Baffling Times

The insults and playground rhetoric were enough for me. Mocking a handicapped man. Insulting people’s appearance. Calling American voters “stupid.” Demeaning women. 

I was, frankly, baffled by Donald Trump’s win in 2016. 

Oh, I understood some of the reasons people gave-- people I respect, intelligent people who are passionate about their beliefs. I understood the willingness to ignore personality in favor of policy. I could also agree with a common argument: You don’t question the character of a surgeon, you simply want someone who’s qualified to operate. 

I just never saw Trump as being qualified to lead the free world. As a Christian, I prayed for him. As an Independent, I appreciated some of the accomplishments. As a realist, I encouraged gloom-and-doomers to wait it out. “One man isn’t that powerful. It’s just four years!” 

And it was. 

But incredibly, a second Trump presidency is possible. Added to previous insults is the injury of multiple indictments, including two felony counts regarding the January 6, 2021 insurrection. The reason for continued support is – in my opinion, at least where many are concerned – an unwillingness to research, to objectively read the speeches, to watch the hearings and listen to Trump’s own staff members reveal his part in the day’s events.

That winter I was a substitute teacher for high school social studies classes while their regular teacher recovered from surgery. Sophomores and juniors focused on different eras in U.S. History but as it was a momentous time in their own histories, I encouraged them to watch or read about the certification of the 2020 presidential election. 

        Who doesn’t like extra credit?

Even as I naively steered young minds in the direction of Washington, something insidious was transpiring. On my way home January 6, I tuned my car radio to WCNO, our local public station. My heart sank.

The nflammatory tweets. Trump supporters reminding followers that blades over 3 inches weren’t allowed. The rebellion was about to begin! The Vice President was staging a coup! Speechmakers used words like “fight” and “combat.”

About half of the people gathered at the Ellipse to listen to then-President Trump’s speech were not allowed access because they refused to pass through the magnetometers used to detect weapons. He was reportedly furious: “I don’t [expletive deleted] care that they have weapons. They’re not here to hurt me … Let my people in. … Take the [expletive deleted] mags away.” 

He spoke of a stolen election, an opinion that wouldn’tbe shared by multiple (even Trump-appointed) judges. He called on Mike Pence to do “the right thing”— actually an unconstitutional act—  by picking and choosing electors that would guarantee his victory.

“And we fight,” he said. “We fight like hell. And if you don't fight like hell, you're not going to have a country anymore.”  

So they fought, wreaking havoc, creating chaos, causing injuries and death. Three hours later Trump finally tweeted to “remain peaceful” and to “respect the Law.” Later, he thanked the mob, expressing his love. 

    Despite its violent attempt to thwart the democratic process, however, Vice President Pence affirmed the election results in the wee hours of January 7.

I apologized to my classes that day for the assignment. I wouldn’t have knowingly encouraged them to watch an insurrection. But I also pointed out that, differences of opinion and partisanship aside, the process had worked. The Constitution held. The checks and balances remained. Democracy was intact.

The question is, will it still be intact a year from now? I remain hopeful. Whatever the outcome of the November election, I will continue to pray for our President. I will appreciate good decisions and policies, and try to remember when things don't go as I would wish...that it's just four years. No one person has the power to bring down our country. No single leader can turn the attitude of the world against us. 

        The grand experiment of American democracy has survived, evolved and improved since its inception. I believe that it will continue. The health of American democracy does not depend on any one person or any one election, but this year's presidential race is key to the immediate future. 

        Having said all that...for what it's worth...let's also remember that relationships are more important to our health than politics. If that means an agreement to refrain from discussing politics at the dinner table (if people still do that) or the gym or on Facebook because of the ugliness it can trigger, so be it. How you vote...and how you think I should vote...shouldn't be a wedge between us. There are complex issues. Layers of nuance. In the end, it's just you, your conscience and your God there in the voting booth. 

        A lot can happen between now and November. A lot can happen in the next four years. Please choose wisely.