How Trump Is Destroying Our Democracy
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It is being reported that the Chinese President Xi Jinping is “consolidating power.”
Lest you don’t quite grasp what the consolidation of power means in practical terms, let me explain briefly. The political process of “consolidating power,” simply refers to the practice of disbanding legislative, judicial and executive authorities while placing that authority in one or two offices or office holders.
For an example of how power might be consolidated, look at the October Revolution of 1917 in Russia, which established (not the Soviet Union, as people think) but the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (RSFSR). People point to that event as the launch of Socialism and the Soviet Union, and while it was definitely the catalyst, the actual consolidation and creation of the Soviet Union took place over DECADES as first Lenin, then Stalin, then Khrushchev, then Brezhnev gradually disbanded other political organizations, or shifted actual power from organizations, rendering them figureheads, until eventually, virtually all actual decision making rested with the Politburo.
The consolidation of power is rarely a quick process, which is precisely why many pundits argued at the launch of the Trump “presidency,” that it would be impossible for it to take place in our nation, specifically due to the nature of checks and balances being in place since the founding of our nation. What these pundits did not take into consideration, however, is how this process can take place over the years behind the scenes, and not in full view of the public eye.
But consider the following: How would you expect the sitting President of our nation to respond to such a political maneuver by another nation, even if we were trade partners? Hopefully, and this has been demonstrated repeatedly by all presidents occupying our Oval Office, the matter is always approached with caution and in the process, the President’s dissatisfaction of such a model is made known. Again: this is done with caution but it IS done.
When Trump heard the news it is reported he responded in the following manner:
“He’s now president for life. President for life. And he’s great.” Trump added, “I think it’s great. Maybe we’ll give that a shot someday.”
Now before you blow me off, believing it would not, nor ever could occur here in our nation, consider the following: Freedom House, an independent watchdog group which monitors democracy across the globe makes this statement about the current state of democracy in our nation:
“The past year brought further, faster erosion of America’s own democratic standards than at any other time in memory.” The nation’s core institutions, the report says, have been “attacked by an administration that rejects established norms of ethical conduct across many fields of activity.”
Consider the many times Trump has verbally attacked our national security apparatus and institutions of security. The FBI, the Department of Justice, the judicial system, particular judges, and anyone who crosses him. Further, he has consistently avoided applying the sanctions to Russia which both the House and Senate overwhelmingly has passed due to Russia’s interference in the 2016 election.
He continues calling the investigation into that Russian interference a “Witch Hunt.” He has talked about getting rid of Rod Rosenstein and he has fired James Comey -the Director of the FBI – when he could not obtain his pledge of loyalty. And, he continually injects this notion and existence of a “deep state,” while arguing these agencies are trying to “harm him, his supporters, and, his presidency.” And, he still refrains from saying the words that “Russia interfered with our election.”
Perhaps you are finding refuge in the fact that we have a media which reports out on such matters, eh? And, in democratic societies this is the hallmark of true democracy, that is the right for people to air their grievances, and for the media to cover without fear of retribution, the truth. The problem with our nation, however, is apparent: We have heard the myth peddled for years that the “media is liberally biased.” But is it?
Consider that our entire media apparatus is controlled by six corporations. Then further consider how conservatives have had Sinclair Broadcasting infiltrating the last bastion of hope for the people; our local news. Sinclair – a conservative organization – is buying up local media outlets and then requiring them to repeat in parrot-like fashion the “GOP talking points.” And what about the net neutrality law which is hovering over each of us as I pen these words? How does that affect our access to all matters regardless the side the coin falls?
Added to this “behind the scenes,” dismantling of our democratic values is Trump himself and his persistent berating of those media outlets who do not provide him the coverage he personally seeks. You will note that he takes no issue with media outlets who cover him favorably but only takes issue with those outlets reporting the truth of what is really taking place within the administration. And lest you think this does not have a corrosive effect, remember this: 61 million people supported this man, and he retains a large amount of support from these very people, despite his failure to deliver on every other promise save one; his bogus tax “reform,” which provides modest relief to some and enormous relief to corporations.
Still, though, his constant clarion calls that the media is “fake,” will have an effect down the road, and perhaps sooner or later. Whatever shall we do in this nation as his political party continues turning a blind eye to his nefarious activity, while Robert Mueller continues issuing indictments with the grave and possible criminal liability of the man himself; Donald J. Trump? You see, what he has done is he has effectively laid a foundation against the investigation into Russia through these persistent attacks against the media so should Mueller find wrongdoing his supporters may never believe it to be true.
Read: When Obstructing Justice is a Relevant Point
Still another way this man has denigrated our democracy is through the systematic targeting of minorities. Long before his “shithole” commentary, he has denigrated Mexicans, Muslims, and not only has a history of being a racist but is demonstrating his bigotry by calling those who protested in Charlottesville, which ultimately led to the killing of an innocent woman, “fine people.”
His party has rolled back protections for disabled people, and he says nothing. Civil Rights? What civil rights? And what about those Black athletes who silently protested as a result of their real or perceived threat of inequality in this nation? Trump has turned their silent protest into a false argument that one “must show or pay fealty to our National Anthem,” with no questions asked.
Yet another way Trump is undermining our democracy is through his systematic undermining of Americans confidence in the electoral process, and for all the wrong reasons. We already know the scales are tilted for those running for Congress due to Republicans engaging in the process of “gerrymandering” or “redistricting.” This makes it difficult to flip seats even though those seats receive many more votes, and yet the Democratic Party is picking up seats across this land. Added to all of this we have he and his party’s penchant for voter suppression, and folks, we have ourselves a mess. Notice: The redistricting took place “behind the scenes,” and it is like the entire drama was set up with the foreknowledge that they would have a leader who would just walk right into unquestionable power.
Finally, it is now becoming apparent – and honestly was from the outset – that Trump is using the office of president for corrupt means. Consider the latest news about Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law whose father was a mobster of sorts with a criminal background. Kushner, it is reported, has been negotiating business deals to profit his own pockets while discussing foreign policy with world leaders which he intended to do business with, all while sitting in our White House. And what to make of the recent “tariff announcement” which is also being reported as retributive action taken by Kushner because those world leaders wouldn’t do business with him? And to top that entire sundae off, we have Trump himself – who still refuses to divest his interests in his business – and IS profiting from his occupying our Oval Office.
You see, folks? Our democracy is in danger, with Trump turning our democracy into an authoritarian dictatorship. You may be asking yourself: How did we ever get to this place? Election tampering aside, we as citizens have failed to realize the grave responsibility that accompanies democracy itself. Democracy takes work folks. Hard work. Instead of reading longer columns these days, we find the short brief talking point columns or the memes to be of higher value. Why? Because it seems we have little to invest, and worse, we do not seem to care. But this detachment comes at a cost, folks. This learned helplessness will become a self-fulfilling prophecy should we allow it.
Furthermore, this notion of “rugged individualism” which has taken the idea that we are to be responsible for our actions, has evolved over time. “I’m not my brother’s keeper,” is more treasured these days than “if you have done it for the least of these, you have done it unto Me.” And of course, instead of being Democrat, Republican, or Libertarian, we now have people who are more concerned with ideology, than the associated value proposition which used to accompany those affiliations. Civic engagement is at an all-time low. Tribalism abounds. And for the first time in years, truth itself is being called into question.
Whenever, and I will repeat this as a social psychologist, whenever the people are more concerned about loyalty to an ideology than conviction coupled with pragmatism, you can be assured that blind conformity is just around the corner. Yet, while we are busy conforming, those with the power are leading those ascribing to such ideology towards an alienation from others. One’s self and loyalty to the ideology become more important than the characteristics which have defined our nation and our citizenry for so long. Compromise, compassion, empathy, and concern for our neighbor are exchanged for corporate profits, materialism and consumption, and concern for our own well-being.
You see, folks? Ideology requires little to no effort. One simply ascribes to an ideology and one embraces all of its components while casting those who do not into a damnation of sorts. But the truth of the matter is this: Democracy requires a bit more than simply embracing the lot of one ideology over another. It requires we engage in critical thinking, evaluation, reflection, and engagement; all attributes it seems we want very little to do with these days. We used to agree on some things because those things were just common sense, right? For example, we all used to agree our children should not be in danger when attending school, and now? We used to agree as a nation that an attack by a foreign entity or power was not acceptable? Now? Look how things have changed.
Wake up America. Our democracy is in danger and lest we make some course corrections as citizens, we should not expect change to occur. However, if we realize as former President Obama taught us, that we ourselves are “the change” there is hope. But should we allow this fiasco to continue, we WILL be dealing with yet another major Civil Division of sorts. We simply cannot continue doing the same thing repeatedly while expecting different results. A house divided against itself cannot possibly stand.
I really would be honored to have you connect with me as friends on Facebook, or follow me on Twitter as I continue holding this administration to account. There is strength in numbers.
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The problem with your tirade is the FACT that we have a Republic, not a democracy.
Old news I’m afraid. Fat boy has already broken us.
Thank you, Mark Bear, for another excellent article. It is an article that should be put on the bulletin board or framed and hung on the wall and read every day. Our Democracy is truly in jeopardy and too many are sitting around twiddling their fingers or more to the point, fiddling while America falls victim to ignorance and obliviousness. It is almost unbelievable that our Country could have fallen to such a sad state in just over one year. Unless THE PEOPLE rise up and say “NO MORE,” we are derelict in our duty to our children – those same children who have survived numerous school shootings because our elected officials refuse to take action against those such as the NRA who give millions to their election campaigns and others who profit from the actions or non-action of our government officials. Our democracy is being bought and sold to the highest bidder and our inaction simply gives assent to this. There will come a day when we will have to pay the ransom for the theft of said democracy. November is coming and it will be a time for us to make our choices in the mid-term elections. But that is not enough. It is merely a beginning. We must pay attention to national affairs and make our voices heard at every juncture of events. Next year may be too late.
Hello Glenda,
First, I want to wish you a very Happy Birthday and thank you for your persistent following of my work. It is folks just like you which serve as a catalyst for me to continue writing. As you know, starting out in a new career can be quite distressing, especially if one does not know all of the tricks of the trade, but I am sure that despite the many mis-steps, thanks to folks like you I will prevail.
Second, you are correct: We DO need to rise up and say “NO MORE.” The question I have is will we? At what point do we get fed up so much that instead of withdrawing from engagement, we re-engage civically, emotionally, and physically realizing the costs should we fail to do so.
Third, the faith community has the ability to influence a large swath of people, especially considering the large percentage of Americans who read the Word, close to 90% of Americans, so my question is this: When will the leaders of our White Evangelical churches begin using their voices against such behavior to those who follow them? Instead of confronting Mr. Trump with messages or praise, perhaps it is time they begin outlining the truth which is located in the very Book we use to keep the country club mentality alive and well? Imagine that!
Fourth, one tiny correction: While it is true that the assessment Freedom House issues is very real and that our nation has declined considerably in the past year, again I would point to all that this process has been going on for years, behind the scenes. We see the evidence of this charge through the redistricting and gerrymandering I spoke of in the piece, and furthermore, the American people actually empowering these actions through our fealty to mere ideology versus convictions coupled with pragmatism. There are other examples for sure, but I want you to see how it creates the very illusion to the outsider of politics that “they have no control over the circumstances taking place in our nation.” But they do, and these people have only fooled themselves by convincing themselves and those around them to accept the conditions of squalor they find themselves living in.
They are, in the faith community’s parlance, living like the Prodigal Son who needs to come to his or her senses and return home. Will they? Only time will tell.
As I observed on another article, there is no absolute end in sight. On the contrary, while not finite, Mr Trump’s place in the White House will stand until at least the end of this term, and perhaps even another. He has legions of followers, and congressional devotees that will be almost impossible to persuade.
Hello Lyndon,
While my view is certainly dystopian, I tend to be a bit more cautiously optimistic. I think there will come a point where self-interest will supersede the placating we have all witnessed, as those who are up for re-election if they see a sufficiently large amount of engaged people who are overly dissatisfied circling the proverbial wagons their respective campaigns for re-election. However the obstacles you present are real and dangerous. Thanks for the feedback.
What the Constitution gave us was free speech, a free press, the right to petition, and peaceably assemble to air our grievances against the government and vote…It was the Bill of Rights incorporated there, specifically to protect us from tyranny within our government.
trump is dismantling it with every tweet.
As the supposed leader, his attacks on the press calling them fake or the enemy of the people is corrupting the First Amendment he swore to uphold.
Calling for ‘firing the sob’ as Kaepernick…a private citizen exercised his right to air his grievances…calling for firing reporters that air negative facts…calling for pulling FCC licenses from news media that write negative articles that to which all presidents have been subjected. His ill perceived right of power is damning the democratic republic.
It is not a right that belongs to him as the executive of our federal government..quite the opposite. It belongs to the citizens to protect us from the tyrannical ‘trumps’ in our government; particularly the presidency.
Just recently, trump wanted guns taken first and due process second..
trump wants the death penalty for drug traffickers. Will he want imprisonment without due process, after expressing admiration for Duterte of the Philippines that executes without trial?
trump has no clue what is in the Constitution…has no clue he is corrupting it and doesn’t care…It is all about how he is perceived as his top priority evidenced in his daily tweet rants…and obviously too full of himself to ask or take advise from his cabinet that do have a clue. Where are the Republican patriots that should be sitting him down and insisting he be taught?
trump believes AG Jeff Session is in place to defend and protect trump.
That is not the Department of Justice’s responsibility…other than to advise on legal matters
Department of Justice..
To enforce the law and defend the interests of the United States according to the law; to ensure public safety against threats foreign and domestic; to provide federal leadership in preventing and controlling crime; to seek just punishment for those guilty of unlawful behavior; and to ensure fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans.
I’m not sure our democratic republic will survive trump with a complicit Republican Party eager to undermine our federal law enforcement FBI and Intelligence community to remain in power. Since Reagan their platform has been ‘government is the problem’
Hello Virginia,
How true and pathetically sad. And, for any supporter to sit idly by in silence without making their dissatisfaction known, is beyond contempt. It is nothing short of complicity in this entire mess. They have lost their right to argue how “Patriotic” they – the supporters are because patriots do not easily dismiss allegations of a foreign adversary interfering with our democracy. Hopefully, the Independents and Democratic supporters across this land will VOTE this upcoming mid-term and then, we might just then have a fighting chance.
This is everything happening in a nut shell. It just boggles my mind that Congress is not doing anything but turning a blind eye to what this man is doing to our democracy!! My soul is screaming at how bad this is!
Hello Letitia,
I think – and this is only my opinion as of now – but I “think” the Republicans are turning a blind eye for a reason, a very good reason. I honestly do believe the recent revelations about the NRA Contributions through that Russian banker Toshner, may – and I stress the word may – have something to do with them turning that blind eye. When all is said and done, and the reports are filed by Mueller – if he even completes his investigation without the Republicans continuing to place every available obstacle in his path – we are ALL going to find that this infiltration went far beyond what any of us imagined.