For many years the two major U.S. political parties have had much more in common than they have had differences. Democrats tended to be more liberal in relation to social issues. Republicans tended to be more conservative fiscally and more “hawkish” regarding foreign policy. Despite this, much of the legislation passed in the post-World War II era has been the product of the two sides hammering things out together. Examples of this include then president Ronald Reagan and Speaker of the House Tip O’Neil (polar opposites politically) employing a spirit of compromise and pragmatism to pass legislation that would help insure the solvency of Social Security. In addition to that the two parties passed major tax reforms. In other words there was enough consensus between members of both major parties to move the country forward.
Between 1955 and today the average lifespan for Americans has increased by almost 10 years. A large part of this is due to widespread vaccination against childhood diseases. Though far from perfect, improvements in the areas of access to education, housing, employment and legal protections for members of minority groups including women and the LGBT community have been realized. Since the 1990s violent crime as well as property crime have fallen overall by 50-60%. Compared with the mid-50s both air and water are much cleaner in large part due to the Clean Water and Clean Air Acts passed in the 1970s. In terms of education, in 1960, the percentage of Americans that completed and graduated high school stood at about 41%. In the 2020’s 87% of students complete 12th grade.
The list of achievements and trends of improved life in our nation goes on and on. It is important to remember that the greatest steps forward were the result of both the Democratic and Republican parties working as functioning political entities. Today both parties struggle but the Republican Party has become unrecognizable. The House of Representatives and Senate seem almost incapable of functioning. It is clear from the reports of Republican senators and members of the House that are resigning and retiring (a list getting longer every day) that their job has gone from difficult to impossible. They can no longer work within a party that is dominated by an increasingly unhinged, corrupt, and lawless POTUS.
Any honest person that witnessed the president’s recent address to the nation would have to admit that something has changed. Trump’s speeches are always riddled with lies and exaggeration, that is nothing new. He hates and is suspicious of immigrants (for him anyone with dark skin). The president cannot admit responsibility for mistakes or take criticism. He is willing to endlessly seek out praise and congratulate himself for achievements that he has nothing to do with and quite possibly don’t exist. He has an ever lengthening list of grievances and enemies. He also moves abruptly from one unrelated topic to another in ways that make the strange things he says even stranger.
What was different about the president’s most recent presentation is that he spoke at about double his usual speed and yelled the whole time. He also seemed very confused about the general condition of the country he is supposed to be leading. One minute he was describing how Joe Biden had destroyed the country and the next minute he extolled how the last 11 months had been the country’s best ever, indeed a “golden age.” At what point did we go from ruined to great? After the speech the president didn’t take any questions from reporters. This was just as well. As of late he has been looking increasingly disinhibited in those situations, especially when dealing with female reporters. Though he has been relentless in seeking power he seems less and less in control of himself.
Though no one can say for sure what will happen next it is unlikely that Trump will leave the Republican Party. It is likely however that the party will leave Trump. As the first year of his second term comes to a close, Americans are not happy. At least half the country finds him detestable and with good reason. Another segment held their noses and voted for him because he was going to help improve the economy. He hasn’t and probably won’t. Even in areas where he has appeared effective, such as reducing crossings at the southern border, he has overplayed his hand. The majority of Americans are horrified by or at least do not support the president’s immigration plans and tactics.
Just as Trump quickly dissociates himself from those he considers insufficiently loyal, legislators, and finally voters will leave him behind. Movements come and go. Remember Q-anon? The Tea Party ? At some point people will realize that the concept of “Make America Great Again” just doesn’t make any sense. Great for who? Billionaires? Do we really want to turn back the clock and celebrate ignorance? As time goes on it will be interesting to see how many Americans join the club of “I never supported him.”
Edward Dowd lives in Greenfield.