When bedrock freedoms of democracy are on the line, I am a conservative. No. Correction: I am a staunch conservative.
Being a conservative of any stripe is not consistent with my full embrace of the progressive agenda that, over the past century, has been woven into America’s social fabric, immeasurably enhancing our well-being.
Our most vulnerable fellow citizens rest more comfortably in the safety nets of Medicaid and Medicare and Social Security. Many of the most oppressed have found relief in civil rights protections. Wages are higher and workplaces safer. We all breathe cleaner air and drink cleaner water, thanks to environmental laws.
That progress has been sporadic, reflecting the ebb and flow of Congress being open to compromise (until recent years). Largely above the political fray have been our basic freedoms – speech, assembly, right to a fair trial and more. Regrettably, Jim Crow, sundry demagogues and, yes, our own government have denied or chipped away those freedoms at times. But they have not faced a broadside attack. Until now.
On the campaign stump is a former president determined to return to the scene of his crimes, shamelessly headlined by his avowed “love” for the insurrectionists who stormed the Capitol on January 6, 2021. Donald Trump continues to reject 2020 election results, and vows to suspend the Constitution in his pursuit of suspected election fraud. He threatens to “weaponize” the Department of Justice to prosecute perceived enemies and to investigate the press for treason. “Either the deep state destroys America or we destroy the deep state,” he told a campaign rally in Texas last year. He admits he would be a dictator, though only on “day one,” to impose immigration, energy and other policies precious to his base.
Those authoritarian threats come from Trump’s own mouth. If he is elected and carries out his promises, count on him to be the first to boastfully declare, “I told you so.”
Conservatives – before Trump became president in 2017 – were the avowed champions of individual freedom. Now, they casually dismiss threats to those very liberties. Sadly, when Trump acolytes are asked about his dictatorial rhetoric, their frequent response is, “Oh, that’s just Donald.” How will that answer go over when our children ask how their freedoms were lost?
No wonder the fact-checkers can’t keep up with Trump’s lies, a torrential downpour of deceit not even requiring a reason. Ask him what time it is and you’ll miss a meeting.
But many voters still subscribe to the old-fashioned notion that public servants (too many politicians forget that’s what they are) should be taken at their word. Take seriously what they say until it rings false, then hold the bastards accountable.
But don’t treat what Trump says about bedrock freedoms as just more lies. Those threats are consistent with his autocratic record. No one should be surprised when he follows through.
When he says he’s going to trample my freedoms – tossing out my vote if he squints and finds election fraud – I’m going to believe him. When he says he’s going to rip up the Constitution – brushing aside judges and election officials nobly doing their duty – so he can chase shadowy wisps of election fraud, I’m going to believe him. When he says he’ll prosecute the “vermin” who dare to challenge him, their rights be damned, I’m going to believe him.
The risk of losing our freedom is too great to do otherwise. Believing him is what a staunch conservative must do.
About Norman
Norman Brewer is an award-winning reporter and editor who worked for The Des Moines Register and Tribune and for Gannett News Service in Washington, D.C. As a reporter, he covered Congress, the White House and federal agencies, and pursued investigative projects that earned recognition, including from the National Press Club. He was also Director of Employee Communications at the U.S. Transportation Security Administration.
His experience has given him a powerful perspective regarding the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the Capitol, domestic terrorism and the political landscape. Exposure to terrorism issues helped shape January 6: A Novel as well as two earlier novels, Blending In: A Tale of Homegrown Terrorism, and Killer Politics: A Satirical Tale of Homegrown Terrorism.
