I, like many people, continue to try to find something positive to think about considering the ongoing parade of Trump’s telegenic cast of unqualified sycophants chosen to fill his cabinet and wondering just how much damage they will wreak upon the American landscape. I might have found a small sliver of hope.
The fact is, although Trump’s cabinet picks must be confirmed by the senate or, if Trump gets his way, just thrust into these positions during the senate recess, none of these people, however unqualified they might be, needs to worry about re-election. All these people are appointed, not elected. Given that, they will feel unbridled enthusiasm for slashing, burning, and destroying at the behest of King Trump.
However, in 2026, 33 seats in the Senate and all the seats in the House of Representatives will be up for re-election. Of the 33 seats in the Senate, 13 are currently held by Democrats and 20 by Republicans. Even if Trump’s circus cabinet appointees are not up for re-election, the senators and house members who support them or don’t provide any check on their slashing and burning will be up for re-election.
Once many people in the United States start to feel the impact of the actual implementation of Project 2025, it is quite likely and I believe highly probable, the American people will begin to squeal. We will hear a lot of, “I didn’t expect this to happen,” or “This isn’t what I voted for.” The “law of unintended consequences” will be in play big time. The result is likely to be a very unhappy electorate. It’s easy for a multi-billionaire like Musk to talk about ‘hardships’ but the song might not resonate as well with those already living paycheck to paycheck.
I could certainly be wrong, but I suspect the “mandate’ for Trump and his toady circus will begin to evaporate. If the Republican senators and representatives who are up for re-election begin to feel the heat from their constituents, perhaps they might begin looking for the spines they have collectively lost over the last few years and begin to reign in some of the more radical aspects of Trump’s agenda for fear of losing their prize positions in Congress. Or, even better, perhaps “we the people” will finally wise up before its too late and vote many of these gutless Republicans out of office and reclaim some control over the Congress. If not, then we can only conclude that whatever happens is exactly what the American people want to happen.
As they say, “Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.” Only time will tell whether or not the American electorate actually care about preserving democracy where everyone is guaranteed the right to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” or if those words only apply to a select few.
