My parents were Southern Democrats. They loved FDR, were very patriotic – America first – wanted a strong military, and sought the best schools for their children. They were part of the Greatest Generation, highly respecting preachers, teachers, and police officers as authorities who existed to keep us informed, safe, and prepared to be productive members of society.

My aunt and uncle were Republicans, however, and my parents would have political discussions with them during family functions and election season.

Mom took me with her to vote and let me pull the lever. My parents expected me to be informed, engaged and objective. They were 100% Dixiecrats (conservative Democrats often hailing from the South). Yet in looking at today’s Democrats, I wonder what happened to my parents’ party.

The second major political influence in my life was Chief Bubba Bonner onboard the Charles F. Adams (DDG-2). He taught me how to be a professional sailor, namely, be on time, never miss your watch duty, no drugs, and if you are out late, you better be on time for work. He taught me to respect and honor my family and home state by serving the Navy well – reminding me that integrity was doing the right thing when no one was watching. He also educated me on how politics influences every aspect of our lives. When I told him I was a Democrat in response to his inquiry, he asked me the following four questions:

“Do you think you are the best judge of what to do with your money, or is the government?””Are you for a bigger or smaller government?””Do you think Jimmy Carter did a good job with the Iranian hostage crisis or the overall economy (how he handled the gas shortage)?””What do you think of our current commander-in-chief (Ronald Reagan)?”

After I answered all four, Bonner smiled and said, “Well son, I hate to tell you this, but when it comes to political parties, you are a conservative at heart, and your beliefs and concerns track with Republicans.” That was 43 years ago. I have never missed a voting opportunity during my military service or after I transitioned into the private sector in 2003.

So where are the Dixiecrats, or the Blue Dog Democrats, as they later became? Fortunately (for me), one of them is a co-worker – born and raised in Alabama, served a career in the military, and currently finishing his second career – so they do exist. As a species, however, they may be rarely seen or heard.

Yet their presence is necessary, for it is important to have an opposing view and objective debate on topics and issues that may result in major changes to our daily lives and livelihoods. In sports, you only become the best when you are challenged by the best. You can’t become the best by winning participation trophies; you must compete against equally viable or stronger opponents to become the best.

The current Democratic Party is engaged in an internal war of their own making as the Democratic Socialists rise in popularity. Their increase is likely the result of a 20-year diet of participation trophies, unchecked liberalism expansion through K-12 curriculum and higher education, COVID lockdowns, Bernie-bro ideologies gone unchecked, Trump Derangement Syndrome, hands-off parenting, and social media addiction.  I think the growing socialist faction is merely saying out loud what most of their party believes. None of their leaders seem willing to have serious discussions on simple concepts, such as:

1. Why is allowing biological men to play in women’s sports a bad idea? My answer: One biological sex can give birth; the other one can’t.

2. Why does constantly redefining a word or term not change what it actually is (e.g., calling an illegal alien an “undocumented worker”)? My answer: If you enter this country illegally, you have broken the law. If you commit a crime while in the country illegally, you have broken two laws.

3. Give me one factually documented example of a successful socialist endeavor where that country is thriving. My answer: No one can.

4. Do life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness equate to “Medicare for all”? My answer: No, we can’t have a champagne appetite on a beer drinker’s budget. Does it bother anyone that the last time we had a balanced budget was circa 2001, achieved by a reasonably moderate Democratic president and a Republican-controlled House?

Meanwhile, conservatives can’t take their eyes off the ball, because this socialist ideology has morphed from a seemingly ridiculous concept held by a failed presidential candidate into an asymmetric threat to our very culture and way of life. And let us take our share of the burden by recognizing RINO’s (Republicans in name only) as they may be the conservative’s sleeper cell version of Democratic Socialists.

If conservatives play quietly on the sidelines hoping common sense will prevail, then we get what we deserve. Common sense is not covered in any curriculum I am aware of, however, adding Thomas Paine’s pamphlet (ironically titled “Common Sense”) to our high school curriculum would be a good start to guide the next generation in a more objective direction.

Bob Dawkins is a retired Master Chief from the Special Operations community (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) of the Navy. He has 23 years of experience as a government contractor supporting DOD, DOS, DHS and DOJ contracts. He is also adjunct professor for American Military University and Sonoran Desert Institute. Born and raised in Alabama, he returned to his home state in 2015 to support a contract on Redstone Arsenal.  

The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of 1819 News. To comment, please send an email with your name and contact information to [email protected].

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