As the saying goes, I have talked (“written”) about myself enough, now it is your turn—to talk (“write”) about me.
No, just kidding, but it is time to return to the times we find ourselves in. Of course, my guess is that you already know what is happening in our country, so perhaps you have already heard or read enough. I promise to weave in more of my favorite stories going forward, but for today my post is all about being apprehensive. We should be scared, even terrified. If you have not read Heather Cox Richardson’s post for today (posted on July 17), you should, but mix yourself a strong drink before you start. She focuses on a book called Unhumans, by Trump loyalists, Jack Posobiec and Joshua Lisec, who make the argument that anyone who opposes Trump is a communist and that makes them “unhuman” implying they deserve to die. Trump is now ranting and raving on Truth Social about the communist threat to take over America and destroy our freedom and way of life, but these are not Chinese communists he fears but Democrats and progressives– home grown Americans, people like you and me.
Richardson observes:
In “Unhumans,” Posobiec and Lisec argue that the United States is under siege by “the left,” which in their view means anyone from communists to progressives. “For the purposes of this book, we will call them the ‘unhumans,’” the authors write, “because they oppose everything that makes up humanity. As they are opposed to humanity itself, they place themselves outside of the category completely, in an entirely new misery-driven subdivision, the unhuman.”
Trump is implying the same thing in his rants on Truth Social.
Most of his behavior can be explained by Trump’s belief that if the Democrats retake the House or the Senate in the 2026 Midterm Elections, it is game over for his agenda and even more important, it will be a huge blow to his fragile ego. Trump in the view of many, including me, is an extreme pathological narcissist obsessed with himself. Stated another way, the dude is nuts, mentally ill, whacko. Yet here we are, with a whacko President, who is followed by an aide carrying his brief case with the nuclear code. And all the guardrails of Trump 2016 are now gone. None of his former advisers like Bill Barr, Gary Cohn, Rex Tillerson, Mark Milley, John Kelly, and John Bolton—are part of Trump’s 2024 team, and there were many others in his first administration who kept him from doing dumb things (like getting into what may now become another “forever war”) who are also gone. Those people have been replaced by sycophants and “yes men and women” who when Trump says “jump,” they ask, “how high.”
And the thing that astonishes me even more is that except for those who have lost in the primaries, in 2026 there do not appear to be any elected Republicans who are in the House or Senate who will stand up to Trump. Certainly, they all can’t be in favor of the Iran War, increasing inflation, the high cost of living, eliminating USAID, global warming denial, and the brutal ICE arrests and killings.
Trump is determined to do whatever it takes to keep from losing Republican control of both the House and the Senate. His main push has been to require “proof of citizenship,” to vote (eg. birth certificates) though this is just a start and remains a long shot. Who knows what he will try next? Some believe he will find a way to cancel the 2026 elections altogether. Others see things even more ominous like arresting and locking up people whom he brands as “unhuman.” This gets us perilously close to Nazi Germany in the 1930s and 1940s. If either of these things happen, this will mean the end of our democracy.
So yes, I am apprehensive. In fact, I am scared. This would not be the first time that a mighty country has done itself in. Every great empire in the past had its heyday and its downfall. Germany is just one in a long list. Russia and the Soviet Union have had their days in the sun, so have Spain, France, the Roman and Greek Empires, Japan, China, Egypt, and many others. This seems to be the way the world works. No country is Number One forever. I read somewhere that 250 years is about the average for being at the top of the heap. How close are we to our final days?
These are the questions that are lurking in the shadows today as Trump continues the Iran War, demeans all who oppose him, shreds social safety nets, enriches himself even more, and threatens our fragile democracy and the rule of law.
Oh Joe! Yes, there are many reasons to be frightened… and at the same time, I remain hopeful. I know we have it in us to get through these perilous times, to rebuild and create a new order a new system of checks and balances. Almost every one I know is angry at the super rich. Our young people have so much energy and creativity. They can’t wait to get in the drivers’ seat to pull us through this. I’m crossing fingers and toes they will be allowed the opportunity. So much will happen in the coming months.