Aside from turnout and historical perspective, the 2020 election was not particularly unique. The U.S. has held national elections during previous pandemics, world wars, economic collapses, unrest, and a civil war. Cabinet members are not dueling on the Heights of Weehawken nor are members of Congress beating each other with canes. To my knowledge, Mr. Trump did not refer to Mr. Biden as a moral leper nor did Mr. Biden call the president’s mother a prostitute.
Our batting average is still high.
Nonetheless, we should feel inspired to reflect on trends in national politics and federal government and ask the healthy, important questions about the future. There is an unsustainable tension among the branches and hierarchies of government. The enumerated powers of the federal government have shifted away from the Founding Fathers’ intent and have divested the legislature, emboldened the executive, and unduly burdened the judiciary.
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