The Democratic National Convention starts today in my backyard of Philadelphia, Pa. I am already bemoaning the traffic and logistical problems of traversing my town but I am thrilled the alternative to divisiveness and hate is so close.
For every liberal out there wringing their hands over the Tim Kaine nomination for Vice President or Debbie Wasserman Schultz being proven to have exercised bias in her disposition of the Sander’s Campaign as DNC Chair, let us all take a deep breath and remember the real opposition and not confuse it with angry protest. The strength of the Democratic Party is ultimately the sanity it will bring to the November election. Mr. Trump is nearly eighty-percent opposed to the views for his choice of running mate and at constant odds with the Party he represents. The synopsis of this analysis, all Democrats have to do is not F- it up.
This week will be a test of not allowing internal squabbles with the “quarantining” of Ms. Schultz, and if it creates an ideological purity test. If the rift is allowed to fester it could only poison the chance to show the real contrast between Republicans and Democrats. The Democrats are on the verge of something historic, first, by electing a woman and secondly, affirming the value of two people whose careers were founded on social justice policy and not the all mighty dollar. One of Hillary Clinton’s first forays into the political structure was as a college student, working for migrant workers on behalf of Senator Walter Mondale. Tim Kaine in his early years helped adjudicate the largest housing discrimination settlement of its kind in America. I have policy disagreements with both but the underlying factor is they both chose service over profit.
I had a discussion with a friend this past weekend following the announcement of Mr. Kaine as the VP pick. It occurred to me, we often confuse ambivalence with common sense. My friend was outraged that Tim Kaine has not come out and said, “I support abortion.” “His ambivalence toward women disturbs me,” he said. I quickly pointed out to him, no one supports abortion; the argument is over the right of choice. I never want a woman to endure the horrific mental decision making process of having to terminate a pregnancy but some do either willingly or out of necessity. I know of no one who gleefully saunters off to a clinic. As with Tim Kaine, I abhor the idea, but fully support a woman’s right to her choice; plain and simple, it is none of my damn business. Republicans who proffer the ideas of smaller government and anti-regulation, are in a constant war with themselves over women’s bodies, their health care and sexual mores. Tim Kaine simply says, despite my personal feelings, butt out, it none of my business.
I have twelve healthy and happy grandchildren and would miss the pleasures of the effects of their lives on mine, but I also trust and adore my son’s wives and any choices they would make about their bodies, would have been fully supported by me. So before the protest and gnashing of teeth starts over the imperfections of Ms. Schultz or Mr. Kaine this week, take a second and consider the moment Donald Trump would stand before Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and take the oath to send the United State of America into ruin. That chill you felt is common sense cooling your anger.
Vote 2016