Guard Rails of American Politics are Gone

 

In days gone by, American politics was dominated by moderation, both in tone and in substance.  Disagreements were usually expressed civilly and those who did not conduct themselves in such a manner were ostracized by members of both parties.

As for substance, Alabama governor George Wallace had a point that there wasn’t a “dime’s worth of difference” between Republicans and Democrats.  Of course, Wallace’s characterization was a bit hyperbolic.  The GOP generally favored restraint of federal spending and authority that the other party fought to expand.  Disagreements may have been heated but generally not personally venomous.  And there was also a consensus that politics should not affect America’s foreign affairs.

The political establishment took steps to maintain the reality of American moderation.

In the 1960s, the John Birch Society attracted a hard right following.  In response, leaders of the Republican Party and the growing Conservative movement, personified by National Review’s William F. Buckley, Jr., denounced the group as irresponsible.  Its support quickly vanished.

Also during the same period, the widespread anti-Vietnam War protests included hardcore elements advising services for the Viet Cong and Communist ideology.  These left-wing extremists coalesced around the 1968 candidacy of Eugene McCarthy.  Their efforts were quashed by the old guard of the Democratic Party, including Chicago Mayor Richard Daley and Minnesota Senator and Presidential nominee Hubert Humphrey.

Today, the old guard of both sides, which used to rein in excesses on their respective extremes, has disappeared or become intimidated.  Those who used to adjudicate – and enforce – restraint have abdicated their roles.

So the country has recently elected a president who eagerly violated the traditional norms of civil discourse and promoted individuals from the “kook” right such as Steve Bannon.  [As a mark of the differences of the political climate of today from the 80s, National Review’s strenuous efforts to upend Trump’s candidacy were ineffective.]

The election of “moderate” Joe Biden was heralded by many as a return to the tenor of better times.

Not to be.

The Biden Administration and Congressional Democrats instead have either thrown in the towel in posing any resistance to the likes of Bernie Sanders and the AOC “squad” or have revealed their allegiance to their socialist-leaning policies.  Forty-eight Democratic Senators and over two hundred House members have fallen in line to support the left-wing agenda.

It’s easy to say that old guard rails should be rebuilt for the good of the country.  But how?  Perhaps their importance will be recognized as extremism produces the inevitable counter-reaction.

Or not.