Good morning,
SCOTUS
Yes, I have thoughts on the Supreme Court’s decision to hear the Trump claim of “absolute immunity.” I’ll save them for Monday. In the meantime…
HOW CAN YOU STAY FRIENDS WITH REPUBLICANS/CONSERVATIVES?
I’ve gotten this question from a number of friends. My answer is that I would never endanger a friendship merely based upon political disagreement. I also think that, in this overheated political environment, there is far too little effort on the part of many to understand and empathize with views that diverge from their own. It is not satisfactory to chalk off the MAGA phenomenon out of hand. One must understand the motivations of others. In doing so, one might find common ground (for instance, the recent immigration bill negotiated by Republicans and Democrats even though ultimately tanked under Mr. Trump’s direction). This question is complex—how do we all stay friends? One can engage in debate with those supporting principled arguments on policy matters. I find most of my more conservative friends are reasonable people who can engage in thoughtful conversation about possible policy alternatives. More troubling are those who want to “own the libs,” who believe the election was stolen, or are convinced that the system is rigged. In any case, here are some other thoughts:
Conservative political points of view. I have no quarrel with those who have traditionally conservative views, such as smaller and more efficient government, intelligent regulation that doesn’t stifle innovation and growth, fair taxes, a robust foreign policy, maintaining important strategic and trade relationships around the world and ensuring the free flow of commerce and capital, and broad individual rights. In fact, I agree with many of these positions. I believe the conservative movement is, however, off the rails as pertains to abortion (which I think is a religious objection and inconsistent with ensuring broad individual human rights), gun control (which I think is a misreading of the Second Amendment and a failure to acknowledge that all rights must have meaningful limitations in order to keep the rest of us safe and free), excess government spending (and I include the cost of lowering tax rates on certain individuals and corporations) and taxes (where I think well-funded special interests have twisted the concept of fairness to exclude taxation and/or create special tax breaks).
Traditional Republicans. I have no quarrel with those who support the political positions, traditional views of the historical “large tent” Republican party. That party was often (but not always) the party that adopted conservative positions; but people often forget that vast expansions of the social welfare state, the Clean Water Act and other things often thought of as “liberal” actually occurred under the aegis of Republican administrations. Our country has thrived in a two-party system in which the two parties, both committed to certain basic freedoms and ideals, compete for power based upon differing policy prescriptions that typically don’t veer too far from the center. The party of Eisenhower, Rockefeller, Reagan, and Nixon was a party that was able to reconcile their views with those of the Democrats to find common ground to legislate in the interests of the nation. I believe that party died with Donald Trump, voter suppression/intimidation, and the preservation of minority government, once the goal became the retention of power over the interests of the people. Some might measure the decline of the party as the “Tea Party” movement of Newt Gingrich that led to Sarah Palin and other favorites. I wouldn’t quibble with that conclusion either.
Republicans today who are Trumpists. These are the folks who I believe have lost their way. Donald Trump does not present a meaningful political ideology that is separated from his personal interests, grievances, and obsessions. He is transactional in nature, disdainful of the conditions and norms of our pluralistic political system, our rich ethnic diversity, the importance of the rule of law, the importance of the U.S. on the world stage, and common civility. I’d also point out that he has been found by a jury to be a sexual predator and has, in his many statements, indicated committing sexual assaults and encouraging violence against individuals. To support him is to support a person (and a movement?) that is anathema to everything I believe. The Republican party and its leaders have made a judgment call that it is better to support Trump and maintain power than it is to stand on principle to support American democracy and a world in which most of us would choose to live.
So where does it leave my conservative friends? Most of them are rational, reasonable people, just like my more liberal friends. I can have a thoughtful conversation with them, with give-and-take, conceding points to each other and trying to find common ground. They stimulate my mind and make me think and rethink my positions. Most importantly, I value their friendship.
Some of the people I know have descended down the rabbit hole of Trumpism and the belief that Democrats and liberals actively and affirmatively are on a mission to “destroy America.” Their anger toward me and toward the Musings make it nearly impossible to maintain any sort of meaningful relationship. It makes me sad. But it is what it is.
THIS IS THE DEFINITION OF A MENSCH FROM THE “OTHER SIDE”
What are conversations with my more conservative friends like? Often they are like this this one, in response to my Musing about the Special Counsel’s conclusions about President Biden. One would hope all disagreements are well-meaning and principled, like this one (the emphasis is mine):
“I love reading your blog as it is a thoughtful alternative to the talking heads even if I almost always have fundamental disagreements with you. You are correct that it is time for Biden to step down. I have an issue about how successful his presidency has been but leave he should. I also agree that the Democratic ticket has a terrific chance of winning under those circumstances. Republicans cannot get out of their own way and we continue to see that in the news every day. As for the report. You did not like what you read so you decided to conclude that the Special Prosecutor was pro Trump and colored the report for that purpose. I have another interpretation. He stated, up front, that Biden’s actions were “willful”. He concluded not to indict Biden and I understand that. His reason was that, due to Biden’s mental state, he did not believe he could prove the issue of willfulness. That is a very different matter. I know you disagree and I honor that. You perform a very valuable service in civil dialogue.”
It's not too late for constructive dialog among friends and even political adversaries, when the issues are significant and the future can sometimes appear quite dire.
Have a great day,
Glenn
For those of us that are not Trump or nothing, we are actually trapped into a corner. I have fundamental problems with the course that this country has taken over the last 3 years. You and I can disagree about what caused this rapid decline but you have to agree things have become very unstable. Progressive prosecutors have, in their carrying out social experiment, permitted criminals to roam the streets. Retail business is closing down in numerous cities due to the cost of security (or lack thereof). We have admitted something like 9 million undocumented, all claiming asylum, who are migrating for economic benefit. As for abortion, both sides of the spectrum espouse extremes and the majority of the country has no issue with bans at 4 months if not 6 months. Yet the conversations is between no abortions or unlimited access. No one wants a woman to be forced to bring a child to term if it threatens her life or the prospect of immediate death of the infant is the only result of a birth. Both sides are spending our way into oblivion. Dems blame the Republicans. Republicans blame the Dems. Our politicians lack integrity. Yes. That means Mr. Biden as well as Trump. I believe, from my view, things were better 4 years ago. I believe, even if for arrogant reasons, Trump course corrects when things don’t work the way he expected. The world was not inflamed 4 years ago. We have done a crappy job of adjusting after the pandemic and I think that Trump would have done a better job in adjusting. So I have no choice. Biden and whoever handles Biden have not, remotely, met my acceptable standards so I am forced to support Trump if he is the only alternative. I fear that Trump cannot win even again Biden and that will be a bad thing for our country.