Survivors of Trump’s world
Many observers refer to the endless supply of blatant lies emerging from the Trump administration and the deepening damage it continues to inflict on the US population and on the rest of the world economy. If the “America first” ambition were to have worked, at least for the American people as a whole, (rather than for just a few billionaires), then those of us outside the USA might still have a bad taste, but at home Mr. Trump could have retained his voter base and improved his ratings across the board. But instead he can only be likened to a wrecking ball, both domestically and globally. He has chosen extremes which are built on his having unique power, which in turn has demanded total obedience, which in turn has required filling key positions based on loyalty and fear rather than competence and initiative. And unique power doesn’t permit detractors, it brings “punishment” for anything but total alignment . This requirement has lead to attacking free press and even just free speech. Patriotism now implies submission, while opposition or even criticism has become treason, or as Mr. Trump put it very clearly in his election campaign, “the enemy from within”.
In fact, the president identified some basic elements prior to his election which justify tough actions to address. With his landslide victory, taking control of both houses and the executive, he could have made sweeping changes and influenced the world from within the democratic structure of the United States while being respected for his leadership. Just on two key international issues alone, balance of trade and funding of NATO, he is absolutely right to take action — and even to coerce countries to fall in line, but without creating global chaos within supply chains and making enemies of long-term allies.
Domestically, this president has decided to dismantle or by-pass conventional structures of government and of the legal system, and to disregard or oppose the constitution. Such acts are those of an autocrat and are where the cracks of support for him have stemmed, starting with the military and continuing with members of his own party for whom this is just too much to stomach. In order to satisfy the leader, patriotic Americans are needing to lie to protect him, and then to act themselves in ways which are uncomfortable. In some cases, they are not good enough at lying, some are giving up or resigning.
Never has there been such a stress test, from within the administration, on our leading system of freedom and democracy. We can only wish and pray that it provides sufficient resistance and robustness to get the USA and the world through this period of attack and decimation. There is some room for realistic anticipation now as even the most hardened core supporters begin to realize that such extreme destruction is unsustainable, and most certainly not in the interest or advancement of ‘Making America Great Again’.
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