It is apparently the intent of a considerable number of Americans to wager the future of the country on what is almost always a sucker’s bet. It may be the best illustration of insanity, repeating an action expecting a different outcome.

One more bet and this time we will win.

Like the hopeful sitting in front of a slot machine gambling away their money because they “could” win, America has placed its treasure on the slim, if non-existent, possibility that Mr. Trump will be better and more effective than his last term.

It is as if America threw away a fortune once and has forgotten the emptiness that put Trump out of office.

Despite a growing economy, a restored standing in the world, and a renewed sense of hope, American chose to ignore the truth for a fraudulent picture of the state of affairs. Instead of facing the realities and complexities of the issues we face, we bought into the concept of a man who has all the answers. He, and only he, can solve the problems. This, despite a dismal record of accomplishment to the contrary.

Like every inveterate gambler, some think, nay are certain, it will be better this time. The belligerence of our past, something they seem to embrace, will return with a vengeance.

And somehow this is good thing.

It is as if we long for the world to perceive us as the former President of South Vietnam described us in 1975 at the end of the “American” War.

“It is so easy to be an enemy of the United States, but so difficult to be a friend.” Nyguen Van Thieu.

The string of unqualified cabinet and other political appointees whose main qualifications are a history of sexual assault allegations and a Presidential pardon (or a pending need for one) in their resumes should be a bellwether of things to come.

Is there a chance America will get three 7s across the reels and hit the jackpot with Mr. Trump? There is. But it is more likely four years from now we will find ourselves wondering how we could have been so naïve.