OPINION:
It turns out that the royal family of our previous rulers is having some troubles.
It also turns out that the estate of the author of Dr. Seuss is making bank on the news that six of his books will not be read by some people.
Also, Disney apparently has decided not to use some of its intellectual property.
In the meantime, congressional Democrats extended the Affordable Care Act, created a guaranteed income (irrespective of one’s employment status), undone years of welfare reform, put taxpayers on the hook for insolvent multi-employer pension plans, laid the foundation for discharging student loan debt, and sent a batch of cash to states on the basis of which have performed worst economically.
They are now moving to “reform” elections in a way that overturns 230 years of constitutional history and removes states from the equation. They also have in their sights tax increases for both individuals and companies, as well as prohibiting right-to-work laws in states.
President Biden himself is working diligently to open the nation’s borders and turn victory into defeat in the Middle East by kowtowing to Iran and stranding Israel.
What are the threads that connect all of these current events? Well, some of them have drawn the attention of those on the right, and others haven’t.
The commentariat on the right side of the political spectrum has spent an inordinate amount of time and mindshare in the last 10 days worrying about a dead author and a C-list former actress rather than the damage being inflicted on the United States by the Democrats.
To be clear, Republican members of Congress have been doing their jobs. They have remained steadily focused on and sturdy in their opposition to the legislative efforts of the Democrats, which, to date, have yet to receive a single vote from the Republicans.
But the larger ecosystem on the right has been terrible at tracking and explaining what, exactly, is happening and framing it appropriately. For example, as this is being written, a Fox “news” show is in the middle of a long opening segment on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who are not that interesting. The show closed with a segment on Dumbo. This, instead of a dozen issues such a show could and should be addressing.
It is shameful.
It is costly as well. Because they have not heard about the laundry list of problems with the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package, 6 in 10 Americans favor the “stimulus,” and there is no reason to believe that the same majority won’t be in favor of the next massive legislation (probably a $2 trillion climate and infrastructure bill), unless they are informed about the pathologies associated with the legislation.
What is also unfortunate — but not surprising — is that President Trump, who could be a leader right now, has chosen the moment to revert to form and become petulant about who is getting cash from whom. He’s correct, but his timing is terrible.
Right now, those on the right need his voice and his leadership to do more than endorse a few candidates and threaten litigation. Republicans need him — or someone — to rally the troops and lead them to victory.
These are crucial times. Political careers will be made or unraveled based on who can lead Republicans through the wilderness and into the majority. Those who want to be nominated for governor, the House, the Senate or the presidency should seize this moment and lead.
Those on the right need to stop focusing on trifles like the duke and duchess of wherever, or when and whether Mr. Biden will have a press conference or how many executive orders he has signed. Press conferences are American kabuki, and executive orders are nothing more than glorified press releases that occasionally include specific directions to executive branch components.
If the Republicans want to be serious, they need to get serious about opposing Democratic efforts to embed, expand and fund the welfare state. In short, they need to get involved in governance, policy, and details.
Or, they can keep focusing on cultural trivialities, “owning” the liberals online, and things immaterial to actual policies that affect people, and remain a minority party indefinitely.
• Michael McKenna, a columnist for The Washington Times, is the president of MWR Strategies. He was most recently a deputy assistant to President Trump and deputy director of the Office of Legislative Affairs at the White House.
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