Common Sense: It Is Hard to Be on Both Sides of the Same Issue

The American people, contrary to the views of some folks, are neither stupid nor evil.
Most normal people do not spend virtually every waking moment fixated on things
political. They do not follow every detail of what takes place. However, through our
history, it is my opinion our citizens have shown a remarkable ability to call bullshit at
the right time.

When people loudly and self-righteously argue both sides of the same issue,
Americans know something is not quite right. Right now, this is among the many
problems confronting progressives as a group and Democrats as a national party.
Do you need some examples? What about “saving democracy.” You cannot get away
with saying that is your priority, then turn around and stretch the Constitution beyond
recognition to try and get your leading opponent removed from the ballot, engage in
blatantly political legal prosecutions, remove your candidate for the sin of being behind in the polls, select a replacement who has never received a vote for the office of President, and a whole lot more. Calling bullshit on the concern being protecting democracy.

What about the First Amendment guaranteeing freedom of speech? On Monday, it is
supposed to be the linchpin to the Constitution. On Tuesday, you argue that it would
be a good idea for the government to regulate and restrict speech to avoid the
dastardly sins of disinformation and misinformation, with our fair-minded
government bureaucracy deciding what is acceptable to be seen and heard by others.
Wednesday, due to public outcry, you walk it back. On Thursday, you (inclusive of
Hillary Clinton) decry the First Amendment for blocking the ability of the
government to regulate speech. Uh, that is sort of the purpose of the Amendment.
Calling bullshit on the concern being preserving freedom of speech.

How about the rights of the media. When Joe Biden was President, they limited
access to the New York Post. You know the outlet that broke the Hunter Biden
computer story. Turns out that it was not misinformation. Nary a peep from our
progressive friends. President Trump’s Administration does the same thing to the
Associated Press, and you would think it was a high crime. If what you really care
about is that media who agrees with you gets unfettered access, say it. Otherwise,
calling bullshit on really caring about protecting the rights of media.

What about honoring the rule of law and never turning your back on a decision of the
courts? Recently, we have heard that to do so would be a “Constitutional crisis.”
Really? Don’t I remember Joe Biden bragging he had done just that when it came to
“forgiving” student debt (their term for transferring the debt to the taxpayer) after the
Supreme Court ruled this was beyond his authority? As to the respect for the courts,
what am I supposed to think about folks who screamed the Supreme Court (as in the
highest court in the land) is an “illegitimate institution” after its ruling on abortion?
And, wasn’t a big reason for the Civil War happening the defeat of the argument that
states had the right to ignore federal law (with those saying federal law could be
ignored being as a justification to continue the practice of slavery)? Gosh, wouldn’t
that mean states and cities saying they will not assist in the enforcement of
immigration laws were in the wrong? Calling bullshit on the concern being honoring
the rule of law and decisions of the courts.

Then, we have the recent “unprecedented” firing of military personnel at the
Pentagon. Toss in the removal of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff being a
racist decision. Never allow facts get in the way of your preferred narrative. Donald
Trump is who promoted the guy to the Joint Chiefs in the first place. Then there is
that little inconvenient fact that President Obama fired scores of high-ranking military
officials to put in place a chain of command who shared his views. Calling bullshit on
unprecedented.

One of my personal favorites is screaming Donald Trump is nothing but a fascist
dictator in the morning, then arguing Elon Musk is the real President in the
afternoon. Thinking I do not remember other fascist dictators not being in charge.
Calling bullshit on anything close to an honest analysis.

There have to be more “rules” to the political dialogue than “my side is always right
and gets to win every time.” Common Sense says the American voters see though this
tortured logic. Plus, labeling the voters stupid, evil, or both is unlikely to succeed
politically. Common sense says you cannot get away with being on both sides of the
same issue forever.