On the Outer Edge of Angst

​The other day, a friend sent me an email filled with fury about Trump, Musk and MAGOP fascism, but also encouraging hope he felt.  Which is saying a lot because he’s someone often angst-ridden out on a limb.  Among other things he wrote was, “The resistance is accelerating, don't you agree?  How does this resolve?  His public support is collapsing, which will prompt even more rage and madness. Thank God the public finally woke up, a little late, but better late.  But now what?”

Oh, yes, the resistance is accelerating, no question.  In part because of the numbers of people participating at rallies and Town Halls, which are still small individually, though getting large cumulatively – but in part (which almost impresses me the most) because of its regularly and consistency.  Having protests in several places every day is very meaningful.  Furthermore, remember: this is during Trump’s honeymoon period!  And most importantly, the impact on the economy and government services being shutdown isn’t even felt yet, and probably won’t be (at a serious level) for at least a month or two.

What I found very encouraging, even though on the surface it doesn’t say what I like about it, is a poll that showed Americans believed tariffs would be the cause of higher prices by a margin of 70-16%.  That’s massive.  But what I liked about that poll is not what it says now – but what it means for the future.  The public overwhelmingly says that WE KNOW if prices go up, it’s because of the tariffs and Trump.  Whatever he tries to say, the public says it knows it’s because of him.  And prices will go up.  They always go up.  And there still is inflation, with no plans to bring it down.  And then the tariffs will kick in.  And most everything will go up – some things will skyrocket.  And the public says right now that they know will be because of Trump.  And the only reasons prices go down is because a recession kicks in.

Yes, it’s a little late, but better late.  But my goodness, it’s only two months into his term!  And he has no one good around him to help.

And yes, his rage and mania was showing in his speech at the Justice Department.  It will only get worse and more manic.  Dementia is degenerative.

So – now what?  I don’t know.  It will be horrible for a while.  But Trump is getting pummeled in court – not just losing, but blasted by judges.  That means he won’t get his way on many things.  And the public will see how badly he’s doing.  And also, his base will be upset that his promises aren’t being kept.  Prices didn’t drop.  There’ve been no mass deportations.  Democrats aren’t going to jail.  The Israel-Gaza truce – which Trump took credit for, but had zero to do with – has now been broken and looks to be falling apart.

There is one thing I’m keeping an eye out for, though, for a serious view of “Now what?”  It may come to nothing, though even at that, it could send chills down MAGOPs in Congress.

As you know, there are three Special Elections in Red House districts on April 1.  That’s barely over two weeks away!  Being Red districts, they’re not likely to flip.  But if all three do (and it takes all three), control of the House will be on the edge of reverts to the Democrats!!  It’s unlikely – but it’s not improbable.  After all, as I wrote the other day, there have been two statehouse Special Elections in Red Iowa – and in very Red Districts -- and Democrats picked up over 24 points in each of them.  Yes, those are only state races, but they’re still very Red districts.  One went for Trump by 20 points – and Democrats flipped the seat, winning by four points.  The other, Democrats didn’t flip – but the district is SO Red that in November, Democrats didn’t even run a candidate.  The MAGOP won by 36 points.  But on this past Tuesday, Democrats came within three points of flipping it!!

(I say “on the edge” of reverting because two Democrats in the House have died this month, so Democrats can’t take control yet, even if all three win.  But soon enough, there will be Special Elections for those two seats in Blue districts, which I’m sure Democrats will retain.  And at that point, depending on what happens on April 1, Democrat would then re-take control of the House.)

I wish I knew how Red these three Red districts are for April 1.  Two are in Florida, one in New York.  I don’t expect all three to flip – I don’t know if any will.  But if Democrats pick up 15-20 points in each, that should terrify Republicans even if they don’t flip them.  I just wish I know how heavily Red those districts are.  Because if they’re solid Red by, say 10-15 points, I’d suggest they are in trouble.  But I just suspect they’re more Red than that, otherwise Trump wouldn’t have picked their representatives to be in his administration.

But that’s what I’m looking for most about “What’s next?”  Because it’s only 2-1/2 weeks away.  I don’t believe all three will flip.  But just imagining the very real possibility of that – but especially having a great showing which perhaps might pick up 15-20 points – it will only add fuel.

And in the end, this isn’t about Trump.  It’s about the MAGOPs in Congress who not only enable Trump, but are complicit – the one’s who actually vote for and pass his policies, making them their own.