THE CHEATING GAMBLER WHO TARNISHES AMERICAN DEMOCRACY AND TRAMPLES ON THE U.S. CONSTITUTION
On this occasion, let us speak about an American folk song. “The Gambler” is a folk ballad written by songwriter Don Schlitz in 1976. It has been recorded by many singers, but the most famous version belongs to country singer Kenny Rogers.
The renowned American country singer Kenny Rogers passed away on March 20, 2020, in Sandy Springs, Georgia, United States.
The song “The Gambler” tells the story of a late‑night encounter on a “Train to Nowhere” between the narrator and a man known as a Gambler.
The lyrics of the folk ballad The Gambler are as follows:
On a warm summer's evening
On a train bound for nowhere
I met up with the gambler
We were both too tired to sleep
So we took turns a-starin'
Out the window at the darkness
The boredom overtook us
And he began to speak
He said, "Son, I've made a life
Out of readin' people's faces
Knowin' what the cards were
By the way they held their eyes
So if you don't mind my sayin'
I can see you're out of aces
For a taste of your whiskey
I'll give you some advice
So I handed him my bottle
And he drank down my last swallow
Then he bummed a cigarette
And asked me for a light
And the night got deathly quiet
And his face lost all expression
Said, "If you're gonna play the game, boy
You gotta learn to play it right
You've got to know when to hold 'em
Know when to fold 'em
Know when to walk away
And know when to run
You never count your money
When you're sittin' at the table
There'll be time enough for countin'
When the dealin's done
Every gambler knows
That the secret to survivin'
Is knowin' what to throw away
And knowin' what to keep
'Cause every hand's a winner
And every hand's a loser
And the best that you can hope for
Is to die in your sleep”
And when he'd finished speakin'
He turned back toward the window
Crushed out his cigarette
Faded off to sleep
And somewhere in the darkness
The gambler he broke even
But in his final words
I found an ace that I could keep
You've got to know when to hold 'em
Know when to fold 'em
Know when to walk away
And know when to run
You never count your money
When you're sittin' at the table
There'll be time enough for countin'
When the dealin's done
Refrain:
You've got to know when to hold 'em (when to hold 'em)
Know when to fold 'em (when to fold 'em)
Know when to walk away
And know when to run
You never count your money
When you're sittin' at the table
There'll be time enough for countin'
When the dealin's done
You've got to know when to hold 'em
Know when to fold 'em
Know when to walk away
And know when to run
You never count your money
When you're sittin' at the table
There'll be time enough for countin'
When the dealin's done
Musician: Don Schlitz.1976
The Gambler © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
For professional, honest, and fair gamblers, winning or losing money is simply ordinary life — sometimes pockets full, sometimes empty. They still keep the spirit of stylish, chivalrous players — “Is knowin’ what to throw away, and knowin’ what to keep.”
Gamblers play with one another, shuffle cards together, and continue to gamble many more times in good spirits. “’Cause every hand’s a winner, and every hand’s a loser.”
This scene alludes to the political life of the United States since its independence. Every four years, there is a free election for American citizens to choose those worthy of representing them.
One may also understand it as a simple metaphor: American politicians are like professional, honest, fair gamblers. If they play well, they continue; if they play poorly and lose everything, they must withdraw — just as the Gambler said: “You gotta learn to play it right.”
He said, “If you're gonna play the game, boy, you gotta learn to play it right.”
But HE is not a professional, honest, fair Gambler, for HE himself admitted that HE is not a professional American politician. HE is a businessman — or more precisely, an opportunistic profiteer whenever the chance arises.
“And HE did NOT learn to play it right.”
With the nature of a profiteer, HE sat down at America’s gambling table as an opportunist — an immature figure in American and international politics — yet HE enjoyed overpowering others within HIS own faction.
Indeed, HE is an unprofessional Gambler who, whenever possible, becomes an opportunistic cheat. If HE happens to win, HE claims it is because HE is skilled and superior to other players.
Conversely, if HE loses, HE claims others cheated, making HIM the victim. And once HE sees himself as a victim, HE demands by all means that others repay HIM. This situation mirrors the political climate of the United States from 2016 to the present.
In reality, as a “Tong-tong – President”, HE enjoyed the privilege of not being criminally or civilly prosecuted. If HE had remained in office for another four‑year term, many cases would have expired, allowing HIM to escape judgment.
For a decade, 2016–2026, HE — the Cheating Gambler — has constantly cried out accusations that others cheated, causing HIM to lose. More than fifty lawsuits alleging election fraud were filed in state courts, federal courts, and the Supreme Court, but all were dismissed or lost due to lack of clear evidence.
Recently, on Sunday, July 6, 2026, in an interview on Meet the Press, NBC News, HE continued to speak of “Election Fraud” in the United States. For a long time, America has been a Beacon of Democracy — with free, transparent, and fair elections — yet HE, the national leader for the past decade, repeatedly claims there is a “fraudulent election system.”
Thus, HE has made himself a spectacle before the world, tarnishing American democracy and trampling on the U.S. Constitution.
Now, let us once again listen to the voice of Kenny Rogers with the folk ballad The Gambler by Don Schlitz./.
@Thủy‑Triều.DC06112026
