Gorsuch, A Glimmer of Hope

Gorsuch, A Glimmer of Hope
The View from the Middle

Well, it’s official. We have an entirely dysfunctional government. Let’s start at the top. We have a president whose policies I support, but whose behavior I don’t. I do want border security and tax reform. I want school choice and regulatory reform. I’m for the rule of law and for creating good paying American jobs, etc. I’m not for ridiculing the opposition just for thinking differently than I do. That’s a Saul Alinsky strategy to create division, anger and even hatred. It’s a tactic that may work in the short term to move power from one place to another, but in the long term it will destroy what is great about America. I would encourage our President to pursue his agenda, that’s what he was elected to do, but to do it with respect for his opponents.
Then we have the Democrat Party who is redefining the role of the loyal opposition. Its tactics of suppressing free speech and encouraging violence by not denouncing it are repulsive. They have even created a literal playbook on how to block Donald Trump at every turn. And their goal is not simply to hinder Trump, but it is to make him unsuccessful. What they don’t realize is that the real loser of that type of strategy is the American people. The Democrats are crossing the line between reasonable argument and treachery. The good news is that I have noticed a few Democrats suggesting that this strategy is unwise. They may yet save the Democrat party from devolving into the party of hatred, prejudice and chaos.
And while all this partisan brinkmanship has been playing out in Washington, the press has perverted its intended role as watchdog to being an attack-dog on Trump and a lapdog for the DNC. Trump deserves some of the negative coverage he has received, and many would argue that he is his own worst enemy for making some of his comments. But shouldn’t there be some balance. He HAS been extremely active. He has met with big business, unions, black leaders and today he is meeting to explore how to encourage women entrepreneurs. Is it no wonder that the approval of the Press is even lower than Trump’s?
And just when you think the courts could play their intended role and bring some sanity to the situation, they stooped to the same political hackery that Washington is famous for. I thought the justices were just supposed to interpret the law, but in every story about Trump’s travel delay executive order, all the talking heads could discuss was the political ideology of each judge. And the decisions came down just as expected based on those beliefs. The first judge never even made a legal argument for his decision and the three-judge panel from the 9th circuit never even sited the law that gives the President broad powers to control immigration. And don’t take my word for it. Just ask Alan Dershowitz or Jonathon Turley, two (hardly conservative) constitutional experts.
What virtually every American wants to see is civility in Washington, truth being reported by the media and politicians working together to make things better for the country. Maybe they should all take a hint from Dwight Eisenhower, who may have been our least partisan President who also delivered possibly the most peaceful, productive and successful eight years in office.
There is one glimmer of hope on the horizon, which could speak well of the President, Congress and the Courts at the same time, and that glimmer is spelled - NEIL GORSUCH. By almost all thoughtful opinions on both sides of the aisle, he is eminently qualified to be the Supreme Court Justice to replace the legendary Antonin Scalia. His nomination speaks very positively of Donald Trump’s judgment. IF the Senate can confirm him with more than 60 votes (avoiding the nuclear option) it would suggest that some of the partisan politics have been tamped down and some progress could be made in the future. And of course, Neil Gorsuch would be a great addition to the Supreme Court. Neil Gorsuch would be a big win for everyone, including the American people.
Now, someone needs to throw some cold water on the press!