My title, today, is intended to get us to think about "politics," not mountain scenery. We need to "reflect" on what has just happened in our national politics, and then decide what to do about it.
One reaction, of course, for those who are disappointed and/or dismayed by the November 5th election results, as I am, is to adopt the approach urged by our former, and soon-to-be-again president, Donald J. Trump. After an assassin's bullet narrowly missed killing Mr. Trump, he rose from beneath a pile of Secret Service agents who were protecting him, and urged, with raised fist, that those at his rally, and all his supporters, should "fight, fight, fight."
A former student at UCSC, who ran for the Santa Cruz City Council and lost, has, immediately upon Trump's electoral win, suggested that this is, in fact, exactly what those who didn't support Mr. Trump should now do. You can click right here for a petition - sent to me by that former student - that proposes to use the court system to prevent Mr. Trump from taking the office he just won by a popular vote.
I am not urging the "fight, fight, fight" approach. I am very much distressed by the results of our recent national election, which I think puts our national future in some significant jeopardy. Still, I think we should reflect upon what happened, and then calmly consider what to do now. The reactive "fight, fight, fight" approach may well not be the best approach, particularly when picking the fight suggested in that petition I have linked is not likely to be a winning strategy. More conflict? Really?
Despair also, may I say, is not a reaction that I advise!
While I think that the people made a huge mistake in electing Donald Trump to our highest office a second time, I think there was no extensive fraud or unfairness involved. Former president Trump "won." That is the long and short of it. I do not believe that those who opposed him should now model their behavior on the behavior he exhibited when he "lost" the election in 2020. If we reflect on it, I think we would likely conclude that the "fight, fight, fight" response could well provide a lot of ammunition to those who are hoping to end democracy in the United States - with lots of Trump supporters being in that category, at least the way I see it.
Trying to upset the democratic election that is sending Mr.Trump back to the White House could well be a prelude to the "Civil War" that people on "both sides" have been talking about over the past year or so - an idea of which at least a fair number of people seem to be relishing. For those who missed it, I have come out, unequivocally, against the idea of a "Civil War." Upon reflection, having now seen the November 5th election results, I am reaffirming my rejection of that alternative.
My reflection upon the election results suggests, to me, that we are now likely going to be presented with an incredible opportunity to renew the vigor and effectiveness of democratic self-government in the United States. Let's "think positive," in other words! That's the idea I am suggesting. I am suggesting we should all "reflect" upon that.
During the last days before the November 5th election, I read a book I found in one of the "Little Free Libraries" that I frequent. The book is titled, A Warning, and was written by "Anonymous," who self-identified as "A Senior Trump Administration Official." "Anonymous" was later identified as Miles Taylor.
A Warning is not recent. It was published in 2019, and the warning it conveyed - an extremely strong warning - was intended to persuade Americans to reject the 2020 reelection efforts of Donald J. Trump. In short, A Warning extensively outlined the failures of Donald J. Trump as president (and as a decent human being). I think the book was (and continues to be) an accurate portrayal of Mr. Trump, and convincingly points out how unqualified and unsuited Mr. Trump is for the presidency.
If A Warning is accurate in what it says (as I think it is), the United States is shortly going to experience major economic, social, and political problems, including not only domestic but also international disturbances that will put our system of government to the test. This is, in fact, what a renewed Trump presidency portends. The "Project 2025" manual indicates some of the kind of efforts we can expect from a new Trump Administration. The book I have mentioned, A Warning, further outlines the kind of governmental chaos that will come when Trump takes office once again.
And all this is an "opportunity," I say?
I do.
It is clear from the results of the 2024 presidential election that much of the nation is profoundly dissatisfied with our federal government. If a majority are dissatisfied, why? When I reflect upon that question, I come to the conclusion that this is largely because genuine "self-government" is in very scarce supply, and the "fault" is our own. If we truly understand "self-government," we know that WE are the government, and so if our government isn't working out for us, then WE need to do something about it. Among other things, we need to make the "representative" part of "representative self-government" a reality.
Our "representatives" are not, in many cases actually representing us very well. But this is because most of us expect "the government" to do what we think it should do without our deep, and involved, and detailed, and continuing participation. Mr. Trump's claim that "I, alone, can fix it," exemplifies, at the extreme, what many believe about government. The people, largely, expect "the government," to do what they need and want it to do. If politicians with the Democratic Party label aren't doing it, then we seem to think that politicians from the other party will. This is a mistake. We can't actually have "self-government" if we are not involved ourselves, and most of us aren't. We watch Netflix series, live "online," and are ever more detached from our friends and neighbors in real life. It's time for a "time reallocation."
We have a chance to change what "government" means - and to return to an earlier idea, that "self-government" means that we, ourselves, must be deeply engaged in the details of debate and deliberation that lead to decisions about what we need to do, together. We can't continue to treat government as a "Spectator Sport." If we do that, what most people call "democracy," and what I call "self-government," will be out the window.
I am going to continue to "reflect" on what we (and I) can and should do. Right now, I continue to believe that this piece of good advice is a "first step."
Find Some Friends
Our ongoing climate catastrophe isn't going away. Our unsatisfying economy (in which displacing workers is what seems to be "happening to us") is likely going to get worse, and possibly much worse. Social breakdown and division has momentum. The danger of a worldwide nuclear war is a growing possibility. Still, we are not, in fact, "doomed." Nothing of this projection of potential horrors is anything but a listing out of some of our deepest fears.
Getting together with others, meeting with them regularly (and even better if different views are included) is how we can rejuvenate our politics at the "cellular level."
At the "cellular level," where life begins, where life is found.
I am going to continue to "reflect." You, too, I hope!
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