Eight years ago, on this day in this space, I published the following. Reencountering it recently, my heart ached. How long, o Lord, how long!

                  Two years ago (only!) I sputtered:

the Donald ostentatiously invites the Russians to hack Hillary’s email – have at it, Vlad, intervene in our political processes, see if we care! At Trump’s innovations and improvisations my jaw has dropped more often than a nutcracker’s. His outrages to decency, common sense, and our delicate democracy defy belief. He’s kidding, right? Or he’s lunatic? Neither a reassuring credential for our political and spiritual chieftain.

     And then to observe otherwise sensible adults writhing like Laocoön to justify their support of this obviously unfit specimen! Shame on you, Paul Ryan and the rest of those pro-Trump Republican so-called leaders – to risk losing America to save your offices! Unless I’m missing something, there is no defensible reason to vote for Trump. Hatred of Hillary? Does anyone not a moron or maniac think Hillary poses a greater danger to our Republic than Trump?

     “No one ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public,” chortled Mencken. Oh, how the old curmudgeon exaggerated, thought I! Now, I fear, not. My optimism about the common sense and goodness of my fellow Americans has been shredded. Any vote for Trump is stupid – and the stupid deserve their fate.

                  These long two years have taught me more, none heartening. I’d read about nations going mad, letting down their guard, inviting in infections that would destroy them. I knew about crazy emperors and dictators and kings. Democracy would protect us against such gruesome outcomes – that was its genius. An informed electorate, sooner or later, would enforce a sensible direction. Lincoln promised us “a government of the people, by the people, and for the people shall not perish from the Earth” – and Lincoln was the savviest soul ever.

                  He was wrong. We the people are as capable as any other of suicide. Let’s hope we talk ourselves off the ledge this time but if we save ourselves and remove our President to the padded cell he deserves, it will only be because of the breathtaking blatancy of his stupidity. God help us if Trump were as clever as Putin!

                  Two questions must engage us if and when the smoke clears and we begin rebuilding: 1) How could we have let this happen? And 2) How might we prevent its recurrence?

                  It took no acuity to foresee this catastrophe. If Trump had come courting your daughter, you’d have seen through him soon enough. But we care about our daughters – and for them. America most Americans take for granted. America just is – eternal, impervious, on autopilot. Politicians are worms but so what? I’ll never forget being assured by my Poughquag neighbor – not otherwise a dope – it “didn’t matter” whom we elected President.” I gaped, speechless. If leadership doesn’t matter, what does? Bad people produce bad outcomes, yes? Did anyone doubt on November 8, 2016 what a loathsome no-good Trump was? We shrugged, what the hell, we didn’t like Hillary, let’s elect him anyway. What’s the worst that can happen?

                  How might we repair America? With any luck, Trump will finally have frightened us to attention. If so, maybe he’s a blessing (heavily) disguised. Self-government is a serious business, which we must take seriously or endure the consequences.

                  Specifically, what?

                  I’d start with the obvious:

·      Insist on truth

·      Insist on evidence

·      Insist on civility

·      Punish liars, thugs, and traitors

·      Encourage fellow citizens to vote

·      Reduce elected officials’ dependence on fat-cats

·      Embrace our allies

·      Encourage democracy

·      Beware dictatorships

·      Take care of each other

·      Educate ourselves

·      Govern in the interest of all

·      Try to do right

Are we the people capable of decency and common sense? We’ll see.