The question to contemplate by all decent citizens who cherish democracy is this. When confronted with fascism and an autocratic leader, who is openly working to obstruct the electoral process, what do you do, and what expectations are reasonable? Favorable poll numbers mean nothing if it's rigged.

We now fall into two camps across the political divide, on the one hand are those who believe we're just traversing turbulent times that will shortly pass, on the other are those who see an apocalypse. Stable, trustworthy leadership in these times would be helpful, but the system itself is bad.

President Obama's interview with Brian Tyler Cohen reflects either an extraordinary faith in the majority of the American people, and their collective love of country and constitution, or it reveals a remarkable level of naivete. We hope it's the former, but history will be the judge, and of us.

Choose Democrats wisely.

We only need to be civilized to be a better country. Not militarily, technologically, or religiously supervisor. Certainly not white, just civilized.

President Obama's position on how Democrats should comport themselves, even in this new political environment is clear. I agree that accepting this as the new normal will not facilitate us reverting to civility afterwards however, we won't make it out of this as sheep. Biden's views may vary.

The G7 and G20 nations represent developed countries with above average Per Capita incomes. Their achievement has nothing to do with their ideology or religious beliefs. Why is America stuck on religion in opposition to the constitution?How come the most developed and prosperous countries don't?

Conservatism used to represent the preservation of traditional behaviors and values. The problem is, many of those were unacceptable, and unjust. Now conservatism and white nationalism has merged with the most hideous agenda conceivable. From ethnic cleansing to anti vax positions.

To date, if Democrats are being graded based on bravery standing up, and speaking out for Americans the names on top would be Newsome, Sanders, AOC, Crockett, Green, Frost, Van Hollen, and Murphy. Yet, at this point we must insist that they embrace all the core Democratic values.

Donal Trump is clearly a awful human being. That said, he is a damaged soul, an ego maniac, a racist, a white supremacists. The GOP knew this and embraced him nonetheless. Trump is a tool by the racist oligarchs, the Heritage Foundation, and white nationalist think-tanks. This is America.

At some point the country must demand the Epstein files. Please is not working. I'm sure we're all seeing the same pattern. Trump is prehistoric he doesn't respond to civilized discourse.

We know the billionaires and oligarch class has no empathy, and care less for the rest of society and the planet for that matter. What they can't see is that they're stuck with us, and when it gets really bad, and anger and irrationalities take over, their money will be worthless. History repeated

It cannot be overstated that every member of this administration that has contravened the law. From the President, Cabinet members, Supreme Court members, Congress members to the family members of them all. Prosecutions, orders of restitution, and where necessary to reimburse the public purse.

Everyone is coming around to the fact that if MAGA is able to steal the next general election or even the midterm the American empire expires. The fact is, unless we unify, abandon culture wars, and put in place something akin to the Marshall plan (ERA of 1948), the country will be ruined.

It may be the expected 'blue wave', but the Democrats really seem energized in this political and economic environment. It will require the prevention of this regime's continued electoral criminality and unconstitutional activities to ensure the desired outcome for Democrats. Vigilance is vital.

I genuinely believed that Trump's support in the last election was based on two groups, the racists and misogynist, and the unprincipled, willing to forego the very constitution for affordability. I've since learnt that there are many who knowingly wanted to blow the country up. They've succeeded.

The refreshing speech by Mark Carney demonstrates how rare and minute the clique of brave and morally centered men are. Now we understand how Hitler assended to world power. This is also a test period for what is meant by sovereignty, and the reason for multipolarity.

The invasion of Venezuela,and kidnapping of the Maduros is just one of the GOP's signature break with the rules base order. Americans must remember this criminal organization (party) was never principled. Trump has just revealed what they are made of. This party must never hold political power.

We hold beliefs that negotiated positions arrived at by consensus building is the ideal. Over the last two decades it's is widely understood that income inequalities is not going to be corrected or reversed by those who hold the advantage. The disadvantaged must apply the brake, for our existence.

What America represents to many nations and people, is a disruptive and destabilizing force. The fears and insecurities other nations experienced by US foreign policy, it's citizens are now feeling. The UN cannot play the impartial role required, and world leaders are powerless against this regime.

A super power with massive income inequality, crumbling infrastructure, corruption,and lawlessness, that reaches back to the 1930's German model as the image of greatness, lacks originality and morals. The pendulum has swung so far right, that when it is corrected conservatism may be outlawed.

We got hooked on a few fantasies: That America represented goodness. (The last best hope for the world.) That the American dream is attainable by hard work, and applying one's self. In reality those are fantasies. Ask the average citizen trying to make ends meet. The hope was short lived.

If you thought the breaking and ignoring of international laws, treaties and customs by American governments are recent developments, you're wrong. Trump is just not subtle or polite. If you thought that America was not a racist, misogynistic, and pretentiously Christian county, open your eyes.

Americans were appalled at the image of the man facing down the army tank in Tiananmen Square, China in June of 1989. It is refreshing to see the protest against the murder of Renee Good, but so much more must be done to remove the collective stain on Americans and America's image by this regime.

The information age must not be wasted on trivial pursuits. The world, our country, and our lives depend on how we utilize our access to vital information. WikiLeaks provided a public service that was global. Soon access will be denied and freedoms curtailed. Land of the free and the brave gone.

Americans don't seem alarmed that the country stands for nothing. Everything we once heard the country represented has been proven a lie. Yet it's not surprising, history records that progress and freedoms have repeatedly been walked back. When freedom is walked back the pretenses ends.

Who is really surprised about the invasion of Venezuela? The belief that you can elect an uncaring, and lawless man to improve the economy and the country is proving to be a fantasy in real time. When 'might is right' becomes policy, it is not just lawless, but uncivilized. The loss of credibility.

Capitulating, giving up, and being overwhelmed are action we cannot take, and emotions we cannot afford. It's hard to focus, while enduring cruelty at the hands of vile and corrupt men, yet we must. There is no quick fix for the country's problems, and no Saviour. Reality is where we must start.

When rich, conservative, white men talk about a merit based society to hard working young people, minorities, women, and all others who have done the work, paid their dues, and performed at higher levels for a fraction of what the entitled believing class receives, it's fuel for the reconning.

The older you get ,and the more aware (woke) you are, you realize that almost everything you thought you knew as fact is either a lie or in sufficient knowledge. Americans are going to wake up by pain, Europe by lack of access to other nations resources, and white supremacy by its death.

Collectively as a society, we have embraced the false premise that the wealth owning class must be worshipped because we need them for our existence. This view is promoted by Right-wing conservatives. They are parasites, they live off the lower 80-90% of the population. We are being sucked dry.

We must accept at this point, that Trump doesn't give a damn. Quite frankly he is just trolling Democrats, minorities, and frankly the world. His family members are technically all billionaires on the back of the American people. Yet he has sweeping immunity regardless of his criminality.

Political views are changing due to affordability, immigration cruelty, and Epstein's saga. Billionaires and Millionaires care less about their fellow citizens. The working class is fractured by those with racial resentment, and Christian fundamentalists, who will vote against their own interests.

Since the founding of the United Nations almost every country has abided by its democratic rulings, except the US. Sovereign countries have gotten fed up. The US holds the purse strings for the UN, IMF, World Bank, USAID, and controls the SWIFT system and the dollar, but fairness is required.

There was a time when we thought that the financial backing of the GOP by old money billionaire families were based on conservative values and preferences shared. MAGA is not conservative in any way. So we are back at the race and class divide. You know, the American thing.

This regime in particular, and white supremacists in general promote Christianity as the world view that guarantees prosperity, honesty, decency, and rule of law. Look at the characters pushing that, and ask yourself, of the countries with the best GDP, and happiness index, how many embrace that?

History's record of Trump will show that he exposed the belly of America. The weakness of a constitution that is entirely dependent on men of decency, moral conviction, and balls like steel. He has revealed that facade presented to the world, through deception, will not hold up.

Unless Americans decide to respect and unite with each other, it's going to get worst fast. "All men are created equal" has never been an accepted truth nationality. This is the basis of all the problems confronting the country. The solution starts with justice, equity, and enforcing rights.

We are at a crossroad where the correct turn is blocked by real powerful and evil forces. What comes to mind is a quote from the movie Chronicles of Riddick that says- "In normal times evil should be fought by good, but in times like this, well, it should be fought by another kind of evil".

The Epstein Bill was passed and signed off, and the Courts have given it's instructions on the release, yet we're not surprised Trump is being shielded. How we long for an Edward Snowden or Julian Assange. When the entire system is corrupt including the DOJ and Supreme Court, what is the recourse?

Affordability has been a problem for many, for awhile. We have had glimmers of hope every time the economy rebounds, but since the 2007 financial crisis, we know that between the debt and an economy prop up on a tech bubble, it's unsustainable. The burden cannot be carried by the working class.

Official unemployment records got held up because of the shutdown, and what they reflect. With living costs painfully high, the loss of jobs now, is brutal. What is more concerning, is how the tariffs are adversely affecting companies, leading to closures. Working class folks are under attack.

People need to voice their disgust and embarrassment with the face and voice that represent them to the world with lies, illegalities, unstable behavior, and buffunery.

After November 5th 2024 all of us who knew what was ahead, struggled between anger and depression. A year and a month later it seems that so many believe that all it takes to return to normal, is the defeat of Trump. A reality check is urgently needed, because Trump is facilitated by a system.

We have skipped over international maritime laws regarding law enforcement and military engagement on the high seas, and in sovereign territories, and find ourselves arguing about second strike on survivors. Are we conceding that might is right? What is the purpose of the UN, ICC, and the ICJ?

How it all started is how it is going to end. Injustice begets injustice, and evil men gets embolden and more dangerous if good men are numb or cower. Life will not self correct by itself, and history has shown us that good only prevail, when evil is confronted.

Third world countries are poor and miserable because of internal strife of one form or another. Most were colonized resulting in their resources extracted and stolen. The US is headed in that direction not because of any of those reasons, but because of excessive greed by the 1%ers and a choice.

Try as you may, it is impossible to avoid Trump's utterances, which is a reflection of the American people. GOP Congress members and Evangelicals like today they didn't choose a saint, but a President. Well, when he's gone, the stain and smell will have to be removed.

Salute to Rob Reiner. A true talent even among his peers. Someone who defended care and decency.

The last ninety six years are replete with the US repeating it's death wish. The 1929 depression caused by fiscal mismanagement, tariffs and dominance by the 'Robber Barons'. The 2008 market crash caused by the same thing, with the wars adding to it. Nothing has changed, and unity is evasive.