Bruce...reading you seemed like I was reading someone who could read my own mind. The worst part of Trump 2.0 for me is knowing there are people out there, including old friends and even family members, who voted for Trump and are still sure they made the right decision...how can this be? During Trump's first term, I found all the vile names he had called people on "then" Twitter (there are too many to count now) and posted them on Facebook. What I heard back was, "Oh, that's just Trump being Trump," or, "Well, Trump talks like that because he's not a politician, he's a businessman (yeah...a failed businessman!). It has only gotten worse...MUCH worse. Christians who are fine with how other human beings are being treated...even cheering these policies on...have caused me to stop attending church or associating with most Christians. It's heartbreaking. And you are right. America is no longer the America we grew up in. Common decency, values, kindness, all gone. In place...lying, cheating...hurting people, and a whole lot of our population cheering him on. I read that one ICE agent was overheard saying, "It's fun to hurt people." That's scary.
Linda, thank you for your comment. It is a very scary time. Nothing about what is happening now is making America great. That was a hoax. Trump 2.0 is only making us weaker, poorer, and less secure, as well as paving the way for China or Russia to push us aside on the world stage. Despite all of this, I try to remind myself daily that God has not abandoned us, and these events are unfolding under His watchful eye. Although we cannot comprehend the full scope of God's plans, if America's demise drives true Christians into the arms of Jesus, making us stronger and more faithful followers, He just might be creating the remnant He needs for whatever is coming next. I don't want the suffering that will inevitably come with that, but I certainly want to be on the right side of building God's kingdom. Keep the faith!
Bruce - thanks for writing so boldly. I too am so confused by the "Christian" voter in this last election. How can "we" elect someone who's life is consistently stitched together with lies, deception and fraud. And by now (Feb 2025), has demonstrated a total lack of commitment for the rule of law? If we eventually don't believe the "stop sign" means "stop" - we all are headed toward a "crash" of monumental proportions much bigger than a few dented fenders.
I always appreciate your thoughtful writing, your mastery of words and your heartfelt grasp of the issues at hand; as well as your personal commitment to being vulnerable. Thanks.
And thanks for the following paragraph. I think it's time we not only relearn what the word "democracy" means but that we also are aware of the other forms of governmental structures that have (thank God) been illusive for so long. Not any more...
"Trump’s administration is populated by individuals who did not swear an oath to put the country first; instead, Trump hand-picked them because of their unwavering loyalty to him. That sets up an oligarchy (a small group of people having control of a country) with Trump as its autocrat (a ruler with absolute power), which moves us from a democracy to a plutocracy (rule by the wealthy) and a kleptocracy (where rulers plunder the country’s resources).
Bruce...reading you seemed like I was reading someone who could read my own mind. The worst part of Trump 2.0 for me is knowing there are people out there, including old friends and even family members, who voted for Trump and are still sure they made the right decision...how can this be? During Trump's first term, I found all the vile names he had called people on "then" Twitter (there are too many to count now) and posted them on Facebook. What I heard back was, "Oh, that's just Trump being Trump," or, "Well, Trump talks like that because he's not a politician, he's a businessman (yeah...a failed businessman!). It has only gotten worse...MUCH worse. Christians who are fine with how other human beings are being treated...even cheering these policies on...have caused me to stop attending church or associating with most Christians. It's heartbreaking. And you are right. America is no longer the America we grew up in. Common decency, values, kindness, all gone. In place...lying, cheating...hurting people, and a whole lot of our population cheering him on. I read that one ICE agent was overheard saying, "It's fun to hurt people." That's scary.
Linda, thank you for your comment. It is a very scary time. Nothing about what is happening now is making America great. That was a hoax. Trump 2.0 is only making us weaker, poorer, and less secure, as well as paving the way for China or Russia to push us aside on the world stage. Despite all of this, I try to remind myself daily that God has not abandoned us, and these events are unfolding under His watchful eye. Although we cannot comprehend the full scope of God's plans, if America's demise drives true Christians into the arms of Jesus, making us stronger and more faithful followers, He just might be creating the remnant He needs for whatever is coming next. I don't want the suffering that will inevitably come with that, but I certainly want to be on the right side of building God's kingdom. Keep the faith!
I so agree, Bruce. Yes... let's keep the faith... always, and no matter what comes.
Bruce - thanks for writing so boldly. I too am so confused by the "Christian" voter in this last election. How can "we" elect someone who's life is consistently stitched together with lies, deception and fraud. And by now (Feb 2025), has demonstrated a total lack of commitment for the rule of law? If we eventually don't believe the "stop sign" means "stop" - we all are headed toward a "crash" of monumental proportions much bigger than a few dented fenders.
I always appreciate your thoughtful writing, your mastery of words and your heartfelt grasp of the issues at hand; as well as your personal commitment to being vulnerable. Thanks.
And thanks for the following paragraph. I think it's time we not only relearn what the word "democracy" means but that we also are aware of the other forms of governmental structures that have (thank God) been illusive for so long. Not any more...
"Trump’s administration is populated by individuals who did not swear an oath to put the country first; instead, Trump hand-picked them because of their unwavering loyalty to him. That sets up an oligarchy (a small group of people having control of a country) with Trump as its autocrat (a ruler with absolute power), which moves us from a democracy to a plutocracy (rule by the wealthy) and a kleptocracy (where rulers plunder the country’s resources).