I’m not fond of the term “useful idiots,” however, I understand the concept.
A good example is Robert F. Kennedy Jr., chosen to lead the federal health department. We now have a slow response to historic measles outbreaks that leave families to deal with huge medical bills and lifelong consequences.
Then there is the appointment of Pete Hegseth, a FOX news commentator, to head the federal Defense Department. What can I say about Elon Musk, reportedly using ketamine and hallucinogens while advising the president.
Don’t forget the great trade deals being done by this administration, including tariffs that economists call self-inflicted wounds. International relations with dictators who murder or imprison opponents. Masked, unidentifiable ICE agents kidnapping people, and detention centers anyone can be held in for months.
So people say to themselves, “I can accept these things to cut the budget deficit. Some suffering is acceptable in order to accomplish that.”
One can understand their thinking, until you find out that the GOP budget increases taxes on those who have lower annual income, while granting huge tax benefits to those who are exceedingly wealthy, increasing the deficit by $2.8 trillion in some versions of the bill.
The efforts to undermine healthcare, social security, FEMA, airline safety, and veterans’ services ensure that suffering will occur.
This is why people gathered for a “No Kings” protest. Not useful idiots, but defenders of the Constitution and the fabric of a free nation that cares for its people.
John Norton