We’ll get to the partying. First, let’s review one recently discussed fact:
The clear majority of American adults don’t want either Joe Biden or Donald Trump to run again for President. But alas, they are still running.
With all due respect, it begs the question: who do they each care most about?
But they aren’t the only ones whose care is in question…
Many months ago, we shared the motives here of a group called No Labels. Ardent Intramuralist readers will recall that through this organization, this current events blogger has had the recent privilege of being in very thought-provoking meetings with politicians Sen. Joe Lieberman, Gov. Larry Hogan, Gov. Pat McCrory, civil rights leader Dr. Benjamin Chavis, and for interviewing purposes, New York Times reporter David Brooks. As spokespersons or chairmen, they respectfully advocate for a “national movement of commonsense Americans pushing our leaders together to solve our country’s biggest problems.” Unfortunately, intense political polarization has halted progress on our problems. And some of the advocated legislation on the left and the right has become fairly radical — and dare I semi-humbly suggest, radically disrespectful of often at least half the country’s population.
No Labels encourages each of us to have the courage to put our country first… to care most about country. As they sincerely but bluntly acknowledge, “In American politics today, it doesn’t take courage to follow the party line. You don’t need a backbone to hurl pot shots at the other side. To stir up hate and recrimination. To gum up the works. To refuse to cooperate.” And yet, that is what many are doing. Joe Biden and Donald Trump each contribute significantly to the problem, albeit via varied angles.
Hence, aware of the potential of the again insufferable choice between Biden and Trump, where questions of competence and character are unquestionably in play, No Labels has been working for multiple years now to craft what they call the “Insurance Policy 2024.” If we face Biden vs. Trump round 2, No Labels is preparing to offer a unity ticket, a presidential ticket that features strong, effective and honest leaders who will commit to working closely with both parties to find those commonsense solutions. They are preparing for the possibility; they have not yet committed to doing so. They care more about the country than any one party.
Now that they are making notable progress, picking up steam, with more and more of us attracted to a movement that doesn’t pander to the extreme left or right, notice, no less, how the parties have reacted…
Last week from the primary two parties, a group of approximately 40 political strategists and former officials — including Pres. Biden’s former chief of staff — met quietly together for a singular purpose: to “subvert” the No Labels plan. As Michael Scherer penned for The Washington Post, “The group discussed raising money to minimize impact of No Labels presidential bid, pressure donors and potential candidates to back away… Their mission: Stop No Labels.”
Their mission doesn’t stop there. In Arizona, the Arizona Democratic Party is actually suing to keep No Labels off the ballot. They are suing to actually obstruct the democratic process.
Let me be clear; this is not just the Democrats. This is not just the Republicans. This is both. These are the established political parties who are threatened by the existence of another, viable party. We ask once more: who do they care most about?
Partying is a problem.
Let us suggest the Democrats and Republicans are threatened by more than a sensible third party. Note, in their words, what No Labels stands for:
- We care about this country more than the demands of any political party.
- Political leaders need to listen more to the majority of Americans and less to extremists on the far left and right.
- We are grateful to live in a country where we can openly disagree with other people.
- America isn’t perfect, but we love this country and would not want to live any place else.
- We can still love and respect people who do not share our political opinions.
- We support, and are grateful for, the U.S. military.
As is our passion here at the Intramuralist — and no doubt one of the reasons we are sincerely attracted to the efforts of this movement — note in particular values #3 and 5: grateful to live where we can openly disagree… and… we can still love and respect those who don’t share our political opinions…
That, my friends, is eye-opening. Neither established, primary party is known for their gratitude amid disagreement nor their respect for those who actually disagree. No wonder they are threatened; people are realizing that their partying is a problem.
Respectfully…
AR