It’s really hard to muster sympathy for folks who relished the thought of hurting others only to find themselves being hurt by Trump’s ruthless policies. I’ve watched their stories online where they either beg for an exemption or regret their vote. Some were hardcore MAGA and some just wanted cheaper groceries. These were people who cheered (or at least condoned) migrant families being separated, purging government of waste, fraud and abuse which was code for firing public servants, ending the war in Ukraine which meant handing Ukraine over to Putin, and imposing tariffs on our biggest trading partners at no cost to them personally.
They soon learned that there are too few “criminal” migrants to meet the big deportation numbers promised in the campaign and so law-abiding, tax-paying, God-fearing friends and family members are being carried away like criminals. They soon discover that they or their close relative who diligently works for the government providing an actual service is being fired without legitimate cause. They realize that Trump and Vance behave like 3rd grade bullies in the White House and that they have positioned our country on the side of Russia and North Korea and against our European allies on the world stage, making us an international pariah. And they realize that Trump isn’t lowering the price of groceries but raising the price of everything with his trade war while harming American made products and tourism. They realize that the medical research they were depending on to help save the lives of people they love is being cut. They now know that the food assistance and medical insurance they rely on are on the Republican chopping block. And all the while their elected Republican representative is applauding their pain or completely silent.
While it is imperative that Americans rise up to resist this Administration by filing lawsuits, protesting in the streets and at town halls, calling, emailing, and writing lawmakers to push them to obey the Constitution and to represent our interests, it may be the incompetence and in fighting within the Administration itself that disrupts this dangerous agenda. Trump and Musk are both reckless in their decision making. They act on their vilest impulses without considering the consequences beyond hurting folks they don’t like. They don’t consider the law, the promises to veterans, nor the Constitution when issuing executive orders, cancelling government funding, dismantling entire governmental agencies, and firing government workers. Several times they fired essential people only to realize they are badly needed and then they’ve begged them to return (if they can find them). When the stock market tanked and retaliatory tariffs took effect and conservative newspapers called his tariffs dumb, Trump once again put a hold on most of them. I’m certain governors also voiced their concerns about Canandian boycotts of tourism and of products made in their states.
The point is that the country should brace itself for chaos. It won’t be long before people begin to realize how much we rely on government workers. Government workers keep our planes flying safely, keep our roads and bridges passable, process our tax returns, pursue dangerous criminal rings, keep our food, water and air safe, deliver accurate weather forecasts, provide schooling for our children, protect consumers from abuse, and keep deadly diseases under control. As hurricane season approaches, it will be interesting to see how a FEMA under distress from personnel and budget cuts is able to respond.
One thing I know about the American people, and veterans in particular, is that they won’t sit quietly by and endure pain and abuse and broken promises while others laugh and enjoy themselves at their expense. The Republicans stopped holding town halls because they rightly became afraid of their constituents from all political leanings. No one wants a hollowed-out government workforce that is unable to meet the demand for services. No one wants to privatize some government services so that a few people get richer while the broader public interest is no longer served. Privatized research makes for biased and unreliable research results. Privatized schools leave poor children and children with disabilities behind. A privatized prison system incentivizes injustice towards the poor. Privatized infrastructure and media subject the public to the whims of individuals who want to push their own agenda.
The Constitution outlines the role of government to provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty for ourselves and our posterity. The House of Representatives was specifically established to represent these desires and needs by allocating our tax dollars to establish agencies and laws that serve us. Let’s just talk about the general welfare this week.
It is not the job of people seeking to make money to provide for our general welfare. In my thinking, public health, infrastructure, education, safety regulations, weather forecasting, disaster relief, forestry, and scientific research are all in the general welfare category. Yes, we use government contractors, like Elon Musk, to carry out some of these needs. In his specific case he provides satellites and space exploration. But that work product should belong to us because our tax dollars paid for them. And because he is a government contractor, who personally benefits from those contracts, he has a conflict of interest in his current position with DOGE and should be removed immediately.
DOGE, Trump and the Republican Party are operating outside the Constitution and the law in order to destroy democracy and establish a new, internationally isolated, government with Taliban-like laws, fewer civil liberties for women and minorities, and government officials working in concert with the wealthy to further enrich and empower themselves. Doing nothing as citizens allows this to happen.
I’m hopeful by the signs that our collective resistance is having an effect. We absolutely must keep up the pressure on Congressional members and the Trump Administration. The courts, the street protests, the art, speeches, songs, boycotts, podcasts, phone calls, emails, independent media, social media posts, civil disobedience, and even the stock market are having the desired constraining effect on the MAGA agenda to restructure our country. If we push hard enough, Republican congress members will either start doing their job to represent us properly or be voted out.