Historically, when a president tried to exceed his constitutional authority, the legislative and judiciary branches would put on the brakes. This was the system of “checks and balances” envisioned by our founding fathers. The framers of our Constitution were deeply worried that a president might assume too much power and become a dictator.
That fear is now being realized. And although Republicans control both the US Senate and the US House of Representatives, they refuse to stand up to Donald Trump’s repeated unlawful and unconstitutional actions. Republican legislators have become meek and compliant tools of Trump. They quake in constant fear of retribution from Trump if they contradict or criticize him in any way, so they remain silent as Trump dismantles our democracy.
The Republican party is now the MAGA party, and MAGA strongly approves of Trump’s performance as president, particularly on immigration and social issues. But does MAGA really want to America’s to abandon its 240-year old democratic tradition? Does MAGA really want America to become a dictatorship? I hope and think not.
In a few years Trump will be dead and gone. Then what?
My plea to MAGA voters is to contact your Republican representatives and ask them to demand that Trump obey the Constitution and laws. Ask your representatives to have the courage to stand up to Trump when he is wrong. Ask your representative to gather the strength to do the right thing and preserve American democracy.
What is more important, American democracy or Donald Trump? You choose, but you can’t have both.