Rein in Executive Power

On this third day of existence of this nascent blog, I had intended to write something pharmacy related. Perhaps I would weigh in on hydroxychloroquine, or the COVID vaccines, or masks. Until today, these topics were quite relevant and pressing. Indeed, yesterday the most unbelievable thing in my news feed referred to Stella Immanuel, the physician promoted by the President for her unorthodox opinions about hydroxychloroquine. There is a lot to discuss there.

But, today, something even more important has come up. This morning, the President of the United States tweeted this:

I would like to say I’m surprised, but I’m not. I’m sad. Disappointed. Dejected.

Has he proclaimed the election to be delayed? No, he hasn’t, yet.

But, this is one more metaphorical steel beam in the framework of totalitarianism that Mr. Trump (and to some extent, every other president) has been carefully constructing since he became a serious presidential contender in 2015.

What is a dictator, anyway?

Put simply, a dictator is a ruler with total authority and power over a country. Does Mr. Trump meet this definition? Well, no, he does not, yet. The House of Representatives and to a lesser extent, the Courts have been able to provide some degree of a check on his power. But, he has already managed to circumvent a disturbing number of other checks on presidential power:

An incomplete list of Undemocratic Actions of Trump and the GOP

• Senate confirmation of cabinet members and important leaders in the Federal bureaucracy. In February, Trump’s cabinet consisted of 22 “Acting” officers, each of which were handpicked by, you guessed it, Mr. Trump.
• Installing Military Trump Loyalists at the Pentagon, without Senate confirmation. “Political Power flows from the barrel of a gun.” – Mao
• Constant Claims of Voter Fraud. Trump consistently tries to discredit our voting system as “rigged,” so when the time comes, he can throw out the results of any election he so chooses.
• Severe voter disenfranchisement. Too many closed polling places, conveniently in areas of high Democratic populations, represent a huge barrier for many voters.
• Use of the Military and chemical weapons on citizens.

An Unprecedented attack on American democracy

Every American should be terribly alarmed by the intense first amendment suppression being instigated by police, and now federal agents, in cities across the country. “Border Patrol” agents being used to steal citizens off the streets with no probable cause… it’s unthinkable in America. That is what I would expect from Stalin, Hitler, or Mao.

In Trump’s defense, the Border Patrol had been given this authority long ago, and it is codified in Federal regulation. Nearly 2/3 Americans live in the area known as the Border Zone, which extends inland 100 miles from any external US border, including the sea. In this area, the fourth amendment does not apply. You can be detained and searched for any reason. The Constitution has no meaning.

How this came to be is incomprehensible. The Constitution does not say “Freedom to assemble, unless within 100 miles of a border.” Just think, if this rule were in place when America was only the original 13 colonies, it would have included the entire country! Every American would have lived where the Bill of Rights protected nothing. What is the point of even having a constitution if it can so easily be discarded?

Now, today, the President of the United States has floated the possibility of delaying the election. This is not like delaying a primary, as some states did early in the pandemic. That would not alter the schedule of the transfer of power after the election.

Delaying the Presidential election is not within Trump’s power. Election day is set by Congress.

Delaying the election is to deny Americans their most basic right.

Delaying the election is to give power to an already autocratic President, who values only loyalty in his servants.

Delaying the election is something that Saddam Hussein, Vladimir Putin, or Adolf Hitler would do.

Look at the big picture, not the individual instances.

Any individual thing that Trump has done that has drawn the ire of Democrats or constitutionalists could be excused by an apt apologist. Taken together, however, all of these things build up a pattern of behavior that perfectly represents the American version of Fascism.

Does that sound familiar at all? In Trump’s America, the military is the pinnacle of patriotism. His constant derision of our voting system exhibits his contempt for electoral democracy. His policies point to a strong belief in a social hierarchy, best expressed by the views of the white supremacists who follow and endorse his policies.

He has used his office for his and his family’s own personal gain. He has asked foreign powers to interfere in our elections. He has refused to enforce federal laws or to abide by international treaties. He has locked children in cages indefinitely. He has shut our borders to those in need of our help. And now, he wants to delay the election? All the while, the Senate GOP has been complicit with his actions.

This march toward an excessively powerful executive branch has been steady for a century. It accelerated greatly after 9-11. Now Americans accept the TSA poking and prodding and treating you like a terrorist for simply going on vacation. When Eric Snowden revealed the illegal surveillance of American citizens, he was cast out as a criminal and traitor. We submit to police checkpoints in our cities. Police in military gear bust into houses unannounced and murder innocent civilians while they sleep (we haven’t forgotten — Arrest Breonna Taylor’s killers).

So, in a way, Trump is merely the culmination of what we have been building for years and years. Trump is a fascist who has been enabled by the excessive power granted to the Executive Branch. Congress’ inability or unwillingness to hold him accountable is an acquiescence of their power to the President. These outrageous tweets and terrible ideas are becoming normal to us (see – The Overton Window).

It does not matter if the President is Donald Trump, Barack Obama, or Andrew Yang, we have allowed too much authority to slip into the hands of the Executive. Perhaps this is politically expedient when the President aligns with our views, and it is certainly much faster than Congressional action. But that Congressional process is vital to protecting the interests of all Americans. When power is vested in the executive, it is too easy for corrupt motives to take precedence. The country is at the whims of one individual.

If we have learned anything from Donald Trump, I hope it is the lesson that we desperately need to return executive power to Congress. In exchange, members of Congress need to begin collaborating in good faith for the benefit of the country as a whole. Ultimately, it is the gridlock of Congress that has lead to this.

Trump has brought previously existing problems with infringements on our rights back into full view. This 100-mile border zone must be eliminated. Police must be held accountable to the bill of rights. Our first and second amendment rights must always be protected. We must stop voter disenfranchisement.

If we don’t, it won’t matter how high the Dow goes, or what GDP growth we hit. America will already be destroyed.

What are your thoughts? Are you concerned, or am I blowing this out of proportion? Let me know (respectfully) in the comments.