"It’s Too Late, Baby" Letter to the editor Tom Denton

As Donald Trump’s impeachment moves to the Senate, it’s a time to reflect on what might have been.

From the first week of Trump’s presidency, Republican voters and their representatives in Washington had ample reasons to weigh carefully the degree to which they would support him.  His attacks--on the press, on the courts, on government agencies, and more broadly on unspoken but accepted norms in governance—augured a reckoning they would have to face.  There were times they could have made a stand against Trump’s abuses, perhaps nudged him toward a more reasonable path, but at every step of the way they chose the course of deference.  Now, after the Ukrainian escapade was exposed, they find themselves defending the indefensible, and their choice is roped into history and an uncertain verdict in 2020 and beyond.

Imagine a President Donald Trump who pursued a different political strategy by reaching out to the 50%+ of voters who did not elect him.  Imagine that his first legislative priority was rebuilding American infrastructure, and his first major signed bill brought more health care security to many additional Americans.  Imagine a tax bill that marginally satisfied his donors but addressed glaring inequalities and gave people some legitimate hope for the future.  With Republican majorities, he could have done these things, and Democrats would have scrambled to define their own relevance.  His “base” would look different from today’s, but it could have been broader and longer lasting.  With the economy in its current state of health, Democrats in 2020 might be casting about for the most likely sacrificial lamb in the election.

Imagine.  But we have the Donald Trump that we have.  The Republican party is now its own RINO; it’s the Trump party.  And Democrats, aware that their good fortune comes at the cost of a damaged nation, get another shot at convincing Americans that they can lead with policies and people worthy of support.  How will they use the opportunity?

Publishing history:

New Paltz Times        12/26/19

Shawangunk Journal   1/2/20