The only thing constant in life is change. If you can't accept that fact, you're probably pretty likely to vote for something like Brexit...or Donald Trump.
You've probably noticed, America is turning browner.
We were founded as a nation of immigrants, and we remain such to a lesser or greater extent. And that means our complexions will continue looking more like those of the majority of the rest of the world.
Lin Manuel Miranda describes his Tony-winning Broadway musical Hamilton like this: "It's the story of Alexander Hamilton as re-enacted by the America of today." Take a look at his cast, and it's a bit different than the bunch of pasty white middle-age men who founded us.
If Aaron Burr had been told he would be portrayed by an African-American actor in 2016, he probably wouldn't have believed that Africans could be actors.
Today, many if not most of us have become accustomed to other than white faces occupying the highest posts in our public life.
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| I don't know why I do this over and over. Whenever I get ticked off, I throw all my stuff out the window. Then, I go and buy all new stuff and get ticked off again over what it cost me. Then, I want the old stuff back. What's wrong with me? |
They are white and don't want their dominance over American life to change.
These are the same people whose objections to the flow of brown people into the U.K. caused Brexit to happen.
They are the same people who believe that Donald Trump can "Make America Great Again."
Though Trump denies it, the word "again" of course is code for the good old days. You know, back when women couldn't vote, and everyone knew their station in life.
Losing their station of privilege is exactly what's causing Trump supporters' rage.
I don't believe there is anywhere near a majority of Americans who support going backwards, but choosing between the two presumed major-party candidates presents an ethical dilemma. Hillary Clinton has her own serious flaws.
I watched the Libertarian Town Hall on CNN the other night, and I did not see the Johnson/Weld ticket as an alternative that will inspire very many. In energy level, the Libertarians were on a par with Jeb Bush.
If the power of the minority's rage builds enough steam to carry Trump to the presidency, the America we know will be totally disrupted.
A Trump government would look far less like Lin Manuel Miranda's America and more like Andrew Jackson's.
Not only would the face of American government get whiter again, but we'd also change from a principled, policy-driven country, to a transactional one. If a deal benefits us financially, we'll take it.
International relations would be dashed--Trump claims he'd dismantle NATO and NAFTA and rewrite all other trade agreements.
Even venerable conservative columnist George Will says he's "left the Republican party," because of Trump.
Ironically, if all the rage does carry The Donald to the presidency, it could lead to more change than anyone can swallow.
We will then be asking, just as Britain is: What do we do now?
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