Not quite. He’s still not back in the G-8, although the president is inviting him and a couple of other outsiders to the G-7 Summit. I don’t suppose the other six world leaders were consulted.

Putin is certainly getting his money’s worth. Even in his dreams, he couldn’t have imagined so many legislators, appointees, and voters would hand over their power to his man.

It’s not that we have a president who thinks laws don’t apply to him. He has never thought the laws applied to him. The presidency didn’t change him, just gave him the keys to the treasury. But one man can’t become a dictator without willing helpers.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and the GOP made sure judges and bills got no hearing on their watch. Were they afraid some legislators would break rank, or was it just the hubris of white men versus one good black man? And no way a smart woman was going to get in their way.

Before you accuse me of being biased, I am. I prefer presidents who look after the people, who don’t believe corporations have more rights than citizens, who believe education and access to opportunity and to healthcare are human rights.

There are a lot of forces at work. White supremacists want to own the country. Libertarians want no rules and no safeguards. Corporations want no regulations and no limits. There’s greed, racial inequality, xenophobia, and a lack of compassion for those fleeing war and poverty.

We aren’t a shining city on a hill. We are a disappointment to all who believe in cooperation and fairness. Taking to the streets is necessary, but it isn’t enough.

If this is the Civil War, Jefferson Davis is in the White House. If this is a reboot of World War II, we have joined forces with the fascists. But now is not the time to despair. Now is the time to get to work.

Call out the evil.

March in the streets.

Stand up to the overlords.

Build the underground.

Check on your neighbors.

Feed the hungry.

Create housing funds for the unemployed.

Protect journalists.

Fact check the candidates.

Learn to recognize propaganda.

Register people to vote, and help them get to the polls with their IDs and their will.

Demand that the polls be open.

Protect the vote from foreign and domestic players who want to subvert the will of the people.

Regardless of the roadblocks in our way, we have to vote. All of us. We can’t sit this one out.

Oh, and make sure to wear a mask and wash your hands.