Caffeinated Politics

While reading the newspapers today, I thought about a book I had read decades ago by Arthur Schlesinger. I read it in my 20s while in Door County, a decade after it was published. The Imperial Presidency was written following the twin debacles of Vietnam and Watergate, with an emphasis on what should be the proper distribution of power in a democratic republic. I have not thought about that book for a long time, but within minutes, I ordered a copy from Amazon as the news of the day underscored the message from Schlesinger is demanding to be heard again.

I am sure my readers will recall when the political world briefly lost its mind over President Obama wearing a tan suit. It might seem like an odd recollection to have at this point in time. But think how the nation’s threshold for outrage was so low that a wardrobe choice could dominate the news cycle. Place that into the context of what is happening today.

Today, the international community is reacting with alarm to Donald Trump’s demand that Greenland be turned over to the United States, a proposal that has rattled allies and adversaries alike. Financial markets are trembling under the weight of political unpredictability. Even within the president’s own party, there is talk of impeachment. Meanwhile, social media has become a stage for impulsive declarations and erratic commentary, amplifying the sense that the country is drifting into uncharted waters. The contrast between the uproar over a tan suit and the current atmosphere of volatility is almost too stark to process. What once passed for headlines now seems like a quaint joke on The Late Show. The present moment feels defined by danger, uncertainty, and a kind of national vertigo. People are asking what comes next, and more importantly, what can be done.

The first step forward is all-important. But it will not happen overnight. It is one that I have been kvetching about since, well, reading Schlesinger’s book decades ago. The foundation of our national stability is to have a well‑informed public. Without doubt, it is the strongest stabilizing force in a democracy. I admit to harping on civic literacy. When talking to class groups who visited the Wisconsin State Capitol, I urged them to gain an understanding of how institutions function, what their limits are, and how power is checked. The stuff of Schlesinger’s book. With such roots, the current mess would never have occurred because voters would have been informed and careful when casting a ballot in 2024. And with civic literacy, in times of chaos, citizens would know how to navigate turmoil without succumbing to misinformation or despair.

At the same time, our institutions themselves must be reinforced. Congress and the courts are severely underperforming, given the dangers presented by this White House. When the Republican majority in the legislative branch weakened and would not stand up to Trump, it demonstrated how easily the political equilibrium could be disrupted. When the Supreme Court proved it was vulnerable to partisanship, it became clear why the clarity of non-partisan rulings is a national necessity.

Leadership also matters. And I mean everyone and each party. We simply must be cultivating a culture of responsibility across the political spectrum, where those in positions of authority understand that their words and actions reverberate far beyond the moment they are uttered. (The text message this weekend from Trump to the Prime Minister of Norway left me stunned.) The culture that Trump has fostered and continually uses of bombastic outrage, which thrives on spectacle and constant crisis, must also be confronted. Not only by the press in more direct ways, but by his party, which has for too long failed to stand up to his autocratic actions.

Long‑term thinking is another essential ingredient. But I am very aware that it is not a strong suit of the national government. Short‑term reactions produce short‑term solutions, but the challenges facing the country, from global alliances to our democratic health, require a strategic vision that extends beyond the next headline. The next cheap sound bite. (I used to frame those sound bites when working for a decade in a representative’s office. I understand the cycle of frustration that I am writing about.)

The United States has weathered storms before, but the speed and intensity of today’s situation feel uniquely destabilizing. Still, uncertainty does not have to lead to paralysis. A path forward exists—one grounded in informed citizenship, resilient institutions, responsible leadership, healthier discourse, and a long‑term strategy. Moments of chaos often reveal what society values most. They also reveal what must be rebuilt or reinforced. If the tan suit era taught us anything, it is that we once mistook trivialities for actual ‘news’. Today, the stakes are undeniably higher, but higher stakes can also inspire higher purpose.

Let’s get cracking, my fellow Americans.