The phrase, originally taken from the opening lines of Shakespeare’s play Richard III, now refers to any difficult political situation that occurs during winter. And we’re living through such a time.
In less than 45 days, our state, our country and the world will change drastically in a way never experienced before. So many changes, too many changes, too much, too soon.
What, exactly, is discontent? It’s feeling dread or apathy about the future. It’s like watching a disaster happen without the ability to control it.
We can begin with Trump’s nominees. It’s a rogue’s gallery. People whose biographies are overcrowded with controversy; rapes, corruption, alcoholism, treasonous associations and activities. His cabinet nominees suggest that he’s following Steve Bannon’s earlier advice: Tear it all down.
His latest nominees? David Perdue as Ambassador to China. Perdue is no Jon Huntsman. And Billy Long heading the IRS. He’s a former auctioneer. This suggests something laughably ominous, perhaps picking the highest bidder to buy our country?
And we have a pair of unelected bureaucrats who are supposedly going to shrink the size of government. It would be helpful if the either of them knew how government worked, or the legitimate agencies that are actually a part of it. One small problem is Musk doesn’t realize that the ACLU, a non-profit organization, is not funded by the government. He’s says he will defund it.
Will Texas be “Ground Zero” for the Trump Administration’s evil schemes?
I’m thinking the answer is most definitely “yes” with Dawn Buckingham offering Texas land for Trump and Abbott’s deportation facilities, for-profit prison corporations salivating and rubbing their hands together in anticipation of profits, growing conflicts between Mexico and Texas (with Trump even remarking, perhaps in jest, that we should invade Mexico to get rid of the cartels), and economic horrors that would ensue if Trump goes through with his 25 percent tariff proposals.
Can something be done? There are rumors everywhere from Steven Spoonamore’s claims about election shenanigans to a possible military coup. Will any of it actually materialize? Probably not. They are mostly rumors and hopeful fantasies, similar to being saved by the cavalry in the old western films of the 1950s.
Perhaps, we need to merely dig in our heels and endure and work behind the scenes to make things change in 2026—getting rid of Greg Abbott, Dan Patrick and Ken Paxton.
We cannot predict the future. We can only prepare by getting our finances in order to offset the oncoming predictable financial crisis, get our vaccines, perhaps grow a garden, connect with other like-minded individuals, or join a cause committee for the issue that close to our heart.
The waiting…the waiting is difficult.
Tom Nichols of the Atlantic said: “Some are still in denial, some don’t realize what they did with their vote, and some have short memories of what the last Trump presidency was really like.”
Before he died, the last words of Richard III were “I will not budge a foot”. Hundreds of years later, a contemporary Timothy Snyder says, “Don’t obey in advance”.
Discontent can become a time of reflection and introspection. Discontent can spark needed change in your life—especially for those low information citizens who mistakenly voted for Trump. Take some kind of positive action and do something that gives you meaning.
Do not give in. Do not give up. Do not surrender. Do not lose faith in American institutions.
This is exactly what MAGA wants you to do. If we do so, we’ve acquiesced to their demands, before his administration has even begun.
