Bye Bye America. It Was Nice Knowing You.

If Donald Trump wins the Presidency, what he does with it won’t be the critical factor. No, just the fact that he wins is the key. Here’s why.

His victory will mean signify that fear and anger have replaced hope and justice as the American way. Now I don’t mean that hope and justice are always present in our thinking and actions, but they’ve always been a possibility and worth a fight. In our non-linear and messy fashion, we Americans have progressed from a slave-owning male-dominated society to a more equitable one. Again, the fight is far from complete. If Trump wins, the war will be cancelled.

In its place we will have a nation where personal weapons increasingly settle differences. You think not? So far 11 states (including my mentally deficient home state Missouri) have passed NRA sponsored legislation making gun laws pretty much obsolete. More are on the way. Remember: to “true conservatives” the police are just government with a gun. And the rich are taking care of their own security needs.

We will also make permanent the circular firing squad where we blame each other for our problems precluding any real solutions. Because people, I hate to tell you but Latinos are not job killers. Coal is not coming back. Rich people and corporations don’t care about your welfare. And climate change won’t go away just because you close your eyes and ears.

As for the economy, look at Kansas if you want a preview of what’s to come. There “conservative” economics has taken over. Lower taxes, less government, etc etc.The results have been calamitous. Nearly zero job growth, education and infrastructure falling apart, the poor being squeezed to death. These policies solved zero problems but the state still doubled down on them. Kansas is a basket case. Paul Ryan and his minions want to do this to the entire country.

The problem with Trump is that he probably looks pretty good compared to what’s next. What I mean is this. He won’t solve any of the problems he says are easy to fix. If he accomplishes the things he says he will, the problems will get worse. If he doesn’t (the more likely route) then the anger will just become more intense. Either way, the anger seethes and intensifies and an even bigger demagogue takes center stage. If you like Vladimir Putin, you’ll love Trump 2.0.

Compare the words of Trump to, say, FDR. Trump amplifies fear. Heck in some cases he creates it from thin air. FDR acknowledged fear and then tried to ease it.

I hate to say it but this country as we know it could be heading for the garbage heap. Whenever a nation succumbs to its worst fears and nastiest impulses, that’s pretty much the end. This nation was built on the idea that change is gradual and slow. That power is limited. That mistakes can be corrected. It’s a rather beautiful thing.

What we’re heading toward is a nation where change is regressive. Where anger demands centralized power. And where mistakes are not mistakes but instead are solutions thwarted by someone who looks different from you.

And that someone will have to go.