Manchurian Candidate?

Look, we need to talk about what’s really at stake in this election. It’s not just about Democrats versus Republicans anymore. It’s about who’s actually going to be running our country.

Here’s the deal:

Trump won’t show us his medical records. Why not? What’s he hiding?

When you watch him speak now, it’s clear something’s not right. He’s confused, he rambles. This isn’t about politics – it’s about whether he can do the job.

His VP pick, Vance? It comes across like he’s basically a puppet for Peter Thiel, a tech bro billionaire. Do we want Thiel calling the shots in the White House?

Here’s what keeps me up at night: What if Trump wins but can’t handle the job? His own people might use the 25th Amendment to remove him. Then we’ve got Vance – with no experience – as president.

And get this – even if all that happens, Trump still gets Secret Service protection for life. On our dime.

Would it be even legal for Vance to pardon Trump and all the Jan 6 traitors?

But there’s more, and it’s serious:

Trump’s been saying scary stuff about not needing elections anymore. He’s hinting that after this election, we might not vote again. That’s not how democracy works.

Meanwhile, MAGA folks and far-right social media are already claiming the election will be “stolen” if Trump loses. They’re setting the stage to reject results they don’t like.

Here’s a wild thought: What if Trump knows he’s just a stepping stone? What if the real power players are planning to push him aside for Vance all along?

We’re not just choosing a president. We’re deciding whether we want our government run by the people we elect, or by billionaires behind the scenes. And maybe even whether this is our last real election.

This isn’t about left or right. It’s about keeping our democracy in the hands of the people. Think hard about this when you vote.

Note:

The title of this post makes reference to a book. “The Manchurian Candidate” is a political thriller novel written by Richard Condon, first published in 1959. The story revolves around Raymond Shaw, a U.S. soldier who is captured during the Korean War and brainwashed by communist forces. Upon returning home, Shaw becomes an unwitting assassin, programmed to carry out a plot against the U.S. government.

The term “Manchurian Candidate” has since entered popular culture, referring to a person, especially a politician, who is used as a puppet by an enemy power. The book explores themes of mind control, political manipulation, and Cold War paranoia. It was adapted into acclaimed films in 1962 and 2004, further cementing its place in American political fiction.

The novel’s premise of a sleeper agent infiltrating the highest levels of government continues to resonate in discussions about political influence and national security.