et me begin by stating categorically: I am not an apologist for Donald Trump. But if this country has any chance of a course correction, we must first clearly understand what has happened.
My first point would be that the actions of Trump were not driven by malice but rather sheer ignorance. Granted, that does not change the consequences of his actions. But again, the disease must be correctly diagnosed to assure effective treatment.
Trump lacks the education and the intellect to comprehend the intricacies of our form of government, based on the precept of self-governance. It’s success requires a delicate balance between the exercise of power, on the one hand, and patience necessary to persuade, on the other.
Nothing in Trump’s upbringing or life experience prepared him for this level of comprehension. He simply transferred the practices he applied in running his little mom and pop business to the majesty of the greatest experiment in governing the world has ever seen.
For example. I believe when Trump vetoed the coronavirus relief bill, he thought all that would be required to amend the bill would be to cross out $600 and pencil in $2000.
Finally, Trump was voted into office, because too many people thought the way our government was run was just a bunch of mushy malarkey; that what was needed was a tough, no-nonsense businessman to take the helm and straighten out the other two branches; his appeal sustained by those similarly lacking the comprehension of the subtleties of our federal system with its crucial checks and balances and distribution of power over the broadest range possible.
We live in the midst of an electorate with no appreciation for the rigors of self-government and the obligations of citizenship. January 6 was a hissy fit on an adult scale. Its very existence demonstrates the pathetic ignorance at its heart. It is easy to curse and castigate Trump. While necessary, removing him from office does nothing to address the real problem facing this nation; it’s solution a far more difficult task.
