An Existential Threat

It is President's day today and many news programs are inviting historians on their stations to offer opinions and analysis on the best and worst Presidents. Almost to a person, because of the existential threats to America as a nation and a democracy, Lincoln, Washington, FDR and Truman seem to rise to the top of most lists, regardless of party or political slant. Mostly because the existence of America was at stake. For Truman and FDR it was fighting Fascism and insuring that freedom would be preserved against the mind boggling hate and imperialism of Hitler and Japan. For Washington, would the revolution be in vein, or would the United States survive as a nation? For Lincoln, would a united America be preserved? In all cases, these four men rose to the occasion, thus preserving our great nation and making it to the top of most analysts' lists as best among the 44 men (don't forget McKinley)to occupy the office. It is unfair to place Donald Trump on the list quite yet since his Presidency is still young, but based on their analysis thus far, Democrats, Independents and even Republicans rank him at the bottom. It isn't because of his human foibles, frailties and fecklessness, but because he is refusing to face an existential threat to our democracy and this, according to historian Michael Beschloss is "chilling". Our Congress thus far, has turned its back on this reality due to partisan loyalty and there is obviously still time to reign Trump in and face these threats, but if left to Trump, the institutions of American democracy may be destroyed for a very long time. Many around me suggest it is hyperbole and over reaction to think that such a thing could ever happen here, but, it is happening. Foreign powers can disrupt our electoral processes, nations around the world are fast losing respect for the United States, doors are being opened for autocracies and dictatorships and hate groups and terror groups both domestically and abroad are being emboldened by the absence of the usual credible global leadership of America and the tweets of one very sick and unstable man. This is no hyperbole. It is the truth. It is indeed an existential threat that we face. And so too, are we threatened by the guns. It is time to step up and address the issue and put the NRA where it belongs...with the hunters. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?