It’s shocking to see analysis that treats this 3rd idea as viable and does not give even one SENTENCE to the raging racism that smusk and his ilk represent. As long as he checks the boxes outlined, the racism can be ignored, tolerated, accepted. Sad because that’s why we’re here. Disappointing that you didn’t see that. “To be [black]in this country and to be relatively conscious is to be in a rage almost all the time.” - J. Baldwin
I agree completely Melba. Should Musk’s “America Party” succeed, it would lead a government of the wealthy, by the wealthy and for the wealthy. No one else matters. Musk’s 20 something DOGE bros have already done catastrophic damage to our federal government. Destroyed first were programs that serve people of color, women, kids, sick and disabled people, and the poor.
USAID provided food and medical care to millions of people, many of them living in Africa. Hundreds of thousands have already died. Boys and Girls Clubs have lost the grants they planned to use to fund their summer programs. Those programs provided a free lunch and a safe place for inner city kids while their parents work.
DOGE’s destruction has affected every government service. Those floods in Texas? Understaffed NOAA weather service offices didn’t warn people to evacuate in time. Will FEMA be there to help people recover? Health care? Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” just tossed millions of people, including about 5 million kids, off Medicaid. NIH has lost many of the scientists who could be working on cures for cancer and other diseases.
Some might see Musk as a visionary, but while he is spending his money to colonize Mars, he is killing people by denying them services they need right here, right now. If he can use his money and his salesmanship to convince voters to support his "priorities," I despair for our country.
Re: "Trump shares with Musk one remarkable trait—neither accepts the impossibility of success, even when faced with overwhelming evidence to the contrary."
Trump and Musk are salesmen. They find ways to view situations in a win-win light, so even if they "lose" they will win. At the very least, Trump wrings sympathy from his base with his constant grievances.
"Always Be Selling" is a classic moral taught in sales classes. "Act Enthusiastic, and you will BE Enthusiastic" and "We will WIN. We have Faith, Courage, and Enthusiasm" --taught for generations. The quotes take on an entirely different meaning when used by people who short-cut the sales process with out-right, constant lies. Those types do not care about referrals or return business, because they are going for it all now.
Robert Louis Stevenson gets credit for the quote "Everyone sells something for a living." Staying open-minded to what might seem impossible is one way to practice a positive mental attitude (mind your PMA!). There are lots of honest salespeople. We know the importance of return business and referrals, and guard our reputations with honest service.
Musk and Trump are salespeople who LIE.
The gullibility of the American public never ceases to amaze. P.T. Barnum was absolutely right.
The question is whether Musk will draw from the Trump American Fascist Party (formerly known as the GoP) or from frustrated Democrats, especially any young males who are still Democrats. If the latter, our democracy will be dissolving like ice in the summer sun.
It’s shocking to see analysis that treats this 3rd idea as viable and does not give even one SENTENCE to the raging racism that smusk and his ilk represent. As long as he checks the boxes outlined, the racism can be ignored, tolerated, accepted. Sad because that’s why we’re here. Disappointing that you didn’t see that. “To be [black]in this country and to be relatively conscious is to be in a rage almost all the time.” - J. Baldwin
I agree completely Melba. Should Musk’s “America Party” succeed, it would lead a government of the wealthy, by the wealthy and for the wealthy. No one else matters. Musk’s 20 something DOGE bros have already done catastrophic damage to our federal government. Destroyed first were programs that serve people of color, women, kids, sick and disabled people, and the poor.
USAID provided food and medical care to millions of people, many of them living in Africa. Hundreds of thousands have already died. Boys and Girls Clubs have lost the grants they planned to use to fund their summer programs. Those programs provided a free lunch and a safe place for inner city kids while their parents work.
DOGE’s destruction has affected every government service. Those floods in Texas? Understaffed NOAA weather service offices didn’t warn people to evacuate in time. Will FEMA be there to help people recover? Health care? Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” just tossed millions of people, including about 5 million kids, off Medicaid. NIH has lost many of the scientists who could be working on cures for cancer and other diseases.
Some might see Musk as a visionary, but while he is spending his money to colonize Mars, he is killing people by denying them services they need right here, right now. If he can use his money and his salesmanship to convince voters to support his "priorities," I despair for our country.
Re: "Trump shares with Musk one remarkable trait—neither accepts the impossibility of success, even when faced with overwhelming evidence to the contrary."
Trump and Musk are salesmen. They find ways to view situations in a win-win light, so even if they "lose" they will win. At the very least, Trump wrings sympathy from his base with his constant grievances.
"Always Be Selling" is a classic moral taught in sales classes. "Act Enthusiastic, and you will BE Enthusiastic" and "We will WIN. We have Faith, Courage, and Enthusiasm" --taught for generations. The quotes take on an entirely different meaning when used by people who short-cut the sales process with out-right, constant lies. Those types do not care about referrals or return business, because they are going for it all now.
Robert Louis Stevenson gets credit for the quote "Everyone sells something for a living." Staying open-minded to what might seem impossible is one way to practice a positive mental attitude (mind your PMA!). There are lots of honest salespeople. We know the importance of return business and referrals, and guard our reputations with honest service.
Musk and Trump are salespeople who LIE.
The gullibility of the American public never ceases to amaze. P.T. Barnum was absolutely right.
Greg: Great comment--better than the piece you commented on. Thank you for it.
Thanks for the prompt - https://gregconners.substack.com/p/death-by-salesman-a-warning
The question is whether Musk will draw from the Trump American Fascist Party (formerly known as the GoP) or from frustrated Democrats, especially any young males who are still Democrats. If the latter, our democracy will be dissolving like ice in the summer sun.