Today, the only thing more embarrassing than being a Democrat is being a Republican.
The New York Times is reporting a record sales recently of George Orwell’s book 1984 first published 67 years ago. Although a work of fiction, it contained elements of prophecy and a warning that a complacent society can be enslaved by technology, “Big Brother is Watching You!”
On January 20, we surrendered our country to the party of “alternate facts.” Donald Trump’s ascendance to the Presidency has been paved with “alternative facts”: the denial that global warming has been accelerated by our dependence on fossil fuels, refusing to deal with gun violence, perpetuating the belief that abortions can be halted by making the practice illegal, claiming that illegal immigration can be significantly reduced by building a wall on the Mexican border and establishing a band on Muslims coming into the country and the promise to repeal and replace “Obama care.”
In 2003, the party of “alternative facts” under President George Bush invaded Iraq. It was whimsically called “Operation Enduring Freedom.” His administration “created their own reality” in spite of being assured that Saddam Hussein had not been complicit in the 911 disaster and that inspectors had reported that Iraq did not have nuclear weapons. Republicans were not alone in this debacle. There were Democrats that went along with the vote that took us to war.
President Trump has wasted no time implementing his agenda. “America First” has turned out to be an isolationist policy. He has expressed a desire to withdraw from NATO, thereby making our European allies nervous and turning them against us. He has antagonized our neighbors in Mexico and undermined our efforts to assist Iraqis in their fight against ISIS. Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is interested in expanding his power and making “Russia great again”, is delighted to see the destabilization in our government at home and abroad. As we lose credibility in the world, he will have the opportunity to advance his own interests.
Recently I watched an interview on Charlie Rose with Warren Buffett and Bill Gates. They offered a cheery assurance. “America is strong. Our economy is strong!” They seem to think our country will survive the Trump administration. They did express concern over a possible nuclear explosion blowing up our planet, a cyber attack, and the threat posed by global warming.
They said that there will continue to be a gap between those on top and those who are left behind. They emphasized the need to improve education. That manufacturing will not return due to the development of robots and artificial intelligence. They seem to think industry and government should have a roll in providing opportunities to those who need a “leg up.”
It looks like we’ll have to slug it out for the next four years. Impeaching President Trump offers little appeal as a solution. He is the first of the the four horsemen of the apocalypse. In the order of succession, he is followed by Vice President Mike Pence, Speaker Paul Ryan, and Majority Leader Mitch McConnell!
In his farewell speech, President Obama urged us to accept the responsibility of citizenship. “The gains of our journey to freedom are not assured.” “Democracy can buckle when it gives in to fear.” He encouraged us to combine faith and reason as we approach the future, believe in your own ability to bring about change, to protect civil rights, maintain an independent Press, to pursue the rule of law and justice, and to be inclusive and respect diversity.