"Democracy" in Transition

A small mob of lobbyists is now embedded with the transition team, presumably putting forward names of people who they believe would help their clients. These transactional Trumpists may reassure themselves that they are there only to get a particular rule overturned or to secure a seat on a commission. Most of them likely do not consider themselves bigots or misogynists or cons; they just want favors from a man who is all those things, and in return they are willing to support him and his policies.

[...]

[A] question to ask, for anyone working for a fearmonger and a liar, would be whether you are willing to speak out about abuses even when they are documented only in files marked “Classified.” Indeed, the Obama Administration may have cause to regret the precedent it has set in its relentless pursuit of whistle-blowers and leakers. Such people may provide a lifeline for our democracy over the next four years.

  New Yorker

That presumes the Obama administration wanted to protect our democracy, and it seems quite obvious protection of government secrets that might include undemocratic activity was the real goal.

Perhaps nowhere is the question of duty to the country and to the Commander-in-Chief more crucial than in the military. [...] During the campaign, when Trump openly advocated torture, Michael Hayden, a former Air Force general who also served as director of the C.I.A., said that officers would disobey illegal orders.

Really? They didn't disobey Bush's orders to torture.

In the case of Trump, the dangers go further, to the prospect of reckless military strikes.

Really?? We haven't been doing that for over a decade?

There are avenues of dissent that respect the principle of civilian control of the military. For officers, that might entail a willingness to, as the saying goes, lay one’s stars on the table—to resign, and publicly say why.

And a few honorable military men did just that during the Bush reign. It allowed them to live with themselves - the most important thing - but it didn't change anything in the global sphere

Ambitious and talented people tell themselves all sorts of stories along the way.

This very Amy Davidson New Yorker article proves that.

.....but hey, do what you want...you will anyway.