Frank's Musings

Do Americans have the right to live under a dictatorship, if that pleases them?  In other words, can a liberal democracy take the form of a benevolent autocracy?  Is that what Donald Trump thinks he was elected to be? 

Some people think that as a constitutionally elected dictator, Mr. Trump also believes he can destroy the validity of future elections that could end his administration.  The purpose of the constitution, however, is to establish government by and for the people at large.  The problem with Mr. Trump’s objectives is that he believes the purpose of his election was to award him with the ability to do as he wants.  That was the theme of the reality TV program he most famously starred in, “The Apprentice.”  Of course, the purpose of that show really was to earn income for its producers by commercializing the attention of its viewers.  Now Mr. Trump is acting as if his “base” rewards him for using the powers of the presidency to entertain them.  Apparently, he still thinks he is performing in a reality show.

Most people in this republic believe that government has more important functions than that.  They demonstrated some of heir impatience for addressing those concerns by protesting across the country this year.  Electing a new president in November 2020 will affirm that his role is to serve the people rather than the other way around.