Americans have now endured this affliction for so long that they have adapted to its weight and the life-limiting impact it has on their basic existence.
I agree with everything you have written except for this: “He can’t afford to lose an election, because if he does, the Republican Party will be banished to the political wilderness for a generation.” Trump can’t afford to lose an election personally, so that is indeed why he he will try to do everything he can to prevent one. However, he doesn’t care at all what happens to the Republican party for the next generation. They were merely a tool for him to gain power, regain power, and keep power. He is a malignant narcissist, just like Hitler. He doesn’t care what happens to anybody except for him, because that is the nature of the ultimate narcissist. He certainly doesn’t care what happens to an entire party, not even if it reflects negatively on him in the media, since he will just lie and spin like he always does. He won’t take any responsibility if he loses an election and he definitely won’t take any responsibility for anything that happens to the Republicans afterwards. He will claim success in everything he has ever done and blame any failure on someone or everyone else. He will continue to call any attempt to hold him responsible a witch hunt.
Eh, any poll could have been cited in the article. Simply put, Democrats aren’t polling well at a time when they should be polling exceptionally well against a fascist government. My speculation is that people want to see them unify under a very strong, charismatic leader with a clear message, then fight together as a strong force. They seem like a bunch of individuals with disparate ideas who hang out together, instead of a political party. They need to communicate a clear mission and goals. The shutdown message of choosing a singular healthcare issue is as close as they’ve gotten to doing that, but they still don’t seem terribly unified. Schumer’s bored delivery of whatever the message of the day is creates part of the problem. Even at his fiercest, he projects zero charisma and speaks with little force behind his words. He still acts in public like he thinks Republicans will negotiate in good faith, when the entire world knows they will not. That kind of leader might be good behind the scenes making deals within his own party, but he’s not the person needed to lead the charge against the enemy.
You are right, Schumer is dated, his message is too low and ineffective, he is not a leader, never was. He is a decent man but far away from what we need now, a tiger, a loud voice, louder than Trump telling the truth and unafraid of anyone and anything. Someone like Jasmine Crockett but male and white. Sorry about this, but it is true, the middle country will never vote for another Obama as they will not vote for a woman either.
We love Obama, I still look at his speeches and I am proud that I lived to see him leading this country but he is unique in our history and history will not repeat soon enough to save us. He will not run again, unfortunately.
We need a man who knows how to speak well, blameless, incorruptible and from the people, not a rich person, a middle class decent man, like Obama was, a university professor with knowledge of history and constitutional law.
I agree with much of what you’ve said. I’m not sure who will represent us best, yet. The landscape may change completely by the time a candidate needs to be selected, though. I want them ALL to fight as loud, fiercely, and cleverly as Jasmine Crockett, AOC, and Gavin Newsom. Pritzger is winning me over. I still haven’t seen the kind of fire we truly need stoked in any potential candidate that everyone can get behind, yet.
Or the democrats and republicans are seen as two sides of the same coin and neither serve ordinary citizens as well as they do their rich, donors (including and particularly (?) AIPAC)
I wonder about Real Clear Politics leaning conservative. As is my pattern, I checked the Wiki and linked to this analysis by the New York Times, several years ago:
We have worn anxiety like a heavy load for so long it is hard to take off
This is so true for me and many friends. Thank you for beginning your piece with a mental well being check.
I too am a huge fan of AOC. She seems to be guided by a true moral center instead of money. She is a true public servant. I think she has been sidelined by the Democratic establishment because she is not beholden to AiPAC and the like. I also think she is not taken seriously because she is a beautiful woman (so, misogyny), and the fact that she is part of the immigrant experience.
If it takes a white man from Maine with her same views to be noticed, then so be it. We need leadership.
And those poll numbers are really disheartening. I think most people who still like Trump have no idea what his regime will do to them. Or maybe they don’t care so long as they “own the libs”.
Thank you for taking the time to add to the conversation Janine. It’s about converting, strong confident message that resonates. Despite the fear mongering from the ‘so called’ moderate democrats, voters are very receptive to a progressive vision in this moment.
As I write to thank you for putting into words what I am unable to describe… I’ve just received notification: “Gaza ceasefire now
Trump predicts
'wonders' for Gaza after Israel, Hamas confirm agreeing on 'first phase' of ceasefire deal;
Israeli government to vote on approval as details remain murky.” Received from aljazeera news 10/9/25 9:57am
These are desperate times, who knows what threats djtRuMp and his cronies are willing to make. Please address this for us. Thank you for all your efforts to shake this country out of this mess.🙏🏼
This hit me — not just because of the political urgency, but because of the emotional fatigue you capture so honestly. My husband Nigel and I slow travel full-time, and even from afar, we feel the weight of what’s happening in the U.S. The anxiety you describe — that hum that never quiets — is something we’ve both recognized in friends and family back home.
Your point about proximity to the narrative being the real drain rings painfully true. Sometimes distance doesn’t mean detachment; it just gives you enough space to breathe, see clearly, and come back ready to fight again. Thank you for saying what so many are feeling but can’t articulate — and for doing it with both fire and care. -Kelly
None of the polls matter. It’s obvious that the tides are changing. Every single special election, from local to federal offices have been won by DEMOCRATS since Trump took office in January. This is FACT. Polls are obviously skewed to favor republiCUNTS, but voters are not.
Fair point that I’ll never understand. When polled about the actual issues, we win on everything every time!! People is this country are probably some of the most moronic voters in the world. Demand healthcare and lower prices, follow the law and constitution, give women and LGBtQ+!their rights…that’s what people want and that’s what democrats wanna give, so I don’t understand the disconnect other than plain and simple brainwashed morons who care more about Tik Tok leaving the country for a night than their own fucking democracy and freedoms. Makes a ton of sense to me🤯🙄🙄🙄
I agree with everything you have written except for this: “He can’t afford to lose an election, because if he does, the Republican Party will be banished to the political wilderness for a generation.” Trump can’t afford to lose an election personally, so that is indeed why he he will try to do everything he can to prevent one. However, he doesn’t care at all what happens to the Republican party for the next generation. They were merely a tool for him to gain power, regain power, and keep power. He is a malignant narcissist, just like Hitler. He doesn’t care what happens to anybody except for him, because that is the nature of the ultimate narcissist. He certainly doesn’t care what happens to an entire party, not even if it reflects negatively on him in the media, since he will just lie and spin like he always does. He won’t take any responsibility if he loses an election and he definitely won’t take any responsibility for anything that happens to the Republicans afterwards. He will claim success in everything he has ever done and blame any failure on someone or everyone else. He will continue to call any attempt to hold him responsible a witch hunt.
Eh, any poll could have been cited in the article. Simply put, Democrats aren’t polling well at a time when they should be polling exceptionally well against a fascist government. My speculation is that people want to see them unify under a very strong, charismatic leader with a clear message, then fight together as a strong force. They seem like a bunch of individuals with disparate ideas who hang out together, instead of a political party. They need to communicate a clear mission and goals. The shutdown message of choosing a singular healthcare issue is as close as they’ve gotten to doing that, but they still don’t seem terribly unified. Schumer’s bored delivery of whatever the message of the day is creates part of the problem. Even at his fiercest, he projects zero charisma and speaks with little force behind his words. He still acts in public like he thinks Republicans will negotiate in good faith, when the entire world knows they will not. That kind of leader might be good behind the scenes making deals within his own party, but he’s not the person needed to lead the charge against the enemy.
You are right, Schumer is dated, his message is too low and ineffective, he is not a leader, never was. He is a decent man but far away from what we need now, a tiger, a loud voice, louder than Trump telling the truth and unafraid of anyone and anything. Someone like Jasmine Crockett but male and white. Sorry about this, but it is true, the middle country will never vote for another Obama as they will not vote for a woman either.
We love Obama, I still look at his speeches and I am proud that I lived to see him leading this country but he is unique in our history and history will not repeat soon enough to save us. He will not run again, unfortunately.
We need a man who knows how to speak well, blameless, incorruptible and from the people, not a rich person, a middle class decent man, like Obama was, a university professor with knowledge of history and constitutional law.
I agree with much of what you’ve said. I’m not sure who will represent us best, yet. The landscape may change completely by the time a candidate needs to be selected, though. I want them ALL to fight as loud, fiercely, and cleverly as Jasmine Crockett, AOC, and Gavin Newsom. Pritzger is winning me over. I still haven’t seen the kind of fire we truly need stoked in any potential candidate that everyone can get behind, yet.
https://substack.com/@politicsusa46/note/c-162297601?r=1s95aw&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
Graham Platner for Maine is a good example of a man fit for presidency in this moment.
Or the democrats and republicans are seen as two sides of the same coin and neither serve ordinary citizens as well as they do their rich, donors (including and particularly (?) AIPAC)
True that he does not care about what’s happening after him but is also true that the republicans will be send
in a political wilderness for a generation because he represents what they are - liars, hateful, corrupted, misogynistic,
racist and greedy!
We do not care what happens with him after is he’s gone but we care about what happens with the republicans,
and they deserve obliviousness because they sustained all his illegalities and changed our fragile democracy forever.
Maybe we’ll be lucky to escape alive from this and we will redo the country better, even more inclusive and
a real democracy if that will be possible.
But there is no doubt that America will never be the same as it was before him.
I agree with all of that.
I wonder about Real Clear Politics leaning conservative. As is my pattern, I checked the Wiki and linked to this analysis by the New York Times, several years ago:
<https://politicsusa46.substack.com/p/we-have-worn-anxiety-like-a-heavy>
We have worn anxiety like a heavy load for so long it is hard to take off
This is so true for me and many friends. Thank you for beginning your piece with a mental well being check.
I too am a huge fan of AOC. She seems to be guided by a true moral center instead of money. She is a true public servant. I think she has been sidelined by the Democratic establishment because she is not beholden to AiPAC and the like. I also think she is not taken seriously because she is a beautiful woman (so, misogyny), and the fact that she is part of the immigrant experience.
If it takes a white man from Maine with her same views to be noticed, then so be it. We need leadership.
And those poll numbers are really disheartening. I think most people who still like Trump have no idea what his regime will do to them. Or maybe they don’t care so long as they “own the libs”.
Okay, I’m taking a mental health break now.
Thank you for taking the time to add to the conversation Janine. It’s about converting, strong confident message that resonates. Despite the fear mongering from the ‘so called’ moderate democrats, voters are very receptive to a progressive vision in this moment.
As I write to thank you for putting into words what I am unable to describe… I’ve just received notification: “Gaza ceasefire now
Trump predicts
'wonders' for Gaza after Israel, Hamas confirm agreeing on 'first phase' of ceasefire deal;
Israeli government to vote on approval as details remain murky.” Received from aljazeera news 10/9/25 9:57am
These are desperate times, who knows what threats djtRuMp and his cronies are willing to make. Please address this for us. Thank you for all your efforts to shake this country out of this mess.🙏🏼
I remain to be convinced this is going to end well. Once the hostages have been released, I’m not convinced Bibi will stop.
Democratic Party needs to stop taking money from corporations and AIPAC.
This hit me — not just because of the political urgency, but because of the emotional fatigue you capture so honestly. My husband Nigel and I slow travel full-time, and even from afar, we feel the weight of what’s happening in the U.S. The anxiety you describe — that hum that never quiets — is something we’ve both recognized in friends and family back home.
Your point about proximity to the narrative being the real drain rings painfully true. Sometimes distance doesn’t mean detachment; it just gives you enough space to breathe, see clearly, and come back ready to fight again. Thank you for saying what so many are feeling but can’t articulate — and for doing it with both fire and care. -Kelly
Thank you for your kind words
None of the polls matter. It’s obvious that the tides are changing. Every single special election, from local to federal offices have been won by DEMOCRATS since Trump took office in January. This is FACT. Polls are obviously skewed to favor republiCUNTS, but voters are not.
Afraid we’ll have to agree to disagree. People are voting AGAINST Trump. It’s the same outcome, but is no endorsement of Democrats I’m afraid.
Fair point that I’ll never understand. When polled about the actual issues, we win on everything every time!! People is this country are probably some of the most moronic voters in the world. Demand healthcare and lower prices, follow the law and constitution, give women and LGBtQ+!their rights…that’s what people want and that’s what democrats wanna give, so I don’t understand the disconnect other than plain and simple brainwashed morons who care more about Tik Tok leaving the country for a night than their own fucking democracy and freedoms. Makes a ton of sense to me🤯🙄🙄🙄
Republicans are viewed more favorably because they never register disapproval of their party. Democrats should and do. And we are.
We
That’s very kind of you, thanks 🙏