The most apt name you can come up with is “momentous” — signifying the election of one Donald Trump in 2016. In the aftermath of that event, there was (and still is) a frenzied fusillade — an outpouring of outrage and hysteria from the thunderstruck Media and Beltway ruling class. The cacophonous outcry itself became the news month after month, overshadowing perhaps the most significant political event in American history, barring the divine birth of the nation itself. That birth, and Trump’s election, shared one thing in common. Each happened against all odds. Each was American to the core. Each was audacious. And what has been lost in the sound and fury of Media pandemonium is this salient fact — each of those events, separated by 240 years, is inextricably linked to the other. The American idea — and its ideals — rested squarely on the principle of the people’s consent, literally called “the consent of the governed.” In fact, the founding documents were tediously written to avoid the tyranny of a coercive government. The Founders were so concerned that their work would gradually be undermined by the lust for absolute power, that they passed Article V of the Constitution which renders ultimate power to the States — and the people — not to the three branches of government. But when the story of Donald Trump’s election is written, one question will override all of the accomplishments, the controversies and the fallout.

Will his election have a sequel?

To ask the question another way — has Trump changed the game — has he opened the presidential door for other private sector persons of high accomplishment — to follow his footsteps — to take the risk — to forego a private life and undergo the sleaze merchants who live to dredge up every misstep, every indiscretion? Trump is America’s one and only true outsider. He shattered the ruling class dictum — that you have to be a member of the Club and earn your right to lead. Every organization in America follows that dictum. Rotary vice presidents become presidents. Kiwanis second vice presidents become first vice presidents. Ad nauseum. Put in the time and get your piece of the recognition pie. The Washington Beltway denizens, regardless of party, were frantic when Donald sashayed into the oval office, never so much as having served on a city council. They never stopped to consider, much less celebrate that he is living confirmation of the phenomenon that is America. That he is a validation of this nation’s fidelity to a government of the people, by the people, for the people. Because he was bureaucrat incarnate, and black to boot, that celebration was reserved for the slippery-tongued Obama. The intellectual crowd and fawning media drooled over him, emotions bordering on lust, if not idolatry. He was anomaly, not American.

Sad to say, Trump’s time in office — whether one or two terms — will not lift Washington out of the gutter. Perhaps with continuous economic strength and visible success, he can slow the drift to socialism. But his only real legacy rests on something more historic, something out of his control. If his candidacy, victory and restoration of America’s greatness can awaken more people to have faith in the historic principles that built this still young republic — then perhaps among these people will emerge other accomplished leaders to pick up the gauntlet. Perhaps a majority of people will begin to understand that the private sector is the real proving ground for true leadership — not the halls of government buildings. Career politicians created “the swamp.” They want the swamp. They love the swamp. Trump can’t drain it. Not in his time. He needs help. He opened the Beltway door. It remains to be seen how long it will stay open. And if his successor walks boldly through it.