“Inside Job? The Shuttering of a U.S. Foundation Sparks a Call to Power Up”

A persuasive argument could be made that the President’s Cabinet, Administration, and loyalists in Congress, have compromised their Constitutional oath and prioritized fealty to Trump over the virtues of morality, truth, and decency. It’s an open secret that this emperor has no clothes.   To be a successful president, it's prudent to govern from the center. Conscientious leaders pivot.  They're not attached to being right. They're attached to getting it right and making impactful changes that are in the best interest of all people.  True leadership requires integrity, foresight, empathy and accountability—traits Trump sorely lacks.

Friends, America is swirling in a largely partisan tinderbox. When you peel back the weighty layers of hypocrisy, double standards, selective rage, selective criticism, and yes, selective compassion, it begs the question, “how does this administration best represent America, that shining city on a hill?” A weakened democracy, strained NATO alliances, transactional foreign policy, and stubborn inflation, is alarming. Not to mention an economy that swings like a roller coaster, undergirded by a chaotic trade strategy, punctured by whiplash tariffs.  President Trump’s Executive Orders and policy decisions have rippled throughout the nation wreaking havoc for small businesses, the lifeblood of our economy, federal government workers, contractors, farmers…  For irrational optimists and ad nauseum what aboutists, it’s time to swallow the “Matrix, red pill.”  

President Trump’s authoritarian tactics—attacking courts, media, law firms, ivy league schools, political opponents, and casting doubt on the merits of free elections—mirror mob-boss rule. This ain’t Goodfellas!  January 6 amplified abuse of power, as violence was pardoned and justice sidelined to protect rioters while punishing critics. Trump’s divisive rhetoric, destructive economic policy, efforts to undermine science, vaccine skepticism, and climate change attacks threaten America’s public health and wellness. 

Political Violence: With the tragic and indefensible murder of Charlie Kirk, the nation desperately needed a unifying message from the President.  He failed to meet the moment, and fomented division by blaming the radical left. The expectation for a unifying message was improbable, given Trump’s own words at Kirk’s Memorial Service show zero tolerance for dissent, “I hate my opponents, and I don’t want the best for them,” I’m sorry, ..“I can’t stand my opponents.”  Words reflect character, thoughts, and values.

Commanders in Chief sit at the pinnacle of power. They traditionally use moments of national tragedy to unify the country, as did President Barack Obama following Gabby Giffords shooting, and the mass murder at Emanuel AME church during a Bible study in Charleston, South Carolina. President George W. Bush provided a unifying national response following the 9/11, 2001 terrorist attacks. 

Economy: Wheels are off the Trump economic train. This Administration fed us a bowl of watery, insipid gruel.  Tariffs are kicking in. The veil is pulled back. A raft of polls, Pew Research Center, Reuters, Fox, The Economist, and New York Times show that the economy has slowed.   Prices are up for coffee, beef, chocolate, paper products, clothing, electronics, and the sour beat goes on. Trump’s campaign promise of lowering prices has not materialized.  Pain at the point of sale is palpable. 

Americans, in a sullen mood, question the lack of economic transparency and slipping prosperity under this administration.  Trump fired the Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner after the release of the July 2025 jobs report that was weaker than expected. He claimed, without evidence, that the numbers were "rigged" for political purposes. Trump’s feckless attempt to find a loyalist to fudge or doctor legitimate economic data to present a rosier picture aimed at deceiving voters should backfire, spectacularly. 

Free Speech: The theme of this Administration is demeaning, defunding, and excoriating institutions, including the Associated Press, PBS, NPR, 60 minutes-crown jewel of journalism (my enduring favorite), diminishing their ability to freely tell the unbiased truth. It is unconstitutional to weaponize government power to stifle Free Speech, the cornerstone of self-government.  Lord help us, we may be goose stepping into government run media. 

The backlash from the Jimmy Kimmel suspension was swift and unrelenting. The entertainment industry and viewers spoke out.  People canceling Disney, ABC and Hulu subscriptions adversely impacted lucrative revenue streams. Power UP with that same level of zeal and fervor for future battles to protect the First Amendment’s free speech guarantee!

Vile Free Speech goes unchallenged when the source is liked by the President.  

Fox News host, Brian Kilmeade, said homeless who refuse services should receive an involuntary lethal injection or be killed. Shameful!

Foreign Policy: Trump fueled the fire, using punitive tariffs, for a new and deepening global alignment between US adversaries, Russia, China, India, and North Korea. Major geopolitical shifts are underway that could shape the global order for decades to come. US credibility has been weakened.  India is no longer a counterweight to China. India with its massive population, greater than a billion people, should be pulled back into the diplomatic sphere tout de suite!

Resistance - Power UP!  America's domestic and global reputation has been tarnished under this Administration. A foreboding cloud of smoke and mirrors hovers above the People’s House. 

 Democracy and morality shutter while Trump brazenly foments division. Free speech is threatened, as independent media face defunding and attacks.  Extremist rhetoric is tolerated, undermining the First Amendment. Trump’s trade policies deepen adversarial alliances and destabilize U.S. credibility. 

Keep in mind, the lack of a true electoral mandate underscores the need for active and sustained resistance.  A robustminority vehemently disagrees with Trump’s vision for America. Acts of civil disobedience can shift public opinion. Patriotism trumps Party.

VOTE in the 2026 Midterms and special elections!! Together we will win the battle for Truth, Justice, the American Way, and a Brighter Tomorrow!! 

Save-the-Date:  The next “No Kings Day” nationwide protest rally is scheduled for Saturday, October 18, 2025.   “Power UP,” Resistance and sail on the right side of history. 

Dante - The hottest places in Hell are reserved for those who, in a time of moral crisis, remain neutral.”

Carol Massey-McCants, is a mother, grandmother, and retired Section Chief with the California Department of Health Care Services.  She volunteers as a Community Ambassador with the local police department, and mentors young people on a myriad of subjects, including civics and financial literacy.