Stay Focused

Dan

I accept the results of the election and respect the office that he holds. Opposing Trump on the right was never wrong, and his election does not prove otherwise. Nothing has changed. Trump has not demonstrated he is a different man. The stance had consequences. We are still a divided party. Seek to unify, but not too hastily. Remember the allies who stuck by you, be cautious of the ones that rejected you. Finding common ground doesn’t require you to be friends, and alliances can be made, as long as you have counted the cost of such alliances.  And always, reject the alt-right in any form.

Reject the growth of authoritarianism. Stay strong for your conservative principles, the election of a non-conservative doesn’t require you to bend. Be on guard against the silencing or suppression of political speech and any moral opposition. Speak openly against threats to free speech and freedom of the press. Culturally, you should be aware of the division in the Christian church.

The meltdown of the left is somewhat satisfying, but the hypocrisy and hysteria on the left should not detract you from doing the civil duty of the right. If it is your intention to give the President-elect a chance, then do so, but with extreme caution. Cut whatever space you gave to the Obama Administration in half. Then cut it in half again. Don’t be quick to lend your support. Deliberate, discern, and don’t forget the warning flags of the past year and a half. Don’t let up now, don’t get soft. Be diligent, be vigilant.

Vengeance politics is appealing and tempting, but it can also subvert our better judgment. Despite warnings from the right, the Democrats failed to reel in the executive branch of government, and now we have a President-elect with an authoritarian temperament. The panic of the left is hypocritical, but also warranted. Enjoy the vindication, but not enough that it causes you to lose your focus. If our desire is to inflict revenge upon liberal America, then we have lost. Respect the right of liberal America to protest.

Be willing to be concerned with and critical of the politics of the right. With both houses and the executive branch, they pose the current threat of government overreach. Don’t indulge in bitter bipartisan disagreements to the point of failing to hold your government accountable. Give Trump credit for something done well, but not too much. Give Trump criticism for something done poorly, but not too little. No time for worry now. There is too much to do.