Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

pat_k

(13,839 posts)
26. You needn't use the label, but a distinction must be made between...
Thu May 7, 2026, 02:01 PM
May 7

Last edited Thu May 7, 2026, 03:40 PM - Edit history (5)

...that which is intolerable in a legitimate American government, and that which is a matter of legitimate public policy on which we have VERY strong views.

The characteristics/agendas/conduct I name cross a red line. I name and label those "red line" attributes and explicitly define the label to exclude people who support policies that members of the Democratic Party strenuously oppose, providing that 1) the person is defined by none of the red line characteristics, and 2) the policy is consistent with the fundamental moral principles reflected in our constitution.

I don't care how it is done -- whether by defining and labeling as a shorthand as I suggest, or by focusing on the redline attributes themselves (which I think complicates messaging, YMMV).

What is SERIOUSLY problematic is overgeneralizing.

Frankly, just being a racist does not cross a red line in America. Each of us has a right to hold hatreds, personal animosities, or other awful beliefs in our hearts. (Just as we have a right to hold more benevolent, compassionate beliefs). Where the red line is crossed is when people break the law to harm or discriminate, or they empoy the levers of governmental power, whether judicial, legislative, or executive, to implement those personal beliefs as a matter of enforceable public policy. Doing that is an intolerable violation of constitutional moral principles.

Certain courts, executive agencies, and executive offices have been co-opted and rendered illegitimate by people who have successfully advanced red line agendas. However, that does not make all federal and state courts, all state executive agencies and all state offices illegitimate. The intolerable people, conduct, and agendas must be purged to restore legitimacy. We need to build consensus that a commitment to that project transcends EVERYTHING else, because it is IMPOSSIBLE to get back on the road to a legitimate "more perfect union" with segments of our government operating outside constitutional moral principles. Working toward that consensus and commitment is a targeted, doable project that is consistent with American constitutional moral principles.

And while the infiltration of trumplicans (as I define them) and submission to trumpublican forces has rendered the Republican Party illegitimate, they have a choice. Purge those elements and define the party based on legitimate policy differences or remain pariahs. What we will never accomplish is eliminating the party entirely, and I think it is counter-productive to even try.

What is NOT consistent with American constitutional moral principles is declaring that PERSONAL beliefs viewed as unsavory by this or that faction must be purged from the American psyche. People who live within the borders of this nation are free to believe whatever they believe, love who they love, or hate who they hate, providing that WE ARE ALL crystal clear that NO FACTION can be permitted to seek to implement prejudices or religious doctrine not shared by other factions as enforceable public policy in ANY WAY.

I think that if we do not stop with generalizations that are frankly false -- if we keep trying to demonize as intolerable everything encompassed by labels like "MAGA" and "Republican" -- labels that encompass a mix of agendas that are intolerable, legitimate public policy differences, and legitimate matters of personal belief (strictly "personal" for those who understand that in America it is intolerable to impose those beliefs on others), we are in deep shit.

It is like the difference between trying to demonize delegitimize, and purge "Christians," instead of focusing on demonizing, delegitimizing, and purging Christian Nationalists. The former is patently Un-American and intolerable, the latter is an absolute necessity to preserve a legitimate American government. (Discussed in this post).

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

"Not a single Republican supporting the measure" bamagal62 May 6 #1
So Republicans in PA are white only people dave99 May 6 #4
Republicans Be Republicans. ColoringFool May 6 #5
yup Skittles May 6 #23
Trumplublicans pat_k May 6 #6
Great post. Your thoughts on a "red line" should be our goal going forward. FadedMullet May 6 #13
I Beg To Disagree Onaccounta You Give Way Too Much [Read: ANY AT ALL]..... ColoringFool May 7 #24
You needn't use the label, but a distinction must be made between... pat_k May 7 #26
White, Protestant - and of a far-right persuasion peppertree May 6 #15
Huh? If Republicans don't support this who voted for it then? live love laugh May 6 #10
The democrats supported banning white only housing SSJVegeta May 6 #18
RepubliKKKlans. twodogsbarking May 6 #2
Unfortunately, the bill will not pass the Senate as Republicans still have a majority there Wiz Imp May 6 #3
What has happened to this country??? Did we get teleported to the 1950's?? kerry-is-my-prez May 6 #7
They never left the 50's. 1850's. paleotn May 6 #9
If you were wondering....Republican equals racist. paleotn May 6 #8
It also has provisions relating to sex/gender stuff gulliver May 6 #11
(But look who's "enforcing" federal law......) lastlib May 6 #17
Not good. No good at all. Some days I'm glad I'm old. Joinfortmill May 6 #21
Why I like the red hats Ruby the Liberal May 7 #25
Thanks for posting this perdita9 May 6 #12
Just in case B.See May 6 #14
JFC Skittles May 6 #16
Jeezus. At least it past. Joinfortmill May 6 #19
Wow... If Immigration debacle has awakened more and more R Latinos, surely this kind of thing hlthe2b May 6 #20
Well. THAT'S rascist and pathetic! electric_blue68 May 6 #22
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Bill Banning Whites-Only ...»Reply #26