Brilliant synopsis, Chuck. Thank you for this. There are many engaging and thoughtful writers on Substack and no one has taken this tact when analyzing Trump. Super insightful.
Chuck, I agree with your diagnosis of what needs repaired in our system. The challenge right now, of course, is that both parties have become enthralled of more fringe ideologies, and are more interested in victories than in correction. Furthermore, the old problem with any kind of reform movement is that reform is never politically sexy. None of that is reason for thoughtful people in the political realm to give up all thought of repair or reform. It’s simply to underscore how difficult a task that will be. Thank you for this brilliant and insightful piece.
I do think for these reforms to be seen as front and center to voters, you probably need a candidate to make it their North Star… perhaps a charismatic figure à la Perot/Teddy R, even threaten a new party etc… then their popularity would be seen as tied DIRECTLY to the demand for reform and so even in defeat, the movement would be seen as a big enough constituency to address their concerns directly. The next great 60% leader of this country will have figured out how to convince a majority that in order for our every day problems to be addressed (health care, child care etc), we need these structural reforms first. It’s the lesson I drew from Hungary… he connected the corruption, the need for reform, with the struggles of every day Hungarians
I’ve gone back and re-read your response here, and I want to underscore how essential it will be for a leader to show that for government to address the country’s needs, it will have to be freed of the present constraints through reform.
"None of those most legally consequential steps became actions he personally carried out." Right, but now SCOTUS has given him 100% legal cover for any official act he makes as POTUS. So what makes you so sure he won't pull the trigger now, while he is largely no longer legally accountable?
I was concerned when I started to read this, that Chuck was being to naive, but I was wrong and he makes a convincing argument. Great job, thanks. S. R. Finkel
Brilliant synopsis, Chuck. Thank you for this. There are many engaging and thoughtful writers on Substack and no one has taken this tact when analyzing Trump. Super insightful.
Chuck, I agree with your diagnosis of what needs repaired in our system. The challenge right now, of course, is that both parties have become enthralled of more fringe ideologies, and are more interested in victories than in correction. Furthermore, the old problem with any kind of reform movement is that reform is never politically sexy. None of that is reason for thoughtful people in the political realm to give up all thought of repair or reform. It’s simply to underscore how difficult a task that will be. Thank you for this brilliant and insightful piece.
I do think for these reforms to be seen as front and center to voters, you probably need a candidate to make it their North Star… perhaps a charismatic figure à la Perot/Teddy R, even threaten a new party etc… then their popularity would be seen as tied DIRECTLY to the demand for reform and so even in defeat, the movement would be seen as a big enough constituency to address their concerns directly. The next great 60% leader of this country will have figured out how to convince a majority that in order for our every day problems to be addressed (health care, child care etc), we need these structural reforms first. It’s the lesson I drew from Hungary… he connected the corruption, the need for reform, with the struggles of every day Hungarians
I’ve gone back and re-read your response here, and I want to underscore how essential it will be for a leader to show that for government to address the country’s needs, it will have to be freed of the present constraints through reform.
I agree with this, Chuck. And Hungary is a good example.
"None of those most legally consequential steps became actions he personally carried out." Right, but now SCOTUS has given him 100% legal cover for any official act he makes as POTUS. So what makes you so sure he won't pull the trigger now, while he is largely no longer legally accountable?
PREACH IT!! Thank you Chuck....I'm not convinced Chris C gets it completely but have faith he will learn from you.
Chuck, great write up and excellent analysis.
DISCUSSIONS LIKE THIS ARE WHY YOURS IS ONE OF THE FEW POLITICAL SUBSTACKS I PAY FOR. WE NEED SOLUTIONS NOT CHICKEN LITTLE. THANK YOU!
This is why you are the one person I take most seriously on deeper questions about our political system Chuck.
I was concerned when I started to read this, that Chuck was being to naive, but I was wrong and he makes a convincing argument. Great job, thanks. S. R. Finkel