Lost concept

I would like to address a concept of politics, whether it be in the United States or any other democratic state in the world.  That concept is “loyal opposition”.  We have lost that in our American democracy.

This concept is vital to keep an open and meaningful dialogue for those in power.  A concept promotes friendly, but sometimes heated debate.  It allows the difference of opinions to exist without reprisal from the party in the majority.  Why is that important?

The term “loyal” indicates that no matter what the difference of opinion may be between two political parties, all members of such parties recognize they are citizens of the same country.  It implies, if the country fails, then the elected politicians fail those who elected us to our positions of power and authority.  And with that, from the debris of a failed constitutional democracy, another form of government will emerge.

The term “opposition” indicates the elected politicians of the minority party, will represent the opinion of that part of the citizenry who supports them.  That opinion may very well run contrary to some, if not all ideas of the majority party.  The rights of the minority party are given a degree of respect.  In a sense, this means the minority parties rights are not set aside by the majority party by the legislative process, by executive order, or by royal decree.
  
Loyal opposition promotes statesmanship.  It promotes the management of public affairs in such a manner that both parties can reach an agreement.  In other words, compromise, which is a fundamental element of a democracy much like ours in the United States.

Because of the lack of understanding the term of “loyal opposition”, we, as a population, have learned to hate, despise, loathe members of the political party of which one may not be a member.  All one has to do is read commentary of one of several social media platforms to realize this to be true.  How far has this gone?  In a political speech conducted by the current President of the United States in the state of Iowa, the President said,
 
“…with all of the things we did, with the tax cuts and rebuilding our military, not one Democrat voted for us. And I think we used it in the campaign that’s coming up, the midterms, because we got to beat them. But all of the — all of the things that we’ve given, and they wouldn’t vote, only because they hate Trump. But I hate them, too. You know that? So, it’s sort of the — I hate — I really do.”

When the leader of the United States, the leader of the free world, the one person who is supposed to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States makes this kind of statement, he is encouraging division in our One Big Beautiful Country.  He is rejecting the concept of “loyal opposition” to the point of implying, “if you ain’t with us, you’re against us” or “it’s our way or the highway”.  There is no room for compromise and that leads to a very hostile atmosphere in our political system, one that cannot sustain a somewhat harmonious life for those of us who must decide which political party to support…or just say the hell with it and not participate at all.
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And that my friends may very well be the beginning of the end for the United States of America as we know it to be.  That is just this man’s opinion.