Hello, this is Mel Windham from the "Always Be Better" series, and today I'm doing a cross post with the Econo-Mel. This is a special edition video -- not part of the usual cycle, but never fear; "Always Be Better" will be back in a couple of weeks.
Today I'd like to talk to my conservative friends, though all of you are free to listen in.
I'm going to start back in high school. Around 1986 ... Milton High School, Building 5, an old dilapidated asbestos-ridden building. Social Studies class. We had many discussions, a few films, and we read Orwell's 1984 and Animal Farm. We learned about racism, the rise of Hitler, and other terrible events. And we students talked amongst ourselves, with a little help from the teacher. We wondered: in each of these terrible events, why couldn't people see what was really going on? Why did they allow these bad things to happen? It was very easy for us to agree and resolve that: "We're never going to let this happen. Not on our watch." We could see that it was all wrong, and we learned the signs so that should it ever happen again, we would NOT support it.
If we hone in on the story of Hitler, he had received a lot of help from the public. They ate up his message that Jews were the cause of everything that ailed the country. At first he tried to deport the Jews to Madagascar, but when that failed, he started sending them to concentration camps where millions were killed.
On the most part, Hitler shielded the public with lies. The Jews were being sent to some "resettlements to the east" when in fact they were being sent to their deaths.
And eventually, later, the truths came out. And when everything was said and done, a large portion of the German population was riddled with incredible guilt for what they had allowed. Many of them regretted supporting Hitler, and how it had led to the deaths of millions.
And again comes that question we asked in class: why couldn't the people see what was going on?
In this respect, part of me is actually a little excited, because now I get to witness this same phenomenon in real time. I'm seeing many of the same signs, which are as clear as day to me -- because well, like I said before, we were educated in high school to recognize them, and I didn't skip reading those books designed to help history NOT to repeat itself. And I'm wondering today: why can't the majority of my friends see these signs? Why are they allowing this all to happen? My biggest fear is that when everything is said and done, are you also going to have that same incredible guilt to carry for the rest of your lives, having no way to go back in time and change your past actions?
And that's why I see that now is a turning point -- a last chance, as you will, to help avoid this lifetime of guilt.
And yes -- many of tell me that I have TDS: Trump Derangement Syndrome. That is, no matter how good Trump may be, I'll never be satisfied. He could say oxygen is good, and then I'd suffocate myself. While the GOP is executing solutions, my only goal is to hate Trump.
But the truth is: I don't hate Trump as a person. In fact, most of you already know that I have this strange admiration of the guy. I'm just amazed at how much he gets away with. I wish I could do that. But I'm just having trouble seeing the Emperor's New Clothes. You are all telling me all these things that I'm supposed to be seeing, but all I see is Trump standing there as naked as the day he was born.
Most of you know me: I'm a numbers guy and a strong proponent of the scientific method, which guides my day job every day. And I see the data. I see the logic, and I just don't like what I see. If Trump were actually doing good, he'd have my full support. In fact, that's why I put together my Lunch Tracker. So, that if Trump ends up not being that bad, I will owe a lot of my conservative friends lunch. You know ... scientific method. Prove me wrong, and I'm happy to accept the truth.
But to be honest, now I don't think the lunch is going to happen. From Day 1 of Trump's second term, I'm beyond devastated with the path he has chosen. In fact I would say that's it's much worse than I had initially imagined. The warning signs could not possibly be any clearer.
You can't see it yet? Well, let me ask you some questions. I'd like for you to examine your own situation today. Are you happy with the way things are right now? I'm not talking about what you think is coming down the pike or what Trump is promising you, but what is actually happening today. Are you better off now than you were 10 years ago? Has your grocery bill gone down yet? How much money have you given to Trump? And what has Trump done for you in return? Are you richer? Are you prospering?
And now for the kicker: How long has it been that Trump has been promising these good things and good times? How much longer are you going to wait? I personally think that Trump is a conman who is really good at promising things, but not so good at delivering. It's always just around the corner.
Let me show you something. I took some Dow Jones data from FRED, the Federal Reserve of St. Louis, and I indexed the levels to Inauguration Day for the last three presidents. Trump 1.0, Biden, and Trump 2.0. And I looked at the first 70 days. In both 2017, 2021, the stock market enjoyed around 5% growth over the first 70 days. However look at Trump 2.0 ... the Dow Jones has lost over 5% of its value and it's still going down. Currently the Atlanta Reserve is forecasting negative GDP growth for 2025Q1.
Usually, the sitting president doesn't really affect how the stock market is doing, but in this case, we know what's driving the downturn, and yes ... it is Trump -- the tariffs that he's installed and the ones he's threatening. It's the instability that he is causing, the job loss that he's directly affecting, pain points in government office that are now woefully understaffed and unable to meet our current demands of their services. And he's showing the rest of the world that they can no longer rely on us. It's already taking a toll on our economy, and it's only beginning.
And remember -- why did Trump win? Because it came down to a lot of independent voters who thought that he would be better for the economy. But I ask you now: do you think things are going to turn around any time soon?
Think about this. What would a 50% tariff on oil do to our gas prices? The national average price right now is around $3. It may take a couple of months, as gas stations work through their current inventory, but eventually -- if we add 50%, it's going to get up to $4.50. What is that going to your current situation and your grocery bill?
And I've seen what Fox News is reporting ... lots of nice spin about the good things that Trump is doing, but they are silent on the many stories going around about thousands, and possibly millions of people who are already starting to hurt because of decisions that have been made these last 70 days: farmers, sick people who can no longer obtain needed medicines, innocent people who had been here LEGALLY deported without due process, signed contracts that are now null and void, and so on.
You're missing these stories, because Trump tells you not to listen to them. He talks about the "Lamestream Media" and their liberal bias. But what he doesn't tell you is that these outlets are among the last remaining ones who actually check their sources and still hold to fundamental journalistic principles. Trump knows that if you listen to them, you would learn the truth, and he would lose his power over all of us.
And I try to share these stories. Some people end up listening, but most of them resist. They dismiss it as liberal lies or fake news. Or they say they'll get around to looking at it, but they never find the time. And remember those danger signs I told you about that we learned in high school? Well -- you're not seeing them, because you're doing exactly what Trump wants you to do: avoiding those outlets that would reveal what he's actually doing.
And I know -- many of you tell me that I'm the one brainwashed, and how everything I say sounds liberal. But the thing is, I'm not a Democrat. I've been there, done that. I'm also not a Republican. Been there, done that. I just got tired of all the brainwashing they both pour on us. I still despise the Democrats and the strange things they're doing right now. I kid you not ... just a couple of days ago, one liberal told me how much of a Trump-supporting tool I was. Yeah -- to them, I sound conservative.
Look -- I'm just a human being, just trying to do the best I can. Now that I belong to no party, I feel much more free and able to see these things. While many of you are sticking to conservative outlets, I'm considering stories from all kinds of news sources, and I try my best to remove bias from both sides so I can get down to the Truth. And that's why I work so hard to share what I'm witnessing. Because, if I'm right -- things are going to get worse, and then you will realize too late what was allowed.
But, giving you the benefit of the doubt, what if you all turn out to be right? What happens to me, then? Well -- nothing. Because as you say, I'll be so happy being prosperous and successful. I mean really -- if you're right, then why should you be angry with me right now? If things are going to work out, then hooray for all of us. I'll be happy to eat some humble pie.
But I know. You're all angry, because that's how Trump works. He wants you all to be angry. He says he wants to unite us all, but how many times each day does he give you reasons to be angry at the Democrats. Do you find it strange that the Dems are always wrong? That they can do no good? That the world would be better without them? If they said oxygen was good, would y'all suffocate yourselves? Do y'all have DDS?
Sorry if I'm pushing these things a little far, here. I realize that it's not your fault. Trump wants you to be angry, because that's how he keeps control over you.
For me, as I said a couple of weeks ago, the first warning sign was in late 2015 when Trump started using Mexicans and Muslims to rile up the masses, just like Hitler used the Jews. Remember how Hitler said the Jews were the cause of everyone's ills? Does this sound familiar? Mexicans are sending their worst -- prisoners and rapists? They're the cause of much of our violent crime? They even spread sickness? They're overrunning our hospitals and social services? They're taking our jobs? These are EXACTLY the same things Hitler said about the Jews. I recognized this and I got myself out of Dodge. I left the GOP for good.
But then when Trump went through his first term, we had survived. Sure, he tried to push his most undesirable policies, but Constitutional checks and balances kicked in, and things didn't turn out as bad as I would have thought. He ended up NOT being Hitler, and I was very grateful and I got to relax for four years.
But this second time around is different. I would like you to consider the following ...
Why is Trump calling for the impeachment of judges who are ruling against his executive orders? Judicial review has been the law of the land since 1803 -- a very important Constitutional check and balance against overreaching executive orders. If you don't think judges should be stopping Trump let me ask you: were you okay with judges stopping Biden's executive orders on student debt forgiveness?
Why is Musk is paying money to US representatives to impeach judges who are ruling against Trump? Is this not a major conflict of interest and a total disregard of the Constitution?
Do you find it weird that Trump wrote a couple of executive orders targeting specific law firms that had participated in lawsuits against him and his interests? The language in these executive orders goes as far as to mention their "weaponization of government and the abuse of law enforcement against political opponents." But in singling out these law firms, isn't Trump actually weaponizing executive orders against his political opponents?
Have you taken a look at the people Trump has pardoned? There are the J6 protestors who showed their support to Trump. And most of the others tend to be masters of fraud -- but only those who supported Trump.
And have you wondered why Trump pushes cryptocurrency, when it is a major source of money laundering and fraud? It's also a haven of Ponzi schemes that promise high value, but then rob many poor people of their life savings.
What about Trump trying to get people to buy Teslas? Practically running a 30-minute commercial for Musk in the White House front yard? Does this not scream conflict of interest?
What about all the other billionaires Trump has picked to work for him, who all stand to profit quite nicely from their posts?
Do you find it strange that Elon Musk is trying to replace a lot of government workers and contracts with his own employees and companies? Isn't this a major conflict of interest in which he can unfairly enrich himself with Trump's help?
If Musk is so concerned about efficiency, why would he gut 18F, which had made great strides over the past few years in the area of efficiency, and which was about to expand?
Why is Musk giving people a chance to win $1mm each for voting in the Wisconsin judicial race? Musk has a lot invested in this because of a lawsuit against Tesla. This may be normal among corporations, but as a government official, it's a huge conflict of interest.
Do you not see a pattern of corruption and massive conflicts of interest in all of this? And how almost everything Trump does has the only goal of increasing the ability for him and his friends to commit fraud, make lots of money, grab much more power, and all on our backs? For those of you that know this term, doesn't this sound like the very definition of a Gadianton Robber?
Do you not find it strange that Trump has declared emergencies where none really exist? Why is there an energy emergency when we've been a net exporter of primary energy for the last several years? Why is he invoking the Alien Enemies Act when we aren't at war with anyone?
And did you know that Trump has stopped all refugees from entering the US except for South African white people who aren't really under persecution? Does that remind you of anyone?
Why is Trump trying to deport many Venezuelans, the majority of whom came here legally through the Temporary Protected Status program? Fox News doesn't tell you that they all filled out the required paperwork, and that they were invited to come here to the US to seek refuge away from the troubles in their home country.
And what about Trump trying to deny them due process and access to their lawyers, rights that are specifically guaranteed by the 14th Amendment to ANY PERSON. How can the guilt of a person be established without due process? Did you hear Marco Rubio announce that the majority of those hurriedly rushed to El Salvador weren't necessarily members of Tren de Aragua? And officials have also admitted to deporting a perfectly legal alien due to a "typographical error" and they're unable to extract these people from the Salvadorian prisons? Is this acceptable? Are you okay with the testimonies of refugees and innocents rising up against Trump?
Why are we torturing tourists and visitors who come to our country? Not just Hispanics, but Canadians and Europeans -- you know, our allies?
Why has international travel into the US dropped like a rock? Why is Canada talking as if an era of friendship and cooperation with the US has come to an end? Why is Europe currently building up a joint army?
Why is Trump trying to take over Greenland, Canada, and the Panama Canal? The arguments he's using to support these ideas are not too dissimilar to what Hitler had said in his initial land grabs.
If Trump were so concerned about merit over DEI, why would he fire so many people related to DEI without any consideration at all to their own merits, skills, competencies, and achievements? Do you happen to know how many discrimination lawsuits have arisen from these firings, and would you like to know that there's now a class action lawsuit?
Related: why would Trump replace a perfectly fine and competent black Joint Chief of Staff with a less-qualified three-star general -- someone who needed special permission to fill the role?
And have you noticed that Truth Social stock is falling fast even though its leader is president now? Do you really think that a man who has had so many failed ventures can successfully bring our world to prosperity? Keep in mind that his only successes have been real estate ventures and the Apprentice show.
When other countries stop buying our products and we can't afford to buy theirs because of tariffs, how do you think our country is going to prosper?
Did you know that because we've ending promised aid payments, millions of people will no longer be able to obtain their medicines? They could either die, or another country such as China could swoop in to provide aid in our stead and build their own influence and power while we grow weaker.
I could continue on about more of these signs -- there are so many, but I do need to come to an end. I challenge you to just look and see what's out there. I think you would be shocked to learn what Fox News isn't telling you, while the rest of the world more than knows what's happening. I think you'd be shocked to hear what foreigners are telling Americans as they travel abroad. Did you know that some of our tourists try to pretend they're Canadian?
And gosh darn it. Foreign entities want us to fight each other: American vs. American. Because the weaker we get, the stronger they get. Aren't we better than this? It's not too late. We could work together and become that great nation we once were ... united and strong.
And just so you know, if I'm right, I'm taking a major risk here, painting a big red X on my back. I realize that eventually, this video could very well put me on a plane to El Salvador. Hey -- maybe I'll get a tattoo out of it.
But why am I doing this? Because a couple of days ago, I was troubled -- like I had forgotten to do something, or something majorly bad was about to happen. I was losing sleep over it, and even my dreams were haunting me. And it wasn't until I came up with the idea to do this video that I was finally able to get back to sleep. I'm supposed to do this, but honestly, I don't know why. Most of my efforts are usually ignored, but perhaps this video will reach a few of you. Or at least create enough curiosity to bite the bullet and actually check out those "Lamestream Media" stories that the vast majority of the rest of the world is reading.
Look -- you guys are great, and I love y'all. I worry about you. But if I'm right, when everything is said and done, I won't be able to do anything at all to help remove your guilt. That will all be on you. I will sympathize and still be your friend, and hey -- it's only because of this that I'm trying one last time to help you rip off that band-aid now. It's not too late. With enough public opinion turned against Trump, he can be stopped, and we can get our country back. We could return back to normal, because after all, isn't that what we all desire?
I'd also like for all you to know that I'm doing great. I haven't given any money to Trump, nor to Biden, nor to any other politician. Because that's my money, and I'm entirely free. My conscious is clear.
And yes -- Trump 2025 is that event that we were warned about in high school. If you were serious when you had joined me in saying that we'd stop this from ever happening, then the time is now. The choice is yours.
If you've made it this far, I thank you profusely. Hopefully together we can survive this. I invite you to check out my "Always Be Better" videos for much more detail on ideas, skills, and instructions on how we can all be better people and how we can always strive to work together. Ultimately this is my goal, and I invite you to join me in this journey.
Thanks, and I'll catch you later.
