On this blog, I discuss important national issues, often focusing on fiscal and economic matters.  Lately, I have been talking about the fundamental strengths of our country, especially our military and economic strength, our political freedom, and our huge underlying prosperity. This includes pointing out the basic weaknesses of our main autocratic adversaries.

I have also recently been discussing Trump’s questionable personal behavior: his sleaziness, vindictiveness, narcissism, and avarice, for example.  But, in spite of his many personal faults, his policies matter the most, and this is primarily how he should be judged.

Today I discuss the question,  raised by the New York Times and others, as to whether Trump’s questionable behavior is weakening our democracy.  My answer is no!  The essence of democracy is free and fair elections.  As long as our elections are fundamentally free and fair, as they are beyond doubt, bad policies and elected officials can be changed by the people, and it is through elections that political changes are usually made.

But let’s look at some examples (see here for more details).  Consider:

• Bypassing the legislature. A president has to occasionally take controversial unilateral action.  Trump is often overturned by the courts when he exceeds his authority.
• Defying the courts. Trump may dislike court decisions and try to work around them by appeal or otherwise.  But he does, most of the time, adhere to court decisions unless or until they are overturned.
• Creating a cult of personality. Trump is highly narcissistic, and can be obnoxious in this respect.  However, lots of politicians toot their own horn in one way or another, even if not as incessantly as Trump.
• Using power for personal profit. This is undeniably true and is objectionable. However, it is his policies which are most important to the political and economic welfare of our country, not Trump’s increase in personal wealth while president.
• Other examples (see above and here).

Conclusion.  Our democracy is very strong and is not being eroded by President Trump.  He has many personal failings, but it is his policies which are of primary importance to our country.  Some are good, and some are poor, but this is just democracy in action.

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