Friday, June 29, 2018
By Gary Bauer
What a week it's been for the conservative movement! As the Fourth of July approaches and Americans look forward to celebrating our freedom under God, we have more reason than ever to celebrate and to hope.
Once again Americans feel free to assert a confident patriotism. The world isn't free of conflict, but the level of violence in many parts of the world is down and talks are underway between global powers and regional rivals. Our nation is once again standing up for American workers and challenging trade barriers. Reports are surfacing that U.S. growth may exceed 4 percent for the second quarter and 3 percent for the year. A level of growth they said we'd never see again.
Now, we know there are plenty of people who see nothing but doom in these developments. Ronald Reagan called these folks "doomsayers," by which he generally meant "liberals." As harsh as his critics were then, I have to say today's brand is worse. Not only do they see disaster around every corner, but they offer intimidation and threats, the whiff of violence, to get their way. Last night, Michael Moore, the paunchy video maker, went on the Stephen Colbert show to urge his fellow liberals to "put our bodies on the line to stop Trump."
Rhetoric like this does no one any good. It's radically out of tune with reality. But this is a good time for some other critics of the current Administration to pause and reflect. Two years ago at this time, after Donald Trump had won the most hotly contested GOP presidential primary ever, including many people I respect, the NeverTrump crowd, dug in to oppose him.
The past week shows the price we would have paid had their campaign succeeded. In one short week, the Supreme Court upheld the Constitution and handed down three rulings, touching all three segments of conservatism. The Court, by single votes, affirmed the President's power to protect our borders from terrorist incursions, the right of government employees not to be forced to join unions, and the free speech rights of pro-life pregnancy centers.
On national security, economic liberty, and social policy, the court stood with American values. Now imagine how radically different this week would have been if Hillary Rodham Clinton had won. No Neil Gorsuch. Each ruling going the other way.
This dramatic week would have ended with Anthony Kennedy stepping down. The Supreme Court would have been lost for the next 25 years. But it's worse than that. The vision of life, liberty, and family we love would have been lost, likely irretrievably. It's time for the President's "house critics" to offer some mea culpas and give Donald Trump his due.
Once again Americans feel free to assert a confident patriotism. The world isn't free of conflict, but the level of violence in many parts of the world is down and talks are underway between global powers and regional rivals. Our nation is once again standing up for American workers and challenging trade barriers. Reports are surfacing that U.S. growth may exceed 4 percent for the second quarter and 3 percent for the year. A level of growth they said we'd never see again.
Now, we know there are plenty of people who see nothing but doom in these developments. Ronald Reagan called these folks "doomsayers," by which he generally meant "liberals." As harsh as his critics were then, I have to say today's brand is worse. Not only do they see disaster around every corner, but they offer intimidation and threats, the whiff of violence, to get their way. Last night, Michael Moore, the paunchy video maker, went on the Stephen Colbert show to urge his fellow liberals to "put our bodies on the line to stop Trump."
Rhetoric like this does no one any good. It's radically out of tune with reality. But this is a good time for some other critics of the current Administration to pause and reflect. Two years ago at this time, after Donald Trump had won the most hotly contested GOP presidential primary ever, including many people I respect, the NeverTrump crowd, dug in to oppose him.
The past week shows the price we would have paid had their campaign succeeded. In one short week, the Supreme Court upheld the Constitution and handed down three rulings, touching all three segments of conservatism. The Court, by single votes, affirmed the President's power to protect our borders from terrorist incursions, the right of government employees not to be forced to join unions, and the free speech rights of pro-life pregnancy centers.
On national security, economic liberty, and social policy, the court stood with American values. Now imagine how radically different this week would have been if Hillary Rodham Clinton had won. No Neil Gorsuch. Each ruling going the other way.
This dramatic week would have ended with Anthony Kennedy stepping down. The Supreme Court would have been lost for the next 25 years. But it's worse than that. The vision of life, liberty, and family we love would have been lost, likely irretrievably. It's time for the President's "house critics" to offer some mea culpas and give Donald Trump his due.
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