Category: The Presidency

It Can’t Happen Here?

Posted on by Ladmann

It Can’t Happen Here?

 

When it comes to the election of a US President in 2024, I “…could not explain his [Donald J. Trust, I mean Trump] power of bewitching large audiences. The [former President] was vulgar, almost illiterate, a public liar easily detected, and in his ‘ideas’ almost idiotic, while his celebrated piety was that of a traveling salesman for church furniture, and his yet more celebrated humor the sly cynicism of a country store…[Trump] was [is] an actor of genius. There was [is] no more overwhelming actor on the stage, in the motion pictures, nor even in the pulpit. He would whirl arms, bang tables, glare from mad eyes, vomit biblical wrath from a gaping mouth; but he would also coo like a nursing mother, beseech like an aching lover, and in between tricks would coldly and almost contemptuously jab his crowds with figures and facts — figures and facts that were inescapable even when, as often happened, they were entirely incorrect.” [1]

 Again, history repeats itself. Or will the citizens/voters realize that history is replete with small narcissistic, autocratic, wannabe macho men who can entertain in a circus tent but whose leadership ends badly for the country and its citizens.

Will It Happen Here?

 

[1] It Can’t Happen Here; Sinclair Lewis, Doubleday, Doran & Company, Inc., Garden City, New York, 1935. Pg. 86-87.

 

The “Imperial Presidency” ¹ Revisited

Posted on by Ladmann

In the past, our country and political system became concerned about the alarming increase in presidential power relative to the Congress. Over time this concern has taken a back seat to the ongoing and increasing war of obstruction and destruction between the Republican and Democratic Parties.

As a result of the continuing lack of constructive attention to and resolution of our nations challenges, recent presidents have taken increasing and unbalanced power from the Congress.

This congressional power vacuum has allowed the Presidential power to amplify the degree of political polarization.

Executive actions taken by recent Presidents:

  • Bill Clinton 364
  • George W. Bush  291
  • Barack Obama 276
  • Donald Trump  206 [only 4 years]

The concern here is the degree of political extremism in Congress combined with wide volatility in the executive actions; created and vacated by each President as the political party changes.

Combine the above with the rise of social media and extreme emotional nonfactual broadcasting of extreme views and beliefs, you have the perfect storm.

In the eye of the perfect storm is the Imperial President.

 

  1. “The Imperial Presidency”; Schlesinger, Arthur, M. Jr. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1973

Clear and Present Danger

Posted on by Ladmann

Mr. Trump is a clear and danger to our democracy not just because of January 6th. He is dangerous because he has consistently sought to undermine our government by:

  • Continuously attacking the legitimacy of many departments of our government, including the Departments of Defense, Justice, FDA, Attorney General, CDC, etc.
  • He has undermined our country’s relationships with many of our allies.
  • He has continuously charged the election of 2020 as rigged and stolen. He and the Republican Party has filed 62 suits and had 61 dismissed for lacking any evidence. Making these charges when no evidence exists and continuing to excite crowds against the results undermines the most important element of a democracy, the vote.
  • He has attempted to have several states votes overturned using the “power of the Presidency” as a threat.

This President needs to be impeached!

We need to hold him and the Republican Party responsible and send a clear message that this will not be allowed by any future President.

Dissolution of the Republican Party

Posted on by Ladmann

Like many, I had hoped and believed that the current Republican Party would realize the errors of their ways in continuing to support Trump solely for gaining and maintaining political power. Given the last 4+ years culminating on January 6th, those who continue to maintain their allegiance and support for this Party must recognize their complicity of the thus far unsuccessful insurrection attempt. If members of the party believe I am mistaken, please note the results of your “Sounds of Silence” for over 4 years. The Republican Party needs to be dissolved and replaced.

 

Republicans; the Party of Lincoln?

Posted on by Ladmann

The Republican Party has finally reached the point where its members no longer have license to identify themselves as the party of Lincoln. Continuing to undermine the right to vote and the results of an election by declaring the election rigged and stolen and then of all things, vote to not certify the electoral college, disenfranchise states rights and voters is a blatant violation of our Constitution. It is against everything Lincoln stood for and died for.

SHAME ON YOU!

 

The President Undermining the Vote

Posted on by Ladmann

I never thought that in the 21st century, we would have a President who did all he could in his power to undermine the VOTE!

As Ben Franklin stated “You have a Republic if you can keep it.”

There is nothing more important in any free society/democracy/republic than the vote. All freedoms emanate from the VOTE!

Do you want to keep your freedoms; Your ability to publicly agree and disagree with your government? Do you want to keep this Republic?

Republican, Democrat, whatever your political affiliation, we can not allow this kind of President again.

Government Dis-Information

Posted on by Ladmann

For media and citizens of the USA who are concerned about the dis-information emanating from China and/or Russia, your time and attention could be better spent addressing a government source we can control.

You and all of us could be better served by paying attention to and holding accountable the dis-information coming from the White House!

Protecting the Presidency; We can do better than this!

Posted on by Ladmann

“…Americans all too often have had to learn, the hard way, that maintaining respect for the nation’s highest office and its occupant is among any president’s pressing duties.”¹

It is important that we all keep this in mind. This perspective rises above politics and party. This duty applies to all incumbents.

It is paramount that the current occupant  begin understanding this and behaving accordingly.

It is equally required that we hold the occupant accountable.

 

  1. “Dwight D. Eisenhower The American Presidents Series”, by Tom Wicker, Pg. 76;  ISBN 0-8050-6907-0