Saturday, May 10, 2025

Here is where we are, now

 What do citizens do in a failed democratic republic?


In a failed democratic republic, citizens face a significant erosion of their rights and freedoms, potentially leading to a state of near-anarchy or authoritarian rule. They may experience a decline in basic services, increased violence and instability, and limited opportunities for meaningful civic participation. Some may be forced to serve in militias or engage in criminal activities, while others might seek to maintain essential services at the local level.” AI Overview


Here is where we are today, in America.


Our only option is to support the court and the political party that resists authoritarian leadership. We are reliant on the free media. If the media isn’t free and the regime interferes with the rule of law, civil disturbance is the last option. 


Let’s discuss.








Thursday, April 10, 2025

Today's Cabinet Meeting

Today, I watched the President’s cabinet meeting from start to finish. Seeing this live meeting was an extraordinary experience, with the caveat that the department heads and associates' reports were highly orchestrated. I started watching on MSNBC, however, I switched channels because MSNBC chose to leave the audio portion of the meeting and to comment over the news.

Why did MSNBC do that? Likely, they observed the commentary as being Trump propaganda and, in many instances, making claims in the absence of fact. MSNBC stayed plugged into the meeting though chose to deny The White House the opportunity for undeserved air time, they must have believed.


I switched to CNN because I wanted to hear every word each participant had to say. I wanted to hear everything the President said. I wanted to hear answers to the questions asked by the authorized press.


Without providing copious analysis of the scripts, I observed the continuation of propaganda and unsubstantiated claims, and deplorable actions pertaining to immgrants. 


What I found most interesting was the repeated explanation by Trump about his use of tariffs to offset the imbalances in the trade situation that leaves America in perpetual deficit that he claims is unsustainable.

I agree that the trade deficit is intolerable and applaud his attention to it. I think thoughtful and deliberate negotiations with all trading partners are long overdue. About the problem and the outcome, I do not disagree. So, what is the problem?


The Trump brand of problem-solving is brute force and combative, often disrespectful of people, whether they be immigrants or citizens. His cabinet members were chosen based on loyalty and their possessing Trump-like arrogant qualities. We can debate that later if you wish.

Because Trump wants immediate results, he has no patience for how things get done via laws and regulations. He wants a shorter path and is willing to disregard the Constitution and professional means of getting things done. The consequence is a high risk of failure and little assurance of results accompanied by injuring innocent people and other unintended consequences. 


What must be confusing to those who catch snippets of the news is hearing Trump say things that sort of make sense, followed by brash noise that undermines his credibility. For this viewer, since Trump’s foundation is lies, I can’t believe a word they say.


Image Credit: C-Span



Wednesday, April 9, 2025

Just Wondering

President Trump persists in running up against the rule of law. His “flood the zone” strategy is to clog the courts to prevent timely action to stop him from committing illegal acts through executive orders and outright commands and actions by his subordinates. Martial law is the replacement of civilian government by military rule and the suspension of civilian legal processes for military powers.[1] Martial law can continue for a specified amount of time or indefinitely, and standard civil liberties may be suspended for as long as martial law continues.[2][1] Most often, martial law is declared in times of war or emergencies such as civil unrest and natural disasters.[3] Alternatively, martial law may be declared in instances of military coups d'état.[4” Wik






Congress has the rightful power to stop him, such as imposing tariffs without its permission or rounding up people and denying them due process protection.

What can be done about a derelict Republican-controlled Congress? What if Trump persists in pursuing such actions as imposing martial law?




As one who was trained as a commissioned Army officer during the Vietnam War era, we discussed the possibility of recieving unlawful orders. 

“In the U.S. military, service members are obligated to obey lawful orders, but they are not bound to obey unlawful ones, and can face consequences for disobeying lawful orders but also for obeying unlawful ones.” Uniform Code of Military Justice

President Trump is paranoid about an insurrection like the one he instigated. What if people continue to protest in mass against his illegalities and extremes? What if he attempts to invoke martial law? 

I believe that a majority of military officers will not comply with the order. What do you think?



Image: Military Times


Sunday, March 30, 2025

One Party, The American Party

 James George

Political Science

30 March 2025



One Party

The American Party

Here is an idea from George Washington. If there must be a political party, make it one. Washington opposed political parties as he believed candidates for public office should stand on their individual merit. When I wrote How to Select an American President, I acknowledged his point.

Consider this as a proposed starting position for improving our very big problem—that being—having elected a tyrannical President by a slim margin from the Republican Party. The problem began when the Republican Party failed to properly vet its candidate. 

You might add that the Democrats didn’t do an effective job of vetting theirs either. That is because we have no standards for American Political parties. Which is why I wrote Standards for American Political Parties. 

In Standards for American Political Parties, I didn’t say there should be only one party. I acknowledged two, though I advocated common standards used by both to vet all elected officials bearing their brand.

A party’s brand begins with its platform and, subsequently, representatives' manifestos tailored to their offices. 

In How to Select an American President, I demonstrate the importance of American history and its relevance in understanding the evolution of political parties. The trouble is, we never agreed to the criteria for office expressed as relevant skill, knowledge, experience, and character. I spelled it out with the idea of building an “app” to help voters evaluate candidates. The principal service of political parties is to do the profanatory vetting and certify the truthfulness of candidates' declarations. In this way, parties are like personnel departments helping with the hiring process.

Americans need that type of help because the process is complicated, and the results are extremely important. In the end, individual voters make independent choices, though the role of the party is to ensure qualified candidates with high integrity and honesty.

We don’t have that now. Please read my books and act on my recommendations. Debate with me if you wish.

James A. George


How to Select an American President


Standards for American Political Parties






Saturday, March 22, 2025

Limit Political Contributions

Restrict Oligarchs and Corporations

As an independent journalist attending a meeting at the American Enterprise Institute featuring Senator Mitch McConnell as a speaker, I had the opportunity to question him. At the same time, the CNN cameras recorded the session.

I asked, the Senator, since corporations are people, why not treat them as individuals such as there being one person. Then, you could restrict their contributions to one dollar per person. All things would be equal. What is wrong with that?

The Senator paused and pondered and replied, “I see what you mean, but that would require new legislation.” I thanked him and said  I hope Congress works on that. He said, “I don’t know about the dollar limit.”



Image Credit: AEI


Friday, March 21, 2025

How to Catch Rogue Trump

“In his second inaugural speech, George Washington observed that violating his oath would invite ‘the upbraiding of all who are now witnesses of the present solemn ceremony.’”

Why is Trump not prosecuted now for violating the law and his oath?

We witness his violations nearly daily; President Trump mocks the law, ridicules justices, and defies court orders. These are evidence and violations of his oath to uphold the law and the Constitution. 

The Constitution confers no immunity from prosecution and civil suits upon presidents and former presidents, Congress might bestow such privileges and immunities.” Saikrishna B. Prakash, University of Virginia Law

While the Supreme Court allows that he is immune from actions taken as a part of his work as President, does this permit him to defy the law?

Reasonable people — we the citizens, are an active part of the answer. We don’t have to tolerate it and must pressure Republicans in Congress to do their jobs! They are the guardrails, especially when Trump defies justice and judicial orders.


AGs from many states have suits against him. We need action from Republicans in Congress. What is their liability for failing to protect us from authoritarian tyranny?