“Be explicit not implicit.”
Dad—circa 1977
Principle: a fundamental truth or proposition that serves as a foundation for a belief system.
It is getting more difficult to live by a principle that is so contrary to popular belief.
Today the great majority of Americans on both sides of the political spectrum are afraid that as a result of the next election “democracy” will be lost. I’m more concerned with losing our freedom. Here is where principle comes in. My fundamental belief is that “democracy” can be just as much a tyranny as Fascism, Nazism or any other totalitarian regime. Democracy is not inherently moral.
Whoa, wait a minute for a second you say! How can anyone make such an un-American statement? Well, I’m in good company. Our founders recognized that danger and provided us with a constitutional republic with three distinct branches to distribute power. Their concern at the time was that the bigger and more populous states would have more electoral power and dominate the smaller states--thus the system of checks and balances, with three branches of government and the Electoral College. We have a Bill of Rights and constitution to restrict the government, not individuals. Their intention was to slow things down so important questions could be deliberated and resolved according to principle.
It seems the voices of “our democracy is in danger” crowd conveniently forget or dis-regard this history. They do not even admit that unelected bureaucrats are taking control over our lives and liberties. A true democratic society is one where individuals get the fruits of their choices in the free-market and do not make choices for others.
Here comes the problem. The minority in any political proposition will always be the victim of tyranny in a purely democratic government. When most political questions involve the transfer of property or the restriction of individuals in their daily activities or choices, then this principle becomes clear.
How can any group, elected, appointed or usurped, have a moral claim to any person’s life or property? There is the principle. Our God given life is the basis of our rights, and we can only delegate to government such power we have as individuals. The only power we can delegate to government is the ability to protect our life and property.
Our politics today demonstrate a fundamental lack of understanding of our founding principles. We have been steadily losing our freedom since the beginning of the “progressive” era over 100 years ago. We are in dire straits. Both political paths may lead to disaster this time around. One much more than the other. It is the duty of we who love America and the freedom she stands for to act more responsibly. Politics is not the way to a better future.
I am often told that these principles will never come about in today’s world. “Make the best of it,” I’m advised, “You must vote for so and so.”
The Democrat party has few if any redeeming qualities. They use Marxist/Leninist tactics to create crises in order to control every aspect of our lives. Do you want a job? Get permission from the “State.” Do you want to do business? Get permission from the “State.” Do you want to go fishing? Get permission from the “State.” The world is ending and you are the cause they tell us. The “State” must intervene. They are so emboldened that where before they used carrots to influence our behavior, now the stick has become their preferred method.
The Republican Party, on the other hand, has convinced themselves that the only way they can obtain or retain political power is to take part in pandering to the electorate. It is plain to see that if they back candidates that truly have fidelity to American principles; they can win (Reagan). If they chose lukewarm candidates, they lose (McCain, Romney, and George H.W. Bush).
What choice do I have? It has always been a choice between a broken arm and a broken leg. But this time around it’s more serious. I acknowledge that this is not yet the moral world I hope it can be. However, it will never become better by turning a blind eye to what’s wrong. Immoral means never justify any end.
My late dad used to tell us when we were unclear to “Be explicit not implicit.” And that’s how I try to argue my point. Sometimes we need to make arguments and let the reader come to a conclusion. Lately I’ve been dancing around giving voice to certain realities. This time and place requires certainty.
The unattractive qualities we see today in Donald Trump are mostly enlarged by that faction in our politics that are attempting to destroy our American culture. And they see him as the number one impediment to their end. When in danger our instinct is to fight or flee. Trump’s first instinct is to fight. His first administration’s actions respected the constitution and American principles far more than Biden/Harris’ that there is no comparison. They are using him as a foil. Our goal, no matter how imperfect our history may be, is to strive in the direction of more freedom not less.
Alright dad, to be explicit, my worldview is one of the future, informed by the past. Our actions in the present will affect that future in profound ways. We as individuals bear the responsibility of creating a better future by living our lives with virtue and character. Maybe even with some class, style and grace. We did not have a choice when we were dropped into this cesspool, it’s unreasonable to expect us not to try and swim. Therefore, if you are going to participate in our ridiculous politics—Harris and the Democrats are the greater danger to our freedom. Trump is the lesser risk.
Take Care
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Well said, David. Thank you!
I am an ex-Democrat since the Kavanaugh hearings, and though I ought to be understanding of anyone ambivalent about this election, as a matter of fact, I'm not. In my 72 years, I have not seen anything like the endless and egregious violations of the rights of citizens which can only be taken as a foreshadowing the next eight years if Harris wins. For example, if someone wanted to invite ten or twenty million people to illegally cross the border, well, why didn't they bother to ask us citizens what we thought of the idea? We might have even voted on it—or the legislature might have discussed it—what a concept! No—it was all agreed upon in back rooms.
Almost everyone nowadays has at least some skepticism of the mainstream media—nothing radical about that, and yet people still use the mainstream media to inform their perceptions of Trump, which, in fact, have been defamatory propaganda from the very beginning. What were all those years of "Russia collusion" but one big hoax designed to sabotage Trump? So, if someone lies to you once, how disposed are you to believe them a second time? For myself, not at all, and yet people go on letting the mainstream media form their opinions of Trump.
The reason Trump is such a threat to elites is because he was the only president in my lifetime, Republican or Democrat, who acknowledged how irresponsibly the working class was gutted by elites when we moved our manufacturing base to China and elsewhere. Reagan, Bush, Obama, Clinton—they all swept it under the rug while the working class, the people who make they country run, suffered. Now ibuprofen comes from China, along with most everything else. How much sense does that make? This vision alone makes Trump the greatest and most daring president of my lifetime. And that's why working people of all kinds are now coming together to support him. It was inevitable. And if he isn't elected, the movement will continue until justice is done. That's a certainty.
You’re full of shit!