I’ve been pondering this disconnect for several weeks as the messaging from inside the beltway, including their expressed priorities, seem even more disconnected than before. The DC bubble has always been present; however, lately the disconnect is even more profound.
Perhaps the increased distance in priorities can be explained by federal politicians cancelling townhall meetings and constituent engagement due to the pandemic. Perhaps politicians are holding party positions disconnected from the population they are supposed to represent because they have spent two years physically distancing from the voters. Whatever the cause, the disconnect is now more severe.
The contrast is even more significant when it comes to the far-left politicians, because they travel amid a very closed communal tribe where outside opinions are considered toxic to their sense of identity. The term “safe spaces” was literally coined because leftists cannot handle differences of opinion.
The professional leftist arguments are generally flawed, illogical, antithetical to common values and historically weak. As an outcome their advocate policy positions are weak and easy to deconstruct when challenged. To avoid being challenged they rarely hold open discussions with constituents in their districts without extreme vetting measures to avoid confrontation.
Regardless of root cause, most Democrats are severely disconnected from the economic reality of their district citizens. This is evidenced in a Politico report today discussing the example of Democrat House member Katie Porter of California.
As the article notes, Ms. Porter told the House Democrat Caucus of her experience in the ‘real world’ with people who are grocery shopping. The perplexed Democrats sat quietly listening to the stories of how price increases for food and gasoline are seriously hurting something called ‘working-class‘ people.
The cloture vote failed 49-51, far short of the 60 votes needed to end debate and attempt to pass the bill. Democrat Senator Joe Manchin voted with republicans to block the cloture effort. The federal abortion legislation now disappears back into the filing cabinet from which it came.
The actual price of gasoline dropped 1% in April during the timeframe captured. Yes, there was an actual 18 days in April when gasoline prices moderated and slightly ticked down; however, those prices immediately jumped again late April through today.
“This is no small thing, to restore a republic after it has fallen into corruption. I have studied history for years and I cannot recall it ever happening. It may be that our task is impossible. Yet, if we do not try then how will we know it can’t be done? And if we do not try, it most certainly won’t be done. The Founders’ Republic, and the larger war for western civilization, will be lost.”
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. THY WILL BE DONE, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but DELIVER US FROM EVIL.