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Will Conservatives Fight Each Other for the Next Four Years?
I have no idea what will happen over the next month. It’s possible but unlikely that President Trump will be re-elected; it’s also likely that Joe Biden will fill that seat; his winning this election fills me with fear and dread.
But to me, even worse than watching an elderly man who has cognitive problems and misguided ideas become President will be watching the Conservatives at each other’s throats. I foresee those who enthusiastically support Trump holding angry grudges against those who believed that Trump could not overcome the odds or beat back the fraud. And I can imagine those who believed the odds were long will be hated by those who believed that fraud should have been uncovered and Trump should have won.
This outcome is a lose-lose proposition for Conservatives everywhere.
Why do I bring this issue up now? Because in one sense, it doesn’t matter what the results are: we could waste our energy berating each other, blaming the system, and condemning those who were on the opposite side of us.
I’m also raising this issue now because we must focus on the real potential catastrophe: Democrats may very well be in charge of the government at one level or another and their dominance could destroy our country.
Now I will admit that I’m not fond of watching people fight with each other, verbally or otherwise (although I did enjoy the original Karate Kid). But the stakes are too high for us to get sidetracked and fall into Republican reticence of being Mr. Nice Guys or giving up the farm. Instead of fighting with each other over the past, let’s try the following:
- Make sure one way or another that a highly credible commission is established to study the results of the election, identify the fraud that occurred, find the mismanagement that was pervasive, and identify solutions. This effort will require identifying which steps should be proposed for the federal government to oversee, and which should be given to the states. If possible, the recommendations should include penalties for breaking or mismanaging the rules. The committee should be bipartisan and should preferably include people who are no longer in government, but have credibility on both sides of the aisle.
- Stop crying over spilled milk, no matter who wins. It will have been done. Arguing amongst ourselves is just another kind of distraction and will stall any progress on the part of Republicans. I frankly don’t care if you feel there was massive fraud or if you believe there was fraud, but not enough to make a difference. (I believe the truth is somewhere in the middle.) It’s history. Finished. Done.
- Let’s figure out the next steps for the Republicans that go beyond fighting the Democrats or re-litigating the election. We need to revamp totally the principles of Conservatism. We need to give up on old hopes that will be lost for the future, such as small government. We need to figure out how to educate people about US history and its goals in moving forward. We need to determine how to best engage people in America and build enthusiasm for 2024.
- We must explore the psychological impact of this election and be honest about its effect on ourselves and the people. Each of us should take a good hard look at ourselves and ask what really motivates our antagonism toward our colleagues. I learned a good lesson that is almost always true when it comes to human motivation. We become angry when two aspects of our psyche are challenged: being right and looking good. That means when someone accuses us of being wrong, we defend ourselves, insisting that we are right. It doesn’t matter whether we are “really” right or not; we must protect ourselves from those who question us. “Looking good” describes those characteristics that we value because we think they make us “look good”; they are what you value about yourself, not necessarily what someone else appreciates about us. That means when a person violates your important beliefs about your looking good—being smart, being right, being ethical, being educated—you will have a strong negative reaction and even fight back. I know intimately the limitations of these reactions!
Once we realize that our reactions to others’ challenging us are based on our irrational fears of being discounted, it’s much easier to disregard what they say about us. For example, some men like to tell me I’m reacting “emotionally” to something. Most women hate to be told that; I love it because I can respond by saying, “You’re right! I am emotional. But I’m also smart and knowledgeable.” That usually stops the attack.
* * * * *
My hope for all of us is that we don’t move into the next four years with a chip on our shoulders. Let’s not attack each other; let’s not spend our time in useless arguments. Instead, let’s transform our anger into passion; our concerns into dedication for America; our frustration into a laser-sharp focus. Let’s work together. Let’s help each other.
Let’s set the example of what it means to be proud Americans.
Published in Politics
Regardless of whether you are a full bore Trump supporter, a reluctant Trump supporter or a Trump skeptic, the reality is this: Trump will not be President on January 21, 2021.
Trump lost the 2020 presidential election to Biden.
You had a race between a senile old man, Biden, and a crazy man, Trump. The senile man beat the crazy man.
This ship sailed years ago. We are in a state of persistent self-reinforcing alienation.
Good lord. The guy disappears for months, and then comes back to spam the entire site with his gloating.
Yes, please. Ignore function, now!
The disabled veteran Marine named Joey Jones, on Veteran’s Day, said on TV that ‘Yes, I am emotionally invested and I wanted Trump to win’. We can’t flip off our emotions like a light switch because election day is over. But more than that, he wanted to know the election was honest and fair. At this point, we don’t know that, and we’re being told to suck it up and get on with it. He said he can order a pizza via a phone app and have it arrive in no time exactly as he ordered it, and yet we can’t figure out how to secure our elections.
I’m with you, and I have no interest in tuning into Fox or any other network to watch opinion bashing for the next four years,. I’m tired and done with it. I want facts on any topic and I’ll do my own search to find them if they cannot be presented in an honest and information-based format. There is too much on the line as you state Susan – there’s no more time to fiddle while Rome is burning.
PS There’s a rumor that AT&T due to debt is looking to sell CNN? Trump should buy it and fire everyone – then run a fact-based network that tells the truth, has real reporters – boots on the ground – and also has programs that teach about American history and bring positive news – patriotic news – successful outcomes kind of news, as well as how and where Americans can help. That would be time well spent.
They’d probably refuse to sell it to him, but . . . wouldn’t that be glorious?
If I had the money, I’d pose as a leftist until they sold it to me, then I’d pull the mask off, fire everyone and shut the damn thing down. Then I’d raze the building to the ground and put up an orphanage in its place.
I just have to jump in here. There is only one way we’re going to change hearts — it happens when we are persecuted for righteousness sake. People respond to injustices perpetrated upon the innocent. Sometimes even upon the guilty — see Floyd, George (who I believe killed himself with an overdose).
A Biden presidency will see to that. I’m noting that particularly as a Catholic. The Left is coming for us and the Nevers have enabled them. Of the two types of suffering — natural and human-caused — it’s the betrayal that’s much harder to accept and forgive. Any so-called conservative who voted for the Democrat ticket and its anti-American, anti-constitutional, not to mention immoral platform is dead to me. No excuses.
That’s why traitors go to the lowest circle of hell.
I wish I had the time to read through all the comments but my work schedule is kicking in.
Heres my bottom line: One of the central issues ongoing on the conservative side has been the difference in the perception of our enemy/enemies – who they are, what they are capable of, and what the consequences are of ignoring these very real threats. Not just to conservatism but to freedom and the very basis of our republic ( and supposed democracy). Who doesn’t want to ‘conserve’ freedom?
So my fault line is there. People who are conservative but don’t know how to deal with our enemies, or can’t see the threats, are playing a game they ( and we) will always lose. Whether they are traitors or just political morons. I will not follow their advice or even listen to them. While they may not be traitors personally, they are blind to how they are enabling their enemies by pretending they don’t exist. They are worse than worthless.
Half of them are from one person, and entirely skippable.
That’s how I got through them this morning.
More “obvious” that is only in your head and in the heads of Democrats and the few NTs left.
Your story has become tiresome.
Now we dance.
OK. Maybe he believes it. Why is this a “lie?”
I’ve already gone through this situation once, where the Republican Party was split dramatically.
I was not a Reagan Democrat-turned-Republican. My husband was, and he became very involved with the Republicans way back then. I did not “convert” until the third year of 41’s term in office. I really liked him, and I really respected the clarity of his statements concerning Saddam Hussein and Middle East. Do not bother to say anything negative about 41 to me. You would be wasting your time. I am not listening. There’s nothing you can say that will change my mind about him.
Then Bill Clinton came along. The campaign against 41 was brutal. But for me, it came down a very simple choice for America: a World War II veteran versus a draft dodger. I don’t care that Clinton went to Canada, but for the love of all that is holy, how could America even consider making him the commander-in-chief? I thought my fellow countrymen had lost their mind. It still bothers me.
But what bothered me the most, and frankly does to this day, were the Republicans who turned on 41 because of the “no new taxes” pledge he made. Okay, he shouldn’t have said that. But he had to sign the budget because he did not have a line-item veto. He had no choice but to do that. And to watch Republicans turn on him for that when he had done so much good for this country was shocking. I said to my husband, “Looking at this from the perspective of a Democrat, you guys are totally crazy. The Republicans eat their own.”
What I am seeing now with the Never Trumpers is the same thing. They lack any perspective other than some crazy one-item grudge against Donald Trump, usually his personality. As president, he has done so much good, particularly and most recently with Operation Warp Speed. In my opinion, Trump is truly a great president. And nothing will change my opinion on that.
The split in the party started with 41, and it’s just gotten wider and wider. I don’t see unity in the party’s future.
You seem to have difficulty telling the difference between a statement that you disagree with and a “lie.”
Finally, here comes the sense of superiority that all the left has.
Those damn voters ! You will be comfortable in the Democrat Party. You don’t need voters anymore.
Yes, and the other candidate would have lost in a gentlemanly fashion.
Having moved on from characterizing someone who served as “leader of the free world” for four years without serious incident as a “kook’ and a “clown,” you’re now calling him a “crazy man.” Do you think in any way shape or form that such ad hominems mark you as someone whose opinions have any value? Yet we continue to be subjected to them, which is reasonable evidence that the answer to the O/P’s question is “probably.”
I just had a funny thought: I’ll bet the people most ready to shoot the Never Trumpers right now are all the new Republicans who joined the party because they like Donald Trump. :-) They are looking at Donald Trump as someone who said and did things they wanted said and done.
I love the Republicans because they are so tolerant of opposing ideas. But we are a disorganized bunch. :-) That’s a good thing, but it means politicians are trying to herd cats. :-)
“Defend me with your power against all enemies, and especially against those who hide their malice behind the mask of virtue.” — Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska [emphasis mine]
Not only that, but even if it a lie, is it of any consequence whatsoever??? Even to Ted Cruz’s candidacy? That’s a rhetorical question.
Donald Trump says stuff like that and I laugh, it’s so absurd. If it isn’t stupid to respond to such absurdity seriously, it certainly is silly. Much sillier than the original statement.
Donald Trump’s attacks on Cruz’s wife’s looks (and Carly Fiorina’s ) were much more disgusting, and are repentance worthy. But, some of us believe in redemption and forgiveness, even for the likes of Donald Trump. Especially for him!
He’s certainly not a liar in the sense of Corn Pop heroics, or scholarship earnings, or graduation class placement, or cribbing other people’s speeches. In fact, I’d say Donald Trump is the most transparent president in my lifetime. We always know what he’s thinking, even when we’d rather not. . .
There are always going to be internal squabbles. Businesses have them, the military has them, sports teams have them.
The Oakland A’s of the 1970s proved you could have lots of them and still win. But, and it’s a big but… in the great tradition of the game when one of their players got hit and it looked intentional, whatever A’s pitcher was in the game would go to the batter, no matter how disliked he was by his teammates, and ask, “Who do you want?”
In other words, “I don’t like you, but I have your back.”
In politics there is a time for internal squabbling and that’s called “ a Primary.” After that you’re supposed to be on the same team. In the post-Reagan era there was much to dislike. Some thought Dole was too old. Some thought W. was too privileged and insufficiently conservative. Some thought McCain was an SOB (and a disloyal one at that.) Some thought Romney was too malleable and spineless. And we all lined up behind them and asked, “Who do you want?”
There were a lot of people “on the team” that didn’t have Trump’s back. And amazingly he still set voting records for a Republican in what is looking like a loss. I don’t know how you heal that rift. It’s one thing for the Democrats to think we’re backwoods rubes who are too stupid to tie our shoes, it’s another for those who seek to shape our opinions and influence our votes to share in that contempt.
He lies often, usually in the manner of a salesman or fisherman. He also tends to keep his electoral promises and defends segments of the base that the socially totalitarian Left seeks to Cancel out of polite society, making him a far, far better person than most Republican politicians.
It seems to me that NeverTrumpers refuse to admit the obvious, usually because they want the Left to do the dirty work against the conservatives, and priorities, which they disdain.
If this is true, and I believe it is, that Biden’s got it – why do you keep posting this in multiple threads?
Why? Does re-posting make it more true?
As for a race between old men, the one with the media, the gov’t, the colleges, the grade schools, the high schools, the woke corporations, the entertainment industry – you get the idea – likely won the race. Senile or no. That doesn’t mean much vis-a-vis Trump, but if you think this helps you dunk on Trump, it seems like you’re going to continue to do that.
Decrying Trump’s “bad character” as an excuse for supporting the Biden Crime Family is just too precious for words. That includes each and every member of and supporter of the Chinese Communist Party in America, formerly known as the Democrats.
An orphanage that puts children in cages, Drew. In cages.
I’d like to second WC’s assessment of Donald Trump’s lying. He is a transparent liar. When he lies it is obvious and he usually lies about facts. Other politicians lie about their motivations, which I think is much more pernicious.
One thing we know about Trump is that he loves America and Americans. It is not so easy to see that with most politicians.
The short answer is that as long as the Republican “elite” got the candidate they preferred, they were content to run him, watch him lose (except for W, who damn near lost) then blame the base for insufficient zeal for an empty suit.
The base got tired of that, and took away the “elite’s” woobie, and the “elites” threw a four-year snit-fit.
Screw ’em. They can go join Biden’s Chinese Communist Party in America now. We seek not their counsel nor their arms.
You know, you’re right. The NTs would destroy the country in order to save the party. So senseless . . .