If, on November 6, 2024, at 1 a.m Easter Standard Time Donald Trump had not won the election, our country would have been sliding toward civil war.
The best predictor of a successful coup d'etat is a failed coup attempt. If he had lost, Trump would have thrown the country into chaos. This time he would not make the mistakes he did the last time. He would be assured that the Republican-majority government in most of the swing states would sow enough doubt to throw the election into the House where, by the Constitutional rules, Trump has the advantage.
Instead we have peace. Trump won so he has no reason to lie about the results. More importantly, he is effectively endorsing the election system--because it elected him.
On the one hand, we will be governed by an old authoritarian wannabe on January 20, 2025.
On the other hand, we did not fall into civil strife that could easily have led to violence beyond the control of any government.
Once broken, peace is hard to restore, so I am glad we have peace.
I am also hopeful. Once Trump is gone--he is almost 80--his successor will not have flag-waving worshippers. His successor will be just another politician to be criticized, doubted, and attacked. The Trump phenomena will not be repeated by JD Vance or Trump Jr. or Tucker Carlson. Nobody will wave Tucker flags.
It may not be for long. But for now we have peace. I am thankful.
