I’ve previously seen graphics similar to the swinging pendulum used in this essay; however, the graphic always implies a widening arc with each progression and a vertical line center. The reality is the political center has slowly been moving to the right ever since Reagan came into office in 1981. It’s not a straight line, there are minor leftward adjustments under a Democrat president when the Democrats have a trifecta. (Almost nonexistent under Clinton, minor under Obama except for the ACA.). The leftward adjustment was noticeably larger for Biden’s first two years, but the overall trend of the centerline was rightward from 1981 to 2021. Thus the left side of the graphic doesn’t pull so much outward to the left and the angle rightward increases.
Unfortunately the idea of “find common ground with Republicans who long for a return to their core tenets” died in 2017 with Trump. The Republican Party of old is deceased. The very few remnants - Liz Cheney, Chris Christie, etc, and a few others have been too marginalized to recapture the party.
Thanks, Michael. The graphic is intended to be more conceptual than an accurate depiction. You're right, but it would probably look like a swirling vortex if I tried to do better.
I'm not convinced that the old GOP is dead. If we beat Felonious T & The MAGAlomaniacs bigly, maybe the old GOP will rise from the ashes. I think there was a brief resurgence after the Tea Party fizzled, but then Felonious T stepped into the breach and spawned the MAGAts.
This is a tough subject considering the nature of the current version of the GOP.
I too understand the value of negotiation and compromise. But I can't think of a single subject upon which compromising with MAGA Republicans would make sense.
Women have an absolute right to reproductive freedom. Period.
Ukraine must be defended from Putins aggression. Period.
The rich should be taxed a lot more than they are now. I guess we could debate the marginal rate. But the current robbery of the national treasure must stop.
Every kid in the richest nation to have ever existed deserves housing, health care and an education leading to employment - without accumulating crippling debt.
The Earth is wretching and reeling from our use of fossil fuels - I suppose we could debate how fast to eliminate them. But the direction has to be clear and denial has NO PLACE in a civilized world. Compromises here sentence millions to displacement and death.
Bottom line? The GOP has nothing to offer other than oligarchy, poverty for the working poor, planetary destruction, hate for others, imposition of primitive religious nonsense and buckets and buckets of lies.
Fortunately, demographics suggest that younger generations will reject the despicable reactionary rightward lurch we are experiencing now. Hope is on the horizon.
So once the MAGANAZIS are subdued and their ideas pushed under the rock they crawled out from under...we can begin compromising within the very big tent of liberalism. Conservatism is now completely discredited as a legitimate occupant of democracy.
Universal Healthcare could be achieved in stages instead of overnight. Start with all children!
Gun control could come in steps. Start with background checks for ALL gun purchases, red flag laws, and bump stock bans. And after the dust settles, introduce buy back programs.
But compromise with misogyny, bigotry and anti-science bullshit. Never.
Thanks, Bill. I wrote the original piece when I was younger and more idealistic (in 2020, when I thought Felonious T was finished). I haven't given up on the idea, but it does require the return of the former Republican party and the demise of the MAGAts. You can't negotiate with terrorists, and you can't compromise with people you don't trust. And as you suggest, some things are nonstarters. I probably should have said that but the essay was getting a bit long.
Good theorem Bob, and one I support. The idea of majority rule is nominally tempered by the concept of equality under the law, a concept that we espouse in this country without having ever fully accepted all the nuances and requirements. President Biden has made strides in that direction and clearly scared the s*** out of the Republican plutocrats who are having visions of their sugar plums rotting on the vine. The Democratic progressive wing has done an admirable job so far of supporting the Vice President's candidacy and, as long as they can keep their more extreme pronouncements under control and we all work hard at it, the Harris administration should be well positioned to continue the progress you describe.
Excellent article Bob!
Thanks, Michael!
I’ve previously seen graphics similar to the swinging pendulum used in this essay; however, the graphic always implies a widening arc with each progression and a vertical line center. The reality is the political center has slowly been moving to the right ever since Reagan came into office in 1981. It’s not a straight line, there are minor leftward adjustments under a Democrat president when the Democrats have a trifecta. (Almost nonexistent under Clinton, minor under Obama except for the ACA.). The leftward adjustment was noticeably larger for Biden’s first two years, but the overall trend of the centerline was rightward from 1981 to 2021. Thus the left side of the graphic doesn’t pull so much outward to the left and the angle rightward increases.
Unfortunately the idea of “find common ground with Republicans who long for a return to their core tenets” died in 2017 with Trump. The Republican Party of old is deceased. The very few remnants - Liz Cheney, Chris Christie, etc, and a few others have been too marginalized to recapture the party.
Thanks, Michael. The graphic is intended to be more conceptual than an accurate depiction. You're right, but it would probably look like a swirling vortex if I tried to do better.
I'm not convinced that the old GOP is dead. If we beat Felonious T & The MAGAlomaniacs bigly, maybe the old GOP will rise from the ashes. I think there was a brief resurgence after the Tea Party fizzled, but then Felonious T stepped into the breach and spawned the MAGAts.
How loud that old Trump will squawkalla, on seeing the strengths of Kahmahalla!
It's gonna be interesting!
Bob,
This is a tough subject considering the nature of the current version of the GOP.
I too understand the value of negotiation and compromise. But I can't think of a single subject upon which compromising with MAGA Republicans would make sense.
Women have an absolute right to reproductive freedom. Period.
Ukraine must be defended from Putins aggression. Period.
The rich should be taxed a lot more than they are now. I guess we could debate the marginal rate. But the current robbery of the national treasure must stop.
Every kid in the richest nation to have ever existed deserves housing, health care and an education leading to employment - without accumulating crippling debt.
The Earth is wretching and reeling from our use of fossil fuels - I suppose we could debate how fast to eliminate them. But the direction has to be clear and denial has NO PLACE in a civilized world. Compromises here sentence millions to displacement and death.
Bottom line? The GOP has nothing to offer other than oligarchy, poverty for the working poor, planetary destruction, hate for others, imposition of primitive religious nonsense and buckets and buckets of lies.
Fortunately, demographics suggest that younger generations will reject the despicable reactionary rightward lurch we are experiencing now. Hope is on the horizon.
So once the MAGANAZIS are subdued and their ideas pushed under the rock they crawled out from under...we can begin compromising within the very big tent of liberalism. Conservatism is now completely discredited as a legitimate occupant of democracy.
Universal Healthcare could be achieved in stages instead of overnight. Start with all children!
Gun control could come in steps. Start with background checks for ALL gun purchases, red flag laws, and bump stock bans. And after the dust settles, introduce buy back programs.
But compromise with misogyny, bigotry and anti-science bullshit. Never.
Thanks, Bill. I wrote the original piece when I was younger and more idealistic (in 2020, when I thought Felonious T was finished). I haven't given up on the idea, but it does require the return of the former Republican party and the demise of the MAGAts. You can't negotiate with terrorists, and you can't compromise with people you don't trust. And as you suggest, some things are nonstarters. I probably should have said that but the essay was getting a bit long.
Your heart is in the right place. Working together should be normal. Maybe someday.
Good theorem Bob, and one I support. The idea of majority rule is nominally tempered by the concept of equality under the law, a concept that we espouse in this country without having ever fully accepted all the nuances and requirements. President Biden has made strides in that direction and clearly scared the s*** out of the Republican plutocrats who are having visions of their sugar plums rotting on the vine. The Democratic progressive wing has done an admirable job so far of supporting the Vice President's candidacy and, as long as they can keep their more extreme pronouncements under control and we all work hard at it, the Harris administration should be well positioned to continue the progress you describe.
Thanks, Dave! She seems to be a pragmatist and a great communicator, so I'm hopeful.
As am I, she's got a lot of the same qualities that Obama brought to the table with some added experience in government and politics.