
Do you grasp the irony that Trump will become President for the second time, in the very room where MAGA rioters, with his blessings, swarmed? The outdoors swearing-in ceremony would have demonstrated hypocrisy as well; however, inside the dome of the Capitol seems even more sinister. Trump successfully attained his goal, albeit through an election financially supported by oligarchs, business executives, and the gullible. Nonetheless, he was willing to obtain the Presidency by violent means.

Pretense, posturing, and false virtue have characterized Trump's campaigns and first presidency. Today we have a new duplicity to add to a long list of deceits. He will take an oath he does not believe in at all, in a sacred building his proxies desecrated.
I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.
Any federal officeholder, who does not accept the election results and attempts to change those results in his/her favor, is not upholding the constitution. Supporting our Constitution is basic to the oath sworn by all federal employees, from clerk to Supreme Court Justice.
As we have witnessed, Trump will not be punished. No one will question his suitability for the office. Brave politicians, judges, and citizens have endlessly attempted to prevent Trump from holding public office. Due to the rules of our system--and unworthy, cowardly businesspeople and Republican lawmakers--Trump has prevailed. Inaugurations are not weddings. Justice Roberts will not question if anyone objects to this union.

As P.T. Barnum said, "The common man, no matter how sharp and tough, actually enjoys having the wool pulled over his eyes, and makes it easier for the puller.” And, boy have we seen this in action. People like a show. Trump is a showman. The media likes a show. So we have a show at the people's expense.
The Chief Executive is probably one of the most challenging jobs on earth. The position demands intelligence, common sense, compassion, knowledge of the U.S. government, appreciation of foreign relations, to name a few. Biden demonstrated these qualities. Certainly he should have bowed out two years ago. Unfortunately, he was enabled and succumbed to typical human weaknesses--egotism among others.
A majority of the American people were not smart enough to see another performance. P.T. Barnum also said, "Nobody lost a dollar underestimating the taste of the American public." How true. Here we wait. When will everyone understand that the Roman poet Juvenal was correct in saying, "Give them bread and circuses and they will never revolt"? We did not need Barnum. Americans could have studied Roman history closer and would have been forewarned. Unscrupulous leaders are as old as civilization. That may be reassuring, but the fallout still occurs.

©Karen Levi 2025
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