What I don't understand is why all the people who will be harmed by this bullsh!t keep voting for the politicians who have harmed them for generations. But they keep coming back for more (or less, as the case may be).
Wonder if they'll think it was worth it when they lose the family farm?
Just like Kirk said he thought it was acceptable for a 'few people' a year to die from gun violence, because that was the price that had to be paid in order to have the Second Amendment. I wonder if he'd have thought that if he'd known his own life was going to be part of that payment.
Have they never heard of cutting off your nose to spite your face? Maybe it needs to be explained to them.
This is where the expression "if you're going to make an omelette, you have to call a few eggs" comes in when it comes to these people. I've asked this two part question and never get an answer and here it is: how do they feel about Trump giving away 40 billion of our tax dollars to Argentina? And how do they feel about Argentina selling their soybeans to China? I'm livid about this. What about them?
You can't blame Argentina for selling soybeans to China. The Chinese need soybeans and Trump has sabotaged the chances of American farmers dealing with the Chinese. China is doing whatever is right for China. Apparently, the US is doing the same for America! Frankly, a smart President SHOULD be the least intelligent person in the room. A SMART President would surround himself with EXPERTS in various fields, able to offer constructive advice on ANY subject. Trump prefers sycophants who tell him HE'S the smart one! So, you end up with imbeciles like Linda McMahon, Kristi Noem, Pete Hegseth, Pam Bondi, Lindsey Halligan, Alina Habba, Kash Patel. All f*ckwits and very low IQ individuals. Frankly (and only slightly tongue in cheek,) Americans would probably be better off if the United States were to become the 11th Province of Canada and come under the leadership of someone as intelligent, calm and rational as Mark Carney.
As soon as Trump was elected, I said Americans really have to suffer enough, so that they kill off the MAGA cult, forever, next time around. Then Republicans can go back to being Republicans. It's MAGA politicians that are the true RINOs. Nothing they say, or do, can be painted as commonsense Republican behaviour. These are not people with whom you can have sane conversations.
I'm not blaming Argentina. They're smartly taking advantage of the opportunity that's been handed to them. And you're absolutely right about a smart president and who he surrounds himself with. Trump isn't a smart president.
How many times do we hear MAGA voters telling us that the Orange Man is a great businessman? Maybe this disastrous result from tariffs will poke a hole in this fantasy.
Yea....for himself, he's excellent. Wonder how many of his customers/clients he's cheated over the years????????? Just think--now--it's the total population of the U.S., and then some.
They actually say that filling for bankruptcy is a part of business and the mark of a good business person. These are the same people who think that tariffs are a moneymaker for the country. I wish I could make this up, but no.
Do they realize how many bankruptcies he has had? Again, stupid people like him and smart people don't. They probably wouldn't even take that as a slight in any way.
He learned it all from his father and grandfather. Chip of the old block. He isn't the savant his supporters make him out to be. They need to stop drinking the kool aid and see what is right in front of their face. The burning down of their country.
For Whom the Outrages Toll. Let us not forget the Epstein Files, first. I mean we know a pedophile when we see one dodge, duck, shuck, and jive. For some reason we need the files. I rather think we do not, and we already know what is there. The outrages toll for you as a distraction. https://hotbuttons.substack.com/p/too-much-two-buckets-to-sanity?r=3m1bs
That is true for most folks...we can put 2 and 2 together. It is not true for the MAGA die hards. The reason the files must come out, and unredacted (apart from the moral imperative), is that many of Trump's supporters will not be comfortable supporting a serial rapist of minors. They will reserve judgement until they have incontrovertible evidence at hand. Which is in the files or Trump would not be turning the country on its head to prevent the release.
So short story, this info will fracture his base of support.
Explaining to them is futile. Immediately upon attempting to explain their errors, they turn off all sensory processes in order to preserve their preconceived notions.
Agreed. We also have the first amendment for free speech and peaceful protest and now Cruz wants to criminalize peaceful protesting and free speech. I think he should get out of our country and go back to Canada.
Check out what passes for education in many (most?) Republican-run states. They're not interested in eradicating stupidity. They're working hard to perpetuate it.
It's the new Civil War, except that it won't be fought on a battlefield as it was in 1861, it'll be fought in classrooms in public schools and universities.
It's been going on at least since the end of Reconstruction. Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) was about "separate but equal" education. The "equal" part was a joke. Then there was the white southern backlash to Brown v. Board of Education (1954). Now they've given up on the "separate" part and want to whitewash everything.
True. Then maybe if it can't be eradicated, then it should be left behind. If an ideology is such that people want to harm others, then that makes these people unproductive and not a contributor. If they're not contributing, they're a hibderance to progress and a burden on society.
That's true. Since they're ignorant and unwilling to learn to learn, I say that we liberals, intellectuals and people who just aren't with the nonsense should just throw our hands in the air and say "whatever." I've stopped caring about these people. Let's go our way and do our own thing. Democrat governors should just divorce themselves politically from these people and help our states. They want to cut SNAP benefits, fine. We'll figure out our own situation. Let them wither on the vine.
I’m with you, I’m tired of reading they’ve been misled, or they’re only getting one side of the story because all they watch is Murdoch’s propaganda. They’re just fucking stupid. 10 years of his bullshit and you still haven’t figured it out? You’re fucking stupid.
Bingo! Same here. They were stupid enough to believe the airhead they helped put in the Oval Office. They sure didn't pay attention to what the Idiot did during his first term in office: 2017-2021. Gullible beyond belief.
Oh well. We paid attention. They FA'd. Now they're going to find out. Wait til those Medicaid cuts kick in and they'll have to fulfill those work requirements. They'll wish someone else would be picking those berries and lettuce.
Except they are never going to work in the fields. Look at a MAGA crowd...elderly, straining their Trump is King tee shirts. These are not fit and healthy, tough and capable field hands...
I never understood why people would take a drug meant for horses and cattle. Take medical advice from a guy who has no education in medicine or science. I was grateful for Dr Fauci during the pandemic. Because I listened to him I’ve never had Covid.
The dynamic between Republican politicians and their base is exactly like the relationship between domestic abusers and the abused and they always buy the lies and keep on going back for more. It is an addiction.
I've likened it to an addiction for a long time. My doctorate isn't in psychology, but I've been around a while, and learned to process information (or disinformation) in an objective manner. Heck, my wife doesn't have a college degree and has said this as well. She works in health care and saw a lot, too.
I think in many cases it's quite simple: the desire for revenge for a life that didn't turn out the way they hoped. For many people, it's far easier to blame someone else for their shortcomings than to admit they made poor choices.
Agree Dik. And yet the freedom to make choices is the very thing “many people” are destroying by their choice to ignore the grift, graft, and corruption going on right in front of them.
I still go back to the demographics of the January 6 rioters, thinking how can so many hard-up people afford plane fares, hotel rooms and gear? It was then that I stopped feeling sorry for them because they “ were left behind” etc.
"Among the recipients of the money was the conservative group TurningPointAction, which got $1 million, according to the papers. Donald Trump Jr's super PAC, "Save the Senate" got a $500,000 payment. The Tea Party Express got $400,000 and $200,000 was sent to a redacted name that was recruited "to assist with his organization efforts," the documents say.
There was also a $200,000 donation to the Republican Attorneys Generals (RAGA) Rule of Law Defense.
Meanwhile, "$300,000 was budgeted for speaker fees and travel for VIP speakers and a busing program to bring in rallygoers within a 180-mile radius.""
Thank you for this. I just couldn’t remember, but the new congressman at the time from WV (lost this position because he was there) and I think admitted to being paid to go.
Another case of projection! They were paid so they tell everyone that No Kings protesters were paid. They even went as far to say the signs were manufactured! They were nearly ALL hand drawn, for chrissakes! It can be clearly seen in the limited coverage of the No Kings protests.
Times were when a person could walk into a factory, apply for a job, and start the same day. Wages were substantial enough to bring workers into the middle class. Everyone prospered when one party looked out for the owners and upper management, and the other party held fast for the workers.
Reaganomics changed all that. Unions were ignored and jobs were shipped overseas. Workers became jobless or fell back into the toiling class. Regime change and US-backed rebels and dictators brought an influx of (mostly brown) refugees from the South.
How easy it was, then, for the (mostly white and male) people at the top to consolidate power and convince displaced workers to blame immigrants for their loss of sovereignty and employment.
Women in the workforce challenged traditional roles, leaving men who’d taken pride in supporting their families with another blow to their self-respect. So, blame the women, too.
Meanwhile, instead of doubling down on their historical promise of representing the now swelling ranks of impoverished, working, and middle-class people, the other party chose to cash in. In so doing, they threw their constituents under the bus, while furthering the social divide by over-emphasizing identity politics.
Other people ARE often to blame for much of the plight of too many people today.
It’s just that those responsible point their fingers and say, “Look over there!” as they rob us blind.
The politicians and media have lied to us all our lives, and they keep trying to get us used to the taste of Kool-Aid.
Thank all that is good, true, and beautiful for our courageous truth-tellers in independent media!
It is true that real wages have fallen steadily since the 1960's. It was inevitable the citizenry would rise in anger....just not that they would vote in the very person who would make their situation much worse...and possibly permanent.
1WhiteTree, Thank you! Your manner of expressing yourself made things I'd never looked at in that way suddenly very clear. You are absolutely correct. I find people like you and your insights so helpful. Sadly, a republican would argue with you. They are so indoctrinated and refuse to learn. They keep the rest of the people from advancing because of their commitment to remain ignorant.
Particularly if that person is someone like DJT who is a malignant narcissistic sociopath who has no capacity for self-reflection or the ability to admit that he’s wrong about anything.
Surely, you'd agree that his smug face is the most punchable in Congress. He's a Satan-loving freak, gallivanting as a Christian. No Christian could have such a stony heart. Many people are going to die before the end of 2025, simply for not being able to hang on to their healthcare.
I feel like some of them have been so very well programmed, by our shit media, over the last 20-30 years. They do exactly what they’re told to do, without actually thinking about anything. They vote on feelings, media sway, and peer pressure. Zero critical thinking or understanding of our actual system.
In other better times I was quite busy with everything. I voted and kept up with news. But, even then I could tell things were not this corrupt or in dire straits. The fact that this person is a narcissist just makes everything a thousand times worse. And, during the years we had gas shortages, bad economies, wars and down times. But, I had never thought we were ever close to losing a democratic republic. There were some presidencies in which I felt more comfortable than others. But, I did not have to keep tabs on the gov as closely as now. And, I think it is much harder to do that since “alternative facts” entered the picture.
MAYBE they will see the truth. But Trump supporters are not of a healthy state of mind and will have a tendency to shoot the messenger of truth, even if it means their own or their loved ones' demise.
It’s the fact that they never want to admit that they’re wrong. In spite of evidence to the contrary, they’ll defend their beliefs till the bitter end.
Number one, they feel (rightly or wrongly) left behind. They are angry that the American dream passed them by, and they want redress. They are therefore all in with anyone who says they have a quick route to happiness and prosperity for them, which is always some "other's" fault, if only they vote for me and my quick, anger based solution.
Sounds great, right? "Just vote for me and I will get rid of all those pesky people who got in your way". "I'll make sure all those college snobs never laugh at you again!".
The surest route to neutralizing these politics of grievance is to give these angry people something to lose...some part of what they think they are missing out on. Like....universal national health care. Or help getting higher level training to get that better job. Or an intelligent, no nonsense immigration policy that publicly ensures folks don't get "free rides".
And the best way to discourage slimy politicians is to enact toothy campaign finance laws, which other western democracies already have.
They believe that tRump is "their" savior - no matter what anyone else says or does. It's blind devotion and neither facts/evidence nor logic applies. All of the stupid, ugly stuff is somebody's else's doing - probably Biden, George Soros, Obama. Or Hillary.
So true. The poorest states are led by republicans and have been for cycle after cycle. They don’t recognize that they are being screwed by their own party because they fundamentally identify as MAGA. They love the Fas sim and Don’t care about the fascism. They believe about is everything we know is true about them.
Martha, it is inconceivable but the Republican voters and now the rabid MAGA will blindly vote religious right even though it's not ever in their best interests. Best I can guess is they believe they will be rewarded in the long run, which they won't. My brain wants to explode that these voters will watch their own children starve, watch the very reasons that make America uniquely special in the world being destroyed to the enrichment of the extreme elite and yet they refuse to believe it is happening. “You can lead a republican to facts but you can't make them think.'“
I have been asking that for years. They just keep believing Trumps crap and then find out he lied to them. He did say only smart people hate him so he's saying that his supporters are dumb. And they probably wouldn't take that as a criticism. I don't know what else he needs to do to get these people to wake up and see he is burning down our country. The farmers voted for him and they are losing everything. I feel bad but then I don't feel bad because we tried to tell them he would ruin our country and they voted for him and now we all suffer. Before Trump came back in, I was doing so much better, now its hard to make it paycheck to paycheck and being on Social Security and paid once a month stinks. I am much better off than a lot of people. I have a brother, a fiance and kids that are there for me. But what about those who have no one to help them. We need to get congress back and stop his agenda in its tracks.
Nearly 50% of Americans are functionally illiterate, reading below a Grade 5 level. This is why Trump's 1970's street slang resonates with them...it is elementary school grade language.
Repubicans are OUT OF TOUCH with the country, their constituents, and generally just fucking stupid, nasty, pieces of shit! Vote these fucking assholes out!
Your friend.....okay.....needs a copy of "Separation of Church and Hate" by John Fugelsang for Christmas.........still on the NYTimes best seller list.....major reality check required.
Maybe. But more than that, they are greedy. They saw a route to the national Treasury, a surefire way to fill their personal piggy banks. They like having swanky, high profile jobs. They don't want to give up any of that.
Then it should be taken away from them by force. We're at a point in time where force is becoming the only justifiable recourse. We've tried being educated. We've tried taking the high road. You can't reason with a bully. The only language that a bully understands is a punch in the mouth, so to speak.
Nope, not a solution. When you act outside a legal and democratic framework, then chaos ensues.
The hard truth is: everything depends on the midterms. There is more, much more, to be fixed than just electing responsible non-Republicans. There needs to be some significant changes to ensure no one can seize control of all three branches of government, ever again.
Let alone demolish an historic wing of the White House in three days with no consultation, permission or plan. I feel sick when I think about it.
Thank you for defending democracy, Rep Deluzio and mighty Meidas. Please don't forget all the civil servants who are being fired and furloughed. My partner and I have lost our careers because of the fascists. We had to line up at a food bank last week. Then they ran out of food because so many of us are struggling with DOGE and the MAGA shutdowns.
I am truly sorry this is happening to you. In the past, I've supported a wide variety of charities with cash donations. This year, I'm supporting food banks only, and I hope others will as well. And please don't forget to donate pet food, too. I really feel for the innocent animals and those who can't afford to feed their family pets.
It is very sad. I've lived "out" for many years (in several states) and have had mostly cats but also dogs dumped on our property. We made the decision early on that we would keep all the cats, get them neutered, and take care of them forever. The dogs we take to local shelters or rescues as it's fairly easy to integrate a new cat into the colony, but the size differential and prey drive of dogs makes it difficult to accommodate them. So far we've had over 40 rescued cats, most living into their late teens or early 20s. Haven't turned a cat away yet.
As far as I know only one "dumped" kitten this year and sadly he didn't make it as far as my house. It has been years since I sought out getting cats, usually they just show up.
My cats, now I only have one; but, in the past they were always accepting of the new kittens. I still have a few chicks running around.
As soon as the chicks are bigger there is a man whose cat had kittens and I will be getting a couple of them. He has trouble feeding himself let alone the animals. I make sure he gets a dozen eggs a week.
We need a general strike and billionaire business boycott. 24hr protests to overthrow this evil regime before millions die of no healthcare and no food
Mike Johnson, a Republican, is the only person who can open a session of the House and keep the government working. A budget cannot be passed until the House is in session. So the whole shutdown won't end until Johnson acts. It is NOT the Democrats that are keeping the government shutdown.
Maybe it is time for the role of Speaker to be a career position, not a political one. And under the watchful eye of an ethics czar, who can sanction behaviour that defies the Constitution.
There is a reason they don't go to their town hall meetings. Their constituents don't like them and ask questions they can't answer. (Without lying through their teeth)
I am proud to have Rep. Deluzio as my Rep!! He’s smart, knowledgeable, compassionate, and committed to our country and our Constitution! You can talk with him about issues, policy and governing and get thoughtful , reasoned responses…..how refreshing!
The tRump cult Wants to shut down the government. Don't kid yourself. That's the plan. We need to shut down the corporations that are funding this insanity.
DO NOT SHOP OR BUY FROM ANY OF THE OLIGARCHS WHO ARE FUNDING THIS tRUMP DESTRUCTION.
Chris is my congressman and a gem. He stays in touch with his constituents in various ways, including online updates and virtual as well as face to face town meetings. At the one I attended people from all over the 17th, which includes destitute rural left-behind towns, very prosperous Pittsburgh suburbs and everything in between, across a sprawling area, showed up, all with concerns and some with angry demands. He stood his ground and spoke candidly of Dem's frustration at being stymied on every hand. You could see all the disquiet bothered him, but he never flinched. He reminded me of Lincoln during the dark days of the civil war. If he ever runs for higher office, he'll have my vote.
I worked for the military over 20 years. Most are republicans. However, there is a sizeable minority who aren't. I've met many. I did my best to support the young airmen and women I've encountered. For them, it was their first extended stay away from family, with little local connection. I remember those fondly, in my heart.
My MAGA Representative consistently responds by saying, “Senate Democrats have yet again decided to put politics over people—holding service members, federal employees, air traffic controllers, and everyday Americans hostage to partisan games.” And most of his constituents eat this up. (I’m in a very red district in a blue state). A certain percentage of these people believe it all. This is their game plan! Keep lying, bad mouthing, dividing until our sanity crumbles. It’s exhausting and really sad to see their glee at the destruction.
Ciscomani did not meet with food bank. He did a photo op in front of a food bank. He did not talk with food bank staff. He was there 10 minutes. He HAS had a number of private meetings with private companies ( looking for donations?)
What I don't understand is why all the people who will be harmed by this bullsh!t keep voting for the politicians who have harmed them for generations. But they keep coming back for more (or less, as the case may be).
It's because they vote on ideology and "owning the libs" at the expense of themselves - and us.
Wonder if they'll think it was worth it when they lose the family farm?
Just like Kirk said he thought it was acceptable for a 'few people' a year to die from gun violence, because that was the price that had to be paid in order to have the Second Amendment. I wonder if he'd have thought that if he'd known his own life was going to be part of that payment.
Have they never heard of cutting off your nose to spite your face? Maybe it needs to be explained to them.
This is where the expression "if you're going to make an omelette, you have to call a few eggs" comes in when it comes to these people. I've asked this two part question and never get an answer and here it is: how do they feel about Trump giving away 40 billion of our tax dollars to Argentina? And how do they feel about Argentina selling their soybeans to China? I'm livid about this. What about them?
You can't blame Argentina for selling soybeans to China. The Chinese need soybeans and Trump has sabotaged the chances of American farmers dealing with the Chinese. China is doing whatever is right for China. Apparently, the US is doing the same for America! Frankly, a smart President SHOULD be the least intelligent person in the room. A SMART President would surround himself with EXPERTS in various fields, able to offer constructive advice on ANY subject. Trump prefers sycophants who tell him HE'S the smart one! So, you end up with imbeciles like Linda McMahon, Kristi Noem, Pete Hegseth, Pam Bondi, Lindsey Halligan, Alina Habba, Kash Patel. All f*ckwits and very low IQ individuals. Frankly (and only slightly tongue in cheek,) Americans would probably be better off if the United States were to become the 11th Province of Canada and come under the leadership of someone as intelligent, calm and rational as Mark Carney.
As soon as Trump was elected, I said Americans really have to suffer enough, so that they kill off the MAGA cult, forever, next time around. Then Republicans can go back to being Republicans. It's MAGA politicians that are the true RINOs. Nothing they say, or do, can be painted as commonsense Republican behaviour. These are not people with whom you can have sane conversations.
I'm not blaming Argentina. They're smartly taking advantage of the opportunity that's been handed to them. And you're absolutely right about a smart president and who he surrounds himself with. Trump isn't a smart president.
Good point.
How many times do we hear MAGA voters telling us that the Orange Man is a great businessman? Maybe this disastrous result from tariffs will poke a hole in this fantasy.
Yea....for himself, he's excellent. Wonder how many of his customers/clients he's cheated over the years????????? Just think--now--it's the total population of the U.S., and then some.
They actually say that filling for bankruptcy is a part of business and the mark of a good business person. These are the same people who think that tariffs are a moneymaker for the country. I wish I could make this up, but no.
Do they realize how many bankruptcies he has had? Again, stupid people like him and smart people don't. They probably wouldn't even take that as a slight in any way.
Because Trump is a lucky savant at lies, frauds, theivery, scams, cheats, and greed.
He learned it all from his father and grandfather. Chip of the old block. He isn't the savant his supporters make him out to be. They need to stop drinking the kool aid and see what is right in front of their face. The burning down of their country.
For Whom the Outrages Toll. Let us not forget the Epstein Files, first. I mean we know a pedophile when we see one dodge, duck, shuck, and jive. For some reason we need the files. I rather think we do not, and we already know what is there. The outrages toll for you as a distraction. https://hotbuttons.substack.com/p/too-much-two-buckets-to-sanity?r=3m1bs
That is true for most folks...we can put 2 and 2 together. It is not true for the MAGA die hards. The reason the files must come out, and unredacted (apart from the moral imperative), is that many of Trump's supporters will not be comfortable supporting a serial rapist of minors. They will reserve judgement until they have incontrovertible evidence at hand. Which is in the files or Trump would not be turning the country on its head to prevent the release.
So short story, this info will fracture his base of support.
Explaining to them is futile. Immediately upon attempting to explain their errors, they turn off all sensory processes in order to preserve their preconceived notions.
Agreed. We also have the first amendment for free speech and peaceful protest and now Cruz wants to criminalize peaceful protesting and free speech. I think he should get out of our country and go back to Canada.
Can't fix STUPID!!!
Can't fix stupidity. Stupidity is not productive. Stupidity has to be eradicated.
Check out what passes for education in many (most?) Republican-run states. They're not interested in eradicating stupidity. They're working hard to perpetuate it.
It's the new Civil War, except that it won't be fought on a battlefield as it was in 1861, it'll be fought in classrooms in public schools and universities.
It's been going on at least since the end of Reconstruction. Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) was about "separate but equal" education. The "equal" part was a joke. Then there was the white southern backlash to Brown v. Board of Education (1954). Now they've given up on the "separate" part and want to whitewash everything.
They are trying to dumb down there constituents. Ignorant people are very easy to fool.
THEIR constituents.
💯 however with so many afflicted with it it'll be very hard to eradicate it!!
True. Then maybe if it can't be eradicated, then it should be left behind. If an ideology is such that people want to harm others, then that makes these people unproductive and not a contributor. If they're not contributing, they're a hibderance to progress and a burden on society.
💯!!
Stupidity breeds stupidity.
That's true. Since they're ignorant and unwilling to learn to learn, I say that we liberals, intellectuals and people who just aren't with the nonsense should just throw our hands in the air and say "whatever." I've stopped caring about these people. Let's go our way and do our own thing. Democrat governors should just divorce themselves politically from these people and help our states. They want to cut SNAP benefits, fine. We'll figure out our own situation. Let them wither on the vine.
We are holding food drives in our area. It catching on as this gets worse
I'm a bit more blunt in that the Trump supporters are mentally deficient scatterbrains who clearly can't connect the critical and basic dots in life.
I’m with you, I’m tired of reading they’ve been misled, or they’re only getting one side of the story because all they watch is Murdoch’s propaganda. They’re just fucking stupid. 10 years of his bullshit and you still haven’t figured it out? You’re fucking stupid.
Willfull insurance and racism are costly. They'll pay up soon
I used to feel sad for them at first, but their ignorance and cruelty negates that.
Bingo! Same here. They were stupid enough to believe the airhead they helped put in the Oval Office. They sure didn't pay attention to what the Idiot did during his first term in office: 2017-2021. Gullible beyond belief.
Oh well. We paid attention. They FA'd. Now they're going to find out. Wait til those Medicaid cuts kick in and they'll have to fulfill those work requirements. They'll wish someone else would be picking those berries and lettuce.
Absolutely!
Except they are never going to work in the fields. Look at a MAGA crowd...elderly, straining their Trump is King tee shirts. These are not fit and healthy, tough and capable field hands...
It’s a cult!
You’re right it’s a cult. When the felon suggested drinking bleach to cure Covid many did. Poison control calls went up 200%.
And now we’re dealing with RFKJr! We’ve officially entered the TWILIGHT ZONE!
Ivermectin also flew off the shelves. To the chagrin of horses.
I never understood why people would take a drug meant for horses and cattle. Take medical advice from a guy who has no education in medicine or science. I was grateful for Dr Fauci during the pandemic. Because I listened to him I’ve never had Covid.
Well, they believed the lies, which didn't include Argentine beef and that the price of eggs would force the need for a refrigerated VAULT!!
It doesn’t actually matter WHAT Trump says. That’s the whole point. They’re brainwashed.
“The cult process is marked by the gradual creation of an alternate reality in which the truth is what the leader says it is because he said so.“
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/insight-therapy/202406/what-makes-a-cult-leader
Wonder if magas will ever figure out they don't own themselves let alone the libs? .
I would rather be a lib than a rethuglican, lol
The dynamic between Republican politicians and their base is exactly like the relationship between domestic abusers and the abused and they always buy the lies and keep on going back for more. It is an addiction.
Absolutelyy
It's the cycle of abuse
Exactly. “Now look what you made me do!” after he beats the crap out of them.
I've likened it to an addiction for a long time. My doctorate isn't in psychology, but I've been around a while, and learned to process information (or disinformation) in an objective manner. Heck, my wife doesn't have a college degree and has said this as well. She works in health care and saw a lot, too.
I used to do a little but the little got more and more, its tRump
Addiction or insanity.
I think in many cases it's quite simple: the desire for revenge for a life that didn't turn out the way they hoped. For many people, it's far easier to blame someone else for their shortcomings than to admit they made poor choices.
🎯 def the case with the magas I know. Miserable people.
Agree Dik. And yet the freedom to make choices is the very thing “many people” are destroying by their choice to ignore the grift, graft, and corruption going on right in front of them.
I still go back to the demographics of the January 6 rioters, thinking how can so many hard-up people afford plane fares, hotel rooms and gear? It was then that I stopped feeling sorry for them because they “ were left behind” etc.
Justice Roberts wife is a trump lover. She organised flights, hotels, buses and weapons were left in piles at the Capitol. I'm sure others assisted.
Thanks, I had not heard that.
I read back at the time that some of them were paid
"Among the recipients of the money was the conservative group TurningPointAction, which got $1 million, according to the papers. Donald Trump Jr's super PAC, "Save the Senate" got a $500,000 payment. The Tea Party Express got $400,000 and $200,000 was sent to a redacted name that was recruited "to assist with his organization efforts," the documents say.
There was also a $200,000 donation to the Republican Attorneys Generals (RAGA) Rule of Law Defense.
Meanwhile, "$300,000 was budgeted for speaker fees and travel for VIP speakers and a busing program to bring in rallygoers within a 180-mile radius.""
https://www.rawstory.com/trump-january-6-rally-funding/
Thank you for this. I just couldn’t remember, but the new congressman at the time from WV (lost this position because he was there) and I think admitted to being paid to go.
Another case of projection! They were paid so they tell everyone that No Kings protesters were paid. They even went as far to say the signs were manufactured! They were nearly ALL hand drawn, for chrissakes! It can be clearly seen in the limited coverage of the No Kings protests.
Yes almost like they're blaming everyone else for their poor life choices. Now where have I heard that before?
Times were when a person could walk into a factory, apply for a job, and start the same day. Wages were substantial enough to bring workers into the middle class. Everyone prospered when one party looked out for the owners and upper management, and the other party held fast for the workers.
Reaganomics changed all that. Unions were ignored and jobs were shipped overseas. Workers became jobless or fell back into the toiling class. Regime change and US-backed rebels and dictators brought an influx of (mostly brown) refugees from the South.
How easy it was, then, for the (mostly white and male) people at the top to consolidate power and convince displaced workers to blame immigrants for their loss of sovereignty and employment.
Women in the workforce challenged traditional roles, leaving men who’d taken pride in supporting their families with another blow to their self-respect. So, blame the women, too.
Meanwhile, instead of doubling down on their historical promise of representing the now swelling ranks of impoverished, working, and middle-class people, the other party chose to cash in. In so doing, they threw their constituents under the bus, while furthering the social divide by over-emphasizing identity politics.
Other people ARE often to blame for much of the plight of too many people today.
It’s just that those responsible point their fingers and say, “Look over there!” as they rob us blind.
The politicians and media have lied to us all our lives, and they keep trying to get us used to the taste of Kool-Aid.
Thank all that is good, true, and beautiful for our courageous truth-tellers in independent media!
A very well thought out, well reasoned, and well written post! Thank you so much for sharing your perspective.
It is true that real wages have fallen steadily since the 1960's. It was inevitable the citizenry would rise in anger....just not that they would vote in the very person who would make their situation much worse...and possibly permanent.
1WhiteTree, Thank you! Your manner of expressing yourself made things I'd never looked at in that way suddenly very clear. You are absolutely correct. I find people like you and your insights so helpful. Sadly, a republican would argue with you. They are so indoctrinated and refuse to learn. They keep the rest of the people from advancing because of their commitment to remain ignorant.
Particularly if that person is someone like DJT who is a malignant narcissistic sociopath who has no capacity for self-reflection or the ability to admit that he’s wrong about anything.
Mike Johnson is ONLY one —time for all others to read and use the Constitution—
Surely, you'd agree that his smug face is the most punchable in Congress. He's a Satan-loving freak, gallivanting as a Christian. No Christian could have such a stony heart. Many people are going to die before the end of 2025, simply for not being able to hang on to their healthcare.
And starvation with loss of snap benefits
https://thedemlabs.org/2025/10/26/trump-netanyahu-genocide-by-starvation-kills-snap-food-benefits/
I feel like some of them have been so very well programmed, by our shit media, over the last 20-30 years. They do exactly what they’re told to do, without actually thinking about anything. They vote on feelings, media sway, and peer pressure. Zero critical thinking or understanding of our actual system.
Exactly faux news and social media maga brainwashing and grooming
In other better times I was quite busy with everything. I voted and kept up with news. But, even then I could tell things were not this corrupt or in dire straits. The fact that this person is a narcissist just makes everything a thousand times worse. And, during the years we had gas shortages, bad economies, wars and down times. But, I had never thought we were ever close to losing a democratic republic. There were some presidencies in which I felt more comfortable than others. But, I did not have to keep tabs on the gov as closely as now. And, I think it is much harder to do that since “alternative facts” entered the picture.
All underpinned by a strong belief in American exceptionalism, in spite of all evidence to the contrary across so many fronts.
…don’t understand where/why the farmers and small businesses’ voices have shifted to complacency????
Maybe when the kids and other fa,\milies start to die of starvation, no health insurance and meds they might see the truth
MAYBE they will see the truth. But Trump supporters are not of a healthy state of mind and will have a tendency to shoot the messenger of truth, even if it means their own or their loved ones' demise.
It’s the fact that they never want to admit that they’re wrong. In spite of evidence to the contrary, they’ll defend their beliefs till the bitter end.
Because they will continue to believe the leopard will not eat their face until it starts chewing off their lips.
Number one, they feel (rightly or wrongly) left behind. They are angry that the American dream passed them by, and they want redress. They are therefore all in with anyone who says they have a quick route to happiness and prosperity for them, which is always some "other's" fault, if only they vote for me and my quick, anger based solution.
Sounds great, right? "Just vote for me and I will get rid of all those pesky people who got in your way". "I'll make sure all those college snobs never laugh at you again!".
The surest route to neutralizing these politics of grievance is to give these angry people something to lose...some part of what they think they are missing out on. Like....universal national health care. Or help getting higher level training to get that better job. Or an intelligent, no nonsense immigration policy that publicly ensures folks don't get "free rides".
And the best way to discourage slimy politicians is to enact toothy campaign finance laws, which other western democracies already have.
Well said. Right on!
Pain is a great teacher. Hopefully they'll have learned something.
Racism racism Fox News racism misogyny racism Fox News . . .
They believe that tRump is "their" savior - no matter what anyone else says or does. It's blind devotion and neither facts/evidence nor logic applies. All of the stupid, ugly stuff is somebody's else's doing - probably Biden, George Soros, Obama. Or Hillary.
So true. The poorest states are led by republicans and have been for cycle after cycle. They don’t recognize that they are being screwed by their own party because they fundamentally identify as MAGA. They love the Fas sim and Don’t care about the fascism. They believe about is everything we know is true about them.
Martha, it is inconceivable but the Republican voters and now the rabid MAGA will blindly vote religious right even though it's not ever in their best interests. Best I can guess is they believe they will be rewarded in the long run, which they won't. My brain wants to explode that these voters will watch their own children starve, watch the very reasons that make America uniquely special in the world being destroyed to the enrichment of the extreme elite and yet they refuse to believe it is happening. “You can lead a republican to facts but you can't make them think.'“
I have been asking that for years. They just keep believing Trumps crap and then find out he lied to them. He did say only smart people hate him so he's saying that his supporters are dumb. And they probably wouldn't take that as a criticism. I don't know what else he needs to do to get these people to wake up and see he is burning down our country. The farmers voted for him and they are losing everything. I feel bad but then I don't feel bad because we tried to tell them he would ruin our country and they voted for him and now we all suffer. Before Trump came back in, I was doing so much better, now its hard to make it paycheck to paycheck and being on Social Security and paid once a month stinks. I am much better off than a lot of people. I have a brother, a fiance and kids that are there for me. But what about those who have no one to help them. We need to get congress back and stop his agenda in its tracks.
They probably don't read very well.
Nearly 50% of Americans are functionally illiterate, reading below a Grade 5 level. This is why Trump's 1970's street slang resonates with them...it is elementary school grade language.
Repubicans are OUT OF TOUCH with the country, their constituents, and generally just fucking stupid, nasty, pieces of shit! Vote these fucking assholes out!
The Pedophile Party IS in touch with Satan each day, every day, all day.......24/7...365.
Wonder 💭 what they are HIDING 🙈 under their own desks????
Cankles keeps Moses Mikes......Smokey Eyed Vanses balls ..and the rest of the Grindr addicts .....in the top drawer of the oval office.
My best friend told me that the Democratic platform is Satanic. What a joke and how delusional!
Your friend.....okay.....needs a copy of "Separation of Church and Hate" by John Fugelsang for Christmas.........still on the NYTimes best seller list.....major reality check required.
They're just evil.
Maybe. But more than that, they are greedy. They saw a route to the national Treasury, a surefire way to fill their personal piggy banks. They like having swanky, high profile jobs. They don't want to give up any of that.
Then it should be taken away from them by force. We're at a point in time where force is becoming the only justifiable recourse. We've tried being educated. We've tried taking the high road. You can't reason with a bully. The only language that a bully understands is a punch in the mouth, so to speak.
Nope, not a solution. When you act outside a legal and democratic framework, then chaos ensues.
The hard truth is: everything depends on the midterms. There is more, much more, to be fixed than just electing responsible non-Republicans. There needs to be some significant changes to ensure no one can seize control of all three branches of government, ever again.
Let alone demolish an historic wing of the White House in three days with no consultation, permission or plan. I feel sick when I think about it.
They are greedy and mendacious. They’re afraid of losing their jobs and power. Therefore they do whatever trump wants.
Tell us how you really feel🤣
Thank you for defending democracy, Rep Deluzio and mighty Meidas. Please don't forget all the civil servants who are being fired and furloughed. My partner and I have lost our careers because of the fascists. We had to line up at a food bank last week. Then they ran out of food because so many of us are struggling with DOGE and the MAGA shutdowns.
Help us resist: https://democracydefender2025.substack.com/p/democracy-defender-reader-poem
I am truly sorry this is happening to you. In the past, I've supported a wide variety of charities with cash donations. This year, I'm supporting food banks only, and I hope others will as well. And please don't forget to donate pet food, too. I really feel for the innocent animals and those who can't afford to feed their family pets.
Yes, more and more pets are being surrendered to animal shelters or left by the side of the road in rural areas. So sad. I wish I could save them all.
It is very sad. I've lived "out" for many years (in several states) and have had mostly cats but also dogs dumped on our property. We made the decision early on that we would keep all the cats, get them neutered, and take care of them forever. The dogs we take to local shelters or rescues as it's fairly easy to integrate a new cat into the colony, but the size differential and prey drive of dogs makes it difficult to accommodate them. So far we've had over 40 rescued cats, most living into their late teens or early 20s. Haven't turned a cat away yet.
Thank you, Dik.
You are most welcome, but it is entirely our pleasure to have so many animal friends with us. We love going out into a sea of waving tails!
As far as I know only one "dumped" kitten this year and sadly he didn't make it as far as my house. It has been years since I sought out getting cats, usually they just show up.
My cats, now I only have one; but, in the past they were always accepting of the new kittens. I still have a few chicks running around.
As soon as the chicks are bigger there is a man whose cat had kittens and I will be getting a couple of them. He has trouble feeding himself let alone the animals. I make sure he gets a dozen eggs a week.
We need a general strike and billionaire business boycott. 24hr protests to overthrow this evil regime before millions die of no healthcare and no food
Mike Johnson, a Republican, is the only person who can open a session of the House and keep the government working. A budget cannot be passed until the House is in session. So the whole shutdown won't end until Johnson acts. It is NOT the Democrats that are keeping the government shutdown.
Maybe it is time for the role of Speaker to be a career position, not a political one. And under the watchful eye of an ethics czar, who can sanction behaviour that defies the Constitution.
The Speaker of the House does not have to be an elected Congress person. Any one the House approves of (by a majority) can be the Speaker.
This idea was floated when Trump lost the 2020 election; to choose Trump as Speaker of the House.
that’s right, we in the military are antifa, or was that last week? democrats hate the military??
i can’t stand it!
ciscomani was not at the food bank of his constituents because we were there!
Republicans can surely get in front of the cameras yet they can’t show up to their townhall meetings to hear from their colleagues.
There is a reason they don't go to their town hall meetings. Their constituents don't like them and ask questions they can't answer. (Without lying through their teeth)
I am proud to have Rep. Deluzio as my Rep!! He’s smart, knowledgeable, compassionate, and committed to our country and our Constitution! You can talk with him about issues, policy and governing and get thoughtful , reasoned responses…..how refreshing!
Same here! He’s a great rep.
Hey you Scott Perry, sob. I served 20 years in the army and I’m a democrat. FUCK YOU MAGA.
The tRump cult Wants to shut down the government. Don't kid yourself. That's the plan. We need to shut down the corporations that are funding this insanity.
DO NOT SHOP OR BUY FROM ANY OF THE OLIGARCHS WHO ARE FUNDING THIS tRUMP DESTRUCTION.
I served my County and I am a Democrat you Vial piece of shit can go rub Trumps bone spurs
Thanks Ben and Rep. Deluzio PA17 for this podcast!
Chris is my congressman and a gem. He stays in touch with his constituents in various ways, including online updates and virtual as well as face to face town meetings. At the one I attended people from all over the 17th, which includes destitute rural left-behind towns, very prosperous Pittsburgh suburbs and everything in between, across a sprawling area, showed up, all with concerns and some with angry demands. He stood his ground and spoke candidly of Dem's frustration at being stymied on every hand. You could see all the disquiet bothered him, but he never flinched. He reminded me of Lincoln during the dark days of the civil war. If he ever runs for higher office, he'll have my vote.
Mine too!
Lucky us!
There are loads of military members who are currently serving who vote democratic because they believe in the CONSTITUTION!
I worked for the military over 20 years. Most are republicans. However, there is a sizeable minority who aren't. I've met many. I did my best to support the young airmen and women I've encountered. For them, it was their first extended stay away from family, with little local connection. I remember those fondly, in my heart.
My MAGA Representative consistently responds by saying, “Senate Democrats have yet again decided to put politics over people—holding service members, federal employees, air traffic controllers, and everyday Americans hostage to partisan games.” And most of his constituents eat this up. (I’m in a very red district in a blue state). A certain percentage of these people believe it all. This is their game plan! Keep lying, bad mouthing, dividing until our sanity crumbles. It’s exhausting and really sad to see their glee at the destruction.
Ciscomani did not meet with food bank. He did a photo op in front of a food bank. He did not talk with food bank staff. He was there 10 minutes. He HAS had a number of private meetings with private companies ( looking for donations?)
Bullshit artists . Lyers.