|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
[Want even more content from FPM? Sign up for FPM+ to unlock exclusive series, virtual town-halls with our authors, and more—now for just $3.99/month. Click here to sign up.]
On Tuesday Donald Trump’s “shellacking,” to borrow a word from Barack Obama––winning not just the electoral college, but also the popular vote and the Senate majority–– is a definitive repudiation not just of Kamala Harris and Joe Biden, but of a political narrative over a century in the making. As always, bad policies are the fruit of bad ideas, but arrogance about the superiority of those ideas carries within them nemesis, the punisher of hubris that may be delayed, but never escaped.
Today’s Democrats have embraced a narrative––call it “left,” “progressive,” “socialist,” “woke,” or what you will–– which rejects holding people accountable for their actions. Instead, a crude determinism shapes and governs their behavior. Hence, we’re told that poverty, capitalism, injustice, racism, sexism, and all the other -isms and -phobias explain people’s crimes and failures. So we get Democrat policies that ignore or legitimize illegal border crossings, shoplifters, bums and addicts befouling our cities, repeat felons, no bail release for arrestees, and numerous other dangerous absurdities.
Since the ordinary law-abiding “moral majority” have to suffer the physical and economic consequences of these policies, which increased significantly under the Democrats, it’s no wonder they voted for a president who promises to restore law and order.
Another bad idea that harms our economy and pocketbooks is green “climate change” policies that ignore the laws of physics and wage war on fossil fuels, which have created the West’s unprecedented wealth and quality of life for billions of people worldwide. This bad policy reflects the scientism of self-styled “bright” Democrats, who “follow the science” and yet resort to pseudo-science for gratifying their fundamentalist cult of environmentalism, and their need to signal their superior virtue.
Again, the citizens are hit with expensive energy prices and intrusive regulations. Meanwhile, the forced switch to intermittent “renewable energy” like windmills and solar panels makes producers dependent on fossil fuels for their construction, and for providing electricity for when the wind doesn’t blow and the sun doesn’t shine.
Then there is the “transgender” cult that believes the biological sexes are cultural constructs, and that chemical and unnecessary permanent surgical interventions can restore children to their actual “gender.” Moreover, aggressive promotion of this unscientific idea is encouraged in schools, polices our free speech, and subjects girls and women to “trans” males occupying women’s restrooms and sports. Democrats have endorsed these farcical programs, as Kamala Harris did during her campaign.
But transgenderism is just an off-shoot of the illiberal DEI identity-politics protocols Democrats have imposed on virtually all our public institutions, including schools and businesses. These policies that ignore merit and violate the Civil Rights Act in practice are a tyranny of the minority, and offend the common sense and practical wisdom, as well as the religion and traditions of millions of citizens––creating another large cohort of voters who found refuge from the Dem’s narrative in Donald Trump’s recognition of these forgotten citizens.”
The new “woke” Democrats, of course, have long made clear their disdain, if not hatred of, those citizens by calling them “deplorables,” “bitter clingers,” “smelly Wal-Mart shoppers,” “white supremacists,” “semi-fascists,” “garbage,” and bearers of numerous “phobias” that bespeak their ignorance and bigotry.” This bad habit was popularized by Barack Obama’s “bitter clingers,” which he reprised just before the election, when he scolded some black men for not supporting Kamala because they’re misogynists––yet again turning an important constituency to the other candidate who in his previous term served their interests well.
A narrative that arrogantly insults the people whose votes the party wants and needs, and ignores their concerns and problems, is destined to lose. But the Dems’ narrative is steeped in the arrogance and class privilege that have characterized technocrats since Plato’s Republic. The intellectual ancestors of today’s Democrat Party, the Progressives, were riddled with such haughty disdain and smug sense of superiority, an “ugly blend of sanctimony, self-interest, and social-connections,” as Fred Siegel in his valuable 2014 book The Revolt Against the Masses put it.
Most people dislike being talked down to and insulted, especially Americans. And they bristle when people believing preposterous, pseudo-scientific ideas and programs use state power to compel others to comply. More importantly, they will resist when such overreach affects their unalienable rights and freedoms enshrined in the Constitution. Furthermore, the collusion of Democrats and federal agencies with newspaper “fact-checkers” and social media censors, and those who seek to dismantle our Constitutional right to speak, worship, and freely use public spaces––as the Biden administration did under cover of the Covid crisis without scientific justification–– has been another producer of citizens offended and materially damaged by this self-serving overreach.
Finally, the Democrat narrative, like early Progressivism, centers on this dismantling of the Constitutional order of separated and mutually balancing powers, along with our unalienable rights. That order was designed to guarantee the freedom of citizens from an irreducibly complex diversity of ethnicities, faiths, mores, customs, and numerous other ways that peoples express their identities.
For progressives then and now, that true diversity is considered inefficient for running a government in a technologically sophisticated world. And for progressives, so is the Constitution and its guard-rails for preventing tyranny from any faction attempting to concentrate and centralize power in an elite, whether of wealth or “expertise.” Or, as Woodrow Wilson put it, the few who are “wise” should control the many who are not.
In word and deed, the Biden administration and the Democrat Party have been laboring over continuing this century-old assault against the Constitution. They have proposed eliminating guard-rails such as limiting the Senate’s size to two per state, and instead making it dependent on population; and expanding the Supreme Court and subjecting justices to external auditors who could compel justices to recuse themselves. But such technocratic schemes always create the moral hazard expressed by the Roman satirist Juvenal: “Who will actually guard the guardians?”
We have already seen attacks on our Bill of Rights in the postwar period, including in some Republican administrations. The election of Donald Trump will slow down and we hope stop the current excesses of government power and interference in our lives. But we must go farther and restore the integrity of the Constitution.
For in the end, it’s not just about the economy or the border or taxes. It’s about our ordered liberty, the true freedom that is less and less a feature of the Democrat’s narrative, which has been the big loser in this election––for now.
The M.S. Media also lost the trust of the American People with this election but as always the M.S. Media Lap-Dogs remain Loyal to the end while their ship sinks
“The intellectual ancestors of todays’ Democratic party.” There are no intellectuals in the democrat party. It is all what they want to believe.
Actually, the question begs to be asked: Intellectual compared to whom? Given that the average democrat’s IQ is right around 100 or below, it would be presumptive and misleading to use the words democrat and intellectual in the same sentence.
In my opinion, there’s no such creature as a democrat “intellectual.” Moreover, the evidence is more than anecdotal. For example, two names come to mind: Nancy Pelosi, AOC. QED!
Absolutely correct, in that the roots of today’s Democratic Party lie in the early Progressivism of Woodrow Wilson and others. In Wilson’s words, “There is nowhere the government cannot go.” Hence, governance comes from top-down elitist patricians ruling over the plebians. Of course, other significant contributors to current Democratic polity and visions have included Antonio Gramsci, as well as the Frankfurt School, both promoting what is understood as cultural Marxism. The current manifestations of that ism can be seen in DEI and other such leftwing initiatives. Then there is globalism, where the idea of the Westphalian model nation-state is jettisoned in favor of world governance, open borders, etc. The good news, most American voters seem to have rejected that vision this past Tuesday.
It’s so true that today’s Left – representing oppressors going all the
way back to Plato’s Republic – has a haughty disdain for and smug
superiority towards those over whom they wish to rule. Unlike our
Founding Fathers – they really believe ordinary struggling people
are stupid and not as exalted in perspective as the elites are. They
are puzzled as to why the people spoke up in one thunderous roar
to elect Donald J. Trump.
But the Left will continue to fight what We The People think and want.
That is, liberty and just to be left alone to pursue our own ideas of
happiness, not theirs, to live a meaningful life. Which is our God-given
right to do.
Whether it’s the race-baiting, anti-White Communists or the digitally
controlled one-world government of unelected technocrat-experts
called Globalists or Islamists looking to violently/politically impose
totalitarian Sharia – take your pick. Each will never stop trying to
lord it over us to destroy our homeland and individual American
freedom.
well said, Annie.
Like the Big Lie Narratives in Germany during WW2, the Democrat Narrative is collapsing. But some people will believe it to the end. One of my favorite stories is about a German girl during WW2 who believed it until Russian troops showed up at her door.
Nowadays when I think of Kamala, the democrats and the Hollyweirdos, and old Rolling Stones song plays over and over again in my head: “I can’t get no satisfaction, and I try, and I try, and try and I try try try. I can’t get no satisfaction!!!
Oh gawd, the horror,,, the horror!! Oohhhh noooooo!!
Arrogance comes with a big price tag. It holds a grudge to those who scale up the ladder in life.
‘We the people’ have spoken at last to affirm independent thinking and self governance. But we did it by cleaning house. The Emperor without clothes has been exposed. We will not tolerate being told what’s good for us .
This is a great article. The Left has been humiliated and hope they learn a lesson, but we don’t count on that to happen.
It seems the climate in America has indeed changed. Ergo, I’m no longer a Climate Change denier!!!
Of course climate change is real. Winter, string, summer, fall. etc. And of course a single major volcanic eruption any where on earth will in several days of continuous eruptions impose far more dire consequences on the planet than humans could do or have ever done in the entire history of human civilization.
But, alas, the vast majority of the climate change freaks are science illiterates who at best have an 8th grader understanding of science.
Anyone who seriously believes that humans are impacting earth’s climate in any way must also necessarily believe that peeing in the ocean will raise the ocean’s temperature and effect the earth’s climate that way also..
Man made climate change believers are delusional cult members who will follow their leaders no matter what.
The climate change freaks are no different from the Polynesian cultures of yore that tossed virgins into volcanoes to appease their volcano gods or the ancient Aztecs who savagely butchered thousands of people to appease their gods.
Perhaps myself and many others would take them more seriously if more of themself terminated to demonstrate to the American people that they’re serious about doing something about so-called man-made climate change.
At the least, they would eliminate their contribution to the “problem” of man-made climate change.
ASK ANY CLIMATE FREAK to explain the Thousand Foot Sandstone Towers at Monument Valley!
Frankly speaking, talking to one of those freaks isn’t worth the trouble. You’d do better explaining calculus or chemistry to a 5 year old than trying to get through to those micro-brain freaks.
Thanks for this interesting article Bruce !
Progressives say they want more efficient government. The Constitution was designed to prevent efficient government because it is easier for the populace to control an inefficient government, thereby preserving individual rights. Individual rights are not important to or valued by progressives. Efficient government under their control is their ultimate goal. They forget we have seen efficient governments; wonderful examples are Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union, and communist China.
Progressives are nothing more than refurbished old school Marxists. I regard them as Neo-Marxists.
The governments you mention were efficient in some ways, but the opposite to a great extent. They were against human nature and could not use it to be more productive to meet human needs. That was not their purpose. Their efficiency was in consolidating power and giving orders.
And such governments deal with their inefficiencies by shooting people en masse (a la Stalin, Mao, Pol Pot et al.)
Under-girding the Dems narrative is the belief that saying the same thing over and over again brings results.
That’s called magical thinking. Magical thinking and believing a lie is the truth and the truth is a lie is endemic to democrats. The truth doesn’t work for them but a lie? Magic!
67 million Americans just voted for an American hating communist. That’s insanity.
And many of us cannot believe so many millions were besotted with hate for Trump or so poorly informed as to vote Democrat. And they ran such a poor candidate! Perhaps it was due to fraud. Either way it is very disturbing!
I can believe it. Why? Because that’s what the media has subliminally programmed them to do. Ask Trump haters why they hate Trump and 9 times out of 10 they will regurgitate something the saw or read or heard via the MSM.
Most people have no idea what subliminal programming or subliminal messaging is or just how extremely effective it is. People are exposed to it whenever they consume any form of media (e.g., TV, movies, radio, printed news & info, the internet, social media, PSAs, etc.)
It’s a tool that the CIA and other intelligence agencies around the world have used for decades with great success.
What with Biden’s cheerful conciliation speech, I think we should probably not count our chickens until they are seated behind the Resolute Desk. IAW, I think I smell a rodent.
Bruce is always an excellent writer and brilliant observer.
But he’s really outdone himself on this one.
This piece deserves to be read in every poli-sci class in the nation – and any student who cannot stand to hear it should have to write an essay plaining every single point of his complaint. Such a move would move this year’s class up a whole sigma.
Lawrence ODonnell likened Kamala Harris’s concession speech to speches by Frederick Douglas.It actually sounded more like a speech that would have been given by Frederick Flintstone..
Harris would have made the country into rubble.
Better yet, Homer Simpson?
As long as the regulatory bureaucracies have lawmaking powers, the metastatic cancer of leftism will continue to spread. These Constitution bans Congress from delegating its lawmaking power, and the regulatory bureaucracies prove why—by design, they cut the people out of lawmaking and reduce them to mere subjects of DC masterminds.
I think Trump said he will address this issue as part of his “to do” list. His attempts to do so will expose Republican lawmakers who like things just the way they are. Trump will have no measurable success in this area. At the heart of it is an electorate who thinks leaving politics to politicians is how you run a democratic republic and voting is akin to getting your turn at trying to knock the milk bottles down at the carnival. Most choose their representatives for all the wrong reasons.
Honestly, the Democrats had nothing for the people to rave about or to vote for. They weren’t even transparent on their policies which was not reassuring to voters, given our borders and our economy, no solutions were offered, only emotions and word salad. The rhetoric by Kamala and Biden did nothing to unite people or make them feel welcome.
Apparently there are enough pro-abortionists to carry an election, yet.
I found it funny when exit polls said a majority thought the Democrats were the threat to democracy, not Trump. And this was among those who thought this was a top issue
What an excellent analysis of the election. The question is will the Democrats learn to listen to America’s moral majority? My inner sixth sense tells me “no..’
Rigged election. Unprecedented results. Mysterious trucks in Philly. Election workers talking in Michigan. A train in Nodth Carolina blocked voters. Nefarious. Trump cheated and Biden and Harris were in on it. They intentionally stole the election in 20 with trumps permission and or started the shooting so he could return as savior and declare himself divine potus. You know it. The big steal.
Dude, the d卐m☭nrat ʹnarrativeʹ has always been the loser. But only from the standpoint of a normal human being.
Leftoxenomorphs are neither normal nor human beings.
Not much less than half the country has been brainwashed by the religion of leftoxenomorphism.
They are not going away any time soon unless we make’em and that’s unlikely. I’m all for it but it’s a small minority that thinks this way.
So, the religion of leftoxenomorphism is imprinting each new generation with their noxious dogma.
Are we going to take the Frankfurt_School_culturally_marxist-leftoxenomorphizised-feminazi-mis-mal-dis-education-system away from them?
Again, unlikely.
So we are still, Trump or no Trump, at the bottom of a poisonous hole and we keep digging enthusiastically.
Yes, I know, many people are dancing for joy that Trump won. Better Trump than kuntala bullshittala hoerris. OK.
The leftoxenomorphs have been winning and taking over EVERYTHING for decades.
They are far from defeated. They are a little dazed, right know. But far from defeated. Far from it. Quite to the contrary.
biden admin started all wrong, jailing the j6 protesters. trump better release them quickly or he will suffer the same fate. electorate will not tolerate deaf ears. four years of deaf ears regarding election fraud/integrity. government cannot poo poo this subject. election fraud cries have been to every form of justice in america, including the supreme court with no remedy. virtually no movement from current admin to address the lack of integrity. heads must roll with clear accountability. the j6 protesters are seen as political prisoners by a large part of the population that is motivated to see severe justice for the perpetrators. if your involved in the fraud or political electoral prosecution you better have a back door. the people have spoken and are mobilized. do not egg the movement. fix it, and fix it fast. the idiots in arizona have no clue of what is coming their way. doubling down on election fraud is suicide. nevada was close second.
‘Since the ordinary law-abiding “moral majority” have to suffer the physical and economic consequences of these policies…’
I feel it may be worth mentioning that along with the other damage, there was psychic damage that was suffered by all people, and not just those who exemplified them publicly.
Trump’s essentially Independent Party win appealed to all who were fed up with what the elitist pols and media were shoving on the people.
I wonder if Jimmy Carter is lucid enough to know Trump won.
I doubt it. I saw him on TV the other day and he was being pushed around on a stretcher and looked comatose. He’s always been a scumbag though, so I don’t feel much pity.