An Era of Unknowns
TimeWatch Editorial
November 10, 2016
On August 15, 2016 Jeff Nesbit published an article in TIME magazine revealing that “Donald Trump Vowed to Close the Gap Between Church and State.” One month before, on July 14, 2016 Elizabeth Dias published another article in TIME magazine revealing that the “Republican Platform Calls for Repeal of Ban on Political Organizing by Churches.” Caroline Humer , writing for REUTERS on Thursday, Nov 10, 2016 reminds us that “Trump promised to repeal Obamacare.” On Tuesday, July 26th, 2016, Miriam Valverde writing for POLITIFACT tells us “How Trump plans to build, and pay for, a wall along U.S.-Mexico border.” What it will take for President Trump to deport millions and build the wall?” These are all promises that have been made, commitments that have been embraced. The question is, will the promises be kept? tried to answer some of those questions on November 9, 2016 in his article in the New York Times entitled, “‘Strange New Land’: America in a Time of Trump.” Listen to how Sanger opens the article.
“A Trump presidency will plunge the United States into an era of unknowns that has little parallel in the nation’s 240-year history. While Donald J. Trump has been vague about his position on many issues, he has been explicit about several that would fundamentally change America’s direction. If his campaign promises become reality — and it is not clear how many he will actually pursue — the Affordable Care Act could be repealed with the help of a Republican-dominated House and Senate whose leadership had virtually given up hope of recapturing the White House. Mr. Trump said he would replace the act with something better, but he never offered a plan.” “‘Strange New Land’: America in a Time of Trump”the New York Times, November 9, 2016
The uncertainty is indeed palpable. The New York Times in another article on November 9, 2016 clearly states that “Across the World, Shock and Uncertainty at Trump’s Victory.”
“The election of Donald J. Trump as president of the United States has shocked the world — and has the potential to reshape it . “I want to tell the world community that while we will always put America’s interests first, we will deal fairly with everyone, with everyone — all people and all other nations,” Mr. Trump said in his victory speech . His triumph was seen as good for Russia’s president, Vladimir V. Putin, but made some in Mexico nervous. Leaders from Asia , Europe and Latin America offered congratulations to Mr. Trump or to the United States, but the distinctions in their messages were noteworthy.” The New York Times, “Across the World, Shock and Uncertainty at Trump’s Victory” November 9, 2016
After all the animosity contained in rhetoric and activity, the actual function of governing begins today. The anticipation of decisions yet to be made has created a certain animation on both sides of the political divide. Analysts have begun to assess the possibilities as they evaluate the wide range of topics to be addressed. David Sanger continues in his article.
“The Supreme Court would veer right – perhaps eventually far to the right of where it was before Justice Antonin Scalia’s death created a vacancy that Mr. Trump will now fill, and there is the prospect of several more openings during his tenure. The wall he promised along the Mexican border would be built, and the prospect of immigration reform may be buried beneath it. The torture of terrorism suspects, something that President Obama explicitly banned, would return — interrogation techniques the current C.I.A. director recently said his officers would never return to. Although Mr. Trump will not be able to pull the United States out of the Paris climate accord, he can legally ignore its provisions, in keeping with his questioning of the existence of man-made climate change. He could proceed with what he once called a ban on Muslims’ entering the country, but later amended – after being accused of racism – to a ban on visitors from a list of troubled nations, almost all of which are Muslim-majority.” “‘Strange New Land’: America in a Time of Trump”the New York Times, November 9, 2016
Only the future holds the answer to the decisions that will be made. The external influences that will be exerted upon the President Elect will be intense. His firmness and analysis and conviction will be his only protection. But there is one issue that is yet to be determined.
“Perhaps the most unpredictable matter is how Mr. Trump will deal with Russia and its president, Vladimir V. Putin, whom he has repeatedly praised in terms that shocked even his own party. Would he lift the sanctions over Russia’s annexation of Crimea – a move that Mr. Trump seemed to suggest was justified – and its harassment of Ukraine? Would he back off from the Obama administration’s decision to bolster the American military presence off Russia’s borders? There has been a growing bipartisan consensus in the foreign policy and intelligence leadership that Russia must be both constrained and contained, its harassment of the new members of NATO halted, its cyber attacks deterred. But Mr. Trump never once argued for Russian containment – once a staple of his party’s foreign policy – and repeatedly argued that he, and he alone, could negotiate with authoritarians like Mr. Putin.” “‘Strange New Land’: America in a Time of Trump”the New York Times, November 9, 2016
Soon these answers will be evident. Maybe America will be a “Strange New Land.” We shall see.
Cameron A. Bowen
