Cats and dogs (and Republicans and Democrats) (originally written Jan. 30, 2017)

The animal world teaches us much about ourselves, but what it teaches is not always welcomed. Take cats and dogs, for instance. You have 'cat people' who simply adore their fuzzy creatures and fawn over and kowtow to them as if they were tiny emperors. Their every deviation from normal behavior is forgiven (like destroying the furniture and marking their territory on your drapes). It's forgiven because they are "just being independent and living out their own individual personalities."

What this actually says about the owners is hard to say, but I would venture that people that own cats are tolerant to the point of being pushovers. They are believers in the rights of the individual and prone to protectionism. They also take the long view of things and easily forgive. On the other end of the pet spectrum are the dog lovers. They don't brook the flagrant flaunting of house rules. If you're a dog and you need to relieve yourself, you grab the leash in your mouth and amble over to dad's easy chair and rattle it so he wakes up. You do it because you've been trained to do it, not like some cat that doesn't give a rat's whiskers about good breeding. When you're done, you're rewarded with a snack and a "good boy" and everything goes back to normal. Dad sinks back into his chair. You find your doggy bed, curl up and put on your cute look.

Yes, the lives of cats and canines are different, just as Republicans' and Democrats' lives are different, but sometimes they're similar. If we look at the last sixteen years of two Presidents, let's see which is the cat and which is the dog (and their owners). George Bush started a war based on faulty information. Barack Obama let a war continue by drawing an ineffectual 'line in the sand.' George Bush acknowledged a terrorist threat and acted, decisively. Barack Obama refused to call a terrorist threat what it was (radical Islamic-based). In his second administration, Bush ignored the signs of a growing economic crisis after adding over a trillion dollars to our national debt. In his first term, Obama tackled the problem but with the wrong methods and then added trillions more to our national debt. George Bush tried to get comprehensive immigration reform passed. Barack Obama tried to do it on his own with illegal executive orders. George Bush relaxed on his ranch by cutting down bushes. Barack Obama chased a ball around the world's golf courses at every opportunity.

George Bush had a country boy's sense of humor and didn't attempt singing in public. Barack Obama preferred an urbane style of humor and sang and danced at will. George Bush went to church and prayed for America. Barack Obama went to a church whose pastor said God damn America. George Bush admired and respected the military. Barack Obama thought they were unnecessary (until his Navy Seals killed Osama bin Laden). Republicans and Democrats in the House and Senate also exhibit some animalistic tendencies. When George Bush was elected President after a contentious battle, the Democrats called him, 'illegitimate' and refused to work with him. When Barack Obama was elected, the Republicans said they would oppose him every step of the way. History has repeated itself once again with accusations that our current President is illegitimate because he didn't win a majority of the popular vote or was simply the wrong person.

It's anybody's guess what kind of 'animal' President Trump's behavior will resemble. If canine, can he learn new tricks and obey his dual masters, the Constitution and the people, while abiding by the rule of law? Can he do these things without alienating the rest of the family or will he take on the persona of the feline and do as he pleases, believing that every action, no matter how disconcerting, will be forgiven because he's the king of the castle? Unlike ourselves, animals are really smart. They know how long their leashes are and how far they can go before being yanked back by their owners. Every President needs to be aware that the euphoria of puppy and kittendom lasts for a short time before the novelty and cuteness wears off. Woof or meow, Mr. President?

Stephan Helgesen is a retired U.S. diplomat, now author and political strategist. He has written over 600 articles and six books on politics, economics and social trends. He can be reached at stephan@stephanhelgesen.com