Once the party of small government, law and order, incremental change, and institutional stability, Republicans have become the party of burn-it-down-and-see-what-happens.
Maybe I've become too much of an optimist, but from what I'm hearing both publicly and in private conversations with friends, it seems Trump has crossed the line. His popularity is plummeting faster than Dante's descent into hell. It appears that his Mr. Magoo approach is not gaining the respect among some of his supporters.
One issue I really want to hear some feedback on is : Should we not be looking for positive things that can be done and are being done to counter the overwhelming very disheartening news that we get 24 7. ? If we only get negative screaming I really feel I can do nothing when I need to find ways to promote positive change. Hope this thought is somewhat coherent:)
Based upon Tillis' comments to Semafor it is clear that is his plan. But of course he can't help himself he has to still be encouraging which lends credence to your view that they are just happy for all of this:
""He (Tillis) contended that there will eventually be red lines that the Republican Congress won’t permit Trump to cross, “whether it’s on nominees, or whether it’s on policy. I can see things where Musk — he’s coming up with good ideas — he could go too far. We could say, ‘Great idea. It doesn’t work in a public institution.’”
I just woke from a frightening dream that my rights as a citizen were being taken away by some fiendish ghoul. Scary. But I’m calming down and about to have my first cup of coffee and turn on the TV….
One point that's getting lost in discussions about this - and isn't being fully reported by the media - is that access by Musk's interns to sensitive databases at the Treasury and other agencies represents the largest data intrusion in US history. Musk and his interns are not government employees, do not have proper clearances to access the data, and are not informing the public what is happening with that data.
This intrusion breaks at least six Federal laws on privacy and cyber-security. And, with their access to Treasury and IRS databases, it puts the personal bank account, date of birth, Social Security and other information at risk. Republicans in Congress are allowing this data intrusion, which could intentionally or accidentally leaked to third parties or criminals, with absolutely no accountability, oversight, or transparency to the public.
A cybersecurity reporter at Forbes outlines how series this is. And it impacts every American that has any data at all housed with the IRS, Treasury, and other agencies.
"which could intentionally or accidentally leaked to third parties or criminals, with absolutely no accountability, oversight, or transparency to the public." - I believe that is what has just happened . Elmo is a third party , and trump is a criminal .
"Musk’s actions may become very unpopular in the coming weeks as people get stiffed out of money owed and lose jobs after years of service." An in small town NC, not to mention if Granny gets set on the curb of the nursing home when Medicaid no longer picks up what her Social Security doesn't cover. Oh, wait! She might not be getting SS any longer. Too bad. Shit happens, right? Twenty years ago, these 'conservatives' would have been labeled radicals, even anarchists. How times change.
The Humpty Dumpty approach puts it squarely. No silver lining here. Perhaps we’ll witness a phoenix moment; we have a ways to go yet. Some of us will not be around to see it.
It’s like some of the people are starting to fight back. I was hoping that a bunch of republicans wouldn’t get their social security checks today. Wonder if I will get called back to active duty so I can patrol Gaza.
Their answer to ignoring the Constitution is to re-write it at a proposed Constitutional Convention. This will also be how Trump serves another term and another and another. Anyone who thinks Trump is going to leave office peacefully is dreaming.
NC GOP= crooks and liars.
Maybe I've become too much of an optimist, but from what I'm hearing both publicly and in private conversations with friends, it seems Trump has crossed the line. His popularity is plummeting faster than Dante's descent into hell. It appears that his Mr. Magoo approach is not gaining the respect among some of his supporters.
One issue I really want to hear some feedback on is : Should we not be looking for positive things that can be done and are being done to counter the overwhelming very disheartening news that we get 24 7. ? If we only get negative screaming I really feel I can do nothing when I need to find ways to promote positive change. Hope this thought is somewhat coherent:)
Based upon Tillis' comments to Semafor it is clear that is his plan. But of course he can't help himself he has to still be encouraging which lends credence to your view that they are just happy for all of this:
""He (Tillis) contended that there will eventually be red lines that the Republican Congress won’t permit Trump to cross, “whether it’s on nominees, or whether it’s on policy. I can see things where Musk — he’s coming up with good ideas — he could go too far. We could say, ‘Great idea. It doesn’t work in a public institution.’”
https://www.semafor.com/article/02/04/2025/republicans-insist-they-could-eventually-restrain-trump-and-musk
I just woke from a frightening dream that my rights as a citizen were being taken away by some fiendish ghoul. Scary. But I’m calming down and about to have my first cup of coffee and turn on the TV….
One point that's getting lost in discussions about this - and isn't being fully reported by the media - is that access by Musk's interns to sensitive databases at the Treasury and other agencies represents the largest data intrusion in US history. Musk and his interns are not government employees, do not have proper clearances to access the data, and are not informing the public what is happening with that data.
This intrusion breaks at least six Federal laws on privacy and cyber-security. And, with their access to Treasury and IRS databases, it puts the personal bank account, date of birth, Social Security and other information at risk. Republicans in Congress are allowing this data intrusion, which could intentionally or accidentally leaked to third parties or criminals, with absolutely no accountability, oversight, or transparency to the public.
A cybersecurity reporter at Forbes outlines how series this is. And it impacts every American that has any data at all housed with the IRS, Treasury, and other agencies.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/tonybradley/2025/02/04/doge-is-a-cybersecurity-crisis-unfolding-in-real-time/
"which could intentionally or accidentally leaked to third parties or criminals, with absolutely no accountability, oversight, or transparency to the public." - I believe that is what has just happened . Elmo is a third party , and trump is a criminal .
Some hearty matshall or fbi agent needs to arrest all of them. Musk is not validated, he is just a common criminal.
Maybe we should all refuse to pay our taxes until President Musk and the Felon-in-Chief are gone.
"Musk’s actions may become very unpopular in the coming weeks as people get stiffed out of money owed and lose jobs after years of service." An in small town NC, not to mention if Granny gets set on the curb of the nursing home when Medicaid no longer picks up what her Social Security doesn't cover. Oh, wait! She might not be getting SS any longer. Too bad. Shit happens, right? Twenty years ago, these 'conservatives' would have been labeled radicals, even anarchists. How times change.
The Humpty Dumpty approach puts it squarely. No silver lining here. Perhaps we’ll witness a phoenix moment; we have a ways to go yet. Some of us will not be around to see it.
It’s like some of the people are starting to fight back. I was hoping that a bunch of republicans wouldn’t get their social security checks today. Wonder if I will get called back to active duty so I can patrol Gaza.
Their answer to ignoring the Constitution is to re-write it at a proposed Constitutional Convention. This will also be how Trump serves another term and another and another. Anyone who thinks Trump is going to leave office peacefully is dreaming.
Thank you Thomas. Such a wonderful service to your readers.