Editorial: Lamenting the absurdity of the Anti-Anti-Trump Left

By Robert A. Vella

The fracturing of the political Left has been well documented.  The last time in American history it had any cohesive power was during the Great Society years under LBJ, and it was that president who dealt the final death blow to its remarkable run of success by pursuing an unjust war in Vietnam.  The continuing demise of the Left has been so prolonged and so profound that today it would squabble over supporting the reincarnation of arguably the nation’s greatest president ever – Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

If that isn’t dysfunctional absurdity of staggering proportions, then I don’t know what would be.

One might think that the specter of a democracy-and-freedom-destroying megalomaniac in the White House would be sufficient to rally the Left against him in unity.  But, such formerly-reasonable thinking would be wrong.  The Left, unable to reconcile their worldview with the depressing realities surrounding them, are plunging headlong into divergent philosophical rabbit-holes.  They pop-out now and then to express anxiety over the legal crisis embroiling President Trump.  It would not be a stretch to refer to them as the Anti-Anti-Trump Left.

44 years ago this month, another U.S. President was forced to resign because the legal and constitutional crises he was embroiled in were certain to get him impeached and removed from office.  Despite his denial, Nixon was a “crook.”  Fortunately, the system worked properly back then.  For a governmental system fundamentally based on the rule of law and on the principle that no one stands above the law, “Tricky Dick” had to fall.  Had he not fallen, that governmental foundation would have crumbled into dust and America as an identifiable entity would have ceased to exist.

And, that is precisely the consequence and partially the intent of the Anti-Anti-Trump Left.  America has been on top for so long, and has committed so many contraventions against its own principles, that the longing for its downfall has reached critical mass.  Furthermore, cultural changes particularly among younger generations have in many ways rejected the notion of ethical standards and expectations for society.  Trump is seen either as a welcomed arch-rival poised against the greater evil, or as a victim of legal constructs which should never have been built in the first place.  At the opposite end of the Anti-Anti-Trump Left sits some mainstream Democrats who fear political retribution from rabid Trump supporters so palpably that they dare not mention the “I” word (i.e. impeachment) before this year’s midterm elections.  And, overseas, there is growing concern that vigorous prosecution of Trump in the U.S. will compel him into drastic action (e.g. false flag or wag the dog operations) to divert attention away from his domestic troubles which could have grave consequences for people and countries around the world.

Still, Americans who appreciate the necessity of upholding their nation’s principles are resolute and many of them fill the ranks of government, law enforcement, the judiciary, and other institutions.  They will attempt to hold Trump accountable for his alleged criminal behavior (which appears obvious at this point) and his further obstruction of justice (which seems destined to occur).  They will either succeed or they will fail, and no one today knows which will happen.  Should they fail, however, one thing is certain.  The democracy-and-freedom-destroying megalomaniac in the White House will be forever unchained.  Say “goodbye” to the rule of law and say “hello” to the arbitrary authority of a madman.

First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

Poem written by the German Lutheran pastor Martin Niemöller (1892–1984)