The FBI and Secret Service are currently looking into another apparent assassination attempt of Donald Trump, this time at his golf course at Mar-A-Lago. Everyone is safe, and while the suspect originally managed to flee the scene, the suspect, a 58-year-old former Trump-supporter, has apparently been apprehended.
This marks the second high-profile assassination attempt of former president, and current presidential candidate, Donald Trump, and represents a troubling and unacceptable growing trend of violence in our political system. We cannot allow ourselves to become a nation where violence against our political opponents is deemed a viable strategy for growing support or taking power.
For those on the political left, and those who support small-D “democracy,” this censure against violence has an obvious moral component. Part of our value system rests on our belief that debate, voting cooperation and collaboration are the appropriate methods for people to effectively solve large, thorny social problems. To us, violence is anathema and has no home within our political movements.
In times of crisis, however, many who might agree with these moral arguments in principle, might also find room for exceptions when the stakes are so high, and the differences so irreconcilable. But there are important strategic reasons as well to keep our political fights on the battleground of ideas. As the debate last Tuesday reminded us, when Democrats and Republicans compare their policy agendas, it’s the Republicans who appear out of touch, and weird.
As we have pointed out week after week, month after month, year after year on these weekly emails, the so-called “Progressive agenda” is in fact an agenda supported by the vast majority of people. This means Democrats’ strength is the battleground of ideas and where they can gain the most political support by advocating for popular policy. When coupled with the stark reality that those on the right wing have a greater capacity for violence, and a greater stomach for bloodshed, the sober analysis shows that on both moral grounds, as well as strategic grounds, violence has no place in American politics for those of us who want a thriving democracy, a burgeoning populace, and the government that works behalf of the people.
Let's make sure that we keep this political landscape firmly in the realm of policy ideas and vision and make sure that any bloodshed is purely metaphorical on the battlefield of ideas. Let us keep the fight where we are strong, and where our combined political and economic voices can create a more equal, just, and equitable country without any violence. So join us each Tuesday, in growing solidarity, as we make sure we maintain the peaceful transfer of power and the growing representation of the people!
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