Eric Bright: Trump will be seen as status quo

On Dec. 3, 1860, President James Buchanan delivered his State of the Union address justifying the fugitive slave laws, denying the right of the territory of Kansas to abolish slavery, and blaming Northern abolitionist agitators for inciting slave rebellions. The president determined no right of secession and deferred to Congress to decide the discipline he might be compelled to enforce upon rebellious states. Consistent with Buchanan’s constitutional rule of law argument but ultimately affirming the abolitionist policy he had opposed, a mandate of victory after the Civil War led to the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery except for those convicted of a crime.

In its issues, actors, sequences of events, our present appears a scrambled mosaic of our country’s situation on the eve of the Civil War. And our outcome will be uniquely decided as well. Similar to our contested past are the heated motivations among parties, one to be empowered, another holding onto islands of governance in the form of congressional minorities, state governments and federal judgeships.

Recognize that Trump is not omnipotent. There will be contested elections to come, in which the people will decide again. He was elected by supporters disenchanted with the status quo.

In power, Trump will be seen as the status quo and blamed as such. Hold the new administration accountable if they take unconstitutional actions. In short, advocate for our elected representatives to stand as bulwarks of democracy. There will be work to be done.

Eric Bright

Belchertown