The Other Guy

 Is it this?

In my corner of America, there’s a common feeling emerging about the viral videos of constituents angrily confronting congressional Republicans: That’s what they get," wrote Johnson. "But the snark isn’t intended for the elected officials so much as for their voters. The thinking goes that those who supported politicians campaigning on callous policies toward others shouldn’t be surprised when they end up harmed, too. It’s a variation on the adage that people get the government they deserve."

Or this?

What Republicans who control a bare majority in the House are facing, he continued, is frustration "with representatives who are bad delegates, offering no resistance to a White House run amok in their communities. Those who think Republican voters are getting their just desserts fault them for choosing poor trustees. Polls confirm that the resulting dissatisfaction with the whole system is widespread: Government is cited as the most important problem facing the country, even more than the economy or immigration; two-thirds of us are unsatisfied with our democracy; and Congress’s approval rate remains dismal. Is this the government we all deserve?"

In other words, he wrote, the new town hall protests flaring up are "snapshots of supporters who, after just a 30-day sample of the government they elected, feel duped." It's a symptom of widespread feeling that elected leaders are not putting their constituents' interests first — and "both sides long for a government that will address the nation’s problems and not be its primary one."

Or is it buyer’s remorse? Because I’m pretty damned sure a majority of voters, voted for this:

Also, Canada must immediately drop their Anti-American Farmer Tariff of 250% to 390% on various U.S. dairy products, which has long been considered outrageous," Trump wrote in his announcement. "I will shortly be declaring a National Emergency on Electricity within the threatened area. This will allow the U.S to quickly do what has to be done to alleviate this abusive threat from Canada."

Trump threatened even further actions may be taken in the near future: "If other egregious, long time Tariffs are not likewise dropped by Canada, I will substantially increase, on April 2nd, the Tariffs on Cars coming into the U.S. which will, essentially, permanently shut down the automobile manufacturing business in Canada. Those cars can easily be made in the USA! Also, Canada pays very little for National Security, relying on the United States for military protection. We are subsidizing Canada to the tune of more than 200 Billion Dollars a year. WHY??? This cannot continue."

"The only thing that makes sense is for Canada to become our cherished Fifty First State," Trump added, repeating a demand he has made several times and that Canada has rejected as ridiculous. "This would make all Tariffs, and everything else, totally disappear. Canadians’ taxes will be very substantially reduced, they will be more secure, militarily and otherwise, than ever before, there would no longer be a Northern Border problem, and the greatest and most powerful nation in the World will be bigger, better and stronger than ever — And Canada will be a big part of that."

"The artificial line of separation drawn many years ago will finally disappear, and we will have the safest and most beautiful Nation anywhere in the World — And your brilliant anthem, 'O Canada,' will continue to play, but now representing a GREAT and POWERFUL STATE within the greatest Nation that the World has ever seen!" Trump continued.

Trump lied about Project 2025, but he campaigned vigorously on tariffs. His new campaign to make Canada a state is just his megalomania. He wants an undeniable place in the history books (other than as the man who replaced Chester Arthur as the worst POTUS in history). You can’t say we aren’t getting st least half of what he promised (and if you believed his denials of Project 2025, more fool you).

Yeah, I don’t think there’s an aged conundrum here. Pretty sure the voters thought the other guy would finally get what he deserved. And people who think like that are never “the other guy.” Until they are..