One of the mantras from the left these days is that “we must do all we can to save our democracy”. This particular quote came from an article Hillary Clinton wrote for the September 16 issue of The Atlantic. In that opinion piece, the former (and future?) Presidential candidate trotted out the usual list of horrible things that have happened during Donald Trump’s less than two years in office.
Included were, in her fevered mind, the divisiveness Trump has brought to politics, the rolling back of regulations put in place by the previous administration and the coarseness of the political discourse. Many other charges were laid at the President’s feet, and she began her closing with those words about saving our democracy.
Admittedly we live in the flyover country, amongst the “deplorables, the irredeemables”, but that phrase indicates that Hillary is somewhat unhinged. She must be smoking something that clouds her vision, or she is still walking around the woods at her place in New York, still sipping her chardonnay. Perhaps she is writing this in some alternative universe or some foreign land that has no relation to what goes on in the United States.
Just on the face of it, that statement is so out of touch with reality that it can be demolished with just a few short examinations of what our democracy really is. First, though, is the idea that we live in a pure democracy — we do not, for we have a constitutional, democratic republic. So, just what aspects of our democracy (using Hillary’s words) do we need to be saved from losing?
Voting is integral to our political life. Have we lost the right to vote? Where in this vast land are people kept from the polls? I have not heard that we have gone back to the (Democratic practices) of poll taxes, literacy tests or other limits on our voting rights. Even the incessant cries that voter ID suppresses votes are not correct, for studies have shown that this is not the case. On November 6, many millions of Americans will go to the polls and cast their ballots as they see fit. Obviously, our democracy is not in danger of losing that privilege.
Our right to the free exercise of religion has not been restricted. This next Sunday, in our small community, people will flock to the church of their choice to worship God. These churches range from the establishment, liberal congregations to those on the more fundamental side of the spectrum. Mosques and synagogues will also see many worshippers this weekend. Preaches will preach, congregants will pray, and all will return home better for the experience. This scene will be repeated all over the United States, and will include those who stay home as they exercise their right to not go to church. Where are the jackbooted soldiers standing at the church house doors, preventing worship from happening? Where are the dictums from on high telling clergy what to say and when to say it? Just how is this fundamental right being abrogated? We cannot say we are in danger of losing this part of our democracy, so why urge Americans to save something we are not in danger of losing?
Do we need to save our democratic right to free speech from being taken away? Where have those who wish to speak been silenced? (Another blog on how some are intimidating conservative speakers needs to be written, though.) Just a few examples shows that Hillary’s “worries” are overblown at best or disingenuous at worst. A California Congresswoman, Maxine Waters, has been able call for the President’s impeachment and even has encouraged people to harass anyone who support him. Rush Limbaugh is one of the most popular radio show hosts on the other end of the political spectrum, and speakers in between proliferate. Just in the past few weeks, politicians have used their “bully pulpits” to get their points across. Have these been muzzled by the authorities? Where are the venues closed by order of the government when those with opposing political views are scheduled to speak? Right now, if you want to get on your soapbox and try to convince people that the earth is flat or the black helicopters are on the way or Bigfoot is real, go for it. Some will listen, and some will ridicule, but your right to do so is not impacted. Save democracy? We have it in abundance.
Freedom of the press is still going strong. When looking for information about issues I am interested in, a simple search on my computer or phone emphasizes just how strong this freedom is. From The Huffington Post, to Fox News, to The New York Times, to The Prairie Press, editorials and opinions abound on their pages. Views from left to right are in abundance, both supporting and opposing the administration. If you include the broadcast media in this, just turn on your TV. MSNBC, CNN, CBS, NBC, FOX NEWS fill the airwaves with news stories and commentary 24 hours a day. Whenever Hillary wishes to spout her theories as to why she lost in 2016, someone, somewhere will give her air or camera time to do so. Why, then, does she claim we need to “save democracy” when she uses it every day? No need to save us from something we haven’t lost!
Our democracy cherishes the right to assemble together to advocate for policies with which we agree. How has that been cut short? In recent months we have seen a huge convention by the National Rifle Association, marches on Washington for both liberal and conservative causes, people demonstrating on the Capitol steps and even gathering in senators’ offices to protest what they don’t like. The Women’s March featured some far out costumes, some almost pornographic, and it sill went on. A March for Life protested the 45th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision of Roe v. Wade, with counter-demonstrations at each one. Where, Hillary, has our democracy been in such danger that we need to work to “save” it when we can do such things in public without fear of retaliation by government soldiers or officials?
Included in her tirade was a criticism about the President and how he has lowered the political discourse by his rhetoric aimed at his opponents. Perhaps she should watch again the hearings to confirm Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court and see how her “side” harangued him and accused him of the most heinous of crimes, without proof, and how one Senator even called this good man “evil”. Examples abound that equate the President with Hitler or Stalin, coming from her Democrats. Pot, are you calling the kettle black?
Much more could be written, but it is ludicrous to feel that we are about to lose our freedoms. Perhaps, after watching Hillary’s performances trying to explain her defeat in 2016, and reading her book, What Happened, attempting the same, the only logical conclusion as to why she (and others?) would spout this line is because she still cannot accept her loss. She feels that President Trump is illegitimate, therefore anything he or his supporters do it a threat to our “way of life”.
Our democratic institutions are not in mortal danger; we have survived the ups and downs of politics, with good and bad Presidents, and still the Republic lives. With the country enjoying a resurgent economy, renewed confidence at home and abroad, perhaps the only real threat is from those who try to take down the present leaders who seem to be on the right track.
Perhaps we might just sit back and wonder: Is Hillary really that clueless?