One definition of the word adult is “someone who makes rational, intelligent decisions.”

 

One definition of the word democracy is “adults who govern together.”

 

One depends upon the other. Unless its citizens are adults, capable of practicing rational, intelligent decision-making, how can a democracy function?

 

About like ours is functioning right now. Very poorly.

 

Way back in ancient political history (the 1990s), when Newt Gingrich saw that Republicans couldn’t hold onto power without demonizing Democrats and adding emotionally laden issues to their platform, rational and intelligent decision-making was consciously dropped by the powers that be in the GOP. In order to stir up subconscious fears in the masses,  emotional issues like same sex marriage and abortion were consciously added to the Republican platform. But not because they really cared about those issues. Nope. Because they wanted to win. Because they wanted to stay in power.

 

When Biden asked, “What are you guys for?” last week, he hit the nail on the head. Republicans are not for anything anymore. They’re just against. Against minorities. Against taxes. Against immigration. Against abortion. Against “government.” Against wearing masks in epidemics. Against vaccinations. Against gun laws. Against looking clearly at their own history. Against equal access to voting.  Against anyone other than their own candidate winning.

 

When the whole world has so many serious problems to face, this is simply ludicrous. You can’t solve problems by being against things. You can only solve problems by engaging with things.

 

As history shows. Every time Republicans have been in power since the 90s the deficit has soared, wars have waged, the gap between rich and poor has widened, pollution has increased, the climate has worsened, and an epidemic spread unacknowledged and unchecked. So what is it that Republicans want to be in power for, anyhow? To hasten the apocalypse? To get a better parking spot in DC?

 

“Lead, follow, or get out of the way,” Republicans. The rest of us aren’t ready to give up on the world just yet.