Burke: Two tracks to taking back democracy in next election

By Tom Burke / Herald columnist

For years I’ve tried to write inclusive, persuasive columns rooted in fact, science and community. Lately, however, my patience has worn thin and my alarm and frustration have mounted. Clearly, the climate of right-wing public discourse has shifted from reasoned decorum to a repertoire of crude language designed to evoke fear and anger as a call to sometimes violent action.

And it’s working. So my tone has shifted as I find myself no longer writing for the “slow game” of education, logic and truth-telling. I’m angry and anxious as it has become clear the Republican Party’s vision of our future is one that can only be white, Christian and fundamentally opposed to Western ideals of pluralism.

Doubt that? Consider the Republicans’ incessant accusations that Democrats are communists, socialists, baby killers, traitors, and “Hate America.”

Which is total, utter, complete crap.

Or, as leading Republican, MAGA, Qanon-acolyte Marjorie Taylor Greene stated, “The Democrats are the party of pedophiles … the party of princess predators from Disney … the party of teachers … trying to transition their elementary school-age children.”

Which Republicans believe. Recent an Economist-YouGov poll reported that among Republican respondents, 52 percent said it’s either “definitely” or “probably” true that “Top Democrats are involved in elite child sex-trafficking rings.”

So my perspective has become sharper, more critical, less inclusive. And in recent columns I’ve laid out the Republican lies, plots, legislation and fantastical beliefs reflecting that.

But, gentle reader, you might ask what the Democrats stand for; their accomplishments and platform versus the Republican “platform.”

Oops! The Rs have none.

Current Republican strategy is to confront Democrats on “culture war” issues and refuse to engage on substance. Need proof? Consider the 193 House Republicans who voted against legislation to cap the cost of insulin at $35 a month. Or their votes against allowing Biden to more easily lend and lease military equipment to Ukraine.

Contrast this with their mania for banning books, dedication to ending abortion rights, religious-based hostility to public education, unwillingness to accept LGBTQ rights and same-sex marriage as part of contemporary society, and proven-false contention that Critical Race Theory is taught in primary and secondary schools.

But enough Republican and MAGA madness. Let’s look at the Democrats.

First, some accomplishments since Jan. 20, 2021:

• Passed a $1.9 trillion pandemic relief package including up to $1,400 per person to financially struggling Americans, extended unemployment support, and billions to help schools, colleges, and universities.

• Passed $1.2 trillion of infrastructure funding including repair of more than 65,000 miles of highway and 1,500 bridges.

• Enacted a $20 billion covid vaccination program and provided free government-supplied at-home covid tests.

• Created 7.9 million new jobs, cut unemployment by nearly 50 percent (now just 3.9 percent vs. Trump’s 6.3 percent), and jobless claims that are the lowest since 1969.

• Appointed Ketanji Brown Jackson as America’s first black woman Supreme Court justice.

• Facilitated the start of 5.4 million new businesses; 20 percent more than any other year on record.

• Drove the deficit down after recording rises every year under Trump.

• Expanded access to affordable health care for five million Americans.

• Made the United States once again a respected global leader rallying the world to support Ukraine and providing $14 billion in Ukraine support so far with another $30 billion requested.

And what have congressional Republicans accomplished during the same period?

Now what else do the Democrats want to do?

• Pass voting rights legislation, including the “Freedom to Vote Act” or “For the People Act;”

• Enact a version of Build Back Better that addresses clean energy and climate change, child care and preschools, home care, housing, higher education and expanding Medicare.

• Reauthorize the child tax credit.

• Lower health care costs.

• Cancel federal student loan debt.

• Reform immigration policy and protect the Dreamers.

• Protect Roe v. Wade.

• Implement tax hikes on the wealthy.

• Protect health care insurance.

But what about inflation, isn’t that Biden and the Democrats’ fault?

In a word: No.

Any informed analysis (instead of plain old B.S. and mudslinging) shows rising prices are due to “post-covid” increased demand and supply chain issues limiting availability of goods.

And, because companies found that they could jack prices to pass along higher costs (plus some good old-fashioned price gouging), inflation is back.

(Note: Oil companies notched record profits, picked out of the pockets of their customers, as Exxon Mobil recorded operating profits of up to $9.3 billion and Chevron Corp. posted its highest quarterly profit in 10 years.)

While many long for Michelle Obama’s “When they go low, we go high” philosophy, that’s harder work now than ever before. And it may not work. So what’s a body to do?

How about:

• Understand the real Republican agenda.

• Stop trying to deal with those who are crazy and abusive in a calm and rational manner.

• Model Ukrainians: Remind yourself that exhaustion and despair are not options and democracy must be defended.

• Speak the truth and refuse to tolerate those who lie.

• Vote. Donate time and money. And vote. (Just not for Republicans.)

Tom Burke’s email address is t.burke.column@gmail.com.