Which bums?
Washington is the three branches: executive (White House), legislative (Congress) and Judicial (Supreme Court). Since the last off-year election Republicans have controlled the House of Representatives. The Supreme Court is 6-3 in favor of conservatives, five of whom are extreme conservatives. The White House has been Democratic since 2020, the Senate too.
The Democrats’ agenda is doing the country’s business as prescribed by the Constitution. The Republicans’ agenda since Trump took over is taking power by any means. Opposing anything Democratic no matter what the merits. Just kill the opposition. Kill Democracy if it gets in the way of taking power and to hell with the national interest.
When Rome didn’t meet its provinces’ expectations it was periodically sacked. The mindset that’s dissatisfied here is to take power or sack Washington. Or maybe both. Authoritarian “strength” idealizes violence, so “sacking” can be taken literally. If the crew in Washington hasn’t met our expectations and the mood is to throw the bums out, which bums? The first step toward a vote that confronts facts honestly instead of evasively is to differentiate. Between parties, candidates’ character, their positions on the issues, and the likely consequences of one or the other getting elected.
“Conservative:” anything but conscience
A friend was enamored of his correspondence with the Biden White House. But when the White House invited him to join the party’s cause, he demurred. When our conversations turned to politics his image blurred. He chose to navigate politics in any context subliminally if not noncommittally. As if the way things get done is to turn it over to folks who don’t want to be involved. Like one of my forebears. When I told her I was thinking of going into politics she reacted like I wanted to be sludge manager at the Allegheny County sewage treatment plant.
Democracy is like learning to drive a car. The only way to get it right is to know the rules of the road. To be aware of what we’re doing and what’s going on around us. To pay attention and to learn from experience. If we insist that the car do the driving while we take up space, that others pay the price when technology screws up, should we be issued a driver’s license? If we let ourselves off the hook with Democracy, if we put it on others to know what they’re doing, should we be registered to vote?
Democracy is at a serious, potentially fatal crossroads. My last essay was forthright about which side I stand for. One can agree or disagree. But if I support my choice with thoughtful discussion I can’t in fairness consider an opposing view if it hasn’t considered mine. If it chooses to get by with a wave of the hand and no supporting argument. A characteristic of “conservative” politics that relies heavily on disparagement, character assassination, and mendacity. Bullies imposing their will by manipulating others into questioning theirs. Anything but straightforward logic. Anything but conscience. With serious consequences that all of us may be about to experience.
1933
Millions suffered and died through authoritarian dictatorships less than a century ago. To assume now that the earth will still turn whatever the outcome of this election makes light of the fact that it was still turning then. The day after Paul Hindenburg appointed Adolf Hitler chancellor of Germany, the earth was still turning. The implication that the stakes in this election are unexceptional, that millions won’t suffer all over again, is irresponsible. Unjustifiable. Disrespectful. Dead wrong.
The rules of tribal sociability demand that differences be sublimated so that we get along. But there are moments when individual integrity takes precedence, and this is one of them. Some prefer to remain seated and wait it out. Others stand up, role-modeling character fortified by meaning rather than corrupted by appearances. Like Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Conscience personified, who stood up to the Nazi beast on principle. Who couldn’t be intimidated and became an inspiration for generations to come. For those less courageous like most of us, who need his example.
Forward or backward?
If your choice is to vote for Republicans and the reprobate leading them like cattle that’s your right. It’s none of my business. What is my business is calling out authoritarian politics that tries to substitute willfulness for mindfulness. That tries to cover up arrogance with “relatability.” With superficialities woven into a blanket of sensory-dulling pleasantness. That thinks that protecting a farcical pretense of victimhood from abuse — its own signature – is more important than protecting our country. Than keeping the Spirit of ’76 alive instead of letting it die on the altar of self-regard.
We’re one day away from stuff happening. I’m nobody’s conscience. But when I speak up for Democracy on the eve of its possible demise, when a family that suffered through its demise in Austria adds its warning to mine, we need to be heard. The question the day after won’t be whether the earth is still turning. It will be in which direction: forward or backward?