The implosion of the House of Representatives last week is a mere symptom of the illness our democracy faces. As a nation we can look at our House as we look in the mirror to see how we’re allowing ourselves to be hijacked and, ultimately, shut down by far-right extremists, a tyranny of a dangerous minority with no clear agenda or plan for governance – only partisan rancor and division and a willingness to see it all burn to the ground.
It’s also a moment of opportunity. What if Republicans chose a more moderate speaker who could clarify a constructive conservative agenda, while reaching across the aisle to work with Democrats to accomplish things like – I dunno – funding the government, tackling our immigration crisis and, otherwise, addressing the many significant issues we’re living through? Imagine Republicans turning the page from these MAGA times once and for all in order to actually make America better and save our democracy from a tyranny of minority extremists.
It’s smart of Donald Trump to endorse Jim Jordan as speaker. He has everything to gain from keeping the crazy train on its tracks, which Jordan, co-Founder of the Freedom Caucus, will assuredly do. Let’s allow our former crazy-in-chief to fade into history and quietly face the music of his nearly 100 criminal indictments. And let’s collectively turn the page on the crazy we’ve allowed ourselves to be entertained, but misinformed, by.
Let’s distinguish media from actual news, and be more discerning about what feeds our minds and hearts. And let’s find ways to come to the middle, come together, and find a way forward. Together, in a united House.
Justin Jones
Durango
