The end goal of Trumpism is Putin’s Russia. Insular, inward-looking, and apart from the global community. Economy in the hands of a small political in-crowd. Intellectuals, dissenters, and the press harassed or worse. A population that’s homogeneous, aging, angry, and paranoid. Even if courts or future elections overturn specific policies, the perception that America is unwelcoming and unfriendly will last for a generation or more.
I’m probably 10 to 15 years from retirement. I can ride it out and then check out. But we have elementary school-aged kids. A life in Putin’s Russia is not what I want for them and we’re now facing the same tough decision that a lot of Asians, Latin Americans, and Africans did in the 20th century: would my kids have a better life outside of the place that I call home? We also, fortunately, have some means to do something about it (not Surly 1%).
Would like to hear serious thoughts on how best to prepare them. Foreign language lessons? Somehow start building a case for residency/citizenship elsewhere now? I think a few of you have sent kids overseas for college - is the idea/possibility that they will stay? I’m honestly not trying to be alarmist, just proactive. If my take on the world turns out to be dead wrong, then great. But I’m also not the kind of person that wants to leave any stone unturned.