Master of a universe

I heard it again today – people getting together to conclude that the nasty guy is mentally ill. I say “people” rather than psychiatrists because I heard about pushback from actual psychiatrists that such a diagnosis cannot be made without a proper examination.

Melissa McEwan of Shakesville pushes back for other reasons:

* This is a cruel comparison to people with actual mental illnesses.

* It promotes the idea that the nasty guy is just like that and we should excuse such behavior.

McEwan offers another, probably more accurate explanation: The nasty guy never faces the consequences of his actions. Part of that is because he was born to immense privilege. And the rest of it is that he creates his own reality and forces everyone in his sphere to affirm it. McEwan describes it as, “Master of a universe built to his own specifications.” He has the privilege and the power to invent his world and assumes others will make it happen. And he designed this world without consequences or accountability.

The presidency is supposed to come with built-in accountability in the form of checks and balances — but Trump's party, currently controlling both Houses of Congress, refuses to do that job. Like every other sycophant in Trump's history, they just give him what he wants; reflect back to him the reality that he demands.

A big question looms – will he be able to maintain his personal reality as investigator Bob Mueller gets closer? And what damage will he do in the attempt?