I read every word, and I’m with you. The precision, the clarity, the refusal to let anyone wriggle free from the consequences of their own choices—it’s all here, and it’s necessary. You cut through the fantasy with a clean blade. I have nothing to add to your breakdown of these voter types, just my full agreement.
Yet, I think there’s a missing layer—one that speaks to history repeating itself in ways too many refuse to see. The traits you name—the blind loyalty, the addiction to outrage, the contempt for reality—aren’t new. I recognize them. I grew up surrounded by them. I have watched them shape the country I was born into, just as they shaped others before.
Großmannssucht isn’t exclusive to any one nation, but I have seen how it thrived in the Germanic world, how it fueled not just the wars that scarred Europe but the delusions that still simmer under its surface. The same contempt for the “weaker” other, the same worship of force over reason, the same arrogance that pretends to be pragmatism. Trump isn’t just an aberration—he’s an echo. And his movement, like so many before, draws from that same well.
There’s also a connection that I don’t think has been fully acknowledged. The Germanic traits—Trump, Thiel—and the Boerish influence—Musk. It’s not just their origins, it’s the ideology that binds them. Thiel’s parents emigrated to Apartheid South Africa, carrying their National Socialist ethos with them. Thiel concurs. Musk concurs. They aren’t just accidental beneficiaries of this lineage; they embody it, wield it, and perpetuate it. The same greed, the same supremacist logic, the same conviction that power is its own justification.
And it’s because of all this—because I have seen where this leads—that I have decided to leave. I won’t watch it unfold again from inside.
This is the kind of response that reminds me why I write these pieces. Precision, clarity—yes, those are essential. But so is the historical throughline, the recognition that this isn’t just a moment of madness but a well-worn path we’ve seen before.
You’re absolutely right—Trumpism isn’t a new phenomenon, just a new manifestation of something much older. The arrogance disguised as pragmatism, the disdain for the “weaker” other, the veneration of brute strength over reason—it’s all part of the same old story. And yes, the ideological lineage of figures like Trump, Thiel, and Musk is no accident. The throughline from National Socialism to Apartheid to the authoritarian neoliberalism they champion today isn’t just historical trivia—it’s the framework that underpins their worldview.
I respect your choice to leave. I understand it. But for those of us who remain, the work continues. Exposing these patterns, connecting the dots, making sure history doesn’t just repeat itself unchallenged—this is how we resist. Thank you for reading. And more importantly, for seeing. Check out these articles drawing comparisons with what's happening now with what the world has, unfortunately, seen before:
@Open Letters by Mersault, first of all, I am leaving Germany, not the US. I might even feel compelled to fight for the US, but I will never fight for the country of my birth. Germany has ostracized me since I was three. At almost 58, I have had enough.
In just 5.5 months here, I have found more support, compassion, and like-minded people than I did in 57 years in Germany. So no, this is not about leaving the US. If a kind American business owner were to offer sponsorship, I might take it—despite everything happening in the US, despite an administration trying to erase non-binary trans lesbians like me.
That, Mersault, should tell you something.
In Germany, I have legal recognition. And what use is it, if society still looks down on you? If those who are kind and supportive make up only 5%? Nothing. It’s not always about the legal framework.
Second, I truly appreciate your response and the way you acknowledged what I said. Precision, clarity, and historical awareness matter—and so does personal truth. You didn’t just hear me; you affirmed me. That means something.
Großmannssucht isn’t exclusive to any one nation, but I have seen how it thrived in the Germanic world, how it fueled not just the wars that scarred Europe but the delusions that still simmer under its surface. The same contempt for the “weaker” other, the same worship of force over reason, the same arrogance that pretends to be pragmatism. Trump isn’t just an aberration—he’s an echo. And his movement, like so many before, draws from that same well
It’s the ideology that binds them. Thiel’s parents emigrated to Apartheid South Africa, carrying their National Socialist ethos with them. Thiel concurs. Musk concurs. They aren’t just accidental beneficiaries of this lineage; they embody it, wield it, and perpetuate it. The same greed, the same 👉supremacist logic, the same conviction that power is its own justification.
John, I appreciate your insight. Großmannssucht isn’t bound to any one place, but its persistence in the Germanic world is something I know all too well. It’s not just history—it’s a pattern that keeps resurfacing, repackaging itself in new forms while carrying the same core ideology.
Me leaving Germany is about refusing to keep playing a game where the rules were never meant to include me. I see where this leads, and I won’t wait for the inevitable.
Thank you for engaging with this so sharply. Conversations like this matter.
The cultural Zeitgeist of most, if not all, of the Germanic countries leaves me rather cold (isn’t that interesting!). I have never felt comfortable traveling there. Give me Italy every time! And I know it’s not fair to generalize, but… Someone wrote on Substack recently about the age-old question, “Would you kill baby Hitler?” I’m so sorry you once had to experience from within the deprivation of people like this and hope you find a healthy spot somewhere in the world to lite…please tell me if you find it, although, I have to say that what’s going on in Israel is astoundingly, shockingly, and disgustingly the same as what was done by the Germans to the Jews, so good luck hiding from mans’ inhumanity to man. I’m not sure any place like that exists. In closing, though, I want to say that I do believe I would have killed baby Hitler. Hmm…
Jeanne, I appreciate the sentiment, and I understand the discomfort with certain cultural environments. For me, it’s not about hiding from inhumanity—it’s about finding a place where I don’t have to fight for basic dignity every day. No place is perfect, and some places make space for people like me to exist without constant resistance. That’s what I’m looking for.
There are cultures that are generally more open and welcoming. When I traveled to Sri Lanka, for instance, I felt their deep-rooted connection to the Buddhist Brahmavihāras in every fleeting interaction. Sri Lanka is far from perfect, yet simply not being constantly triggered—no longer facing a relentless onslaught on my nervous system every single day—would mean a lot for my overall health and well-being, despite the broader political conditions.
Germany legally recognizes me as nonbinary and a trans lesbian—on paper, everything is “perfect.” But changing the legal framework doesn’t mean changing the inner mindset of its citizens. That’s why I don’t see a resolution to the polarization and divisiveness in the U.S. anytime soon either.
Jay, you are clearly an incredibly intelligent, thoughtful, deep soul. My heart goes out to you. May you find a genuinely peaceful, accepting place to continue being you. But don’t stop writing; you, like Mersault, have a very special gift of communication.
Jeanne, I hear you. Writing is part of who I am, not something I could set aside. I look for places that allow space to exist without constant tension. No place is perfect, and some offer more ease than others. I continue to move toward presence, toward inhabiting what was once out of reach. I take your words as they are and appreciate the care in them.
Megan, that is still too early to determine. I might visit some people first to give my nervous system the break it needs so desperately, truly becoming post traumatic in that process. Currently options based on my probable passive income from disability pension limits the choice (and what I can imagine) to digital nomad in Mexico or New Zealand or retirement in Madagaskar, Bali, Costa Rica and Panama visa vice. Yet you never know what life brings to your doorstep.
Umm, 🤔How long will we have to wait, are there already cracks forming? and they may not only have done themselves in, but everyone else as well, who did not vote for this menace and his cohort of chaos and destruction, that being Musk and it is all deliberate, Trump is letting Musk go on a rampage to break the U.S Government, a coup! Trump, evil incarnate, seeks👉 revenge via his campaign of constant attacks on U.S government agencies by the anointed one Musk, his billionaire donor
This is a decades-long psychological war that was planned and executed by Putin. It’s definitely a coup, and soon we will be Russia. At this point, I believe they are all compromised, Russian assets.
Stellar column! Of course, I'll need to see the next two, but this is the BEST distillation of what they've done that I've seen.
It's truly unfortunate that the ones who NEED to see it, won't. Naturally, they'd excuse him, gloss over his sins, or create NEW conspiracy theories to justify their behavior.
Because that's what it all boils down to -- for WHATEVER reason (& 90% of it is racially based) they decided to gleefully support him, they can NEVER admit it was their own fault.
They're incapable of looking in the mirror. They're so used to minimizing/lying about HIS behavior, they assume they're entitled to the same obfuscation. NOPE!
SOME of them DO understand what they've done. Some of their families are MAKING them realize their role in the destruction of the Republic. They'll NEVER admit it. I STILL see posts yelling & screaming about people not speaking to them, about old friends leaving as soon as they enter a restaurant & spot them, & whining about the ostracization they're feeling. Yeah, tell it to someone who cares -- cause I sure don't.
Appreciate it! And yeah, you nailed it—this is the eternal cycle of MAGA self-delusion. They’ve invested so much in him that admitting the truth would mean acknowledging their own complicity, and that’s simply not an option. So instead, they double down, invent new lies, and gaslight themselves into believing they're the real victims.
And you’re right—some of them do get it, but admitting it would cost them too much. It’s easier to cry about being shunned than to take responsibility for backing a con man who wrecked everything he touched. They act shocked when people want nothing to do with them, as if actions don’t have consequences.
The next two pieces are coming, and I hope they won’t disappoint.
More soon. Thanks for reading and for the kind words!
Because that's what it all boils down to -- for WHATEVER reason (& 90% of it is 👉racially based) they decided to 🤮gleefully support him, they can NEVER admit it was their own fault.
Yet another of your marvelously well-written pieces. I do hope that your “seven types” will ultimately include what I call the “one-issue imbeciles”, those so focused on achieving, for example, a total abortion ban or deportation of all illegal immigrants, that they are willing to torch the Constitution to make it happen.
You did this. You put him back in power. And now, you’re watching everything you believed in fall apart.
The rallies are over. The chants have faded. The red hats are fraying at the edges. The man you worshiped has returned to office, and reality is here to collect. The economy you thought he’d protect is unraveling. The freedoms you claimed to cherish are being trampled—not by some “woke mob,” but by the very man you swore was fighting for you. Your town is struggling, your paycheck is shrinking, your kids’ futures look bleaker by the day.
And the worst part? This isn’t just a downturn—it’s decay. Trump isn’t just burning the house down; he’s making sure there’s nothing left to rebuild. The damage isn’t just temporary—it’s structural. He’s gutting the very institutions that once kept your community, your family, and your future afloat.
But you won’t admit it, will you? Not yet. Because to admit it means facing the truth: You were lied to. You were used. You were played.
There are seven types of Trump voters. Some are too far gone—so wrapped up in delusion that they’ll go down with the ship, still cheering. Others are just beginning to feel the sting, the slow realization that they bet their futures on a fraud. And some? Some are already drowning, searching for an excuse, a scapegoat, anything to avoid looking in the mirror.
It's class warfare people. Those with the gold are trying to rewrite the rules.
I feel most sorry for those caught in the cult of Trump. The MAGA poor and middle class have been duped and played. When they realize it, they will be left in utter despair and very pissed off.
I'm thinking about the regular americans who succumbed to the propaganda from Fox News, X, Facebook and the ever increasing media sources that serve the Oligarchs. These Americans are literally brain washed over the years. They have been corrupted to think that free speech, liberty, justice, equality and self determination are vestiges of an "evil wokeness" that has already ruined America. The strange belief that American freedom must be defeated to make America great again, - feels like an Orwellian cult doesn't it?
MAGAs are so aggrieved that they gave away their free thinking to be part of a tribe, that blames "the other" for their lot in life. They are bound by grievance, attracted to the promise of a return to the "good old days" that were never that great, to "stop the evil immigrants" that don't really exist, and to "Own the Libs" because freedom and equality is only for their tribe.
This theatre, of course, is only to obscure the intent of the Oligarchs, to make their aggression unclear, to obfuscate the class warfare that is being waged against the middle class. The greedy and most wealthy people of all time, are attacking you and I, and they want more. The Plutocrats don't care about the people, they worship power, profits, and tax cuts above all things. They have taken the government. The only obstacle in the way is the educated middle class of America. We the people stand in the way.
Those with the gold are trying to rewrite the rules. It's outright class warfare. Rich Oligarcs, rich corporations, corrupt billionaires are united behind President Orange. They are speedily working to solidify total control of american government. Corruption and lawlessness is on the march. They will do anything to increase their collective power and wealth.
These filthy rich assholes will not succeed -because we are bad ass FREE Americans. Give me liberty or give me death!
The rich will have no place to hide.
Pitchforks and knives out... let's give the greedy rich aggressors no peace, no place to hide. We can picket, boycott, protest, petition, work stoppages, and civil disobedience. Start by deleting the corrupt lying media platforms, boycott the trump aligned corporations, participate in the Tesla Takedown, write bad reviews, deleterious blog posts, call into conservative radio, and most of all disobey everything Trump says - starting with he wants us to be afraid.
No fear. Land of the free, home of the brave!
They want to fuck us, well fuck them. Get your American solidarity on people. It's time to show up. Do what you can from where you are.. now.
As a Brit living in Thailand I feel I am looking at a tacky horror show. But this is the best thing I've read by far. Good to see the MAGA crowd broken down (pun intended.)
A Brit in Thailand—talk about the perfect vantage point for this train wreck. You get to watch the MAGA horror show unfold from a place with better food, better beaches, and far less unhinged political chaos. Sounds like you made the right move.
Come on America … these shitbags are not going to continue to make us ridiculous to the rest of the world. The majority of us are not Orange SHitler dupes. The entirety of the Republican Party will pay for their complicity.
We will buck up and revolt - these motherfuckers .. ALL need to be tarred and feathered and paraded through the streets straight to the gallows. They deserve nothing less for selling out our country, for stealing, plundering, and pillaging from us who worked hard to make this country a place the world admired and wished to emulate. From stealing from us, our parents and grandparents and children and future generations!
Fuck em Fuck em all !!!! Motherfucking Bastards ..
Consider the role that empathy or care for the vulnerable will play in ending the rule of deceitful, bullying billionaires, or bullionaires as I now call them.
I blame "my fellow Americans" for this mess 100%. Because despite Mitch McConnell, despite the corrupt SCOTUS, despite a craven hopelessly submissive GOP, despite a feckless judicial system, despite a weak democratic party deceiving us, the voting electorate could have nipped this shit in the bud. But nooooooo, they were too concerned about the price of fucking eggs. Friends, acquaintances, family members, every person who cast their vote, or sat it out, for a lunatic madman and convicted felon, this tidal wave of lunacy is on YOU. You own it. And I am disgusted with you.
They had every chance to stop this and chose not to. Not because they were tricked, but because they liked what he represented—rage, grievance, and the illusion of power. Now, as democracy buckles under their choices, they play the victim, whining about accountability like it’s some great injustice.
Well, too bad. They own this. Every consequence, every unraveling institution, every inch of creeping authoritarianism—it’s on them. And history won’t forget it.
Mersault,
I read every word, and I’m with you. The precision, the clarity, the refusal to let anyone wriggle free from the consequences of their own choices—it’s all here, and it’s necessary. You cut through the fantasy with a clean blade. I have nothing to add to your breakdown of these voter types, just my full agreement.
Yet, I think there’s a missing layer—one that speaks to history repeating itself in ways too many refuse to see. The traits you name—the blind loyalty, the addiction to outrage, the contempt for reality—aren’t new. I recognize them. I grew up surrounded by them. I have watched them shape the country I was born into, just as they shaped others before.
Großmannssucht isn’t exclusive to any one nation, but I have seen how it thrived in the Germanic world, how it fueled not just the wars that scarred Europe but the delusions that still simmer under its surface. The same contempt for the “weaker” other, the same worship of force over reason, the same arrogance that pretends to be pragmatism. Trump isn’t just an aberration—he’s an echo. And his movement, like so many before, draws from that same well.
There’s also a connection that I don’t think has been fully acknowledged. The Germanic traits—Trump, Thiel—and the Boerish influence—Musk. It’s not just their origins, it’s the ideology that binds them. Thiel’s parents emigrated to Apartheid South Africa, carrying their National Socialist ethos with them. Thiel concurs. Musk concurs. They aren’t just accidental beneficiaries of this lineage; they embody it, wield it, and perpetuate it. The same greed, the same supremacist logic, the same conviction that power is its own justification.
And it’s because of all this—because I have seen where this leads—that I have decided to leave. I won’t watch it unfold again from inside.
You’re doing what needs to be done. Keep going.
This is the kind of response that reminds me why I write these pieces. Precision, clarity—yes, those are essential. But so is the historical throughline, the recognition that this isn’t just a moment of madness but a well-worn path we’ve seen before.
You’re absolutely right—Trumpism isn’t a new phenomenon, just a new manifestation of something much older. The arrogance disguised as pragmatism, the disdain for the “weaker” other, the veneration of brute strength over reason—it’s all part of the same old story. And yes, the ideological lineage of figures like Trump, Thiel, and Musk is no accident. The throughline from National Socialism to Apartheid to the authoritarian neoliberalism they champion today isn’t just historical trivia—it’s the framework that underpins their worldview.
I respect your choice to leave. I understand it. But for those of us who remain, the work continues. Exposing these patterns, connecting the dots, making sure history doesn’t just repeat itself unchallenged—this is how we resist. Thank you for reading. And more importantly, for seeing. Check out these articles drawing comparisons with what's happening now with what the world has, unfortunately, seen before:
𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗖𝗹𝘂𝗯 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆: 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝗺𝗽 𝗩𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘆
𝗵𝘁𝘁𝗽𝘀://𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘂𝗹𝘁.𝘀𝘂𝗯𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗰𝗸.𝗰𝗼𝗺/𝗽/𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲-𝘁𝗼-𝘁𝗵𝗲-𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸-𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗯-𝗼𝗳-𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆
𝗪𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗞𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗕𝗮𝗯𝘆 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝗺𝗽?
𝗵𝘁𝘁𝗽𝘀://𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘂𝗹𝘁.𝘀𝘂𝗯𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗰𝗸.𝗰𝗼𝗺/𝗽/𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱-𝘆𝗼𝘂-𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹-𝗯𝗮𝗯𝘆-𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗺𝗽
𝗧𝗿𝘂𝗺𝗽’𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝗮𝘂𝗴𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗮𝗻𝘁: 𝗔 𝗖𝗮𝗰𝗼𝗽𝗵𝗼𝗻𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗡𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘀𝗺, 𝗙𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗛𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗿’𝘀 𝗗𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗦𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘁
𝗵𝘁𝘁𝗽𝘀://𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘂𝗹𝘁.𝘀𝘂𝗯𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗰𝗸.𝗰𝗼𝗺/𝗽/𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗺𝗽𝘀-𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘂𝗴𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹-𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁-𝗮-𝗰𝗮𝗰𝗼𝗽𝗵𝗼𝗻𝘆
𝗜 𝗪𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝗺𝗽 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗿—𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗮 𝗡𝗮𝘇𝗶 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗱 𝗨𝗽
𝗵𝘁𝘁𝗽𝘀://𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘂𝗹𝘁.𝘀𝘂𝗯𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗰𝗸.𝗰𝗼𝗺/𝗽/𝘆𝗲𝘀-𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗺𝗽-𝗶𝘀-𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲-𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗿-𝗯𝘂𝘁-𝗻𝗼𝘁
@Open Letters by Mersault, first of all, I am leaving Germany, not the US. I might even feel compelled to fight for the US, but I will never fight for the country of my birth. Germany has ostracized me since I was three. At almost 58, I have had enough.
In just 5.5 months here, I have found more support, compassion, and like-minded people than I did in 57 years in Germany. So no, this is not about leaving the US. If a kind American business owner were to offer sponsorship, I might take it—despite everything happening in the US, despite an administration trying to erase non-binary trans lesbians like me.
That, Mersault, should tell you something.
In Germany, I have legal recognition. And what use is it, if society still looks down on you? If those who are kind and supportive make up only 5%? Nothing. It’s not always about the legal framework.
Second, I truly appreciate your response and the way you acknowledged what I said. Precision, clarity, and historical awareness matter—and so does personal truth. You didn’t just hear me; you affirmed me. That means something.
Indeed👍
Großmannssucht isn’t exclusive to any one nation, but I have seen how it thrived in the Germanic world, how it fueled not just the wars that scarred Europe but the delusions that still simmer under its surface. The same contempt for the “weaker” other, the same worship of force over reason, the same arrogance that pretends to be pragmatism. Trump isn’t just an aberration—he’s an echo. And his movement, like so many before, draws from that same well
It’s the ideology that binds them. Thiel’s parents emigrated to Apartheid South Africa, carrying their National Socialist ethos with them. Thiel concurs. Musk concurs. They aren’t just accidental beneficiaries of this lineage; they embody it, wield it, and perpetuate it. The same greed, the same 👉supremacist logic, the same conviction that power is its own justification.
John, I appreciate your insight. Großmannssucht isn’t bound to any one place, but its persistence in the Germanic world is something I know all too well. It’s not just history—it’s a pattern that keeps resurfacing, repackaging itself in new forms while carrying the same core ideology.
Me leaving Germany is about refusing to keep playing a game where the rules were never meant to include me. I see where this leads, and I won’t wait for the inevitable.
Thank you for engaging with this so sharply. Conversations like this matter.
The cultural Zeitgeist of most, if not all, of the Germanic countries leaves me rather cold (isn’t that interesting!). I have never felt comfortable traveling there. Give me Italy every time! And I know it’s not fair to generalize, but… Someone wrote on Substack recently about the age-old question, “Would you kill baby Hitler?” I’m so sorry you once had to experience from within the deprivation of people like this and hope you find a healthy spot somewhere in the world to lite…please tell me if you find it, although, I have to say that what’s going on in Israel is astoundingly, shockingly, and disgustingly the same as what was done by the Germans to the Jews, so good luck hiding from mans’ inhumanity to man. I’m not sure any place like that exists. In closing, though, I want to say that I do believe I would have killed baby Hitler. Hmm…
Jeanne, I appreciate the sentiment, and I understand the discomfort with certain cultural environments. For me, it’s not about hiding from inhumanity—it’s about finding a place where I don’t have to fight for basic dignity every day. No place is perfect, and some places make space for people like me to exist without constant resistance. That’s what I’m looking for.
There are cultures that are generally more open and welcoming. When I traveled to Sri Lanka, for instance, I felt their deep-rooted connection to the Buddhist Brahmavihāras in every fleeting interaction. Sri Lanka is far from perfect, yet simply not being constantly triggered—no longer facing a relentless onslaught on my nervous system every single day—would mean a lot for my overall health and well-being, despite the broader political conditions.
Germany legally recognizes me as nonbinary and a trans lesbian—on paper, everything is “perfect.” But changing the legal framework doesn’t mean changing the inner mindset of its citizens. That’s why I don’t see a resolution to the polarization and divisiveness in the U.S. anytime soon either.
Jay, you are clearly an incredibly intelligent, thoughtful, deep soul. My heart goes out to you. May you find a genuinely peaceful, accepting place to continue being you. But don’t stop writing; you, like Mersault, have a very special gift of communication.
Jeanne, I hear you. Writing is part of who I am, not something I could set aside. I look for places that allow space to exist without constant tension. No place is perfect, and some offer more ease than others. I continue to move toward presence, toward inhabiting what was once out of reach. I take your words as they are and appreciate the care in them.
Where are you leaving to?
Megan, that is still too early to determine. I might visit some people first to give my nervous system the break it needs so desperately, truly becoming post traumatic in that process. Currently options based on my probable passive income from disability pension limits the choice (and what I can imagine) to digital nomad in Mexico or New Zealand or retirement in Madagaskar, Bali, Costa Rica and Panama visa vice. Yet you never know what life brings to your doorstep.
Brilliant piece of writing! Very well stated.
Indeed, it is so two thumbs up👍👍
Thank you for your brilliance. I so badly just want to hear these idiots admit they were wrong.
Umm, 🤔How long will we have to wait, are there already cracks forming? and they may not only have done themselves in, but everyone else as well, who did not vote for this menace and his cohort of chaos and destruction, that being Musk and it is all deliberate, Trump is letting Musk go on a rampage to break the U.S Government, a coup! Trump, evil incarnate, seeks👉 revenge via his campaign of constant attacks on U.S government agencies by the anointed one Musk, his billionaire donor
Bravo Maga voters.
This is a decades-long psychological war that was planned and executed by Putin. It’s definitely a coup, and soon we will be Russia. At this point, I believe they are all compromised, Russian assets.
Stellar column! Of course, I'll need to see the next two, but this is the BEST distillation of what they've done that I've seen.
It's truly unfortunate that the ones who NEED to see it, won't. Naturally, they'd excuse him, gloss over his sins, or create NEW conspiracy theories to justify their behavior.
Because that's what it all boils down to -- for WHATEVER reason (& 90% of it is racially based) they decided to gleefully support him, they can NEVER admit it was their own fault.
They're incapable of looking in the mirror. They're so used to minimizing/lying about HIS behavior, they assume they're entitled to the same obfuscation. NOPE!
SOME of them DO understand what they've done. Some of their families are MAKING them realize their role in the destruction of the Republic. They'll NEVER admit it. I STILL see posts yelling & screaming about people not speaking to them, about old friends leaving as soon as they enter a restaurant & spot them, & whining about the ostracization they're feeling. Yeah, tell it to someone who cares -- cause I sure don't.
Thanks! I'm eagerly awaiting the next one.
Tom,
Appreciate it! And yeah, you nailed it—this is the eternal cycle of MAGA self-delusion. They’ve invested so much in him that admitting the truth would mean acknowledging their own complicity, and that’s simply not an option. So instead, they double down, invent new lies, and gaslight themselves into believing they're the real victims.
And you’re right—some of them do get it, but admitting it would cost them too much. It’s easier to cry about being shunned than to take responsibility for backing a con man who wrecked everything he touched. They act shocked when people want nothing to do with them, as if actions don’t have consequences.
The next two pieces are coming, and I hope they won’t disappoint.
More soon. Thanks for reading and for the kind words!
Because that's what it all boils down to -- for WHATEVER reason (& 90% of it is 👉racially based) they decided to 🤮gleefully support him, they can NEVER admit it was their own fault.
Drop the mic sir! Boom! Hammer don’t hurt em!
😄
Yet another of your marvelously well-written pieces. I do hope that your “seven types” will ultimately include what I call the “one-issue imbeciles”, those so focused on achieving, for example, a total abortion ban or deportation of all illegal immigrants, that they are willing to torch the Constitution to make it happen.
Indeed it does! Stay tuned. :)
EXCERPT FROM MERSAULT👍👏
You did this. You put him back in power. And now, you’re watching everything you believed in fall apart.
The rallies are over. The chants have faded. The red hats are fraying at the edges. The man you worshiped has returned to office, and reality is here to collect. The economy you thought he’d protect is unraveling. The freedoms you claimed to cherish are being trampled—not by some “woke mob,” but by the very man you swore was fighting for you. Your town is struggling, your paycheck is shrinking, your kids’ futures look bleaker by the day.
And the worst part? This isn’t just a downturn—it’s decay. Trump isn’t just burning the house down; he’s making sure there’s nothing left to rebuild. The damage isn’t just temporary—it’s structural. He’s gutting the very institutions that once kept your community, your family, and your future afloat.
But you won’t admit it, will you? Not yet. Because to admit it means facing the truth: You were lied to. You were used. You were played.
There are seven types of Trump voters. Some are too far gone—so wrapped up in delusion that they’ll go down with the ship, still cheering. Others are just beginning to feel the sting, the slow realization that they bet their futures on a fraud. And some? Some are already drowning, searching for an excuse, a scapegoat, anything to avoid looking in the mirror.
Thank you for this great analysis. I was utterly baffled by MAGA people and thought MAGA a form of mental illness or mass hysteria.
It's class warfare people. Those with the gold are trying to rewrite the rules.
I feel most sorry for those caught in the cult of Trump. The MAGA poor and middle class have been duped and played. When they realize it, they will be left in utter despair and very pissed off.
I'm thinking about the regular americans who succumbed to the propaganda from Fox News, X, Facebook and the ever increasing media sources that serve the Oligarchs. These Americans are literally brain washed over the years. They have been corrupted to think that free speech, liberty, justice, equality and self determination are vestiges of an "evil wokeness" that has already ruined America. The strange belief that American freedom must be defeated to make America great again, - feels like an Orwellian cult doesn't it?
MAGAs are so aggrieved that they gave away their free thinking to be part of a tribe, that blames "the other" for their lot in life. They are bound by grievance, attracted to the promise of a return to the "good old days" that were never that great, to "stop the evil immigrants" that don't really exist, and to "Own the Libs" because freedom and equality is only for their tribe.
This theatre, of course, is only to obscure the intent of the Oligarchs, to make their aggression unclear, to obfuscate the class warfare that is being waged against the middle class. The greedy and most wealthy people of all time, are attacking you and I, and they want more. The Plutocrats don't care about the people, they worship power, profits, and tax cuts above all things. They have taken the government. The only obstacle in the way is the educated middle class of America. We the people stand in the way.
Those with the gold are trying to rewrite the rules. It's outright class warfare. Rich Oligarcs, rich corporations, corrupt billionaires are united behind President Orange. They are speedily working to solidify total control of american government. Corruption and lawlessness is on the march. They will do anything to increase their collective power and wealth.
These filthy rich assholes will not succeed -because we are bad ass FREE Americans. Give me liberty or give me death!
The rich will have no place to hide.
Pitchforks and knives out... let's give the greedy rich aggressors no peace, no place to hide. We can picket, boycott, protest, petition, work stoppages, and civil disobedience. Start by deleting the corrupt lying media platforms, boycott the trump aligned corporations, participate in the Tesla Takedown, write bad reviews, deleterious blog posts, call into conservative radio, and most of all disobey everything Trump says - starting with he wants us to be afraid.
No fear. Land of the free, home of the brave!
They want to fuck us, well fuck them. Get your American solidarity on people. It's time to show up. Do what you can from where you are.. now.
Excellent. I hope you share this on every media platform possible so MAGA can see it. Maybe a few of them will actually read it, share it and wake up.
As a Brit living in Thailand I feel I am looking at a tacky horror show. But this is the best thing I've read by far. Good to see the MAGA crowd broken down (pun intended.)
A Brit in Thailand—talk about the perfect vantage point for this train wreck. You get to watch the MAGA horror show unfold from a place with better food, better beaches, and far less unhinged political chaos. Sounds like you made the right move.
Republicans, conservatives & maggots …. grovel, genuflect and snivel … to Trump … it’s refreshing to see a real man … not kiss trumps fat ass
Come on America … these shitbags are not going to continue to make us ridiculous to the rest of the world. The majority of us are not Orange SHitler dupes. The entirety of the Republican Party will pay for their complicity.
We will buck up and revolt - these motherfuckers .. ALL need to be tarred and feathered and paraded through the streets straight to the gallows. They deserve nothing less for selling out our country, for stealing, plundering, and pillaging from us who worked hard to make this country a place the world admired and wished to emulate. From stealing from us, our parents and grandparents and children and future generations!
Fuck em Fuck em all !!!! Motherfucking Bastards ..
THEY DOOMED THOSE OF US WHO DIDN'T VOTE FOR HIM AS WELL!!🤬
Love the work and the writing.
Consider the role that empathy or care for the vulnerable will play in ending the rule of deceitful, bullying billionaires, or bullionaires as I now call them.
Thank you for your comment, Steve—and thank you for the “coffees” you gifted me to support my efforts!
I blame "my fellow Americans" for this mess 100%. Because despite Mitch McConnell, despite the corrupt SCOTUS, despite a craven hopelessly submissive GOP, despite a feckless judicial system, despite a weak democratic party deceiving us, the voting electorate could have nipped this shit in the bud. But nooooooo, they were too concerned about the price of fucking eggs. Friends, acquaintances, family members, every person who cast their vote, or sat it out, for a lunatic madman and convicted felon, this tidal wave of lunacy is on YOU. You own it. And I am disgusted with you.
They had every chance to stop this and chose not to. Not because they were tricked, but because they liked what he represented—rage, grievance, and the illusion of power. Now, as democracy buckles under their choices, they play the victim, whining about accountability like it’s some great injustice.
Well, too bad. They own this. Every consequence, every unraveling institution, every inch of creeping authoritarianism—it’s on them. And history won’t forget it.