Bill Dalton: The reckoning

EDITOR'S NOTE: The views and opinions expressed are those of the writer and not of Ottawa News Network.

By now, you’re probably hoping you will never see another political ad in your life. And you probably can’t wait for this election to finally be over.

Be careful what you wish for. Because if you thought things were bad, you ain’t seen nothing yet.

Until now, the delusional Donald J. Trump at least held out hope that Republicans could fool the American people one more time and eke out a majority in the House and possibly even the Senate.

But then many people woke up and realized that they could barely afford to fill up their gas tanks, heat their homes, buy groceries or pay for health insurance, while Trump’s family and friends were enriching themselves for the last two years.

Then there’s the pre-election shenanigans you probably haven’t heard about, such as delaying the annual IRS report examining the economic impacts of Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill.”

The IRS report was supposed to be released in July. Then it got delayed until September. And now...the IRS just released it late Thursday, right before Election Day. How convenient.

Critics had suspected the delay was because the bill might have actually increased taxes for average Americans, according to an earlier analysis by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, while providing tax breaks for the rich and corporations.

But shocker — the IRS reports the bill actually saved working-class families tons of money. Of course, releasing its report just days before the election doesn't provide anyone enough time to check if their numbers are right.

Now, if the latest polls are right, it’s payback time for voters — the reckoning for Trump, his family and friends.

Unfortunately, as you well know, Trump is a sore loser. And if you thought he was bad before the election, just wait until you see him after he has nothing to lose, except perhaps his freedom.

That’s why I’m keeping my gas tank filled up, a huge supply of canned goods in the cellar and plenty of ammunition stockpiled because … well, it’s almost deer hunting season in Michigan and beef is so expensive.

No, I’m not worried Trump would do something stupid, such as declare a national emergency or martial law, or declare the election null and void, or seize ballot boxes or urge Republicans to refuse to seat the newly elected Democrats to Congress.

No, I know he’s going to do something dangerous for our democracy. Why am I so certain? Because that’s all he’s been doing for the last two years. Why would he change now when his gold-plated world is falling apart?

The question is, what will we do if he tries to thwart the will of the people? Will our courts stand up to him? If they do, will Trump respect the checks and balances our Constitution requires of all branches of government?

I don't know what will happen.

But I fear the next three months are going to be non-stop chaos and confusion at a time the United States is planning to escalate the war with Iran, energy is costly, and Trump is cozying up to Russia, almost as if Putin's got something on him or members of his family.

If any of this doesn’t make you a little nervous, remember the United States and the world have never seen a president like Donald J. Trump. And that’s not a good thing.

There’s a reckoning coming, but the only question is: for who?

For Trump? For the United States? Or for you and me?

— Bill Dalton is a former reporter and editor for The Kansas City Star and worked for several Michigan newspapers. He spends summers on the family farm near Fennville. His novel “The Bank Game” is available from Amazon along with “Dalton’s Bend."

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