One of the most amusing charges that we conservatives often have leveled against us is that we are all “unwavering supporters” of President Donald Trump and view him as some sort of “rock star.” Essentially, that we are Trump “groupies.” In reality, if real rock ‘n’ roll groupies viewed the objects of their adoration with as much reserve as we view Trump, the National Enquirer would be doing far fewer stories on the previously unknown progeny of rock greats suddenly appearing years after a famous tour or concert. Our political panties remain unflung.
Our misgivings cover a lot of ground. His personal style bothers a lot of us, who find his bluster, braggadocio, petulance, and his tendency to talk without thinking more than a little off-putting. We would be both delighted and grateful if someone would hide his phone and find a way to keep him off of Twitter. We find ourselves pleasantly surprised when a speech by Trump sounds adult, reasoned, and coherent, and murmur a silent “thank you” to his speech writers and handlers.
And, yes, we have noticed that his reverence for the truth is, like most politicians of both parties, less than absolute. We are also concerned over some of his business dealings, foreign and domestic, and find his statements relating to women occasionally cringe-worthy. We live in dread of some scandal erupting, whether real or merely conceived in the fertile womb of political opportunity, much as the Democrats must have feared Bill Clinton’s occasional “bimbo eruptions,” Teddy Kennedy’s driving tours of Martha’s Vineyard, or upcoming reunions of Obama with politically toxic associates from early in his career.
And, while we generally support most of the substance of what he has done, that support is not absolute. Many of us are disturbed over his deficit spending, tax law changes, and trade policy. We also worry about some of the people who seem drawn to Trump.
So, why do we stick with Trump? Well, where else can we go?
The Democratic agenda and candidates are a mess. Many honest liberals will admit to having reservations about some of their own political stars. Videos of the unwelcome pawing and nuzzling of women by “Uncle Joe” Biden and his breathtaking gaffes must disturb a lot of Democrats, even though the party seems to be willing to strike a Faustian bargain with him in the interests of ousting Trump. Their de facto “open border” policy, with “sanctuary cities,” proposals to dissolve ICE, opposition to a wall, and the promise of free health care for illegal immigrants, trouble both ourselves and a lot of moderate Democrats. And most anyone older than 22, who has earned and budgeted their own income, rather than merely spending a parental allowance, will have doubts about the “Green New Deal,” “Medicare for All” or similar grand schemes.
The “groupie” label might better fit some of the star-struck Democrats as they idolize new rising political stars, despite shameless identity pandering, and obviously unworkable redistributionist schemes. With all of their swooning and shrieking, you would think you were watching 13-year-olds at a Beatles concert. Some of the breathless media political coverage would be right at home in Teen Beat magazine. You can see more than a few pairs of Fruit of the Loom being lofted at Democratic rallies.
So, differences on political policy and the candidates are the main drivers in our staying with Trump. But also the hyperbolic rhetoric and abuse directed our way by many hysterical partisans. And here is where “tribalism” comes in.
You recall how well the “deplorables” remark played, mostly because it confirmed the contempt with which much of the liberal “tribe” views conservatives. And calling a group “an uneducated, toothless, mouth-breathing, trailer-dwelling, homophobic racist rabble,” is unlikely to win many hearts.
Much of what comes out of the Democrats and their media cheerleaders seems intended to drive away a large number of Americans, who might otherwise be inclined to abandon Trump. The attacks on the religious for declining to embrace newly discovered “rights” on marriage or for “outdated” thinking on gender, have driven a lot of religious people to voting for a man whose personal life is hardly the epitome of Christian living.
And can you imagine how a lecture on “white privilege” from a well-dressed student at an expensive private college is received by an unemployed white coal miner living in a rundown mobile home in Appalachia? Or being scorned as a paranoid gun owner by a Hollywood celebrity surrounded by armed bodyguards?
These sorts of attacks just harden positions. The reaction is more than just anger, but also a practical concern. “How can anyone this bitterly twisted ever be trusted with the power of government? God help us all if they win.” And although you may have doubts about some of your own “tribe,” your course is clear.
The Democrats’ shrill contempt of the right is costing them votes. Can the liberal “tribe” control its class-contempt and disdain for the conservative “tribe” long enough to regain political power, or will they succumb to the emotionally cathartic but costly pleasures of letting us know “just what they really think”? I am predicting that it will be the latter. Δ
John Donegan is a retired attorney who lives in Pismo Beach, and rants on the issues of the day at every opportunity. Send your thoughts through the editor at clanham@newtimesslo.com.
This article appears in Autumn Arts Annual 2019.
We need ranked choice voting, campaign finance reform, term limits, and same-day primaries.
Trump is a cult leader more than a political one. He has devotees more than mere supporters. This cult exalts cruelty. Cruelty is the whole point. If you have the nerve (or the stomach) to take a look around in right wing “news” sites or chat rooms you will hear from deplorables who say that the only thing more delicious than liberal tears are the tears of migrant children torn away from their parents. Others advocate outright genocide & say the children’s organs should be harvested before gassing them or burning them alive.The Trump fans laugh at species extinctions & say that vehicle exhaust is “the sweet smell of freedom.” They send death threats & threats of rape & torture to bereaved parents & survivors of school & church massacres.
I could go on but you Trump worshipers really are absolute scum. You are sadists, misogynists narcissists, liars, gaslighters, fools, racists & assholes just like your orange messiah .You are sociopaths who celebrate dear leader’s corruption, criminality & treason.You are not conservatives in any historical or dictionary defined sense. Instead, you are nihilists, vicious, dangerously stupid radicals who waste oxygen. Please die.
What a way to rationalize support for an ignorant, racist, naziesque, no-class, wanna be dictator like Trump! Wow, do you have a bridge we might be interested in buying?!
Only nazis support nazis.
Thank you Jay and Annie for being excellent examples of exactly what John is talking about… good job..
Ian Tanner says “We need ranked choice voting, campaign finance reform, term limits, and same-day primaries.”
Ranked Choice voting will not stop the election of powerful, well funded incumbents. Not only that, you might find your second or third choice changes once you see who is ‘in the lead’. I vote my conscience and only my conscience. I will never dilute that choice with a second but poor choice. Hopefully others will agree and ranked choice really will accomplish nothing.
Campaign finance reform ought to be to simple full disclosure. Allow you or me or our billionaire friends to donate to our campaigns as long as those donations are open to the public vision. It does not matter how much money a candidate has so much are where it comes from and why. Money does not buy elected officials votes. Elected officials votes attract money. That’s why we have individuals staying in office for 20 and 30 years.
Voluntary terms limits are happening now. Fewer of the younger elected decide to remain in office as long as possible. I like the idea of term limits but then cannot be imposed on Congress without a Constitutional Amendment so that is a long way off. Meanwhile cast your votes carefully.
We need candidates who do not plan to make politics a career regardless of how good a job they do in office. every elected official can mentor someone to follow them to serves us equally well when they return to normal life alongside the rest of us. Pay attention to the elected officials staff and aides who may be the next candidate.
What is a same day Primary? Confused me with that phrase. Same day voter registration? We have that now.
Voters need to fully understand the current system in California. The Primary Election sends only two candidates to the Nov Ballot. That translates into the two candidates with the biggest bankroll [war chest in political parlance] who could be and have been two candidates of the same political party and ideology giving the voters no real choice at all.
I dislike admitting how many voters ask me if my name will be on the Nov ballot since Top Two began in 2012. Thankfully, I have retired from the more difficult to actually be a candidate system I oppose. Not only are the candidates who do run kept off the Nov ballot getting on the Primary ballot is so much more difficult that way fewer candidates bother at all. We truly have a the well-heeled only need apply system in place.
Voters need to support overturning the Prop 14, so-called Increases Voter Participation proposition that is actually the Top Two – biggest mistake ever made proposition as soon as possible.
Political Parties serve the public interest by defining the ideology of candidates more fully than their campaigns. We need all ideologies – i.e. all Parties and independents – on the final ballot so voters can vote, as I do, their beliefs and conscience. Voters need real choices that might bring the real change voters are hoping for in Sacramento and Washington.
Ranked choice will not make much difference in the general election, but it would be helpful in the primaries.
Mitch McConnell and Nancy Pelosi are prime examples of why we need term limits. Both are way too powerful.
Same day primary means that all the states have their primaries on the same day.
I agree on the top two thing, terrible idea. Basically makes the general election pointless.
Gail, sometimes it seems like you might be the only one willing to vote with beliefs in mind, everybody else just votes for their “side”. This choosing of sides has warped the ideas of liberal and conservative into these two bizarre things, Christians who are against charity on one side and overly-sensitive communists on the other.
I want to destroy the two party system. I think it has lead to too much centralization of power and has removed a lot of accountability. It’s lead to the current system that is based only on hurting the other side, not actually trying to help make a better country.