A broken clock is right twice a day. The DNC does a little better than that. As a moral conservative, a registered Republican, a non-Trumper, 2024-only Trump voter, and a passionate, culture war opponent of the Democratic Party for half a century, I give my adversary credit for:
1. Ukraine. Biden was basically right but weak: too little too late. Trump has been much worse. There is a broad consensus among Democrats to support the Ukraine with sanctions and weapons. The Republicans are split, with Trump and Vance deferential to Putin, for different reasons.
2. Economics. The Trump budget favors the rich. Democrats support a stronger safety net for the poor and lower working class. Money in the hands of these recycles quickly back into the economy and keeps it vital.
3. Immigration. Given that the Biden policy on borders and immigration was a nightmare of a train wreck within a catastrophe enacted by a senile-auto-pen-dependent incompetent; and given that Trump has done a superb job in closing the border and deporting the criminal element; realistically and charitably we do well to leave hardworking, law abiding, undocumented immigrants alone and work towards a comprehensive immigration program.
4. Foreign Aid. Granting that much of AID had been corrupted by the agenda of cultural liberalism, it was nevertheless a tragedy that aid to so many suffering overseas was canceled. This is very dear to my heart.
5. Labor Unions. A vigorous union movement is important for such a large capitalist economy, even as it is vulnerable to woke politics and corruption.
6. Gun control. Reasonable, moderate controls will reduce lethal violence.
7. Climate. Dismissing the widespread hysteria around it, climate warming is long term a real challenge. There is room for optimism that we will adapt to it. Nuclear power, despite its dangers, seems to be a necessity in the near and intermediate term.
8. Diplomacy. Given that Trump has been strikingly successful on a number of fronts (the Middle East) and has been a refreshing change in many dimensions; and given that Biden destabilized the world by his predictable, anxious timidity in the face of bad actors; we do well to renounce volatility, incoherence, jingoism, xenophobia, narcissism, personal greed, and melodrama in favor of stability, policy coherence, professionalism, multilateralism, strong international alliances, established protocols, and simple decency.
9. Constitution. Trump in his second term disrespects the constitutional order: murderous military attacks on "drug boats" without due process or protocol; contradicting financial decisions of the legislature; deporting student activists without any process; flagrantly, shamelessly weaponizing the DOJ for personal revenge (yes, they already did this to him, but he is worse), sending federal forces into cities against the will of local leadership in violation of subsidiarity (he will not know what that word means). Neither elected Democrats nor Republicans are capable of restraining him. That job will fall to the more moderate, judicious, conservative Justices Barrett and Roberts.
10. Size of Government and Regulation. A society, technology and economy of our complexity and size requires a substantial state and regulation system. The Red would diminish such; the Blue expand it. It is easier to expand than reduce. In that sense the chain saw approach of DOGE was defensible. The balance is surely in the middle.
Our political order is in a crisis of polarization: hatred, distrust, exaggerated enmity, violent language and incapacity for compromise and cooperation. Trump himself is the product of this, as he is its singular aggravator. We desperately need a return to respect, civility, and a willingness to listen to and work with the opponent.
If I were President of the USA, I would hold a Synodal (LOL!) Political Retreat, for all 100 Senators. Compulsory. (Is that constitutional?) At a beautiful mountain lake. Lots of gourmet food, expensive alcohol, and Cuban cigars (are they legal?). Morning/evening prayer and praise/worship sessions would be optional. Quiet time compulsory. I would pair a Democrat with a Republican, randomly. Send them for a long, leisurely walk around the lake. They are to share what is dear to them, painful, essential, troubling. At the dinner, each Senator would speak for 5 minutes (while alcohol flows and dessert is served) in appreciation of his "new best friend." We would do listening and affirmation exercises. (I started off serious but as I imagine it concretely it becomes hilarious.)
Acknowledgement: This "best friend retreat" is not original with me. All UPS supervision participated in such, some time in the 1990s, as management aspired to a radical change in business culture from combative, tough guy, kick ass, macho paramilitary to cooperation, affirmation, acceptance, and positivity. I myself was like a duck in water: by temperament and background (seminary, school, Church) this was my style. Then we learned that our UPS CEO was having an affair with that of the consulting company directing the change. They both lost their jobs. UPS returned to its high stress, confrontational, competitive default. It is hard to teach an old dog new tricks!
Challenge to you Dear Reader: whatever side of the political divide you are on, can you name 10 things about which your adversary is right?
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