COMMANDER-IN-THIEF

Commander in Thief

Donald Trump is not leading the country. He’s looting it. Not in secret. Not behind closed doors. But openly, brazenly, and with the backing of nearly half the population who still believe he’s their champion. This is not leadership. It is theft in broad daylight. He is not the Commander in Chief. He is the Commander in Thief.

Trump has perfected a kind of reverse Robin Hood economics: robbing from the working class and handing the spoils to the ultra-rich, including himself. His so-called policies are scams wrapped in slogans. Beneath the “America First” bluster lies a very different agenda: Trump First, Always. From tax cuts that benefit billionaires to deregulation that lines the pockets of polluters to trade wars that hurt consumers and farmers alike, every move enriches his cronies and impoverishes the average American.

Even now, he is campaigning on the promise to finish what he started, which means gutting what remains of public service and turning over every agency, every contract, every national resource to the highest bidder or closest loyalist. His economic “plan” isn't a strategy; it’s a pipeline that pumps wealth upward while draining the rest of us dry.

And the most galling part? He’s doing it in front of everyone. It’s not hidden. It’s not subtle. He proposes tax breaks that would apply to himself. He flirts with foreign money and autocrats while pretending to be a populist. He takes millions at his properties, golf courses, hotels, and resorts while pretending to fight for the little guy. He claims to represent the forgotten man, even as he picks that man’s pocket and laughs all the way to the bank.

This is not complex. It’s not a matter of political ideology. It’s a matter of basic morality. No one,  right, left, or center,  wants to be stolen from. Yet here is a man who is stealing, day after day, not just from those who oppose him but from those who still support him, who rally for him, who chant his name. He is draining their wallets, their futures, their dignity, and they don’t even see it.

They think he’s their anger. Their outlet. Their middle finger to the elite. But he is the elite. Worse: he is the worst kind of elite,  unqualified, unethical, and utterly uninterested in anyone else’s welfare.

And when the bill comes due, and it will, it won’t be paid by the billionaires he’s helped. It will be paid by the very people who waved the flags, wore the hats, and believed the lie. It’s already happening: prices up, wages stagnant, healthcare slashed, education under siege, infrastructure crumbling. But there’s more to come. Much more.

History will not look kindly on this period,  not just because of the man who stole the presidency and then pillaged the country, but because of the millions who stood by and let him do it, and even worse, cheered him on while he did.

It’s time to stop pretending this is politics as usual. It’s not. It is kleptocracy in action,  and if we don’t call it what it is, we are complicit in our own decline.

Donald Trump is not your savior.
He is not your voice.
He is not your strength.

He is your thief.

William James Spriggs

THE COST OF IGNORANCE

The High Cost of Ignorance: How the People Allowed Fascism to Take Root in America

Former Supreme Court Justice David Souter once warned that the gravest threat to American democracy was not terrorism or foreign aggression but the ignorance of the American people. His warning has come true.

The slow-motion collapse of American democracy has not been a mystery. It has not been hidden. It was laid out in detail for all to see, most notably in Project 2025, the Heritage Foundation’s blueprint to dismantle and replace the federal government with a centralized, autocratic regime. The warning signs were everywhere: the stacking of the courts, the open admiration of dictators, the promise to be a “dictator on day one,” and the targeting of civil servants, the press, and dissenters. And yet, the American public slept.

This wasn’t just political apathy. It was, and is, active ignorance. Interviews on the street routinely show that many Americans cannot name the three branches of government, describe their function, or explain what “coequal” means. They cannot define the rule of law, much less articulate how it distinguishes democracy from tyranny. For many, democracy is a vague abstraction, not a system grounded in accountability, separation of powers, and individual rights. They do not know what they are losing because they never knew what they had.

Into that void stepped a man and a movement who understood something clearly: Ignorance is fertile ground for fascism.

Donald Trump, enabled by right-wing operatives and cheer-led by a compliant media ecosystem, exploited the ignorance of millions to cast democracy itself as the enemy. With false grievances, simplistic slogans, and authoritarian swagger, he convinced 40% of the country that truth is a matter of opinion, that laws are meant for others, and that power is its own justification. That 40% became an unshakable base because where civic knowledge was absent, fear and tribalism rushed in to take its place.

The result? A regime that governs not with respect for law or fact but by decree and spectacle. A government run by loyalists, not experts. A judiciary compromised by ideology. Agencies gutted. Protections erased. Speech chilled. And the public, still too ignorant to realize the full cost of what it has already lost, continues to cheer from the sidelines, or worse, remains oblivious.

This did not happen overnight. Over the decades, a political strategy that devalued education, demonized intellectualism, and undermined faith in institutions sowed the seeds. What better way to prepare a people for authoritarian rule than to ensure they don’t understand freedom?

The tragedy is not just that democracy is being lost. The greater tragedy is that it is being lost without a fight. Many Americans still believe that things will self-correct, that courts will save us, and that elections will matter again. But fascism is not a temporary phase. It is a destination, and we are arriving.

The only antidote is civic awakening, which is painful, urgent, and massive. But time is short. Every day that Americans remain ignorant of their system of government, its fragility, and its foundational principles is another day fascism consolidates its grip.

History will not forgive us for this. And it should not.

William James Spriggs

IT DOES NOT MATTER WHAT YOU THINK OF TRUMP

The World Moves On: Trump, America, and Global Abandonment

It doesn’t matter what you think of Donald Trump. It doesn’t matter at all. Whether you view him as a savior or a tyrant, cheer his bravado, or shudder at his recklessness, the truth remains unchanged: the world has already decided. They have seen this movie before; they know how it ends. For decades, the world has watched America preach democracy while occasionally stumbling. However, Trump’s rise to power and his ironic grip on American institutions have shifted that perspective from mere caution to outright preparation.

The global community is moving on strategically, economically, and defensively. Europe is strengthening its military cooperation, fortifying its borders against external threats and the creeping influence of American authoritarianism. Trade agreements that once centered around American markets are now pivoting to new alliances. China, the European Union, and even parts of the Global South are reorienting their diplomatic and economic ties, carving out paths that bypass American influence. They have decided they do not need us, not in the way they once did.

Defending Their System, Not Themselves

This is not simply about defense; it is about self-preservation. The world is not just protecting its borders but defending its system, democratic governance, multilateral cooperation, and global stability from us. America, once seen as the bedrock of democratic principles, is now regarded with suspicion. Our elections are marred with controversy; our judicial system is openly flouted by those in power; our international commitments are shredded with reckless abandon.

The Western allies who once leaned on American leadership now huddle closer together, not just out of fear of external threats but concern for what America might become. They are moving forward with new economic partnerships, advancing climate initiatives without our cooperation, and rethinking defense pacts that were once ironclad. They are preparing for an America that is no longer the bastion of democracy but rather a destabilizing force.

A World Without America

For the first time in modern history, the world is preparing to live without American leadership. They are not waiting for us to return to sanity; they assume we will not. This is the stark reality: what we think of Trump no longer matters. The global community treats his ascendancy as a permanent reality, an indelible stain on American governance. They are not simply waiting out the storm; they are building structures to withstand it, to outlast it, and to grow beyond it.

We have lost our allies' trust, our competitors' respect, and the faith of global markets. We are not the leader of the free world; we are the outlier, the unpredictable variable that the rest of the globe must insulate itself against. If there was ever a time for Americans to understand the stakes, it is now. The world is moving on, and it is doing so without us.

William James Spriggs

FORGET THE ISSUES

Forget Issues, Focus on Survival: A Call to the Sane Majority

It’s time to discard the word 'issues' from your political vocabulary. Forget about the talking points, the policy debates, and the endless back-and-forth over what’s right or wrong on specific policies. None of that matters now. All of it is irrelevant. You are facing a new reality that transcends the ordinary boundaries of politics. Donald Trump, with the backing of so-called conservative intellectuals and the power structure of Project 2025, has seized control. He is no longer just a candidate or a political figure; he behaves like a dictator. Democracy is dead. Reviving it in its new form should be our singular purpose.

You will occasionally see him gesture towards some semblance of helping the American people. But don’t be fooled. This is all theater, a ruse to maintain enough public support to tighten his grip. He is only in it for himself. Trump is indulging his whims, molding America into his image, and manipulating power for his own gain. That’s the raw truth, and it’s time you faced it.

The Illusion of Politics

Stop thinking of this as a political struggle. This is not a matter of differing opinions or policy disagreements. What you are witnessing is a total restructuring of American life and governance. The United States, as you once knew it, is slipping away, replaced by a regime of oligarchs disguised as conservative reformers. They are not here to debate or compromise but to rule.

There is no point in debating the issues. There is no point in strategizing around the margins. The singular, all-encompassing question you must ask yourself is this: Will there be an election?

If there is no election, democracy ends. If there is no opportunity to remove this dictatorship through the ballot box, the fight is over. Everything else is noise. The media pundits may ramble on about policy differences and legislative maneuvers, but it is all a distraction from the core existential threat: the end of electoral power.

Mobilize for Democracy

You must realize that you have no power except that you are willing to seize. The only path left is direct action, massive demonstrations, community mobilization, and relentless pressure on every level of government. But even that will not be enough if it is not coupled with a singular mission: to secure and win a fair election.

This is not about winning debates; this is about survival. Forget the town halls about issues. Forget the political roundtables discussing the nuances of policy. None of it matters if you cannot vote them out. The only problem, priority, is the preservation of the vote. Without it, the dictatorship endures.

A Singular Focus: Win the Election

If you are a Democrat, forget the endless hand-wringing about strategy. Focus on one thing and one thing only: ensuring the next election happens and winning it. If you are part of the sane American majority, recognize this is not a drill. This is not the time to debate. This is the time to act.

Your enemy is clear: it is Trump and his band of self-serving grifters masquerading as conservatives. They are oligarchs in sheep’s clothing, pretending to uphold American values while dismantling them brick by brick. They are looting the treasury, stripping away freedoms, and consolidating power while you are distracted by debates that no longer matter.

Stop fussing over 'issues.' There is only one issue now: survival. Either you reclaim your government through the ballot box or lose it entirely. That is the choice, and that is the fight: no more compromises or distractions. Mobilize, vote, and take back the country.

Democracy is dead. Read our book. Revive it with Proposal 2029. Read our description.

William James Spriggs

BOB

Patriarch Extraordinaire

For Bob's 100th Birthday – April 26, 2025

He rolls through the halls with a patriot's flair,
Stars and stripes flying proud from his colorful chair.
A hundred years young, and still on the go,
A legend, a light, with a heart still aglow.

He served in the war, with grit on his face,
A medic who drew strength from a sacred place.
Through chaos and fire, he steadied the line,

Saving lives with a strength that was quiet, divine.

Not just a corpsman, but our kindest of men,
The life of the party again and again.
With a quip at the ready and stories to share,
He’s the soul of our circle and always there.

No crown on his head, no scepter in hand,
Yet he leads with a smile and a word that will stand.
The patriarch here, yet humble and true,
He’d rather crack jokes than be saluted by you.

He laughs like a boy with a twinkle and cheer,
And we feel more alive just because he is near.
He’s the spirit of grace, of true grit and of gold,
A rare kind of man if God’s truth were told.

So raise up your voices, let’s all give a cheer,
To the new centenarian, we all hold so dear.
A stellar life lived with our hope to extend,

You're forever our hero, our brother, our friend.

 

 

BINGO

 Life's Dauber . . .

Birth is the moment you grab your first card,
Cryin’ and kickin’, already on guard.
Nurses all whisper, “He’s ready to play,”
You drool on the board; it’s bingo, your way!

Income and taxes, the middle-aged phase,
Matching the letters through a caffeine-filled haze.
Your boss yells, “Report!” You just want to scream,
But secretly, hope for that free space to dream.

Naps become sacred, your joints start to squeak,
You shout, "Forty-four!" but it’s B-52 week.
At potlucks and church halls, you fight for the win,
While dropping your daubers and laughing with kin.

Granny's a hustler with her cards and more,
She flirts with old Joe, then hollers out, “Score!”
She’s got five in a row and winks with a grin,
“I’ve played with the best for this chance to win!”

Over the years, we all chase the same prize,
Through heartbreaks and hiccups and widening thighs.
But life’s not so bad with a number in tow,
A card full of memories, row after row...

BINGO

THE ROCKY ROAD TO PROJECT 2029

The Road to 2029: A Vision Without a Vehicle

Project 2029 offers a clear and compelling vision, a democratic renewal rooted in economic justice, workplace democracy, and collective ownership. It is a blueprint for restoring the Republic, not by returning to a broken status quo, but by advancing a system that prioritizes people over profits, truth over propaganda, and equity over domination. It is morally sound, intellectually robust, and politically necessary.

And yet, it is a vision without a vehicle.

If history teaches anything, it is that ideas, no matter how just, do not advance themselves. The fascists had Project 2025 and Donald Trump. They had a singular, malignant leader who galvanized a movement with fear, lies, and spectacle. With control of the levers of power, they institutionalized their agenda by dismantling civil service protections, stacking courts, eroding truth, and destroying trust in democratic institutions.

They had a plan and a pathway. They made sure the path was cleared by undermining democracy itself.

Project 2029 lacks both.

The dilemma is not the goal; it's how to get there. Democratic reform depends on a functioning democracy. However, democracy in the United States is already mortally wounded. Trump has effectively promised to rig the next election. Even if an election is held, he has shown contempt for court rulings, disregard for constitutional norms, and unrelenting hostility toward independent institutions. We are witness to the death of democracy in real time.

So what remains?

1. Leadership

Movements need a face. They need a voice that resonates beyond policy, a person capable of crystallizing values, rallying dissent, and withstanding the storm. Project 2029, for all its virtue, has no such figure. Without leadership, it cannot build coherence, inspire faith, or organize resistance. We cannot afford another season of leaderless hopes. The time for hesitation has passed.

2. Mechanisms of Change

If elections are no longer fair or free, and the courts are complicit or ignored, democratic movements must turn to non-electoral means. History suggests a few: mass demonstrations, general strikes, economic boycotts, and sustained civil disobedience. These methods do not guarantee success, but they reclaim the public square and keep resistance alive.

3. The Military Dilemma

Some whisper about a coup. But history also teaches that military intervention, even in defense of democracy, is fraught with peril. Coups rarely restore power to the people; they replace one tyranny with another. And yet, in a moment where constitutional guardrails have failed, and courts are defied, it is not unthinkable that some loyalists within the armed services may one day face a choice between obeying unlawful orders or defending the Republic.

Still, the battlefield is likely elsewhere, in boardrooms, courthouses, classrooms, and streets.

4. Mass Mobilization

The most promising avenue is also the most difficult: mass mobilization. If the people cannot vote Trump out, they must grind the machinery of his regime to a halt through sheer volume, visibility, and economic disruption. That means organizing marches, movements, opposition, and alternatives. It means calling out cowardice, confronting lies, and embracing personal sacrifice.

If the people do not act, no one will.

The fascists got their project because they believed in it enough to fight for it, dirty, dishonestly, and relentlessly. The democratic response must be equally relentless but rooted in justice, truth, and collective will. Project 2029 is not impossible. But it is improbable unless we do the unlikely or rise above fear unless we act.

We need a leader. We need a path. We need to abandon the myth that someone else will fix this. The future belongs to those who seize it.

William James Spriggs