With the inauguration of our new President just hours away, our nation is approaching new, unchartered water. Of course, the same could be said of the era we were entering eight years ago. But just as there were troubling reasons why Obama was elected then, so there are gnawing explanations as to why Trump was elected in November.
As George W. Bush was quick to sacrifice many of the values that historically characterized conservative orthodoxy, his popularity plummeted and contributed to the election of the most “progressive” President to ever lead our nation. And with the election of Barack Obama, the political polarization that gained steam during the Bush years skyrocketed under Obama.
But as Republicans over the last eight years continued to say one thing and do another, particularly when they controlled both houses of Congress, voters grew more and more frustrated with the Party of Lincoln. Consider that while there were 17 Republican candidates for President, ultimately the 16 “Party-faithful” candidates were rejected in favor of Trump, someone whose political credentials were questioned by many. One could ask then whether the victory in November was that of a Party or a personality? And will the coming Trump era see Party, Principle or Pragmatism prevail?
As someone who has consistently voted for Republican candidates, I have always favored principle over party. So in 2009, as the tea party movement was launched, I took an active role, with millions of other Americans, in expressing my grievances with both parties. Since then, while certainly much of our movement’s protests were focused on Obama’s policies, a considerable amount of our ire was directed towards Republicans as well. The party of conservatism had, for the most part, lost its compass.
But then Trump appeared.
And everything changed…
The truth is there is little evidence that Trump is a conservative Republican, in the purest definition. Not only does his multi-decade track record affirm this reality, but many of the policies he campaigned on are at odds with long-standing Republican positions and orthodoxy. I won’t take the time to recite the myriad of examples but these articles here and here reference several of his most glaring departures.
What we do know about Trump though, is that since his Presidential announcement in June 2015, the billionaire candidate attracted: 1) Republicans disgusted with the Republican Party, even though they had consistently supported the GOP, and
2) Democrats tired of the failed policies of the Democratic Party, for which they had voted for in prior elections.
So with Trump’s rise to the Presidency we witnessed a powerful new constituency, the Pragmatic voter. No longer was Party the driving factor for many. Nor was Principle the overriding variable for others. Rather, Pragmatism ruled the day.
But with the election now over, and Trump stepping forward to lead, versus merely tweet, his words will soon morph into policies, laws and regulations. As this occurs, it will be telling to see if the millions of voters who supported Donald Trump will remain enamored, enthused and engaged.
More specifically though, I am eager to see how tea party members will respond to our new President. As a movement that has for the most part been known for its allegiance to Principle and the Constitution, will its members continue to overlook Trump’s policies that might violate both? Will the tea party devolve into simply a pragmatic political force? Or will the movement that became the rallying cry and impetus for one of the greatest political victories in the modern era, embrace the spirit of the original Tea Party in 1773, standing on principle first and foremost?
“On matters of style, swim with the current, on matters of principle, stand like a rock.” Thomas Jefferson
O than men and party leaders and citizens would pour out the Word of God and the message of the Cross the way we do our political beliefs and views about politics! I can see our Lord’s face now as he watches the energy, the money, the use of technology, and the time we spend trying to convince a temporary world to be “Of the World” (which we are not) and to vote with an attitude that man or party can solve our problems and give us what we need. ONLY CHRIST CAN DO THAT! As apposed to the time we spend on His great commission to us!
Just as Obama needs Jesus, so does Trump and the leaders of the Tea Party too. We all need salvation and until that is where we live, the arm of flesh will fail us everytime.It is a world system and Christians are not called to change the world system, we are called to I Tim. 2: 1I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
Maybe we don’t believe that God’s way will change the hearts of men and therefore change potential world leaders. Political parties are made up of the people we raise in our homes or not. Let’s get back to fathering and mothering and we won’t have to play catch up when men and women are already bent towards sin and running for offices to lead the country.
Scriptures admonish us, yea even warn us, Not to be entangled with the cares/affairs of this world!. Entanglement is a strategy of the enemies of the Cross of Christ. Those enemies are: the flesh, the world and the devil.
Keep looking up for your redemption draweth nigh. This is not our home, set your affections on things above not on things on the earth. Fight but don’t get overwhelmed and entangled. Rather stay of the battlefield with the pure unadulterated Word of God, he’ll fight our battles. Fight the Good Fight of Faith (the Gospel of Jesus Christ) which is able to save a man’s soul, that’s a fight we must fight.
Mrs. “H”