There may be some optimists in American politics who still think the Constitutional democracy that was crafted by our founding fathers when they ratified the Constitition and created what is now the United States of America in 1789 is either functioning, or is salvageable. I'd like to be that optimistic, and while I do believe that American democracy may be salvageable after Trump, I think it is going to take a long time to repair the damage.

It's not all Trump's doing. The dismantling of the Constitution and the steps leading to this current flurry of activity in threatening what remains have been happening for quite some time, undermined by a whole series of events that have been set in motion, most of which have happened since the end of the Vietnam War in 1973, or which had already begun but started gaining traction around that time.

There's no doubt that Trump's approach to the Presidency is an existential threat to constitutional democracy. In his insanity, this ego driven, mentally deranged man acts as if there is no accountability for his actions and that the Presidency is a power for him to use to benefit himself. And so far, he's been right, since none of the safeguards and balance of power has worked to stop him, not because it can't, but because those who have the power to carry it out won't do it. He's insulated himself by appointing sycophants to his cabinet who are ignorant of the Constitution, incompetent at their job so they don't know how to do it, and loyal to him, and just enough corrupt judges to the court bench to get cases in their hands so nothing happens.

But ignorance of the Constitution, and a lack of interest in the politics that are part of the operation of any government is an American trait. There is an apathy among the population of this country that shows up in large numbers of people who don't bother to register and vote. And there's another segment that does show up in order to cast a vote in support of someone else's agenda, rather than do their own thinking. Being patriotic means more than wearing red, white and blue clothes on the Fourth of July, or wearing an American flag lapel pin. It requires taking the time to understand how government works in order to preserve democracy by participating in it as an educated voter, not an ignorant dumb ass.

Our best hope right now is that Trump will self destruct, by impaling himself on support for bills like the one they passed today. Are Americans who don't like this bill and will be hurt by it still stupid enough to vote for the GOP to stay in power? That will be the true test of whether or not we still have a chance at preserving and protecting our democracy.