Ticket 2 Ride

In my lifetime, I’ve seen the United States tested by numerous events, things that might have toppled other countries. The bedrock of the United States is solid and reinforced by strong institutions, the founding principles of our democracy, and commitment to justice and fairness.

I used to believe that this country could withstand anything. I no longer believe that. I believe in the country, but I don’t believe in many people who hold the political, judicial, wealth keys to this country. I believe in the American ideals that shaped the country. Yes, I can be also be critical of some of our history. America is not supposed to be a place where you are told what to think, how to pray, who you must vote for, what you are allowed to say, and what history you are allowed to read.

It’s disappointing to have to talk about these five, but we are seeing an unprecedented dissolve of democratic principles under the disparity of wealth, voting rights under assault, the imposition of prayer and limits on teaching truthfulness in American history, respect for all religions, use of religious rational for discriminatory purposes, dark money undermining our political processes, the tainting of information flow by corporate political power.

Overturning Roe v. Wade – This ruling was supposed to have been safe, nominees to the Supreme Court testified said, and naive Senators believed them. This issue is much bigger than just abortion, it’s about the right to control your own body, and receive reproductive medical services.

The aggressive assault on reproductive rights is something an authoritarian country imposes on women, justified through some religious interpretation. It’s nuts that Texas and other areas are so fearful of Sharia Law being declared by Muslims. This fear is unfounded, but it makes for a great campaign slogan, and it’s one for log on the fire against immigrants and people of a different faith.

Blatant Discrimination – The waves of racism and misogyny didn’t start with Trump but they’ve grown into tidal waves under his reign. Trump and his red hats have made it allowable to hate in open public, and to be allowed protection by the federal government, and some state governments, by dismantling policies and protections that began more than half a century ago. Making America Great Again is a misnomer, it’s visualized by those of a certain background, faith and social class to rewrite society and history. The “Karens” of the world can shed any veil of decency to exercise their demons on others, and then try and hide behind social media or the police to validate their bigotry.

The Rule of Law – Perhaps the most alarming of the five. The rule of law was bedrock in this country. Was. The rule of law is that no one is above the law, the law is to be applied equally and fairly, and that the judiciary operates independently of political pressures.

From the American Bar Association website: Our agreement as citizens to obey the law to maintain our social order is sometimes described as an essential part of the social contract. This means that, in return for the benefits of social order, we agree to live according to certain laws and rules.

When the Department of Justice is politicized and weaponized, no one is safe. This includes judges that do not carry out orders or enforce judgements, or bow to political pressure. For the President of the United States to issue pardons to those who stormed the Capitol on January 6 is dishonorable and disrespectful of the crimes he was ignoring. Investigating political enemies – that’s what authoritarian governments do when they use the FBI, the DOJ, and manipulate the grand jury process. Using friendly judges who shutdown the prosecution of Trump when he had clearly violated the law. Using Executive Orders to circumvent the legislative and judicial processes.

Fascism in the U.S. – Watch out for communists, they are disguised as Democrats, so Trump and MAGA talking heads would have you believe. Communism is no threat to America – fascism is the threat, and it’s here. For decades, America’s enemies have said that the greatest threat to America is from the inside. Get your country fighting amongst itself, declare the opposition as the enemy. I really thought that our ideals about freedom and hatred of fascism were strong enough to never allow our democratic institutions to be hollowed-out by a president who is given free reign by Congress and the Supreme Court. I’m being proven wrong.

Return of the Robber Barons – The wealth gap in this country is widening. We think the economy is great because we are growing more billionaires and the stock market had a favorable day.

America is run by the wealthy for the benefit of the wealthy. Voters are just pawns, to use used and then pushed aside because you expect the leaders to listen to your needs. Most are not. When you ask for “affordable” things in life, you are told to work harder or that you want socialism or called unpatriotic because you can’t afford gasoline because of an unnecessary war. Who profits from war? The military industrial complex that Eisenhower warned us about.

The robber barons own the war machine, they contribute the dark money that bankrolls the social engineering campaigns against people of color, women, the poor, free speech and all of those item on Project 2025. Remember the plan drawn up by the far right Heritage Foundation? Social Security and Medicare are in trouble, we keep hearing Republican voices whisper about cuts. It used to be that even suggesting cuts was the political third rail. What’s changed?