Doc, you raise in me the image of a skiier standing on the side of the slopes for three months...without a flake of snow.
Then--out of nowhere--a blizzard and an avalanche! No one can cram more ideas into a single post than you. I feel incapable of responding to everything you raise.
So i'll start with a brief comment on what appears so far above...and then add some fuel to the fire.
First, with all respect (honestly), I see you and Moe as calmly talking to each other inside the bubble...unaware of what's going on outside.
On the other hand, Matt and TJM--who I do not suspect to be political 'brothers'--range from actual fact to near brilliance. I can't read those posts enough.
So, apologies in advance for noses put out of joint, but here are some bullet points:
--Donald Trump is president. I accept that. But for the second time in 16 years, the will of the people has been overturned. First by Scalia, then by Putin. I wonder how the GOP would respond if the shoe were on their foot?
--I understand the idea of 'genius' vs. 'committee'. Well said. But in what sense (other than brand manipulation) would you consider Trump that genius? I won't even venture a guess as to his IQ. But I sincerely believe that the man is mentally ill. In a full, clinical sense. He has a disorder. And he leads th nation.
--Part of his brand is bravado, which is easily accomplished in the short term with the executive orders. But how long can this 'subject changing' last? I think his long term viability is about that of a single Fourth fo July firework lasting until October. He will burn himself out. But he will still be expected to govern.
--I am baffled with the idea that he's a 'negotiator'. I'll wait for one, single example. The point here is that when he acts like the bully, he makes enemies. The little guy he stiffs on a contract to decorate Mar A Lago can't fight back--he'll get buried in court. But when you give Lindsay Graham's cell phone number on national TV...or discredit the heroism of John McCain...you've made enemies for life.
--Congress is 'bought'? Shocking! We've had this discussion before. The key now is who do the spineless McConnell and Ryan bow down to in the end? Trump? Or the businesspeople who realize Trump's moves will hurt THEIR businesses? That will be interesting.
--The truest moments of this presidency so far came when different spokespeope said, "facts don't matter anymore"...and "alternative facts" counter the truth...and that the true opposition wasn't the Democrats, but the media. This is the real battle. I don't thnk the Orwellian analogies are overblown one bit. Democracy is more fragile than most people realize.
Finally, in the end, I have to say that personally I've had it with people saying, "don't blame me--I didn't vote for him!"
Whatever the motivation, if you didn't cast a vote for Hillary, all that follows is on you.
Thanks for raising a topic that's been laying in repose for too long.