I am a former senior federal official, policy analyst, and longtime political consultant who has advised members of Congress, federal agency heads, and corporate leaders. As a lifelong student of history, I’ve spent decades tracking how policy choices shape democracy for better or worse. My current work focuses on political satire, civic education, and public accountability through my newsletter "Civics Unhinged" and my recent ebooks, "Trump’s Big Top: Vol. 1.," & "The Liar's Guide to Autocracy" — all of which reflect not just my expertise but a lifetime of watching government—at its best and worst.