"Peaceful Transition of Power"

 "Peaceful Transition of Power"

It's now all the concern. If he loses, will Trump block the transition to the incoming President-elect? Why do we even hear that as a concern? For my money, those that don't like him — don't like being out of power because of him, to be more precise — will say it seems just about anything to make him out to be THE WORST ... EVER, and ALWAYS.

Well, DT's detractors have invested so much into making him out to be a proto-dictator they now speculate on how that fascist persona they've created might behave come an election loss, or a contested election. Typically, The Donald gave his inscrutable response when questioned about committing to a peaceful transition. "We'll see. It depends." 

So what do you suppose he might do? Surround the White House with tanks, artillery, and a battalion of crack Army MP's? Land mines? Look! C'mon, man! Even Joe Biden knows that there are statutory requirements for the transition. The military would be required to follow the law and its duty to the Constitution; they would escort the rotten SOB from the premises.

So, what is the concern? That he would sulk leaving office? Maybe his staff wouldn't lift a finger? Why would he do that? It would prove his critics right, that he is a no good nogooder. Trump has a brand to protect. C'mon, man!

Since we're asking our political leaders to assure us of future behavior, maybe to ask Uncle Joe if he will commit to stopping groping women and youngsters? Or, a certain female expecting to come to power if she will commit to not f--king her way into political agreements?

Sounds a lot like what we now know to be fake news. Speculate on a possible horrible outcome, then talk about it like it might happen. For what? To put shade on the opponent, of course.

After so much shade, for so long [24/7/12/365] even a thinking person would entertain that there must be some fire if there's that much smoke. The arguments pro and con are endless. I'll settle all that to everybody's satisfaction in another article. Stay tuned.

Let's be honest. Both sides are doing that sort of thing. Depending on who's gonna get to occupy the Oval, we've heard that it's gonna be the end of the world. For a centrist, the only conclusion can be that it's gonna go to sh--t either way. Translate ... don't vote. Or, don't bother to.

Then there's the business of a contested election based on allegations of fraud. The concern I've heard goes like this: The state legislatures appoint electors to the Electoral College. Typically each state goes with the popular vote. They don't have to statutorily, but that's what they've been doing for a very long time. Sounds right. Right? So what if the election is contested by the Republicans for fraud? Could happen, given all the fuss over mail-in ballots. Then the Republican led state legislatures could be pressured to choose Republican leaning electors. There is the thing about settling the election in a timely manner. Waiting for all the votes to be counted and validated ... that could drag on for too long for the country to endure.

If that would happen, we don't know for sure how much of a majority that would place in the Electoral College. It could go to the Republicans who hold legislatures in 29 states; Democrats 19 states, and 2 states split. 

If someone can figure out how many Electoral College delegates that means, please let me know. [Not enough people are reading my stuff anyway to make me want to spend a day of research.]

Never mind. I just did a quick tally. There may be some other ins and outs to this, but if each state's delegates voted on strictly party lines, looks like the Red states have it. States with Republican led legislatures have 292.5 electoral votes; Democratic, 235.5 votes in total. A majority of 270 is required to win the Presidential election. 

If there is an election contested by both sides, what's to stop state legislatures held by the Democrats from assigning Democratic leaning electors? Could be also. Remember how beloved Hillary has urged Joe not to concede? No matter what? And, what to make of the Republicans in state majority legislatures who will find it expedient in their self interest to throw Donald under the bus to save their own political skins and go Blue? 

Lots of questions, huh? Personally I think the worst that can happen if he loses, Trump will go out with a frown.

The really worst to happen is the little people taking to the streets and settling the election results with sticks and stones. Don't want to say it any more specifically. But, could happen. All the end of the world rhetoric being pumped at the hoi polloi. You and I may have cooler heads in all the mish mash; but, what about our neighbors? You have noticed the chaos in the streets already, yes?