Let’s be real. Trump doesn’t really hate Barack Obama or Joe Biden. He may feel threatened by them, or by any political opponent for that matter. He just hates losing.

For Trump, losing isn’t just a political setback, it is an existential threat to his fragile ego, which he internalizes as a weakness. He uses a textbook defense mechanism that most narcissists use. By calling people losers, he feels more like a winner. By cutting others down, he builds himself up as the ultimate champion. Narcissists need to be looked up to, or admired at all costs. They cannot tolerate the vulnerability of defeat.

Some people might excuse Trump’s behavior by calling him “competitive”. Granted, politics is naturally competitive. There will always be winners and losers in presidential elections, tight congressional races, high stakes Supreme Court rulings, and of course, war. But standard political competition isn’t enough for Trump. If politics were an actual sport, he would want to be the referee, the coach, the team owner, and the team captain, while controlling the score board.

Look at how he manages his public image. When he’s on stage, it looks like he’s giving a speech after winning an oscar. He hosted a UFC fight in front of the White House on his 80th birthday. And who was given a medal? Trump. He also awards medals to his allies, not just as honors, but as proof that his “team” is winning. His public pining for a Nobel Peace Prize isn’t about his efforts to achieve world peace. It’s about getting something that Barack Obama has, and to put it on display so he can brag about winning a high profile award.

Lately, Trump’s obsession with turning America into a giant scoreboard has trickled down to the next generation. He has recently turned his focus towards competition among high school students, producing a high school civics match-up at the Kennedy Center, and starting the first-ever “Patriot Games” athletic competition this August for high school students. He also wants to transform East Potomac Park in Washington, D.C. into an 18-hole championship golf course, which will presumably be named after him, so he can host pro tournaments there, and be photographed with a trophy, with his name on it. Oh, and those cherry blossom trees? They are merely obstacles getting in the way of his perfect fairway.

It’s hard not to see the pattern, and the facts are undeniable. Trump loses A LOT more than he wins. He lost the popular vote in the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections. He lost control of the House in the 2018 midterms. He lost the presidency in 2020. He lost his fight to end birthright citizenship. He watched dozens of his hand-picked candidates tank. He is currently losing his war-of-choice in Iran, and has faced a mountain of legal defeats.

So how does a President who is obsessed with being undefeated, survive this reality of losing while protecting his illusion of dominance? By changing the rules of the game, or more specifically, changing or manipulating laws with the help of congressional lackeys who are willing to engage in his pay-to-play schemes. He has also found numerous loopholes within existing laws, or just blatantly ignored laws altogether.

Because Trump can never admit to defeat, it forces him to reframe every single loss as a conspiracy against him. If he loses an election, it was “rigged”. If a court rules against him, the judges are “corrupt” or “biased”. In Trump world, a fair loss is an impossibility. He’s either the undisputed winner, or he is the victim of a grand theft. He accuses Democrats of doing exactly what he is trying to do. For narcissists, accusations are confessions.

This isn’t just a quirky personality trait of a leader who has that competitive fire in his belly. It is a profound psychological defense mechanism, reflective of a narcissist. When a political leader cannot process the vulnerability of defeat, democratic norms, legal institutions, legislative bodies, and civic structures stop being pillars of democracy. They become threats to his ego. They become a competition to be won, or a team to be defeated. In the process, public service dies. The federal government stops being a government of the people, by the people, for the people, and instead, degenerates into a blood sport where the only thing that matters is winning, or in reality, never having to say “I lost”.

In any fair competition, the rules in a sports competition exist to protect the players, the spectators, and the integrity of the sport. But in Trump’s world, the rules (or laws) are just obstacles, the goal posts can be moved, and the referees are just targets to be attacked. But as long as Trump’s loyalists allow him to keep re-writing the rule book, or control the scoreboard, the truth won’t matter much.

Trump can keep fabricating wins to try to erase the ghosts of Barack Obama’s accolades and Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential victory, but a delusion is not a trophy. He will keep claiming victory, standing alone in a stadium he dismantled, while the rest of the country pays the price for his games.

It’s no secret that the MAGA cult relies heavily on a specific, weaponized vocabulary to push their fascist agenda to the masses. They identify words, acronyms, or terms, like “WOKE,” “DEI,” or “ANTIFA”, and use this in their messaging to completely reshape and redefine the political narrative.

But what makes these words or terms so insidious? They sound mysterious, and are incredibly easy to manipulate. Ask any random Republican what DEI actually stands for, and they probably don’t know. But they’ve been convinced that it’s a destructive force in our country, due to Republican leaders framing it as a type of “reverse discrimination”.

The perception of ANTIFA follows a similar pattern within the MAGA script. While the term ANTIFA (short for anti-fascist) has existed on the fringes for decades, the MAGA cult re-introduced it as a way to target Democrats as the enemy. It wasn’t so long ago when Kristi Noem said in a cabinet meeting that they arrested the “girlfriend” of ANTIFA. For the record, ANTIFA is not an organized group with founders. It is an un organized, decentralized ideology.

The MAGA cult also tries to “soften” words to avoid accountability. JD Vance recently referred to the January 6th Insurrection as a “protest” instead of an insurrection…a day in which violent MAGA supporters beat and killed police officers, and threatened to hang Mike Pence. Donald Trump has also referred to the war in Iran as an “excursion” to avoid congressional approval.

We also see dehumanizing language applied to immigrants on a regular basis by the MAGA cult, as a way justify harsh policies and abuse. They often refer to immigrants as “illegal aliens”. Recently, the Trump regime created a website that is dedicated to convincing people that immigrants are like aliens, invading our country, and need to be stopped.

In a recent hearing with the Homeland Security Committee, DHS Secretary MarkWayne Mullin said that “racism is a reckless term that is thrown around way too often”, in an effort to downplay or mask his own racist behavior.

Maga Republicans also use “Trump Derangement Syndrome” A LOT, which now been shortened to TDS. As most people know, this is not a real syndrome. It’s a made-up, MAGA marketing phrase, designed to convince people that Democrats have an unhealthy obsession with Trump. What if Democrats were to throw that back at Republicans and accuse them of having Biden Derangement Syndrome, or BDS? They are a bit obsessed with him, but again, it’s not a syndrome. Just a weaponized label.

So language manipulation is nothing new in politics. Dictators and demagogues throughout history have used this exact type of propaganda scheme to gaslight the public. They also rely heavily on the media to reinforce their scripted propaganda, and with the media now being taken over by multi-billionaires who are Trump loyalists, the Maga messaging can catch on quickly.

Recently, the MAGA script just got a brand-new update. They’re now redefining the phrase “The top 1 percent”, which is a term that is used among Democrats to describe wealth inequality. Senator Chris Murphy points out in his new book, Crisis of the Common Good, The Fight for Meaning and Connection in a Broken America, “The top 1 percent controls wealth on a scale unmatched in our history, roughly equal to the bottom 90 percent.”

Over Memorial Day weekend, Pete Hegseth gave the commencement address at West Point, and MarkWayne Mullin gave a speech at the Coast Guard Academy Graduation. Aside from Hegseth telling the West Point Graduates that they’re “FIT not FAT”, Hegseth and Mullin put forth a deliberate and synchronized effort to stay on script when speaking to the graduates.

Both Hegseth and Mullin referred to the top 1 percent in their speeches, by saying that it’s the military graduates who are the REAL 1 percent-ers of America. Pete Hegseth actually called the West Point graduates the ELITE top 1 percent, while taking cheap shots at Princeton University for their WOKE policies. It’s not likely that Princeton University will be asking Pete Hegseth to give the commencement speech at their school, EVER. He would be boo-ed off the stage.

So the MAGA Republicans are doing this as a way to not only redefine the term “Top 1 Percent”, they’re trying to take the spotlight away from the billionaires, in order to shield them from accountability, and to hijack a term that people like Bernie Sanders has been warning us about for decades. And for good reason.

It’s time for the Democrats to get ahead of this propaganda-filled, right-wing messaging and flip the script. If the MAGA cult is going to manipulate words or phrases, then Democrats can do the same. Let’s start by redefining “MAGA” to what it actually should stand for: Make Accountability Great Again.

So NPR recently reported on the FIFA World Cup ticket prices, and they are just astronomical.

Just a little background: The FIFA World Cup will take place from June 11 to July 19, and will be held in 16 cities across Canada, Mexico and the United States. There are 48 teams playing a total of 104 matches. Argentina actually won the last world cup in 2022.

Tickets are anywhere from $1,600 for the “nosebleed seats”, to $6,700 for the opening game. A parking pass for the matches in Boston is on average, $175 dollars. In Los Angeles, it’s $250. Talk about price gouging!

I looked at prices for the FIFA World Cup tickets in Georgia, and it’s about $2,200 for one ticket to attend the semifinals. To attend the final at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey is about $9,300 for ONE TICKET. I mean, who’s going to be sitting in these stadiums? That’s ridiculous. You could spend a few weeks on the coast of Spain for that money, staying in a lavish hotel, eating churros con chocolate, poolside.

Speaking of hotels, bookings for the FIFA World Cup are not as high as anticipated, according to NPR. Because why? Maybe people from overseas don’t want to come to the US. The fear of being kidnapped and thrown into a detention prison is REAL.

There’s also a travel ban for many countries.

According to NPR, the Trump travel ban imposes travel restrictions for about three dozen countries, including teams that are actually participating in the World Cup, such as Iran. but Iran will be playing in the World Cup.

With gas and grocery prices continuing to rise, save your money, and watch the World Cup on TV.

If you want to support any of the American host cities for the FIFA World Cup, consider a donation to political campaigns for Democrats who represent those areas.

https://secure.actblue.com/directory

Host Cities for the FIFA World Cup:

Boston
Philadelphia
Seattle
San Francisco
Miami
Los Angeles
Kansas City
New York
New Jersey
Houston
Dallas
Atlanta

So, what if Stephen Miller had a vision board? What do you think it would look like? Personally, I think it would have as much warmth and inspiration as a collection of crime scene photos, but that’s just me.

Now, when it comes to vision boards, most people include things such as dream vacation photos, or their dream house, or career aspirations, fashion styles, as well as exercise routines. You know, the things that you want to have, how you want to look, or goals that you have set for yourself.

Stephen Miller’s vision board would likely not be his vision, but more likely his blueprint for world domination. I don’t mean project 2025. That’s a 900 page manual with plans to destroy Democracy and the Constitution, although, it would be similar. I am referring to Stephen’s own blueprint, coming from his deranged and dark mind.

Now, we all know that Stephen Miller is the human equivalent of black mold. He’s very sneaky, persistent, and dangerous, and he thrives in darkness. His brain is a place where empathy goes to die. He also has the emotional capacity of a brick, and he could win a staring contest against a statue.

So, on a normal vision board, you might see a house that is near the ocean or a lake, with a boat, and a private beach, and maybe with a Trader Joe’s right down the street. which sounds amazing, right? If you were to look at Stephen Miller’s vision board, right in the center, you probably WOULD NOT see a picture of his dream house.

Instead, you’d see a map of the United States, with the words, “Make America White Again.” He wants America to be as white as a ghost, sitting in the snow, waiving a white flag, in the middle of a blizzard. He basically wants to bleach the entire country.
Truth be told, his vision for a white America isn’t much different from the Felon-in-Chief.

For Stephen, if he DID have dream house on his vision board, it would probably the bunker beneath Trump’s proposed ballroom. His dream bunker would be a dark, windowless, cement room, with hundreds of computer screens. It would have a floor to ceiling mirror, so he can look at himself all day, and a golden toilet, where he can develop his master plan for world domination.

No sunshine, and not an ounce of fresh air. He would probably have a small, steel enforced opening in the wall where food and water could be delivered by someone wearing white gloves. That would be his happy place.

Also on his vision board, you’d probably see a selfie of Stephen with the words “Rockin Bod” written just underneath it. He’d probably be wearing a black, skin-tight t-shirt with “MAGA” printed across the front, looking like he’s entering a Mr. America contest, where the winner gets to decide the fate of the country, and of course, the loser gets deported.

Next to his “Rockin Bod” image,” he’d probably have pictures of one of his favorite accessories: A Red stamp. The stamp would say “REJECTED” OR “ILLEGAL ALIEN.” He would probably use this on everything, from Visa applications and passports applications, to student loans.

On a normal vision board, some people might also include samples of their “love language”. Stephen doesn’t have one, but if he did, it would probably be a written deportation order for anyone who last name doesn’t sound American enough.

And what about inspiration photos? Everybody loves those.

Stephen’s inspiration photos would be an AI-generated picture of the Statue of Liberty, holding a sign that says ‘Keep Out’ or ‘Americans Only’.

He’d also have an AI-generated photo of the American flag that’s been changed so that the stars would be MAGA red instead of white.

He would also have a photo of an empty courtroom on his vision board…the kind of courtroom that has that heavy, dark wood on the walls, and the silence of a funeral. He would have it labeled as ‘The Ideal Forum.’ an empty courtroom with no judges, no witnesses, no activists, and none of those WOKE civil rights or immigration attorneys to sabotage his plan. Just some immigrants in handcuffs. Or as he calls them, ILLEGAL ALIENS.

Now, the important thing to remember here is that Stephen Miller is not an elected official, and not a permanent fixture in our government. When the Trump regime falls apart, he will fall with it.

And What’s more important than all of this? Focusing on your OWN vision for America’s future. While he’s manifesting secret bunkers and whitewashing America, we need a vision for Democracy and Justice.

So Let’s keep building a better vision board for America. One that is filled with our hopes and dreams, and one that benefits everyone, not just the ones who are white, and can afford a golden toilet.

So we’re heading into the mid-term elections, much like the Titanic heading towards an iceberg. The Maga Republicans are planning their fraudulent investigations, in order to claim that there is MASSIVE fraud in our voter records or election process. They know they can’t win in the midterms without cheating or pushing their blatant lies, shrouded in morality.

Yet somehow, they’ve managed to convince a lot of people that they know what they’re doing, and are qualified to lead the country. And the one thing that they are using to their advantage to create this façade: Religion.

I like to call it hijacking Jesus.

The Maga Republicans have staged a hostile takeover of “faith”, tricking many people into believing they are the sole guardians of American morality, but we all know that they are using Jesus to push their own political agenda and propaganda, in order to hold onto power.

The Maga cult is trying to frame their scripted messaging as if they are the only faithful people in America. But I don’t think Trump has seen the inside of a church in a long time. His hair would probably catch on fire if he made the effort.

The Maga Republicans are also trying to create a religious cult called Christian Nationalism, which really is a platform of exclusion, which most people have now heard about, but we’ll save that for conversation.

Most people know that Religious sentiment has always been a bigger part of the political narrative for Republicans. In fact, it was recently announced that JD Vance has written a book about his “personal journey” in faith. 🤮

So, let’s say Vance runs for president in 2028. I guarantee his campaign will be all about his faith, and trying to pitch wholesome family values, and pushing the same old lie that immigrants are like the plague, taking over our country.

The reality is that most of the immigrants that are being locked up or deported, are not criminals, but they are Christians who wear the same crosses around their neck that the Maga Republicans wear. The hypocrisy is ridiculous.

So what can our Democratic leaders do to gain an edge in the mid-terms, aside from preventing the Republicans from cheating their way into maintaining power? They can take Jesus Back. It’s the power of religious persuasion that the Democrats need more of, in order to secure more votes, in my opinion.

As an example, James Talarico, who is running for Senate in Texas has based the vast majority of his messaging on his faith. His debates, interviews, and town hall gatherings are all rooted in religion, or his faith in God. The fact that he won his primary for the Senate in a deep-red state like Texas really indicates that his messaging is working.

He doesn’t just talk about policy; he talks about Moral Clarity. He uses the Bible to argue for better and more affordable healthcare, for a living wage, for human rights, civil rights, and women’s rights. He proves that the “Separation of Church and State” doesn’t mean the separation of Values and State.

But I understand why Democrats might want to steer clear of religious messaging, because the language in the First Amendment regarding the separation of Church and State says that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.” And that’s a good thing, and it’s imperative to keep that separation, but God and faith are very much embedded in our government.

Look at a $10 dollar bill for example:

It says “In God We Trust.” That’s on every piece of currency that we have in the United States.

If you listen to the Battle Hymn of the Republic, God and Jesus are everywhere in that song:

When you say the pledge of allegiance, it says “One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

If God is on our money, in our patriotic music, and in our formal oath of loyalty to the United States, then He should be in the political conversation.

By the way, that $10 dollar bill will only get you 2 gallons of gas these days, thanks to Trump and his pointless war in Iran.

One thing that I think most people DO understand, is that when you set foot inside of a church, political affiliation isn’t something that anyone is really thinking about.

People are coming together as a community, to share their faith in God. It’s a very inclusive space. You shake hands with people standing next to you, whether you know then or not, regardless of their political beliefs. Everybody is welcome, regardless of the color of their skin, or what country they’re from.

Now I’m not trying to be preachy about this, because my focus is on the mid-terms, but Democratic leaders need to stop letting the MAGA cult own religion. It’s time to remind the country that “family values” and FAITH means taking care of the sick and the poor, and practicing EMPATHY, which is what Jesus actually taught.

Long before a political movement becomes an institution, it becomes a name. In the Trump era, the President’s name is starting to pop up everywhere: On buildings, ballrooms, ships, legislation, and even syndromes. This isn’t accidental. This is the first phase of legacy branding, done while he’s still alive, and enables him to enforce loyalty and control the narrative. But the real myth-making typically begins after a political figure dies, when loyalty can no longer be tested directly, and symbolism replaces accountability.

While Trump is alive, his name doubles as a brand as well as a command: Endorsements, punishments, loyalty tests. Surprisingly, there are limits to how far he can go with name branding, because the center of gravity is still the man himself. Once he’s gone, the movement enters a new phase: Institutionalization. At that point, naming has staying power.

The biggest concern isn’t really about streets or buildings in isolation. It’s about the moment when a political party starts treating a deeply divisive leader as foundational to the values of America. That’s when politics quietly shifts from debating the future, to guarding a sanctified past. And that shift, once normalized, is very hard to reverse.

How could this plays out?

If Trump dies before the 2028 presidential election, the window immediately after his death would be a race…not just to mourn, but to define. The incentive structure for his political heirs, especially someone like JD Vance, would shift dramatically. Vance wouldn’t seek individual or congressional approval to spend taxpayer dollars to honor the memory of Trump. He’d would simply move fast enough so that any opposition would look “disrespectful” or “politicized” by comparison.

For Vance, invoking Trump wouldn’t be about honoring the man himself. It would be about inheriting the movement. Naming streets, schools, and federal holidays after a deceased president would be a loyalty signal to the Maga base, and a way to sanctify a very specific, highly redacted version of history. That’s when street names matter, not because they’re symbolic, but because they signal a version of history that now has federal force behind it. Over time, this creates a scenario where Trump’s name signals not just his perceived legacy, but an act of “staking territory.”

In addition, JD Vance wouldn’t just be governing in his place. He would be positioning himself as the rightful steward of Trump’s “legacy,” very selectively defining what Trump meant and what fidelity to that meaning requires. This is how personalist politics harden into something more enduring and more dangerous. Once the person is gone, the symbol can be endlessly repurposed.

If this scenario happens, we will likely see a deliberate shift from self-branding (“Trump” on buildings, products, slogans) to civic and moral branding: Roads, schools, federal programs, and perhaps even reinterpretations of holidays or historical milestones. This isn’t merely commemorative. By embedding a dictator into the geography of everyday life—naming the roads or schools after Trump, the Maga movement seeks to make him unavoidable. You don’t debate a highway’s record; you simply accept its presence.

This would also allow Vance to soften or normalize extremist policies, by recasting them as “tradition” or “finishing the work.” He could demonize anyone who questions the Maga version of the Trump presidency. You aren’t a critic; you’re a heretic. He would also likely engage in transferring the emotional bond of the Maga base towards him, as the new “protector” of the sacred.

When it comes to communication, it’s no secret that JD Vance’s political strength isn’t charisma. It’s translation and scripted messaging. He translates grievance into Maga-friendly language, resentment into policy, perceived conflict into policies or political action. That makes him well-suited as the steward of the post-Trump myth. He wouldn’t need to mimic Trump’s style. In fact, distancing himself stylistically while canonizing Trump symbolically would likely be part of the Maga plan to maintain power.

Once the transfer of power is complete, Trump’s actual political record matters less than his mythical role in his botched and failed presidency. That narrative would be on-brand when it comes to fabricating the truth.

• The disruptor who “said and did what others wouldn’t”

• The “peace maker”, undone by enemies rather than failures

• The founder whose vision was “unfinished”

How can the Democrats counteract this possible scenario?

This is the hard part, and the uncomfortable answer is that Democrats can’t counter it with denunciation alone, because myth-making feeds on opposition. In other words, canonization succeeds because it happens fast, when grief or loyalty makes resistance look cruel.

Democrats need to change the conversation on which legacy and legitimacy are built. Here are some ideas:

Engage in Norm-setting:

• Make clear Congressional standards regarding the naming of public infrastructure after former presidents

• Establish cooling-off periods for posthumous honors (e.g., 10 years)

• Ensure that state and local policies require bipartisan or supermajority approval for renaming buildings, streets, etc.

Highlight Systems and Eras, Not individuals

• Push commemorations of eras (“The Voting Rights Restoration Act Corridor”)

• Name public works after movements, communities, or principles

• Reframe political success as a product of many contributors, deliberately rejecting the “Singular Savior” model.

• Frame the era as “a test the country passed or failed together”, not a story about one man.

Shift from Anti-Trump to Pro-Democracy Narratives

• Elevate process over personality: voting access, courts, local governance, peaceful transfer of power.

• Talk about democracy as something people do, not something leaders “give.”

• Make Trump smaller by making the story of democracy bigger.

The Bottom Line

Sure, no one knows how the Trump presidency will ultimately play out, but if the Maga Republicans have to pivot, with Vance as their new leader, they will turn Trump into a founding mythological figure to appeal to their base. The Democratic counter isn’t to argue about the myth. It’s to build a culture where no single figure gets to be foundational. Historically, it is the only way to ensure that a democracy remains a story of the many, rather than a singular political figure.

As we all know, Rob Reiner and his wife Michele were killed last night in their own home. As tragic as this situation is, and as the facts continue to unfold, I have personally found an odd sense of relief in knowing that their deaths were not politically motivated, nor was this some sort of hate crime targeting a Jewish family, during Hanukkah. That may sound like I’m setting the bar really low, but during a holiday season that already feels so weighed down by tragedy, political uncertainty and fear, it’s possible that I’m just trying to find the little things to be thankful for during this holiday season. Still, it’s an unthinkable tragedy that deserves attention, including from a political standpoint.

What we currently know is that Rob Reiner and his wife Michele were found stabbed to death in their Brentwood home. Police have taken their son Nick into custody, and this is being investigated as a homicide.

We can and should mourn the loss of this incredibly gifted actor and director, who’s contributions include When Harry Met Sally, Stand By Me, Misery, This is Spinal Tap, A Few Good Men , The American President, The Princess Bride, and of course, his acting role as “Meathead” in All in the Family, created and produced by Norman Lear. In my opinion, this was one of the greatest shows on television in the 1970s.

All in the Family was groundbreaking, not just because it was funny, but because it used comedy to tackle really uncomfortable conversations that America had been brushing under the rug for too long. It exposed prejudice and bigotry, racial inequality, antisemitism, homophobia, and challenged traditional gender roles within a marriage. When you saw Archie arguing with “meathead” Mike, you saw two different generations, conservative versus liberal, trying to convince each other of their beliefs, fueled by fear, anger, hope, resentment, and love of country.

Archie’s character believed that supporting the war was synonymous with loving America. To him, questioning the war meant betraying the country and disrespecting soldiers. He saw protest as weakness or disloyalty. Mike (“Meathead”), on the other hand, argued that true patriotism meant holding the government accountable. He believed that opposing an unjust war was a moral responsibility, not an act of treason.

What was the most interesting thing about this show is that it brought both Democrats and Republicans together, watching the same TV show. It is this legacy of bridging divides, tackling discomfort, and seeking common ground that makes the political response to Rob Reiner’s death so jarring.

Not surprisingly, our current President took to social media recently with a statement that wasn’t just callous, by trying to politicize the moment, he framed Reiner’s death as somehow the result of “the anger he caused others” because of his political views. That response was exactly what we have all come to expect from Trump: A reflexive, self-serving, narcissistic response from someone who can’t tolerate criticism, and who sees tragedy as opportunity to deflect responsibility or push his political propaganda. summed it up perfectly when he described Trump’s response as “Disgusting”. I couldn’t agree more.

Rob and Michele Reiner’s death isn’t just about one celebrity family’s unimaginable loss. It’s also about the lens through which our leaders communicate empathy and grief, as well as the responsibility they carry to the nation. The way political power responds, or fails to respond to tragedy, really matters. True leadership shouldn’t be about firing off vengeful remarks to gain political points. It should be about steadying a grieving country and honoring the legacy of those we’ve lost.

It’s also a sobering reminder that we cannot rely on the current President, or our national leadership more broadly, to provide unity, compassion, or thoughtful leadership in moments of collective pain. The President’s political deflection is especially unsettling when you consider that the Republican party has consistently voted to cut funding for mental health programs, the very systems that might have prevented a tragedy like this.

The current leadership’s response to this tragedy only seeks to divide us further.
We deserve a government that demonstrates strength (not weakness or cruelty) in times of deep sadness. A government that recognizes the pain of all human suffering, and strives for the unity and shared humanity that can bring our country together.

Rob Reiner’s comedic genius was his ability to use humor as a bridge to discuss more serious topics, including the Vietnam War, and civil rights. His work as an award-winning actor, director, and political activist proved that comedy could challenge power, expose prejudice, and educate without preaching.

May Rob and his wife Michele rest in peace. 🙏

So Trump has pledged to give some cold-hard cash to America’s children. This gift will (in theory) be funded by a donation made by Michael and Susan Dell, to the tune of $6.25 BILLION dollars. These Trump Accounts are private investment accounts, not a savings accounts. Newborns are promised $1,000 (deposited at the time of birth, between Jan. 1 2025-2028, and only after a child has received a SSN). Children under the age of 10 get $250. If there is any money left over (you know, the Trump ballroom might need to use it to buy more gold), then kids OVER age 10 “might” get $250. I mean, nowadays, you can’t buy groceries for that amount of money. Hardly an incentive to buy into this scheme. The Treasury Dept. will be distributing/overseeing the money for these Trump Accounts, and sign-ups start on July 4, 2026.

This initiative is being run by a non-profit organization called Invest America. There are two founders, and two teenagers running this organization (and one of them is the son of one of the founders). The two teens are listed as “youth leaders”, but it is not exactly clear what they supposed to be doing.

There isn’t much information available about Invest America, other than this info. below from ProPublica. Their address is in Menlo Park, CA, which happens to be the same address for a company called Altimeter, which is an investment firm started by the founder of Invest America. Hmmm…

…

The IRS has posted Guidelines for these Trump Accounts, and is in the process of drafting a 4547 tax form for parents/guardians to fill out in order to open a Trump Account. Keep an eye on this form, as the guidelines and requirements will likely change in the coming months. One potential red flag: “All Trump accounts must have a trustee, and the trustee of a Trump account must either be a bank or another person who is approved by the IRS to be a nonbank trustee of a Trump account.”

Also from the IRS: “The funds in Trump Accounts must be invested in certain mutual funds or exchange-traded funds that track the S&P 500 or another index of primarily American equities.”

According to the FAQs on these Trump-branded accounts, here are some additional details:

What is the cost to manage the funds (management expense ratio)?

According to the White House FAQ’s on this issue:

What happens when a child turns 18 who has a Trump Account? (per WhiteHouse.gov)

How to Open a Trump Account?

Where will the Trump Account be held? (Hmm…

What happens to the money after the kid turns 18? Can they just use it for anything? Nooo….

Qualified expenses:

• College tuition, fees, or professional training.

• Down payment on a first home

• Seed money to start a business

Questions That Still Need Answers:

• Who will be managing the funds/investments?

• Do parents have the option to close the accounts if funds go below $10 for example, or will they be on the hook to pay the management fee until their kid is $18?

• Is there FDIC protection for these accounts?

• Do parents get to choose which Index Funds (or any investments) are used, or is that pre-determined?

• If (down the road), for-profit corporations are able invest in this new program, how will that be executed, and wouldn’t there be a conflict of interest if the companies investing in this program stand to gain from families investing in Index funds that contain shares of those same companies? (Helloo, Tesla?)
  
  According to Trump regarding his Trump-branded baby accounts, “If fully funded and left untouched, could grow to as much as $1.9 million by age 28.” (NOTE: This is highly unlikely). It’s safe to say that this plan to help America’s children to get a good start in life is a continuation of the grifting that has dominated the Trump regime’s priorities since January. And to think that we could have had a $25,000 credit for first-time home buyers if Kamala Harris were elected President.

American politics today, in the age of MAGA, is shaped by its signature slogan, “Make America Great Again.” At its core, this phrase sends a clear message that the MAGA movement is rooted in a vision of the past. The way that life used to be in America, or an earlier, idealized version of the nation’s history.

The “Make America Great Again” is less a campaign slogan, and more of a time machine. This nostalgic framing of “Americanization” appeals to those who are fearful of the future, or unsettled by change, or who believe that their status has declined compared to a bygone era. The so-called good old days, back when “good” really just meant good for straight, wealthy, white men, born in America.

Let’s unpack the so-called “greatness” in America, and what it actually looked like from the past. It was a time that was “great for some, but built on exclusion and inequality for many Americans and immigrants.

· When slavery was legal, and owning black people was a legitimate business.

· When women were treated as property and denied higher education.

· When women didn’t go to college.

· When abortion was illegal.

· When women didn’t have the right to vote.

· When the LGBT community didn’t have the legal right to marry, or even exist openly, without the fear of violence.

· When women were not allowed in the military.

· When black and white children were segregated in schools.

· When discrimination towards immigrants was legal.

· When Japanese Americans, many of them U.S. citizens, were forced into internment camps.

· When black families were barred from owning homes due to redlining, making it impossible to qualify for a mortgage in more affluent neighborhoods.

· When immigrants were given second-class status.

· When no one questioned the actions of religious leaders or white men.

· When pedophilia was brushed under the rug.

When viewed through a psychological lens, it is clear that narcissism runs deep within in the leadership of the MAGA movement, not just with the 47^th President of the United States. They are intensely competitive with others, are obsessed with the appearances of winning, have a contempt for the truth, possess a lack empathy and remorse, and refuse to admit to mistakes or accept accountability. The MAGA culture reflects this dynamic with its fixation on loyalty over truth, an obsession with dominance, and the constant framing of politics as a battle for control and recognition. When they communicate, they are either the heroes, taking full credit for fixing a problem of their own making, or they are the victims, blaming others to avoid accountability.

By contrast, Democrats tend to frame their politics around the future. Their messaging and mindsets are more about achieving goals, emphasizing a need to combat climate change, improving the quality and cost of healthcare so the elderly don’t fall into poverty and families don’t fall deeper into debt, expanding access to education, adopting technological innovations, and building a more inclusive society and equal opportunities for the next generation.

Understanding these political mindsets, victory over enemies vs. progress and democracy, helps explain why their opposing rhetoric feels like a tug-of-war, and why political rallies, press conferences, or debates between the right and left often seem like they are speaking different languages.

Here’s a recent example from Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense, when speaking to the US military on September 30: “Any place where tried & true physical standards were altered, especially since ’15, when combat arms standards were changed to ensure females could qualify, must be returned to their original standard. Other standards have been manipulated to hit racial quotas, which is just as unacceptable.” In other words, he wants the US military to go back to a “Good ol’ boys club, where masculinity and toughness were prioritized. His narcissistic, power-hungry leadership style is on full display.

Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security, displays the same troubling traits: relentless self-promotion, repeated lies, no sign of compassion or empathy, and an outright refusal to acknowledge wrongdoing, even when faced with undeniable evidence. She has never admitted to either mistakenly or deliberately allowing the abduction of legal immigrants who possess legal status in the United States. This blatant abuse of power reflects the culture fostered by every hand-picked member of the Trump regime.

Another difference between the political right and left lies in the psychology of competition. MAGA Republican leaders view politics as a zero-sum game in which one side wins and the other loses (like a WWE match or a football game). Their rhetoric is dominated by the language of victory and defeat: Dominating opponents, crushing rivals, proving “who’s strong” and “who’s weak.” Democrats are not devoid of competitiveness, but their rhetoric more often prioritizes progress, achievement, and collective success. Trump recently said to a member of the White House press corp:
“I have a bigger heart than you do.”

Democrats face the challenge of countering narcissism with limited power. They simply cannot negotiate with narcissists to help create a brighter future for Americans. For now, they must hold the line, expose the narcissism, debunk the lies and propaganda, and set up boundaries, until the power shifts back in their direction. As long as MAGA is still in power, they will continue to look through the rear-view mirror, while steering America backward, until the engine fails. History has shown exactly where this road leads. If America ignores the dark lessons of history, it risks repeating it.

I would argue that it would be more effective for Democrats to cross-examine the Maga Republicans, much like prosecutors cross-examining hostile witnesses—not colleagues providing updates in a staff meeting.

I say this with the understanding that Democrats are not source of this political nightmare. Republicans in Congress are protecting pedophiles, stripping away healthcare and social security, allowing innocent people to be abducted, deported, and locked in maximum security prisons abroad, and creating concentration camps right here in the United States. They should be treated like the criminals that they are.

This issue taps into a real frustration many Americans feel about congressional oversight and political accountability. Voices with real political clout are speaking out are calling for change.

As Pete Buttigieg recently said on NPR’s Morning Edition:

“We can’t be wedded to the old ways or the status quo. We should be unsentimental about the things that don’t work”, said Pete Buttigieg. “We should be fearless about things that DO work.”

Governor Gavin Newsom echoed this sentiment:

“If we still want to be in this game, we need to disabuse ourselves, disenthrall ourselves from the status quo of the past. We have got to enter a new mindset, and we’ve got to get back on this playing field, and we’ve got to do it with the kind of vigor that our kids and grandkids deserve… We’ve got to go on offense. No more defense.”

To be clear: Not all Democrats tiptoe.

We’ve seen quite a few come out swinging, including (but not limited to):

· House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries

· Sen. Chris Murphy

· Sen. Cory Booker

· Sen. Elizabeth Warren

· Sen. Chris Van Hollen

· Sen. Richard Blumenthal

· Rep. Jamie Raskin

· Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

· Sen. Bernie Sanders

· Rep. Jared Moskowitz

These Democrats don’t shy away from truth-telling or confrontation—and they understand the moment we’re in. Sen. Chris Murphy (CT) put it bluntly: “Maybe you fight totalitarianism by talking about the real-world consequences of it.” He’s currently traveling around the country, speaking at rallies in RED states, doing just that.

Why Aggressive Questioning Matters:

· Accountability: It helps expose contradictions, wrongdoing, or lies under oath.

· Public Record: Strong questioning generates viral moments and shapes public opinion.

· Contrast: It draws clear lines between democratic values and authoritarian doublespeak.

Why Some Democrats Hesitate:

· Civility Norms: A desire to preserve bipartisan decorum, especially on committees.

· Optics: Fear that aggressive questioning may appear disrespectful or “partisan.”

· Media Framing: Concern that the press will dismiss it as “political theater.”

Political Perception/Risk Assessment:

· Vulnerable incumbents may opt to tread lightly to retain swing voters.

· Some may believe Americans are tired of conflict and want a calmer tone.

· Differing styles or goals—fact-finding vs. fact-stating.

The Court of Public Opinion Still Matters

In a time of mass disinformation and right-wing propaganda, congressional hearings remain one of the few national stages where facts can still break through. They're not just about questions and answers—they’re about informing the public. We’re watching. We’re listening. We’re taking notes.

When Democratic lawmakers treat Maga loyalists with deference, it sends a signal that maybe the danger isn't so bad. Maybe these lies don't need to be challenged. Maybe we can look away. But when Democrats press hard, follow the facts, and make the case clearly and forcefully, they are making a crucial statement: Accountability still matters, and truth is worth defending.

These hearings help shape what we believe is normal or acceptable, what we tolerate, and what we reject, at a time when authoritarianism is creeping into our daily lives, and becoming normalized.

Final Word

We’re in an era where fascism is no longer a threat—it’s a movement. Republicans are actively working to dismantle democratic norms. Democrats can’t afford to hesitate, or cling to well-established norms that no longer protect our democracy.

Once upon a time, Washington, D.C. was a place where legislation happened. A place where the President and Vice President served the people, bills and laws were debated, policy was made, and bi-partisan compromises in the House and Senate were at least possible. But in today’s political climate, compromise is treated like betrayal, especially on the right. Sure, Hollywood has always flirted with politics: Celebs endorsing candidates, schmoozing at fundraisers, or a celeb lending their star power for a cause, but governing and law making used to be the main events.

Welcome to Hollyweird at the White House, where the executive branch of the U.S. government now operates like a casting agency. Trump, who sees himself as Hollywood royalty, didn’t just run for office. He auditioned for the starring role. Once cast, he turned the Office of the Presidency into a reality TV production. Now, we have a government obsessed with head shots, conspiracies, and stoking its maga fan-base, all produced by people who wield propaganda, cruelty, and deception like scripted notes. They are attention whores who spend more time in front of a mirror or a camera than supporting the American people. Pete Hegseth literally has a “makeup studio” at the Pentagon. Presidential cabinet members are simply cast members with security clearances.

Trump’s second term in the White House is a like a sequel that he’s making, just to ensure he won’t get canceled (i.e., thrown in prison). It could be called “The Art of the Steal”, complete with cliffhangers, revenge plots, kidnappings, personal vendettas, firings, and Twitter feuds, as well as the maga entourage who kiss his feet and do his dirty work. He has planned WWE events at the White House, and has enough maga/Trump merch to stock a stadium.

Trump even has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and no one really knows why. Hollywood rejected him, and now, he’s targeting the cities that rejected him: Los Angeles and New York, not because of policy differences, but because of his bruised ego. Sure, those are predominantly Democratic areas, and pose a threat to his power. California also holds the highest number of electoral college votes for a presidential election, so there certainly is political motivation to go after those cities.

His latest target is…Rosie O’Donnell? He’s now threatening to revoke her US citizenship, because…he doesn’t like her? That’s not leadership. That’s revenge. Makes you wonder what kind of dirt she has on him. Or, this is possibly another distraction.

This spineless narcissist of man also wants a Nobel Peace Prize like it’s a People’s Choice Award. And the Superman memes? Just another step in his ongoing campaign to convince us all that he’s our divine savior with superhuman powers. Did he ever win an Emmy for the Apprentice? No, and he is (no surprise…) bitter.

Cast of Characters:

Ted (Fled) Cruz

Ted Cruz gives speeches like he’s reading Hamlet at CPAC. Every word is dripping with melodrama, as if the Constitution were a screenplay and he’s gunning for “Best Performance by a Man Who Looks Like Grandpa Munster.” He’s nothing more than a bad actor with frequent flyer miles.

This is the same guy who bolted to Cancun while his constituents froze from a power outage, and more recently took an “impromptu” trip to Greece, while Texans were swept away in a flood. The people of Texas deserve better.

Kristi Noem (a.k.a, ICE Queen)

Ah, Kristi Noem. Former Governor of South Dakota. Her character description: Wig-Wearing Horse Girl Meets Hunger Games. She has so much filler in her face that she can’t even smile. She’s galloping up the maga political ladder, and deporting immigrants faster than Republicans flipped their vote for the Big Ugly Bill.

Recently, she made headlines for commissioning a portrait of herself to hang in the governor’s mansion in South Dakota, (she can’t decide which of the three she likes best). The portrait, featuring Noem atop a horse, her hair blowing dramatically, gazing into the distance like she just discovered freedom. It looks less like a portrait of a Governor and more like the cover of a Christian romance novel. But here’s the real question: Is the ICE Queen’s wig the same one she wears at rallies and photo shoots in front of innocent immigrants who she put behind bars? This isn’t a painting. It’s a brand. A rebranding of public service as glamour, wrapped in maga messaging (lies). And it’s all funded by taxpayers who probably thought they were paying for roads and better health care, not a fantasy cover shoot.

This is what happens when we confuse celebrity with competence. When political success becomes less about policy and serving the country and more about viral moments. And when an actual governor, tasked with protecting citizens, spends her time commissioning glamour shots in front of inmates, and writing ghostwritten books where she brags about killing her dog, you know we’re headed for dark times.

Pam Bondi

Florida’s finest propaganda machine. Let’s not pretend that she was ever qualified to be Attorney General. It’s about optics and cover-ups. Because why actually lead the DOJ when you can pose for power and make some $$$ on the side? She is someone who the former FBI would have investigated by now. BTW, this is a pic of her in high school in Florida—pre plastic surgery, but probably not pre-maga values.

RFK, Jr.

Because, why not throw a Kennedy into the reality show mix? Born into American political royalty, he is enabling the very destructive forces his family once fought against. Dr. Brainworm has been cast as a “truth-teller, who has ZERO medical expertise or credibility, and will be putting millions of lives at risk with his anti-vax conspiracy theories put into practice. Here’s a 17-yr. old RFK, Jr. Makes you wonder if his family suspected something was off about him way back then.

Stephen Miller

Because every show has to have a villain. He’s the architect of family separations and ICE raids, putting innocent people in prison without due process. He was born for that role. No need to show his ugly mug here, but here’s something like it. Actually, a blobfish is better looking.

The Final Scene (And What You Can Still Do)

The Trump reality (freak) show isn’t reality for HIM, it’s a nightmare for US. It’s a dismantling of democracy in favor of performance and power. Immigrants are being treated like slaves, stagehands, and scapegoats. Civil rights are being rewritten and whitewashed with maga scripts. Democracy is not a TV production. It’s the foundation of America, and it’s cracking under the weight of showbiz and fascism. And performers don’t care about facts. They care about applause, attention, and control. The damage is REAL. Stay tuned and speak out. Vote, organize, and get ready for a NEW script. I hear it’s called Project 2026.

The serpent slithers softly,
with a sharp tongue and deceptive eyes,
Whispering truth in the shape of lies—
Promises are made, but rarely kept.
A bluff, a dodge, while truth is sidestepped.

Is it true?
What is truth, in a world where a serpent wears injustice like a crown?
Where the hissing tongue strikes up, not down—
Propaganda parades as law,
And facts turn into fiction…a fatal flaw.

Cover-ups, kidnaps, disappearances,
People wrenched from homes with legal deception.
Incarcerated dreams—
A nation stitched with fear and silent screams.
Controlling. Invading. Disgraced.
Broken dreams, truth and justice--replaced.

Each hiss becomes a misused word,
Each word a venomous snare.
Twisting hearts into a haze,
Fogging eyes with a tearful gaze.

DEI—vilified, and demonized as racist.
Inclusion rebranded as exclusion, with no basis.
While the serpent spins a tale so tight,
That daylight itself turns into night.

The tongue twists with lies,
And the eyes tell tales.
Planting seeds of false hope,
that persist after truth derails.

With deals, the serpent grifts.
With laws, the serpent twists.
With a tyrant, the serpent gifts.

Yet hope sits quietly,
Beneath the noise, beneath the fear, beneath the cost—
Waiting for truth to return, not yet lost.

The lawless serpent wields the laws with pride—
While civility is cornered, and shoved aside.
A lie is the truth, the truth is a lie.
Justice is fraud, and fraud walks high.

False promises line every message,
While tax gold lies just out of reach—
Funneled upward to gild the throne
Of those who’ve never stood alone.

White, boldface, malicious lies—
Each one meant to hypnotize and disguise.

The serpent twists religion—
Turning faith into fear,
Healing into harm.
Worshiping a false god,
Where salvation breeds fraud.

And still… truth persists.
Distant, but not gone.
It writhes beneath the surface,
It burns to light the dawn.

Lies leave a bitter trail,
But truth? It will prevail.

No armor forged from fraud and scorn
Can stop the light of honest dawn.
A reckoning of truth awaits—loud, and near—
Its voice the only one the serpent truly fears.

In many ways, the United States is designed like a car—a powerful, intricate machine that’s made to move, evolve, and carry its people toward a future of freedom and opportunity, and to keep us safe while moving forward. (Not a Tesla, obv.). Just like any vehicle, our country needs regular maintenance, steady fuel, and the right driver to keep it on track. But as we all know, that questionable “check engine” light is ON. Sure, the parts are all still there to keep the wheels turning—but we’ve also got some squeaky brakes, smoke coming from the engine, the A/C is on the fritz, something is rattling, the headlights are struggling to cut through the fog, the steering wheel keeps pulling to the right, and we are running low on gas.

So, what exactly are these parts that keep our national engine running and how do they work? Much like a car, each element of our government and society plays a vital role in keeping us moving forward. From the steering wheel that guides us to the headlights that light our way, each component represents something far greater than its surface function. Let’s take a deeper dive into how each "part" contributes to the bigger picture of steering the United States down the road toward the future.

Steering Wheel: President/VP/Cabinet. Their job is to set the direction of the country, deciding where we’re headed, adjusting course when needed, and making sure we stay on the road instead of crashing into a ditch. They respond to what’s happening on the road (changing weather conditions, obstacles, dangers). The President and leadership need to be experienced, responsive, steady, and guided by the needs of the people, not jerking the country down an uncertain, authoritarian path, or selling the country for parts.

Car Frame: The Constitution. The essential structure that holds everything together and provides stability, just as the Constitution forms the foundation and structure of the United States government. It supports all the functioning parts and keeps everything in place. Without the frame, the car wouldn’t have any form or shape—it would collapse under pressure.

Engine: The American People (and Aspiring Americans). The real driving force that powers everything in the car. Just like an engine uses multiple cylinders working in unison to generate power, the American people, with their diverse backgrounds, talents, and contributions, form a collective force that drives the nation forward. Labor force, entrepreneurs, voters, immigrants, political activists, volunteers, and community leaders—all contribute their energy, ideas, and skills to fuel the nation's growth and innovation.

Wheels: Businesses/The Economy. Businesses drive progress, innovation, and prosperity. But like a car, if the wheels aren’t functioning properly or are unbalanced or flat, the whole car struggles to move forward.

Headlights: Journalists/Content Creators/Independent Media. They shine a light when the path gets dark, showing dangers ahead. They provide the clarity we need to understand complex issues, and expose corruption. Without them, we would be driving blind, unaware of the dangers or opportunities in front of us. Journalists and authors also function as the rear view mirror, helping us to look back and learn from past mistakes.

Car Alarm: Whistleblowers, Protestors and Watchdogs. They go off and are LOUD when something in the car is being tampered with or stolen.

Heater/Cooler: Political Parties. With their shifting or opposing ideologies, Democrats and Republicans in Congress can be thought of as the forces that regulate the temperature of the political landscape—either warming things up or cooling them down, when there’s a need for action or reform (defending democracy/human rights), using bill proposals, debates, votes, and filibusters.

The Brakes: The Judicial System (Courts including SCOTUS). Part of the check/balance system to protect freedom, democracy, and equality. They can slow things down, enforce constitutional rights (due process anyone?) or stop dangerous actions before the car (country) goes in the wrong direction.

Gas/fuel: Money. This is the actual fuel in the tank—it's what drives the system on a day-to-day basis. But without enough gas, a well-functioning gas tank (representing justice) or if fuel lines are blocked (corruption, misinformation, etc.), money will not flow efficiently to those who need it.

Gas Pedal: Accelerator. This is what propels the country toward its future, much like it drives a car forward on the road. Economic policies like tax cuts for the middle class, transportation investments, technological and medical advancements are accelerators.

Fuel Gauge: Economic Indicators. GDP, inflation rates, or unemployment stats, which tell us how well the country’s economy is functioning. When it’s low, it’s time to refuel—or reassess policies and actions.

Battery: Democracy. This stores the power and principles that keep everything else running. Democracy powers free speech and human rights. It powers the processes of voting, civic participation, and the enforcement of laws that reflect the people’s will.

Oil: Communication, Trust, and Cooperation. This helps to keep everything running smoothly. Just as oil keeps a car’s engine lubricated, ensuring that all the moving parts work together without friction, these three things ensure that society functions in an orderly manner. (Time for an oil change, obv.)

Windshield and Wipers: Education. It helps people see ahead clearly. A good education (as well as access to it) wipes away ignorance, misinformation, and confusion, giving people a better understanding of the road (the future) they’re traveling. A dirty or cracked windshield results in a distorted or limited vision for the future.

Car Radio: Entertainment/Media/Culture/Music. Not essential for driving, but can either soothe, entertain, or educate the driver and passengers, making for a more pleasant ride.

Turn Signals: Activists and Advocacy Groups. They help signal changes in direction before they happen, warning others.

HORN– Protest Movements. When someone needs to sound an alarm or get attention quickly to fight for justice.

Seat Belt: Healthcare, CDC, NOAA, FEMA, Police, Fire Departments. To protect the public from disease, illness, natural disasters, the aftermath of natural disasters, and to protect people from harm/keep order when things go wrong. Because let’s face it, without those things, you’ll be flying through the windshield. A properly working seatbelt doesn't choke you, trap you, or hurt you — it just keeps you safe when needed, and otherwise stays out of the way.

Shock Absorbers: Faith. When the road gets rough—whether it's political upheaval, economic challenges, global pandemics, or social unrest—faith acts as a stabilizer, absorbing the shock and allowing the vehicle to continue on its path. Without faith, the bumps and shocks would be much harder to handle. It’s that underlying strength that helps keep everything from falling apart.

Lock/Security System: The US Military. Their job is to keep everything secure, just as the locks keep a car from being accessed by anyone who shouldn't have access. In times of unrest, the US military is supposed to step in to "lock things down" and restore order. They “Support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.”

The Keys: Voting. Whoever has the keys, gets to drive the car, and steer the direction of the country. Voting is deciding who gets the keys to the car. If you don’t like where the car is going, maybe it’s time to rethink who’s driving.

Without question, these are uncertain times, and the road we’re on is dark and BUMPY. It’s also clear that keeping the car running isn’t enough. It requires a roadmap, courage, a vision, a solid ethical and moral compass, and an experienced driver who handles the car with care and compassion, not reckless abandon. The horn — the voice of the people —must sound loudly as the road ahead turns dangerous. And it’s the keys to the car—votes — that determine who gets to sit behind the wheel. Votes from the American people, as well as votes from our elected officials. In order to go the distance, we need vigilance, courage, and action from all parts, otherwise we risk going straight off a cliff.