The American public only sometimes chooses wisely. After all, they elected Trump. Just giving people a choice is only sometimes the best thing to do.

In some ways, we have never left the 19th century. The wealthy and powerful are still in control of our government. No matter who we elect as president, they must still deal with Congress.

When assessing threats, we must focus on the most immediate one first. Trump is, at this time, the most immediate threat to our democracy. Most people don't understand threats in the distance - global warming, future pandemics, and the possible fall of Ukraine.

In one of Walter Lippman's books, he wrote about how the average person is focused on his immediate problems -earning a living, his children, etc. This leaves little time for assessing long-term threats or the consequences of political elections.

In one of your excellent posts, you said something to the effect that if the American public were intelligent, they would be in the streets demanding a parliamentary democracy. That form of government didn't stop the English from voting for Brexit. A decision that is even more stupid than our election of Trump. At least we had a chance to rid of him in four years, which we did, but England will be living with Brexit for many more years to come.