It is a continuing mystery to me that when it comes to dealing with Republicans, the president seems woefully naïve. Obama keeps working toward, hoping for, and reaching out to his opponents seeking some sort of bipartisan effort to remedy America’s many ills. Sadly, he continues to be thwarted, disappointed and empty handed. The only response from Republicans to his invitation is “NO!”
His latest call for a spirit of civility delivered at the annual National Prayer Breakfast is but his most recent futile attempt. What the president seems not to recognize is that conservatives simply can’t discuss, debate, negotiate or compromise. They can’t allow that there is any other valid position on any subject other than the one that they espouse. Conservatives (be they religious or political) base their total identity on being absolutely certain that they are unequivocally right! There is no other point of view; there is no “alternative” there simply is no need for debate or even discussion. The whole conservative structure is build upon such certainty. For a true conservative, others must either be converted or condemned; there can be no comprise. The previous president voiced that absolute certainty, when following 9/11 he told the world, “You are either with us or against us!”
But there is more! Such certainty results in an air of smug superiority. When proclaiming the absolute truth, all dissenters therefore must be inferior, ignorant or enemies. Conservatives must defend and spread their truth! This fervor to spread the only truth sparks a missionary zeal to stay the course for the good of all. Their movement is absolutely necessary. Armed with their self-centered certainty, their self-righteous superiority, and their self-serving necessity, conservatives have no motivation to bipartisanship. To truly be bipartisan would mean accepting that there might be other valid ideas; it would demand that they work with inferiors; and it would question their self-understanding as saviors. I’m sorry, Mr. President, but the more you reach out your hand to conservatives, the more you’ll retrieve it with teeth marks.
And that’s the great difference between the ideologies. Liberals welcome various points of view, liberals make no claim to superiority and liberals know that their mission is to serve, not to master. Liberals know how to govern - conservatives know only how to rule. The president needs to spend his energy proclaiming his vision for all Americans, and then giving his full effort to pass the legislation needed to fulfill that vision. Conservatives will always say no to debate, discussion or compromise.
To them, any compromise is a defeat. That’s why they currently are using their Senate minority to block any efforts of the president to solve America’s problems. Their sole intent seems to be get Obama, not govern the nation. Their only yes will be shouted at blind obedience to their own certainty, superiority and necessity. Anyone marching to a different drummer will be derided, denied and dismissed.
Please, Mr. President, give it up and get on with your agenda for the nation.
McPherson, Kan. —
