Are you enjoying the revolution? We are in the midst of one. It is not a bloody revolt, thankfully.
That thought struck me when I read of a recent poll. It found the American public’s approval of most senators was plunging. This applied to Democrats and Republican senators. The plunge reflected the views of Democrat and Republican voters. As well as independents. The news was worst for Republican senators. Especially those who oppose the Trump agenda.
For example, in Kentucky only one-third of voters approve of Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s performance. This is his home state.
One poll does not a revolution make, of course.
On the playing field, several Republican congressguys have already announced they will not run again. The warnings on the wall for them are writ large. Their poll numbers are awful. Among Republican voters they are awful. In other words, these standing members of Congress would probably lose in the primaries. Lose to candidates who support the Trump agenda.
Millions of dollars are flowing away from establishment candidates. And toward candidates who challenge the old guard.
If this trend continues there is a good chance the next congress will be have many more pro-Trump members. No small matter. It represents an upheaval within the Republican elite. A mini-revolution. As if Trump’s seizing the nomination was not enough evidence. The bumping off of 16 established contenders was a mini-revolution.
The Democrats are about to experience an upheaval. Clearly Nancy Pelosi’s days must be numbered. As much as Hillary gains the spotlight, she and Bill continue to lose influence in the party. There soon will be a rise of young Turks.
In countless ways the public has been challenging and rejecting the established powers. The election a year ago was a prime example. Majorities of Americans feel Washington is a swamp of corruption. Majorities want something meaningful done about our borders. Majorities want sensible healthcare reforms. Majorities are sick of the stupidities of our tax system.
Lately we have witnessed other examples of revolution. We are watching fewer American movies. And more foreign films. This is a rejection of a major institution called Hollywood. The natives have now risen within Hollywood to attack sexual predators who run the industry. Many major figures in Hollywood, television and related industries have been accused of sexual misconduct. This is a revolution.
You know the NFL is an institution. It is under attack. First by many players, with their knees down during the National Anthem. The greater attack is from the fans. And former fans. Fewer people are watching NFL games on TV and in stadiums. Millions fewer.
We are seeing upheavals in various other corners of our society.
Hoooray for peaceful revolutions. Many of the politicians who are exiting Washington whine about Trumpism. What they mean is that most voters disagree with them. They got elected because most voters agreed with them. The big switch of voter attitudes is a mini-revolution.
All these movements are good news. They are like steroids for arthritis sufferers. Our society can be arthritic. Can be rigid. Unchanging. Inflexible. Resistant to change. That is an unhealthy situation. Kingfish – the old Amos ‘n Andy character – would call this “a revoltin’ development’.
It is. That is, it is a development worth revoltin’ against.
Two examples of the rigidness are our tax system and immigration system. They clearly need revamping. Countless of our politicians have proclaimed they do. Countless have promised to support reforms. Yet they have not.
They are like the guy who promises to diet and exercise big time. But next day he feels too stiff to even tie his shoes. And damned if that pumpkin pie doesn’t look too tempting.
The upheavals of the 1960’s and early 70’s represented a similar revolution. They cut the sod from under many institutions. They brought about changes in our political makeup. And in many laws and practices.
Today’s revolution will probably do the same.
From Tom…as in Morgan.
Find Tom on Facebook. You can write to Tom at tomasinmorgan@yahoo.com.