Should the Oath that the President takes, when sworn into office, include a clause stating that any statement the President makes is under oath for the whole duration of his term, even posts on social media? It makes sense that the President of the United States; the most powerful person on the planet; Leader of the Free World; Commander of the Largest Military on the Planet; should have the required responsibility to make factual statements and that any accusation made by him or her be factual and constantly be fact checked so to be held accountable if they knowingly mislead the American people with falsehoods, misinformation, and disinformation. With great power comes great responsibility.

I think a lot of people hold this belief but are not demanding this distinction when they vote, which is too bad because the quality of our representatives directly reflects on us. We the People are responsible when someone we elect turns out to be less than stellar. We the People are tarnishing our own reputations and setting a precedent that will affect generations of our family members.

Being lied to is a form of abuse. When someone lies to you it infiltrates your life and makes it harder to trust information and the person who lied to you. When someone has endured abuse eventually they come to a fork in the road, they can either continue enduring the abuse, repeat the abuse they experienced on someone else or they can break the cycle of abuse and advocate for themselves and for others who may be victims of abuse.

Change is a personal choice. It has to be made by the individual. Change is scary and unknown but it is not insurmountable. Like learning something new, when you learn to ride a bike or learn to drive, the more you practice the easier it gets and the better you get at it.

*(The parallels today)
The original "No King" protests:
"Taxation and representation
Taxation without consent: The colonists complained about being taxed by the British Parliament, where they had no representation. (Ending Democratic Programs as punishment)
Refusing to pass necessary laws: The King refused to approve laws that were essential for the public good. (Ending EPA protections - ex. Ending regulations for Clean air and Clean water)
Restricting representation: He refused to pass laws for large districts of people unless they gave up their right to representation in the legislature. (Taking funding from Democratic led cities)
Judicial and legal abuses (Ignoring Court Orders)
Obstructing justice: The King made it difficult for colonists to get justice by obstructing the courts and making judges dependent on his will. (Delegitimizing lower court orders by calling the judges “Radical Left Judges”)
Denying trial by jury: The right to a jury trial was denied in many cases. (Denying the right to due process)
Trials overseas: Colonists accused of crimes were transported across the seas to be tried in England.
Military and security issues
Keeping standing armies in peacetime: The King kept a military in the colonies during times of peace without the colonists' consent. (Sending Military into cities even though state and local leaders say they are not necessary)
Forcing quartering of soldiers: Colonists were forced to provide housing and supplies to British soldiers. (Tax dollars to put National Guard on landscaping duty in DC; sending taxpayer money, $20Billion, to Argentina to bail out US Wealthy investor’s investments in Argentina)
Military above the law: The military was placed above the civilian law system. (ICE treating immigrants and citizens like criminals without due process or charging them and detaining them for days sometimes weeks)
Government and legislative overreach
Dissolving colonial legislatures: The King dissolved colonial assemblies repeatedly.
Imposing new laws and taxes: Parliament passed laws and levied taxes without the colonists' consent. (Executive Orders overriding Constitutional Laws)
Suspending legislatures: He suspended the legislatures of the colonies. (Ignoring state laws and punishing states that refuse to obey Executive Orders)
Abolishing charters: The King abolished colonial charters, essentially ending self-governance. (Ignoring States rights, sending in the military)
Economic and trade restrictions
Cutting off trade: The King cut off trade between the colonies and all other parts of the world. (Tariffs and Trade Wars)
Imposing unfair taxes: Taxes were imposed on the colonies without their consent. (Tax cuts for the Wealthy and Large Corporations paid for by Medicaid Cuts)"

This all seemed to start about ten years ago, when demonizing the Republicans or the Conservatives or MAGA for doing something egregious or awful by placing blame for one persons deeds or a group of people's, at the feet of all who reside in that group became the norm. It happens on both sides, demonizing the Democrats or the Liberals or the Left for something similar, like because they didn't condemn some random person or group of people, from a group for doing something awful. We are the United States of America and we should be united but instead we have become a country of petty grievances of one upmanship against each party for not condemning something that one of "them" did or didn't do.
It should come as no surprise to us that countries that don't support democracy are enjoying and reveling in our division. They want the U.S. divided, they want us to fail. They don't want us to be united because when we are united, we are stronger and popular and envied. It used to be that people would come to our country with dreams and hopes for a better future but now they are avoiding us like the pariahs we used to condemn. Our little experiment is cracking and the vultures are getting ready to swoop in and grab the spoils.
The real problem is that we are not united in condemning the one person who represents the whole of our country, for repeatedly doing egregious and vile acts. It perfectly explains the division in our country, if you voted for him and still support him, then you seem to support even his most reviled acts or try to pass them off as his sense of humor. As an example, when the president trolled a country at war by posting an ai video of him taking over their land to make it some kind of tropical amusement park.
It is of note, that 77.9 Million people didn't vote for the current President in the 2024 election. And he knows it. So, to punish them for their disloyalty, he has been going out of his way to destroy whatever he can think of that they like and support in our government and around the country. He is not a representative of all; he is going out of his way to show those that didn't vote for him what the consequences are for their disloyalty.

Love is US
Peace is US
When we allow ourselves to be caught up in someone else’s problems we make their problems our own. When talking about the problems of a society then it is your responsibility as a member of that society to participate and help find solutions to those problems involving that society. If you recognize and you realize that each of us is a contributor of the whole but each in a unique way, you understand the responsibility you have to help with the resolution of those problems. I am speaking of people who can distinguish between the wrong approach and those that have the moral rectitude to make sound decisions.
People are complex beings with thoughts and emotions and reactions and differences. We each have a certain way of looking at things, approaching problems (or even avoiding problems) and utilizing our abilities to create the life we want for ourselves. Our diversity is our strength. When we work together to form the type of life we want with distinctions we bring our ability to co-exist to the forefront and join together to form a more perfect society. Most of us want to live in harmony with each other, but there are some who like chaos and who crave more than others. Who will try to disrupt the will of harmony of the majority by instilling a negative spin or an untrue tale to achieve their way of life. The majority who want stability will have to discern that these bad actors are not trying to enhance the whole but to divide them for selfish purposes.
When I think about society I realize that if we want love and we want peace we have to be love and peace. We have to lead by example and show each other that we all want a functional harmonious life within an achievable harmonious society. We have to be present and aware. We have to be mindful. We have to love one another on the premise that we are joined in our goal for a peaceful and caring society. Our empathy is what distinguishes us from barbaric and selfish societies. We have seen what that can do to a society with historical examples. Selfish behavior, dehumanizing behavior, greedy behavior, cruel behavior all lead to ruin. “We the people” want a functioning and caring society that promotes caring for our fellow man. It is with this in mind that the Founding Fathers of these United States of America in order to form a more perfect union started this great experiment and if we want it to continue we have to help protect and preserve the things that make us wonderful. The things that encouraged people from all over the world to want to come to the USA to begin a life full of promise and opportunity. A better life than the one they left. A life of possibilities in a society that cares about each individual not based on your wealth or your status but on the belief that together, united, we make each other great.

It’s time to take action. We can no longer sit back and leave our democracy to others. If you think that this will all be okay because your life hasn’t been affected by what is currently happening in the United States consider yourself privileged. This is not getting better or going away it is actually ramping up to the point that even the privileged will feel the hurt. This is not an exaggeration and if you haven’t been paying attention then you are part of the problem. Democracy is not a given. It is not set in stone. It is an experiment that is being constantly challenged currently by people that think that control of the government should only come from one side. There are extremists on both sides of the isle. Don’t be fooled that this is a one sided fight. If you’re not happy with what you have been seeing in the news be prepared because the news doesn’t always show the whole story. The news out of Washington and elsewhere is fed to the Media so you have only been exposed to what they deem acceptable for public consumption or where you get your news. If you have been paying attention for the past decade or the past four decades this culmination of our Government has been a slow methodical takeover of a lot of the things that we, as Americans, like and rely on. But recently our Government has been led by an administration that is enabling the Heritage Foundation’s plans for our country. Their vision was outlined in “Project 2025” and has been systematically implemented into our government agencies and policies over the course of this year.
Democracy is an experiment, a fragile one at that, which is being constantly challenged and undermined. It is up to the people of America to hold all of our Representatives accountable whenever it is being abused or assaulted. This type of overhaul does not happen by one man and it does not happen overnight. It was carefully planned and executed.
We need to stand up for our fellow Americans and the voiceless and oppressed because cheering on a government that is slowly removing and challenging our freedoms and terrorizing those who came to our country to be a part of what makes it great: opportunities, freedoms and welcoming to any and all looking for a new and better life, will not end in Greatness.
Don't be fooled by the claims of making America safe and securing the border, they are circumventing laws and the Constitution which means they don't care about Law and Order, what they really care about is the perception of those things. Remember DJT is a former reality television personality and he knows how to perform and how to act.
I recommend you diversify where you get your information and start paying attention to what is being said and what is being done. Also, remember that words have consequences and opinions should not be confused for the truth and facts. Knowledge is power. Research everything! Information is all around us and most of us have access to it via the computer in your pocket.

I remember when I was a kid it was all about the welfare queens, spending “our hard earned tax dollars.” This has worked for decades getting people riled up about some perceived villain that is somehow ruining our lives even though most (95%) of us never have a problem or are barely affected by these bogeymen.
The way the right uses transgender women in sports to shore up support is almost like an addiction. It seems that every time I turn around they are mentioning it to get across one of their main talking points. It seems that transgender women and immigrants share the number one spot right now. (Vaccines worked during the Pandemic). They use anecdotal stories to push home their messages.
The left does it too. Abortion was a huge one. But it turned out to be founded in reality because the Supreme Court overturned Roe after a 49 year precedent. Now women are dying in states that have restrictive abortion laws.
Fear is a strong motivator and the more someone is exposed to confronting their fears the higher their anxiety gets. Politicians have figured this out, and boy do they use it to their advantage every election cycle. ‘Beware the left want to take away your 2nd Amendment rights’; ‘the Right is going to make America into a Margaret Atwood dystopia.’ The problem with this is that our government has done this so often that they have now become the bogeyman. Fear your government, because they will exploit your fears and make you regret your vote.
Another fear that they seem to throw around is the threat of WW3. I don’t know if this is just a scare tactic but it undermines the whole stockpiling nuclear weapons as a safeguard. Why would they threaten something like this? Russia seems to be a perpetual offender in this threat. Are they trying to tell us that no country should have nuclear weapons because that’s where this threat seems to be going?
I think that using fear to get people to align with your way of thinking is mean-spirited and a bully tactic. We shouldn’t fear our Government or our country. We shouldn’t allow it - this exploitation of our fears. Don’t take a few examples as an epidemic.
Do your research, look for information, and use multiple sources.

I would like to address something that I have previously briefly touched on, the supposed “Fake News” phenomenon. First, I would like to say that like other professions, the Media has an internal or peer based review system. If journalists or media companies don’t do their due diligence tracking down the facts and details of a story they will get checked or a rival will steal the story by presenting the facts and details. Journalist and the Media even have awards for their work so it pays to get the story right and put as much information and detail into their work. They are an important part of our information network; they are our conduit to information. We need them to make informed decisions about our government and our lives. They are also not just about informing us on political matters; think about natural disasters, food recalls, the weather, local information, world information, etc.
Now, there is a newer branch of media “news” that I think we should all be careful when listening to or reading. It is called opinion news and it is filled with biases. I believe everyone is entitled to their own opinion but we should all be wary when listening to another person’s even if it aligns with our own way of thinking. Opinions are not facts and confusing them can be detrimental to your ability to discern the truth.
It is normal and commonplace to have a natural skepticism about information, but problems arise when we don’t heed that niggling doubt; when we believe something just based on the first thing we hear about it. This is how gossip is spread and how people’s lives get upended. We should all approach information with a bit of skepticism and explore it by getting multiple view points and sources.
When I was a child my father told me that I should believe only half of what I see and none of what I hear. He was instructing me to be less gullible and to use my critical thinking skills to seek out the facts. That changed my life and my perspective on viewing the world. I am unfortunately or fortunately still somewhat naïve but I heed my inner voice and I use my brain to make sure no one will fool me without at least giving myself a fighting chance to get to the truth.
Finally, I would like to say don’t just believe something because someone told you about it or you read it on social media or you heard it from someone in authority. Do your due diligence and seek the truth; search out multiple sources; investigate. The world has more information available today than it ever had before, so utilize that computer in your pocket. Don’t let anyone make a fool of you. Knowledge is Power.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_media_awards

Dear Congress,
We the People are unhappy with you, the Congress, and your lack of backbone and your constant finger pointing. In case you are unaware, 43% of voting Americans identify as Independent, 56% are divided equally among Democrat and Republican. The status quo has created a toxic environment for public, personal, and business relationships for anyone associated with your two parties. It is motivating voters to disaffiliate with both parties.
You are adults, start acting like it. We are disgusted by the chicanery, the petty name calling, and exaggeration of culture war issues by using anecdotal examples, the undermining of the media, the grand standing, and showboating. Just a reminder, you represent all of your constituents, not just the ones who voted for you. And to my knowledge none of you won 100% of the vote in your state or district. The people want policies that work for everyone not just a small faction of one party. Collaborate and focus, after all we are supposed to be united.
You seem to have forgotten that you took an oath to the Constitution (in case you have forgotten, it represents the fundamental law of our land). An oath is sacred and should not be taken lightly. It is imperative that you take your oath seriously for the continued success of our country. Sitting on your hands waiting for the Judicial branch to hold the line while the Executive branch dismantles our Government will not be well received. Your duty demands you to act, your conscience should guide you to safeguard the core principles that our democracy has cemented into the fabric of our country and what that represents to the world. The cost to the American people by your neglect and nonsense legislation is illuminating the fact that we (the people) don’t need you. When a government doesn’t work for the masses it becomes irrelevant. Our Constitution was created to eliminate the elitism and pomp; instead it put forth representation that works for common people. Lest you forget, we were rebelling against a monarchy.
It’s the Republicans who hold the majority in both chambers but you wouldn’t know it; the Democrats need to be in on the drafting and negotiations. Republicans your lackadaisical approach has been noted as has your continued failure at leadership. We are starting to draw our own conclusions about your motives for ceding control of your congressional duties and allowing an unelected bureaucrat and the President to run roughshod on the Federal Government. So you may want to commence your duties by checking the overreach of the President and working on solutions to real issues and prudent no-nonsense laws that benefit us all (affordability, accessibility, equal opportunities, safety and well-being).
Also, defunding Libraries, the Arts and shuttering the Department of Education will not make America Smart Again. It will in fact make it harder for Americans to thrive and prosper.
Thank you for your time,
We the People

P.S. Without DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) congress would be: white, male, likely slave owners.

Dear Congress,
We the People are unhappy with you, the Congress, and your lack of backbone and your constant finger pointing. In case you are unaware, 43% of voting Americans identify as Independent, 56% are divided equally among Democrat and Republican. The status quo has created a toxic environment for public, personal, and business relationships for anyone associated with your two parties. It is motivating voters to disaffiliate with both parties.
You are adults, start acting like it. We are disgusted by the chicanery, the petty name calling, and exaggeration of culture war issues by using anecdotal examples, the undermining of the media, the grand standing, and showboating. Just a reminder, you represent all of your constituents, not just the ones who voted for you. And to my knowledge none of you won 100% of the vote in your state or district. The people want policies that work for everyone not just a small faction of one party. Collaborate and focus, after all we are supposed to be united.
You seem to have forgotten that you took an oath to the Constitution (in case you have forgotten, it represents the fundamental law of our land). An oath is sacred and should not be taken lightly. It is imperative that you take your oath seriously for the continued success of our country. Sitting on your hands waiting for the Judicial branch to hold the line while the Executive branch dismantles our Government will not be well received. Your duty demands you to act, your conscience should guide you to safeguard the core principles that our democracy has cemented into the fabric of our country and what that represents to the world. The cost to the American people by your neglect and nonsense legislation is illuminating the fact that we (the people) don’t need you. When a government doesn’t work for the masses it becomes irrelevant. Our Constitution was created to eliminate the elitism and pomp; instead it put forth representation that works for common people. Lest you forget, we were rebelling against a monarchy.
It’s the Republicans who hold the majority in both chambers but you wouldn’t know it; the Democrats need to be in on the drafting and negotiations. Republicans your lackadaisical approach has been noted as has your continued failure at leadership. We are starting to draw our own conclusions about your motives for ceding control of your congressional duties and allowing an unelected bureaucrat and the President to run roughshod on the Federal Government. So you may want to commence your duties by checking the overreach of the President and working on solutions to real issues and prudent no-nonsense laws that benefit us all (affordability, accessibility, equal opportunities, safety and well-being).
Also, if you could pass on to the President that if he wants the people to believe he is in charge he should cut the plausible deniability shtick because it only makes him look like he has no idea what‘s going on. (e.g.: He told reporters that he did not sign the Proclamation to invoke the Enemies and Alien Act; he said he knew nothing about the massive security breach that involved a reporter being included in a signal thread of a military operation in Yemen).
P.S. This letter is going to all 534 of your congressional colleagues so don’t feel singled out.
P.P.S. Without DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) congress would be: white, male, likely slave owners.

It seems with the arrest and abduction of legal residents and green card holders like Mahmoud Khalil, Rumeysa Ozturk, and others, that the Department of Homeland Security, under the guise of a National Security threat, may turn their sights on critics and dissenters of the current administration. It will only be a matter of time before they justify this behavior (arrest without charges, or trumped-up charges) toward U.S. citizens. I actually see this playing out quite soon given the approach their current agenda seems to be taking – Act quickly, fix later to adjust for mistakes (and there seem to be many) by downplaying the enormity and the gravity of the situation.
But seriously, I don’t think I have ever witnessed such a massive mishandling of so many different things in one organization all happening in tandem with each other. It’s like watching a tornado path of destruction, with all the debris and dust swirling, and not knowing what direction it will be heading next to destroy, (watch out America because efficiency is headed your way). I can’t wait to see how well the Government will run now that they’ve stuck their DOGE in it.
It seems they streamlined how our Government functions with the addition of many extra steps all in the name of “efficiency.” It's a contradiction of epic proportions. This is reminiscent of the way the right tailored the word “woke,” by customizing it and overusing it; and creating a whole different meaning. Woke is defined as alert to and concerned about social injustice and discrimination (but to the right it means to discredit individuals and policies they consider to be overly advocating for or implementing social reform).
The things that Trump ran on that were popular and most likely got him reelected, things like making groceries and gas more affordable and helping regular people with the cost of housing and availability, lost priority to his deportation agenda and tariffs. Instead his new prime objectives are his Executive Orders and making a government that once functioned, albeit slowly, into a government that has so much red tape for almost everything, like Social Security, Medicare, federal funding, grants, subsidies, that it’s made getting things done more difficult. It seems that that is the goal, to make things so difficult that people won’t get access to them, defunding by default. On the other side of that coin they are making things easier for large corporations and special interest groups with deregulation and tax cuts. The Billionaires and Millionaires love this new government.