I Will Not Assist Effort To Sabotage Election

Today an attorney colleague of mine out in California asked me how I felt about Trump's election. My response was mild but honest:

Good to hear from you again. I’ve never been much of a Trump fan, but at the same time I’m even less of a fan of the status quo. If I had my druthers a person of principle would be assuming office, but given the choices we had, I preferred Trump to Hillary because at least with Trump there is a chance of redressing existential dangers (e.g., open borders, needless belligerence toward Russia, a bubble economy addicted to low interest rates, etc.). The fact that the establishment so virulently opposed Trump actually made me think a little better of him, to tell you the truth. 

I’m sure we have different views on these matters, but I’ve never let political differences interfere with my friendships. Happy Holidays! 

In a second email she thanked me for my candor, but proceeded to ask if I would help a brewing legal challenge to prevent the electors from installing Trump as president, given the belief of many people that he is "unfit" for office. My immediate thought was "hell no," but as a professional and civil person, here is what I wrote back:

I’m afraid I don’t agree with you on this one.

People went to the polls on the expectation and understanding that the system works in a given manner, i.e., that the electors will act as instructed by the people of their respective states. To argue that the system will no longer work in this manner because those who are frustrated with the outcome have labeled the winner as “unfit” will do nothing to preserve the legitimacy of government, which is already under considerable strain. Indeed, such an effort will convince large numbers of people who voted for Trump that they were right; that the system is rigged against them; and most ominous of all, that no relief can be found at the ballot box. If the safety valve of elections is closed off, the growing steam of discontent will seek another outlet, and it might be explosive.

As I said before, though, I hold no ill will toward you for your differing viewpoint. Good luck on whatever argument you honestly believe in and want to pursue. 

I post this to serve notice to everyone out there that this isn't necessarily over yet. As I posted once before, there's many a slip 'twixt a cup and the lip, and the establishment hasn't even begun to fight.