The events Wednesday and Thursday—beginning with Trump storming out of a meeting, and culminating with Trump tweeting a doctored video of Pelosi—went beyond the usual level of bizarre.
nbcnews.com/politics/white…
But don't be fooled . . .
Let’s start with Pelosi’s description of the events.
speaker.gov/newsroom/52319/ The Democrats went to the meeting prepared to “offer the President the opportunity to launch a historic infrastructure initiative.”
The question remained: how to pay for it.
Three weeks earlier, they agreed Trump would work up a proposal for how to pay for the infrastructure bill and present his proposal at the Wednesday meeting.
speaker.gov/newsroom/52319/
As Pelosi described what happened next, Trump entered the meeting, reached into his “bag of tricks,” and pulled a “stunt.”
Because the Democrats had been talking about a cover up for a while, Pelosi concluded Trump was inventing excuses.
speaker.gov/newsroom/52319/
cnn.com/videos/politic…
Trump accused the Dems of investigating him as a part of a "take down" attempt.
Trump thus turned a policy issue “should we fund infrastructure?” into an “us v. them” feud.
They can’t adopt conservative policies such as free markets, because then other people can rise up and compete and challenge them.
Funding infrastructure means less money to channel to the would-be oligarchs.
It also creates a stronger democracy.
The rank and file supporters (those harmed by the torpedoing of infrastructure bills) lie for Trump and shield him because he gives them what they want more than economic opportunities.
They want to return to a (white) patriarchy, and Trump promises that.
Some people still underestimate Trump.
Each time he does something outrageous, a chorus of voices insist that he’s screwing up, he's flying by the seat of his pants, and any moment he’ll bring about his own ruin.
He creates strong emotions: Outrage in his critics & euphoria in his supporters, who thrill when he does battle with the "enemies."
But when you evaluate him as a would-be oligarch and creator of crisis and spectacle, his talent becomes evident.
He's good at it.
He pulls his critics into a never-ending game of whack-a-lie, which keeps everyone spinning and wears everyone out.
You can't think coherently while you're spinning and playing whack-a-lie.
Everyone is so busy spinning and whacking lies they forget about infrastructure and the policy debate at it's core.
Yes, Trump is trying to destroy our democracy. So we need to build it back up and strengthen it.
So everyone needs to stay focused and get busy.
Need ideas? See👇
terikanefield-blog.com/things-to-do/
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For people who don't have time to wade through a densely written book, I suggest listening to Snyder's You Tube series, "Timothy Snyder Speaks."
Find out how your local elections are conducted and get involved, or volunteer some other way.
If you feel inclined to answer the doomsayers ("Democracy is already dead! We won't have elections in 2020!") ask what constructive steps they are taking to remedy the situation. (Spreading panic doesn't count).