“Party of freedom”

Dear Palmer Report readers: it's Bill Palmer. I'm as sick of Trump as you are. I'm expanding Palmer Report's operations so we can lead the fight against Trump. Click here to donate $25 or $50.

Although Republicans have long embraced the label of โ€œparty of freedom,โ€ it was never more than skin deep – usually shorthand for all but saying that they werenโ€™t really intent on doing anything to improve your life. โ€œSmall, limited governmentโ€ was just a phrase that really meant whatever the GOP wanted it to mean – mostly, fewer protections so their donors can get away with doing whatever they want. It should, therefore, surprise no one when Trumpers are now beginning to say openly that โ€œAmerica isnโ€™t a democracy – itโ€™s a constitutional republic.โ€

This is, of course, nonsense like everything else theyโ€™ve claimed to stand for: A constitutional republic is a type of democratic government, in which politicians are elected to represent their voters, but a byproduct of them saying it over and over again is that people are conditioned into accepting that not everyone should be allowed to vote (this is generally something even the most moderate Republicans tend to believe) and that politicians (particularly Republican presidents) sometimes have the power to act unilaterally. This is inevitably where the party that embraced Donald Trump would always end up.

The good news is that although Republicans are attacking our freedoms from First Amendment rights to healthcare, Democrats are embracing the label of the party of freedom – the one that will protect healthcare, reproductive freedom, the right to speak out and protest, and a great deal more. For far too long, the history of America is of brave individuals who werenโ€™t afraid to speak out against injustice – right now itโ€™s the coalition we need in order to win. Democrats are the party of personal freedom – and itโ€™s clear voters are buying the message.

Dear Palmer Report readers: it's Bill Palmer. I'm as sick of Trump as you are. I'm expanding Palmer Report's operations so we can lead the fight against Trump. Click here to donate $25 or $50.