In the meantime

I’ve been watching the seemingly incessant reporting of everything president-elect Trump has been doing (or not doing) since election day. The folks at MSNBC can’t let 5 minutes pass without criticism camouflaged as news, and the print media majors in minutiae on every aspect of Trump world. These very people constantly told us what a flawed person Donald was and how terrible his presidency would be for the country. OK, I was among those who strongly opposed him.

But lately I’ve become more and more detached from all this frenzied noise. The election is over. Trump won. I’m weary of Trump 24/7 and of hashing and rehashing every breath he takes, every move he makes. He’s not going away, but there are other stories that deserve airing.

Part of the reason for my new “fresh eyes” began after viewing an Advent study in my church led by Will Willimon, longtime dean of the Duke Chapel, Methodist pastor and Bishop. Willimon described the ancient Israelites, who were tired of being subjected to the punishing treatment of the Romans. They were weary and eager for the prophesied coming of the Messiah.

In the Christian faith, Advent is a season of waiting, of patience and hoping. It’s not too far-fetched to see some comparisons between where we are today and where the Israelites were 2000 years ago. Our recent election demonstrated that large numbers of people feel oppressed, depressed and are eager for someone to inspire and lead them and give them hope.

Hear this clearly: I do not for one instant believe Donald Trump is that Messiah they (and we) are waiting for; neither is the legislature we just elected in our state. Both serve only their own personal and partisan interests. Trump is going to create mayhem within the federal government. Every life will likely be impacted. Thankfully for us, at least our legislature will no longer be able to completely continue their power-hungry agenda, having lost their veto-proof majority.

But we are in for a time unhappiness, disruptions and major changes. Who among us would not acknowledge that our government, especially on the federal level, could use some shaking up, restructuring and improving? It has become too big and inefficient. It could stand improvement, but not destruction!

Those who wanted change might not be prepared for the degree of distress, disruption and uncertainty that I believe lies ahead.

So here is the relevant question: What are we to do in the meantime? Willimon suggests that Advent should be a time of active waiting. What does that mean?

It begins by understanding that sitting around just whining, fault-finding and finger pointing won’t help. Like the Shingles ad, Trump doesn’t care. Dare I suggest that we take a media time-out and stop binge watching cable outlets and hanging out on social media sites. They won’t do anything but work us into a lather over things we cannot change.

That’s not to say that we become ostriches, hiding from all that goes on around us. Just be discriminating of Trump noise and real news.

In the meantime, at least for the next two years, we need to organize and prepare. In 2026 we will have mid-term elections. Maybe we can elect a Congress (or legislature) that has some backbone to stand up to autocratic government. I’ve been mistaken before but I believe that in four years, if things play out at all close to what is being imagined, Trump will have alienated such a large number of people that neither he nor Maga could get elected again? Am I just dreaming?

In this meantime period understand there is strength in numbers. Let’s form community groups with people of all ages, races, political philosophies and beliefs. Two overarching principles should be that this group will not just sit around and whine but consider taking actions how to make a positive difference. It must also understand that not everyone will agree on every item, but they can find agreement on larger purposes and ideals.

I’ve written before about two such groups already formed and maturing: The Pamlico Partners for Democracy and the Transylvania Partners for Democracy. Both are apolitical and are seeking ways to promote the continuation of the principles that made this nation great. We look forward to hearing more from them and encourage you in other counties to form your own groups.

One of their major purposes is to identify and help nurture people of like mind who are willing to run for political office. The NC Institute for Political Leadership is a great organization that helps train and prepare folks in how to get elected. And once elected, they need supporting.

 So what’s it going to be? We can be despondent or optimistic. Our future is dependent on what we do in the meantime.

Tom Campbell is a Hall of Fame North Carolina broadcaster and columnist who has covered North Carolina public policy issues since 1965.  Contact him at tomcamp@carolinabroadcasting.com