The Divided States of America 
by Hank Silverberg 

{Note to readers: Most of my opinions in these blogs over the past year and a half have been based on factual news stories, historical parallels and raw facts. Some may find that I divert a bit from that practice in this week’s edition in favor of a strong editorial opinion.} 

Call it  “America the Beautiful,” “Sweet Land of Liberty,” or “A Shining City on a Hill.” For most of our 243 years, The United States of America has always been a beacon for much of the world. We have scars, of course, from the horrors of slavery to the Japanese Internment Camps during World War Two. But most of

(Liberty Bell, courtesy of National Park Service)

the time, America has stood for freedom, individual liberty, basic human rights and a promise of a prosperous life if you worked hard and played by the rules.  

As a nation we have encouraged those ideals around the world. Former Israeli Diplomat Abba Eban captured America’s place in the world with a backhanded compliment, but he was right. (Some people attribute this quote to Winston Churchill.)

 “You can always count on the Americans to do the right thing after they have tried everything else.”   

I have been thinking about this a lot over the last year or so as I watched America’s international image sink to its lowest point since Pre-World War One isolationism. Though protests in the streets here have been mild, the division may be worse than it was during the Vietnam War in the late 1960's and early 1970's. Today  we have lost our focus at home and abroad.

Why? Some might think the answer would be complex. But it’s not. The reason is Donald J. Trump.

Yes, he was elected and there were some bizarre reasons for that.  But no, he was NOT elected by the majority of the American people. I will point out once again that only 24% of ELIGIBLE voters cast their ballots for Mr. Trump in 2016. Hillary Clinton received 25%, two percent went to third party candidates and 49% of ELIGIBLE voters DID NOT CAST BALLOTS. So, his election does NOT represent a majority or a mandate by any math you use.

Since he was inaugurated, many people have tried to figure out just what Trump stands for. Over the last three years he has had NO stated or unstated domestic policy other than building a border wall in the southwest and deporting or putting illegal immigrants in prison.  

Even worse, his foreign policy has been a series of contacts with world leaders that have been all bluster and little substance. His approach to North Korean Dictator Kim Jung Un was ill advised and poorly handled. Trump looked at it as if getting rid of nuclear weapons was a business deal and he didn’t get one. Kim got some international face time that helped him at home. The United States got burned by a tyrant who continues his unabated nuclear weapons program as a threat to much of Asia. 

Trump's flirtation with Vladimir Putin has been a disaster. Just ask the people of the Crimea who were annexed by Russia against their will before he took office. Since the start of the Trump administration they have not received any political or logistical support that they need to repel Russian aggression. Trump even refused to acknowledge Russia’s actions were against international law. Nor has he given much help to what's left of Ukraine still under a Russia threat. 

You can also ask the people of Venezuela and Hong Kong who have been crying out for moral or humanitarian support from the United States as they battle authoritarian regimes, and instead have received just a bit of lip service. All of  these issues are not simple, which is why Trump can't seem to deal with them.  It appears he cannot grasp the complexity of world politics, and won't listen to any advisers who can. In truth, many of those who joined the administration thinking they could educate the President (or control him?) have since resigned or have been fired because he appears to take no advice from anyone. 

 After months of calling for a reduction in American troops fighting in Afghanistan, and criticizing his predecessors for starting the war, THIS President has now decided to send troops to Saudi Arabia. It is in response to missile and drone attacks on that country’s oil production facilities. Again he aides a authoritarian regime without a clear understanding of the consequences. And he is doing so without advising Congress or getting consent. He is required to do so under the 1973 War Powers Resolution, unless he can prove its an emergency. 

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=war+powers+act&view=detail&mid=5E5E8B9C68055D4C8B205E5E8B9C68055D4C8B20&FORM=VIRE

It is likely that Congress will challenge this deployment if it lasts more than the permitted 60 days under the law. That will likely set  up yet another constitutional confrontation with a president who repeatedly shows disdain for the rules. While this may be a classic struggle between the power of the presidency and the power of Congress which have cropped up before, most notably in the Nixon and Reagan Administrations, THIS president doesn't even recognize there are rules to follow.    

Then there is Mr. Trump’s refusal to even acknowledge the growing environmental and national security danger of climate change. It has made the United States a pariah among the international community which has been trying to lessen the threat with some aggressive but reasonable environmental protections. In fact the current occupant of the White House has added to the climate change threat by eliminating some EPA regulations. That includes abolishing tougher emissions standards on automobiles and coal burning power plants that were supposed to be phased in over the next five years. 

https://www.nationalreview.com/news/trump-epa-roll-back-obama-era-emissions-standards/

That has prompted a lawsuit from California and a likely 23 other states which had adopted the higher standards and don't want them rolled back. Even some of the automakers have indicated the tougher standards give them some options they would like to keep. 

Also of note this week is the apparent electoral defeat of long time Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He has been in legal trouble for alleged embezzlement which surely had an impact with the voters. I am not an expert on Israeli politics, but it is feasible that Netanyahu’s  close relationship with President Trump also had an impact on Israeli voters. In true form, as soon as it became obvious that Netanyahu had lost the election, his "good friend" Donald gave him the cold shoulder.  

https://www.timesofisrael.com/arab-israeli-lawmaker-election-results-a-slap-in-the-face-for-trump/

  

Then there is this: 

Mr. Trump’s phone call to the new President of Ukraine,  Volodymr Zelensky, appears to have been an attempt to get kompromat (Compromising information)  on Joe Biden and his son’s connection to a Ukrainian gas company. What surprises me is the hypocrisy of conservatives who are trying to divert attention from Trump’s action by talking about Hunter Biden’s business dealings.

Look at it this way. The President of the United States got on the phone with the leader of another country, asking that leader (Zelensky) to come up with dirt on the son of the President’s political rival. And the President did so at a time when he was withholding funds approved by Congress for Ukraine. It was also at a time when Ukrainian independence is vital to American security interests in Europe.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-admits-he-discussed-biden-with-ukrainian-president/ar-AAHG1kS?ocid=spartandhp

At the very least that is improper, at its heart it could be grounds for impeachment, and by definition it could be considered treason. 

There is a strong possibility that all the charges, lies and    incompetence of this particular president will not remove him from office and he will serve out his term. 

Congress may not have the will or the way to remove him.  But the voters can do that on November 3, 2020. If and when that happens, it could take the next President years to restore the prestige of the office and the respect of our country abroad.

In 1974, after Richard Nixon resigned in disgrace after two years of Watergate revelations and political upheaval, the newly installed  President, Gerald Ford said:
"Our long national nightmare is over". 

He went on to say: "Our Constitution works. Our great Republic is a government of laws and not of men. Here the people rule"
  
Right now we are living another nightmare. Lets hope the Constitution works again. 

On a lighter note:

Congratulations to the New York Yankees for FINALLY winning the American League East. My Red Sox could not repeat as World Series Champions this year, and that’s a shame. But I continue to be irritated by Yankee fans who can not celebrate victory without their ridiculous attacks on the competition, including the Red Sox. Okay. You won the Division. The Sox did that three years in a row.  Let’s see how long you last in the playoffs before you start gloating. There’s nothing worse than an arrogant winner in the Bronx, or in the White House.

                (Your comments and suggestions are welcome) 

You could say my novel "The Campaign" was ripped from the headlines two years in advance. It's available from me at a bargain price by emailing me at hanksilverberg@gmail.com for instructions or you can buy it retail at Amazon.com or BN.com.      

                                                   

(Synopsis:The Vice-President of the United States is conflicted. She has risen to her current job by jumping on the bandwagon with President Andrew Freeman who is now, waging war against America’s biggest enemy—Iran.  Amy Roosevelt must make a decision whether to stay with Freeman or challenge him for the nomination.  Though back channels she learns that the President’s health is declining.  As Roosevelt ponders her decision, a conservative back bench Congressman from Missouri breaks out of the wanna-bees in the other party and also decides to run.  All this plays out as the man known only as Ishmael, continues his campaign of violence.)