America is a mature democracy now led by a president who may have bitten of more than he can chew. In this respect the nation seems to be acting out the classical Greek philosopher Plato's republican formula with one key change. Instead of evolving from an oligarchy to a democracy, the Presidency of Donald Trump signals we are moving from a democracy to an oligarchy...with rule by an elite class of billionaires who win popular support by courting the working class.
According to Plato, via an academic source: A visually appealing demagogue is soon lifted up to protect the interests of the lower class. However, with too much freedom, no requirements for anyone to rule, and having no interest in assessing the background of their rulers (other than honoring such people because they wish the majority well) the people become easily persuaded by such a demagogue's appeal to try and satisfy people's common, base, and unnecessary pleasures. Does this sound familiar?
Main points Plato makes as to the downfall of democratic leadership are a lack experience requirements and no interest among the electorate in studying the background of leadership candidates. This could be a journal of US politics.
What could be the end game? In 49 BC, with gridlock and inaction gripping the Senate Julius Caesar took over the running of the Roman Republic, which had lasted for nearly 400 years. He was declared dictator for life, which didn't last too long after that. Yet his rule effectively ended the republic.
Well, President Trump has been on the job less than a month and he's suspected of breaking several federal laws, constantly making erroneous factual statements, causing an uproar among some of our allies, has slandered a judge who put a hold on his immigrant and visitor ban, nominated a curious collection of cabinet members and appointed a senior adviser who has no experience in such a position and has a curious background of being right wing extremist and Marxist at the same time.
Oh yes, and he still hasn't released in tax returns, something American voters may still be asking to see without any luck if and when he runs for re-election in 2020.
Yet, aside from all this and his obvious personality and character shortcomings, Pres. Trump still has a main problem of realizing who he is and what his duties are. To him running America is just like running his corporation. And that's where he's dead wrong. He doesn't respect democracy. It's just not in his skill set. And gradually he is realising this through the size of the job, the size of the government and the reality also sinking in that he can't always get what he wants.
If a person didn't know of him and what his position was, President Trump would be a good fit for any number of corrupt authoritarian rulers with extensive business holdings representing interest conflicts with his public office.
As a business tycoon feels he's our boss and what he says goes. He used to having his way and firing those that displease him. Right now he's probably having second thoughts about his Supreme Court nominee for his critical comments about the boss.
In these early days if DT harbors a second term ambition he had better get his mind straight that in a democracy his word isn't always law and his decisions are always going to be open for wide ranging criticism.
He has to accept that other people have opposing views and he should respect those people, not attack them as if he were a banana republic dictator.
And finally, he has to either stop lying or admit he's becoming senile. Claiming he has never met Russian leader Vlad Putin, when there are a few videos of him saying he has met Putin and had dealings with him. With less than a month on the job his credibility has already been destroyed in the minds of many Americans.