What would a MAGA America look like?

One of the things progressives cannot understand is why Trump supporters believe a Trump presidency will benefit them. It won’t. In fact, much of what the “January 6” crowd holds near and dear could ultimately be lost. If actions speak louder than words, then let’s look at Trump‘s major legislative achievement as president — a 10-year $2.3 trillion tax cut. This has benefited large corporations and the super wealthy, with stock buy-backs, enhanced dividend payments and bloated profits. But it hasn’t benefited the working class — the core of MAGA world.

The beneficiaries of a second Trump presidency will be a small ruling class — millionaires and billionaires, inner circle cronies and family members. It’s a model seen in autocracies with Oligarchs. While Trump may aspire to a Vladamir Putin level of autocrat, he is more likely to adopt the model of another hero, Hungary’s autocratic leader, Victor Orban.

Orban has transformed Hungary from a western-like democracy into a quasi-autocracy. András Bozoki – Hungarian sociologist, politician and former Minister of Education — describes Hungary under Orban as having “lost the oxygen of democracy.” There has been a widening gap in living standards with winners and losers. His description conjures up images from “The Hunger Games” with those living in the capital city of Budapest enjoying decent living standards while others in small cities and rural areas (The Districts in the Hunger Games) subject to despair and desperation.

The real concern for MAGA world could come as a result of changes in law. Orban has altered Hungary’s constitution multiple times in efforts to consolidate power and limit freedoms. The tax system, social programs, electoral laws, the judiciary have all been derailed along with a nationalization of the pension system further hurting workers. In an Orban-style MAGA presidency, freedoms we enjoy under our constitution — speech, assembly, religion, press, due process, trial by impartial jury, the right against unreasonable search and seizure, etc. — could become compromised.

Then there is the freedom to bear arms. American has more guns per capita than any other country with 120 registered guns per 100 population. In Hungary it is 10 guns per 100 population. Gun owners must demonstrate they are hunters or sportsmen, cannot have any criminal record, must pass a theoretical and practical test, and take a physical and mental medical exam. An autocratic leader consolidating power and money wants no part of an electorate flush with firearms. It’s a civil threat. Gun ownership laws will change.

The path under Trump seems clear — overhaul the Constitution, change the electoral process and eliminate term limits to retain power indefinitely. When Trump says, “I’ll only be a dictator on day one,” he means it. Installing cronies and sycophants lets him ravage the Justice Department and eliminate accountability. Donald Trump no longer needs your vote — so he no longer needs you. He will affect changes that harm the working class without accountability or repercussions — raising taxes, reducing Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, and nationalizing key industries to line his pockets.

This is not hyperbole. Donald Trump has no political principles or policies. He can be bought and sold. He needs money to post bonds, facilitate judgments and pay lawyers. So, when Anheuser Busch held a fundraiser for him, he quickly changed his view on Bud Light and its pro-LGBTQ stance, and praised the beer on his social media site. Put Donald Trump back in the White House, and the only way to get him out might be by revolution.