Where do we go from here ?

Congratulations to our New President and Vice President Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, a monumental accomplishment given the precursors to ratification of the Electoral Vote. The people have chosen. Welcome and godspeed in charting our course in the days and months ahead.

Kudos to Congress for taking decisive and principled action in making that happen despite peril to life and the structural integrity of our democracy. One which has prevailed in the face of determined assault, celebrating over 243 years since our Declaration of Independence. What is our democracy you ask? A government that vests supreme power in it's people. A people who share equal power, whose electoral decisions are enacted by representatives guided by a Constitution, from which none are exempt and which protects all. Contrary to Socialism where there is no private property, and Imperialism where folks are governed by force, we choose to honor the synergistic brilliance of our intellectual and creative endeavors, to live our lives as sovereigns, free men and women choosing to participate in the greatest collective collaboration ever!

Now there are some things to be considered given the mayhem of this past administration and the decisions we now face regarding the consequences of those acts.

The oath taken by our President as found in the US Constitution, Article II, Section 1 , Clause 8, reads as follow: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States."

It would appear this pledge was perfunctory or somehow forgotten by our ex-POTUS with dire consequences resulting to one and all. According to The Atlantic, he perceived the world as a dangerous place, but it appears in his acute fear of being upended by his political opponent and desire to win at any cost, he gave us a graphic illustration of just how dangerous it could be, resulting in two impeachments for the same thing! That is... using seditious and anti-constitutional measures to deter his opponent.

1. attempting to besmirch the credibility of his opponent in which he solicited intervention of a foreign head of state. (Ukraine)
2. Attempting to prevent the inauguration of his opponent by falsely claiming a “fake” election, resulting in a costly insurrection.

What is equally concerning is the complicit support of his party's statesmen. It seems our elected officials, some enamored by position rather than principle, have failed to take necessary action due to losing the support of corporate sponsors?

Admittedly, this is a rather brief analysis but here are some of the highlights.

• VP Pence was asked by Trump not to certify the electoral votes, an entirely unconstitutional act.
• Pence was put at risk of assassination for choosing to honor his oath.
• Per The Examiner, Trump planned to remove the acting Attorney General, Jeffrey Rosen for not challenging the election results.
• Trump urged GA Secretary of State Brad Raffensburger to find votes to shift the election in his favor.
• The show “Apprentice” appears the model of Trump's leadership. “You're fired!” being the operative maneuver, purging anyone who opposed him.
• Inflamed and provocative rhetoric on social media.
• Massive intelligence failure in deterring the Capitol riots, though numerous sites shared details of planned insurrection for weeks prior. (Forbes)
• Per J. Michael Waller of the Center for Security Policy, Real Clear Politics, and Just The News, riots bore signs of an organized operation planned in advance, for which Cops have refused to honor the Freedom of Information Act in disclosing reports.
• Congressmen complicit in Trump's reckless pursuit now complaining Democrats are fracturing national unity. This is not a partisan issue.
• Given this precedent of abusing presidential power, do we simply dismiss the egregious acts, bowing to the radicalizing of the political process with violence as the bargaining chip? Kevin Brady claims impeachment is equally irresponsible and likely to incite further violence. Really guys?? We bow to threats when faced with accountability and villainize solutions? Is this how you train your sons and daughters?
• It is interesting that Trump referred to the election as “the big steal” whose flights of fancy claimed he won the election by a landslide despite no evidence to support, and losing almost all of his 60 plus lawsuits challenging electoral results.

The following quote by professor Dan McAdams seems all too true:

“ Trump's basic personality suggests an energetic, activist president … who has less than a cordial relationship with the truth.” It appears he has a massive constitutional blind spot to use CNN's phraseology, using the presidency for his own gain and attempting to install an autocracy.

This is not to say that Trump accomplished nothing of worth during his tenor but sadly his failings occlude much of merit, given the scope and seditious maneuvers brazenly employed. We the people deserve the loyalties of our elected representatives, an unwavering commitment to truth, a quick and fair application of our checks and balances, principled accountability, and the freedom to do so without threat of harm to our persons or democracy. Failure to do so is to also betray the oaths you have taken... We have confidence in your strength of character, in your pledge to country, constituency, children and colleagues. When in doubt, watch “Mr. Smith goes to Washington”. ;)