Frank Underwood and Donald Trump: Which is more chilling, the fiction or the currrent reality?:

I have been watching House of Cards on Netflix.  It is hard to tell whether or not it is a welcome relief from the disaster of the Trump Administration.  The parallels are there, but the differences are also stark.  The fictional President Frank Underwood is contemptuous of virtually everyone else in the world (and of what most of us view as the norms of democracy) and only cares about himself and perhaps a couple of other people.  On the other hand, unlike President Trump, the Underwood character is is totally self-aware and is very, very smart.  

Those who have seen any of House of Cards know that occasionally, Frank Underwood speaks directly to the camera, breaking down the proverbial third wall of drama.  Here is the text of his chilling direct statement to the Netflix audience in the middle of his swearing in as President of the United States.  The text may not do full justice to Kevin Spacey's chilling performance, but here it is:

And now here I am.  President of these United States.  You made this bed, America.  You voted for ME. 

Are you confused? Are you afraid? Because what you thought you wanted is now here. And there you are, starring back, slack-jawed, bewildered, wondering if what this is what you actually asked for. 

This Democracy, your Democracy, elected ME.  And if you think it was hard getting here, you’re beginning to understand what I am willing to do to stay.  

I look across at this crowd gathered today, and I know that that these are not my supporters.  I’m looking at the people who are waiting, with a smile on their face for their turn.  And the most vicious among them are the ones who are smiling and clapping the hardest.  Power IS a lot like real estate.  Remember?