Fifty Three Days and the Death of Democracy

On January 30, 1933 Adolph Hitler became chancellor of the Weimar Republic and immediately began an assault on that constitutional republic. As recounted by Timothy Ryback's fascinating history, "How Hitler Dismantled a Democracy in 53 Days" published in The Atlantic, Adolph Hitler "systematically disabled and then dismantled his country’s democratic structures and processes in less than two months’ time—specifically, one month, three weeks, two days, eight hours, and 40 minutes. The minutes, as we will see, mattered." 

Hitler swore an oath to uphold the constitution but almost from the beginning began talking about his mandate from the German people to carry out his plans. He began firing government officials and replacing them with loyalists and withdrawing from international commitments. The chancellor wanted to purge the county of foreigners, revive the economy, and drain the 'parliamentarian swamp." 

Before long Hitler's opponents and skeptics began to fall in line or remain silent. They barely protested when National Socialists convicted of crimes and treason were released and became heroes. Concerns about an independent judiciary, press freedom, and citizens rights were brushed aside, after all, Hitler was building the economy and securing the borders. One politician expressed concerns about the dictatorial powers being granted to Hitler under the enabling act, but the announced, to laughter, that he and his party would be supporting it.

In less than two months Adolph Hitler had destroyed democracy. And we all know what came next...!

Fifty three days. Donald Trump's inaugural address with filled with lies and angry threats directed at political opponents and other nations such as Panama.

Fifty three days. Donald Trump has been in office less than a week and he's already pardoned January 6 rioters and insurrectionists who committed treason by storming the Capitol and interfering with the constitutional duties of Congress. Many of them attacked, injured, and even cause deaths of police offices. Trump has regularly praised these criminals and now has his brownshirts ready to act on his every utterance. 

Fifty three days. Donald Trump has illegally fired dozens of inspectors general in a number of different agencies. These watchdogs are tasked with assuring the agencies follow the law, don't waste taxpayers money, and meet ethical standards. The inspectors general are Senate approved and can be removed only with 30 day notice to that body.

Fifty three days. Trump's executive order to end birthright citizenship is an attempt to rewrite the United States Constitution. Fortunately a federal judge... a Reagan appointee... has blocked the illegal order for now, but it is bound to end up before a Trump-friendly Supreme Court.

Fifty three days. Already nearly every Republican (including lapdog Ben Cline) in the House of Representatives is licking his boots and doing what is puppet Speaker Johnson wants. Most Republican Senators are marching in lockstep or keeping their views under wrap – evidence – nearly every Republican Senator voted to approve Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense. Never mind that Hegseth is clearly unqualified and corrupt, there are serious questions about his commitment to women's role in our armed forces, his alcoholism, abuse of women. His only qualification, it seems, is being a total Trump toady. 

Stay tuned as we count down fifty three days... we are under a week into the second Trump atrocity. Trump's billionaire buddies are jockeying for position of influence in the Trump White House. Elon Musk gives the Nazi salute. There is indeed "Rot at the Top."

Not. My. President

 American (Rotten) Pie

Long, long time ago 

I can still remember how history used to make me smile 

And I knew if we had a chance that government by the people could make those people dance 

And maybe they'd be happy for a while 

But January 6 made me shiver 

With all the hate MAGA Brownshirts could deliver

Bad news on the doorstep 

I couldn't take one more step 

I do remember that I cried 

When I read about his election pride

Then something touched me deep inside 

The day American democracy died

So bye-bye, Miss American Pie 

Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry 

And them MAGA boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye 

Singin', January 20 will be a day of lies

This'll be the day that truth dies

This’ll be the day that democracy dies.

With apologies to the great Don McLean

Convicted. Felon.

 

Convicted Felon Donald Trump

Donald Trump will be the first convicted felon in the White House. Nevertheless, the “rule of law” failed the U.S.A. No punishment for the felon. He skated on the January 6 treasonous insurrection case and on the theft and retention of classified documents case. Donald, Sam, and Clarence are conspirators. He will take office and commit more felonies under the shroud of dubious immunity. Trump’s pawns like Bobblehead Ben crow and pledge to support his every atrocity.

The big joke on democracy is 

that it gives its mortal enemies the means for its own destruction.

                                           ~Joseph Goebbels

Bobblehead Ben’s propaganda machine

Bobblehead Ben Cline and his congressional staff are budding masters of the propaganda machine. Or maybe it is the House propaganda MAGA-machine that gives them the juice? Anyhow, Bobblehead’s “Sixth District Perspectives” isn’t so much news of interest to all constituents as it is a series of propaganda pieces that would make the Joesph’s… McCarthy and Goebbels… proud.

His recent production included this picture from the propaganda-on-steroids machine known as X. 

I think Bobblehead Ben supported the bipartisan bill originally put forth by the Speaker. Then power-behind-the-throne Elon Musk (followed later in the day by DJT) came out in opposition and the bill fell short of the necessary 2/3s majority (and a simple majority). The “slimmed down” bill passed the next day.

The deception in the picture is grotesque… it implies the CR that passed spends just a fraction of the money as the original. Not true! There are some savings to be sure… but.the major saving was in the number of pages in the bill! Why? Well one item cut was restrictions on pharmacy managers… yep the guys and gals who frequently overcharge and screw over sick Americans. Those restrictions are very technical and required lots of ink… hence a much longer bill.

Also eliminated were certain restrictions of American investments in China that could have serious national security implications. Musk wanted them gone. Cha Ching. Elon should send you a Christmas card, Ben.

Back to Bobblehead Ben. His entire “Perspectives” email was self-serving propaganda. Most casual readers of his communications likely aren’t aware of Ben’s misdirection and deceit. There is very little media in the Shenandoah Valley willing to research and challenge him. So he cultivates an image as a budget hawk and responsible conservative. 

Let’s see how Ben reacts to raising the debt limit next year and to Trump’s likely budget busting spending and tax cuts. 

Elon Punks Trump, Bobblehead Ben, and the American People

A big winner in the passage of the Continuing Resolution was Elon Musk because of the elimination of a provision limiting certain American investments in China. His devious plans for AI and other high tech investments in China will now go unchecked in spite of the astronomical security risks involved. His proximity to Trump gave him this billion dollar bonus in spite of Trump promises to crack down on China both for economic reasons and for national security.

Musk punked both Trump and the Congress and screwed the U.S.A. This is the beginning of a corrupt relationship between the autocratic twins. Are you okay with this corrupt cronyism Bobblehead Ben?

Democrats Save the Clown Caucus (again)

Last evening the House passed a Continuing Resolution to keep the government functioning through March. Almost all Democrats voted yea, saving the U.S. from a government shutdown over the holidays and saving Republicans from their pitiful selves. Ben Cline did the right thing this time voting for the CR.

The mess erupted a couple days ago when shadow president Elon Musk objected to a bipartisan CR. He was then joined by President-in-waiting Donald Trump and that negotiated deal collapsed. Musk (and Trump) notably demanded an increase in the debt ceiling now rather than in mid 2025 when Republicans will have control of the White House along with the House and Senate. That demand was NOT included in the CR that passed setting up an interesting and bitter intra-party fight next year. Chaos averted for Christmas but it isn’t gone for long!

The CR that passed did cut a small amount of dollars from the budget… not budget busting items but very real programs that help the American people. All of this to appease Elon. A few examples (from Bryan Tyler Cohen):

• GABRIELLA MILLER KIDS FIRST RESEARCH ACT 2.0, which provides funding for pediatric cancer research.

• The GIVE KIDS A CHANCE ACT, to provide studies of new cancer drugs

• ACCELERATING ACCESS TO CARE ACT to streamline out-of-state treatment for medically complex kids

• SUPPORT ACT promoting Opioid recovery and treatment

• PANDEMIC AND ALL HAZARDS PREPAREDNESS ACT

• Restrictions on Pharmacy Benefit Managers, who often overcharge patients

Some Republicans (like Bobblehead Ben) will boast of the dollars saved, but in reality the savings is small and the hurt is real. This is foreshadowing the mess we are in for the future… an eccentric billionaire able to control a weak minded (actual) president while corralling a herd of House cats.

We have gotten the government we deserve… chaos theory 101.

Bobblehead Bob and the Clown Caucus

House Speaker Mike Johnson just got punked by the incoming president and his chaos crony, Elon. Give Johnson some credit… he tried to keep the government’s Christmas lights on by working across the isle with a continuing resolution funding the government through early spring. He’d been juggling his clown caucus, which includes the Valley’s own Bobblehead Ben Cline.

Enter President Musk… oh I mean Trump… oh I’m not sure who I mean anymore. They tanked the bipartisan plan that Johnson had juggled over the past weeks and insisted on a new CR that included, among other atrocities, a demand for extending the debit limit. Perhaps this should give all of us pause that, in spite of musk’s and Ramaswamy’s DOGE, the incoming administration will run up the federal debt. Oh yes, the twin sons of different mothers, will try to cut programs that mean much to Shenandoah Valley residents… farm aid, Social Security, Medicare, etc… and call it savings, but their giveaways to the  top tier and their cronies will more than offset any savings. I predict the deficit/debt will soar!

What will The “budget hawk” Bobblehead Ben do? Nothing because when it comes time to stand on principle against Trump, Ben is a chicken hawk. 

Trump and the little devils sitting (shitting) on his shoulders have no plans for fiscal austerity or responsible governance. They offer only chaos, shutdowns, retribution. And Bobblehead Ben concurs.