(DON THOMPSON / iNFOnews.ca)

OPINION

If you haven’t read the blueprint of Right Wing Conservatives in the United States - something called Project 2025 - it is a clear, upfront confession of what might otherwise would be planned crimes against America. Make no mistake, Trump’s Make-America-Great-Again cult isn’t shy about what and how it wants to go about dismantling freedom and democracy, they boldly wrote it in this 972-page game plan in April 2023.

It is a must read not just for every American voter, but for everyone who cares anything at all about freedom and democracy. What happens in America affects Canada, and every other nation, and that’s why I write so often about what goes on in the U.S.

Hundreds of thousands of patriots fought and died to protect America against authoritarian rule during the past 248 years. President Abraham Lincoln warned against the greatest threat to freedom and democracy…and that it would come not from abroad but from within. That threat is here…in the form of today’s Republican Party and its leaders.

Project 2025 was written by Trump loyalists within the Heritage Foundation…a Right Wing Conservative organization that tries to speak for all America…despite the fact that it reflects a minority of Americans. Trump said last week he knows nothing about Project 2025…another lie.

The day before the Fourth of July - when Americans proudly celebrate independence - Heritage Foundation president Kevin Roberts issued a not-so-veiled threat of political violence during a podcast with Trump advisor, anarchist and felon, Steve Bannon.

“We are in the process of the second American Revolution, which will remain bloodless if the Left allows it to be,” Robert’s warned. What Right Wing Conservatives are in the process of is actually…the Second Confederacy. Even a cursory read of this MAGA strategic document shows how Un-American their intentions are.

The plan would place the entire federal bureaucracy - including independent agencies like the Department of Justice - under the sole power of the president. Republicans say this would streamline decision making. What it would do is give the president the power of a king…a dictator.

Tens of thousands of Federal government workers would be fired, according to Project 2025…and replaced by political appointees loyal to Conservative Republicans and Donald Trump.

The F.B.I. would become an enforcer of the president…seeking not justice, but retribution. Funding would resume for Trump’s favourite anti-immigrant project…building a wall between Mexico and the U.S. Only immigrants who “qualify” and pay handsomely will be allowed entry into the U.S.

Budgets for research and implementation of renewable energy will be slashed, and budgets for oil, gas and coal will be dramatically increased.

The abortion pill - mifepristone - currently used in 70 percent of abortions will become illegal nationwide.

Social Security would be cut for millions of folks…and the ages to qualify will be raised…hurting middle-class earners more than others.

Corporate taxes would be lowered from 21 percent to 18 percent. Both income taxes and capital gains taxes would be lowered for the wealthiest of earners. The last Trump tax cut for the wealthy adds $4.6 Trillion to the national debt by 2028…and they promise yet another cut that would add further debt. Under Trump Republicans pornography would be banned, and tech and telecom companies that allow access to what the Right considers pornography would be shut down.

Under Project 2025, Parents can choose schools for their children…and will have control over content, teachers and policies. Project 2025 will eliminate a long list of terms from all laws and federal regulations, including “sexual orientation", “gender equality”, "abortion" and “reproductive rights”.

The entire Department of Education would be eliminated. The concepts of diversity, equity and inclusion in schools and Federal government departments and the military will be eliminated.

There’s much more in Project 2025 to fear…especially when you consider that the draconian measures in it aren’t what Democrats or Liberals or Left-leaning politicians are saying a Trump presidency would be…it is what MAGA Trump Republicans are promising.

As I was writing this, some mentally-disturbed, 20-year-old man attempted to assassinate Donald Trump…and came within inches of succeeding. There’s no place for that kind of craziness in a democracy…but that is what American has come to. Americans say, “This isn’t us!” after all instances of gun violence…and yet?

Consider that in my life time…President John F. Kennedy was assassinated, so was his brother Robert, while running to become the Democratic nominee. Unsuccessful attempts were made on Presidents Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan, and on third-party candidate, George Wallace. Other attempts have been made on senators and members of Congress.

Donald Trump had barely left the stage in Pennsylvania on Saturday, when those in attendance turned to the news media and shouted “F*** you?” Within the hour, Democrats and President Joe Biden were blamed by Republican members of Congress and party leaders. If none of this sounds like a stable democracy to you…you’re right.

It’s a terrible position that Canadians find themselves…or for that matter…citizens of France or Germany or any other nation. Our fates are left to two groups that couldn’t be farther apart…one wants democracy, the other a dictatorship. Unless you’re a registered voter in the U.S….you have no say…no control over what nonetheless affects you.

It’s not a good place to be…and unless some folks in the States come to their senses…we’re all going to live to regret it.

— Don Thompson, an American awaiting Canadian citizenship, lives in Vernon and in Florida. In a career that spans more than 40 years, Don has been a working journalist, a speechwriter and the CEO of an advertising and public relations firm. A passionate and compassionate man, he loves the written word as much as fine dinners with great wines.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor.

News from © iNFOnews, 2024