In a recent familial gathering during the Thanksgiving holiday, hot topics of discourse were the parallelism drawn between President-elect Donald Trump and the ascendancy of Benito Mussolini, the infamous Italian dictator. Engaging in the lively discussion over the dessert course, I proffered a wager of $1,000, predicting the survival of America’s democratic principles and the conduct of a valid election on November 7, 2028. Surprisingly, none from the Democratic faction of my family were inclined to accept my proposition. Poised to rebound from the dismal rule of President Joe Biden, Republicans held out hope for the future.
The conviction that America will duly navigate the turbulence of Trump’s second term stems from an endorsement of transformative governance, not an consent to autocracy. Outcries portraying Trump as a budding despotic ruler are not exclusively projected by overly-political apprehensive minds. No lesser than John Kelly, Trump’s most long-serving Chief of Staff, expressed his reservations about his previous superior shortly before the presidential election.
Moving onto insights from Pew Research Center, it published that the Democratic Party enjoys a noticeable edge, specifically a 13% lead with individuals boasting bachelor’s degrees or higher academic accomplishments. Originating from Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce, it was gleaned that advanced education can effectively stave off authoritarian tendencies by fostering independence of thought, valuing diversity, and fostering a judicious evaluation of evidences.
Historically, economic turmoil, like that of 1920s inflation in Austria and Germany, has underpinned the ascent of notorious figures like Adolf Hitler. In the United States, inflation has been persistent, causing significant economic and political distress for several years. Consequently, unfulfilled American dreams have led certain citizens to view this country as unsuccessful.
Ironically, Trump’s very words challenge the authoritarian narrative spun around him. Since his political emergence, the Democrats have often contradicted themselves, firstly asserting an indisputable faith in Trump’s words and then, contradicting themselves by downplaying his proclamations. Long years spent navigating political circuits have taught me one thing – politicians, they all want their way prevail in every matter. Compromise, while accessible to some, is generally avoided.
Indeed, Trump’s rhetorical style can be critiqued for its excessiveness, its injurious nature, and its occasional departure from truth. However, the Democrats have taken advantage of these traits in Trump, and exploited them in stoking the fires of terror, without any obligation to obey orders that flagrantly flout constitutional norms.
Looking into the crux of voters’ decision-making, abortion and immigration policies appeared to be vastly influential. It is anticipated that the nation will continue to conduct impactful democratic elections into the future. Alarmist claims aside, the sanctity of our Constitution and the civil liberties it safeguards will persist. The American public’s propensity to challenge power, irrespective of the political elite’s disdain for it, remains a force to be reckoned with.
In the face of exaggerated claims, the Democrats were defeated in a critical election determining federal control, with Americans rallying against the status quo and championing substantial policy alterations. With such a mandate, the onus is now on Trump and the Republicans to fulfill their campaign pledges, a prospect unlikely to be relished by liberals.
During the canvassing period, Democrats heavily propagated a uniform federal approach to the sensitive issue of abortion. However, the Constitution does not explicitly afford the federal government the authority to regulate this practice. Our nation’s management of immigration is another point of divergence between the Democratic and Republican parties.
Despite the Trump and Biden administrations’ forceful rhetoric against racial profiling in immigration enforcement, incoming government outfits are not prohibited from enforcing immigration law as it stands. Even amidst a tough stance on immigration, Trump has hinted at his willingness to collaboratively devise a permanent resolution for so-called ‘Dreamers’ – individuals arriving in the U.S. as children.
It appears that Democrats are somewhat unnerved over suggestions that Trump and the Republicans may work to curtail the magnitude and influence of the federal government. Surprising as it may sound, data from Pew reveals that a mere 22% of Americans place trust in the Washington government to consistently ‘do right’. These figures, though they represent an improvement over an historic nadir recorded in 2023, are still far from impressive…
As far as the management of the federal administration is concerned, it is high time that America puts reins on its bureaucracy. The prevailing path is not merely financially insupportable but also virtually unmanageable. Be it the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the Government Accountability Office (GAO), or dynamic American citizens with innovative ideas, the federal government is overdue for a radical revamp.
Two years down the line, we’ll reconvene at the election booths for an electoral performance review. Even at this stage, I’d stake a minimum of $500 that the forthcoming election will be a legitimate one as well.