(C) Daily Kos
This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered.
. . . . . . . . . .
The Clock is Ticking ... too slowly for most of us, but it is ticking. [1]
['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.']
Date: 2025-03-15
Trump and Musk are razing great swathes of America’s government, economy and global credibility. They are tossing grenades into every positive and constructive activity and beneficial organization that America has.
As Trump and Musk attack the foundations of government capability, the first evidence of deep damage is surfacing in places where compassion, decency, fairness and scientific integrity are most likely to be found. For progressives, that is utterly soul-wrenching. These areas are where our deepest values are preserved and nourished. Destroy USAID? Are you nuts? DOE? NIH? … WTF? The urge to mount an instant, fierce protest seems irresistable.
However, IMO, there is a big logistical problem. Trump’s supporters are not remotely upset about this type of damage. If anything, they are cheerleading from the sidelines. Any attempt by Progressives to fight back means that we are fighting Trump AND his 50% support base. Even if the 50% of Democrats and reasonable people were to coalesce and fight like hell, he would have his 50% support … PLUS his hold on the Presidency and, by extension, his control of Congress and his sick power over the MSM. Right now, any pitched battle (rhetorical or otherwise) is a losing proposition for anti-Trump forces.
My background is in business, operations and supply chain. I have been deep in the weeds dealing with the nuts and bolts of how stuff gets bought, made and sold … for more than half a century. Therefore, perhaps, I see Trump and Musk’s actions from a somewhat different perspective.
To me, Trump and Musk have also been launching attacks on the structures and institutions that are essential to make America’s economy work. Along with his tariffs and trade war, he has effectively repudiated NATO. America’s defense strategy and likely shattered its defense industry. Further, Trump and Musk have launched attacks on government departments that deliver valuable services (sometimes critical services) to the economy ... like these:
Veterans Affairs — 80,000 jobs lost
NOAA — 1000 jobs lost
IRS — up to 45,000 jobs lost
with doubtless plans to cut a lot more.
The damage from these attacks will take longer to surface. I am guessing that widely visible impacts will not be evident for 3 to 6 months. Price increases from import tariffs will appear in a month or two. Retaliatory tariffs from countries like Canada, Mexico, China and the EU won’t cripple US exports until a few months later. Cancellation of defense contracts by pissed-off NATO members will really start building towards the end of the year. Tax time is just starting. Vets will only discover that they are being stymied on services they are owed as they randomly encounter the need for them. Hurricane season isn’t until the fall.
By the time the first really dramatic economic and operational damage starts to appear, Trump and Musk will have had time to do even more damage that won’t surface for yet a while after that.
But when those impacts do surface … whoa Nellie
A lot of this damage will DIRECTLY impact Trump’s base supporters. They may not care about fairness, constitutional crises, or their fellow citizens. They will care that they are being laid off, that costs are rising, and that services they relied on are being witheld. THEIR ox will have been gored. They will be pissed.
That is when the power equation will shift. Then, it will be Democrats and sane people PLUS disgruntled, scared and pissed former Trump voters versus Trump’s dead enders and Trump’s power of the Presidency. It will still be a hellacious fight, but the odds will be much more favorable.
That’s my assessment, but I sure as hell understand everyone who is so scared and mad that they feel the need to lash out now with everything they have.
[END]
---
[1] Url:
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2025/3/15/2310507/-The-Clock-is-Ticking-too-slowly-for-most-of-us-but-it-is-ticking?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=more_community&pm_medium=web
Published and (C) by Daily Kos
Content appears here under this condition or license: Site content may be used for any purpose without permission unless otherwise specified.
via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds:
gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/dailykos/
