Over the years, we have avoided being flagrantly partisan, except where it was particularly compelling or germane. While near overwhelming chaos prevails making it difficult to focus let alone write, in this the year 2023, it is clear, compelling and germane to address an absolutely partisan issue.

 The first step in solving any problem is recognizing there is a problem. People, we absolutely  have a problem.Over the past eight years, we, as a body politic, have been witness to a most frightening turn of events. We have seen the near collapse of the Republic, barely surviving a widespread conspiracy to overturn a legitimate election along with an outright attack on the Capitol aimed at literally overthrowing the government. This conspiracy was led by a deranged, delusional, twice impeached, four times indicted ex president who continues to spread lies about the last election , lies which are still fully swallowed hook, line and sinker by his MAGA cult followers. The chaos and mayhem, however,  is not limited to  inside the beltway. As per the mid terms and rulings by the definitively politicized SCOTUS, the politics on a state level has become as draconian as ever.  With notable speed, laws curtailing the freedom of choice for  reproductive health services were passed in GOP controlled legislatures. Laws banning books – yes, banning books – were passed, spearheaded by one of the newer fascist groups –  Moms for Liberty – and not only banning books but actually replacing banned books with texts rewritten in such a way as to conform to their twisted sense of white nationalist history.And the key measure being taken by the right wing wave in states is the concerted effort to make voting significantly more difficult, indeed for some people, impossible.

One could continue with example after example of how the “ coup “ is continuing but there still remains the question as to just why.   To quote a  giant of the news world, “ A nation of sheep will soon have a government of wolves ”  ( Edward R Murrow ). Perhaps this does not explain it fully but it certainly does shed some serious light on the subject. It is all about the seizing of and maintaining of power. And now, with the extremist faction of the body politic – that thirty – seven per cent – being given a pathway to the front of the line, it seems that an entirely different agenda is being formulated and fertilized. Paraphrasing a quote from an earlier post, it seems true that hell is empty and all the demons are here. Apparently true and, while the demons are identifiable both inside and outside the beltway, so is the leader. There can be no doubt that the former occupant of the Oval Office, the architect of the treasonous attack on the capitol is in the proverbial driver’s seat. Taking his playbook directly from Mein Kampf, he has intensified his campaign of fabrications, lies, hate and conspiracy theories, mingled with his constant persecution complex rants. 

 So, here we are and now we find ourselves on the verge of the collapse of the Republic and our way of governance which has stood for over two hundred and forty years. The problem is relatively clear. The GOP has abdicated its role as a governing party and it has assumed the role of an avenue for the rise and control of fascism. The question then is what do we do about it and how can we stem the tide of this insanity and provide a remedy, an antidote if you will for this disease.

First and foremost, utilize information sites which are reputable and will convey facts rather than conspiracies. The persistent flow of disinformation must be countered with sources that rely on fact, not fiction. One must also understand there is a difference between the reporting of news and the presenting of opinion and treat each accordingly. Take some time to fact check and cross check when it comes to critical information. Find a way to convey facts to your circle of associates. Convey the disdain for this widespread corruption to your elected officials, even if they are part of it and most of all VOTE – vote for qualified candidates who are well vetted. It all comes down to the vote, friends, and we must clean house  or we will lose it all. We shall see if it all gets turned around and the Republic survives even this attack.