221 Comments

The Dems are sticking with feeble-minded Biden for two reasons:

1. The party elite can control that empty suit to do their evil bidding; and

2. They know they have the election in the bag.

Trump’s only shot at winning is to beat the margin of cheat.

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Feb 7·edited Feb 7

"We were never the resistance. We were always the empire." Exactly, right! From Trump's inauguration, when the pink pussy hat people came out and claimed they were the "resistance", I've been saying no, Trump is the resistance. Hillary represented the status quo and Trump was the disruptor and resisted the status quo. Biden is the status quo. Trump and MAGA continue to resist the status quo.

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What's amazing is they can't see that they are the empire! THEY have completely captured education, pop culture, most local governments, and (currently) the federal government. This is obvious to anyone with a modicum of objectivity.

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And yet they are the most miserable group of bastards I've ever seen. What's up with that?

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Imagine waking up every morning and seeing nothing but unfairness, inequality, subjugation, and oppression. When you saw anyone with more than you, all you felt was envy to the point where you wanted to take from those people and redistribute their wealth so that no one had more than anyone else. You think only then will you be happy.

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It's hard to admit you were wrong. Some people just would rather not think about politics. Then others it's enough just to say, I'm a good person and you're a bad person without the need to look any further. Some people are just that shallow and others are just in their small world bubble. Maybe some made up their minds long ago and don't realize how much things have changed. Sad.

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In my mind's construction, "they" are the Capital District in which all other districts must offer fealty, materials, wealth, and souls to dispose of as they wish.

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Feb 7·edited Feb 7

Yep -- and if you haven't already googled the top 10 richest counties in the US, FIVE of the 10 are in the DC area.

As recently as 20 years ago Virginia was reliably Republican. Then in a matter of 2 election cycles it shifted from red to purple to blue. Why? Because the federal govt grew by leaps and bounds during that time, and the people who work in, or adjacent to, the federal govt are mostly power-hungry Democrats.

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Scott Adams said that many people that are Democrats are Democrats because of their diminished capacity. (in other words because they are stupid)

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And the Dunning-Kruger syndrome plays large in that reality. The dumber you are, the less likely it is you'll recognize your dumbness.

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Anyone that has followed the Dilbert comic overs the years has learned that.

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I know plenty of smart people still in the bubble, so to me it seems that it must be something else going on here. Awareness seems to be what is lacking mostly, but I have a feeling that there is an element of 'lack of faith' or an inability to have faith that is preventing them from escaping the bubble.

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From my friends I sense a terror that to question -- anything -- puts a Trump stink on them, and there are some people who I believe would actually prefer death than that.

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Studies have shown that people with higher IQs are sometimes even MORE susceptible to confirmation bias.

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I guess that means smart people are correct more often than stupid people.

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For those overly smart that old adage can sometimes apply... ‘often wrong, but never in doubt’

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It's all about what kind of smart someone is.

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I wish I knew! 90% of my friends refuse to leave the bubble! I can barely talk to them!!

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Tribalism. You are born into a tribe and you die there. Born in the political case means whatever is going on when you become aware of politics.

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Sasha - Better late than never! And Ashby you are probably right.

Election cheating is something the Dems are really good at!

I realized as a HS Senior back in 1959 when I read AR's 'Atlas Shrugged' that the Leftist Liars had our freedoms targeted and gaining power was the only thing that mattered to them. Since then, Presidents Reagan and Trump have been the only really knowledgeable, principled and effective Presidents. Thank God the Founders gave us the greatest gift any assembly of 50+men ever gave a nation or a people. Their wise and faithfilled gift to America and the world is why we are still relatively free and prosperous after all the idiocy of the Dems for the last 200 years. That party is the most systemically racist and retrograde force in the world today and it is good that some former followers of that brand are beginning to see the light. Hopefully for all, ... it is not too late!

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WOW, are you heading towards your centennial birthday? If so, what's your secret?

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Hi Cat C.- No I am only 81, two months away from 82. But many folks take me for a 60 something and my secret to the great blessing of good health is: marriage to a fine woman, lifelong physical training and participation in sports, a positive outlook on life (Thus no Liberalism for me and mine!), good genes thanks to my ancestors that have not been needlessly dissipated, and a faith that affirms to me and for me that 'come what may!', God is in charge and He has me covered!

And Cat, that same God has had this nation covered since inception! How fortunate we are to be citizens of this still great Republic! Let's pray we can get things turned around and prosper for another 200+ years, or so; starting January 2025, or before!

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In Georgia it has always meant Republicans need +4% to win statewide races. Generally accepted reality.

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IF, and that's a big if -- there are enough fed up people, maybe that can happen. It's the only thing that keeps me going.

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I'm a conservative. My prediction is that we're going to get what we deserve for nominating Trump again. In the long run that will be the best thing we could have done to energize our opposition.

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Oooo Oooo don't make the democrats mad by electing Trump.Sounds like a liberal wanting to appease terrorist. Ia your point that we should nominate an in-the-tank RINO like the Bushes? Remember Bush endorsed Biden in 2020. They are just like Democrats, International Socialist (or iNazis).

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You're ignorning that whoever the candidate was they will be demonised, regardless of how well regarded they were by the left prior. Remember when Trump was a darling of the left ? Romney was ok with them until he was nominated, then they went after him with the whole binder of women nonsense. Every Republican candidate since WW2 has been branded literally Hitler.

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Feb 7·edited Feb 7

It's very simple. They will not vote for an ignorant buffoon who thinks he's a "stable genius" and spews Nazi rhetoric.

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Don’t be so mean to Biden, he’s demented and doesn’t recognize when he spews his Nazi rhetoric.

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Trump and his team and Republicans sure look like geniuses by how they straightened out Obama's super slow "recovery" and "caravans of women and children (and LOTS of men too) coming constantly through our southern border, among other things Trump and Republicans fixed.

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Trump doesn't "spew "Nazi rhetoric" anymore than the various quotes (and acclaims given to) of various tyrannical leaders that Democrats have done.

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I have always been a protest voter. I voted for Gary Johnson in 2016 because I didn’t like Trump and definitely wasn’t voting for Hillary. I knew my state would go for Trump by a large margin so I was content to cast a core for the idea of 3rd parties.

In 2020 I voted for Trump. Just to add my vote, hoping if Trump won it was by a large margin because frankly he was a way better president than I had expected.

Will vote for Trump again but would rather it be DeSantis. Not a fan of Halley or Ramaswamy but might vote for either of them as a protest vote against the current state of the Democrats.

Point being: I get protest votes.

That said: don’t underestimate the corruption of the Republican Party. There is plenty of it. They lack the institutional power of the left so it might matter less--and frankly, the more corrupt elements of the Republicans become the more left-like they seem to be. Republicans, as a party, are entirely capable of being awful.

We don’t always have great choices. But I’m always hoping the team that is at least a little more for individual liberty wins.

All politicians are human, and all are flawed. Large organizations have a tendency toward corruption. You can’t put too much faith in either. I go for the folks who seem most likely to expand human liberty than contract it.

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Though I’m on the other (left) side of the political spectrum, I also have been doing “protest” votes and voting Green Party since 2004.

And yes both parties (i.e. Uniparty) are corrupt, just more so the Dems now because they have all the power.

That’s why Trump is appealing, because he’s kind of a rebel against the corrupt Uniparty…

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Yes essentially Trump has been fighting against the republicans and naturally the democrats since he entered politics. I’m voting for the hope he can change the Republican Party for good. He couldn’t quite squeak it out that first term but he pretty much had everything against him. Miss Puffy Lips just resigned. So there’s a sign change is happening.

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I’m trying to figure out who Miss Puffy Lips is…

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Haha RNC chair Ronna. Maybe those are her real lips. I’d feel bad making fun of them if so. But if not, I don’t know why people do that to themselves.

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GOOD! She spent more time on changing her looks than on helping the GOP win (lip injections - those are NOT her lips), highlights, botox, etc.!

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Trumps greatest achievement was showing how corrupt the system was. No one man could fight both the Dems & Republican establishment along with the deep state. People forget that half the elected Republicans were against him as much as the Democrats.

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Both the RNC and DNC are the racketeering organizations that the five families wish they could have been.

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Feb 7·edited Feb 7

I vote for the person I actually want to be POTUS. This frees my conscience. This has caused me to write-in Dick Gregory and vote for Ross Perot and Ron Paul. In 2016, that person was Jim Webb. In 2020, that person was Tulsi Gabbard. I'm not a Democrat. Not by a long shot. My politics run much closer to the Libertarian-GOP's side, but I am most focused on temperament and the ability to make the right decision. Trump's temperament and self-discipline is atrocious, but he made (in my opinion) the right decisions for America. Biden is a loser on all counts. His decisions are atrocious and consistently lead to catastrophe.

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The last democrat I was ever be eager to vote for was Webb. I couldn’t believe they were squeezing him out he was so good. I also voted for Perot and wrote in Pat Buchanan when I couldn’t stomach the horrible choices.

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I voted for Gary because I assumed Hillary out already fixed the election. Also Gary was my Governor in NM for 8 years and he was the best. Maybe it was the dope. He vetoed more NM Dem bills than any governor and they couldn’t override his veto.

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true

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Arcanaut-- I am in the same boat as you, except I'm in a state that always goes blue! And the RNC is pretty much as corrupt as the DNC, they just don't have as much power!

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founding

I'm only part way through, but I feel compelled to say, damn, Sasha, your honest, introspective confessional hit like a freight train. Anyway, back to listening...

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founding

I hope that with each confessional essay, the burden you seem to carry is eased more than a little bit.

Sometimes, it seems to me that perhaps you perceive yourself akin to Mendoza in the film, The Mission, bearing a bundle of your own armor and swords as penance for your past transgressions. Allow me to let you know that it has been cut loose, and you are now free of it - as far as it concerns me, you are forgiven, though I have no authority to grant such - and it isn't needed, anyway.

Who wasn't young, once?

We're all susceptible to lies, swindle, and deceit - for crying out loud, I voted for W - TWICE - you don't think that makes me feel dirty as hell? Think I don't feel like a complete chump?

Please give yourself some grace. Cut yourself some slack. Give yourself a break.

You're among free-thinking friends, now.

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I voted for Mitt Romney for crying out loud!! That’s embarrassing

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Yes, it is; you should be slapped for stupidity, lol. I voted for George Wallace..."the criminal is out of jail before you are out of the hospital" much like today...scary, isn't it?

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Well said Texas, well said.

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Feb 7·edited Feb 7

The problem is not the people who used to support Dems unflinchingly. The problem is the people who still do.

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Yes Sasha, your introspective honesty is refreshing. As someone who’s been on the opposite political end of you since you wore that Dukakis button I am equally as guilty as you. I participated in the first Gulf war, fell for the lies and supported the others. I continued my corruption as a Republican straight through the 2016 election where I promptly voted for Gary Johnson, my first non- Republican vote ever. Six weeks into Trumps presidency, I made my apology tour among my acquaintances. The party I supported hates Trump nearly as much as your party. Most of us have been fools politically throughout our affiliations with either party. The uniparty is real, they only differ around the edges.

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I know Sasha appreciates a good movie quote. One of my favorite from Shawshank:

"Hope is a good thing, maybe even the best of things. And good things never die."

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Classic!!!!!!!!!!

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love love love that movie and have seen it so many times......

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I will be hoping this letter finds you…and finds you well

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Another great thoughtful and insightful article Ms Stone. You are an incredibly gifted writer.

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Good read! I remember the days when you would verbally bash me for not supporting the dems or thinking differently. Even then I still totally respected your viewpoints. I always admired your passion. Anyway, I’m so glad you are on the right side. This was a great read just like the rest of your writings. Very proud of you. By the way, my typewriter documentary got placed in the Oscar library reading room. A printed and bound copy which will stay into perpetuity.

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Spectacular, Sashsa. Yours is such a powerful voice. Thank you!

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founding

Sasha, loved the deep voice, but get well soon. And vote your conscience.

Loved the piece. You ROCK!

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I’ve made the exact same political journey and landed in the same State and made the same decision on whom to vote for. Once the Democrats corruption is tamed, I’ll probably return to the fold, although never blindly again.

But it all comes down to Pennsylvania. Trumps poll numbers are always underreported due to embarrassment, but the ballot harvesting is a real threat. Holding my breath.

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Hey Glinda, I’m in Philly and we have daily murders, dozens of shootings a week, and other violent crime like car jackings, assaults and robberies in the tens of thousands year on year. Cities like Chicago have a similar story. Any notion that there won’t be aggressively outrageous cheating and corruption in the PA city voting by the Democratic Party machine is to deny the facts and reality of urban voting for decades. We bomb city blocks using helicopters here, have open drug markets in Kensington, thousands of cars stolen and driven to NJ across Delaware river bridges, cars stolen from suburbs like Upper Darby to get chopped or go missing. murders are down because 1) they are running out of targets and 2) police no longer classify suspicious deaths (like shot up corpses) as homicides. Soros DA doesn’t prosecute so cops don’t arrest so criminals stay on street and innocent people are shuttered in. The public school system is a complete failure with over 80% of blacks failing reading and math grade level proficiency tests. It’s what’s coming for an American town near you as the Democrats win more elections and illegal immigrants flood your town.

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I hate this hell hole city and am totally disillusioned with the voting public. Trump would clear this shot up in no time. Call out the National Guard and take back our cities for a start.

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Hahahaha. Once the Dems corruption is tamed. That would be NEVER. Your eyes aren’t open yet. It has always been thus. Vote independent if you must but not D. Liars all.

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Both parties are completely corrupt. RFK Jr is our chance to break free of them and have real change that's for the people, not the corrupt elitist.

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I like him but I don't think he can win. Plus, he's too extreme on climate. I'd love to see him in charge of Health & Human Services with wide supervision of the CDC & FDA in a Trump administration.

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We'll see what happens, he's gaining traction. He vows to turn around the health of this country in one term, something I care a lot about. Nobody else talks about this crucial issue.

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At least he understands what & where the rot is. I have confidence he could do it bc he seems like a truth-teller but he doesn't make Dems hysterical like Trump does. They will do everything in their power to sideline him.

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Yes, they will try and do anything to stop him. He's fearless and will give it his all. That the Dems won't give him secret service protection is disgraceful, speaks loudly about how they feel about him.

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RFK Jr. has as much chance of winning as Perot did. But, he’s giving voice to a good slice of the former Bernie crowd and by running Independent - didn’t sell out like Sanders did. I won’t vote for RFK Jr, but good on him. Keep him away from Climate, and offer him Secretary of Commerce.

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As if no Democrat has promised to fix healthcare before. It's part of Democrat catechism, Woman's right to choose, free health care for everyone and equality of outcome regardless of talent or effort.

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I agree. I think the key to a second Trump term will be harnessing people like JFK Jr & Vivek Ramaswami in positions where they can hands on in dismantling parts of the deep state. Trump can provide them with the power and tools to make real change - Trumps opponents will tie him up day to day so he needs others to be doing the heavy lifting on the ground and that help isn't going to come from the GOP establishment.

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Agreed. Tap all talent.

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Special prosecutor for either COVID issues or the CIA.

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I’m also with RFK Jr at this point. I’ve no need to dispute much with anyone who doesn’t see it that way. The least I could say about it is that he isn’t too preposterously old to be going to the White House. I could say a lot more in favor of him, but I’m not going to change anyone’s made-up mind.

Interesting contest shaping up this year.

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I agree both parties are corrupt, but Trump is the vote for ‘24 to start reversing the mess. Yes, Trump runs under R, but he’s not my daddy’s R, he’s more Populist, and that is what this country needs right now. If Don wins again, I very much hope there is a major cabinet post offered to RFK Jr.

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RFK Jr as CIA director would be a nice touch.

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Heads would melt & explode. Then RFK would be Epstein’d because he’d expose docs showing Dulles as involved in his Uncle's death

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Retrospection through elections... very interesting!

Now we need to prepare ourselves for 2024. Four years of bidenomics and retardation. One might think it should be be obvious but there are still ... other ones.

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Meanwhile the party of “democracy” is trying subterfuge and intimidation to destroy No Labels, among others.

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A younger me used to vote dimocrat, indoctrinated from childhood to believe that D's were the party that supported working class & protected women's rights against an authoritarian Christian right. when I became a mother of 2, my husband simply said to me during an election time that voting for R's made it easier for him as a provider to provide finances & security for our family. So I did. I did it for love. clearly there are disappointing RINOs out there (looking at YOU Bushy neocon Nikki), but it has never been clearer than what we are living thru today what he meant by that. Dems are about Deconstructing; families, borders, faith, demoralization thru crushing taxes, regs, rising crime, failing schools (dumbing down), owning media, etc., even one's very biological identity is being torn down to enslave the the minds of the many to protect the 0lgarchial power of the few.

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Another excellent piece Sasha! I too am in CA so my vote will be a protest one too!

I've said this before on here....I ONLY became a supporter of Trump when I saw how the media manipulated Trumps words and fed it to us like Gospel. I can honestly say that is the ONLY could thing that happened during Covid for me was that the scales completely fell from my eyes.

I honestly wish there was a different candidate on the right that could win. I don't hate Trump but I'm so ready for all this BS to just stop. Though, the left would probably villainize the next Republican but I wonder if it would be to this degree?

I love your last line... "Sometimes it can just be about revenge." My friend keeps referring to Trump's running as the #revengetour2024 LOL

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Goforth, at some point Trump will be gone, and another Populist will fill his shoes. When that happens, he or she will also be attacked. Because he/she is not beholden to the Oligarchy. At that point you might realize that scales still remain in front of your eyes today.

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