Your comments reminded me of a few things. In my other life, last century, I too worked in the OR assisting in all surgical areas except open-heart. I met my wife in the OR. Back then, the pay was not the best, but it was perhaps the best job I had because, most days, I went home feeling that I did something good for someone. All of us (we were a tight group) found our roles to be very satisfying, serving others. I will be 73 next month, and I also depend on Social Security which I have been paying into since I was 16. And of course, Medicare.
And yes, to all the brothers and sisters who served anywhere at anytime (Vietnam was my college education), your sacrifice has been betrayed by a draft dodger. How ironic, and deeply disturbing. My father-in-law was at Omaha Beach, and the Ardennes. Was his (and his generation's) service and sacrifice in vain? Seems like it. I have a plethora of choice words and labels describing the current regime, but I'll save them for later since I don't feel like getting worked up right now. I remain vigilant against the sociopathic indifference and tangible harm inflicted by this clown.
My ancestor fought in the American Revolution to establish this country. My father and 5 of his brothers all fought in WW11. My step-father gave the Army 30-years. Finally, my generation, Boomers, died in a rich man's war in Vietnam. They are all rolling in their graves.
I cannot do much, but I will do all I can to honor my ancestors.
I can relate. As I live in a red state in a very red area. I could write here all morning of specific incidents where my neighbors and friends have been harmed by trumps actions. The number one excuse I hear is this. “It’s not our presidents fault. His people are doing things behind his back that he knows nothing about. Our president would never hurt us like this.” I have heard this same excuse over and over.
Oh you wouldn’t believe some of the excuses I hear. I have come to the conclusion, really over close to a decade now, the number one issue for those I’m around is this. Fox News playing 24/7 on their tvs. That and Facebook. They genuinely believe so much dis/misinformation too. Another thing I’ve noticed with many of his younger male supporters is they faithfully watch those “bro” podcasts. Joe Rogan etc… I hear a lot of Rogans talking points. One of my closest friends is MAGA. Our rule is not to discuss politics because we know that would end an almost 20 year friendship. But the few times I can’t resist and point blank ask her a specific question sure enough I get some really weird already debunked bunch of nonsense. Or here’s an example of the most recent conversation when I asked her after we both have worked hard all of our lives, “you’re ok with billionaires receiving all of these tax cuts?” Her answer? “Oh I’m fine with it, after all if they didn’t own the big corporations we wouldn’t have had our jobs to begin with.” HUH???
Ha! From a 72 year old fart, Vietnam veteran, Surgical PA, Fox "news" is a farce. So much disinformation. Why? Because of some maligned devotion to an f-ing, orange, f*ck up Pr*ck? Ha! The truth shall prevail. These times are challenging, yes, but stay the course. We'll be fine.
I feel like that’s a place to start a conversation. After all, Trump won’t be on the ballot in 2026.
The budget bill was full of little items that Republicans squeezed in for special interests and were literally added when most members were sleeping. Seems like you could tie that to their feeling that people in the administration are doing things behind his back and maybe get them to consider not voting for Republicans in the midterms.
A big part of “American Exceptionalism” as measured by 4% of the world’s population accounting for about 25% of global GDP, is the Reserve Status of the U.S. Dollar, which will be called into question and ultimately jeopardized if we don’t maintain our leadership position concerning human rights (freedom) and democracy (self-government).
I live in Colorado, one of the "retribution tour" states. rump is battling hard to destroy us. He vetoed a unanimous vote to get clean water to rural communities, wants Tina Peters, who tried to sell out democracy by giving voting machine software to the highest bidder, out of state custody, cut SNAP and Child Care assistance, all because he didn't win here. Yet, just 1/2 mile away, on my way to work, I pass a huge banner on the side of a barn with the usual crap of trump 2024 make America Great! Rah rah. so yes, they make sure the rest of us can't have nice things.
What is so curious to me… even when paying personally from the reductions in programs and knowing the hardship(s) are the result of tRump’s administration. many continue to support him. Not sure if it is most in these red areas but I am guessing it is. Their continued support is a mystery to me.
I don’t get it either. I’m pretty sure those farmers will vote for him again. What I really struggle with though, are the maga women. What hateful human beings they must be!
Lost my best friend to maga. She used to be sweet & so much fun. But over the years, it just deteriorated into her screaming at me about crazy shit she saw on Facebook. I kept telling her it was propaganda, but they don’t even hear you… people believe what they want to believe. They got radicalized on FB. There’s a reason why Zuck was lined up at the trough with the rest of the broligarchy on Inauguration Day . And we can all now see the reason why Elon bought X.
Well, I watched my former bff change over 20 years from a country club, Rush-listening, small business owning Republican from LA into a faux redneck, hate-filled, guns god n trump Arizona magat I can no longer speak to. What happened? Facebook, and the wrong man. Who she reconnected with. On Facebook.
Yeah, I know, but to be fair, if you know some affluent white people, you’re gonna know some Republicans. It never used to be that you couldn’t be friends with them
Good point. They just want their white daddy to tell them what to do while they sit on their couches watching Fox News and stoking their hatred of immigrants, women, POC and liberals. They have really trained them to hate “others” over the last three decades. They see it on Fox they hear it in church. It gets shoved on them from X and Facebook and all their little friends get together and talk about how much they hate us so why would they think anything differently?
I'm a retired 80yo physician/psychiatrist and author of "Stress R Us". I live on my SS and was able to pay-in the max to SS during the latter years of my work life. Anyone calling my hard earned SS refunds an "entitlement" is FOS. SS has always been a lifelong involuntary savings plan. I thank God ole FDR was prescient enough to believe that many of us would just piss away our earnings, if the Federal government didn't FORCE US TO SAVE. Tramp is a spoiled rich kid, as are his grifting associates. He is not an honest or caring man. Have a blessed day!
"Entitlement" just means you're entitled to the payments (like you're entitled to a house or car, both of which are documented by "titles") because you paid what was required of you to earn them. Maybe it would be better to call them "earned benefits" to eliminate the confusion. But, there is nothing demeaning about saying people who paid their owned way and earned benefits are "entitled" to them. It is definitely not a handout
Your Republican and my Republican neighbors could care less about what Trump is going to our Country, yours and mine. They decorate the inside of their Garages with banners, flags, and images of their dear leader. I can not see any value in what they support to destroy. They are loud, hateful, “yes” evil, rowdy, ignorant, and rude.
They’ve been brainwashed over the last 30+ years by that vast right wing conspiracy that HRC warned us about, and we can all see now, but no one listened because America hates women.
I think it's time that a woman gets elected even though white male dominance persists. Women are better planners, organizers, multi-taskers, etc. Kamala Harris is so qualified and experienced; it's unbelievable that 77 million people voted for a twice impeached convicted felon over her.
Have you looked at the women in the White House? Gender alone is not a qualification for office. Yes, we need to treat women fairly. No, a woman president is not a guarantee of better behavior.
Not to ‘conspiracy theorize’, but was that really the case? I mean, look at HRC winning the popular vote by 3 million and us still getting stuck with his criminal ass. Methinks there were shenanigans in the swing state electoral counts, but what do I know?
I can't imagine living where you are but know that most of us non-Trumpers have people around us that continue to support him. It's beyond comprehension that they do and how 77 million people voted for this twice impeached, convicted felon who is a pathological liar. We can only hope that many of the people who voted for him will vote differently this year to help stop his madness. Many of us share your sadness.
We'll be paying for their ignorance for decades to come. I have cousins in the bright blue Twin Cities who've voted maga and I have cousins in bright red Iowa and Florida who didn't. They all grew up in the upper Midwest. I was the outlier in Texas. How did we all come from the same value system and yet see things so differently? - musing from the police state of Minnesota
Yes, you understand on an existential and visceral level the atrocities that are coming into our own homes. I have a dear sister who voted twice for the evil one… we know we just cannot talk about politics at all. Tragic mess.
Thank you, Marilyn. You are so clear in your compassion, grief, loss and truth-telling. I am so saddened at the folks I know, who have been overwhelmed by culture war disinformation and terrible theology, and who have regularly voted against their self-interest--for the past 60+ years. Lament and continued truth-telling may not seem like much, but they are essential steps forward, in my experience.
I live on the other side of the Pacific Ocean and can confirm that Australians are not immune to systemised hate and fear-mongering.
I come from Outback Queensland, home to vast cattle stations and conservative voters. Many of my family members continue to support tRump and his administration, it truly astonishes me.
Since the Bondi massacre (mass shooting in Sydney), support for our very own tRump-style political party, One Nation (funded by our own home-grown billionaire Gina Rinehart) has significantly grown.
Just to clarify public funding disclosure shows Gina funds the coalition not one nation. Not that its any better i will grant you. And I find it abhorrent that our great Australian swim team members are funded by her foundation.
Yes, you are dead right, thanks for correcting me. I was definitely influenced by a recent article I read about how Gina has been flying Pauline Hanson around in her jet and accompanying her to Mar-a-lago. It makes me so mad!!
My heart is broken for all of our friends in red states (and still loyal to this Regime), as well as all Americans whose lives have been brutally affected by their policies. We are all in this together and progress may be slow but it's coming. Blessings to you and your family
Fortunately here in Iowa there is almost no political talk, at least wherever i go
The only bitterness I have experienced was over 50 years ago at my girlfriends home when I mentioned JFK running for President, her parents, who always had been friendly and polite,
suddenly screamed: He's A GODAMN CATHOLIC
I left immediately, born and raised Catholic, being raised for 4 years by my aunt in Philadelphia a secular nun who taught in elementary school and whose best friends were Catholic HS principals
Sister Ann Regina and Sister Joseph Rita
I had nothing to say and never went back to my girlfriends house, we continued to be together
for a while
In DM one can always tell the MAGA folk, huge pickups with American flag symbols adorning
their vehicles but even though somehow, they immediately identify me as a liberal, there is nothing other than an occasional look/glance but no open hostility
My brother and most friends that I went to Catholic high school with are rabid republicans but then again we never discuss politics, only The Hawkeyes
Otherwise things are normal as can be
But nationwide there appears to be OPEN HOSTILITY
These are the strangest times I have ever experienced
Make one wonder if the rabid magafolk will continue to vote GOP in the Midterms
One can only hope NOT
No longer a Catholic and am not affiliated with any church
I live in bright red Utah and it’s a struggle. I’m a Methodist and we are now studying the Social Principles of the church. It’s difficult when 2/3rds of the group are trump supporters. I wonder how many will survive when they understand the social principles like climate change, equal rights for all, economic security, etc. How many are goats versus sheep, Matthew 25 v31:46?
I was born and raised in MO. Beautiful state but very backward where I was raised. I ended up leaving because the repugnant trifecta keeps blocking the voters wishes. I am so sick of the govenors vetoing what the majority voters decided that I'd had enough.
I'm in a blue state now and the difference is remarkable! The people are happier and your tax dollars are returned to the populous in ways that benefit them. My friends that remain in Missouri are desperately unhappy with the conditions there. They feel they have no voice and their vote has been snatched from them by those in government.
Very very sad that this beautiful state is being ruined by those who don't believe in majority rule.
Hi Marilyn,
Your comments reminded me of a few things. In my other life, last century, I too worked in the OR assisting in all surgical areas except open-heart. I met my wife in the OR. Back then, the pay was not the best, but it was perhaps the best job I had because, most days, I went home feeling that I did something good for someone. All of us (we were a tight group) found our roles to be very satisfying, serving others. I will be 73 next month, and I also depend on Social Security which I have been paying into since I was 16. And of course, Medicare.
And yes, to all the brothers and sisters who served anywhere at anytime (Vietnam was my college education), your sacrifice has been betrayed by a draft dodger. How ironic, and deeply disturbing. My father-in-law was at Omaha Beach, and the Ardennes. Was his (and his generation's) service and sacrifice in vain? Seems like it. I have a plethora of choice words and labels describing the current regime, but I'll save them for later since I don't feel like getting worked up right now. I remain vigilant against the sociopathic indifference and tangible harm inflicted by this clown.
My ancestor fought in the American Revolution to establish this country. My father and 5 of his brothers all fought in WW11. My step-father gave the Army 30-years. Finally, my generation, Boomers, died in a rich man's war in Vietnam. They are all rolling in their graves.
I cannot do much, but I will do all I can to honor my ancestors.
You have honored them by your statement and your realization that the sacrifice of all who fought for/defended this country is not in vain.
If you were real. You would ho do something
Bot
The people you are calling bot appear to me to be real. Restraint may be called for, lest others presume you are a bot and block you.
I can relate. As I live in a red state in a very red area. I could write here all morning of specific incidents where my neighbors and friends have been harmed by trumps actions. The number one excuse I hear is this. “It’s not our presidents fault. His people are doing things behind his back that he knows nothing about. Our president would never hurt us like this.” I have heard this same excuse over and over.
How do they explain away the vile and cruel things that come out of his mouth?
Oh you wouldn’t believe some of the excuses I hear. I have come to the conclusion, really over close to a decade now, the number one issue for those I’m around is this. Fox News playing 24/7 on their tvs. That and Facebook. They genuinely believe so much dis/misinformation too. Another thing I’ve noticed with many of his younger male supporters is they faithfully watch those “bro” podcasts. Joe Rogan etc… I hear a lot of Rogans talking points. One of my closest friends is MAGA. Our rule is not to discuss politics because we know that would end an almost 20 year friendship. But the few times I can’t resist and point blank ask her a specific question sure enough I get some really weird already debunked bunch of nonsense. Or here’s an example of the most recent conversation when I asked her after we both have worked hard all of our lives, “you’re ok with billionaires receiving all of these tax cuts?” Her answer? “Oh I’m fine with it, after all if they didn’t own the big corporations we wouldn’t have had our jobs to begin with.” HUH???
Ha! From a 72 year old fart, Vietnam veteran, Surgical PA, Fox "news" is a farce. So much disinformation. Why? Because of some maligned devotion to an f-ing, orange, f*ck up Pr*ck? Ha! The truth shall prevail. These times are challenging, yes, but stay the course. We'll be fine.
I am not sure we will be fine.
I hear you. I wonder some times too.
I feel like that’s a place to start a conversation. After all, Trump won’t be on the ballot in 2026.
The budget bill was full of little items that Republicans squeezed in for special interests and were literally added when most members were sleeping. Seems like you could tie that to their feeling that people in the administration are doing things behind his back and maybe get them to consider not voting for Republicans in the midterms.
Will there be a ballot in 2026? I think he's laying the groundwork for eliminating elections so he stays out of jail. What a guy.
I’m more concerned about CBP and ICE presence in a few key cities.
But we still need to make inroads with his supporters regardless
A big part of “American Exceptionalism” as measured by 4% of the world’s population accounting for about 25% of global GDP, is the Reserve Status of the U.S. Dollar, which will be called into question and ultimately jeopardized if we don’t maintain our leadership position concerning human rights (freedom) and democracy (self-government).
Consider it lost. We have failed already, because of the orange turd.
Fret not for the Supreme Right to self-govern remains ours, sir! https://republia.substack.com/p/for-the-preservation-of-freedom-and
You are a true patriotic American. Thank you for living your beliefs.
Thank you fir your service and for your intelligent comment
Good.
Bot.
I am in Blue state, but I am in a red area 🥹 I understand 🥹
I live in Colorado, one of the "retribution tour" states. rump is battling hard to destroy us. He vetoed a unanimous vote to get clean water to rural communities, wants Tina Peters, who tried to sell out democracy by giving voting machine software to the highest bidder, out of state custody, cut SNAP and Child Care assistance, all because he didn't win here. Yet, just 1/2 mile away, on my way to work, I pass a huge banner on the side of a barn with the usual crap of trump 2024 make America Great! Rah rah. so yes, they make sure the rest of us can't have nice things.
Like the flu 🦠 they are everywhere. The invasion of the 🧠, 💕 and Christian Ethos snatchers.
What is so curious to me… even when paying personally from the reductions in programs and knowing the hardship(s) are the result of tRump’s administration. many continue to support him. Not sure if it is most in these red areas but I am guessing it is. Their continued support is a mystery to me.
I don’t get it either. I’m pretty sure those farmers will vote for him again. What I really struggle with though, are the maga women. What hateful human beings they must be!
MAGA women must hate themselves even more than anyone else.
I'm honestly not sure. I think maybe they love themselves, in a self-righteous, holier-than-thou kind of way.
There’s no misogyny like internalized misogyny. They define themselves by their men.
That’s true too.
Lost my best friend to maga. She used to be sweet & so much fun. But over the years, it just deteriorated into her screaming at me about crazy shit she saw on Facebook. I kept telling her it was propaganda, but they don’t even hear you… people believe what they want to believe. They got radicalized on FB. There’s a reason why Zuck was lined up at the trough with the rest of the broligarchy on Inauguration Day . And we can all now see the reason why Elon bought X.
People really fall for that shit.
they get bailed out over and over
🎯
Oh for sure they’ll vote MAGA again.
Well, I watched my former bff change over 20 years from a country club, Rush-listening, small business owning Republican from LA into a faux redneck, hate-filled, guns god n trump Arizona magat I can no longer speak to. What happened? Facebook, and the wrong man. Who she reconnected with. On Facebook.
Sorry to read this. But the markings were there….Rush-listening? Republican?
Right there.
Yeah, I know, but to be fair, if you know some affluent white people, you’re gonna know some Republicans. It never used to be that you couldn’t be friends with them
Sounds as if she was halfway there already. These people must get tired of being angry all the time.
No, it energises them.
Never underestimate how fear-based humans are. Conmen like you-know-who use this against us every time. Behind the anger is fear.
And gets them attention.
All they know is how to be stupid.
Seriously.
Massive failure of public education in this country.
Yeah, they knew what they were doing with their war on education didn’t they?
I think they enjoy their stupidity because it means nothing is expected of them.
Which is good since they are useless as people.
Good point. They just want their white daddy to tell them what to do while they sit on their couches watching Fox News and stoking their hatred of immigrants, women, POC and liberals. They have really trained them to hate “others” over the last three decades. They see it on Fox they hear it in church. It gets shoved on them from X and Facebook and all their little friends get together and talk about how much they hate us so why would they think anything differently?
I'm a retired 80yo physician/psychiatrist and author of "Stress R Us". I live on my SS and was able to pay-in the max to SS during the latter years of my work life. Anyone calling my hard earned SS refunds an "entitlement" is FOS. SS has always been a lifelong involuntary savings plan. I thank God ole FDR was prescient enough to believe that many of us would just piss away our earnings, if the Federal government didn't FORCE US TO SAVE. Tramp is a spoiled rich kid, as are his grifting associates. He is not an honest or caring man. Have a blessed day!
"Entitlement" just means you're entitled to the payments (like you're entitled to a house or car, both of which are documented by "titles") because you paid what was required of you to earn them. Maybe it would be better to call them "earned benefits" to eliminate the confusion. But, there is nothing demeaning about saying people who paid their owned way and earned benefits are "entitled" to them. It is definitely not a handout
Your Republican and my Republican neighbors could care less about what Trump is going to our Country, yours and mine. They decorate the inside of their Garages with banners, flags, and images of their dear leader. I can not see any value in what they support to destroy. They are loud, hateful, “yes” evil, rowdy, ignorant, and rude.
It's amazing that they call themselves patriots.
They’ve been brainwashed over the last 30+ years by that vast right wing conspiracy that HRC warned us about, and we can all see now, but no one listened because America hates women.
Half of America are women and it’s sad that a woman can’t get elected for President.
51% that’s what I read recently. More than half.
I think it's time that a woman gets elected even though white male dominance persists. Women are better planners, organizers, multi-taskers, etc. Kamala Harris is so qualified and experienced; it's unbelievable that 77 million people voted for a twice impeached convicted felon over her.
Have you looked at the women in the White House? Gender alone is not a qualification for office. Yes, we need to treat women fairly. No, a woman president is not a guarantee of better behavior.
Not to ‘conspiracy theorize’, but was that really the case? I mean, look at HRC winning the popular vote by 3 million and us still getting stuck with his criminal ass. Methinks there were shenanigans in the swing state electoral counts, but what do I know?
I can't imagine living where you are but know that most of us non-Trumpers have people around us that continue to support him. It's beyond comprehension that they do and how 77 million people voted for this twice impeached, convicted felon who is a pathological liar. We can only hope that many of the people who voted for him will vote differently this year to help stop his madness. Many of us share your sadness.
Much the same here in Arkansas but at least you guys have Jess Piper!
Arkansas has Jessie Welles. If you haven't done so, check out his music.
We have Johnny Cash too FWIW
We are indeed very proud of Jesse Welles!
We'll be paying for their ignorance for decades to come. I have cousins in the bright blue Twin Cities who've voted maga and I have cousins in bright red Iowa and Florida who didn't. They all grew up in the upper Midwest. I was the outlier in Texas. How did we all come from the same value system and yet see things so differently? - musing from the police state of Minnesota
And they will still be blaming Biden 😡
Yes, you understand on an existential and visceral level the atrocities that are coming into our own homes. I have a dear sister who voted twice for the evil one… we know we just cannot talk about politics at all. Tragic mess.
Thank you, Marilyn. You are so clear in your compassion, grief, loss and truth-telling. I am so saddened at the folks I know, who have been overwhelmed by culture war disinformation and terrible theology, and who have regularly voted against their self-interest--for the past 60+ years. Lament and continued truth-telling may not seem like much, but they are essential steps forward, in my experience.
I live on the other side of the Pacific Ocean and can confirm that Australians are not immune to systemised hate and fear-mongering.
I come from Outback Queensland, home to vast cattle stations and conservative voters. Many of my family members continue to support tRump and his administration, it truly astonishes me.
Since the Bondi massacre (mass shooting in Sydney), support for our very own tRump-style political party, One Nation (funded by our own home-grown billionaire Gina Rinehart) has significantly grown.
Just to clarify public funding disclosure shows Gina funds the coalition not one nation. Not that its any better i will grant you. And I find it abhorrent that our great Australian swim team members are funded by her foundation.
Yes, you are dead right, thanks for correcting me. I was definitely influenced by a recent article I read about how Gina has been flying Pauline Hanson around in her jet and accompanying her to Mar-a-lago. It makes me so mad!!
Ugh. Facism globally on the rise.
My heart is broken for all of our friends in red states (and still loyal to this Regime), as well as all Americans whose lives have been brutally affected by their policies. We are all in this together and progress may be slow but it's coming. Blessings to you and your family
Fortunately here in Iowa there is almost no political talk, at least wherever i go
The only bitterness I have experienced was over 50 years ago at my girlfriends home when I mentioned JFK running for President, her parents, who always had been friendly and polite,
suddenly screamed: He's A GODAMN CATHOLIC
I left immediately, born and raised Catholic, being raised for 4 years by my aunt in Philadelphia a secular nun who taught in elementary school and whose best friends were Catholic HS principals
Sister Ann Regina and Sister Joseph Rita
I had nothing to say and never went back to my girlfriends house, we continued to be together
for a while
In DM one can always tell the MAGA folk, huge pickups with American flag symbols adorning
their vehicles but even though somehow, they immediately identify me as a liberal, there is nothing other than an occasional look/glance but no open hostility
My brother and most friends that I went to Catholic high school with are rabid republicans but then again we never discuss politics, only The Hawkeyes
Otherwise things are normal as can be
But nationwide there appears to be OPEN HOSTILITY
These are the strangest times I have ever experienced
Make one wonder if the rabid magafolk will continue to vote GOP in the Midterms
One can only hope NOT
No longer a Catholic and am not affiliated with any church
Have moved on from all that
Damn, getting cramps in my fingers from typing
Keep up the good work and God bless.
I live in bright red Utah and it’s a struggle. I’m a Methodist and we are now studying the Social Principles of the church. It’s difficult when 2/3rds of the group are trump supporters. I wonder how many will survive when they understand the social principles like climate change, equal rights for all, economic security, etc. How many are goats versus sheep, Matthew 25 v31:46?
I was born and raised in MO. Beautiful state but very backward where I was raised. I ended up leaving because the repugnant trifecta keeps blocking the voters wishes. I am so sick of the govenors vetoing what the majority voters decided that I'd had enough.
I'm in a blue state now and the difference is remarkable! The people are happier and your tax dollars are returned to the populous in ways that benefit them. My friends that remain in Missouri are desperately unhappy with the conditions there. They feel they have no voice and their vote has been snatched from them by those in government.
Very very sad that this beautiful state is being ruined by those who don't believe in majority rule.