By John Q. Hosedrinker 
The article highlights growing concerns that the US is experiencing a shift towards authoritarianism under the leadership of Donald Trump. Examples of this include Trump’s actions such as demanding the prosecution of his predecessor, attacking institutions, and undermining democratic norms. Critics suggest these moves, along with his efforts to control information and reshape the nation’s capital, indicate a deliberate attempt to expand presidential power. While direct defiance of Supreme Court rulings or mass deportations are yet to occur, many believe the country is nearing a constitutional crisis.
Read the original article here
Trump promised to be a dictator on day one. We’re now past day 200, and honestly, it’s a pretty unsettling thought, isn’t it? It feels like we’ve been navigating this for what seems like an eternity, and the prospect of another thousand-plus days is… well, it’s daunting. The immediate reaction is one of disbelief, really. Did he *really* say he’d be a dictator? It’s a loaded term, and whether or not he used those exact words, the underlying sentiment, the intent to wield power in an authoritarian way, seems to be playing out. We’re left grappling with what that means for the future of our nation.
We’re reminded of broken promises, things like the so-called solutions to the Ukraine war or the claim to “make America great.” These feel like hollow echoes now. This whole situation makes one question if there’s an understanding of basic calendrical concepts. It also triggers the urge to see the Epstein files, if they’re relevant. The perception is he’s actively trying to be a dictator, whether he’s successful or not is a different question. The comment regarding being a business man is a reminder that the business acumen, like the dictator thing, is perhaps not as impressive as it sounds.
And it’s the fact that he *is* still dictating, that’s the point. Becoming a dictatorship, as many have pointed out, isn’t a single event. It’s a process, a gradual erosion of checks and balances, a tightening of control. There is a suggestion that if you are paying attention, you’ll see how the judicial and legislative branches have essentially been rendered ineffective. This is how dictatorships function, by circumventing the systems that are designed to prevent them. One of the promises he seems to have effectively fulfilled.
Let’s be honest, the language used is provocative, and the sentiment is strong. The claims are that this individual is an awful person who disrespected the military and veterans, and whose party eliminated healthcare benefits and meddled with education. It’s a visceral reaction to a situation that feels, for many, like a direct assault on the principles of democracy. The comments, laced with frustration and, yes, anger, reflect the deep-seated anxieties of the moment.
The article’s comments also highlight a critical component of this fear: the idea that he is, and always has been, a dictator. It’s a pattern of behavior, an attitude toward power that’s been present from the start. It calls back to things like the promise to use the military to control cities, something that seems very dictator-like, and brings up the important question: When does the “tator” start? The reality is, it started a long time ago.
Of course, with a situation like this, the tone is often hyperbolic. “He’s a pathological liar,” one comment states. “He’s a rapist/pedophile,” claim many more. There is the feeling that the Republicans are to be blamed. There is, after all, an inherent truth in the underlying statement. His lack of remorse is what many people see. The broken promises are glaring, the lack of effort toward improving wages and lowering prices… all of it paints a picture of a man who has little regard for those he claims to represent.
And, we have to consider the more serious implications. A focus on how the Trump supporters are as dumb as they look. The comment that “it’s not going to be 1000 days. It’s the new reality for decades unless people start taking significant and severe action” is also important.
It’s clear there’s a fear of what comes next and a sentiment of growing weariness. The political landscape is clearly one of unease and tension, and the future is uncertain.