U.S. Politics

[Royell Storing]

I am, in general, a Trump supporter in the sense of supporting many of his policies and objectives - certainly in comparison to those of Kamala and her supporters. I am far from a Trump cultist. He is more than "flawed" - I am concerned that his megalomania borders on (or crosses into) insanity, that he is erratic past the point that should be acceptable in any leader, and that he is one step from becoming genuinely frightening. The checks and balances that should exist within our system of government seem to have vanished under Trump.

Here, from an article in Psychology Today that was written before The Donald ever ran for office, are the warnings signs of a dangerous cult leader. Not all fit Trump because this is talking principally about religious cults, but a lot of them are him to a T:

He has a grandiose idea of who he is and what he can achieve.
Is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, or brilliance.
Demands blind, unquestioned obedience.
Requires excessive admiration from followers and outsiders.
Has a sense of entitlement—expecting to be treated as special at all times.
Exploits others by asking for their money or that of relatives, putting others at financial risk.
Is arrogant and haughty in his behavior or attitude.
Has an exaggerated sense of power (entitlement) that allows him to bend rules and break laws.
Takes sexual advantage of members of his sect or cult.
Sex is a requirement with adults and sub-adults as part of a ritual or rite.
Is hypersensitive to how he is seen or perceived by others.
Publicly devalues others as being inferior, incapable, or not worthy.
Makes members confess their sins or faults, publicly subjecting them to ridicule or humiliation while revealing the exploitable weaknesses of the penitent.
Has ignored the needs of others, including biological, physical, emotional, and financial needs.
Is frequently boastful of accomplishments.
Needs to be the center of attention and does things to distract others to ensure that he or she is being noticed, e.g., by arriving late, using exotic clothing, overdramatic speech, or by making theatrical entrances.
Has insisted on always having the best of anything (house, car, jewelry, clothes) even when others are relegated to lesser facilities, amenities, or clothing.
Doesn’t seem to listen well to the needs of others; communication is usually one-way, in the form of dictates.
Haughtiness, grandiosity, and the need to be controlling are part of his personality.
Behaves as though people are objects to be used, manipulated, or exploited for personal gain.
When criticized he tends to lash out not just with anger but with rage.
Anyone who criticizes or questions him is called an “enemy.”
Refers to non-members or non-believers as “the enemy.”
Acts imperious at times, not wishing to know what others think or desire.
Believes himself to be omnipotent.
Has “magical” answers or solutions to problems.
Is superficially charming.
Habitually puts down others as inferior; only he is superior.
Has a certain coldness or aloofness about him that makes others worry about who this person is and or whether they know him.
Is deeply offended when there are perceived signs of boredom, being ignored or slighted.
Treats others with contempt and arrogance.
Is constantly assessing people to determine those who are a threat or those who revere him.
The word “I” dominates his conversations. He is oblivious to how often he references himself.
Hates to be embarrassed or fail publicly; when he does he acts out with rage.
Doesn’t seem to feel guilty for anything he has done wrong nor does he apologize for his actions.
Believes he possesses the answers and solutions to world problems.
Believes himself to be a deity or a chosen representative of a deity.
"Rigid," "unbending," or "insensitive" describes how this person thinks.
Tries to control others in what they do, read, view, or think.
Has isolated members of his sect from contact with family or the outside world.
Monitors and/or restricts contact with family or outsiders.
Works the least but demands the most.
Has stated that he is “destined for greatness” or that he will be “martyred.”
Seems to be highly dependent on tribute and adoration and will often fish for compliments.
Uses enforcers or sycophants to ensure compliance from members or believers.
Sees themself as “unstoppable” and perhaps has even said so.
Conceals background or family, which would disclose how plain or ordinary he is.
Doesn’t think there is anything wrong with himself and sees himself as perfect or “blessed.”
Has taken away followers' freedom to leave, to travel, to pursue life and liberty.
Has isolated the group physically (moved to a remote area) to not be observed.

Source: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/spycatcher/201208/dangerous-cult-leaders

  Yawn!

[Richard Smith]

I am, in general, a Trump supporter in the sense of supporting many of his policies and objectives - certainly in comparison to those of Kamala and her supporters. I am far from a Trump cultist. He is more than "flawed" - I am concerned that his megalomania borders on (or crosses into) insanity, that he is erratic past the point that should be acceptable in any leader, and that he is one step from becoming genuinely frightening. The checks and balances that should exist within our system of government seem to have vanished under Trump.

Here, from an article in Psychology Today that was written before The Donald ever ran for office, are the warnings signs of a dangerous cult leader. Not all fit Trump because this is talking principally about religious cults, but a lot of them are him to a T:

He has a grandiose idea of who he is and what he can achieve.
Is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, or brilliance.
Demands blind, unquestioned obedience.
Requires excessive admiration from followers and outsiders.
Has a sense of entitlement—expecting to be treated as special at all times.
Exploits others by asking for their money or that of relatives, putting others at financial risk.
Is arrogant and haughty in his behavior or attitude.
Has an exaggerated sense of power (entitlement) that allows him to bend rules and break laws.
Takes sexual advantage of members of his sect or cult.
Sex is a requirement with adults and sub-adults as part of a ritual or rite.
Is hypersensitive to how he is seen or perceived by others.
Publicly devalues others as being inferior, incapable, or not worthy.
Makes members confess their sins or faults, publicly subjecting them to ridicule or humiliation while revealing the exploitable weaknesses of the penitent.
Has ignored the needs of others, including biological, physical, emotional, and financial needs.
Is frequently boastful of accomplishments.
Needs to be the center of attention and does things to distract others to ensure that he or she is being noticed, e.g., by arriving late, using exotic clothing, overdramatic speech, or by making theatrical entrances.
Has insisted on always having the best of anything (house, car, jewelry, clothes) even when others are relegated to lesser facilities, amenities, or clothing.
Doesn’t seem to listen well to the needs of others; communication is usually one-way, in the form of dictates.
Haughtiness, grandiosity, and the need to be controlling are part of his personality.
Behaves as though people are objects to be used, manipulated, or exploited for personal gain.
When criticized he tends to lash out not just with anger but with rage.
Anyone who criticizes or questions him is called an “enemy.”
Refers to non-members or non-believers as “the enemy.”
Acts imperious at times, not wishing to know what others think or desire.
Believes himself to be omnipotent.
Has “magical” answers or solutions to problems.
Is superficially charming.
Habitually puts down others as inferior; only he is superior.
Has a certain coldness or aloofness about him that makes others worry about who this person is and or whether they know him.
Is deeply offended when there are perceived signs of boredom, being ignored or slighted.
Treats others with contempt and arrogance.
Is constantly assessing people to determine those who are a threat or those who revere him.
The word “I” dominates his conversations. He is oblivious to how often he references himself.
Hates to be embarrassed or fail publicly; when he does he acts out with rage.
Doesn’t seem to feel guilty for anything he has done wrong nor does he apologize for his actions.
Believes he possesses the answers and solutions to world problems.
Believes himself to be a deity or a chosen representative of a deity.
"Rigid," "unbending," or "insensitive" describes how this person thinks.
Tries to control others in what they do, read, view, or think.
Has isolated members of his sect from contact with family or the outside world.
Monitors and/or restricts contact with family or outsiders.
Works the least but demands the most.
Has stated that he is “destined for greatness” or that he will be “martyred.”
Seems to be highly dependent on tribute and adoration and will often fish for compliments.
Uses enforcers or sycophants to ensure compliance from members or believers.
Sees themself as “unstoppable” and perhaps has even said so.
Conceals background or family, which would disclose how plain or ordinary he is.
Doesn’t think there is anything wrong with himself and sees himself as perfect or “blessed.”
Has taken away followers' freedom to leave, to travel, to pursue life and liberty.
Has isolated the group physically (moved to a remote area) to not be observed.

Source: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/spycatcher/201208/dangerous-cult-leaders

No other person could break the stranglehold that the establishment had over American politics without a healthy ego.  Every politician shares many of these egotistical traits but are simply better at hiding them.  The obsession with Trump himself and desire to demonize him has become very personal for many people.  They have an obsessive fixation on him personally.  If he cured cancer, they would claim that he did so for profit and was selfishly contributing to overpopulation.  The results, even if widely beneficial to society, would be ignored.  It would be Trump's motives that would be discussed.  These people hate him.  As a result, anything he does must be motivated by greed or criminal motives. 

I do think many people have been brainwashed by what amounts to a coordinated propaganda campaign from many sources including the mass media on the topic.  That is what frightens me.  Trump is almost 80 years old.  His term in office will end in a few years.  His days on the world stage are limited.  The folks who have undermined him at every turn with dishonesty and corruption, however, persist.  They will be with us forever because they control the mechanisms of power and are willing to do anything to maintain their influence.  Do we want all of American to be governed in the way that liberals have governed American cities and places like California?  The results have been disastrous.

[Royell Storing]

 What we are currently seeing from Trump is what you get from an unchained Lame Duck. This is exactly what the people voted for. Everything he has done thus far, he consistently promised throughout his campaign. The overwhelming number of people complaining about what Trump is now doing voted against him in the election. THEY remain in the minority.