If our tottering economy should take another tumble, President Clinton and the next Congress will have their last chance to clean up our kindle-laden political system. Should they again look to save the big guys at the expense of the little, the ensuing wildfire will be more than just an election can hope to head off. Trump may be an outlet for the anger of many Americans, but his defeat will not end their disaffection.

Only real, sustained reform that begins to address the angst, anger (of both sides of the political spectrum) yawning inequality and stagnant economy we now face will allow us to chart a new path; one back to prosperity and stability. But not stability or security for their own sake — you can get that, as President Dwight Eisenhower said, in a prison cell. It doesn’t mean you’re free.

Per the same Politico survey mentioned above, 71% of the voters they questioned believe the United States is on the wrong track. As we conclude this tortuous and ugly election season, we must hope, and probably demand, that our elected leaders take a new tack on how they operate, begin putting those that elect them first and try out different ideas that should upset some of the most entrenched interests.

To do otherwise would be a failure on their part, and a continuation down the path of illegitimacy that has only dark outcomes — or we may one day wish Donald Trump was the worst we could imagine.