In a recent commentary, professor and columnist Solomon D. Stevens called for moderation and compromise in our political discourse. These would be sound recommendations that I would strongly endorse in ordinary times, but these aren’t ordinary times. (In full disclosure, Solomon is a good friend, and I value his keen and thoughtful insights.)
There was a time, not so long ago, when our political leaders had the courage to reach across the aisle to seek compromise. Our own U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham was well-respected by both sides when he led efforts to find solutions to vexing problems such as climate change — yes, he once considered it a threat — immigration and Social Security reform, among others. Unfortunately, he has given up those efforts for fear of being primaried by MAGA voters in his own party.
I am afraid that a long list of actions by the current administration means that moderation and compromise is not possible. How can you compromise with your opposition on any of the following?
• Violating long-standing international maritime law by blasting small, unarmed boats out of the water, then blasting the survivors.
• Abolishing congressionally established agencies such as the U.S. Agency for International Development, with the result of thousands of needless deaths so far, with thousands more likely in the next two years.
• Allowing masked, unidentified ICE agents to abduct people, including American citizens, off the street.
• Refusing court orders to return migrants to the United States.
• Refusing to spend money allocated by Congress or withholding federal funds to states where the president lost in previous elections.
• Sending National Guard troops into some states over the objections of governors, mayors or local police leaders.
And the list goes on.
Yes, I long for the days when moderation and compromise were imaginable, but the actions of this administration make that impossible now.
And let’s stop pretending that “fair and balanced” and “well, both sides do it” are valid excuses. No Democratic (or Republican) president has ever engaged in such actions as this administration has — actions that are blatantly illegal or immoral or both.
Our only hope is that the upcoming midterm elections rid the MAGA cancer in our body politic. Until then, I regret that moderation and compromise will not be possible.
Donald L. Sparks is emeritus professor of international economics at The Citadel and a senior research fellow at the University of London.