Is there anyone doing anything to stop this travesty?

[kentuck]

Is there nothing anyone can do?

No one can dispute that there is a conflict of interest on several fronts with the Donald Trump family and businesses.

Yesterday, Trump invited the Japanese Prime Minister to meet with him in a gold-plated room in the Trump Mansion. There was no State Department input, as far as we know. Fortunately, there was no international incident, but there could have been. Ivanka Trump sat in on the meeting.

And President Trump is going to put his businesses into a "blind trust" run by his family?

Trump thinks it is all a game. Players are rushed in and out as if it is Presidential Apprentice. With the Donald, it is always about a competition.

First, he was permitted to be elected without showing his income tax returns. He kept saying that they were "under audit" every time he was asked about them.

He was permitted to continue with his campaign of hatred and division, even as his business dealings with unfriendly nations were kept secret and undercover, even though it was reported on occasion that he had borrowed large amounts from the Russian and the Chinese banks. He had very close ties to the Russian leaders.

These conflict of interests are still there today and nobody does anything. It appears that America is not going out with a bang but without even a whimper.

[spanone]

1. this will not end well.

with a republican congress, there will be no investigations of anyone but democrats 24/7

trump will be able to loot the treasury

america is no longer.

[world wide wally]

12. This

Unfortunately.
We are about to see how Trump's financial concerns far outweigh the Constitution in the eyes of Republicans. Of course, they will be helping themselves at the same time. And the cherry on the cake will be how they pass "religious freedom" laws so their deplorable supporters can practice their bigotry.
This is going to be the most corrupt period of American history EVAH!

[cilla4progress]

26. I'm afraid this is true

The America we have know is no longer. We are now a fascist rogue state.
And without a bang but a whimper.

[smirkymonkey]

33. I always knew it would happen this quickly.

People always thought that they would see it coming, but just look at what has happened in ONE WEEK!!

We are in for a nightmare of a ride.

[cilla4progress]

35. I always knew it could happen

Here. Knowledge of German history. Good Germans were no different than our neighbors here.

But never this quickly...

[TheBlackAdder]

50. Survival & pacing skills are required to endure four years of this presidency. Objective detachment.

.


In order to adequately survive this Trump presidency, we must detach our emotions, as we will often get disappointed in the results. Instead, resolve ourselves to this battle and redirect energy on addressing problems and distributing communications to others.


I am of the same belief, that this will be an authoritarian looting scheme, akin to the likes of Qaddafi or Putin. Those in the inner circle, shielded from insider trading restrictions, will plunder the system. However, like all past GOP ventures, while being criminal masterminds, they are extremely sloppy.


In due time. In due time.


===


The most important thing is to protect one's self.


We are unable to do battle if we are rundown or mentally exhausted or pulled in various directions. Perhaps, this is where DU can shine. Set up task groups, where users can sign on to engage in a select few topics. This way, we are not all distracted by chasing 100 different things each day. The GOP works effectively by using a technique by where they information bomb people on numerous fronts. It's an effective ploy, carpet bomb people with so many issues that they jump from one issue to another and completely lose focus and effectiveness--creating a form of neurosis.


I was a teen through Nixon, a twenty-something through Reagan, and this is slightly more Nixonian, but survivable.


.

[cilla4progress]

51. You seem to have clarity

Where and when do you see this going and ending? And how?

Conceivably, you have more than one scenario in mind?

[TheBlackAdder]

56. I will wait a bit before saying too much, because a strong form of deniability still permeates.

.


There are several ways this can go, and some of it is dependent on how much US Intelligence changes.

My initial guy reaction is that this presidency will devolve into a McCarthyist-Nixonian authoritarian regime.


===


Just a few years ago, much of what is written below would be a paranoid dystopian interpretation of our U.S. panopticon. As I learn more about the US Intel community, it is a reality, one kept from most people.

One of the first things I tell my family is to limit social media exposure, esp. Facebook, unless they are poignant posts.

Lock down your home network and eliminate AT&T, Google, Microsoft and Verizon reliance, as they are direct NSA feeds.

Facial recognition is becoming the prime tracking tool of a person, by law enforcement and private business. This will expand even further, as the U.S. has a database with the vast majority of citizens on file. (Hint: use low res photography when taking pictures to avoid British technology that lifts reflections from people's irises and reflective surfaces in the room.)


===


It would not surprise me if Trump is the one who pushes gun control, especially if something scares him. That's what authoritarians do. They need to control the media, open-source information, and private communication. I expect stronger domestic surveillance.

I expect a greater transfer of wealth to the top 1% and an increase in tax avoidance to Luxembourg and other EU / PacRim havens.

I expect gross insider trading, which would dictate prudence in evaluating and possibly mirroring Trump associate investments. Before, people would be foolish to invest in Trump, but Private Prisons, the Defense Industry, and China will benefit greatly. China and emerging economies will benefit due to the depression of purchasing power my the majority of the country--helping to exacerbate the U.S. decline. Wal*Mart, Amazon, and the people who push imports might be great investments.

We'll be OK with proper diligence. But, we must eliminate emotion and desire from our observations to avoid false complacency and maintain physical and mental health.

There is the probability that the Ukraine will fall, and if so, a possibility that Poland goes to Russia too. The U.S. and NATO will do nothing if those events happen. Even though we are bound by law to protect Taiwan, the U.S. will not challenge China if they were to invade and seize it.

.

[DURHAM D]

2. I am sure the third party never Hillary voters are all over it. nt

[bdamomma]

3. you can call this the fleecing of America

and it will be up to us to do something about it, be it, volunteer, monetary donations and get down to grassroots on a state level. Never give up and never give in.

[handmade34]

4. I feel relatively powerless

but everything, however small is necessary... somebody has to do something!!

[kentuck]

6. It probably begins with his nominations that have to be confirmed by the Senate?

That is the first place he should be stopped.

The second place he should be stopped is with his agenda. Are there more people that consider themselves "Americans", rather than Democrats or Republicans?

[smirkymonkey]

34. But exactly WHO is going to stop him?

I don't think any republicans have the stones to stop him because they are afraid it will even further damage the party. By the time any of them ever work up the moral courage to go up against him it will be too late for all of us.

[2naSalit]

46. He will go after

his critics with reckless abandon and have no accountability for it.

Times like these scare the shit out of me because I feel like I may have to resort to means of self preservation that I dislike but find necessary.

[mopinko]

5. please do not say/type blind trust w/o quotes. typed or air. ever.

it isnt blind, it isnt even a trust.

what they are talking about, if anything, is called a chinese wall. keep calling it that.

[lake loon]

7. Here's where this ends ...

When the first state legislature seriously votes on secession. Yes, it's that bad. The America we knew is over.

[cilla4progress]

36. I said the same thing

The America we knew is over.

I wonder what the repercussions will be for secession.

Anyone considering divesting from the stock market yet?

[erinlough]

8. I think Michigan is a good state to look to for that answer.

I live here and we went from being a vibrant Democratic state to being ruled by all Republicans. The poisoning of Flint is the most glaring result and they now are complaining about having to ship in water for the residents saying it's too much of a burden. There is no consideration of the people, things will be pushed through quickly and without discussion, and graft will be rampant. If you already have it (wealth) you will get more, if you are in need you will suffer. At first people will march and protest and then a dull grey fog will set in where no one protests anymore because it never does any good. Others may have other views, but this is my experience.

[Snarkoleptic]

9. Sadly, he probably was "making the best deals"

With only the consult of Ivanka and Jared.

[TreasonousBastard]

10. Doing what? We don't really have a mechanism for dealing with an inept, egocentric, lying crook...

being elected as President. The opposition has always liked to call whoever gets elected all sorts of names and make accusations, but this time it's true.

This is, btw, why the Electoral College exists-- in case the rabble fuck up and elect an asshole. Not that it will actually do its job in this case, but that was the idea. And if they didn't trust the populace when just male, white property owners voted. Imagine what they would have come up with looking at today's voting population. Maybe they were on to something-- it seems white males are a large part of the problem this year.

If the past is any guide, if and when things get worse nobody, from the Klan to Bernie Bros, will take responsibility for putting this piece of crap in office. First, they won't admit there's a problem, even if it hits them personally, and when finally against the wall then they will beg off their personal responsibility for not voting to keep him out. It will still be a point of pride and honor to have not voted for Hillary. Try not to hit them when they say that.

It's going to be a lot of work, but all we can do is support any media or organizations keeping his daily fuckups public. Energize your local Democratic Party, make the Greens less of a joke, support a free press... And look for good people to run as Democrats in the future. I know personally that it's damn difficult to get anyone to run, much less good candidates, but we have to try. Somewhere in the background of all this is campaign finance reform.

Demonstrations in front of Trump Tower aren't going to do shit-- working on Medicare and SS recipients to vote out Republicans in two years won't be easy, but it will work. Working on families who take their kids to national parks can work, too.

[denbot]

23. "Bernie Bro's"

Try Hillary fucking Clinton. Credit where credit is due!

[CrispyQ]

11. I heard on TV that Obama & Clinton oppose Keith Ellison as DNC chair,

but I can't find anything on the internet about it.

The dems are not going back to the party they used to be. They might fight for social justice, but economic justice is not coming back to America. I think election 2016 will be the event where people will look back & say, "That's when things really went in the shitter for the USA." Republicans are in control of all houses of government & they are going to act fast & bold, to dismantle the safety net, loot the treasury, & try to set up permanent control, while the dems sit on the sidelines wondering what the fuck happened.

I've been voting for the lesser of two evils for 35 years & now we have prez-elect Trump.

Obama represents 35 years of dem history in this cartoon.

[BlueMTexpat]

19. Personally, I would like to see someone

as DNC Chair who will do the job full-time, just as Howard Dean did in 2006 and 2008. THAT was what got Dems elected!

So as long as Ellison is a Congressional Rep, I too oppose his taking the DNC job.

[get the red out]

55. I agree with that

I worry about anyone having a full-time job as a Congressman, and taking on being DNC Chair along with it.

[jimlup]

13. It will take time to mount a really forceful opposition

I'm sure that the people I trust (mostly the dems.) are working very hard on this. I will do everything in my power to suppport them. This will include monetary donations.

[lonestarnot]

14. Doesn't appear to be anyone. What will the new name of the country be?

[2naSalit]

47. "TRUMPICA" ....nt

[MontanaMama]

15. Will we ever be told

if his 3 awful children will be give top security clearance? Who decides that? Will the information ever be released? How can we track this? Maybe I missed something?

[MANative]

40. Is anyone naive enough to believe that not actually having a "legit" security clearance...

will keep any information out of the hands of tRump's brats? Seriously? The US of A is dead, it just hasn't yet been buried.

[MontanaMama]

57. I'm afraid you're correct.

[CousinIT]

16. In 2017, the US government will be run by domestic terrorists, the KKK and the Koch Brothers.

Say goodbye to your social security and Medicare and your healthcare. It all belongs to them now.

[duffyduff]

21. Don't count on that happening.

These idiots get voted in every two or six years. They are not going to commit political suicide by destroying SS, Medicare, and national parks.

There are more than enough GOPers in the two houses of Congress to prevent that from happening to join the Democrats.

[CousinIT]

22. I hope to Dog you're right.

[Equinox Moon]

17. Please! Don't give him the keys to the White House!

Stop his inauguration.

There is but one chance left I know about and that is the electoral college vote on Dec. 19th.

[Ligyron]

24. The Electors going to the college are our first and best opportunity.

If we can get enough of them with a conscience to vote for the candidate who won the popular vote, maybe we have a chance. I think that selection process is run by each state though so at this point I know little about it.

[Equinox Moon]

25. All I know, is that the electoral vote is just like SuperDelegates

It is NOT democratic.

[cwydro]

39. Never happen. nt

[BSdetect]

18. He can crush any and all attempts to make him behave responsibly.

He has no shame, no grasp of business ethics never mind political norms.

He will abuse power as no other person has.

Its already happening and he's getting away with crap already.

America has sunk itself.

He will push the boundaries beyond belief. There is no rreal mechanism to stop him given the GOP being a bunch of craven cowards.

[suston96]

20. If the Constitution doesn't work fix or change it, because......

The people made the Constitution, and the people can unmake it.
It is the creature of their will, and lives only by their will.

Chief Justice John Marshall, 1821

The federal election should be run by a federal process, separate and distinct and free from state control and political hackery.

As to these allegedly free and fair elections........?

I have no printable solutions.

[hamsterjill]

27. It's hard to be the smart person in a room full of dumbasses.

That's the way that I see this election. It was the dumbasses that voted for Trump. They don't understand what doing that meant, didn't care, and won't suffer alone, unfortunately.

Some of us "get it" and the rest of the dumbasses just didn't. The Republicans have become masterful at capitalizing on the dumbasses of the country. They've been doing it for decades now, and the dumbasses STILL just don't get it.

[NurseJackie]

28. I think our only option is to brace for impact. Nothing we can do to prevent our nation's decline...

... just try to prepare for it as best we can.

[cilla4progress]

37. So...

Divest?

[NurseJackie]

38. Buy gold? Head for the hills? Stock up on Hemlock tea?

[cilla4progress]

41. Glad I don't have

Young kids, but mourn for my 23 year old daughter.

I'm not good at compartmentalizing, so not sure how I'll be able to find happiness amid the tragedy that our country has become. I think many good people will leave.

[NurseJackie]

43. I've found "comfort" in realizing that my life is (likely) 3/4ths or 2/3rds over...

... and that I won't have to endure the long-term consequences that are yet to come.

[2naSalit]

48. Me too......nt

[guillaumeb]

29. Money talks in Washington. It always has.

Is this the logical end point of a country were money is considered speech and quid pro quo is the real national motto?

[Bobbie Jo]

30. STOP THE FUCKING MADNESS!

This is like watching a train wreck in slow motion.

[Initech]

31. Why is he allowed to be on Twitter?

And why did the FEC not put their foot down and say no? No president should be allowed to spread the kind of hate and bile that Donald Trump did on an almost hourly basis! This is not presidential behavior! This is the kind of behavior that you'd expect from an office temp with a bad attitude.

[Bear Creek]

60. Get him

He will be so rage driven he will type anything any time

[calguy]

32. Nothing can stop him now...liberals blew it at the ballot box

Blame it on any group you want.....
Bernie supporters who vowed to never vote for Hillary
Tepid Hillary supporters who didn't feel they needed to vote since she was ahead in the polls
Millennials who choose to vote third party as a "protest" vote
or half of the country that didn't even give a damn to cast a vote

Add it all up, it doesn't take too many non votes to put a mad man like this in office.
Bottom line......those who didn't vote for Hillary for what ever good reason they felt...
voted in proxy for Trump.
Now we're stuck.

[shadowmayor]

42. United States of Amnesia

Cheney left his "blind trust" of Haliburton stock and other holdings for "others" to manage. Secured a no-bid contract for Haliburton/KBR to supply the wars and wah-lah!!! Stocks rebounded after his disastrous reign as CEO. His company was also dealing with Iraq and Iran illegally through subsidiaries the whole time he was in charge. And nothing. Some of us yelped and whined and a few Democrats made a little hay, but in the end nothing happened. No accountability, no responsibility, no consequences. Get ready for a whole lot more from STFU Donny and his clan. And I doubt much will happen this time either?

This is where the American Fawning Corporate Media really fails the test.

[Paladin]

44. But...But...But...HILLARY'S EMAILS!!! BILL'S SEX PARTNERS!!! BENGHAZI!!! THE FOUNDATION!!!

Take a victory lap, you more-or-less Democrats who couldn't bring yourselves to cast a vote for the most qualified presidential candidate ever.

[edhopper]

45. No

there is no authority that will stop it. And our three branches will all contribute to the travesty.

[MFM008]

49. Hopefully maggot will be

Overwhelmed enough to end it all or the terrible diet that makes him fat takes a toll.
Just hope they catch it on camera.

[MoonRiver]

54. And that would mean we get Pence.

Not an improvement, imo.

[kebob]

52. We've been Sinclaired

Upton, specifically.

[phallon]

53. Time to scare the Dems in Congress

because they seem to be laying down like the press.

[jmg257]

58. We had our chance, we blew it. Somehow, some way...uggh! :(

[calguy]

59. The only thing we can hope for at this point.....

If they screw things up so bad that even the stupid people realize they got conned, maybe, just maybe we can see a Democratic wave in the next midterms to take control of Congress and castrate the Don for the rest of his term.
But considering how many marginal liberals even show up to vote in the midterms, even that is a long shot.
Elections have consequences and the country will be paying for this mistake for a very long time I'm afraid.