Democratic Party Void of Ideas

Have you ever thought about the plot or subplot of a story? If not, allow me to wander the progressive forests of political character gone astray. It has become increasingly apparent, that now more than ever, some individuals/groups talk about other individuals/groups, while others talk about belief. It applies here. Devoid of any tenable stratagem overture, office-bearers have little else to do but focus on exclusive political alliances. Throughout the 20th century, was not the Democratic Party always the party of division? In the South, Democratic politics was the politics of race. In the North, Democratic politics was the politics of class, envy and ethnicity. Still, there were real issues at stake. 

It has become apparent to this writer that currently, identity politics is all there is. In the last election and to a lesser extent the two prior to 2016, did not Hillary Clinton ask women to vote for her because they were women; Blacks because they are black; Hispanics because they are Hispanics; Gays because they are Gay? I believe Ms. Clinton’s ethnicity beguiling at the DNC during the last election cycle was carefully planned and shameless. Did she not put the mother of the then late and not so innocent Treyvon Martin center DNC stage? Does it not appear Hillary and her lieutenants orchestrated event mentioned into a bogus racial occurrence to spur ethnic resentment and drive black voters to the polls?

An unfortunate consequence of identity politics is that the political becomes personal. Hillary voters tended to see her not as someone who was going to deliver the goods, but as someone who would protect their personhood. Does that not suggest that the opposing candidate is a threat to their personhood?

Did not Donald Trump campaign for the votes of out-of-work auto manufacture workers, steel workers, coal miners and blue-collar workers everywhere? But he never appealed to them based on gender or ethnicity or perceived individual identity. He appealed to them as ordinary Americans. As is evidenced by current political rhetoric and behavior, conservative and liberal candidates crusade in very different ways. Now, allow me to pose this question to women. Has any political couple in US history been more denigration to them than the Clinton’s? But, if you think your personhood is on the line, emotion tends to "trump" clear thinking.