Am I the enemy (according to the Catholic US President)?
On September 1st, 2022, Catholic US President Joe Biden delivered a speech concerning the battle over the “Soul of the Nation.” After pondering his words, I have a few observations and many questions that this article addresses. To my readers, I ask another question: do the remarks of President Biden demonstrate actual political reality or an attempt to demonize political opposition? If the latter, such a speech represents a dangerous transition in American politics. At no time in American history has a US President ever used the power of the pulpit to label millions of Americans as threats to the institution of American democracy. September 1st, 2022, represents a sad day in political rhetoric.
The Continued Battle for the Soul of the Nation
For clarity, the words of President Biden appear in blue. My responses and questions follow right after.
But as I stand here tonight, equality and democracy are under assault. We do ourselves no favor to pretend otherwise.
So tonight, I have come to this place where it all began to speak as plainly as I can to the nation about the threats we face, about the power we have in our own hands to meet these threats, and about the incredible future that lies in front of us if only we choose it. [emphasis added]
Right off the bat, Biden delivers a stark statement regarding the threat facing American democracy. When a president speaks of threats, like George W. Bush did regarding Al Qaeda after 9/11, the world takes notice. Who is this threat?
Donald Trump and the MAGA Republicans represent an extremism that threatens the very foundations of our republic.
Now, I want to be very clear — (applause) — very clear up front: Not every Republican, not even the majority of Republicans, are MAGA Republicans. Not every Republican embraces their extreme ideology.
Never in the history of US presidential political speeches has a sitting president used such rhetoric against a former president and those who voted for him. This includes 73 million Americans. Moreover, Biden does offer the caveat that not “every Republican” is a MAGA Republican, not even the “majority.” But does he really mean this? Who falls under the anathema of a MAGA Republican?
What a MAGA Republican Is/Is Not
Biden proposes what a MAGA Republican is not. Biden states that non-MAGA Republicans work with Biden on his agenda.
I know because I’ve been able to work with these mainstream Republicans.
Therefore, all MAGA Republicans do not work with Biden to further his agenda. They do not support massive spending, open borders, and environmental bills that masquerade as “inflation” bills. MAGA Republicans also reject abortion-on-demand and non-traditional relationships, a position the Catholic Biden calls “backward.”
MAGA forces are determined to take this country backwards — backwards to an America where there is no right to choose, no right to privacy, no right to contraception, no right to marry who you love.
As a fellow Catholic, need I remind the president he put the Catholic Church in the MAGA Republican camp, not to mention most conservative Protestants. The Catholic Church rejects abortion and only acknowledges marriage between one man and one woman. It also rejects modern gender ideology. Therefore, by this marker, most Republicans are MAGA Republicans.
Republican’s Role in 2020 Election
And here, in my view, is what is true: MAGA Republicans do not respect the Constitution. They do not believe in the rule of law. They do not recognize the will of the people.
They refuse to accept the results of a free election. And they’re working right now, as I speak, in state after state, to give power to decide elections in America to partisans and cronies, empowering election deniers to undermine democracy itself.
What actual proof does Biden have to back this up? What were those who certified the 2020 election members of in Arizona, Pennsylvania, and Georgia? Short answer: Republicans? Who in the Senate certified the 2020 election? Republicans, including Senator Mitch McConnel and Vice President Mike Pence. These were MAGA, Trump-supporting Republicans certifying an election won by Joe Biden. On the other hand, just the before the 2020 election, many Democratic-controlled states changed election laws without the “will of the people,” citing the public emergency from COVID-19. What party were those who suppressed information about Hunter Biden’s laptop and thereby manipulated the American people? Democrats. If anything, some Republicans question the fairness of the 2020 election due to this fact, including me.
The Rule of Law
They promote authoritarian leaders, and they fan the flames of political violence that are a threat to our personal rights, to the pursuit of justice, to the rule of law, to the very soul of this country.
Moreover, what party fanned the literal flames as cities burned in 2020? Hint: not Republicans. What party called for defunding police after said flames burned down cities in 2020? Another hint: not Republicans. Where were Democrat’s and Biden’s call for justice and the rule of law back then? Final hint: non-existent. Let’s ask Justice Kavanaugh his thoughts on Biden’s commitment to law and order.
January 6th
They look at the mob that stormed the United States Capitol on January 6th — brutally attacking law enforcement — not as insurrectionists who placed a dagger to the throat of our democracy, but they look at them as patriots.
And they see their MAGA failure to stop a peaceful transfer of power after the 2020 election as preparation for the 2022 and 2024 elections.
Furthermore, who certified the 2020 election? The same MAGA Republicans Biden now claims caused an insurrection. A few idiots trespassing in the capital building only delayed the certification by hours. Any student of history knows what a real insurrection looks like, and January 6th is not it. Moreover, there was only one casualty that day, a trespassing civilian named Ashli Babbitt. She was not law enforcement.
Am I the Enemy?
To conclude, let me sum up what constitutes a MAGA Republican to President Joe Biden and see if I am a threat to the foundation of the Republic.
Traits of a MAGA Republican
- Republicans who do not agree with Joe Biden
- Republicans who do not support Biden’s agenda
- Republicans who support traditional marriage and oppose abortion
- Republicans who question the fairness of the 2020 election due to voter manipulation
Given that these are the traits laid out for MAGA Republicans in Biden’s speech, most Republicans fall under the MAGA Republican label, including me. I have never attended a Trump rally or worn a MAGA hat. The foundational element that marks someone as a MAGA Republican is traditional conservativism. The only extremism located in Biden’s speech comes from Biden himself. He did what no other president in the history of the US has done—labeled an opposing party an enemy of the state. Furthermore, I trust the American people to not fall for this rhetoric. But remember, if you do not fall for it, you too are a MAGA Republican. You’ve been warned.
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