Trump is losing it

I have recently needed to reconsider whether we would be better off with Pence or Trump. That has been prompted by Trump's increasingly erratic behavior. As far as his Cabinet is concerned, he is changing horses like a gypsy. One has to believe that is caused at least in part by his need to blame someone else for the criticism he continues to receive. When he discusses matters impromptu, he seems increasingly deluded. I recently heard a professor of linguistics discussing whether Trump was a serial liar. His opinion was that Trump did not consciously lie. Rather, like a three-year-old Trump simply imagines how he wants things to be and says that they are. The notion that we have a petulant three-year-old at the helm is not comforting

Last Friday Trump's erratic and delusionary behavior improbably reached new heights. He ranted about the legislation he had just signed even though his aids and Republican congressman had said that Trump was satisfied with it. He acted as though he had no idea what was in it until it was presented for signature. He then started demanding things like a line item veto, something that has long ago been declared unconstitutional, and demanded the senate change its filibuster rules. What was most frightening was his demeanor. He seemed completely out of control. He reminded me of Capt. Queeg on the witness stand in The Caine Mutiny movie when Capt. Queeg experienced a complete meltdown.

It is frightening to think of the amount of control he has over foreign-policy and the use of the military. This is particularly true now that John Bolton has replaced McMaster and Mike Pompeo has replaced Rex Tillerson. Mattis is the only adult left in the room. There are no other guardrails.

It really is the time to start thinking about the 25th amendment. The problem there is the feckless Congress and the complicit and sycophantic cabinet other than Mattis. It is interesting to imagine what would happen if Trump had to answer questions from Congress the way the British prime minister does in the House of Commons. I think Trump's head would explode.

For all of these reasons, if somehow Pence could replace Trump and lessen the military adventurism potential and the Democrats could the 2018 midterms we would be about as well off as we could get. Unfortunately, it is not likely that Trump will be impeached or relieved of his duties by the 25th Amendment. We are likely to be imperiled for some time.