Prosperity and the National Mood

The whining of the left and non-stop negativity of the right have played a large part in putting America in a sour mood.

But the reality is that the country is doing pretty well.  We’re not at war and our economy is the envy of the world.  While we have problems, President Biden has put us on a path to greater growth and prosperity - possibly as soon as next year.

Sadly, much of the country thinks just the opposite. They have been fed lies and misinformation by Republicans, home-grown radicals, and the Russians.  Unemployment is at record highs; they believe it’s at record lows.  The US economy is booming; they think it’s in the tank.

If Trump wins, the boobs who believe the lies will see the same facts as miraculous successes and thank their messiah for them.  And Trump and the Republicans will be the beneficiaries of successful Democratic policies.

They’ll take full credit for Biden’s successes even after doing everything they could to destroy the cultural, educational judicial, and governmental institutions that Democrats have worked so hard to build in the last 90 or so years.

It’s a distinct possibility.  Trump energizes people, has the backing of the business community, and promotes anything and everything that can help him.  The economy just might jump under his leadership.

Democrats have to prepare for this very possibility now.  They have to remind America of how Biden’s efforts will pay off soon: that is, talk about the bright future we can expect.  They have to raise America’s hopes and expectations and warn against Trump taking credit for them.

And just as Trump planted poison pills in the judiciary and government agencies, Democrats should strengthen protections for the media and other institutions vital for the health of freedom and democracy.

These steps should include  ethics rules for the Supreme Court; working with states to ensure their integrity and independence (and that of their law enforcement agencies) from federal intervention.  They should be warning the media and the business community about the threat Trump poses.

Look at how other authoritarian rulers have obtained and consolidated power and work to prevent it from happening here.

It won’t be easy.  The hour is late.

Big Democrat wins in November could crush the MAGA movement, return us to normal, and help ensure Democratic dominance well into the future.

But Democrats shouldn’t count on it. They should work now to identify and shore up weaknesses that Republicans can exploit. and strengthen alliances and procedures to ensure the vitality of our way of life.