Let’s be faithful to our republic. Let’s be moderate in our politics. Obamacare was a step toward socialized medicine and socialized anything isn’t right in a capitalistic, free enterprise society, right? If we live in such society prizing freedom of choice and minimum government interference we should be wary of any policy that reduces the first or increases the second, staying faithful to our founding principles.
This was my position as a moderate conservative. Progressives claimed private healthcare wasn’t fair, leaving some 40 million out in the cold. They argued a government health plan was the only way knowing full well when government manages anything its socialism. Conservatives thought many not covered were young adults, non-citizens or poor and elderly who got coverage under Medicaid. They felt It was a fair system.
A polarizing issue on which a majority were opposed, it never should’ve passed, but politicians uncaring of the People’s will took advantage of a momentary majority & got it done. Legal scholars felt its requirements were unconstitutional, but oddly and to great surprise, it was upheld in a controversial 5 to 4 decision by The Supreme Court.
The point is, if cooler heads had prevailed, had agreed in principle on the role of government & guidelines set out in the constitution, and to rely on the judiciary to insure legitimacy, this wouldn’t have happened. Instead, weaknesses due to partisanship let an unpopular, unconstitutional, un-American proposal like this one become law.
Many of us act like extremists seeing the worth of our own position but not the other guy’s. This intractability or flawed critical thinking affects both sides. It blinds the left to the core beliefs and ideals that uphold and strengthen America. It blinds the right to the plight of the lower classes and the ongoing fight for equality by people of color. It also clouds our understanding how far we can push the envelope of our democratic republic to make room for humanistic/socialistic ideals.
Put another way, we live and thrive in a capitalistic democratic republic which, up to now, has provided benefits and luxuries a majority of us enjoy. Even the poor/disadvantaged live better under this system than in most places around the world. So what’s our feeling about the worth of this republic? Do we give it enough credit? Do we all respect it and grasp its systemic necessities? Are we concerned, even aware, when we cross the line between individual freedom v. government intrusion?
Say a person starts with this understanding, appreciating who we are and how we got here, but wants things to be better. Whatever ideas they have must keep in mind our system and rules governing its vitality. A left-leaning person sees government as the answer, never believing it might grow out of control bringing ruinous change to our society. The right-leaner sees government as facilitator helping to find answers, but remains wary of too much involvement or intrusion.
If these persons were republicans first, meaning people who firmly believe republics are the best form of government, and moderated their respective views, they’d instantly see Obamacare was too extreme. It solved one problem but created a new one: transforming a democratic republic into socialist democracy. Rightists are aware of this; moderate leftists would be too, but extreme leftists couldn’t, or could care less.
Again, rightists knew there was some merit to the argument. Too many were shut out due to job loss, preexisting conditions, costs, etc. Promises to lower costs and keep the same doctor were exaggerated, even lies, but we didn’t get back with our own counter-proposal, effectively exhibiting unwillingness to see the problem and an obstinacy to fix it.
We’re at a point where most of us are centrist or extreme, whether we realize it or not. Being centrist, left or right, adds no thrust to a debate, leaving it for extremists to decide. But if we’re to constructively debate replacing Obamacare, the size of military, spending on infrastructure, balancing budgets, setting debt ceilings as percent of GDP, eliminating cabinet-level departments or beginning serious efforts to downsize the federal gov’t by sending various duties back to the states, it will need level heads who can see the big picture, who care foremost about the stability of the country but can still empathize with opposing views.
We need to be republicans in our heads before we can harbor liberal, progressive or socialist sentiments in our hearts, never losing sight of the treasure that is our American republic. President Reagan warned it could be lost in a single generation if we lose our cultural bearings and trust in God. Centrists must step forward to increase their contribution, extremists back to soften/lessen theirs, if we’re to survive.
For those wondering, RINO’s are centrists, not moderates, straddling center between right and left but allowing the balance to tip left far too often. Their goal is capitulation, not compromise. (R)epublican’s stay center-right; (r)epublicans by nature can be center-right or left.
Let us study governments down through history to gain understanding of what works and what doesn’t. Let us re-examine our point of view to make sure we are seeing all sides. But most important, let us stay faithful to the ideals/principles embedded in our founding, never forgetting how essential they continue to be for our ongoing success.
You’ve Been Reading Shaneview
I’m Al Shane
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