Donald the Kahn

Genghis Khan, Conqueror from Another Era

Peter Wehner describes in today's New York Times the concern our Founding Fathers had for the danger of a demagogue arising to challenge rule by the people.  Both Madison and Lincoln spoke eloquently about the ease with which autocrats had come to power in societies of the past.  The danger was a real and present one.

But in American history no one person has posed a serious threat of assuming the powers of a strongman until now, says Wehner.

Obviously, this former member of Republican administrations is very concerned.  He is right to be concerned.  Sadly, he offers little in the way of a solution for our national dilemma.  And make no mistake it is a national emergency, not just one of the Republican Party.  For Trump and his movement threaten to out-muscle the Republican Party itself.

There are solutions for our developing crisis.  Completely delineating the steps in such a solution goes beyond the original intended purpose of this blog.  However, what I can do is raise the alarm, and offer the best prescription for resolution in somewhat piecemeal fashion.  At some later point perhaps I can help put the pieces together.

Meantime, the warning has been sounded.  It is up to us, dear reader, to take the warning seriously -- and get busy shoring up the foundations of our democracy.


A Demagogue Threatens America