John Kennedy, President of the United States uttered these words, “Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country.” That was a long time ago, in a galaxy far far away. We seem uncertain now as a nation, with a democratic system of government, of the people, by the people, for the people, as to who we are at this moment.

One thing is certain. Another leader uttered these words long ago, “Russia will defeat you without firing a shot,” as he slammed his shoe down on the table at the UN. Nikita Khrushchev, leader of the unfree state/nation USSR spawned that theory. And the sentiment remains unabated. This is not about nuclear confrontation. Those who support Trump seem to think that the possibility of war with Russia or China or even North Korea is not just remote but a left wing propaganda and political ploy. But they are looking in the wrong direction like the rube conned by a magician with a talent for sleight of hand. The danger is as Khrushchev framed it all those decades ago, that our enemies will never be deterred from taking our place as the most powerful nation on earth away from us. And that that system of democracy we tout so much will disappear like a feather in the wind.

Our foes no longer need military intervention to take control of our country. Trump is handing it to them. And to what end. Trump gets to be president for life? Luckily he is old enough that our enduring his life sentence won’t be that long. But, and this is critical, he has already set in motion the seeds of our destruction in a remarkably rapid fashion. Even the last year of his current term may lead to irreversible damage.

So who is on board with this. This immovable base of support that follows him to his rallies, who adore and idolize him, who wear the MAGA hats for him, who clap at his witty turn of phrase, and jeer when he mentions the press, judiciary or Clinton or any political opponent, besides them, who is on board with this. The gap between wealth and poverty widens as the money flows to one percent of the population. It is increasingly difficult for anyone in the 99% to be comfortable, to be without anxiety over money. It seems that the problem must stem from government and those rotten, dirty scoundrels who we unwittingly voted into office to represent us. It seems that the new best way to fix Washington is to put into power a guy who is not a politician, but a savvy business guy, who takes no prisoners, who takes no guff, who grabs  pussy, who stiffs anyone in his business orbit, who lusts after Russian prostitutes, porn stars and the fruit of his loins, yeah, that guy. Government does take too much. Let us keep a little more, let us breathe a little easier. And take some more from that elite one percent, many of whom did nothing other than be born into it, who never sacrificed anything for it, or took a chance for it, but just had it handed to them. You know, like Trump is handing us to Putin. So yes, government and by extension, those of us who vote, are to blame for this turn of events.

If we cannot alter the overriding desire of those governing to subordinate themselves to wealthy influence in order to maintain power, we will see the end to this grand experiment. And I wonder what the desired outcome will look like, because I wonder if any of those clamoring for overthrow have envisioned the afterlife. Perhaps they are certain of a Rapture. Perhaps they are certain of nothing. Like Trump owning a casino: he liked the idea of owning a casino better than he liked running one. And he ran them into the ground.

Place your bets.