The Democrats lost again in an ugly, highly divisive confirmation process in D.C. of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Our country’s foundational principles of due process, the presumption of innocence until proven guilty, and some remaining sanity in the U.S. Senate won big, while mobs, lies and emotionalism lost.

It appears to me that those now in control of the Democratic Party may have taken “one step too far.” Traditional Democrats’ inclusion of certain groups and their tactics, have allowed the radical elements of many of these disparate grievance groups and their donors to quietly take control. This has even alienated many in their most loyal and long-lasting support group, African Americans, whose deep rooted faith and sensibilities are offended by such actions. Thank God! We may now have a chance to get back to governing based on policies.

This may not be a great comparison but I believe such overt Democratic actions may have cost them so badly that, like overcoming our area’s terrible reputation will take time, it may take 10-15 years for them just to have a chance to regain power. “Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me.” So many citizens who don’t normally pay attention, have effectively been forced to. And even some of those spineless, “genteel”, fighting by Queensberry rules only, Republicans, decided to fight back (but thankfully not with the despicable tactics) against the unconscionable attacks on Kavanaugh. And attacks on themselves as well – going to and from their offices, while at their homes, when eating out, and online with unimagined savagery and even innumerable threats of violence, far in excess of the occasional nut-jobs they were accustomed to. And even much worse than that was inflicted upon Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, both before and after she made a very impressive 45-minute speech on the floor of the U.S. Senate.

In 1985-86, I was included in the first Leadership Washington group for the D.C. area and became more interested in and more observant of “diversity” as it was related to at the time. As a strictly “merit based” employer for 28 years there, I had white, black, Asian, Latino, and gay men and women working for me. Even so Leadership Washington did broaden my understanding and appreciation of the concept beyond my previous perception of it.

My first notice of the Democrats’ increased support of and their elevation of the importance of various aspects of diversity began shortly after that. I began to be more cognizant of the Democrats’ emphasis on inclusion, equation and elevation of the importance of many different presumed “underserved” groups, above and beyond the Leadership Washington diversity arguments that I was receptive to. Their affirmative action, racial preferences, and emphasis on “balancing” representation in all kinds of groups in that manner, never seemed logical, necessary, nor fair— and certainly were not merit based. My vision then, that it couldn’t last, was based on my conclusion that these very disparate and diverse groups would sooner or later turn on each other and that the party would eventually implode from infighting among them. This acquiescence to and takeover by the extremists may just be the precursor to that, or perhaps it’s just a different “shape” of the same basic flaw – a de-emphasis of the governing by good policy. Either way it is certainly costing them now and is a huge contributor to the division in the country today.

And all of this is happening in a period of such contrast to Obama’s “new normals” of slow growth, no more U.S. manufacturing, de-emphasis of the importance of our Judeo-Christian tradition, the non-exceptualism of the U.S., etc, vs. the unprecedented low unemployment levels of all “diverse” groups of citizens, rising wages, exceptional economic growth, increased public companies’ stock values, and all the potentialities that accrue to the country due to those positive situations. Excessive spending is the only major anti-conservative policy that is being ignored.

Say what you want to about Trump and all his “indelicacies,” but his adherence to and promotion of most conservative policies is working for the entire country’s benefit. And all of this in spite of the obvious opposition to and unprecedented criticism of a president by most of the “mainstream media.” Any idea that he’s against press freedom or the First Amendment is an impossible “stretch,” and nothing more than a “talking point” distortion of what he’s really about. Most elected leaders with far less ego than Trump, would vehemently condemn the ignoring of all their good and important results for the country and its citizens, in favor of elevating distortions and exaggerations of his far less meaningful (to the country), statements and faults. Just not with the consistency and “flair” Trump brings. Anyone who can’t see that either just doesn’t want to see it, or only believes what certain people or groups say, in the absence of any critical assessment on their own. Respected independent organizations put the negative coverage of Trump by “the media” at 91%.

I believe this is a seminal moment for our country as Democrats have now “exposed” themselves. Obviously, I could be wrong but I believe this “one step too far” will cost Dems any chance they may have had to next week. If so, thank God, because those in charge of the Democratic Party, at least on the national level, have demonstrated their priorities are most everything but what is good policy for the majority of our country’s citizens.

Tommy Williams is a resident of Marion. He is acting director of Lauderdale County Citizens For Responsible Governance. Contact him at 601-479-5110 or email lccfrg@gmail.com.