Busted Flat in Baton Rouge waiting for the train

 People often don’t pay attention, think critically, or take action unless they’re directly affected by crises — being cold, hungry, or under threat. The Great Depression was the last time the masses experienced widespread hunger and economic despair. Vietnam was the last major event where young men faced death in staggering numbers. Both shook society to its core and sparked transformative change.

We may be approaching a similar turning point. Trump and his cronies are poised to disrupt society to such a degree that something has to give. While the Depression was excruciating, it also had a silver lining: it woke people up to how the wealthy were exploiting them. The resulting outrage drove significant reforms. At one point, communism even seemed like a plausible alternative to counteract the greed of the powerful.

Trump could serve as a similar wake-up call. His policies funnel money to billionaires at an unprecedented rate, cementing inequality and eroding trust in institutions. Why is Trump so cozy with Elon Musk? Why does everything in Trump’s world come down to “pay-to-play”? The audacity of his corruption may force people to finally confront the evils of unchecked greed.

Never in American history have we had such a brazen conman leading the nation. Now, Trump stands to become not just a figurehead but the kingpin of a Mafia-like government. His enforcers are willing, if not particularly competent, tools of his agenda. It’s a dangerous game he’s playing, but it’s one that could eventually backfire in monumental ways.

There’s an old sailor’s term for a steam engine: the "Bulgine." In this analogy, Trump’s actions are the Bulgine, a runaway force that threatens to steamroll our democracy. The question is, will this runaway train wake people up before it’s too late? History suggests that when people finally feel the heat, they fight back.

Let’s hope that, as the Bulgine barrels forward, Americans clear the track, face reality, and demand change. Until then, all we can do is prepare, resist, and hope for a collective awakening.

Check out the video below for a good sea shanty with the Bulgine.