The real story is not whether the 25th Amendment is realistic. It’s that parts of Trump’s orbit now seem to believe the movement could function better without him.
Thank you for commenting on the Robt Reich column. I read it with a great deal of diffidence - not the word I am looking for, but close. Also did NOT appreciate his endorsement of Steyer for the governorship of CALI. There is so much at stake in our state race; I absolutely do not want a MAGA-endorsed Republican anywhere near Sacramento. Still, Steyer's policy suggestions do not seem realistic or grounded. He can throw hundreds of millions of dollars at his campaign; that does not make him a good choice. Anyway.... what a mess we are living in.
Now that they consider Trump could " fire" them on a whim, as his mental decline has made him more brash,angry and unstable - it has finally dawned on them their little kingdoms could crash. Sadly we have all had to suffer until they felt the pinch. Clearly none of us matter and the Constitution for them is just an old document meant to be ignored.
The recalculation, as you frame it, seems so very mercenary to me. And so believable. The whole enterprise is craven. I am increasingly and alarmingly cautious about what might follow, especially when DJT becomes a deflated mascot and the MAGA-sphere continues to inflate, especially with the hot air of Christian Nationalists (etc) breathing down our collective necks.
I mean, with Dear Leader Bunkerboy, there's a ZERO percent chance of retaining the house and senate. With JP Mande-JD Vance, there's like, a 25% chance! Gotta' take it, child rape lovers!!!
I agree, the 25th is not viable, not merely becaquse of their subservient, greedy cowardice, but because it would in the bottom line (when you read all the way to the bottom line of the 25th) that it requires a 2/3 majority vote in Both the House AND the Senate to actually remove Trump.
A more likely fantasy (in the near time frame) is Vance talking to Trump and selling him on a package deal involvin billions of dollars, no more taxes EVER for him and his kids, ABSOLUTE pardons for all past, present and future crimes (including his kids) and perhaps the recognition of Mar-a-Lago as an independent nation, so he and his have diplomatic immunity...
THAT deal might just do it, if paired with the threat that without that deal, Trump would, if convicted in his 3rd impeachment, Vance would guarantee Trump is prosecuted without mercy, and given the same 'deal' as Epstein...
Trump is greedy, insecure, giant ego and afraid for his life.
It seems to me that Trump would be deliriously happy to be a King. A figure head like King Charles where you really are just a mascot for the party. A President JD or Marco (instead of PM) alongside a King. Take away his dangerous power (the football for example), let him continue building his Lego Kingdom (arches, ballrooms, etc) and have someone else in charge to actually run the country and listen to his/her advisors.
The U.S. should adopt a version of Hungary’s unique population programs
Hungary's approach to population decline is unique in Europe because it explicitly rejects mass immigration as a solution.
Instead, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s government treats demographic preservation as a matter of cultural survival, implementing a highly subsidized, pro-family legal framework designed to incentivize native-born Hungarians to marry and raise children.
The primary legal and financial mechanisms the Hungarian government uses to promote this policy include:
The Housing Subsidies (CSOK and CSOK Plus)
The cornerstone of Hungary’s family policy is the Családi Otthonteremtési Kedvezmény (CSOK), recently updated as CSOK Plus.
This program provides massive, state-subsidized, low-interest housing loans specifically for married couples.
The financial support scales dramatically based on the number of children a couple promises to have. For example, couples planning three or more children can access highly discounted loans of up to 50 million HUF.
After the birth of the first child, loan repayments are suspended for a year. Upon the birth of the second and third children, the principal debt is reduced by 10 million HUF per child.
"Baby-Expecting" Loans
Young, newly married couples are eligible for an interest-free, general-purpose loan of up to 11 million HUF (roughly $30,000).
If the couple goes on to have three children, the entire remaining balance of the loan is completely forgiven by the state.
Lifetime Income Tax Exemptions
To encourage large families, women who give birth to and raise at least four children are granted a permanent, 100% lifetime exemption from personal income tax.
Additionally, women who have children before the age of 30 are fully exempt from personal income tax until their 30th birthday.
Student Loan Forgiveness
For young women pursuing higher education, having children triggers immediate relief on student debt.
The debt is suspended at the first child, halved at the second, and completely canceled at the third.
Women under 30 who have a child during or within two years of completing university have their student loans wiped out instantly.
I can’t wait until that happens. A post Trump sounds good
We are willing to take a chance even if JD gets the job.
That's a problem but 10 yrs has taken a toll on this country
Thank you for commenting on the Robt Reich column. I read it with a great deal of diffidence - not the word I am looking for, but close. Also did NOT appreciate his endorsement of Steyer for the governorship of CALI. There is so much at stake in our state race; I absolutely do not want a MAGA-endorsed Republican anywhere near Sacramento. Still, Steyer's policy suggestions do not seem realistic or grounded. He can throw hundreds of millions of dollars at his campaign; that does not make him a good choice. Anyway.... what a mess we are living in.
Post taco is a dream right now. He's raping the country
Mid-terms need to be blue. That is happening now in states where they are voting. Red states flipping.
My question is, post taco, unalived, will still be an influence? I think not. The figures who supported him are old and are leaving.
I can only hope we see light as this criminal has done damage.
maga will cave in onto itself. We need to be patient and prepare to make the world right again.
Now that they consider Trump could " fire" them on a whim, as his mental decline has made him more brash,angry and unstable - it has finally dawned on them their little kingdoms could crash. Sadly we have all had to suffer until they felt the pinch. Clearly none of us matter and the Constitution for them is just an old document meant to be ignored.
The recalculation, as you frame it, seems so very mercenary to me. And so believable. The whole enterprise is craven. I am increasingly and alarmingly cautious about what might follow, especially when DJT becomes a deflated mascot and the MAGA-sphere continues to inflate, especially with the hot air of Christian Nationalists (etc) breathing down our collective necks.
I mean, with Dear Leader Bunkerboy, there's a ZERO percent chance of retaining the house and senate. With JP Mande-JD Vance, there's like, a 25% chance! Gotta' take it, child rape lovers!!!
Useful Idiot - a well-deserved title for Demented Don.
Great analysis. Trump is not the head of the snake, he is the rattle.
I agree, the 25th is not viable, not merely becaquse of their subservient, greedy cowardice, but because it would in the bottom line (when you read all the way to the bottom line of the 25th) that it requires a 2/3 majority vote in Both the House AND the Senate to actually remove Trump.
A more likely fantasy (in the near time frame) is Vance talking to Trump and selling him on a package deal involvin billions of dollars, no more taxes EVER for him and his kids, ABSOLUTE pardons for all past, present and future crimes (including his kids) and perhaps the recognition of Mar-a-Lago as an independent nation, so he and his have diplomatic immunity...
THAT deal might just do it, if paired with the threat that without that deal, Trump would, if convicted in his 3rd impeachment, Vance would guarantee Trump is prosecuted without mercy, and given the same 'deal' as Epstein...
Trump is greedy, insecure, giant ego and afraid for his life.
I find this very coherent. Thanks. 💪 🇨🇦
It seems to me that Trump would be deliriously happy to be a King. A figure head like King Charles where you really are just a mascot for the party. A President JD or Marco (instead of PM) alongside a King. Take away his dangerous power (the football for example), let him continue building his Lego Kingdom (arches, ballrooms, etc) and have someone else in charge to actually run the country and listen to his/her advisors.
The U.S. should adopt a version of Hungary’s unique population programs
Hungary's approach to population decline is unique in Europe because it explicitly rejects mass immigration as a solution.
Instead, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s government treats demographic preservation as a matter of cultural survival, implementing a highly subsidized, pro-family legal framework designed to incentivize native-born Hungarians to marry and raise children.
The primary legal and financial mechanisms the Hungarian government uses to promote this policy include:
The Housing Subsidies (CSOK and CSOK Plus)
The cornerstone of Hungary’s family policy is the Családi Otthonteremtési Kedvezmény (CSOK), recently updated as CSOK Plus.
This program provides massive, state-subsidized, low-interest housing loans specifically for married couples.
The financial support scales dramatically based on the number of children a couple promises to have. For example, couples planning three or more children can access highly discounted loans of up to 50 million HUF.
After the birth of the first child, loan repayments are suspended for a year. Upon the birth of the second and third children, the principal debt is reduced by 10 million HUF per child.
"Baby-Expecting" Loans
Young, newly married couples are eligible for an interest-free, general-purpose loan of up to 11 million HUF (roughly $30,000).
If the couple goes on to have three children, the entire remaining balance of the loan is completely forgiven by the state.
Lifetime Income Tax Exemptions
To encourage large families, women who give birth to and raise at least four children are granted a permanent, 100% lifetime exemption from personal income tax.
Additionally, women who have children before the age of 30 are fully exempt from personal income tax until their 30th birthday.
Student Loan Forgiveness
For young women pursuing higher education, having children triggers immediate relief on student debt.
The debt is suspended at the first child, halved at the second, and completely canceled at the third.
Women under 30 who have a child during or within two years of completing university have their student loans wiped out instantly.
Professor Tom V. Wilen