Why Americans should fear lame-duck Donald

Two hundred fifty years ago, our Founding Fathers signed a world-changing document that began “The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,…”

Later in the second paragraph, it read: “The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States.” That was the Founders’ first grievance. In part, the king was preventing colonial legislatures from passing laws for the public good. It topped a list of grievances that made up most of the Declaration.

Interestingly, the “King of Great Britain,” George III, is not named in the Declaration of Independence. But at the time, he was nicknamed “Mad King George” and later known as the “mad king who lost America.”

This year’s 250th anniversary is marked by revolutionary irony. One could argue that President Trump is channeling King George by committing similar “usurpations,” such as impounding money appropriated by Congress and refusing to sign two bipartisan pieces of legislation that serve the public good.

First, Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act is a key provision that leaders warn jeopardizes national security if not renewed. Second, Trump canceled plans to sign a housing affordability bill addressing the nationwide crisis.

After defeating the world’s greatest military, the Founders adopted the Constitution, which begins “We The People.” It established three equal branches of government with checks and guardrails to prevent future elected presidents from usurping power if they exhibit mad-king-like behavior.

One notable........

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