A Republic, If You Can Keep It

Speaking of Germany, they just passed the test that we failed in November. The new Chancellor is already talking about how they and Europe need to move forward without the United States.

Trump did a lot of damage to the U.S’ position as the world leader in his first term, but Biden was able to undo much of that. It was credible to argue that it was a one-off. But Trump’s re-election and what he has done in his first month back in office appears to be irredeemable at this point. Trump will be gone eventually, but no one can ever trust us again not to elect a lunatic fascist dictator (assuming we even get a choice).

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This is sort of contradicted by the first part of the post praising Germany.

Good point. Although regaining standing as a non-fascist dictatorship is a lower bar than regaining standing as the leader of the free world.

The road back to respectability also involved an unpleasant period of fire-bombed cities, Soviet occupation, etc.

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Federal employees may or may not by the end of the day explain to Elon Musk what they did last week. However, what they did this morning was to explain to Elon Musk, in a federal lawsuit, that what he did is fucking illegal.

Law suits are all well and good but its just band aids on the proverbial thousand cuts.

Until the legislative branch actually stands up and acts like a seperate branch of government that is REQUURED to enforce checks and balances, the razor will continue to slash.

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With the German elections being held against the backdrop of multiple, massed demonstrations against fascism, one of the things Europeans are supposedly confused about is the lack of such action over here. I have seen people trying to organize marches and economic blackouts, but it is yet to be seen if they will have any traction. However, until we the people decide to take action en masse, lawsuits are all these federal workers have.

I am obviously and consciously ignoring resistance by Congressional Democrats because…well du-uh.

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When the occupant of the White House is a russkie asset doing Uncle Vlad’s bidding gleefully, all the marches and retail boycotts won’t do shit, sadly.
This administration simply has zero fucks to give.

At least for now, House reps have to fear a backlash in 2026. I’m not saying that most of the House GOP will do anything other than repeatedly double-down on Trump, but it only takes 3 right now to flip the majority.

Also, in 2026, the Senate GOP has 22 seats up for election vs. the Democrats’ 13. Unfortunately, only 2 Republican held seats are in what would be considered a vulnerable state - Susan Collins in Maine and Thom Tillis in North Carolina - while the Dems have to defend seats in Georgia, Michigan and Minnesota. But…a blue wave could catch some of the seemingly solid “R” incumbents napping.

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Good points, no doubt, but me thinks free and fair elections may be “questionable” moving forward what with this administration rife with rat-fuckers.

I agree. 2026 is probably the last chance at free elections, and even that is legitimately in doubt. If there’s no blue wave then it’s game over.

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At this point, is there anyone fired by DOGE that hasn’t been unfired shortly thereafter?

It will take a more than a House majority. It will take a House majority and a Senate supermajority to hold Trump accountable. That ain’t happening. He will continue to ignore Congress, and they will continue to cower.

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The sheriff was in on that too.

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Truly unbelievable:

The United States joined Russia to vote against a UN General Assembly resolution condemning Russia’s war against Ukraine Monday in a stunning shift from years of US policy.

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Trump is going to Trump. He has immunity, he can do whatever he wants. The trick is to make life extremely unpleasant for everyone doing his bidding.

It’s self-evident that a Russian agent called “Krasnov” is going to vote with Russia against Ukraine.

Same press conference, Trump tries to gaslight the press about what Europe is doing for Ukraine - basically accusing them of doing the thing he wants to do (every accusation a confession) - but Macron is sitting right there, cuts him off and corrects the record.

Trump then calls Macron a liar.

Any influence we had in Europe is gone and, after the UN vote today, they would be right to treat us as adversaries.

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Thankfully, eggs will be cheap again soon.

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Any serious country, those in the EU, Latin America, even Asian allies should immediately treat the US as an adversary and a pariah state no different from Russia, Venezuela, North Korea or Israel.

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