Election Archives | Devilish Smirk

Who won’t turn 40 this year?

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Matthew Shepard won’t celebrate his 40th birthday on December 1, 2016. He hasn’t celebrated his birthday for 18 years.

Cause of death: Homicide

On October 6, 1998, Matthew, 21, was lured from a bar in Laramie, WY. He thought he was getting a ride home. Instead, he was driven to a rural area where he was beaten, tortured, tied to a fence, and left to die. A cyclist discovered him 18 hours later. What he thought was a scarecrow, was Matthew in a coma.

Matthew died on October 12, 1998, the way no human should. He passed away laying in a hospital bed in Fort Collins, CO.

Matthew was murdered because he was gay. Aaron McKinney, 22, and Russell Henderson, 21, are serving life terms. They deserve it.

What they didn’t deserve was growing up in a country whose government politicizes civil rights by planting deep seeds of discrimination and hate toward fellow Americans who are diverse in different ways.

Two administrations later, we spend money faster than technology evolves. Yet, our politics traveled back in time.

Both parties are guilty. The LGBT was ignored by one and attacked by the other. At least attacking acknowledges existence. Without the attacks, would we still be ignored? But, President Obama pushed a lot harder and made a little more progress.

I get it, it’s a process. A slow, slow process.

The Great American Hypocrisy: All lives will never matter.

As long as civil rights are politicized, America will remain a nation of enemies. Fear leads to discrimination. Discrimination leads to hate and so on.

Political parties don’t solve civil rights issues, they create them. Civil rights are platform poison.

To all the do nothing politicians.

Civil rights are constitutional and belong in the judicial system. Civil rights aren’t for you to repeal if you disagree with the outcome.

There are countless combinations of the civil rights menu and we have two options?

How many more sessions will you challenge Roe v. Wade? How much money do you have access to? Now you want to repeal gay marriage? Deny hospital visits to my partner…my family? You want to spend money on conversion therapy? Oh, now I can be fired?

Talk about setting a precedent – which is exactly why civil rights should not be political.

bridegroommovieposter — Watch this movie.

Being gay isn’t a choice! You know what is a choice? Taking bribes. Adultry. Lying. Living your life in the closet. Homophobia. Religion. Ruining your family. Ruining my family.

Go convert yourself.

Tell you what, fix our schools. Fix healthcare. Fix wages. Enable parents to be parents. Give Americans a real chance. Quit preaching fiscal responsibility while killing your citizens and flooding the world (and your basements) with taxpayer money.

I’ll tell you what we’re all.

We’re all sick of your bullshit politics.

And stop accepting bribes. Dig deep and find your merits – run on those. Actually do something for the people.

The establishments are in stalemate.

It’s simple. Either we’re all created equal or we’re not. Which is it? At least answer that. I know what you’re going to say. We all…what? Matter? Are equal? What? Spit it out.

*cricket*

You keep wasting our time and money playing tug o’ war with civil rights. If you want to argue civil rights, practice law. Otherwise, be the legislative, public-serving representative you signed up to be.

It wasn’t until 2009 when Congress passed The Matthew Shepard Act which President Obama signed into law. Matthew’s gruesome murder would finally be considered a hate crime. It took 11 years.

The Gone Old Parties

The 2016 GOP Platform is nothing short of horrifying. If you haven’t seen it for yourself, it’s right here.

There are no parties. The choice is conscience. Next month is not the time to leave America’s future to chance. Next time there will be more options.

Let’s land the plane, refuel, and continue the work that needs to be done.

Not voting is not an option. Take a stance!

A Note to Matthew

Matt, I was 24 when the world learned what happened to you. Your life inspired and motivated LGBT movements across the planet.

If you were born the day you died, you’d be casting your first vote in a historic election in November when the U.S. elects its next President.

Your sacrifice brought awareness of a hatred that makes anyone a vulnerable target.

We won’t let you down. Not anymore. We’ve evolved. We continue to evolve, albeit slowly.

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Is not voting, in a way, voting?

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“Did you vote today?”

“Yes, I didn’t vote.”

Huh?

No, not voting isn’t a vote. It’s literally not a vote.

It’s been a tumultuous year in U.S. politics. Some Americans are so disgusted, many say their vote in November will come in the form of not voting at all.

How does that work? It doesn’t.

Most Americans don’t fully support either ticket, much less the party platforms. However, there are only two candidates who have a chance at winning.

Be part of the solution, not the problem. Swallow your pride and make a damn decision.

This one should be easier than figuring out what to do for dinner.

In the land of the free, you have the freedom to be stubborn. If you want to sit on the sidelines this year, that’s your choice. Bite that hand that feeds you and punish America by foregoing your right to vote. I can’t imagine anything more American.

Except, I don’t know, actually voting?

Take your ball and go home. Don’t be a poor sport because the game isn’t going your way. You don’t like the players. You don’t support the teams. You go home, alone, and play with your ball, pretending it’s a game. Don’t be selfish.

This election isn’t about Republicans and Democrats. Get that out of your head. The bases will disagree, but this election is about humanity. It’s about common decency. It’s really that simple. This election will define America’s collective conscience for the rest of the world.

Not voting supports your least favorite candidate. Not voting is even worse than voting for (who you consider) the lesser of two evils. It supports (who you consider) the greater evil. That greater evil is just fine with you not voting. They don’t expect your vote anyway. You’re playing right into their hands.

Three’s a crowd. My heart dropped when the supposed nominees became official. I believe the majority of Americans realize the desperate need for a third party, but now isn’t the time. Reread the previous point. Voting third party only supports the greater evil. If you do, at least you voted. Somewhere in your mind you have to know it’s a wasted effort.

If neither earned your vote, which one lost your vote? If they’re not worth voting for, they’re worth voting against. What better way to send a heartfelt ‘fuck you’ to the candidate who failed you?

Failure without consequence? Come on!

If you’re anti-Trump, you should vote for Clinton. What’s the best outcome for Trump if you’re anti-Trump? Not voting for Clinton. That’s all the support Trump needs from you. As hard as voting for Clinton might be, you’re only helping the guy you refuse to vote for.

If you’re anti-Clinton, you should vote for Trump. If Clinton annoys you so much, go ahead and vote for Trump. Do it. I dare you. You’re the one who has to live with your decision. Good luck sleeping at night. Seriously, go cast a vote for Trump if you believe Clinton is the devil’s spawn. Just one request – be proud of and stand by your decision!

Bernie Sanders supporters should vote for Clinton. That’s right from the horse’s mouth so I can’t say much more. Bernie cares about you. He endorsed Clinton. By not voting, you’re failing the candidate you so-called “supported.”

Still undecided? You’re either lying or in denial. By now neither candidate has anything new to say. Now, the claws come out to motivate people who never vote by scaring them with rhetoric. Trump’s only going to get worse. Clinton is only going to gain more surprising endorsements. It’s almost as if the decision is being made for us. But, it isn’t and the bullshit polls will remain close. The truth about the choice America will make on November 8 is being laid out.

If you won’t take a stand for yourself, take a stand for America. There’s only one side who doesn’t think everyone should vote. Gosh, I wonder why. That’s because they know they would lose. And it’s not because people are uninformed. It’s because the majority of Americans know the difference between right and wrong.

We’re all in this together.

Even the people who disagree with what they just read.

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Is America having a Political Intervention?

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Americans Lost Control of America a Long Time Ago

Government of the people, by the lobbyists, for selfish reasons has been the U.S. mantra for decades.

The pieces never change in Government Monopoly. The banker owns Boardwalk and stomped backwards to Baltic Avenue.

For the record, I’ve identified as Republican most of my life, but I never thought I’d feel this ashamed. Not because of what Republicans were, it’s what they’ve become.

There’s a huge disconnect between the ‘Republican’ people think they are and the Republican party they support.

American Politics is Basically a Dog’s Diet

Dog food is bland, predictable, and rarely changes. Brands market flavors, but they’re basically the same. Variety comes in scraps. Whenever ignored or left unattended, dogs eat anything they want.

Make America Trust Again

Politicians have failed America and Americans are failing each other. We don’t know what we don’t know, but we’re damn good at pretending we do! We’re all sure of one thing: The other candidate is more corrupt!

Good politicians are mostly useless in this twisted bundle of knots. Americans become angrier as power trumps policy and money keeps the U.S. in a federal and state government stalemate.

Too many Americans don’t believe in our political system. Too many don’t care. Many voters will shrug their shoulders and choose whomever they consider the lesser evil. It’s pathetic.

Show me the Money!

Remember President Obama’s early first term trade deal with Panama? It seemed shady at the time. Within the past couple years, a small, important bribery case flew under the radar.

For more context, here’s a related post: The Three Ring Circus of Crime.

In April 2014, SAP fired Miami-based sales executive Vicente Eduardo Garcia. In August 2015, Garcia pleaded guilty for bribing ex-Panamanian president Ricardo Martinelli to purchase SAP software.

Economic-Crime-by-SAP-900 — If you understand SAP’s license and maintenance game, this won’t shock you.

In December 2015, Garcia was sentenced to 22-months in federal prison. In February 2016, the SEC fined SAP $3.7 million under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

When pleading guilty, Garcia called the bribe “necessary.” Interesting. Has the global corruption nut been cracked?

Supposedly, ongoing investigations involving SAP continue. Is this related to The Panama Papers? We haven’t heard much about those recently either.

Making Sense of the Nonsensical

I never believed Donald Trump was serious. Maybe I’m wrong. I sleep better knowing I never supported him.

Trump has the GOP in a choke hold. Permanently smug, he’s exposing everything the far-right believes, unfiltered, while the ‘old guard’ silently watches the controlled demolition of their party.

When you think you’ve heard it all, he gets worse.

It’s ugly. Really, really ugly.

Trump wants to win like anyone wants antibiotic resistant gonorrhea.

Within a year, Trump evolved from barely decent to indigestible and was the only candidate standing for the last nine Republican primaries.

Voila! Republicans nominated an inexperienced, obnoxious Democrat pretending to be Republican.

Since being nominated, Trump’s earned more Republican endorsements for Hillary Clinton than her campaign ever could.

Is America having a Political Intervention?

How are Americans supposed to elect a president when they’re united by fear and deeply divided by lies? Give them an obvious choice: Trump vs. Clinton. We’re either in purgatory or political intervention and I assume we aren’t living a real life version of Lost.

An intervention makes sense. Cash-susceptible hypocrites who have no business in public service plague both parties. In a shameless quest for power, our government became lobotomized by lobbyists. It’s about money bundled in a web of conflicts of interest.

Unless the cycle is broken, the U.S. will spend its way to oblivion. Until the web of corruption is unraveled, nobody – and I mean nobody – can claim fiscal responsibility.

A Tale of Two Extremes. Most Americans don’t identify with a major party. You’re either Pro-war or a terrorist; fiscally conservative or a communist; racist or Black Lives Matter; for the 2nd Amendment or against it. Party support can be about a single issue – many of them social and unnecessarily political. Basically, you cannot support the LGBT and care about national security. Excuse me?

Stuck in the Middle. The majority of voters rest somewhere between the two major parties. One-by-one, issues take center stage highlighting problems that shouldn’t be political. These are the issues that sway the middle who ultimately decides which party holds the presidency.

To Hell with a Third Party (this time). Many Americans desire a third party – one that knows the role government should play in our private lives and prioritizes accordingly. One that’s socially liberal and fiscally conservative; one that doesn’t squander funds in an endless war against boogeymen who have the home of the brave living in constant fear.

The only candidates participating in the first presidential debate are Trump and Clinton. If that doesn’t tell you voting third party is a wasted effort, nothing will.

Distraction is the Main Attraction. When perception’s reality, the truth is irrelevant. It’s either incredibly telling or massively insulting how U.S. media ignores anything other than the election. On any given day at least half of the top headlines on most ‘news’ sources are about Trump. You won’t find world, business, technology, economic, or political news unless you dig. Significant M&A activity is occurring within major industries around the planet, but you wouldn’t know it if you live in the U.S.

Do you know anyone affected by the VW diesel emissions scandal? What about Lockheed’s $400 billion F-35 logistics system fiasco? Did congress just approve over $1 billion arms sale to Saudi Arabia while Obama, on Friday, vetoed a law giving 9/11 families the right to sue Saudi Arabia?

Sacrificing the GOP. First, I thought Trump’s purpose was destroying the GOP. He accomplished that the minute Jeb Bush suspended his campaign after Super Tuesday. It wasn’t until Cruz and Kasich’s conveniently timed exit that exposed a more consorted effort to make Trump the nominee. According to RNC rules, if either Kasich or Cruz stayed in for one more primary, they could’ve had a legitimate contested convention.

However, they both dropped out right before the primary that would make that possible. Curious, isn’t it? Especially since Cruz refused to endorse Trump at the Republican convention.

Tipping the Scales. It’s as if a conscious dismantling of the establishments began with the GOP. The DNC has seen some shake-up, but nothing to the extent of the GOP…yet. The Republicans had 17 contenders a year ago and the only one to gain traction was the guy with zero political experience, acts like a 5-year-old, and lashes out on Twitter like a thin-skinned crybaby.

Herding the Cattle. One way to corral support is for one nominee to have an epic public meltdown. Let him espouse racial epithets. Add hate, fear, and discrimination to the party platform and, ultimately, you’ve made support of said nominee regretful, embarrassing, and/or unconscionable.

Even still, some supporters are stuck to him like barnacles. Barnacles are a bitch!

The Ridiculous Decision. Nobody likes voting for people they don’t trust. Most voters believe politicians and trust are mutually exclusive. That’s Clinton’s biggest problem and that’s probably why Trump is so incredibly bad. Trump demonstrates daily why he’s not trustworthy while Clinton battles years of character attacks, lies, and political spin. Clinton has to be the most corrupt politician with the shortest rap sheet.

Republicans have spent many more millions investigating Clinton than they approved for the full investigation into 9/11 and the subsequent production of the 9/11 Commission Report.

When are coincidences no longer coincidences?

Hindsight is 20/20. History is written by the victors. Question everything and you begin seeing possible explanations of why we’re in this massive political cluster.

It would take an unthinkable bipartisan effort to fix America’s political crisis. It would take an even more unthinkable global cooperation to fix worldwide economic crime. If what I believe about SAP, international governments, and U.S. dollars is true, then the fix is in. We just don’t know it yet. Could this be the October surprise?

For starters, the timing of Paul Ryan’s appointment as Speaker of the House which happens to be #3 in line for the presidency.

Endless extensions for the release of Clinton’s private server emails concerning the Special Access Program classification. (December 31, 2015 to January 31, 2016 to February 29, 2016 when the FBI finally elevated responsibility to the DOJ).

On July 5, 2016, FBI director James Comey, in his recommendation to not charge Clinton, stated he didn’t want to be the one to alter the course of political history. That doesn’t mean Clinton did anything wrong. Sounds like it’s someone else’s job to alter the course of political history.

Were the emails on a private server in order to be exposed in the first place? The same could be said for Snowden. How did her private server get exposed? The Benghazi investigation, of course.

Anyway, I digress. There’s something brewing in Washington and it’s only a matter of time before this simmering mess boils over. And it’s about time.

Americans are better than this.

If you haven’t succumbed to election fatigue, you’re a sucker for punishment. I am sick of the charade. It’s insulting.

The arguments aren’t worth having. Not at this point. Not anymore. It’s not worth losing relationships with your friends and family.

Sit back and let it all unfold. Meanwhile, live life. Focus on things that matter. Spend time with those you love. Make those around you smile. Stay true to yourself despite the political turmoil. It’s all bullshit.

Your only political responsibility is to show up for election day and vote your conscience. By now, the decision should be clear.

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Poli-tick-tock-tick-tock-tick-tock. Boom!

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“Hello darkness, my old friend”

If people hate America, it should be because over 40% of us allow less than 60% of us to elect our president and that’s an optimistic election year.

It’s usually closer to 50%.

“Because a vision softly creeping, left its seeds while I was sleeping”

I accompanied my stepmother to the polls during the 1984 presidential election. While she waited to cast her vote, I stood by the entrance of the school and asked people who they voted for as they exited.

As she walked out, she heard me. Immediately, she cut me off, told me my question was inappropriate, and apologized for me.

I asked her why? I was under the impression one candidate was far superior to the other and I just wanted to see if people made a bad decision.

She told me politics are personal.

Turns out, one was far superior that year according to voters. Only 53% of US voters showed up that year. 59% of them elected Ronald Reagan to a second term. He beat Walter Mondale 525 electoral votes to 13. Minnesota and Washington D.C. chose Mondale.

“And the vision that was planted in my brain, still remains”

My grandfather defined Republicans and Democrats for me.

He said Republicans teach a man to fish and Democrats give a man a fish.

While there were other easily digested anecdotes, religion was never part of it.

“In restless dreams I walked alone, narrow streets of cobblestone”

I’ve known I was gay since I was in first grade; I did not choose this supposed lifestyle.

I played hockey for 10 years. In those locker rooms was where I heard the word faggot.

Every time I felt I needed to be interested in a girl, I chose someone unattainable, sometimes from another school.

I began to think I was sick, but the thought of a girlfriend gave me anxiety because it would be a lie and she would be a tool.

I never told anyone until after I left Alaska to attend college.

I was 37 when I realized someone else in my graduating high school class was gay.

To this day, politicians waste money fighting basic workplace protections preventing harassment or discrimination against me.

They tout job creation.

I thought we’d be beyond this by now.

“People talking without speaking, people hearing without listening”

We act like life is black and white, and nothing could be further from the truth.

Today’s headlines would have us believe life is simple and matter-of-fact.

We, the people, are divided by absolutes and armed with free speech.

Follow, share, repeat, but whatever you do, don’t think.

“Silence like a cancer grows”

Spoon fed and distracted, we’ve become stoic and desensitized.

We are not malnourished.

“Hear my words that I might teach you; take my arms that I might reach you”

Screw baseball and football; America’s favorite pastimes are manipulation and hypocrisy.

Forget everything you’ve heard because today’s party names are labels and nothing more.

The first and second amendments should be honored, literally, and handled responsibly.

Neither are going away, no matter who is president.

Lump separation of church and state in there too.

Knitting needles have put more religion than the constitution permits into the fabric of our nation.

Freedom to think you’re right isn’t the right to define freedom.

Every citizen of this country should be able to form and build a family.

Every citizen of this country should be protected at work from any form of harassment or discrimination.

When you hear something scary from anywhere but the source, you’re being manipulated by fear.

Fear equals desperation and is the lowest form of manipulation.

So long as we can make each other feel stupid, scared, or insecure, we don’t have to admit what we don’t bring to the table.

Hate perpetuates fear and fear leads to war.

You have a choice to be part of the problem or part of the solution.

Fear causing hate will never produce a solution.

We have a lot to fix and it won’t happen over night.

It may not happen in your lifetime.

We shape a better future by being better people.

Love thy neighbor.

People will die no matter what.

“But my words like silent raindrops fell, and echoed in the wells of silence”

We all agree opinions don’t matter, except the opinions we agree with.

It’s easy to feel right when everyone tells you you’re right in the safety of your very own chamber of echos.

“And the people bowed and prayed, to the neon god they made”

The United States isn’t mentioned in the bible.

7.3 billion people are on this planet and less than 5% live in the United States.

There is no war on Christmas.

There is no war on Christianity.

Anyone who tells you differently is a war monger, looking for a fight.

The Pledge of Allegiance was originally written by a socialist minister in 1892 and did not contain the words ‘under God.’

‘Under God’ was added in 1954.

‘In God We Trust’ first appeared on US currency in 1957 followed by coins in 1964. Personally, that doesn’t bother me so long as our currency is strong.

Religion is good, but can be dangerous in the wrong hands, especially a government.

Freedom of religion is not going anywhere and neither is my right to say that.

It’s time to rip off the tape.

There are no official presidential candidates, but we’re seeing the dress rehearsal.

Believe it or not, we are in a safe phase of our election process. The rubber meets the road after the primary elections.

The vitriol you hear today is between leaders fighting for supporters to represent their parties and is not representative of the American population.

First world problems.

We live in a world of ‘do as I say, not as I do.’

One party wants to raise taxes to fund programs while the other believes there are plenty of tax dollars for what they care about.

Lobbyists pad the pockets of both parties as our tax dollars are astronomically wasted with little effort to fix.

We have a financially irresponsible government and we face ongoing tax increases, yet there are plenty of sources they aren’t collecting from.

Did I say lobbyists earlier?

Global warming enthusiasts fly around on private jets and contribute as much, or more, to the carbon footprint they shame others for denying or even caring about. Do nothing or deny, neither contribute to the solution, just make sure to throw your aluminum in the blue bin, okay?

Some people perfectly understand the second amendment, but twist the first amendment to accommodate their own selfish interpretation. Mostly, this affects other people more than it affects themselves.

The people who want to do away with the second amendment altogether, expect literal compliance with the first amendment, while their gun carrying bodyguards protect them.

Neither are willing to negotiate because any mention of being responsible is an all or nothing argument.

People waving the flag of ‘family values’ get exposed for infidelity, adultery, or same-sex shenanigans. They’d rather risk keeping a secret and destroy the family they value so much than deal with their own unhappiness.

Self proclaimed pro-life loyalists only care about the moment a sperm penetrates an egg, but do nothing for the life the embryo eventually lives.

People who identify as ‘pro-choice’ don’t often approve of people who choose to think differently.

The party ruling the executive branch of our government cannot gain the population’s confidence to simultaneously rule the legislative branch, thereby causing an endless stalemate, all while we foot the bill. These are our leaders.

The stuff that gets done becomes campaign fodder for the next election cycle to undo.

States start their own controversies that require intervention from the judicial branch of our federal government.

Both sides have taken notes on the legal acrobatics of defining what the word ‘is,’ is.

It used to be obvious when a headline was from The Onion or an actual news source.

Polarizing hypocrisy is more common than bullet holes in this country.

We are better than that.

Baby steps.

Today’s parties are two different degrees of unappealing with two fundamentally different strategies.

Power, greed, corruption, hypocrisy, narcissism, and complete disrespect have beat the living crap out of politics and have filtered down to how we act toward one another. They pander to us for our votes enough to not disturb the base.

That doesn’t mean don’t vote, if even reluctantly.

New leaders with new ideas and unifying messages will emerge if we are willing to accept them.

I believe in a passionate majority.

We can change politics in America.

Be part of the solution.

Pay attention.

Vote.

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Has Trumpnado Jumped the Sharknado?

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The climate in America has changed. Unusually high temperatures have caused a dense pocket of hot air to become the country’s very first Trumpnado.

Unpredictable winds and shrapnel fly out of this thing so randomly, you’re best to avoid it altogether. Unless, of course, you’re a storm chaser.

It’s on a path of special destruction causing a wake of WTF at every turn.

The Trumpnado will dissolve sometime after it jumps the Sharknado.

That moment could be this week. Some would argue it already happened.

The GOP got Trump’d!

If I had to pick one thing I like about Donald Trump it would be Celebrity Apprentice. I hope he does more Celebrity Apprentice when he’s done with this circus.

When I first heard Trump was running for president, I thought it was a joke. Then, I watched the first Republican debate and it clicked. He’s sabotaging the GOP. That party got Trump’d.

During the first debate, he was the only candidate who would not commit to supporting someone else as the nominee, hinting that he could run as an Independent. Plus, did that fight with Megyn Kelly during the first debate make any sense? Remember when he asked her if she was bleeding?

He later stated he would support another nominee. Honestly though, would it surprise anyone if he flipped on that?

Trumpnado Warning!

Since hitting the campaign trail, Trump’s statements and stances are petulant and arrogant.

His words have been increasingly aggressive and disturbing and the media is having a hay day re-posting and re-tweeting and regurgitating everything this man says.

He’s attracting disturbing personalities like flypaper.

It’s like the Twilight Zone.

He’s acting so far the opposite of presidential, it’s embarrassing that he’s actually leading the Republican polls.

However, that could be the point he’s intended all along.

He’s erratic, unpredictable, unfiltered, and getting worse by the day. He’s effectively not electable.

It’s getting so bad, it makes perfect sense. Even Fox News contributors today were discussing how he’s gone off the rails and becoming a problem for the GOP.

Intended or not, he’s helping the Democrats and the other candidates have caught on.

I believe he’s always intended to run as an Independent to ensure a Republican loss. His campaign is straight out of Team America: World Police, “America! Fuck Yeah!”

trump-international-hotel — It would be funny if our president had this in Las Vegas. Photo Source: TripAdvisor

He will steal millions of votes from the Republican nominee while ensuring a bigger blue turnout.

Trump is being so blatantly and believably stupid right now, but he’s not a stupid man.

I predict record ratings for the next installment of the Celebrity Apprentice. The good news for Trump is his current haters will forgive him and he won’t have to take a huge pay cut to play in the Oval Office.

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