Assess the damage done already. Walls. Lifetime right-wing judges. Regulations trashed. Voter suppression. Damning of the free press. Children in cages. Persecution of political opponents. Thinly-veiled threats of physical violence to dissenters. A cult-like following that has made documented death threats to critics. Lawbreaking in broad daylight without consequences. Withholding critical security information. Complete ignorance of the Constitution, and no evidence of adherence to it. Using the nation’s highest office for personal financial gain. Inserting close family members into high-ranking, sensitive positions of immense diplomatic responsibility. Conspiring with a hostile foreign power to tilt an American election, and preparing to repeat that act. Going to the brink of war with Iran. Continuing intent to destroy national healthcare. Plans to move funds from Medicare and Social Security. Steady accumulation of power to the executive branch. Inability to learn from mistakes. Unable to consider advice or direction.

These (and more) distinctly un-American events have already happened. Imagine this: If defeated, Trump will congratulate the winner, thank his staff for their loyalty and simply leave office, like all other presidents have done before him.

Does the the above scenario ring true? Does it describe a situation that’s in keeping with what we have witnessed for the past 3-plus years?

Trump does *nothing* quietly, or fairly, or legitimately. Nor does he surrender any ideological ground. It would be very consistent with his demonstrated behavior to contest the results of an election, especially if all the Republican machinations don’t pan out.

I put *nothing* past this insane, bitter criminal. Nothing. It would be wise to have a plan in place that deals with Trump either not recognizing the results of an election he does not win, or not surrendering the office per the law. Because, as has been witnessed repeatedly, the law means nothing to Trump or his circle.

Try this thought: If defeated, Trump will congratulate the winner, thank his staff for their loyalty and simply leave office, like all other presidents have done before him.

Pause for a moment— does the the above sentence ring true? Does it describe a scenario that’s in keeping with what we have witnessed for the past
3-plus years?

Trump does *nothing* quietly, or fairly, or legitimately. Nor does he surrender any ideological ground. It would be very consistent with his demonstrated behavior to contest the results of an election, especially if all the Republican machinations don’t pan out.

I put *nothing* past this insane, bitter criminal. Nothing. It would be wise to have a plan in place that deals with Trump either not recognizing the results of an election he does not win, or not surrendering the office per the law. Because, as has been witnessed repeatedly, the law means nothing to Trump or his circle.

Yes, we are indeed divided, because Republicans have departed from their longtime posturing about “big central government,” “adhering to Constitution,” “law and order,” “fiscal responsibility,” “values,” etc. More broadly, they have created (and continue to generate) a “new reality” that isn’t based upon measurable facts whatsoever; rather, it’s whatever those currently in power wish it to be. And that’s frankly insane.

Until Trump, Americans had never witnessed such a dangerous amassing of executive power. The ideals of a constitutional democratic republic have been utterly discarded.

The country is in uncharted territory now. A minority of zealots has learned how to control and concentrate power over the majority. The United States has its first truly fascist dictator.