Opposites Repel
I suppose, when it comes to romance, “opposites attract.” But, when it comes to politics, it seems more and more that others are more likely to be repulsive than attractive.
The circus that some might call the Brett Kavanaugh hearings certainly proved one thing: the Demos are anything but civil. I watched some of the proceedings (tho, by and large, found them too ludicrous to subject myself to), and admired the man for not getting up and walking out. Clearly, he saw the bigger picture, he saw the prize. And just as irrefutably, the Demos sitting on the panel, as well as those in the galley and on the street, completely lost sight of the bigger picture: the future.
That Trump was legally elected, in full accord with the existing laws of the land, can’t be denied. “He’s there, deal with it.” Have the “Never Trumps” made any effort at all to modify those laws, to somehow change the Electoral College so that someone with the popular vote gets into office? Not that I am aware. They still rail against the man. Still throwing more money after bad. Still living in yesterday. Sure, he’s an easy target; Trump is no politician – if by “politician,” we mean someone who can fool enough people to overlook his warts. However, the first job of a politician is to get into office – and he’s done that. (The second job is to stay in office, and that is TBD.)
No, the horse has left the barn and the Demos continue to lament that someone – never themselves of course – left the door open. Wide open. And now, in the wake of Judge Kavanaugh’s swearing-in, the Demos are pushing the door ever wider. For me, instead of building bridges (trying to look like a reasonable alternative), the Demos are setting the barn on fire.
That Judge Kavanaugh was nominated, and now sworn in, could have been an effort only to humiliate the Demos. Judge Kavanaugh certainly paid a high price; his family has paid a high price. For an appointee, he has been raked over the coals – largely, manufactured and fabricated coals – like we might expect someone running for the highest office in the land. Maybe Judge Kavanaugh is just a surrogate for Trump? What better way to move forward than to give the Demos enough rope to hang themselves with? Self-immolation, more like it.
“You cannot be civil with a political party that wants to destroy what you stand for.” I used to be a card-carrying Democrat. They seemed “kinder and gentler” than the GOP. My, my, my, how they have changed. Not that the Republicans are now hugging trees. But as party made up of individuals, the Demos continue to raise the bar on being uncivil. For years, the Demos have developed a platform that seems to have only one purpose: destroy everything I hold dear.
I’m not saying I have somehow found the Holy Grail of truth, and that I never threw ice on anyone in high school (or, was it college?). But I was taught by the old school: first my parents and then the Marine Corps. I don’t feel all that old; but I do feel like a dinosaur. Yes, we all know what happened to dinosaurs: they all died and now some smaller creature burns the oil and coal that they turned into. Great legacy, huh?
Moving forward to the political arena in months to come, it will be harder and harder for the “guy on the street” to divine the issues and see thru the mud-slinging (I’d like to say “rhetoric”; but that would imply civility, and we no longer have that available to us). And even if I can convince myself that “this person” has the same values as I do, how can I be sure the “system” will respect those values, respect that representation? If my vote ever meant anything besides just a warm feeling, now it feels like a betrayal. Do I continue to participate in a disgustingly flawed political system – and tar myself with the same brush – or, do I withdraw from the playing field. Stick my head in the sand, or do the right thing?
Dunno what the future will bring; but one thing is sure: Judge Kavanaugh is very likely to outlive either President Trump or Hilary Clinton.
Two questions will be answered real soon: (1) What mud will the Demos throw – since they seem to have already fired their best shots at Judge Kavanaugh, and (2) will the GOP lower itself, or take the high road?
Eternity is a Long Time 