Strong: Constitution or cheap gas?

“A massive fraud of this type and magnitude allows for the termination of all rules, regulations, and articles, even those found in the Constitution.”

— Former President Donald Trump, Truth Social, Dec. 3, 2022.

The presidential nominating conventions are over. The 2024 campaign season is heading into the final stretch. With the election just two months away, many people are paying closer attention to the issues involved.

The economy is clearly a major issue. This is a real concern, but it’s not new. We’ve been through these circumstances before.

I remember the energy crisis of 1973. Gas was rationed and often not available at all. Gas prices tripled within a few months. Gas station attendants were repeatedly threatened by customers who believed they were hoarding gas. I know because my husband was one of those threatened. It was truly frightening.

Inflation also was rampant in the 1970s. Mortgage rates were up to 18.45 percent. We bought a house in early 1973 and assumed the mortgage at 6.25 percent; we felt very fortunate. A few months later, house prices jumped over 50 percent. Housing was out of reach for many.

Grocery prices were exorbitant. Most stores had a large “generic brand” section, with cheap generic black and white labeled canned and packaged foods. Generic products often weren’t very good, but they were all many of us could afford.

This all began under Republican President Richard Nixon, who had no workable solutions. Republican President Gerald Ford tried to fight inflation with little buttons that said “Whip Inflation Now.” They didn’t work. Everyone was scared.

This is ancient history to anyone under 50, but it all happened. No one wants a repeat of that, because it was terrifying, but we survived. What we won’t survive is a takeover of our government by those who want to destroy democracy and install an authoritarian government.

In previous columns, I’ve discussed former President Trump’s lack of empathy and his affinity for dictators. I’ve related the dangers of the Supreme Court decision giving him almost total immunity from criminal prosecution, no matter what he does.

With that in mind, it’s vital that we understand Trump’s attitude toward our country's foundational beliefs. We were founded on the principal that no one is a king. No one is above the law.

So, what has Trump said about this? As the opening quote shows, he has no problem calling for the termination of the Constitution. But was this a one-time aberration?

In March 2018, Trump told some followers that he wished he could disregard the 22nd Amendment, which mandates a limit of two presidential terms. He praised Chinese President Xi Jinping. “He’s now president for life. President for life… I think it’s great. Maybe we’ll have to give that a shot someday.”

The state of Colorado filed a lawsuit against Trump regarding the 14th Amendment. As part of Trump’s defense, his lawyers argued that Trump had never taken an oath to support the U.S. Constitution. Their filing said, “The Presidential oath … requires the President to swear to ‘preserve, protect and defend’ the Constitution — not to ‘support’ the Constitution.” Trump agreed with them. (The Independent, Oct.12, 2023)

These are just a few examples among many. Clearly Trump’s attitude toward following the Constitution is very loose. His own interests will always come first.

Retired Federal Judge J. Michael Luttig, a staunch conservative, testified to the Jan. 6 congressional committee that “Donald Trump and his allies and supporters are a clear and present danger to American democracy.”

On Aug. 19, Luttig endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president. He explained that despite policy differences with Harris, those were minor compared to the stakes in this election. “I am indifferent in this election as to her policy views on any issues other than America’s democracy, the Constitution, and the rule of law, as I believe all Americans should be.” (Daily Kos, Aug. 19)

No one wants to return to the runaway inflation and gas prices of the 1970s, but we survived. If we surrender our constitutional rights in exchange for the promise of a better economy, we might not survive this time.

So which is more important? Promises of temporary economic relief or preserving our democracy? If we succumb to an authoritarian government that strips away our rights and freedoms, the price of gas will be the least of our worries.

Upholding our constitution or getting cheaper gas. When you vote, think about which choice will truly preserve our way of life.

Jeanette Strong, whose column appears every other week, is a Nevada Press Foundation award-winning columnist. She may be reached at news@lahontanvalleynews.com.