Many years ago, Richard Nixon proclaimed
that he had the support of a “silent majority”.
Years later, Jerry Falwell and extreme right-wing allies in the
Republican Party touted their so-called “moral majority”. Well, my friends, the cold hard truth is that
we are an actual majority. Donald
Trump received only 46.1 % of the popular vote.
That means that the majority of Americans (53.9%) voted for someone
else. In fact, if we remove the votes
cast for Jill Stein and Gary Johnson, Trump lost to Hillary Clinton by almost
three million votes. Contrary to his
rants and tweets, his victory in the Electoral College does not constitute a
mandate, but rather a mishap; a national tragedy. And, as evidence continues to come to light
regarding Russian tampering on Trump’s behalf, along with the deliberate timing
of James Comey’s letter, the very legitimacy of any Trump presidency is called
into question.
This leaves us with the question of how
best to deal with January 20th... and beyond.
I would suggest that we initially celebrate the many “Trump-free zones”
already in existence, and endeavor to create many more. Certain locations automatically qualify as
TFZs: institutions of higher learning,
and every public school across the country (along with any number of private
schools), for example. Anywhere where
healing is practiced: hospitals,
clinics, doctor’s offices, birthing centers, rehabilitation facilities... all
of these would automatically be “Trump-free zones”. Then, of course, places of beauty, art,
culture, etc... all of these would also be regarded as TFZs: museums, theaters, concert venues, galleries,
public gardens, parks, etc. Finally, our
churches, temples, and mosques--anywhere that welcomes faith and
contemplation--these would also be TFZs.
Based on the popular vote, it’s certainly
reasonable to conclude that most homes across our great country (and it never
stopped being great), are Trump-free zones.
We must nourish the TFZ within each of us, and support it in
others. We are called to cultivate more
and more Trump-free zones, thereby creating a brighter world based on justice
and respect. It may take time, but we
have to believe that in the end love and decency will indeed trump hate. If TFZs flourish throughout the land, the roots
of racism and fascism will be choked--and those weeds will dry up, crumble, and
the ashes will be blown into the darkest recesses of history.
Beyond January 20th, it will be up to each
of us to speak up and act out. Talk to
your friends and neighbors, use every facet of social media, and even go “old
school” by writing letters to the editor of any newspaper or magazine you may
read. Because, one thing is for
certain: virtually every Trump proposal
or policy will require determined and constant opposition. We must take a page from the Republican
playbook of 2008 wherein McConnell famously (infamously) stated that the
primary Republican achievement had to be that of insuring that President Obama
would be a one-term President (sorry Mitch, you failed). Democrats should remember McConnell’s
obstructionist tactics, minus one key component. While McConnell, Ryan, Boehner, and Cantor
(remember him?) could scarcely conceal the racism at the heart of their hatred
for Obama, we’ll be battling Trump on the basis of truth, social justice, and a
genuine concern for the future of our country.
That, my friends, is genuine patriotism.
