and Congress is powerless to stop him.
“I shake my head and wonder how it can be that Trump seems to be getting away with behavior that is obviously corrupt, unlawful, anti-democratic, and likely illegal.
“The answer is that he isn’t “getting away with it” in the sense that the majority of Americans understand what is going on.” —
True and wise …
However, Trump and his minions are paying no price for their deplorable actions and views. The ‘victories’ of their opponents (‘our victories’) are mainly holding actions.
Thanks to Trump’s deplorable immigration actions *and* widespread left-of-center reactions against them, discussion of immigration has, in many ways, become ruled by emotion – and mindless.
On the political right it seems to be driven largely by hatred and prejudice; but on much of the left it seems to be driven emotiinally by sympathy for less fortunate people, rather than by sober reflection.
Granting citizenship to people who broke immigration laws – indeed, *because* they broke those laws! – cheapens the concept of American citizenship – which is something that should be treasured, and *earned* through understanding of and adherence to the political and social values that have made the United States great.
A special Permanent Resident status might be established for persons who have lived lawfully in the United States for, say, the past seven years. Such people will be receiving special treatment in that (under our Constitution) those of their children born in the United States are automatically citizens.
Trump’s change of opinion on Ukraine strikes me as little more than bait and switch. While hopefully the sale of defensive weapons to Ukraine through our NATO partners will save lives, it will also fill the coffers of the US munitions industry while giving Russia 50 days —under the threat of essentially ineffectual tariffs — to continue its horrific attacks on Ukraine’s civil infrastructure. So, America First, a wink at Putin and a smiley face to Republican hawks and Ukraine supporters like Graham and Thune who pulled a much more punishing piece of Russian sanction legislation from a vote in the Senate. Trump once again is buying time while the destruction is done — this time to Ukraine.
Thank you again, Robert. I, too, all myself almost daily "How can this be allowed to continue?!? This corruption, this lawlessness, these illegal proclamations ... HOW?"
One minor correction: The line "There is nothing wrong with your television set" came from The Outer Limits, not Rod Serling's The Twilight Zone. It started with "There is nothing wrong with your television set. Do not attempt to adjust the picture. We are controlling transmission..."
“There were six justices when the nation had four million citizens. The US population has grown by nearly a hundredfold since 1789, but the Court has grown by only three justices. Increasing the Court to 27 justices would be a fourfold increase—a modest expansion by any proportionate measure.”
But why *should* the size of the Supreme Court be proportional to the population of the United States? Since their decisions are final and cannot be appealed, shouldn’t they be a singular body, not dependent on which Justices are picked (by some means) to render final legal judgments?
"Every Democratic member of Congress should be on the floor of their respective chambers tomorrow, decrying the Supreme Court’s abolition of the separation of powers between the president and Congress. Unless and until Democrats stage a legislative revolt, Congress is an appendage of the executive branch." Robert, these may be the most important words you've ever written!
I have branded every democrat in Congress a COWARD, and I stand by that. They should be standing up and interrupting and speaking out LOUDLY at every opportunity. Sorry, Cory and Hakeem, you two are the ONLY ones with outstanding courage to speak the TRUTH.
I always enjoy, and stare into for a few seconds, your “Daily Dose of Perspective” each day after listening to your soothing and calming delivery of the latest horrific news. Appreciate you.☺️
Thank you for your thoughtful writing today. While acknowledging what you’ve said, I’m wondering if we are going to once again underestimate the malfeasance of SCOTUS and the MAGA GOP on the next topic of trump’s focus: ”election reform.” I’d like to hear others’ ideas about what states can do (or feds??) to protect states’ rights to manage their elections.
I can envision ways that this power can be undercut and prevent us from having free and fair elections in 2026. Dems are banking on having these elections and I’m concerned this is just more of the lack of imagination on the part of the Dems.
I’d prefer not to be called an alarmist (again) for bringing up this topic. It appears to me that nothing is sacred and any kind of malfeasance is allowable.
I agree completely about the need for court reform, but there is something even more ominous about the dismantling of the Dept of Education. Read Project 2025. The GOP GRIPE with the Dept of Education is that it somehow "controls' US education. This is patently false; local schoolboards do the direct controlling. But look at the plan. The FUNDS for DOE won't disappear--forget the idea of saving on the debt. They will be TRANSFERRED to other departments and then issued as block grants to the states which can use the funds for anything "legal." And therein is the kicker.
Because in states that have made school vouchers legal, ALL the funding can be used for that. No more need to convince state taxpayers that it should fund private religious schools. The "giving" blue states will be paying for evangelical schools that provide a minimum, if any, education other than religious.
What we have on this court is not just conservatives, but RELIGIOUS conservatives. Their rulings show this plainly in allowing "religious liberty" to be a reason to disregard civil rights laws. For me this is way more alarming that the disregard of separation of powers. A new Congress is the answer to Congressional pandering to the Executive Branch. The First Amendment is at risk.
FDR had a clever "court packing" plan that got around the problem of lifetime appointments. At a certain age, Justices would be given the opportunity to retire. If they chose not to, the president could appoint a new member. The court numbers would go up until the elder Justice chose to retire. This didn't go through because of widespread respect for the court plus the fact that the court started leaning towards supporting the New Deal (it might have been scared a bit?)
Too often I have thought your comments to be naive and Pollyanaish regarding what Democrats in power by virtue of position and by virtue of numbers can do, especially the former. Perhaps I misread you and, if so, I apologize.
I agree that it is time (now, beyond time) to take the Republican/MAGA “bull” elephant by its tusks and stop it in its tracks.
No more fearing what they might do; no more playing by the Duchess of Queensbury rules – it’s time for Dems and all patriots to go full “Raging Bull” and beat this anti-democracy movement at its own game.
Despite what I just wrote, it is not a “game”, but the very future of our democratic republic. No more knives to a gunfight. (Have I used my quota of metaphors for the day?)
“At least once a day, I say something like, “How is this possible?” With each new “never-before-in-the-history-of-our nation” development, I shake my head and wonder how it can be that Trump seems to be getting away with behavior that is obviously corrupt, unlawful, anti-democratic, and likely illegal”
When I post this quote, “A fish rots from the head, cut off the head, the body withers and dies” I don’t see it as a specific action directed at a specific thing. There are a multitude of way to interpret the meaning, it is of after all a metaphor. It is that I always intend for it to be spread around far and wide. So that those who are in positions of power and leadership loyal to our Republic and The Constitution will see it and deploy their critical thinking to see with imagination the ways it must be interpreted. There must be action now to stop the continued forward motion that began in earnest Jan 6, 2021 and has never been confronted, opposed and stopped.
Our country exists because of those who conceived the Declaration of Independence, fought the Revolutionary War, governed us by our Constitution and defended both in The Civil War. Remaining the Constitutional Republic that we are is the only way forward. If all there is, is discussion instead of action over the next 16 months I fear, and I am not alone in this perspective, we risk loosing it all.
There is only one political party that believes in and is loyal to our Constitution, the other has fully abdicated their oath to it. When I consider relying on future elections, to solve this tumultuous moment, I will be constantly be reminded of the following remarks:
When speaking about the current Republican members of Congress:
“It dose feel like they’re doing something that they’re not going to ever want two give up”
~Ann Applebaum
When speaking to our current moment in the history:
“There has to be a clarion call from someone or someones to stop the dissension of this country before it’s too late”
~Judge J. Michael Luttig
It occurs to me that by word, or the lack thereof and deed just about all republicans in Congress, the right of the high court and the executive, cabinet and all have abdicated their oath to the Constitution. Placing them as illegitimate. These people have no authority to govern the populous of the nation. The United States is an ungoverned citizenry.
I realize that one could argue my points made above, but not regarding the president. He has clearly abdicated his oath to support, protect and defend the Constitution and see to it that the laws are faithfully executed. He therefore has no legal authority, to do anything let alone federalize California’s National Guard or to deploy “federal” police to California. The Governor must take over control of our NG by whatever means and demand the removal of all these “ICE” police from within our borders. Or begin arresting them, taking them into custody to be extradited back to whence they came. Better yet, just hold them in custody so they are prevented from terrorizing anyone else.
Thank you as always, Robert! Nothing the Trump administration has done cannot be undone. However, it takes decisive and bold leadership. I currently do not see that in the Democratic Party. There are fantastic Democrats in the house and in the Senate. There are impressive Democratic governors. However, the Democrats have not been working together as an organized force. They have thus far refused to harness the system for their own agenda, and instead remained relatively impotent in the face of institutional guidelines. Robert Mueller, case in point. Merrick Garland ditto. Nonetheless, the polity is beginning to demand bold leadership, and we see that in the mayoral primary that elected Zohran Mamdani (Cuomo trying to dilute the vote not withstanding). But I hear from fellow Democrats in my social circle, people I really respect, say things like “aren’t you worried about him?” “You know he’s a socialist.” “He is too far left.” Similarly with people like AOC. When I push, and ask specifically, what about the policies of these politicians is objectionable, I have not gotten a satisfying answer. So though I think the Democrats are moving more toward demanding bold action, I don’t think those who count themselves among the Democratic Party are truly ready, yet, to embrace what it will take to seize our democracy back from the jaws of a fascist monster. I hope that changes soon.
This is a follow up to one I posted yesterday.
Same theme-lack of imagination.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DMHrZ8tII61/?igsh=MTcxNmpxOGl0YnRldw==
Robert, the points you make about the Supreme Court are perfect as usual, including: "Joe Biden did what Democrats always do: He referred the issue of Supreme Court reform to a committee for study, hoping that nothing would happen." If real Dem leadership magically appeared, maybe the next 2+ years could be used to set up "shadow committees" of both politicians and experts (e.g., from the academy and various think-tanks) to study exactly these sorts of things and propose specific measures that would then appear prominently in the Democratic platform for 2028. Maybe publish the committee reports and call it "Project 2029".
There doesn’t seem to be any failure of imagination in Miami, FL ! The city mayor and commissioners have canceled their election (they are term limited) for a year, extending their terms for a year without asking the residents for permission.
What's to keep immoral sadist trump from doing the same thing at a Federal level? There are no laws or parts of our Constitution that he won't break or ignore so far. He is breaking any laws that he wants, and Congress is powerless to stop him.
“I shake my head and wonder how it can be that Trump seems to be getting away with behavior that is obviously corrupt, unlawful, anti-democratic, and likely illegal.
“The answer is that he isn’t “getting away with it” in the sense that the majority of Americans understand what is going on.” —
True and wise …
However, Trump and his minions are paying no price for their deplorable actions and views. The ‘victories’ of their opponents (‘our victories’) are mainly holding actions.
Thanks to Trump’s deplorable immigration actions *and* widespread left-of-center reactions against them, discussion of immigration has, in many ways, become ruled by emotion – and mindless.
On the political right it seems to be driven largely by hatred and prejudice; but on much of the left it seems to be driven emotiinally by sympathy for less fortunate people, rather than by sober reflection.
Granting citizenship to people who broke immigration laws – indeed, *because* they broke those laws! – cheapens the concept of American citizenship – which is something that should be treasured, and *earned* through understanding of and adherence to the political and social values that have made the United States great.
A special Permanent Resident status might be established for persons who have lived lawfully in the United States for, say, the past seven years. Such people will be receiving special treatment in that (under our Constitution) those of their children born in the United States are automatically citizens.
Our heads should rule our hearts.
Trump’s change of opinion on Ukraine strikes me as little more than bait and switch. While hopefully the sale of defensive weapons to Ukraine through our NATO partners will save lives, it will also fill the coffers of the US munitions industry while giving Russia 50 days —under the threat of essentially ineffectual tariffs — to continue its horrific attacks on Ukraine’s civil infrastructure. So, America First, a wink at Putin and a smiley face to Republican hawks and Ukraine supporters like Graham and Thune who pulled a much more punishing piece of Russian sanction legislation from a vote in the Senate. Trump once again is buying time while the destruction is done — this time to Ukraine.
Thank you again, Robert. I, too, all myself almost daily "How can this be allowed to continue?!? This corruption, this lawlessness, these illegal proclamations ... HOW?"
One minor correction: The line "There is nothing wrong with your television set" came from The Outer Limits, not Rod Serling's The Twilight Zone. It started with "There is nothing wrong with your television set. Do not attempt to adjust the picture. We are controlling transmission..."
“There were six justices when the nation had four million citizens. The US population has grown by nearly a hundredfold since 1789, but the Court has grown by only three justices. Increasing the Court to 27 justices would be a fourfold increase—a modest expansion by any proportionate measure.”
But why *should* the size of the Supreme Court be proportional to the population of the United States? Since their decisions are final and cannot be appealed, shouldn’t they be a singular body, not dependent on which Justices are picked (by some means) to render final legal judgments?
Robert writes, “I have lost all faith in the Supreme Court.”
Yet he repeatedly evinces faith in *the* Supreme Court. He (and multitudes) have lost faith in *this* Supreme Court.
Please maintain the distinction between the *institution of the Supreme Court*
and *this* Supreme Court, as defined and defiled by its current occupants.
"Every Democratic member of Congress should be on the floor of their respective chambers tomorrow, decrying the Supreme Court’s abolition of the separation of powers between the president and Congress. Unless and until Democrats stage a legislative revolt, Congress is an appendage of the executive branch." Robert, these may be the most important words you've ever written!
I have branded every democrat in Congress a COWARD, and I stand by that. They should be standing up and interrupting and speaking out LOUDLY at every opportunity. Sorry, Cory and Hakeem, you two are the ONLY ones with outstanding courage to speak the TRUTH.
I always enjoy, and stare into for a few seconds, your “Daily Dose of Perspective” each day after listening to your soothing and calming delivery of the latest horrific news. Appreciate you.☺️
Thank you for your thoughtful writing today. While acknowledging what you’ve said, I’m wondering if we are going to once again underestimate the malfeasance of SCOTUS and the MAGA GOP on the next topic of trump’s focus: ”election reform.” I’d like to hear others’ ideas about what states can do (or feds??) to protect states’ rights to manage their elections.
I can envision ways that this power can be undercut and prevent us from having free and fair elections in 2026. Dems are banking on having these elections and I’m concerned this is just more of the lack of imagination on the part of the Dems.
I’d prefer not to be called an alarmist (again) for bringing up this topic. It appears to me that nothing is sacred and any kind of malfeasance is allowable.
I agree completely about the need for court reform, but there is something even more ominous about the dismantling of the Dept of Education. Read Project 2025. The GOP GRIPE with the Dept of Education is that it somehow "controls' US education. This is patently false; local schoolboards do the direct controlling. But look at the plan. The FUNDS for DOE won't disappear--forget the idea of saving on the debt. They will be TRANSFERRED to other departments and then issued as block grants to the states which can use the funds for anything "legal." And therein is the kicker.
Because in states that have made school vouchers legal, ALL the funding can be used for that. No more need to convince state taxpayers that it should fund private religious schools. The "giving" blue states will be paying for evangelical schools that provide a minimum, if any, education other than religious.
What we have on this court is not just conservatives, but RELIGIOUS conservatives. Their rulings show this plainly in allowing "religious liberty" to be a reason to disregard civil rights laws. For me this is way more alarming that the disregard of separation of powers. A new Congress is the answer to Congressional pandering to the Executive Branch. The First Amendment is at risk.
FDR had a clever "court packing" plan that got around the problem of lifetime appointments. At a certain age, Justices would be given the opportunity to retire. If they chose not to, the president could appoint a new member. The court numbers would go up until the elder Justice chose to retire. This didn't go through because of widespread respect for the court plus the fact that the court started leaning towards supporting the New Deal (it might have been scared a bit?)
THANK YOU!!
Too often I have thought your comments to be naive and Pollyanaish regarding what Democrats in power by virtue of position and by virtue of numbers can do, especially the former. Perhaps I misread you and, if so, I apologize.
I agree that it is time (now, beyond time) to take the Republican/MAGA “bull” elephant by its tusks and stop it in its tracks.
No more fearing what they might do; no more playing by the Duchess of Queensbury rules – it’s time for Dems and all patriots to go full “Raging Bull” and beat this anti-democracy movement at its own game.
Despite what I just wrote, it is not a “game”, but the very future of our democratic republic. No more knives to a gunfight. (Have I used my quota of metaphors for the day?)
“At least once a day, I say something like, “How is this possible?” With each new “never-before-in-the-history-of-our nation” development, I shake my head and wonder how it can be that Trump seems to be getting away with behavior that is obviously corrupt, unlawful, anti-democratic, and likely illegal”
When I post this quote, “A fish rots from the head, cut off the head, the body withers and dies” I don’t see it as a specific action directed at a specific thing. There are a multitude of way to interpret the meaning, it is of after all a metaphor. It is that I always intend for it to be spread around far and wide. So that those who are in positions of power and leadership loyal to our Republic and The Constitution will see it and deploy their critical thinking to see with imagination the ways it must be interpreted. There must be action now to stop the continued forward motion that began in earnest Jan 6, 2021 and has never been confronted, opposed and stopped.
Our country exists because of those who conceived the Declaration of Independence, fought the Revolutionary War, governed us by our Constitution and defended both in The Civil War. Remaining the Constitutional Republic that we are is the only way forward. If all there is, is discussion instead of action over the next 16 months I fear, and I am not alone in this perspective, we risk loosing it all.
There is only one political party that believes in and is loyal to our Constitution, the other has fully abdicated their oath to it. When I consider relying on future elections, to solve this tumultuous moment, I will be constantly be reminded of the following remarks:
When speaking about the current Republican members of Congress:
“It dose feel like they’re doing something that they’re not going to ever want two give up”
~Ann Applebaum
When speaking to our current moment in the history:
“There has to be a clarion call from someone or someones to stop the dissension of this country before it’s too late”
~Judge J. Michael Luttig
It occurs to me that by word, or the lack thereof and deed just about all republicans in Congress, the right of the high court and the executive, cabinet and all have abdicated their oath to the Constitution. Placing them as illegitimate. These people have no authority to govern the populous of the nation. The United States is an ungoverned citizenry.
I realize that one could argue my points made above, but not regarding the president. He has clearly abdicated his oath to support, protect and defend the Constitution and see to it that the laws are faithfully executed. He therefore has no legal authority, to do anything let alone federalize California’s National Guard or to deploy “federal” police to California. The Governor must take over control of our NG by whatever means and demand the removal of all these “ICE” police from within our borders. Or begin arresting them, taking them into custody to be extradited back to whence they came. Better yet, just hold them in custody so they are prevented from terrorizing anyone else.
“All talk no action makes Jack a dull boy”