Introductory First Post

The name of this blog is Pink’s Politics.  The name comes from my high school nick-name “Pink” which was based on my then last name.  That is the only significance of the word “pink” here and anyone who attempts to add further or political meaning to it is just wrong.

This blog begins because I am tired of carrying on political conversations on Facebook.  I really don’t think that is the place for them.

I am truly both a political junkie and someone who cares deeply about this country.  And, thus, as you can imagine, I have some things to say about the current political atmosphere in this country.

I am not an ideologue.  I do not belong to any political party and am happy to vote for Democrats, Republicans, or others depending on whom I believe will be best for the country as a whole.  My political leanings probably identify most with what were once called the “blue-collar lunch bucket Democrats” – a group that really doesn’t exist anymore.  In the 60s I was a self-styled “hippie” and antiwar protester.  I put myself through college and law school and practiced law before becoming a professor.  I have always been deeply committed to the Constitution and to the equal treatment of all along with the concept of individual responsibility and a “no excuses” approach to life.  I have always believed in America.  I have voted in every election since I became eligible, and as to presidential elections, I have voted for slightly more Democrats than Republicans.  In 2016 I voted for Donald Trump.  I do not think he is a perfect person, nor do I agree with all his policies, but I do believe that he was not only the best candidate but indeed a good candidate who believes in America and its promise.  I also believe that now that he is president, if we will allow him to govern and put our interests in what is best for the country as a whole, that we really will see a better and stronger America.  I hope to explain my reasons behind these statements in upcoming posts.

As to those reasons, I hope that people who read this will wait to see what they are before they choose to delete me simply because I voted for Mr. Trump.  Indeed, in the same way, I wish that the entire country would wait to see what his actions are, what he actually does, before protesting against their own fears of what he might do.

I have been troubled this weekend by many things many of which will be the focus of my posts in the upcoming days.  Just a few short comments here:

The Inauguration Speech: 

As I listened to the speech, I had two key reactions.  I thought this is not a very eloquent speech that will be remembered for some great turn of phrase and I thought that the points that were being made were good ones and clearly articulated Mr. Trump’s agenda to put America first and to think of all Americans as the individuals that they are rather than as members of one group or another.  The speech was a bit dark in the sense that it told it like it is:  there are many people suffering in America and a great many people who have felt and indeed have been forgotten over the last 8 years.  I also remembered that we did not elect Mr. Trump for his eloquence.  Words were our last president’s forte.  Mr. Trump is about action and the speech gave us his action plan.  So, that is not bad, even if it is not what we are used to in an inauguration speech.  

And indeed, the speech is not what we are used to just as President Trump is not what we are used to.  But isn’t that why he was elected?

As to its “failure to reach out to particular groups.”  Well, again, wasn’t that part of candidate Trump’s appeal – that he was going to stop the game of identity politics that has so divided us over the past 8 years?  So why not begin on day one.  It’s about America, not this or that group with its real or perceived grievance against some other group who has its own real or perceived grievance against yet another group and on and on.  Let’s just end that here and now, and all be Americans, working together for the good of all of us and our one nation.

The Women’s March: 

            There is so much both right and wrong with this whole event that I can only scratch the surface here.

            First, I applaud anyone who has the courage to assert their first amendment right and peacefully demonstrate for something that they believe in.  So, kudos to all those who did that.

            Much positive has been reported in the media, social media, etc., and so I will not repeat that here, though my failure to do so does not necessarily mean that I disagree with those reports.

            But, I do have a few problems with the march that I will outline here. 

            I begin by objecting to the name.  The term “women’s march” implies that the views of the marchers represent the views of all women.  They do not. And, beyond that, to imply that women all hold the same views furthers a divisive identity politic and also suggests that women are somehow not individuals fully capable of making up their own minds about who they are and what they believe.  As a woman I find that most insulting.

            Another problem I had with the march is its focus, or lack thereof.  I still am not clear about what the marchers were marching FOR.  Many were marching against Trump, others will tell you that was not their purpose.  Some were marching to object to the many perceived evil actions that they think Trump might take as president.  Yet he had only been in office one day.  The only substantive action he had taken was to ease some of the burdens of the ACA.  So why did I see signs protesting his revoking their reproductive rights or their monetary entitlements or their LGBTQ rights or his racist actions or sexist actions, etc.  I am not talking about Trump the less than perfect human being.  I am talking about Trump the president.  In my experience, it is better to have something real to protest if you are going to protest, rather than to protest against your own fears.

            I also believe that many were simply continuing to act out their anger and frustration at the fact that their candidate lost the election.  I understand the feelings – I have had candidates win and lose, and winning is much better.  I personally have been horrified by some previous presidents’ victories.  But I can tell you that I always stood up and said “this man is our president, and even if I don’t like it he deserves a chance as well as our respect.”  At least some of the comments from some at the march sounded more like toddlers having a temper tantrum because they didn’t get the piece of candy they wanted.

            Many at the march were there to stand for peace and love.  That is wonderful and I stand with you for that.  But I do not understand how that goes hand in hand with trying to delegitimize or otherwise make ineffective the leader of our country who likely also supports those noble ideals.  He, however, also has to deal with the real world and make decisions each of which will never be satisfactory to everyone but which we hope will overall make this country better.  Can we not at least give the man a chance?

Racism, Sexism, hate-ism:

            So many seem to proclaim that the country is full of hate and that it is traceable to the election of Donald Trump.  I really don’t understand this.  I have seen hate grow for the last 8 years as we have had a president and a progressive party who have played group against group in an attempt to further their own power.  Group identity does nothing but divide us.    If you want to complain about the divisions, complain to the people who egged each group on to find another group on whom they could blame their troubles.  I would like to see people more interested in developing their individual humanity than in simply defining themselves as a member of one group or another.  That is so terribly limiting to one’s individuality.

I will develop these and many more thoughts in the days ahead, and I suspect there will be new issues coming at a rapid pace that I will also want to address.