I’ve admitted that until the election of George W. Bush, I was a lifelong Republican of a moderate stripe. I believe in a lean government but also give strong support to social security, national disaster relief, the defense of the country and a free education for all. I’d like to support single payer healthcare insurance, if I could, and access to affordable housing as a right. Programs on a grand scale, like these, require a government’s structure. On the other hand, the institution tends to creep, so barriers need to be in place to prevent that. If Donald Trump is right on any issue, he is right when he requires every new regulation to replace two old ones.
I never embraced the Democratic party because it loves big government, though I support many of its candidates. And, frankly, the far left frightens me as much as the Tea Party right. Both ends of the spectrum seem doctrinaire and intolerant, imbued with a religious fervor akin to the Inquisition. I seriously doubt, as some have argued, that my country must be destroyed to save it.
These may not be the best of times, but no one should be surprised by Donald Trump’s agenda. He is performing as promised — as an outsider who intends to shake up the establishment. Many older, white Americans are cheering and they are nearly half the population. They are the working class who see themselves as being victimized by the elites. Don’t bother to present them with data that shows the country has reached near full employment or that salaries are rising and crime is on the decline. (“Trump’s Inaugural,” The Week, Feb. 3, 2017 pg. 17.) If it isn’t happening in their neighborhood, it isn’t happening. All politics is local.
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Unfortunately, nowhere in the roiling debate between right and left do I hear a plan to unite the country. That’s why I’ve decided to establish the Zebra party. Membership consists of blacks, whites and citizens of all stripes. What we hold in common is our support for the public schools, because we know no one is free until all of us have a good education – not one cannibalized by special interests. We will tolerate no more talk about oil pipelines or missiles or walls. We demand programs for the young.
I am a member of the Zebra party. We put children first. Anyone care to join me?
