At this point in time, President Trump is implementing radical policies while at the same time not paying much attention to his low poll ratings, which are based primarily on inflation problems. There are some who are throwing up their hands and apparently opting out of political engagement, but given TrumpÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s low polls, I feel a choice to effectively drop out, while understandable, may be premature. Continued voter dissatisfaction may bring on changes that right now seem unlikely. Here are four scenarios that may gain traction if only voters will stay engaged.
1. Right now, TrumpÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s main obstacle to implementing radical culture change programs is judicial restraining hindrance. Just as Trump played the slowness of the judicial system to avoid appearing before a jury, now this same deliberative pace Is slowing him down. If there appears on the horizon a momentarily restrained program that arouses public passion, Congress might be persuaded to jump in and enshrine a judgeÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s decision into law. And once such an occurrence happens it will be easier to effect next time.
2. Party switching. Not too long ago West Virginia was ruled by Democrats; now itÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s the opposite. I might be inclined to agree with an argument that West Virginia is red forever, but there are 49 other states. Right now voter unhappiness is largely an artifact of inflation, but if Trump does not handle a national emergency well, then the bottom could drop out of his support. Possible result: Congress people and governors make the switch.
3. Wall Street. TrumpÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s trade war has received a low grade from Wall Street, but they will support anyone who promises to keep taxes low for the super-rich. Since DEI is being virulently attacked, the low taxes may continue, but Wall Street will want more: control of the national debt. This control would require a real lowering of spending, and while Elon MuskÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s slash-and-burn antics command attention, it is not clear that they will ultimately save much money. The debt may seem to be an abstraction to Trumpers and Trump, but the mandarins of Wall Street might panic. 1929 redux?
4. Neighboring countries defect. The prestigious magazine The Economist has suggested Canada consider joining the European Union. On the face of it this seems absurd since Canada is not in Europe and is economically entangled with the U.S. economy. But geographic distance means much less nowadays than it did, and TrumpÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s insults to Canada will not be soon forgotten by Canadians. If Canada were to follow the EconomistÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s advice, there would be immediate real-world economic chaos in North America. Mexico has been similarly treated with distain by Trump, but being a somewhat lesser developed country would never be seriously considered for EU membership. Mexico could, however, turn to China ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” just as Trump has claimed that Panama has.
Spring will soon return, and I look forward to sitting in my rocking chair looking for the first robin or a crocus pushing up from the earth. Whether slowly walking around the wooded perimeter of Woodlands or taking the time for rocking chair contemplation, spring will be a balm for me.
As I sit in my rocker I can and will look for signs of engaged voters resisting the current president and would-be tyrant and also of nature welcoming the return of new life. Both. If it turns out that Trump intimidates voters and does become a tyrant, I will be forced to agree with some of my fellow codgers who feel that todayÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s whippersnappers are unimaginative and easily intimidated.
But if it does happen, it apparently must be. I will switch to placid contemplation of nature as my sole pursuit.
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