MICHAEL DOBSON-TALKING FLORIDA POLITICS BLOG We Know Florida Politics

Legitimacy of American Presidency Cannot Escape Review

by Michael Dobson 

There is no amount of lipstick that can pretty up this recent ugly pig of election, or the obvious questionable illegitimacy of its outcome.  Mr. Trump was alas correct. Political correctness (PC) has indeed run amuck in America. Because of PC, it seems that journalist and the chattering class, daily skate around the obvious, in their artful deflection of the truth; ever careful not to flatly say what we all already know. All are careful not to say that the Russian government has put their heavy thumb on the scale of our election, with their other four fingers manipulatively pulling the strings in the orifice of the American electoral system, to pick an American President of their choosing.  Yes, this writer understands the real desire for some to think it a constitutional crisis to have to face that fact, and for some, its also a sign of our own weakening in the world. Whatever our concerns are,  one must also consider the long-term damage we do by looking the other way, pretending it never happened and seeking to lay legitimacy on a presidency that no one would ever in their heart of hearts accept as truly legitimate without further review . These comments are not partisan..as a Hillary supporter or as a Trump antagonist; but as a citizen in love with our great country, and the ideals we hold up to the rest of the world. Other nations, smaller nations, nations without the democratic values and structures of ours, have often looked the other way and allowed for illegitimate militarized leaders to rule their nations to their bitter ruin.

As AMERICANS, WE MUST GROW UP. We must face certain truths if we are to either remain strong, if you believe us to be; or to regain our footing, if you believe it to have slipped. It will be painful and protracted, but ultimately, it would be a show of our union's  strength  if we are to acknowledge what may be an obvious illegitimacy of the presidential election. We would be exercising our duly held responsibility to protect our fragile systems, in full sight for open inspection. The integrity of our democracy which begins with our elections are larger than one man and more important than the uncomfortable and perhaps momentary  insecurity that would occur from pushing the pause button as we digest this intrusion upon our sovereign elections, and muster the courage to correct the mistake made and make our leaders legitimate.

In the annuals of history, you will find many disturbing factoids that parallel this moment, and their findings are not reassuring for our future. American journalist have commented on the remarkable number of military Generals whom will head governmental agencies in the new administration, as they have also commented on the number of billionaires, and more specifically those connected to Goldman Sachs to also head agencies. Because theoretically our military remains one controlled by our citizens, and although Mr. Trumps leadership style has been called authoritative by some in reaction to his rhetoric, we cannot suggest that we will be a government of military rule like those in some developing countries. However, the heavy military presence will and should be monitored to make determinations about such matters if this administration is to persist. The latter, is a reaction to a history of illegitimate leaders whom have often employed the military and engaged in rule by oligarchy as shields from the whims of the populace. And, the populace resoundingly elected Mrs. Clinton, not Mr. Trump as the vote totals indicate.

This talk of militarization can be somewhat of a red herring. From students of history, there are other, less obvious   concerns about the Russian connection and/or Russian involvement in the recent election. Those students are bothered by the similarities of Mr Trumps campaign to the White Movement from nearly  a century ago. While history shows that  while Mr. Trumps win can be credited with a variety of factors, he also benefited from  espousing positions and rhetoric  that were used in  the White Movement (or White Army). That was a movement in Russia which opposed the Red Army from 1917-1920 as  anti Bolsheviks, and like Mr. Trump, used rhetoric that was largely  nationalistic and divisive. Rhetoric from the "White Movement"  were seeds of division based on ethnicity, similar to Mr. Trumps rhetoric during the campaign.

The more we discern it, the election of Mr. Trump continues to be even more troubling as we learn that no one truly knows what Mr. Trumps policy values are. Now, it seems that much of what was espoused on the campaign trail was not to be taken seriously, but was for affect only. The president elects bumper sticker sized pronunciations fail to tell us what he thinks and how he truly sees the world. We are left with seeking to discern what we know about those he chose to head agencies without truly knowing his directives to them as he has no political record to review.  This writer believes the president elect to love America and truly want to make America great. However, his need to win and propensity to do so using any means necessary, makes us re-examine to what degree the ends truly justifies the means. We also want to know, what that axiom means in practice when the history and reliance on a safe democracy is in the balance. So yes, our leaders should openly and transparently review the impact of Russian involvement in the recent presidential election. They should do so even if it’s constitutionally uncomfortable and even if it impacts the smooth passage of leadership. There is long term unwanted consequences for a fragile nation that punts on such an issue.  Moreover, if we fail to openly investigate, discuss and review this Russian intrusion, we could learn that Mr. Trump may have just grabbed all of us by our private parts.

Michael Dobson, is a long time Tallahassee based  lobbyist, Founder of the Florida Renewable Energy Producers Association (FREPA),Founder/ President of Dobson, Craig and Associates (aka Dobson and Associates), and a writer/blogger on politics and public policy. Michael@michaeldobson.org or Michael@talkingfloridapolitics.com