The Trump administration appears to be a chaotic mess of failed initiatives, resignations, investigations, and laughably unqualified stooges. In reality, Trump may have done more to achieve the long-term objectives of the modern Republican party than any other president. In 1980 Ronald Reagan declared, “Government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem.’’ The Trump administration’s breathtaking and appalling incompetence, corruption, and cruelty has proved this in nine months. Dismantling the government, or perhaps at least damaging it severely, has been the goal of the GOP at least since 1980, and now the Republicans have their champion.

For those of us who still believe that our government belongs to us, and that it has a positive and constructive role to play in our shared future, we have two serious challenges to overcome.

First, we must convince our fellow Americans that, even though the last nine months show government to be an erratic, divisive, and dangerous force in our lives, good government can actually make things better for the environment, health care, transportation infrastructure, and other important issues.

Second, we must articulate a positive progressive agenda that brings Americans together to achieve these goals.

Tim Kirk

Needham