Scott Gurvey's Public Offerings

The expression “deer caught in the headlights” comes from the behavior of deer when they’re suddenly illuminated by a vehicle’s headlights at night. In such situations, deer often freeze in place, unable to move or make a decision, likely out of fear or confusion. Metaphorically, the phrase is used to describe someone who is paralyzed by surprise, fear, or panic, especially when they’re put on the spot or faced with an unexpected challenge. It is that moment of being visibly overwhelmed and unsure of how to respond. Much of the nation is caught in the headlights today.

Let’s start with the Republicans in Congress. The party of Lincoln has thrown in the towel. There are no Barry Goldwaters, Gerald Fords, or Nelson Rockefellers, Republicans who stood up to Richard Nixon. There are not even any Liz Chaneys or Adam Kinzingers, Republicans who stood up to Donald Trump after the January 6 insurrection. Today Republicans in Congress have abandoned their traditional legislative role, rubber-stamping actions taken by Donald Trump. This shift marks a significant departure from the principles of checks and balances that are foundational to the U.S. political system. The GOP is now the Trump-MAGA Party.

Trump’s shock and awe campaign against American democracy, the rule of law, civil society, the Constitution, and the norms and institutions that have been established over nearly 250 years has been extremely successful. His mastery of showmanship and mass media, in combination with the dark magic of politics and power, overwhelm anyone who would question his actions.

Democrats are also blinded by the headlights of the Trump juggernaut. They have been mostly ineffective, to the degree they have even been active and present. Since Trump has returned to power, the Democrats have decided that waiting for Trump and his MAGA Republicans to overextend themselves and for the American people to realize that they are victims of the con is a viable strategy. Trump is continues his shock and awe campaign while the Democrats trade space for time.

Republican lawmakers in the House passed a Trump supported funding bill that kicked the can down the road for six months to avoid a government shutdown. The so-called continuing resolution was necessary because Republicans couldn’t agree on a funding bill. That is their most important job. Only one House Democrat voted in favor and they left town believing the CR would never pass in the Senate, where 60 votes were needed. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer promised that Democrats in the Senate would block the GOP bill.

Then, to the shock and awe of his own party, Schumer did a complete 180 twenty-four hours later. Chicken Schumer claimed Democrats would get the blame for a government shutdown and a work stoppage would enable the Trump cult made up of Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency to do even more damage then they had already done with the government open for business. I disagree. So do a large number of Democrats in Congress. There is an insurrection afoot, and many think the next order of business for the Democrats should be to pick new leaders who will fight rather than capitulate. Schumer’s days in power may be over.

I must admit there is one more party who has been caught in the headlights since the Trump inauguration. Me. I haven’t written a word since that fateful day. I have been fed up, exhausted, and unsure about the value of beginning another crusade. I spent what seems to have been more than a decade writing about how terrible Donnie was and would be again. His was not the big victory “mandate” Trump claims, but he did win the 2024 election. A plurality of the American people clearly paid no attention to me and voted to put the guy in office for another four years.

Now that those voters have seen what their decision has wrought in just the first two months, some are having buyer’s remorse. I don’t have sympathy. I think the election has put this nation in dire straits. Part of me wants to say, “I told You So” and to retire from the fight. It is not my responsibility to save the nation. On the other hand, my voice is not alone, and it is difficult to keep from saying something.

So here we go again. After a decade unable to get Trump out of my head, it is time to write again. The United States is at a crossroads. Let the battle for the nation begin.

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