With midterms now over, is America back?

Bangkok Post · Gwynne Dyer · 2026-11-05 18:00 UTC

If the question is: "Is America Back?", then the answer must be: "No". At least not in ways that are meaningful to non-Americans, who make up 96% of the world's population.

If the question is: "Is America Back?", then the answer must be: "No". At least not in ways that are meaningful to non-Americans, who make up 96% of the world's population.

For Americans, it's a bit more nuanced. Nothing at all will change until Jan 3, 2027, when all the new and old members of Congress are sworn in. What will happen after that remains to be seen, but it won't include much legislation because Donald Trump is promising to use his right of veto to thwart any measures he dislikes.

So for all the hyperbole about "electoral earthquakes", this is not the dawn of a new and better era in the United States. If the Democrats can stay cool and forensic in their approach they might lay the foundations for another electoral victory and a real reckoning in 2028, but it is not within reach now.

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