November 5, 2024 was a watershed moment in the history of American Democracy. With eyes wide open, and with 20/20 hindsight, the American people voted for Donald Trump to lead them through the next four years: a man “who knowingly promotes hatred and division; who lies—blatantly, shamelessly—every time he appears in public; who plotted to overturn an election in 2020 and, had he not won, was planning to try again in 2024” (David Frum, The Atlantic 6th November 2024).
Former President Ronald Reagan liked to call America the “city on a hill” to describe his vision of America as an example to the world. This lofty city may soon become unrecognizable as Trump embarks on his extensive makeover plans. In the same way as the Kudzu vine has spread to cover much of the beauty of the native vegetation in the South, Trump, who has already made the Rule of Law unrecognizable, is set to reshape America in his own image.
Once we recover from immobilizing disbelief in the election outcome, our focus must be on what’s next. The New York Times editorial today urges citizens to exercise their First Amendment Rights: to assemble, speak and protest.
From my research into the relative performance of nations’ response to Climate Change, nations that learn to adapt and to develop resilience will improve their chances of success.
Americans who value democracy and the rule of law will have to find their courage to push back on any new policies that foster authoritarianism. They will have to adapt to the reality of a changed environment and promote resilience at all levels: community, State and business organizations.
At the end of Trump’s reign, how will you respond to the question, “Are you better off now than you were then?”
Counting Down 