Can I Ask You A Question?
Whenever someone reacts violently, angrily, or with rash behavior and words, we usually send funny memes with the word “triggered”. It is a psychological phenomenon that the person with the most to lose, or the most to hide, will often be the one over compensating the most.
“WHO FARTED?!” is usually asked by the person who actually did it.
People who are liars and cheaters? They are usually the ones accusing others of lying and cheating.
Why does this happen?
The simple answer is because it’s in THEIR nature to do it, so they assume it’s in everyone’s nature to do it as well.
I don’t usually write about politics on this blog, but what I’m witnessing in this country is so divisive, so extreme, so outrageous, I’ve determined it’s urgent enough to interrupt my marketing speak to write down some fundamental truths and facts about the political climate in this country.
First, let’s begin with VERIFIABLE UN-EDITORIALIZED facts about the current impeachment inquiry on our president Donald Trump. I’ve done my best to write down facts without any opinions laced in.
- Donald Trump had a conversation with President Zelensky of Ukraine, and asked him (several times) for a favor. That favor included investigating corruption – the specific two incidences he cared about were Burisma and the 2016 election interference conspiracy. Both of these had personal ties to Trump’s 2020 re-election campaign.
- Donald Trump enlisted help from his private attorney Rudy Giuliani.
- Military aid was withheld for several months after passing in Congress. There were a lot of questions about why the aid was held up in a delay.
- A meeting at the White House with Zelensky and Trump was also delayed.
- There are transcripts of texts that strongly suggest these two events (the delay of aid and a meeting) were linked to Trump’s interest in asking Zelensky for a favor, which included in part, a public statement from Ukraine about their commitment to investigate Burisma and the 2016 election.
- The Democrats opened an Impeachment inquiry upon hearing about this from a Whistleblower.
- The hearings are happening in a secure room behind closed doors.
- Republicans stormed the secure room with their cell phones to stop the inquiry. They did this one day after William Taylor (hired and a part of Trump’s team) testified that there was a quid pro quo with Trump and the Ukraine relationship.
- Any Republican that is already on the committees holding the hearings were ALREADY allowed in the hearing, be it without their devices. There would be no need to storm in with their device as long as they were on the committee to begin with.
- The house doesn’t need to have a vote to conduct an impeachment hearing.
- The Benghazi investigation was a closed inquiry. So was Bill Clinton’s impeachment inquiry. Many Republicans are quoted as supporting these closed hearings.
- When and if an impeachment inquiry gets a vote and moves to the Senate, it’s at that point that it turns more into a trial – since the Senate acts as jurors. Until that point, it doesn’t act as a trial.
- William Taylor provided a testimony to the committee that Trump was running a shadow policy team in an attempt to withhold aid and a meeting until Ukraine complied with demands to publicly announce investigation into Burisma and the 2016 election conspiracy. He delivered a 15 page opening statement that squarely suggests a quid pro quo and abuse of power from Trump.
- Donald Trump is regularly tweeting about all of this, using words like Lynching, Civil War, Human Scum, and more.
There are more facts – hundreds more – but those are the highlights.
Now…here comes the editorial.
I have voraciously read the reports from every news outlet I can get my hands on – both right and left leaning. That means I read and watch Fox News, CNN, MSNBC, ABC, as well as sites like New York Times, the Associated Press, NPR, and others.
I have also printed out EVERY SINGLE letter, transcript, and hearing document and read them all.
Why have I done this? Simply for this one reason:
The amount of gaslighting, projection, and deflection happening (depending on whether you ask a Republican or Democrat) is so extensive, it feels like you are in a house of mirrors. Like you’re going nuts.
It feels like there are two sides, dealing with two sets of facts. You hear one thing, and then nearly the exact opposite. And God forbid you try to stay on one story – there’s an unending number of rabbit trails and distractions to keep you ever on the hunt for the truth.
In order to get ANY kind of clarity, I had to go RIGHT to the source of the facts. I had to read them for myself, and use my own judgment and discernment as I researched law, rules, precedents, and more.
I don’t know why I’m so fascinated by it all. I think because my psychology background cannot believe what level of gaslighting and projection has befallen our government and our media.
I am looking for the truth. I am regularly going against my own confirmation bias to see if the side I naturally and intuitively disagree with, might just have a point.
I know that the majority of Americans are not doing nearly the same level of investigation or research. They are just listening to random news clips, sound bites, tweets, facebook posts, ads, and whatever else just lands in front of them.
This makes me sad. It makes me sad because I know that anyone (Republican or Democrat) will just listen to that which confirms their bias. And that’s exactly the kind of sleeper behavior that allows gaslighting and projection to continue.
So now, I come to my opinion. My conclusions based on all of this research. The hours I spend reading and listening and watching (just ask Alex who’s lost his Netflix evening partner for the last several weeks).
If you trust my research, trust my intelligence, trust my character, maybe you’ll trust my opinion. Maybe not. It doesn’t matter to me either way. But here it is… (I am a Never-Trumper Moderate Republican by the way)
Aside from politics and policy, Donald Trump’s character is corrupt.
He’s a shrewd businessman, with a long history of unethical dealings. He entered as president, unaware that the presidency is not like running a business. To that end, he’s carried many of his tactics right into the White House, and with his new unmatched power, and incredible amounts of attention from the media who can’t stop reporting his antics, his character is now simply amplified.
He’s amplified name calling. Amplified lying. Amplified gaslighting. Amplified projection. Amplified double speak. Amplified intimidation. Amplified attention getting behavior.
And he’s got a scared, intimidated, psychologically mindf*cked Republican party that’s trying to save itself (and their reputations) by falling down party lines and defending him.
But not all are.
Slowly, quietly, with as little ripple as possible, some are distancing themselves.
You also have SUPER honest (clearly not very politically minded) bureaucrats like Bill Taylor who just take copious notes and tell it all without fearing the consequences or fallout from Trump.
I believe that the escalation of distracting behavior and political stunts from Trump and his closest allies is a desperate attempt to hide the truth – that Donald Trump is abusing his power in office and running the presidency like he does his shady business dealings.
It doesn’t mean that he hasn’t done good things economically for the country.
That’s like me committing a crime and claiming, “But look at how many people I helped in my business!” A right doesn’t overturn a wrong. They are mutually exclusive events.
I spent nearly a year of my life in a psychologically abusive relationship. I went through therapy for a long time to learn the tactics of a narcissist. I could go into great depth about the art and science of gaslighting, and how it’s playing out RIGHT now on a NATIONAL level.
I don’t know if his crimes are impeachable. I haven’t done enough research yet to know that his wrongs are worthy of impeachment, and I tell myself that if it’s not impeachable, the WORST case scenario is we endure this for five more years and then he’s gone.
That’s not very reassuring to me, but I have made my peace with that possibility.
What I do know – I KNOW in my gut and in my heart and in my brain – is that our president displays a corrupt character.
He is a corrupt character and it would be foolish to expect that a corrupt character wouldn’t become MORE corrupt when given a 24 hour news cycle, crazy loyal fans and millions of followers on Twitter, and incredible amounts of power.
And I know that corrupt humans can also do good things. No one person is ALL bad or ALL good. No one. Those good things don’t excuse the bad, no matter how much they may try to say otherwise.
You must take personal responsibility for your behavior in a given situation, irregardless of other “stocked up” good deeds.
Whenever you see an escalation of psychological mind games, where ever you see rising chaos, unrest, division, and confusion – you can reasonably conclude that corruption is at work.
Side note — Did you know that I wrote a blog post (it’s since been deleted) about a year before the election? And in that blog post, I said that the media would (in part) be to blame for Trump becoming president because they refused to ignore his antics? I did. I wrote the whole long thing – it got tons and tons of reads. I deleted it (and the whole blog) one day when I was feeling unusually insecure about my opinions. I knew he’d become president the minute I saw the way he controlled the news cycle like an evil master of ceremonies.
I was correct. And I believe I am correct now.
I do not think that Trump will actually be impeached, even though he is corrupt. I think he’s created such a crazy climate of confusion and gaslighting, that he’s secured his position as President because he’s gained too much control and power over those who are supposed to be his checks and balances.
I hope I’m wrong.
But if I’m not, remember this time in our history. This season of confusion and frenzy. It’s impossible to plant an apple seed and get a peach tree. And it’s impossible to put a corrupt man in incredible power and expect that he won’t produce more of what he is….
Corruption.
Funny how you spew nonsense about your weak belief in God – – – and then write a dissertation judging our president – – – – you waste TONS of words and say nothing.
Get some REAL news sources and quit playing every side of every situation – – – maybe then – someone would listen to your nonsense
Julie, perhaps it would be better if you just stuck to doing funnels. It is obvious that you don’t know what you are talking about. You have a plethora of generalities and no specifics. What “high crimes and misdemeanors” has the president committed? None. He is doing his job as permitted by the Constitution (I am a lawyer and very well versed in the Constitution.). While I may not agree with everything he has said, or done, he has stood up for America. And look at our economy. This country needs a business man or woman as president and not a career politician. Democrats and Republicans alike feel threatened by Trump because he cannot be bought and they can’t control him. As I stated in my first sentence, why don’t you stick to funnels. You don’t have all of the facts.
Ok, so attacking the person who writes a post about a public figure shows that the freedom of speech actually bothers a few people in this great country. It is 2019 and it looks like the press is corrupt, the democrats do nothing, the republicans who don’t agree with him are human scum… Is this a president or a junior high student hiding in his office and tweeting all sort of nonsense. This world needs true leadership to stop the major problems that are indeed pressing the human kind. Please if you read something and want to attack someone because they have a different opinion instead of debating it, you can be a “magna cum laude” but it’s sad.
Very well said. Glad to hear someone, ok especially my daughter, is more than able to use clear and factual research to break through the smoke and mirrors of this circus that is the presidency! I could go on and on about my concerns with all the troubling facts that get twisted and distorted depending on what news you watch – but the level of agitation that will result isn’t good for my health! I’m glad there are intelligent and energetic young folks to stand up against all this disturbing behavior!
You are WRONG.
What’s the alternative?
Everything that is being said by the do-nothing FAR LEFT LIBERALS Democratic Leaders and the Never-Trumper Moderate Republicans is based on “alleged” accusations. There’s no proof.
Let’s presume that there’s TRUTH to the whole impeachment thing, and that he ASKED/INQUIRED about it.
So?!!??
So what!!!
What he was asking was about a CRIME that had been committed. Just like you or anyone would want Trump to be investigate about some alleged crime that he had committed into he past.
WHY is the media, liberals, the FAR LEFT LIBERALS and the Never-Trumper Moderate Republicans is SCREAM and SHOUT about finding out if those alleged crimes about Biden’s son is true or not? ????????♂️
Tell is all about the deep dive/research that you did on Hilary. That doesn’t compare AT ALL to all these ”alleged“ accusations. Her criminal acts are FACTUAL. Then, what she did to Bernie …WOW! Let’s see you write about THAT!
If I were a Democrat, I’d be sooooo embarrassed at those claiming to lead the Democratic leaders and how they are completely losing it …losing and embarrassing their Party. All it is, is UNHINGED, WHINING, tantrums.
Just because you don’t understand Trump’s tactics, you can’t then enjoy the fruit of his labor for ALL AMERICANS. This country hasn’t been this STRONG in so many aspects …in as far as many can see.
Instead of bashing him.
THANK HIM.
I’m saddened by how your true colors have come out Julie. “… another unhinged liberal.”
Enjoy the WINS …including all of Trumps.
When he gets his way, MOST ALL GET OURS. Most of us benefit. There’s always a WINNER and a Loser—not everyone wins. We don’t all get a “participation or a 12th place trophy”
Go back to your man.
Take care of him. It seems that he’s been holding the “home-front” as of late. (Nothing wrong with that!). But make sure that he gets the attention that he deserves.
Leave politics out of your business, I GUARANTEE that you’ll feel pain of this sooner than later. never good to mix politics with business, unless your business is politics.
First, I don’t see either of the two replies as ‘attacking’, that seems to be the buzzword for “they disagree and aren’t super nice/apologetic about it & that hurts my feelings”. The world has gotten way too PC & those that expect others to tone it down, so they themselves don’t have to feel uncomfortable need to grow up a bit. Everyone here is expressing their opinion, and it might differ from yours.
Do I wish the President were a little more temperant? Yes. But what you may ‘label’ as brash, rude or attacking, others see as not putting up with the crap and manipulative tactics of others that are trying to tear him down. It’s rather obvious. He almost always responds to something that someone else said first, he doesn’t start it, but he doesn’t pull his punches & he doesn’t back down.
Trump won’t play the game of politics & the politicians don’t like that.
The ‘impeachment hearings’ are an inquiry where Democrats are looking for something that they ‘suspect’ happened. Where else in our justice system does something even remotely like this happen? The Democrats have stated what they ‘think’ as fact, nothing has been proven. I think you did something but I don’t know for sure, but I don’t like you so I want to look for something. WTF!? BTW, the Dems have tried to impeach EVERY Republican President since Nixon.
Funny you mention corruption, our last president was very corrupt, he just knew how to play politics.
Out of curiosity did you ever write about Obama’s corruption? It seems everyone’s just jumping on the trump bash train, but they were silent when Obama was selling guns to the cartel, calling in drone strikes on civilians, making illegal business dealings, and plenty of other junk.
You should read this book: https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Empires-American-Political-Corruption/dp/0062569368/ref=nodl_
That being said if you were also publicly outspoken against Obama then I can respect this post even though it personally lacks substance to me, but at least you’re “actually” being an equal opportunity critic.
Though I could guess with 99% certainty that you never wrote a negative public post about Obama.
So anyways I don’t look at you any different for sharing your personal opinion but maybe it’s worth really thinking about your motivation here, because it looks like youre just following everyone else who claims to be so independent and free thinking but is really just following the herd.
Anyways it’s all good, and I get how it’s easy to bash trump, I do it too, but I did the same thing with Obama. The presidency has become far too powerful, and every president from here on out is going to be corrupt, no one who desires that level of power has truly pure intentions.
Anyways just my opinion, but hell I could be completely wrong.
Dear Julie,
I am a follower. My first “acquaintance” with you was at FHL 2017, I watched your presentation, I watched your demeanor, I heard your message, at the end of “our” meeting, I felt so thankful to you and said to myself; “what a brilliant presentation, no hype, no bs, just practical generous advice and help, I love her! is something about that lady that I like a lot”.
Forward to today, I purchased a couple of your programs, followed you in 2CCX and continue following you, this is how I came across this editorial. Once I finished reading your superbly well written article I realised that, that something I liked about you in 2017 was that you are REAL, you don’t live inside a bubble, you don’t follow trends, you are fact driven, you don’t go around pretending to be someone else and even after all your financial success you remain charming and humble. With this said, it’s obvious that I agree with your findings regarding the current political situation in the US.
Seven years ago, I moved from NJ to Italy, I watched the campaign from here and thought OMG that fake of a man is going to win. The US elector (as most electors in any country) is so ill informed and thanks to a media owned by big private corporations that piece of sh** is going to win, where is the world, yes the world going to end!.
I thought in those terms because, like you, I too have been always fascinated by politics in fact looong ago I was politically active for a short period of time, during my college years and while working at a TV News station. As I got more involved I was able to see that politics is a really dirty and corrupt game where altruism and honesty don’t have a place I became disenchanted and currently almost 100% detached from it. But, your article pulled me back in and for the time that took me reading it I went back in memory lane to that period of my life when I lived on a daily basis the political game. I distinctly remembered the behind the door sessions “dealings” in Congress and honestly in every government office, the deceitful and bias “news press releases” that I was forced to put on the air, the editing of facts so lies will become truths and innocent people became guilty.
So, when that liar, narcissist maniac won I thought OMG how much worse are things going to get? …But, Julie the truth is that they haven’t, nothing has changed with Trump in power. The only difference is that his huge ego does not prevent him from verbalizing and showing to the world in a shameless and unapologetic way the perennial abuses the powerful are able, allowed and capable of inflicting over the disenfranchised, this could be against an individual, a group, a country, the earth, the animals, name it the list is long …
Thank you for your writings and your contribution to society. Your work shows that you are a unique and fantastic human being, I predict your impact in the world is going to be even greater than what already has, you have just began.
With much love,
Katy Scarpone
Beautifully written, research was clearly done and I love that you resisted the urge to post a tonne of meaningless facts to muddle the waters further. Thanks for sharing your opinion! I trust it and this has given me a little more clarity on what is playing out right now.
You. Are. Absolutely. Correct.
Do not waver or be intimidated by the bullying, condescending posts of people who only read the sound bites. They revel in their unawareness.
Love this.
What a great way to align yourself with your ideal clients!
As business owners, we’re often so fearful of stating our beliefs because for every person who agrees with us there are a few who don’t.
But when you DO reveal yourself – your beliefs, fears, and all that stuff in between – that’s when you draw people closer to the fold and deepen your relationship with them.
Isn’t that what marketing is all about?
I think the folks reacting negatively to this are not just missing the point, they’re missing a valuable lesson in marketing.
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! For a great review of this psychological mind game being played with America. I love my country and respect whoever is in office be it Republican or Democrat but I must say for the first time in my adult life I am appalled at what I am seeing from the leadership of this great country.