What do supporters of President Trump understand that his critics don’t? In other words, what do Trump supporters get right about America? It is not an exaggeration to say that I haven’t seen the country this divided since the Sixties. During my high school and college years, Civil Rights marches, Vietnam War protests, and multiple assassinations led to chaos, riots, and deep political and social divisions. While the country is not as polarized as it was then, we are getting closer. Exhibit A is the bitter political fight over Judge Kavanaugh.
One can argue that all Supreme Court appointments are political. I would counter that none have been as affected by partisan politics as this one. Democrats dismiss Trump supporters as ignorant boobs, while Trump people counter with “I’d rather be Russian than a Democrat” T-shirts. This is a serious problem. We are all Americans, and we need to remember that. I call upon Liberals to do what they do best: empathize with other people. Try to see life from the viewpoint of someone who isn’t black, gay, or transgendered.
It would be nice if Conservatives would adopt this exercise as well. John McCain said it best when he acknowledged that Obama loved America even though they had very different ideas about how to move the country forward. But I’ll settle for one side starting the reconciliation. I think both sides have more in common than they realize.
The most important aspect of Trump’s support is that he is not business as usual. The middle class has been getting squeezed for decades, and they’re tired of it. Every election cycle, politicians from both sides acknowledge the plight of the shrinking middle class and the growing economic inequalities. Every election, they promise to do something. And every year, things get worse. Our children have an economic forecast that is bleak. And retirement, for most, is even bleaker.
Each party has a favorite whipping boy for the fading American Dream. For Liberals, it’s capitalism. For Conservatives, it’s immigration. But neither group has done anything that has accomplished real change. Enter the Tea Party and Trump, who promise to blow everything up. They just may be right. It took the Civil War to end the sin of slavery and establish the Federal Government as the supreme law of the land. Perhaps we, as a country, need another major reboot.
Trump’s failings are well-documented, even if dismissed as unimportant by his supporters. But no one can argue with the fact that the Trump administration is NOT business as usual. Whether that turns out good or bad for the country, only history can judge. Doing the same thing over and over again hasn’t worked. Therefore, any real change is welcome.
Democrats should be sympathetic to the idea of change. It was, after all, Obama’s signature message. Here again, Trump has it right. Obama was a weak leader, at least in certain ways. Obama’s lack of response to McConnell’s “one term” president pledge eventually led to Republican intransigence on Merrick Garland’s nomination. A strong president like LBJ or Reagan would have squeezed McConnell and the rest of the Senate Republicans like ripe lemons. They would have threatened every government contract in Kentucky and thrown in TDY orders for every soldier in Ft. Campbell as well.
Obama and Carter were both scandal-free presidents. But they each failed to provide strong leadership in crucial areas at critical times. They each relied on logic and reason instead of using the power they had to confront their obstacles. When dealing with the defining issues of our time–terrorism, globalism, nationalism, and economic inequality–strong leadership is required. We need leaders who don’t tread the same well-worn path that is littered with failure. We can argue about whether Trump is actually providing that leadership or not. But he is at least trying to.
The Republican message of America first and unfettered capitalism may not be the right course of action for the country. But at least it is a message with a vision. Democrats now counter with what? Identity politics? Victimization? Political correctness? It’s a shame. Once upon a time, we had a two party system in which both parties embraced capitalism, rule of law, and a strong military. Their disagreements had a foundation of common ground that allowed for family dinners that didn’t end in fights.
Now, each side sees the other as an enemy to be destroyed. In the meantime, the real foes of democracy get stronger. If we are heading into the wilderness, then getting out again will require understanding more than one side of the political divide. If Democrats are to be truly inclusive, then they need to start by embracing Trump supporters. Anything less will continue the Balkanization of America.
