Quickies: A Political Fantasy

     Gerard Vanderleun drew my attention to this article by Edward Ring at American Greatness. The paragraph that most affected me was this one:

     What if a critical mass of independent voters were to conclude that, despite his pugnacity, President Trump cares about all Americans, and actually holds moderate, compassionate, common-sense positions? If these things happen, and they very well might, not only will President Trump get reelected, but control of the House of Representatives will return once again to the GOP. And if these sentiments sweep across the land, then politicians of both parties will realize it is time to stop fighting and get back to serving the American people. [Emphasis added by FWP.]

     Note two features of the above:

• The word if appears three times;
• The emphasized clause suggests an outcome antithetical to current political postures.

     As I’ve written before, if is the most important word in any sentence in which it appears. Of the three ifs above, the third is the most important one. It foretells an outcome of the political process that most Americans would find inexpressibly gratifying. But how accurate is Edward Ring’s prediction? How likely is it that those striving to obstruct, retard, and undo President Trump’s agenda would have the predicted change of heart?

     I can’t see it. The dynamic of politics has caused the Democrat Party to concentrate a critical mass of persons to whom the acquisition and retention of power, especially federal power, is the only thing that matters. Those persons are uninterested in anyone’s goals but theirs. Indeed, their goals require that our goals – freedom, prosperity, public order, and general security – be thwarted. A road-to-Damascus conversion into genuinely good and faithful public servants would overturn everything that matters to them.

     I find it more likely that those at the tiller of the Democrat Party would “push the big red button.” That is, they would exclaim Alea iacta est and strive to gain by violence what they could not win through politics. They’re already partially mobilized, as the “AntiFa” and “Black Bloc” disturbances should have demonstrated to all. Moreover, those forces have succeeded in silencing and scattering their opponents as often as not. Combined with “deplatforming,” “doxxing,” and a campaign of slanders and libels promulgated through their media handmaidens, they might have an even chance of prevailing.

     It’s important to win at the ballot box, but don’t neglect to keep the cartridge box full – and don’t let your skills lapse through desuetude.