Those who voted for Donald Trump as the "change" candidate didn't really get what they bargained for, but they don't seem to mind. What they really got was a "muddler".
noun1. a person who creates muddles, especially because of a disorganized method of thinking or working.
So what are muddles?
noun1. an untidy and disorganized state or collection. synonyms: mess, confusion, jumble, tangle, mishmash, chaos, disorder, disarray, disorganization, imbroglio, hodgepodge
Yep! That pretty much sums it up. And, I guess, in a bizarre sense, it is a form of change. And, in fact it's pretty consistent with the expressed national goal of one of the President's right hand men -- Steve Bannon.
"I'm a Leninist. Lenin wanted to destroy the state, and that's my goal, too. I want to bring everything crashing down and destroy all of today's establishment."
If you take a look at the first six months of the Trump Presidency, I guess we're pretty much on track.
So do the people who voted for Donald Trump feel like they got swindled? Hell no! They're loving it. It's a movement; and it's solid.
With all that's gone down in the last six months -- constant lying, fake news, Russian collusion/coordination; women, minority and media bashing; bigotry, bullying, betrayal of allies, nepotism, financial deception, disrespect for norms and embracement of indecency -- the Muddler's support has hardly waivered. It appears to be solid at about 40%.
So what does this say about the good old U.S.A.? It's not so much about the Muddler himself? It's not about healthcare, tax reform, infrastructure, environment or other important policy issues. The Muddler promised to fix all those things and make them "beautiful" and "amazing", but he's not going to do it.
It's about the 40%. That's not "small potatoes" as my Grandma would have said. That's a huge chunk of the American population that is willing to support, praise or just tolerate the behavior of the Muddler. I think we should be concerned.
I would break the 40% down into basically two major groups: (1) the group that truly supports what the Muddler stands for (that's scary); and, (2) the group that is tolerating him because, despite his abhorrent behavior, he will allow them to advance their ideological political agenda. This group includes most GOP Congressional members, leaders, surrogates, strategists and D.C. insiders; all willing to sacrifice fundamental, human and democratic principles for party passion and ideology.
It's the second group that bothers me the most. Maybe the country can endure 15 to 20 percent of the population that actually supports what the Muddler stands for; but, it's the ones that know better who continue to fall in line that is really troubling.
I'm convinced that there are many, diehard Republicans that are appalled by the Muddler's disingenuous (I'm being nice) statements, Tweets, treatment of our allies and puzzling relationship with Russia; but they are willing to continue their support for this intolerable, immoral, and embarrassing conduct of an American President.
What will it take to make them snub this insult to our Presidency and country? Or will they ever? The Muddler's shenanigans and malfeasance would have already brought down any President known to modern man. The mischief, indiscretion and misdeeds of the likes of Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton seem like child's play in the wake of the Muddler. Yet, the ones that know better continue their toleration.
Our future is the hands of the GOP members that know better. Because they're in control of the House and Senate, they are the ones who must lead. So long as they remain silent and let the travesties of leadership continue they are empowering the worst among us from both sides of the political spectrum.
Unfortunately, it's not looking good. As I have pointed out previously, the tolerance of the American public for this continued malfeasance and incompetence is not sacrosanct -- it will reach a point of eruption. The creaking sounds of a breaking democracy can already be heard.
If the GOP leadership, the ones that know better, continue to force a one-sided, reckless, heartless health care bill through the process simply to fulfill a 7-year, half-baked, mantra ("repeal & replace") the democratic underpinnings may fracture.
Meanwhile, the delusional Muddler, who resides in an alternative fantasy land, amuses himself by Tweeting:
Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump The W.H. is functioning perfectly, focused on HealthCare, Tax Cuts/Reform & many other things. I have very little time for watching T.V.
