By Bear Howard
Sedona, AZ — Today’s inauguration of former President Donald Trump is, by many accounts, a troubling moment in American history. Trump has declared that he won by a landslide and, therefore, claims to have a mandate from the voters to act as he pleases. However, the numbers tell a very different story. Trump received only 49.80% of the popular vote—hardly a landslide, and certainly not a mandate. Furthermore, when considering the entire U.S. population of 334 million, his share of the vote represents just 23%. In contrast, President Joe Biden received over 81 million votes in the 2020 election, a larger total than Trump’s 2024 tally. While Trump undeniably won under the rules of the electoral system, this victory does not translate into broad national consensus.
Click to hear AI narration.
The next four years will serve as a stark reminder of the consequences of this election, and every American will feel the impact.
Those who voted for Trump knew precisely what they were endorsing. Trump made his agenda abundantly clear during his campaign. The electorate was fully aware of his controversial history—a man convicted of felonies, a serial cheater, a profligate spender, and perhaps most notably, a con artist by definition: someone who deceives others for personal gain. Trump’s entire political career, much like his business ventures, has been rooted in tactics often associated with confidence tricks—grand promises, inflated claims, and a deft ability to exploit trust while delivering questionable results. Yet they voted for him anyway.
When this administration inevitably tramples on constitutional rights, slashes taxes for the wealthiest while ballooning the national debt, or enacts policies that harm ordinary citizens, responsibility must rest squarely on the shoulders of his supporters. Any voter who thought Trump would temper his behavior or ignore his stated intentions cannot now feign ignorance. Trump was transparent; he told the public exactly who he is and what he intended to do. Those who supported him are complicit in every action his administration takes, whether beneficial or harmful, whether it affects their neighbors or themselves.
When I was young, my mother shared a piece of wisdom that has stayed with me: “Be careful who you choose as friends because their actions will reflect on you.” The 77 million Americans who cast their votes for Trump must now face that reality. History will judge this moment, and their names will be inextricably linked to the policies and actions of his administration. This era will leave an indelible mark on America’s story, and there will be no hiding from its consequences.
As a nation, the next election cycle begins immediately. For those who oppose Trump’s presidency, it is time to move beyond rhetorical outrage. We know his flaws; they are well-documented. Instead, efforts must focus on supporting organizations that challenge unconstitutional or unethical actions in the courts and elsewhere.
Many of Trump’s supporters insist that he has a sweeping mandate to execute his every promise, while others claim they supported him with the expectation that his rhetoric was mere bluster and wouldn’t translate into action. Regardless of these rationalizations, the expectation that all Americans should now rally behind him is misguided.
Our responsibility as an opposition is clear. We must remain vigilant, speaking out against actions that undermine democratic principles, violate constitutional protections, or contradict the rule of law. Opposition is not just a political stance—it is a civic duty in defense of the values that underpin our democracy.
Additional Norte From The Author
This essay is a reflection of our new reality in the emerging American story. We cannot turn the clock back; we have all made decisions and must now live with the consequences. If I am wrong, I will admit it and accept that I failed to understand a new reality. But if my fears come true, I will not gloat. Instead, I will hope that we all learn something valuable—something we can carry forward into our future lives and use to guide our choices of leadership at every level: city, county, state, and country.
This is an advertisement
14 Comments
OOPS. Your AI generated cartoon has a TYPO!! Pretty funny. And ironic.
Most of this is not worth responding to. Do you work for MSNBC or CNN? They’ve lost half their audience. NBC trying to sell MSNBC, and CNN is in trouble.
First of all you use the word “Democracy “. A favorite word of liberals and leftists. If you don’t know the the difference between a Constitutional Republic and a Democracy, stop writing.
Biden got 81 million votes. We know for a fact through law suites and the threat of law suites that 4.5 MILLION ballots were mailed in 2020 to people who were not registered. In a small number of states. Who knows nationwide.
Anyone with any experience in statics who looks at voter turnout from 2000 forward and sees this out of whack abnormality should raise red flags.
I’ve heard from a slew of sore losers that this isn’t a mandate. Well hello, if you didn’t vote you don’t get to play. 312 Electoral votes vs 226. Carried every swing state. That’s how it works. Popular vote is a democracy. A democracy is mob rule. And if we didn’t have the Electoral College we would have never had a country.
And if you don’t know that, suggest a civics class from Hillsdale College among others.
We’ve got 2 million gotaways, 10 to 15 million illegals, cities in shambles, foreign gangs and 100s of thousands of dead Americans from Fentanyl due to a failed leader that has not been in control from the time he was sworn in, in 2021.
We learned today that Biden had no idea that he blocked LNG exports. We have had a brain dead puppet for 4 years that staff has been sticking executive orders under his nose. He never had a clue.
Opened up a flow of money to Iran, who funded Hamas, Hezbola and the Houthis. How many 10s of thousands have died?
Clamped down on our oil production, drove prices up that gave Putin the money needed to invade Ukraine. 100s of thousands more dead.
20%+ Cumulative inflation.
And the start, Afghanistan. And his main advisor was NOT allowed to talk to Biden prior to that disaster by staff.
Who the hell has been running things for 4 years.
Thank God these maniacs and traitors are now out of power.
These are the real Chronicles, based in fact, not fantasy.
Nothing more respected than a world leader who is a convicted felon! Very admirable! Very uniting, Very respectable. Isn’t that why the US hunted down Saddam Huessein and killed him for being a thug criminal? Guess we just had to show the world how to be a criminal thug and get away with it. Of course Trump had an expert criminal named Putin to show him how it’s done.
Once Chronic again, Mr. Schroeder, you speak around the subject. The question is are you responsible personally for the atrocities that Trump says he’s going to inflict on America he’s made it very clear. He’s going to attack the enemy people who oppose him In his last administration, Trunp separated babies from their mothers and on the first day of his New administration,he closed down the group trying to put the two together. It’s a moral outrage and are you going to take any responsibility? That’s the question of the article. Do German voters who elected Hitler share the his atrocities. Yes or No, pick one. Mike You just want to talk around the subject. You are who you vote for you share his guilt
“First of all you use the word “Democracy “. A favorite word of liberals and leftists. If you don’t know the the difference between a Constitutional Republic and a Democracy, stop writing.“
Neither definition is accurate. We were a Democracy as recognized by the entire world as such. Now we are an Autocratic Fascist mirror opposite of a Democracy or lane MAGA excuse of a Constitutional Republic .
Regardless we are NOW officially the laughing stock of the world and seen through the eyes of the world as a nation led by an unpredictable unstable moron.
But you of course think somehow M’erica was a shot hole until the Orange Insurrectionist took the helm of his golf cart for 4 years of his previous fleecing of M’erica. The rest of us who aren’t susceptible to propaganda, lies and bullshit criminality see the exact opposite. Let’s see what Dump and Elonia do for ALL the people of this country in between their daily golfing sessions and private merch hocking.
“First of all you use the word “Democracy “. A favorite word of liberals and leftists. If you don’t know the the difference between a Constitutional Republic and a Democracy, stop writing.“
Neither definition is accurate. We were a Democracy as recognized by the entire world as such. Now we are an Autocratic Fascist mirror opposite of a Democracy or lane MAGA excuse of a Constitutional Republic .
Regardless we are NOW officially the laughing stock of the world and seen through the eyes of the world as a nation led by an unpredictable unstable moron.
But you of course think somehow M’erica was a shit hole until the Orange Insurrectionist took the helm of his golf cart for 4 years of his previous fleecing of M’erica. The rest of us who aren’t susceptible to propaganda, lies and bullshit criminality see the exact opposite. Let’s see what Dump and Elonia do for ALL the people of this country in between their daily golfing sessions and private merch hocking.
Imho – Few words of truth on this page … Thank You Michael Schroeder for your accuracy.
Tommy’s writing sounds like he received the main-stream news propaganda sheet.
All I can add is ~ The Art of War … watch it play out!!
Oh – a little history question to see if we can stimulate some brain cells — Did any of you know there have been 4 US Constitutions? Hmmm…. and Why is that relevant? That would be up to you to discover.
Hint: you’ll have to search somewhere beyond the main-stream news to find that info.
Nope it’s 110% factual and every word of it has been proven on here with legitimate sources. What MS has to say is bullshit nonsense he cannot back up- period. Sorry you don’t like and cannot except reality and truth anymore. That’s what Rusher propaganda does to feeble minds.
There were multiple drafts of the Constitution but only ONE was accepted and made the law of land. And your point is? Just because the Orange Moron finds legal loopholes such as using illegal campaign funds to pay his crooked lawyers to delay delay justice for his crimes, doesn’t mean you can find loopholes in a longstanding Constitution. It can be amended but not ignored!
Your and Trump know zilch about the art of war which is why he panders to our long standing enemies.
“Imho – Few words of truth on this page … Thank You Michael Schroeder for your accuracy.“
What exactly do you IMAGINE to be untrue and please prove your IMAGINED untruths to be untrue by backing your IMAGINARY claims with some reputable documented FACTS to disprove them.
Sorry – just not worth my time. It takes research … way more than listening to the media.
Good EXCUSE for speaking unverifiable nonsense. Thanks for stopping yourself
Typical response in support of the Orange King MidASS. Lots to say but nothing to support it except excuses. MAGGOTS need to own the fact that they voted for a Fascist Racist Criminal Draft Dodging Insurrectionist to be a Fascist Racist ASS period. If they can get over that mental obstacle then we can have a National Conversation. Until then you cannot defend the indefensible.
Hitler was smart enough to disband his criminal thug Brown Shirts knowing they may turn on him. Trump pardoned his jack booted thugs and I hope Hitler’s worse fears become his! Either way, every dictatorship in history has gotten exactly what it deserved. Just ask the Mussolini’s!
As the Italian saying goes- “mette gli teste in giu!”