Monroe Dispatch - No Struggle, No Progress

President Donald Trump is milking the last remaining days of his presidency for all that they are worth by doing his best to remain relevant in the minds of his supporters. With practically all of his lawsuits aimed at overturning the results of state’s election where he lost, dismissed or tossed out, the president is past gasping for straws. He is going down for the third time and the only life preserver left to hold on to is in the Supreme Court and the Electors who will cast their vote for the presidency. In presidential elections past, this is usually a foregone conclusion because the losing candidate would have made a concession speech long ago and would be cooperating with the winner’s transition team for a smooth and orderly transition of power. That was during elections past, but 2020 is a little bit different. Ok, that’s an understatement. Yes, politics makes enemies out of some people for varying reasons, but even enemies can stop fighting for just a moment and do something for the greater good. That seems to have been lost on outgoing president Donald Trump. The president still has not acknowledged that Biden won the presidential race and very few Republicans have done so either. It has always been the outgoing president’s role to continue to “set the tone” for the traditional change of power for the incoming president. It should have nothing to do with winning or losing because the voters have decided who they want to lead the nation. Somehow, that is alien to President Trump. One can only hope that he has not forgotten the graciousness shown to him by former president Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle, as they welcomed the Trump family into the White House. If there was anyone who could have displayed any disdain for someone who would sit behind the desk where he once sat, it would be Barack Obama. Mr. Obama showed class, grace and dignity by standing with the Trumps at the White House and when it was time for them to leave after Trump’s swearing in, they left. Mr. Obama kept the tradition going and intact. Now, it is President Trump’s turn to exhibit the same courtesy to president-elect Joe Biden and his family. As of this article, President Trump refuses to say if he will welcome the Bidens or even attend Biden’s inauguration. For the sake of the integrity of the office, Biden would prefer for Trump to show up, but said that it’s “his preference” to show up. Biden is concerned about how the nation will be portrayed before the world if the outgoing president is not present at the incoming president’s inaugural. It is not the image that Americans like to boast about every four years. But there is nothing that Biden or the other 300 million Americans can do about it, except one man. The president should accept the fact in his heart that he will not be in the White House on the afternoon of January 20, 2021. Let’s not fool ourselves, the president knows that his days are numbered. He knows that if he does not leave voluntarily, he will be escorted out of the White House. Once Joe Biden says “So help me God”, and the Chief Justice says “Congratulations Mr. President” to Biden, it is truly over for Mr. Trump. Knowing and accepting may be two different things, but the conclusion can lead to the same thing. No one has to tell the president. He knows. So, the question that seems to be on many people’s minds, is whether President Trump will leave, is academic. He has no choice. All of the rallies that meant something will be gone. His words will only resonate to his supporters, though empty they may be. The thing(television) that made him, will pivot to what President Biden will say and do, as it already is doing. Mr. Trump will more than likely be relegated to his properties playing golf with the rich, not being in the company of those who put him in office. One would think that the president would “show some appreciation” to the little people who continue to send in their dollars to someone who should not need their money. The campaign days are over, no more rides on Air Force One. We are seeing in the last days of his presidency, that the only thing left for the president is a miracle that is not going to happen. The ruler and master of fate(future), has spoken, but the president is not listening. As we sometimes have said to someone, “I can show you better than I can tell you” rings true for the president. Remember, the world is watching. So is God.