When it comes to political activity in Washington, D. C., the question “What about the rest of us?” sums up the feeling of many in between the coasts and not in large metropolitan areas. Ideas and policies stem from the liberal bastions of New York and California, mostly from the Democrats running those places, and from the big cities. For reference purposes, of the 20 largest urban centers in America, 19 are governed by Democrats, some for fifty years or more.
In 2016 more than 63 million Americans voted for Donald Trump for President. He won an easy victory in the Electoral College, and has mostly kept his promises made on the campaign trail. But the Democrats in the House and Senate have consistently ignored those who did not vote for Hillary Clinton. What they have done is to resist at every point what Trump and the Republicans wanted to do for the good of the nation.
So the question comes to the Democrats — what about the rest of us, those who are not your slavish followers? A few of the ideas pushed by those on the Left will show that we do not count in their calculations.
Secure borders — most Americans and almost all who voted for Donald Trump want our southern border secured against illegal immigrants, terrorists and tons of drugs coming into the United States. But reasonable proposals have been blocked by Democrats in Congress. Aren’t our voices important enough to be heard and heeded?
Socialized medicine is not popular with most Americans. Yet most Democrats are pushing “Medicare for all”, a single payer system that has failed in most places tried, and which will cost over 3 trilliondollars per year to implement. Why is this being pushed when millions of voters do not want it?
Free college and a guaranteed job are pushed by many on the left. But this flies in the face of the historical idea that each person is responsible for paying for his own education and finances. Those of us who will have to pay for this through taxes — do we even figure into the equation of those who push these socialist ideas?
Most Americans are tolerant toward those whose lifestyles are different. Yet, with only about 2-3% identifying as LGBTQ, the vast majority are not only expected to put up with their demands, but also agree that how they live is right. Most Christians do not believe in that which is against nature, but activists do not want to tolerate our beliefs.
Abortion is now the law of the land, but many Americans do not agree with the abortion on demand nor how late in the pregnancy it can be performed. Yet states like New York (and others like Virginia) are pushing abortion into the third trimester. Taking a life, even in the womb, should be done only as a last resort, not as a birth control measure, but many “pro-choice” advocates want to drown out the voices of the pro-life people. Do we not matter in this debate? Can we not have our own belief without being labeled “anti-women”?
Democrats do not want to sit down with the President and come to agreements. To them, no compromise is their position. Yet the vast majority of Americans want Democrats and Republicans to work together, and yes, compromisein the quest to better life for all citizens. Don’t those of us who want elected officials to do so matter? Why are our voices not heard in the halls of Congress?
After more than two years, any poll would show that a majority of voters are sick and tired of the opposition to anything the President proposes. Whatever comes up, we see Democrats say no, even to not talking about the issues with the other party. When such sentiment is voiced among the populace, why does that go unheeded by the Left and Democrats?
Sanctuary cities and states? This concept is anathema to many Americans, but it is forced on localities by those who are on the Left, by those Democrats who run the cities where this is public policy. With such opposition, why are voices condemning sanctuaries silenced and ignored? Do we not matter anymore?
When President Trump proposed and Congress passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in 2017, it was done with NO votes from Democrats. Over 90% of the Middle Class received tax relief, yet many Democrats have claimed they want to repeal this law, called “crumbs” by the House leadership. That means that of the many millions who have benefited from the tax cut do not seem to matter to the Democrats. Why are these millions of no importance to the Dems? What about us? Do we not count in their political calculations?
Israel is the only true ally in the Middle East for America, but many on the Left either want the Israelis to give up land and power to the Palestinians or to cease being a nation. The BDS movement (boycott, divest and sanction) against Israel is supported by a large number of liberals, leftists and Democrats. But most Americans believe it is important to back Israel against its opponents and want this tiny nation to thrive. Is our voice not heard by those who seem to hate the Jews?
Civil discourse is wanted by most Americans, but where are the Democrats when vicious words are directed at the President and his followers? Do we see Democratic leaders condemn the hatred, the obscenities, the profanities hurled at those who are more conservative, those who support the President and his policies? Where is anyconsideration of opposing views?
To repeat — what about the rest of us? Do we not matter to liberals, leftists, Democrats, socialists? Is our right to our opinions and beliefs important enough to be defended and honored? We ask not that people agree with our positions. We only ask that we are given the same right and privilege that most on the Left demand for themselves. Is that too much to expect?