Frank's Musings

Thomas Edsall’s OpEd in the July 8, 2021 NYT referred to a study of the transformation of the Republican Party leading up to, during and following the Trump presidency that recognizes that, for many, national politics has become a winner-take-all game.  This cut-throat approach to running Washington ignores the constitutional objective of our government—improving the general welfare as opposed to maximizing certain individuals’ advantage.  The theme song for those of us who resent this corrupting trend is Melanie’s “Look What They’ve Done To My Song, Ma.”

Instead of a zero-sum game, liberal democratic government performs best with a win-win model.  All players in that collaborative game strive to achieve goals that include maximizing social equity.  They understand that in a society committed to free speech an unsatisfied segment of the public may continually disrupt the peace and eventually necessitate compromise or invite suppression.

This is the lesson that can be learned in a legislative body like the U.S. Congress.  It is emblematic of the virtues that won the White House for Joe Biden.  An opposition leader like Senator McConnell takes advantage of it and enjoys shelter from restraint.  He is able to defend his party behind that protection and discipline its members, forcing them to spite themselves and their constituents with the effects of taking illogical and narrow-minded policy positions. 

The last resort of a dwindling faction in a democracy is procedural obstruction.   This is the time-honored tactic used by segregationist politicians in the mid twentieth century.  And now the demographic majority’s own commitment to protecting minority rights is being used as a wedge to interrupt the progression of the common interest.  This bald attempt at table-turning against the dominant party appeals to the faction’s supporters who resent their perceived loss of their freedom to be the top dog.

The Republicans are shamelessly gloating at the predicament the Democrats have put themselves in.  With their much-vaunted skill at communicating and messaging, the Democrats can best combat this challenge to their strength by ramping up the allegiance and involvement of their natural supporters.  That will take militant base-building; fund-raising will be easy and less of a distraction when they demonstrate their effectiveness at marshalling pro active voters.