Let's just suppose, for the sake of argument, that in the wee small hours of November 9, the pollsters are proved wrong: Donald Trump ekes out a victory in a couple of key swing states, maybe, and is elected President. What should we expect from four years of Trump? Well, we can count on a huge new wall to keep out Mexicans, which they will pay for. ISIS will be eradicated from the earth within a year or two, if not sooner, by means of a secret plan he's kept all to himself. On January 20, 2017 (Inauguration Day), the Affordable Care Act will be voted null and void, never to be heard of again. Trickle-down economics will demonstrably and truly work as postulated for the first time in history. And miracle of miracles, America, within four years if not less, will be Great. Again. (Did we miss when Donald already made it great once before?) ... Anyway, these are just a few of the things we can look forward to.
Except that we can't. We shouldn't expect ANY of these outcomes from a Donald Trump Presidency. Each goal presents, shall we say, some inherent challenges, but even if they didn't, a far more formidable, huge, ungainly, sluggish force stands in the way: The U.S. Congress. Comprising at any given time at least 535 differing viewpoints on any issue, it's only natural (and perhaps another telling sign of the wisdom of the Founders) that Congress in modern times has become the rock on which Presidential plans founder. (Contemplating Congress, I am reminded of a humorous song title - from Mad Magazine, I think - "Hannibal Crossed the Alps, But I Can't Get Over You.")
All this is just my around-Robin-Hood's-barn way of saying that Congress is unlikely to agree to any of these radical Donaldian proposals.
By all accounts, including their own, people who support Trump often say they expect he will "stir things up" or set the country on a better course. But he won't. He can't. Given his verbal-only track record to date we must of course be wary that Trump intends to dissolve Congress and declare himself Emperor. But barring that, even he must know that these are silly and unachievable goals.
Now to all you Trump voters out there, please understand, I don't mean to denigrate Trump's goals here (I have done that elsewhere). For what it's worth, Clinton has similarly grandiose plans that aren't likely to be achieved either, and for the same reason. And look what became of Obama's plans.
We put all our attention and faith in our choice of a President, but if we want him/her to succeed, we really need to concentrate more on picking our representatives in the House and Senate.
For years I consoled myself by saying "Even if so-and-so gets elected, Congress will keep him in check." That's how it's supposed to work (but with something short of outright obstructionism). But presidents have been getting/taking more and more power via executive orders. It's a dangerous power to give to someone bent on disrupting things.
Yes, those down-ballot votes are extremely important.
Posted by: D | October 27, 2016 at 12:18 PM