If you're one of those old enough to remember when we used to learn about actual history, rather than history as interpreted through the filter of MAGA fever dreams, you may recall a document known as The Declaration of Independence.
This document, written and signed in 1776, detailed the reasons why the American colonies sought independence from a tyrannical king. Here are some of the king's actions cited as reasons for demanding independence ... along with a few present-day observations:
"... cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world." Including remote islands inhabited only by penguins?"... imposing taxes on us without our consent." Tariffs, anyone? Regardless of what Der Furor would like to have you believe, a tariff is a tax that isn't paid by some foreign government, but by you, the consumer."... depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Jury trial." Summarily rounding up and deporting illegal immigrants or accused criminals without providing evidence or allowing the accused their Constitutional rights."... transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences." Deporting prisoners to El Salvador and refusing to bring them back, even when it admits the rendition was in error."... obstruct(ing) the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers." I suppose this also includes ignoring inconvenient laws and legal decisions with which Der Furor does not agree."... erect(ing) a multitude of New Offices, and sen(ding) hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance." (if this isn't a definition of the so-called "Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)," I don't know what is."... combin(ing) with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws." I guess this includes working with the president of El Salvador to establish prisons there for US citizens who incur Der Furor's wrath.
I wonder what the signers of the Declaration of Independence would make of Der Furor's aggressively imperial view of the presidency as a kingship free of interference from the great unwashed and their elected representatives. I expect they're turning in their graves.
Have a good day. Watch what's going on carefully, and know that time is running out to save our representative democracy.
More thoughts coming.
Bilbo
2 comments:
Interesting observations. We do seem to have come full circle.
The Founders never intended for the president to be an exalted, king-like figure towering over the government, as he has become since their time. They would have been horrified at how far the office had evolved in that direction even long before Trump appeared on the scene.
Yes to all of this. And it's just horrifying and depressing.
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