Why would anyone choose a dictatorship over America's present "democracy"?

No doubt, there are many flaws in our system of government.

But, there are flaws in all systems of government. That is the nature of the beast.

So what specifically do these folks have against our democracy?

Do they believe it will take away their guns?

Do they think it will prevent them from worshiping a cult figure?

Do they believe their free speech has been prohibited?

Do they believe it is a threat to their belief in white supremacy?

What exactly does this American democracy do that is so disgusting to these folks?

The Root Cause of the mess we are in today?

...is right-wing media, of all stripes, from local to national.

They hyped and incited every single conspiracy theory espoused by the Trump supporters and the mob that attacked our Capitol. (It is not 'their house'. We did not vote for them or what they stand for. They are undemocratic and un-American)

The right-wing media pushed the Big Lie about election fraud and are more responsible than anyone for where we are today.

There are too many to name. From local talk radio to Sean Hannity and FOX News propaganda to One News Network to NewsMax to Wall St Journal to Mark Levin to Laura Ingraham to Lou Dobbs to....infinity.

The problem is with right-wing media and their lies.

Republicans feel they are under political siege.

They feel existentially threatened.

It's not that they feel they have done nothing wrong. It's that they feel they could lose their power and their positions in government.

Their urge to survive supersedes all others at the moment.

They are defensive and have withdrawn to their corners.

They are looking for excuses and rationales for the behavior of Donald Trump.

They are torn by the question: Should they vote to convict or not?

Peace In The Valley

Oh what a tangled web we weave...

One little lie led to another until it had grown too big to control.

What harm can it do if a lot of people believe it?

If you are a Senator thinking of running for President, it could help you with your base.

If you are a right-wing media operation, it could help you with your ratings and your advertisers.

If you were the President, it could help you get re-elected.

What harm could it do?

Especially if they were all working in tandem?

How were they supposed to know they were feeding a monster?

They saw no harm in deceiving people with their lies.

A Fool Such As I

Scene I : The White House reaction to the coup.

There is a small group of people in the Oval Office.

Television is on loud. It is showing the mob rushing the Capitol.

Mark Meadows is attemtping to hand a telephone to Donald Trump, who is standing and cheering with both arms in the air with fists clinched. He waves him off. He does not want to be bothered at this moment.

The phone rings again. It is his former Communications Director, KellyAnne Conway. But Trump does not wish to talk to anyone at this time. He is enjoying the huge Trump flags and the panic taking place inside the House and Senate Chambers.

The phone rings several times but is ignored.

Finally, Jared and Ivanka persuade him that there may be criminal liabilities if anyone is killed. Trump is reluctant to speak to the nation but he finally agrees to their pleas. He goes outside and gives a short speech telling the mob how much he loves them and for them to go home in peace.

Scene !! : The camera zooms in on Rudy, Don Jr, and the Senator from Alabama, as he talks about taking names and kicking ass. Then it zooms in on Donald Trump as he tells his audience that they must fight if they want to save their country. They have to be strong.

The mob begins their march to the Capitol They are loud and angry. They want to take back their government! They want to capture and hang VP Mike Pence. They want to murder Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the House.

They run over the cops as they assault the Capitol and the Congressmen and Senators are running to hide from the revengeful mob.

Etc...etc...etc....

This would be an easy movie script to write.

The "Brain Trust" is gathered at the White House?

That would be Rudy, Jared, and Donald himself? Bannon may be close by?

"Another fine mess you've gotten us into, Rudy."

"How do we get out of it?"

"First of all, you cannot be convicted by the Senate".

"How can I make money off this?"

"Who can we blame?"

"Well, as usual, we deny that we had anything to do with it. We are innocent!"

"I had a deal to make $500 million and now it is gone.?

"Our number one goal is to stay out of jail."

"Is there any way I can stay in office?"

"Well, my advice is to act presidential, act patriotic, tell the people how much you love this country. Salute the military. Keep your base and keep your Republican allies. If this trial goes on for a few weeks, we will beat it and you can run again in 2024."

"That sounds like a winner! Thank you Rudy."

Why Trump will not be inclined to pardon the insurrectionists (mob)?

Because he does everything in his own self interest.

If he were to pardon these criminals, he would probably blow whatever chance he has of being acquitted after the trial in the Senate?

At present, it is probably a close call?

But, if he pardons them, the Senate would probably have no choice but to convict.

He will do what he thinks is best for Donald.

Steve Bannon re-entered Trump's inner circle a couple of weeks ago.

A "coup" is something he would advise Trump about.

He was the first person advising Trump about destruction of the "administrative state". And they have done a good job destroying the different departments of our government. (The State Dept was especially hard hit)

Bannon is a loose cannon. He has no loyalty to our country or what America might stand for in the eyes of the world.

It would not be surprising to hear that he helped organize and plan this attempted coup.