Trump and Permanent Change

“The only constant in life is change.” Heraclitus.

Protect The Nation - beyond national borders, not within them.

President Donald Trump is in a position to effect permanent change in our lives. Whether any change will be permanent or not, only time will tell. Some commentators suggest that Trumps tariffs policy will be difficult to wind back.

Four examples of permanent political or countrywide changes; two positive and two negative outcomes:

Positive Permanent Changes

1. End of Apartheid in South Africa (1994)

• What changed: The dismantling of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination.

• Impact: Led to the first democratic elections where all citizens could vote, resulting in Nelson Mandela becoming president.

• Why it matters: It permanently reshaped South Africa’s political landscape, promoting reconciliation and inclusive governance.

2. Universal Suffrage in the United Kingdom (1928)

• What changed: Women gained equal voting rights with men.

• Impact: Empowered half the population to participate in democracy, influencing policy and representation.

• Why it matters: It marked a foundational shift toward gender equality in political participation.

3. Trump

• Attempt to end wars.

• Claimed to have ended five wars – actually NONE. A

• Credit is due for his efforts in the Russian invasion of Ukraine. War continues.

  
  

Negative Permanent Changes

1. The Rise of Authoritarianism in Post-Soviet States

• What changed: After the USSR's collapse, several newly independent countries adopted authoritarian regimes.

• Impact: Limited civil liberties, suppressed opposition, and entrenched power among elites.

• Why it matters: These systems have proven resistant to reform, creating long-term democratic deficits.

2. The U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizens United Decision (2010)

• What changed: Allowed unlimited corporate and union spending in elections.

• Impact: Permanently altered campaign finance, increasing the influence of money in politics.

• Why it matters: Critics argue it undermines democratic equality by amplifying wealthy voices over ordinary citizens.

3. Trump

• Tariffs: His policy to impose ridiculously high rates on friend and foe alike; Canada being the prime example, destroyed a commercial and friendship relationship built up over generations. Friends and foes did not pay the tariffs; US citizens pay them.

• Racism: Trumps support of the actions of white supremist nationalists in Charlotteville in 2017 sent a clear signal of his prejudice.

• Crooked Trump: A crook doing crooked things; example stacking the judicial system with judges who will support him. When they don’t, he just ignores the law and continues to do crooked things and misuse government agencies to do his bidding. Using the FBI and the army nefariously. Trump’s actions, often in a sneaky or underhanded way, speaks louder than words.

Donald Trump is a wicked, villainous, morally bankrupt President of the United States. Unfortunately, he is also a permanent change agent.

Zelensky and Trump