Since, to the best of my knowledge, this is the first time a sitting president attempted to prevent a peaceful transition of power, I do think, at the least, it is important for the historical record to get this straight. To document how this effort by Trump,all played out.
I mean, regardless if his attempt stood a chance of succeeding, if we are just going to say “it’s in the past, it did not succeed, we have more pressing problems that demand attention”, well, the latter is true, but the public’s confidence in the integrety of our elections(which the Big Lie seriously damages. It is a literal body blow to our body politic to instill that belief about our elections going forward) is critical to the functioning of our elections and our democracy.
Some have been fond of reminding us that “we are a republic”. Well fine, that does not mean we do not have representative democracy as well. But here is the thing: Jan. 6th, and Trump and his allies efforts to prevent a peaceful transition, if and when it ever succeeds is an effort to turn the United States into a BANANA REPUBLIC.
Preventing the peaceful transition of power is what happens in a BANANA REPUBLIC. I prefer that not happen! Silly me!
But, I’m also realistic. I do believe it will be tough to get the American public to care enough about what happened. Inflation, gas prices, a war in Europe, gun violence, all these most pressing issues may see to it that far fewer than hoped will pay attention to Thursday’s opening, and subsequent public sessions.
That would be a shame. A president of the United States attempted to go full banana republic. I want everything that happened to be part of the public record, and I want future historians to have this material. The fact that Trump failed in 2020 is simply no excuse to treat 1/6 and the plans behind that date as no big deal.
Honestly, I do believe people who see efforts to turn our country into a banana republic as “didn’t work, no biggie” don’t think very highly of their own country. I think “shame on them”, but I’m cognizant of human nature, I can forgive all the Trumpsters and weak on civics Americans, it’s tough to clearly see history while it’s in real time. I fear not enough people will care. What that portends for 2024 and beyond, well, this is all of an existential nature from my perspective. I wish my country and future generations of Americans the best. I hope these types of elections do not become the norm.