What next?

President Donald Trump is almost gone and the Congress is in Democratic hands. Now the Grand Old Party must assess what happened and answer the questions: “How did we get here, and where do you go from here?”

A quick look at history can be instructive.

In 1964, the Great Society instituted the welfare state which has been a tragic refuge for millions with over 80 programs serving as a permanent safety net. Republicans objected to several of the initiatives as “budget busting” but quickly imploded to an absent minority.

In the 1990s, Republican principles were further eroded when Republican leaders refused to reign in the welfare state with a balanced budget and other tools. As a result, the baby bird syndrome of “Feed Me, Feed Me” spread like a California wildfire. Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama then fanned the flames with an endless stream of executive orders.

In 2016, American politics fundamentally changed. The Democrats could not believe Trump won. As a result, they created a very well-funded and managed coalition of forces to skirt the temporary detour on their road to a Socialist country.

In 2020, President Trump couldn’t overcome the Chinese virus, media and high tech influence and the new demographics of urban America to Make America Great Again. In this regard, kudos must go out to Stacey Abrams for her leadership to garner over one-half million new voters in Georgia. The Blue Wave cemented the majority in the Senate.

So, with the Democrats now firmly in control, America may again witness the Republicans abandon their role in countering a Socialist agenda.

The world still watches America’s experiment in democracy with keen interest and asks a fundamental question: “Where is the Republican leadership necessary to defend the Constitution and stem the implosion of their principles?”

They better find a new cadre of sane, compassionate and inspirational leaders soon! After all, a one-party country is not a democracy.

JASON O’NEIL

Annapolis