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Trump Derangement Syndrome has riled and roiled our politics for a decade, and its only achievement has been sending Donald Trump back to the White House for a second term, and for now marginalizing the Democrats, whose approval ratings are stuck in the mid-twenties. Worse for the Dems, their loss in November was what Barack Obama called a “shellacking,” only more so.
They lost the popular vote and both houses of Congress, as well as significant numbers of the Democrats’ usually reliable constituencies. Voters also repudiated the Dems’ dangerous “woke” policies that failured to protect the border from invasion; fight crime and prosecute criminals; conduct a foreign policy that put America’s national security and interests first; stop culture-war enormities like biological males colonizing women’s sports and locker rooms; reform their tax-spend-borrow-redistribute economic policies; cease and desist from trans propaganda invading our primary schools, and to arrest, charge, try, and punished privileged protestors in Ivy League schools chanting their support for genocide, assaulting Jews, and other antisemitic offenses.
All those patently preposterous policies are inimical, if not fatal, to our Constitutional, Judeo-Christian, and Greco-Roman traditions, as well as abandoning both reason and common sense––and don’t forget the ridiculous lies they told about both Trump’s “fascism,” and Joe Biden’s cognitive decay.
Given this electoral disaster that followed Trump Derangement Syndrome, you’d think that the Dems and Petainist Rhinos would give up and instead focus on the issues angering and worrying voters, as Trump did. But OC TDS sufferers just can’t help themselves. Their social status, inflated amour propre, and lucrative political establishment are too precious. The Rhinos in particular can never forgive Trump for crashing their political guild party and perks.
A particularly incoherent example appeared last week in the Wall Street Journal. Novelist Mark Helprin’s topic is an important one: the long history of bipartisan assaults on our Constitutional order and its foundational principles. And much of Helprin’s comments comprise bipartisan censures, except when he feels compelled to single out Trump and indulge hoary TDS clichés culled from ten years of anti-Trump invective, and festooned with a specious moral equivalence of the two parties.
It doesn’t take long for TDS, and its faithful companion blatant begged questions, to take over Helprin’s argument: “On Jan. 6, 2021, a mob incited by President Donald Trump smashed its way into the U.S. Capitol and threatened to hang Vice President Mike Pence should he not halt certification of an election no credible evidence has ever suggested the president didn’t lose.”
Start with “incited.” It’s a strange coup whose instigator offered the D.C. mayor the help of National Guard to control it, and who advised his “mob” to march to the Capitol “peacefully and patriotically.” Or that the demonstrations at the Capitol began well before Trump stopped speaking. Or that capitol police escorted many protestors into the building, and FBI false-flag assets were part of the mob. Or that the only fatalities from the violence were demonstrators, including an unarmed female Veteran whom a panicked or incompetent DC cop shot dead. Helprin’s lurid phrases “smashing their way in” and “threatened to hang Mike Pence” are loading the rhetorical dice. Does he really believe that given the armed police presence, anyone actually could have hanged the Vice President? As for the begged question “no credible evidence,” you can’t find what you don’t look for.
As for moral equivalence, consider this statement: “As if everyone has lost the track of governing justly, both parties traduce the Constitution—on one hand the metastasized and unchecked administrative state, and on the other DOGE’s cruel joy in throwing out the baby with the bath water . . .” These examples aren’t even close to being equivalent, morally or otherwise.
Clearly “the metastasizing and unchecked administrative state” refers overwhelmingly to the progressive Democrat presidents Woodrow Wilson, FDR, LBJ, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden. Though we should acknowledge that Republican presidents like Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan. and others contributed to regulatory expansion. But the Federal Leviathan has mainly been a progressive and leftist show. Their aim has been to create a bloated federal government that turns every problem into a “crisis” they can exploit to expand the technocratic regulatory Leviathan’s reach and power––at the expense of the Constitution and our unalienable rights.
Furthermore, the reference to the newly created Department of Government Efficiency is incoherent. In a short time, DOGE has identified waste, fraud, bloat, and abuse in Federal agencies that have squandered multiple billions of taxpayer money, not to mention the rank corruption and politicalization of those unaccountable alleged “experts” who are nearly all leftwing Democrats, particularly those “serving” in the DOJ and FBI who betrayed their Constitutional oath by trying to frame and remove a sitting president.
The larger issue, however, is once again the expansion of the bloated regulatory Leviathan into our private lives and our economy––to the tune of $3.079 trillion in 2022–– thus compromising our Constitutional freedoms and rights. How is it, then, that correcting the consequences of “the metastasizing and unchecked administrative state” that Helprin deplores a “cruel joke”? If it is, it’s one that millions of ordinary American taxpayers are heartily laughing at.
Next, his catalogue of other convergences between right and left is a useful reminder of how successful the progressive Democrats have been at achieving Obama’s aim to “fundamentally transform the United States,” which means weakening our Constitutional order of a limited checked and balanced government, and inalienable rights. But once again, Helprin ignores the much greater role progressive policies have played in worsening the problem.
Also, his claim that populist Republicans are indulging protectionism oversimplifies the issue. The U.S. has for decades been fleeced by disproportionate tariffs from friends and foes alike to the tune of $10 trillion, which has impacted our domestic economy and cost Americans jobs. And it’s an issue that President Trump campaigned on vigorously. So far, he’s had some successes, but it will take time to see if his trademark aggressive negotiations and policies will concentrate our economic rivals’ minds. But those squealing about “protectionism” should tell us the alternative solutions that haven’t even been tried, or obviously have failed for decades.
The pros and cons of protectionism is a legitimate discussion. Yet like most Never Trumpers, Helprin is compelled to rely on preposterous, stale talking points that contributed to the Dems’ disaster in November. Claiming that “the populist right has now joined. . . the left’s long tradition of appeasing Russia,” is a dubious exaggeration about the right. As if that weren’t enough to ensure his NeverTrump bona fides, Helprin in an aside adds a bizarre, mean-girl smear of Donald Trump: (“Other than hypnosis, what can explain why Mr. Trump, the golden hippopotamus of Mar-a-Lago, gives sway to Vladimir Putin’s every wish?”).
Helprin, like the Dems, may be trying to imitate Trump’s trademark rough humor — a political fool’s errand — or, to give him the benefit of the doubt, indulging a parody of Trump’s style. But given the long “Russia, Russia, Russia” hoax engineered by the Dems and corrupted government agencies, and the still circulating campaign smear that Trump is a “Russian asset,” Helprin may think this is a clever way to play that dog-eared campaign talking point.
Helprin ends with some almost sage advice: “The sole force that can counter this is the restoration of fidelity to the principles of natural right as they were expressed with preternatural grace in the Declaration of Independence and then codified in the Constitution.” Amen to that, but which party for over century, later with help from some unipartisan establishment Republicans, has been relentlessly dismantling the Constitution and Bill of Rights? And which Republican president appointed the Supreme Court Justices who have put a stop to the attacks on the Bill of Rights? And Trump is still working to undo Obama’s fundamental transformations of the United States.
Finally, in just a little more than three months, Trump has put the lie to Helprin’s last words that “the current administration [is] failing splendidly [sarcasm?] almost every day.” That’s the sort of TDS hyperbolic nonsense that landed the Dems in the voters’ doghouse. Let’s hope they keep it up.
The Doghouse is an improvement over the red brick shithouse …
…which, in turn, is an improvement over slaughterhouse.
___
My, but these weirdos are entertaining. 〰️
I believe the author overestimates the awareness, perception, and conviction of American voters. One of the most destructive vote tabulation systems in use in our land came from deep red South Dakota. Some of the most revolting bills to pass any state lower chamber have just emerged from the Texas House. Georgia is in the hands of feckless RINOs and evil Democrat mayors. And most of the Republicans in the US Congress are just hirelings of big business. For voters to connect the vile perversions advocated by Democrats at every level of government to an action on election day is a lot to expect.
Petainist Rhinos, GREAT STUFF!!!
What percent of readers know what that means?
The minority that recall German occupied France of the Second World War would have read about Marshal Petain without actually experiencing the occupation that ended 80 years ago. Fewer still would have understood the unwillingness of the French to sacrifice yet another generation of men to war with Germany, having been so soundly eviscerated in the 1914 – 1918 Armageddon. And those who thought fighting was a noble act were undoubtedly fearful of the destruction of a millennium of cultural heritage that would surely be lost to German assault, something as horrific as the 19th Century wine blight had been. For all that we condemn the Vichy government, how likely are Americans of this century to fight, say, a massive Communist Chinese Army invasion that somehow swept across our land after an EMP strike disabled all public infrastructure and communications? And we haven’t had an armed incursion of substance since the War of 1812.
Counter to these Psychotics: “I bet you’re still bummed the bullet missed and the man in the bushes was so close to saving Democracy.”
Many are bummed, some admit it, but now they’re chanting 8647 while Comey is laughing!
On Facebook some friends and even family, are unfriending each other. “But you’re my brother!” “Yea but you voted for Trump! Don’t talk to me ever again!”
THESE PSYCHOTICS are in the Twilight Zone.
I’ve been observing protests since 1986 and those were just signs, a speaker, some chanting. Then the fall of Communism…. except here with the only hardcores left in the world. Then Bush and Darth Vader who has really gone to the Dark Side. Children singing: “Obama Obama we love you Obama.” Some protests that I labeled: “Same Movie. Same Producers/Communists. Same Directors. Same Script. JUST DIFFERENT ACTORS.
THEN TRUMP! NOW SCREAMING PSYCHOTICS that are so brainwashed that they’re out of their minds.
PRODUCERS AND DIRECTORS? Yes, look at the Communist groups running the set. A.N.S.W.E.R., The Party for Socialism and Liberation, The Revolutionary Communist Party, The Democratic Socialists of America, and the Mother-of-all-Communists… THE COMMUNIST PARTY USA which stays in the shadows. (U.S. TO GAZA from years ago was the flotilla of ships trying to break the blockade of Gaza… all run by the CPUSA. Now again with Greta. We’ll see if Judith Leblanc and Medea Benjamin/Code Pink, are the Producers and Directors.
UNIVERSITIES are the recruiting grounds using all classes that have STUDIES in the title. SAVE BILLIONS BY GETTING RID OF THESE WORTHLESS CLASSES AND DEGREES! (I was at a small university in Mansfield, PA, 4000 students, on the Union building had ELEVEN flyers advertising for Women’s Studies Classes. I then noticed mostly LESBIANS and GAYS. Very overweight too. My professor friend had a lesbian daughter and gay son. The daughter just got married.)
OUR UNIVERSITIES ARE NOW BEYOND REPAIR. They only hire radical Democrats. Even the cockroaches are Democrats!
Clarity – make sense – with out the intellectual mumbo-jumbo.
Thanks SC
I had forgotten the nauseating Obama songs. 🤢
It was brazen indoctrination to 1st graders performed by sycophantic clowns pawning themselves off as teachers.
I had thought grammar school indoctrination couldn’t get any worse, but then sleazy “trans reading hour” started.
Randy Weingarten’s AFT is pure evil bullshit.
You forgot to put the essential modifier before Studies – CRITICAL
Everything from the closed border to removing the pedophile Harvey Milk’s name from a naval vessel, I don’t see “failing” except of the left. From the ghettoization of Jasmine Crockett to the daily complaints about removing illegal aliens to anti Semitic bigotry to nonsensical public taco consumption, what do the Democrats bring to benefit the welfare of American citizens? Absolutely nothing except judges who’ve caught the megalomania virus.
I see your TDS and raise you TLS – Trump Love Syndrome!!! TLS is not a syndrome at all – it’s organic natural reaction to truth, transparency, honesty and common sense critical thinking
Given Musk’s recent comments about the “big, beautiful” bill, it is painful to listen to the TDS that has recently inflicted Elon, When the economy booms because of the trade deals President Trump will make to benefit U.S. workers and consumers, Musk is going to turn out to be just another RINO who doesn’t understand President Trump’s superior bargaining ability and command of the issues.
In days of old, Mr. NEEDS HELPrin would be making his proclamations in a controlled (by men in white) environment (Insane Asylum) while wearing pajamas and a robe! His delusional analysis of the situations should be used in future Textbooks under that “Long TDS” chapter! IF he and the rest of the DEMOcrats TRULY believe what they say then they TRULY are INSANE!
Anyone with common sense and a “smidgeon” of decency KNOWS that the left has been the most destructive force to ever attack Our Nation. It seems like they keep expanding their range of insanity until one day they will refuse to believe the sun is shining!
There was a commercial a long time ago that promoted the National Negro College Fund “A mind is a terrible thing to waste”! It was true then and now. BUT, a NEW commercial is needed to feature the DEMOcrats’ insane actions and statements “A mind is a terrible thing”!
The WSJ and National Review should now both be ignored–an unhappy development. I had a subscription to Nat. Review for 20 years until what was, basically, the “never Trump” issue. Victor Davis Hanson was the only essayist who disagreed. And now, given a choice between the WSJ and VDH, I will take VDH.
Elon Musk posted on X about the big beautiful bill: “I’m sorry, but I just can’t stand it anymore. This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination. Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it.”
It is disappointing to see Musk contract the same TDS now exhibited by National Review and the WSJ. President Trump has done so much for Musk and now Musk stabs him in the back.
It will be interesting to see how this plays out over time. Even Kurt Schlichter mentioned that there is business, and there is politics, and they are not the same.
Some liberals seem to want us all to live by their rules the Gun Control Idiots like Hogg the Eco-Freaks like Greenpeace NRDC Etc. and Animal Rights nutcases(PETA, HSUS and they end up making total pests of themselves