Since the November election, we have been witness to the jockeying of the incoming administration as it gets ready to assume the presidency in January. With speculation galore and the incessant commentary of media pundits, the president-elect has hurriedly nominated unconventional candidates for cabinet posts and other sensitive roles in his government. The noise alone is enough to make even the most apolitical citizen uneasy about the immediate future of our country and its role in world affairs.<\/p>\n
The first 100 days of the incoming administration promises big changes to standard Republican policies as well as to those of previous Democratic administrations. Exciting, if not chaotic, times are coming for all of us. What exactly will be the result of Trump\u2019s predilections, his many statements as to what is coming and his irresponsible threats toward opposition figures and foreign competitors?<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s how I see it. As in some previous presidencies, Trump\u2019s reputation and actions might bear benign results. For example, the most obvious is that NATO and European allies might continue to step up and share costs with the US. And some allies and countries which regularly receive foreign aid might just sober up and strive to support American objectives more rigorously. The Mexican border issue might get resolved or at least improved by tougher procedures and bi-partisan efforts. The impasse will most certainly be broached.<\/p>\n
The Ukraine-Russian War will end if mutually acceptable terms can be reached. Both countries are exhausted. A change in US leadership, Trump\u2019s relationship with Putin and pressure from American leaders, Democrats and Republicans, on behalf of Ukraine should force the end of fighting.<\/p>\n
In a less tangible way, there could be a moratorium on the culture wars, one that could bring about a rethinking by both the right and the left. Democrats, especially the most liberal, might realize that they have been too strident and too zealous in their pursuit of equality and justice, an approach that has too often led to over-the-top \u201cpolitical correctness.\u201d Republican firebrands might understand that their insistence on no compromise has led to abuses of free speech, the role of religion and common sense policies regarding abortion,, for example.<\/p>\n
The downside of all this is frightening. Whatever good might accrue could dramatically be overshadowed by Trump\u2019s actions that might affect our constitutional government and traditional foreign policy. He could, of course, undermine the roles of the FBI and the Department of Justice, do away with Civil Service, destroy cabinet positions, misuse the military, and undermine the judiciary. And, as he threatened, he might implement his tariff-oriented economic policy which could lead to depression for Americans and trading partners as well.<\/p>\n
Trump could also single-handedly change the time-honored relationships with our allies abroad, weaken NATO and give in to potential aggressors. In short, the world could become more dangerous. The Ukraine-Russian War and the recent development in Syria could be harbingers of coming disasters.<\/p>\n
Stand by, and hope for the best.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Since the November election, we have been witness to the jockeying of the incoming administration as it gets ready to assume the presidency in January. With speculation galore and the incessant commentary of media pundits, the president-elect has hurriedly nominated unconventional candidates for cabinet posts and other sensitive roles in his government. The noise alone…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1279","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-by-robert-fischer"],"yoast_head":"\n