“"Politics ought to be the part-time profession of every citizen who would protect the rights and privileges of free men." -Dwight Eisenhower
- darrenscivilwarpag8
- 7 days ago
- 3 min read
President Donald Trump's tariffs are currently the center of attention. His recent threat to increase China's tariffs if they did not retract their 34% raise on our goods has sparked a long-standing tariff conflict. Trump's series of executive orders to address U.S. budgetary losses, which have been a persistent issue since the 1990s, is a cause for concern. The potential consequences of these actions on the U.S. economy are significant, and it's a topic that demands our attention.
For some Republicans, they are quickly losing support for the president they voted for due to the losses in the stock market and the increasing price of other goods and services. Mortgage rates are falling, but for some Republicans, it is not enough to continue their support of Trump's ongoing series of executive actions. Since the early 20th century, there has been increasing power in the executive branch of the United States that was exasperated by FDR's Federal Works Programs. Now, Trump has taken the presidency into one with almost unlimited authority. Some Republicans argue it is necessary given the international security climate and the U.S. debt. Other Republicans are vehemently against these laws due to the fact it violates the Constitution.
The question that looms large is, 'Has the United States lost faith in Republics and Democracies to advance agendas?' This is not a new phenomenon in history. Dictators often emerge from crisis situations, using the urgency to push through reforms and 'save the country.' The weight of this historical context adds a sense of gravity to the current political situation. Some, like Cinnatus, successfully relinquish power after the crisis is averted, while others, like Ataturk, cling to power indefinitely.
The Great Depression caused widespread panic throughout the world and the United States. Furthermore, it caused the rise of dictators as Germany abandoned its new democratic government along with Italy and Spain. Even the United States voted for a president four different times. Before FDR's third term, Republicans called his term a "dictatorship." George Washington established the tradition of serving two terms and then leaving office. They were concerned his will alone would become authoritarian. The voice of Republicans was only heard by a minority of people, with the rest of the public voting on electing FDR. They saw the immediate crisis as justifiable for his third and fourth terms as president.
Republics have the burden of "people's choice." Therefore, in times of difficulty or crisis, it isn't easy to pass laws or reforms from a large group of people in Congress. The various arguments and debates hinder the ability to save the country from certain destruction. A good case in point is Poland, which was not able to save itself in the 18th century. The elections from Polish nobles only benefitted themselves, as the rest of the country was annexed by Russia, Prussia, and Austria.
In a rare instance in history, the people remained dedicated to its Republican roots. In 1864, Lincoln was reelected by a populace that maintained ardent support for the war despite the casualties and bloodshed. Either their will was stronger than what the United States possesses today, or Grant's strategy and operations were more than enough to convince the public that Lincoln was winning on every front. Despite the number of people who spoke against ending the war, it may be overexaggerated for a dramatic narrative rather than accuracy.
Therefore, in the spirit of democracies, executive orders ought to be questioned. It is upsetting how people become weak in the face of political adversity. We revert to executive orders and direct leadership rather than voting. Sometimes, it is effective, and no one bats an eye. Other times, it does not work, and historians speak ill of that decision for the rest of time. Our principles should not be compromised for the sake of political trials. Therefore, our Constitution remains our most significant deterrent against authoritarian rule. If our country falls, it will become the people who failed, not the government.
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