THE FRUSTRATED RIGHT

Working in a democracy to achieve change requires patience - a a willingness to accede to the will of the majority

It is understandable that one becomes increasingly angry and eventually apathetic or possibly aggressive and violent when one’s aspirations and objectives are constantly denied. In the arena of politics, this can result in aggression against the political majority who have prevailed. Rather than work with one’s opponents to achieve workable and acceptable compromises, losers can take stance of non-cooperation and hostile action. That appears to be what has been happening over the last few years and the Right appears to have worked its way out onto a limb with few options before them if Trump loses his quest for the Presidency. So let’s consider the future prospects for those who have continued to identify with Donald Trump, assuming he loses the election: 1. They can turn apathetic and resign themselves to other endeavors, casting politics aside. 2. They can reconsider the emasculation of their offensive captain and consider that they only have a chance of achieving their limited objectives by working within a more acceptable structure. 3. They can attempt to get more public and media attention by continuing to engage in rallies and public demonstrations, albeit with a new leader. 4. They can resort to acts of violence that will only land more of them in jail.

I believe the general public – and the vast majority of Republicans – would like to see is a restructuring and reformulation of the Republican party, more in accord with a mainstream, more refined, opposition philosophy and attitude. Perhaps the Republican voter mainstream will cast aside politicians such as Marjorie Taylor Greene, Paul Gossert, Matt Gates, Lauren Boebert, Ted Cruz, and other grotesque figures and try to return to a more respectable and justifiable posture. There needs to be a loyal opposition at all times, a reasonable opposition, a smart opposition.  There is no future for the Republican party, held firmly in the grip of Michael Whatley and Lara Trump, surrogates for Donald Trump. They will have to go if the party is to survive and regain stature. If the Republican party can’t reform itself and recover the mainstream party it once was, perhaps those who have departed from it can form a new political party that can claim the respect and legitimacy the Republican party once enjoyed.

There will always be those on the fringe who are and will be dissatisfied with those who hold office – and frustrated by their inability to control the political process. There are those who believe they could do things better, who believe they have better ideas, who believe compromise is a sellout, In fact, there are those who believe democracy is a failure and want to embrace a strongman who will do what they want. But, democracy is a commitment on the part of its participants to accede to the wishes of the majority, at least temporarily – and to use the power of persuasion to bring about their desired policies and objectives. Even for the victors, democracy requires patience. Change and adjustment take time – and that needs to be recognized (and accepted) in a civil society. It may be somewhat frustrating but there’s no better way.