“Red Caesarism” is the idea that some right-wing white Christian nationalist type will swoop in and save the United States by establishing himself as a dictator. Sounds crazy, but some people out there are quite serious about it. Among them Kevin Slack, a professor at Hillsdale College, Steve Bannon, and quite possibly Donald J. Trump.

Sure, who wouldn’t want a benevolent dictator, as long as they agree with you. Of course, one group’s benevolent dictator will be another’s tyrant. Just give Handmaid’s Tale a quick reread and see if you want that to come true. Which is why we have a system of government that, despite its many faults, has remained relatively stable and allowed for a peaceful transition of power longer than any other one on Earth at the moment (I think this is true…somebody feel free to provide a counterexample.)

I can still envision a scenario where Red Caesar tries to do his thing, ends up with his head on a pike, and we get a military governor instead. At least for awhile. And then the whole cycle could repeat. Let’s hope not. Let’s try to restore some faith in our election system instead.