Our democracy is facing perhaps the greatest test in its history.
If enough citizens cannot stop, take an honest look at the substance of what has happened and why, and act to correct the course, there is no guarantee that our institutions will remain as the Founding Fathers intended. We have for many decades believed that our enemies were outside our borders. Now we are faced with disaffection on a large scale with what the contract between government and its citizens should be.
We have met the enemy and it is us.
The presidential cycle has been the instrument of magnification of its effects. The first is the concentration of elected power in the hands of the totally inexperienced and incompetent. Second is the abnegation of media responsibility to shine the light on the magnitude of egomaniacal ignorance, racism and narcissism. Third, scant attention was given the true extent of discontent outside Washington that Republicans exploited. Then there are all those who didn’t vote and couldn’t comprehend the most demagogic, racist campaign in our history.
We need to look at the dynamics in play. The power coup is talked away with rationalizations. We can’t admit the stark terms and fears they illicit. An incipient autocrat and bumbling staff proceed unheeded. In the ensuing confusion, power is swiftly cemented firmly in place; decrees replace consensus before anyone can raise enough stink. It’s a fete accompli and the middle class is too loath to act and admit they were fooled.
Those already sounding the alarms find themselves outflanked and dismissed as rabble rousers unwilling to give the new administration a chance. The media babbles, raises questions and never condemns. So ground has already been ceded to the legitimacy of the unscrupulous. Explainers and apologists dither right up to the point of no return when constitutional, two-party government becomes mute. Democrats continue to figure a new strategy.
One crazy cockamamie plan follows another. Protest is suppressed with lies. The middle class struggling, are promised jobs, relief, but how? In what? The old manufacturing base is gone. Perhaps the new military being proposed. We’ll need more soldiers. Little by little, actually more like lightning, the institutions that protect liberty and benefit the whole vanish. Wake up, America! We’ve been sent to sleep by our consumer anesthesia and can’t function. We’re lost worrying about jobs not returning, not being heard. But the elites will be needed for the new oligarchy. They are rewarded. Trump and company are flattered in the echo chamber they’ve created out of air.
Where is reason? Let cooler heads prevail. Alarmism, and extremism are catalysts that distort, misdirect, lead to treasonous thoughts. Let the storm clouds blow over. But the carnage of ignorance and arrogance will take us a long time to repair.
Meanwhile, the tyrant relishes our doddering to perpetuate his ends. Make America Great Again is the cover slogan for self-aggrandizement. While we wait and see, damage to democracy goes on apace: ignore security protocols, background checks, work outside accepted channels, beef up self-image as the new savior for a new age of opulence and greed. Celebrities line up in opposition, but become a photo op at best.
Where rules common sense? Are we willing to let the dangers of incompetence reach the point of no return? We cannot dither until tomorrow to see the ship right itself. Tomorrow is unrecognizable if we allow our rights to be weakened and silenced. There is no “wait and see” if it storms. A ship at sea will take down its sails and stay the course however far blown. To stay this course now will need great vision, fortitude, and strength of courage. We have fought for diversity, human rights, an end to racism, and inclusiveness of opportunity!
Now we’ve seen how this tapestry can be torn and frayed; how marginalization provides fodder for those wishing to exploit the expurgation of the “unwanted” for their own gain and power. The spoils end up in the pockets at the top as always. We no longer have the luxury of being observers. We are all actors in this drama. When we act with truth and justice in our hearts, faith in love, then we’ll be triumphant. This can be the watershed moment when we took action before our lives were diminished. Doubt in our legitimacy, complacence and inaction is their goal. Trump makes a spectacle of choosing staff — generate the suspense of who makes the cut. We’ll be back after a break.
Make the choice. Never let tyranny rule our shores. The love we share as a people is the highest and strongest weapon we have and now needs amplification, demonstration. The show right now is directed by a child in need of attention. We have the power, it’s in our hearts and voices. Let us all collectively raise our voices and never stop singing.
A playwright, Harris has been a well- known chef for 40 years in Franklin County. He lives in Shelburne Falls.