"We the people" are the government. We elect representatives. If enough of us tell them to be merciless towards the poor, they will. If enough of us tell them to be merciful towards the poor, they will do that too.
It's not a perfect process, and it's not a perfect representation. And we are not a perfect people. We are however, mostly a Christian nation at varying levels of maturity.
I don't really think the scriptures linking the length and tranquility of a ruler's reign to how they treat the poor, are necessarily dependent on the ruler being Christian. I think that's a general principle that all things being equal, the merciful ruler will have his rule extended and the non-merciful one will be cut short.
But there are many other factors that affect one's rule, including the wickedness or righteousness of the people.
They don't even follow the Constitution so much less His Word - only when looking for some credibility and then they misinterpret it and use it only for their benefit TO DECEIVE. "Our side' - who has the voice and power - does nothing much about them not following the Law of the Land. That's far from being perfect - it's dereliction of duty, IMO. Being unfaithful to those who supported them. They too, deceive.
Never rely on the gov't. God is our Source for everything. God's Grace is what you need, not the gov't handouts. God gives it freely, the gov't controls or ignores what you need. God is no respecter of persons but the gov't sure is!
Merciful to the gov't is setting up a beer submit. The gov't isn't God's church. It is of 'the world' and while we are 'in the world' we not 'of it'. We don't think like them, talk like them and aren't them. Surely, you know we are different because we are told we are. We have been separated out, so don't be inclined to go their way for JESUS is the ONLY Way to the Father. This is a test for ourselves to really see how much we DO believe HIM and know HE is our Source like He says He is.
If you want to believe the governments lies, that is your choice but expect disappointment. More so now, when satan is unleashing a firestorm through his minions. Now you see how voters were deceived, as they too, will be part of that firestorm and their belief will still be in a gov't that doesn't give a flip about them except for votes to carry out their evilness. Some may wake up, it depends on their popping point, and turn to The Lord, others won't.
the merciful ruler will have his rule extended and the non-merciful one will be cut short.
Now how did that work out? This election will bring more people to The Lord and others closer to The Lord. And isn't that God's will? Don't look for temporary fixes when eternity hangs in the balance. No one is pleasing to God without faith. In the natural I am hugely disappointed but in the spirit I know God provides always and never leaves nor sake us and proclaim His Will be done. He is my provider and by faith (and experience), I KNOW I/family will be OK. In the natural, it doesn't look that way but 'more blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe'.
If you are hanging onto anything coming from the gov't now, the next four years will be miserable for you. Wake up now and get over and walk in faith because it is not going to get any better but will move stronger and quicker in the wrong direction. "...where sin abounded, grace abounded much more".