Surviving an Authoritarian Plutocrat: Year One

Ruth Marcus provides an optimistic perspective on 2017, reminding us of the value of a free press (even a corporate free press), independent judiciary, and the rule of law.

“As this appalling year limps to a close, with President Trump consistently underperforming even the lowest of expectations, a note of holiday cheer: Our country’s institutions and values have, so far, proven remarkably resilient.”

While Trump’s first year was ‘dreadful’ and “even worse than we expected, our system, imperfect and battered as it is, withstood the onslaught.”

Marcus singles out the mass media, courts, and Congress for special praise.

Many thanks to the heroic efforts of our corporate media. In normal times my tendency is to criticize your work, but at a time when our president encourages 38% of Americans to reject basic facts you have stood tall and demonstrated the value of a free press. Thanks. With the exception of irresponsible and unprofessional outlets like Fox News and others like it, many thanks for your courage.

Thanks to the many justices who have also stood up to our vindictive and misinformed president. With the exception of Gorsuch and his allies on the Supreme Court, thank you for putting the rule of law over party and ideology.

Marcus’ third institutional bulwark is Congress, and I appreciate her perspective here but, in my view, Congress’ unbulwarkiness far outweighs the few times it has not been in lock step with mindless destruction by our plutocrat in chief.  

Instead, my third bulwark is Robert Mueller and his staff. Many thanks for your high standards of professionalism, competence, and perseverance. Thanks for doing the dirty work rather than merely seeking the splashy public news story. Thanks and in 2017 you stand as one of our core Obi-wans, perhaps not ‘our only hope,’ but one of our most hopeful signs and actual bulwarks.