Damage Done #372
By Hank Silverberg
Commentary
In just the last year, the prestige and power of the United States of America has been seriously damaged, and it could take decades to get back our place in the world community -- if that can ever happen again.
And the downfall can be traced to one person's ego.
Here is what has happened since Donald Trump came on the political scene way back in 2015:
Americans, egged on by a con man and a liar, no longer believe anyone in public office, nor the traditional legacy media. They were conned into giving him authority and now they are trapped in a tangled web of his scam.
In his first term Trump hammered away at sound institutions like the CDC and NIH, or the FDA and EPA, spreading doubt about their science and their mission. Trump attacked the mainstream media every day and lied about himself, constantly bolstering conspiracy theorists and right-wing racists. There was substantial damage, but the pandemic halted his march into chaos as fast as it halted everything else.
The 2020 election was an adjustment. Even as Trump encouraged insurrection, placed doubt in the minds of many people about the election results, Joe Biden settled things down, reversed some of the damage, brought us through the pandemic and got us back on the right highway. But the new election cycle for 2024 increased the doubt for much of the public about Biden's ability to serve another four years and Trump's ability to create anything but chaos.
Now, a year into Trump's second term his authoritarian goals are spreading a cancer through the body of our population, promoting the "Us Vs Them" tactic so often used by dictators to slowly take total control of daily life. And this time he has a staff, a cabinet and a political party full of "yes- men" to do his bidding.
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“The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him.”
- The Prince
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The world watches with horror and fear. Here is the United States, Ronald Reagan's "shining city on a hill," falling into an abyss. Here is the country that led the world in its 20th Century fight against fascism and communism turning on our friends with vindictive pomposity. The United States is no longer the leader of the free world. It is slowly becoming the same kind of threat to the free world as authoritarian Russia or communist China.
We kidnap foreign leaders and threaten to invade territory owned by an ally because we want their natural resources. We threaten anyone with a trade war who criticizes us, which will actually damage our own population more than them.
When the media tries to tell the truth our government moves to silence them through intimidation and legal maneuvers.
When political opposition finally activates, the current government begins a select campaign to manipulate the 2026 mid-term election though voter suppression with an aim toward consolidating its power.
And when we protest in the streets, we are suppressed, more often then ever, with government sponsored violence.
The lights are dimming in that shining city. The bridge to he 21st century has been blocked by a reactionary barricade of bigots, anti-Semites and white supremacists encouraged by their leader.
Do we storm the barricades? Much of the public is afraid to even speak up to power. Unless they do, the blackout will be inevitable.
News You May Have Missed!
Sleep Trackers May Not Be Accurate
Do you track your sleep with a phone app, smartwatch or other wearable device?
A study done by Grand View Research says the
But they don't measure sleep directly, so it's hard to tell if that slumber is REM sleep or something else. So experts say, for now, they can't be considered totally accurate. The algorithms used by the major brands are getting better, though in determining sleep versus just resting, but more testing in a lab is needed to confirm REM sleep.
What the devices can not do is determine why you cannot sleep.
Sleep tracking devices are now a $5 billion market in the U.S. with revenue on the upswing.
Yep, Prices Are Up!
Here's something you may have guessed just by your last trip to the supermarket. Four in ten workers say their income has not kept up with expenses. A new USAToday workforce study of 3,000 people show just one in five say their pay increased more than inflation, and one in three say it has kept pace with the cost of living.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2026/01/25/paychecks-not-keeping-up-with-cost-of-living/88306961007/ ______________________________________
Note to readers:
A new category in my blog this week: "Dumb Quotes" has been replaced by "Biggest Lies."
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Biggest Lie Of The Week!
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in response to a reporter's question on the shooting of VA nurse, Alex Pretti. The reporter asked about Noem's claim that Pretti was "a threat to law enforcement."
"That is no claim. He showed up with a weapon and dozens of rounds of ammo."
Pretti never raised his weapon which was taken from his waistband by agents after he was down on the ground, and right BEFORE he was shot. The video is quite clear on this. And he had NO extra ammo.
(You suggestions and comments are welcome)
My recent book "The Campaign" can be purchased at the links below. Or you can buy a copy by emailing me at: HankSilverberg@gmail.com for instructions on how to get a copy at a reduced price and with my signature)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B084Q7K6M5/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-campaign-hank-silverberg/1126429796
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