Poisoning the Well Water

 

The way ideas are presented often predetermines the intended response. Each word chosen, presumably with a modest amount of thought, each word lends itself to an understanding based on a presumption that both the speaker and the listener share the interpretation of words based on common experiences and customs.

(Image of Water Well courtesy of Adobe)

This past week I read an editorial originally published by the New York Times, “Are We Losing Our Democracy?”.  The brief screed included twelve bullet points, each of which began with the term, “An authoritarian…” 

1) An authoritarian stifles dissent and speech

2) An authoritarian persecutes political opponents

3) An authoritarian bypasses the legislature

4) An authoritarian uses the military for domestic control

5) An authoritarian defies the courts

6) An authoritarian declares national emergencies on false pretenses

7) An authoritarian vilifies marginalized groups

8 ) An authoritarian controls information in the news media

9) An authoritarian tries to take over universities

11) An authoritarian creates a cult of personality

11) An authoritarian uses power for personal profit

12) An authoritarian manipulates the law to stay in power

Readers would assume the article was aimed at the current administration, specifically President Donald Trump, why else would such an editorial be published at this time, why not when Obama was President, or Biden?  If the editorial wasn’t biased, then why use the term authoritarian? 

Couldn’t it be expressed that Donald Trump has, by virtue of having been elected President under the rules and laws of our Constitutional Republic, wouldn’t it have been accurate to state the as President Donald Trump has the Authority to carry out the duties associated with that office, those duties which are defined and verified by the highest court in the land?

But if you wanted to poison the well water, paint those duties as Authoritarian, something other than Authorized by law, then instead of accepting the lawful duties of President, cast doubt on each action exactly as the New York Times editorial did.

Taking to task radical District Judges who don’t agree with the President’s actions, judges who have usurped powers far beyond their legal scope, presenting this before the Supreme Court isn’t, “An authoritarian defies the courts”, rather the President is working within the constraints of our Constitutional Republican form of government in order to validate his lawful actions.

You could take each of the twelve bullet points expressed in the New York Times editorial and ask the same question.  Is the word Authoritarian used properly or is this a whiney spoiled child’s expression that he or she didn’t get the result he or she wanted.  It’s much easier to blame that worthless no good Orange haired guy than to admit that he actually has the Authority to carry out the lawful agenda he was voted into office to do.

Then there’s the title offered by the New York Times, “Are We Losing Our Democracy?”.  In the first place, the United States of America isn’t a democracy, it’s a Constitutional Republic.  

From The Daily Signal:

“We have all heard the common talking point from the left that conservatives are destroying democracy. The response to this claim is the same time and time again: “We’re not a democracy; we’re a constitutional republic!” This leads us to ask an important question: Are there any differences between the two, and if so, why do they matter?”

“The answer is simple: There are profound differences between a democracy and a constitutional republic that are crucial to every aspect of American life...”   

The article by The Daily Signal went on to quote from Hamilton, Jefferson and Adams; each having expressed warnings associated with governments based on democracy. My favorite was, “Democracy is like two wolves and a lamb voting on what to eat for lunch, but a republic is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.”

“Thomas Jefferson is our second Founder to see profound issues with democracy. Jefferson said, “The republican is the only form of government which is not eternally at open or secret war with the rights of mankind.”

Jefferson recognized the secret war that occurs under a democracy, a war for power and control. The secret war is fought in many political systems. There is a reason Plato said, “Dictatorship naturally arises out of democracy.”

As a matter of interest, it is commonly taught and accepted by scholarly individual that here in America we have a Democratic Republican form of government.  Rather than argue the finer points which serve no purpose, it’s much easier to simply say, “You’re right” and let them feel better about having won their point.