27 May Tied with an Evil Idiot
I have a question for you, Democrats: Do you believe that Donald Trump is a criminal, liar, crazy man, tyrant, threat to democracy, or all of the above? I thought so. Then I have some news that ought to cause you some blue angst: In the polls, your own guy is not ahead of a man that bad. Your candidate is so weak that “the people” would just as soon have a lying, crazy, tyrannical criminal who is a threat to democracy, by your own admission.
As for you, Republicans, are you convinced that Joe Biden is demented, the head of a crime family, hates America, the worst president in our nation’s history, or all of those things and more? I know you do. Therefore, the news for you should leave you red faced: Your own candidate lost to him in 2020 and is tied with him now. Your hero is so feared that half of your fellow citizens would rather re-elect a crime family head with dementia who has purposely led us into chaos because he hates America, according to you.
Group Think
Less than six months before Election Day, the composite national polls do show a dead heat between Donald Trump and Joe Biden. Rather than treating that fact as a convincing denunciation of your own candidate – whichever candidate you prefer – my guess is that it will not change your mind about the strength of your party’s ticket.
I can see why I continue to have to be the one to tell you that your party has not chosen a great presidential candidate for 2024. That is because you hang around with too many people who think like you do. Or, when you cannot avoid encountering individuals with a viewpoint different from yours, you don’t listen to them. You are dismissive. You get your political news from one main source. You rationalize. You hear what you want to hear. You justify. You are active participants in group think.
Relatedly, a second type of polling result I read last week shows that 40 percent of Americans believe the biggest threat to America is “the other side,” meaning the other political party. Perhaps even more telling, 81 percent of Americans believe their opposing party is “a threat to democracy.”
These are strongly-held opinions. In fact, 38 percent of respondents tell pollsters they would not marry a member of a different political party. This is an increase from only five percent in 1960.
People, we have become too strident in our political views, and we are not thinking clearly when we choose our leaders. Also, we focus too much on the speck in our adversary’s eye, rather than the plank in our own (Matthew 7:4-5). That’s what these polls tell me.
Time for Group Reflection
Back to the 2024 presidential race, let’s look at this logically. According to the polls, to conclude (as you political Kool-Aid drinkers have) that your party’s frontrunning candidate is 100 percent superior, you must believe that an equal number of your fellow citizens are 100 percent wrong. At best, you apparently assume those voters are misguided or ill-informed. At worst, you think they are morons or willfully blind to not see what you see. Whichever it is, you appear to be sure that your own judgment of the other half is better than their judgment of themselves.
The conceit that “we know better” is prevalent in our society. Americans often are prone to think we are “the smartest one in the room,” at least on some subjects (like politics).
In truth, however, your fellow citizens – even those who disagree with you politically – probably are not any more foolish or malicious than your group is. You just disagree with each other regarding which of two binary options would be a better (or least bad) choice to lead our nation for the next four years.
If you want a situation in which a sizable majority favor your party’s presumptive nominee, then you should be nominating a better candidate. Put that blame on yourself and your own party, rather than on those perceived immoral dullards who don’t see things your way.
Please hear the messages that are coming to you from outside your group.
Written by Quentin R. Wittrock, founder of Principle Based Politics.
Look for his posts each week, as this blog will explore and promote the idea of principle in politics, both as to individual elected leaders and our federal government as an institution.
Principle Based Politics does not endorse or support any particular political candidate or party.
James Loerts
Posted at 12:26h, 28 MayCompletely true.
Gary Hammer
Posted at 12:41h, 28 MayYou are exactly right. I’m disappointed in both major parties who have presented President Biden and President Trump. Neither have earned my vote. Both parties are more interested in power for themselves and not making America better. I will vote for the best independent candidate on the ballot and, right now, that’s RFK, Jr. I signed a petition to get his name in the Minnesota ballot last week.
Mike Bleecker
Posted at 13:52h, 28 MayWe (the people) pick better candidates????
2016 Those 2 were our best choices??? Not
2020 see above
2024 see 2016.
We the people don’t pick the THE candidates, the 2 organized crime political families do
Hint $$$$$$$$,
We the people just take it in the shorts.
I don’t want either. We have no choice!
Trudy Johnson
Posted at 13:59h, 28 MayYup – Why I will probably write in Nicki cz they both suck. : ) Great article!
Connie Schlundt
Posted at 16:31h, 28 MayAaah Quintin, I am laughing aloud at your blunt and true statements! While I can’t help wondering “how did we get here?”, I am more interested in “how do we move forward?” At the moment all I can think to do is focus on local races. And as always, make the better choice even if it’s not the perfect choice.
Al Taylor
Posted at 18:34h, 28 MayYou watch too much network TV news…90% of what you see/hear on the corrupt media is false..
A question: what shape was the U.S. in during the Trump presidency vs. Biden? If you’re not sure, move to Iran/Russia/Mexico/Middle East/Africa/Canada—-fill in the blank!
DKnight
Posted at 21:37h, 28 MayQuentin—you are an idealist—which can be a good thing.
But– the team thing has been going on for thousands of years—since when were all living in caves and hated the clans in the other caves.
We all need to remember that it is Team America—not team GOP—or team dems…etc.
My mantra is to focus on policies—not personalities or emotions. The policies are with the GOP–without regard to who the candidates are. But–the dems control the narrative. Vote based on policies.
Try not to be too disappointed in human beings—honestly and unfortunately—voters are not always wise–and the choices are not always good.