Extremely weary of extremism
It is a given that very few extremists realize they in fact are out of the mainstream. As a moderate Republican who actually has a few friends that are Democrats, I have observed many in the past months who fit the term "extreme" on both ends of the political spectrum. I'm probably a little to the right of center, since I observe more wackos on the far left than the right. But then maybe they, like the lonely jackass in the field, bray louder than those in the majority. Having said that, I am deeply offended by those in my own party who bring shame and disbelief to the average voter.
The recent election in both the Coeur d'Alene School District and Coeur d'Alene City Council brought me into the area, even though I don't live in either. In the past I felt one without skin in the game should stay out of other people's affairs. That was cancelled by the large part of the Reagan Republicans from other areas such as Post Falls, Rathdrum and Athol taking an active part in battling other citizen candidates running for non-partisan offices. To these people, politics is war, requiring the faithful to no-holds-barred interference and sometimes slander.
What brought on this reflective period for me was a phone call the other day by a conservative asking me to join a luncheon group he was forming. Interestingly, he admitted to being a former Constitutionalist turned Republican, yet he is holding his lunches on the same dates and at the same time as the so-called "Reagan Republicans." It would seem to me that Constitutionalists who have reformed as new Republicans are the real RINOS, not the rank and file that have historical party roots.
I refer to them as imposters since I knew Ronnie Reagan and his late daughter, Maureen, back in the '60s. I was an MC at a large speech venue with Reagan, just before he ran for governor of California, and worked closely with him and his son-in-law, Dave Sills and Maureen during the campaign. That he resembled the loud, knee-jerk gang that misrepresents his legacy burns me, but I digress.
After receiving the call from this activist, I politely declined for two reasons. One, I live in Bayview which is kind of a long drive, and two I'm not sure I could in good conscience join a group that is possibly even further to the right than the RRs. Well, and there is one other reason. I am 75 years old and unlike the old days, I don't run around in political circles with my hair on fire anymore.
As I have aged, two things became apparent to me. One, I had grown out of the more raucous party activities that I was a part of in the 1960s. In other words I grew up and matured some. I can listen to other points of view unless they are prefaced by an insult or belittling remark about mine. That from my perspective seems to be more prevalent on the far left. I have actually not received one complaint or put down from the right, even though I am left of many of them.
I won't mention the name of the individual who called me except to say, if I do not know in detail where he is coming from, I am, not like some others I know, going to guess.
I have figured out that the problem in working with others to solve problems in the community, either locally, or nationally, is that extremists tend to make their political philosophy a religion, not a governance. Therefore, you are either a believer, or an apostate. With that inflexible position, or positions, derives our inability to govern ourselves within the bounds of decency and mutual respect.
I will have more to say as the primary candidacies unfold in North Idaho. We still have some wackos out there, and unfortunately as long as moderates refuse to register as Republicans, the activists who have nothing better to do with their lives will run the show, giving all of us the choice between bad and worse.
Herb Huseland is a resident of Bayview