How did we get here? America elected a president who fits the diagnosis of Narcissistic Personality Disorder; a convicted felon who six times declared bankruptcy; an open admirer of despots and dictators; and a man who vengefully fired attorneys within the US Department of Justice that were doing their jobs. I came to the following conclusions following much consideration.
Major and largely unregulated business interests, supported by the Republican Party, ripped the heart out of the nation. Ever since the “Reagan Revolution,” the right wing of US politics, has done all it can to gut the effectiveness of America’s governmental institutions — assigning our government blame for all manner of things — creating a fear amongst the right-wing electorate against a fantasy called “The Deep State.” Of course, there is no proof that the Deep State exists, making it perfect for the conspiracy theorists given air time by Fox News, a media corporation that feeds MAGA grievances, while providing Mr. Trump a megaphone for his lies and distortions of the truth, and all the while making money hand over fist.
What I call the New Nobility, the obscenely wealthy, also known as the One Percent, often have no loyalty but to the bottom line. Their corporations, hedge funds, and private equity firms serve only themselves and shareholders. This president is perhaps the result of their machinations. Given that Mr. Trump just tanked the world economy with his tariffs, some buyer’s remorse may be soon settling in.
We are the new serfs to the likes of Amazon, Apple, META, Alphabet and Microsoft. These are all monopolies or near-monopolies. Monopolies are always bad, which is why anti-trust agencies like the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) exist. The SEC was one of those government agencies eviscerated by Reagan.
This New Nobility buys massive political influence via campaign donations. Elon Musk is only the most prominent example. In my estimation, this has become a form of legalized corruption. Our Republic is far into the process of being brought low by the monied class. The monopolists in America enjoy privileges that European business owners can only dream of.
European governments generally regulate business in the interests of the people. Post Reagan America largely does not. Much like Mr. Trump, big corporations have proven to have little conscience. Left unfettered by the government, big business is as much a danger as a potential benefit to society. If you ever suffer the misfortune of flying coach on an American flagged airline, and are treated like a sardine, while being hammered with nebulous junk charges, blame right-wing inspired deregulation.
The saying goes that “If it is good for business, it is good for America.” This attempt at creating a truism is false on its face, and yet still accepted by Republican Party stalwarts as a fact. The proofs against are evident with even a casual glance at the actual history. Big Tobacco claimed for decades that smoking did not cause cancer — a knowing lie. Big Oil, until recently, denied that fossil fuels posed a threat to the environment. Big Pharma is perhaps best characterized the excesses of the Sackler Family that were directly responsible for the American opioid crisis. Big Chemical claimed that their products were safe — I give you “Roundup,” which causes both cancer and Parkinson’s disease.
Big Health might be the worst of the bunch. Health costs in America have skyrocketed. Many citizens are now one serious illness away from bankruptcy. Big in this context is synonymous with monopolies.
The ultimate result is becoming clearer every day. Everything has been commoditized, even public education and politicians too. Despite Oval Office denials, Social Security appears to be in danger of being privatized by this White House as well.
In a nation where so much has been turned into commodities, profit and loss tends to come to the forefront of thinking. Mr. Trump characterizes this sort of thought process. Ethics do not matter. Morality does not matter. Instead, what’s in it for me becomes the predominant mantra.
The MAGA refrain, “America First” is reflective. Although Mr. Trump’s devotees are much mistaken, they have gotten one thing right. There is something wrong with America. MAGA and I merely differ in where to assign blame. Progressives and their sometimes questionable liberal policies are not at fault. This president inherited a healthy economy. Then, he blew-it-up, while alienating nearly the entire planet in the process.
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The billionaire class generally acts in its own self-interest, which results in the concentration of wealth at the top. The rich really are getting richer. The poor are indeed getting poorer. The middle class are being badly financially squeezed, so much so that the American dream of home ownership for many is much diminished. Current White House policy just made a bad situation worse.
The on-going struggle in America can be described as a country driven to crisis by the question: is our society to be controlled by major business interests, or a republic that regulates the worst excesses of those same said businesses?
Mr. Trump’s tariffs will not be successful. His six bankruptcies and multiple other business failures are prologue. The New Nobility that helped put him in office with their campaign contributions are no doubt now having second thoughts, as are the Republicans in the Senate and House of Representatives that have placed the interests of self and political party over the wellbeing of the nation.
How did we get here? Outside of the true believers among the MAGA faithful, I think you know.
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*** Editor’s Note: If you liked this article, you’d definitely want to check out Bob’s latest book: Surviving the United Nations – A True Story of Violence, Corruption, Betrayal, and Redemption.
It’s an eye-opening account of a Green Beret’s second career at the United Nations.
And don’t just take my word for it, here is what Publishers Weekly had to say:
“In his humanitarian and peacekeeping missions for the United Nations he dealt with child soldiers, blood diamonds, a double hostage-taking, an invasion by brutal guerrillas, an emergency aerial evacuation, a desperate hostage recovery mission, tribal gunfights, refugee camp violence, suicide bombings, and institutional corruption. His UN career brought him face to face with the best and worst of human nature, and he shares it all here.”
Click the link above to pick up your copy from Amazon today. You’ll find it every bit as riveting as the author himself. – GDM
