2020 and the Future of America

Why the upcoming presidential election is the most important in our lifetime

Most presidential elections are about the country picking one lane or the other. But regardless of whether the right or the left wins the country generally remains on the same road. Occasionally an election is a true fork in the road offering America a choice between completely different paths forward. Washington’s victory in his first election established the model for the Office of the President avoiding an American-style monarchy. And if Lincoln had lost his second election it’s entirely probable that the Confederacy would have become its own nation complete with the institution of slavery. And we now must consider 2020 to be another one of those moments, one of the most important elections in the history of America. The most critical elections of the past have been a test of our character and the promises we made to ourselves in the Constitution. This election very simply is about defining that character for generations to come.

With a few exceptions like the Supreme Court, most of Trump’s greatest achievements (if you’re a supporter) or damage (if you’re a detractor) are not set in stone. Much of his impact on America’s government, political culture, and economy has been disruptive in nature, often followed by ad hoc or temporary attempts to establish new policies and norms. Whether…