Institutional Gravity

By Lorraine Evanoff, July 30, 2026 – 480 Words

The cost of Trump’s illegal war in Iran officially at $37.5 billion is shocking. The Pentagon putting the internal cost closer to $100 billion, not even including higher gas prices, the damage to our reputation, possible International Criminal Court charges for war crimes, and the loss of American lives is outrageous. The national debt has surpassed 100% of GDP, and by 2030 will hit a record high.

Oil wells near Teapot Dome in Wyoming (1973)

The war in Iran is an unpopular money pit. If/when Democrats retake Congress in the midterm elections on the promise to end the war and stabilize the economy and the country, what can they deliver? The House has passed concurrent resolutions to end the war in Iran, but those are not a law. The Senate has taken up a Joint Resolution, which is a law that, if passed, would go to Trump for signature. But the Senate declined to even advance the resolution 47 to 49.

If/when Democrats retake Congress, how much damage control can they do with Trump wielding veto power for two more years? He can be impeached again, more than once. In the unlikely event Democrats gain a 60-seat majority, the Senate could convict him. But more likely, Democrats can undo a lot of the damage Republicans did with the Big Bullshit Bill that destroyed healthcare and turned ICE on Americans, through the reconciliation process.

A Democratic House will have subpoena power and can investigate the worst Republican corruption since President Warren G. Harding’s Teapot Dome scandal. Democrats can challenge Trump’s illegal pardons, 17 recipients of which have already received inquiry letters from Democrats.

Governments often have an “institutional gravity” where systems under transition revert to historical norms of control, i.e. Russia and China toward autocracy, European countries and the U.S. toward democracy. Trump’s second term is an undeniable disaster. Hitler lost the election then came to power appointed as chancellor and never left. Orban got a second non-consecutive term and held it four more terms. It ended poorly for both. Trump’s second term is undeniably a disaster.

Despite Republican mid-cycle gerrymandering, continued purging of voter rolls, dark money, and the media falsely depicting Democrats in disarray, we are still favored to take the House and maybe the Senate. The media is once again spreading the lie that House Republicans will try to dispute the midterm election results and refuse to seat the new House. Robert Hubbell mercilessly corrected the New York Times David French, explaining that the current 119^th House expires at 11:59 a.m. on January 3, 2027, and the 120^th Congress begins with a new House Speaker selected by the new majority.

Also, ignore the voter turnout fears. In U.S. presidential elections, voter turnout is usually over 50%, and the midterms are always less than 50%. In 2018, when Democrats retook the House, turnout was 47%, the highest since the 1966 record of 49%. Therefore, in the November 3^rd midterms, anything over 50% would shatter the 1969 record.

VOTE BLUE.💪🏻🌊💪🏻🌊💪🏻 🌊 💪🏻 🌊 💪🏻 🌊 💪🏻 🌊 💪🏻 🌊

TIMELINE CLEANSE

Good news on the adorable kitten I rescued last month.

This week I was so happy to learn the wonderful Karolyn’s Kitty Haven rescue that took my girl in found her a forever home!

Karolyn’s team named her Cleopatra, took care of all the vaccines and spaying, and made sure she was in the best health before accepting the best adoption application.

Being fixed calmed down her spiciness and the last photo shows her sitting on her new mommy’s (or daddy’s) lap and she has an adorable ginger kitten friend to play with. She still has her beautiful perfect split face. Thank you for all the support!

Namaste 🙏🏻