Being Mindful of Who We Classify as "Establishment"

Look at records, not hyperbole

This post will likely result in at least some unsubscribes. And that’s ok. You don’t have to agree with me on everything or like my style. In fact, I encourage you to always question everything, even if it comes from me. Like every human on this planet, I don’t know everything or have all the answers. I’m just trying to do the best with the information I have available.

What I’m hoping for here is a thoughtful conversation on what is a polarizing subject. I’m taking a big risk here, I know. Given this readership, I know it can be done, though. I have confidence in you!

If you have thoughts on any of this, I’d love to hear them. It’s possible you know something I don’t or have a different perspective I haven’t considered. No judgements on my part. You’re entitled to your own independent thoughts. As am I.

So here goes {gulp} . . .

There’s a lot of chatter online (and off) about so-called RINOS and members of the Establishment. Granted, there are plenty of poseurs in our government. They say all the right things and have mastered the art of public relations when in reality, their primary loyalty is to their donors. We all have a right to be outraged and to feel betrayed when our representatives leave their seats wealthier than when they were first elected.

Dismissing an elected official and all the good they’ve done or are willing to do because we don’t agree with a single position, however, can harm the causes we care about.

One example.

People have been threatening to primary Representative John Rutherford if he doesn’t vote for a particular Speaker of the House. Some of these voices, surprisingly, are even coming from members of law enforcement.

I say surprisingly because Rep. Rutherford is a 40-year law enforcement veteran; and who as a congressman, has sponsored or co-sponsored important pro-police and public safety legislation. Some of these bills include the School Resource Officer Act of 2019 to hire additional SROs; H.R. 2379 to reauthorize the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Program so that state and local law enforcement agencies are equipped with an adequate number of protective gear; and the LEOSA Reform Act, which allows retired police officers to continue to carry concealed weapons.

He’s also the lead sponsor of The Protect & Serve Act of 2023 (H.R. 743), which would create a new crime for knowingly assaulting a police officer and result in a sentence of up to 10 years. Of the various pro-police bills introduced in the 118th Congress, this one has the best chance of passage. It would send a message that assaulting a police officer will not be tolerated, and is a critical step to restoring law and order.

Is this someone we really want to dismiss because he didn’t vote a certain way on a single, fleeting issue?

Interestingly, several of the so-called “freedom fighters” don’t even appear as co-sponsors on H.R. 743 (which was introduced in February!) or any other bills that have been crafted to defend our guardians.

The truth is, we’ll never find a perfect candidate. If we were to do a deep dive on every single elected official in this country, we’d be bound to find something in their histories we disagree with. I’m willing to overlook minor flaws and differences in opinion if a candidate can deliver, in good faith, on issues that strengthen our nation - and that begins with supporting law enforcement.

Politics is about compromise, or at least that’s how it should work in a healthy, functioning country.

Look at it this way. There are more than 300 million of us in this country, each with different experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives. It’s impossible that we’ll agree on every single point or get everything we want.

Given that we live at a time of high emotion and are bombarded by a never-ending stream of messaging, it’s easy to fall for sound bites. I get it. Yet taking the word of so-called social media influencers as gospel, some of whom are uninformed and motivated by profit, isn’t the best way to form opinions, IMO. Who the heck are these people anyway?

Hyperbole and bravado may be sexier and more entertaining, but it won’t bring us closer to solving problems. And boy, do we have plenty of those.

Tell me what you think below. And best to all of you, even if we disagree. : )

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For the Blue is a solutions-based initiative. I’m just an American patriot asking questions. I don’t work with any political party and I answer to nobody. For me, the health of the nation, due process (including for police officers), the rule of law, and respect for individual liberties, will always transcend party affiliation. I welcome your thoughts, even if you disagree; though personal attacks will be ignored. You can reach me at fortheblue@substack.com.