Essays in Idleness

Alexander Hamilton argued at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 that the U.S. president should be elected for life, which would make him, in effect, the King. I’ve often found Hamilton’s political judgement to be very wise, although his personal judgement was sometimes rather weak, for instance when he agreed to duel with that “profligate and voluptuary,” Aaron Burr.

Mr Hamilton was the first American Secretary of the Treasury, and the last successful one.

Without entering overmuch into details, I am an enthusiastic monarchist, and see it as the solution to many little problems; that, and an appointive legislature. I think this would appeal to that sizeable majority of Americans who approve Mr Trump’s policies, on immigration and everything else, and might also assuage the minority of voters who worry what might happen if he were ever deposed. For with democratic practices, the future is always unsound.

Immediately we have the lovely Queen Melania, and a very plausible, impressively tall heir in Prince Barron, together with an extensive royal family. But more to the point, Canada and Greenland could join this American Union uncontroversially, together with other entities including Panama and Gaza, for our own various monarchical traditions (British, Danish, Spanish) could be easily revised.

Mr (surely, Lord?) Vance would make an excellent Prime Minister — a job he already has de facto — and any one of Mr (surely, Lord?) Elon’s youthful staff could be given the Treasury to mind, assuming the rocket-man himself wouldn’t have time.

I think this is a more practical alternative than any that has been suggested, and I make it out of my home and native love, on Saint Valentine’s Day.