Democrats seem to always be way behind the Republicans as they drive madly down their very small, narrow, one way only road leading towards a one party only dictatorship/oligarchy. And pathetic in their attempts to block.
    This started way before Trump. After Bush’s brother purged enough voters to get his brother the election Democrats turned on each other. Even though Gore took it all the way to the Supreme Court still Dems turned on each other. When Hillary lost; even though Hillary won the popular vote by more than any other candidate who didn’t get the presidency in this country EVER: almost 3 million, we did the predictable… turned on each other.
    Republicans know this.
    Republicans gleefully count on this.
    Republicans find much mirth in this. Do what they can to encourage this. We comply.
    Instead of using such a loss to make us stronger we panty twist ourselves almost to death and turn towards each other, hoisting our rhetorical weapons and shoot. BTW, isn’t it obvious for decades Republicans have been gerrymandering states to the point such Electoral College-only wins are far, far, FAR more likely? And why is it, as they used to do, the supposed “liberal” media never focuses in on Republicans, since they lost the popular vote, will have to make some compromises? No, they gleefully help Democrats form a circular firing squad and help encourage guilt trips. And, instead of sticking around and raising hell, candidates like Kerry, Harris and Gore mostly shut up. Trump can raise hell day after day about being cheated and a “stolen” election. Our only acceptable role is to hate on each other?
    As a writer I admit I have my own weaknesses, which is why my column is billed as weekly, but so often is less so. But when it comes to politics I do have a strength. Since I was a Conservative back in the 60’s, and started to turn left in the 70’s, I have had a long term perch from which to see where both have failed, and how dangerous it is. I also saw Conservatives from the more respectable, intellectual approach of Buckley and The National Review all the way to no intellectual and no conservatism to it all Donald Trump. To quote a Goldwater-ism: paraphrased, “None Dare Call It Conservatism.”
    These days there’s not a lot we would agree on, but I’m sure we could have a respectful conversation. A movement that started and leads with insult for all who dare disagree? NO>
    But because of all this experience I do have a pretty good handle on them than most on the left, and what they will do. I think most on the left are wide awake as to what road they are taking us down NOW, but what will they do? That’s one of our biggest failings: we always under estimate them. “Oh, they’d never do that.”
    Let’s start here: THERE IS NOTHING THEY WOULDN’T DO, WOULDN’T CLAIM. No lie too big, like Trump ranting about the “surveillance state” then creating one via Palantir. No claim too stupid, like Trump claiming Joe Biden was executed and replaced by a “robotic clone.” No accusation too cheap and tawdry, and you can be sure most of what they accuse us of is what they are doing or will do. Projection is king in MAGA-land.
    Like the endless stolen election crap, now taught in Oklahoma as if it’s fact. Let’s just address 2024. I agree with Greg Palast: Harris WON.
    So where will they drag us forth from here?
    If you think some of my predictions are wild, well… YES, they are. If someone had predicted all they have done just in the past few months a lot of Dems would have called them crazy. And they are going to go further, deeper and get more crazy because there’s less push back than there should have been. And I’m not sure even push back matters as much as it used to. They know courts, even the Court, have little to no enforcement mechanism because Trump and his super loyal appointees control that.
    Protests? Oh, for now they’re ignoring them. But if they feel the protests are having too much impact I’m sure reasons can be found to declare martial law. Hell, send in some Proud Boys, Oath Keepers, Three Percenters and start something. Even if caught lies will be told that the “far left started it.” If murder is committed, well we have the 1/6 precedent: even the most violent, most murderous, were pardoned. And Trump can just play golf, make a few crazy statements, use his office for profit. Who’s going to stop him?
    We are the final targets. I don’t mean just Democratic Party pols. First they came for immigrants who crossed the border illegally. Then they came for LEGAL immigrants who dare speak their minds. Then the universities, the soon to be formerly free press, all while Doge and Republicans gather intel on all of us and Palantir stuffs it into computers. You. Me. EVERYONE.
    Think your social media isn’t being monitored? Any bumper stickers or signs you may have, involvement in protests, comments to others? Think those aren’t all being tossed into computers and the administration isn’t forming an enemies within list? That we too may not be marked for due process-less trip to some brutal prison in a nation run by a brutal dictatorship?
    Let me remind all of Charlottesville when Nazis and Klansmen openly paraded. Back then pro-Pinochet shirts were plentiful that claimed more of those who dare disagree should be tossed out of helicopters.
    Am I scaring you? Hell, I’m scared too, but I won’t shut up.
    What else to expect?
    Expect that we WILL be attacked as a nation, supposedly by “radical liberals,” and martial law will be declared.
    Expect a serious attempt to cancel elections if this doesn’t work for them. Canceled by executive order. If not 2026 then 2028. If there are any real elections at all. A committee loyal to Trump may decide who can run, what parties. It’s what they do in Russia.
    ”He can’t do that!!!” you may cry.
    Really? How much has he done by executive order he shouldn’t have been able to do by executive order?
    To quote Bush the Lesser, “Is we learning yet?”
    Now here’s a twist…
    When it comes to 2026, and especially 2028, expect sugar. Well, the perception of sugar. This metaphor is about them knowing they’ve been mean bastards and bitches so expect, like during the time of Bush the Inferior, checks. Marginal checks from the Doge “savings.” It will be BS and the only real financial gain will be to his rich benefactors. The rest smaller than those tiny Milk Bones given to small dogs. In this case those they consider to be of less worth than those wretched beasts you see in those pity the puppy mill dogs ads. Us.
    After all according to King Donald we are vermin and worse, right?
    Whatever actually happens, remember this. While Trump’s lies and attempts at misdirection seem stupid and far too obvious, he is backed up by master manipulators. And he didn’t start this. Think Cheney and the CIA, Nixon’s plumbers and secret enemy’s list.
    The Republican road has been leading this way for a long time.

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    “Inspection” is a column that has been written by Ken Carman for over 50 years. Inspection is dedicated to looking at odd angles, under all the rocks and into the unseen cracks and crevasses that constitute the issues and philosophical constructs of our day: places few think, or even dare, to venture.
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