A New Deal

So here’s a question for Democrats: is it possible to shun something, not follow that up with a call to action and not look weak?

Case #1: Let’s say we follow the lead of Joe Lieberman and agree that some Hollywood movies are too violent for youngsters. Then let’s say we (drum roll please) do nothing about it—in other words agree that children need limitations but Hollywood does not. That there is danger in the world of all kinds, but the federal government’s role should be informing parents of those dangers—from seatbelt safety to effects of violence on children—through research and funded outreach. Protect us from the dangers we can’t protect ourselves from, say, hatred in the Middle East.

Case #2: We could examine the sad situation of Terri Schiavo and agree it’s sad. And agree that it’s not a black and white issue. We could say that we wish we could absolutely know what Terri’s wishes would have been, since those are the ones we’d want to follow first. But then we could agree that we have something in place to handle these kinds of tough, unfortunate decisions of balancing a husband’s and parents’ wishes: it’s called a court system. And leave it at that. If we’re not going to trust the courts to get things right (and wrong), why have them?

Case #3: In turn, we could look at school prayer, and recognize that we may not agree with it. That it might be offensive (just as some television shows and radio programs are to conservatives). And yet allow such decisions to be made at a state or even local level as well as through the courts who are commissioned to guard against prejudice. School prayer is not killing anyone. Industrial pollution is. Let’s act when safety is on the line or when states cannot do the job equally (such as was the case with desegregation).

We could call this movement Anti-Big Government. I know, I know. This is the Republicans rallying cry, but they abandoned it several years ago with ballooning federal spending and policies like the No Child Left Behind Act. Perhaps it’s time to reclaim it with a twist: we want anti-fear, too. Don’t make us fear R-rated movies, loose lips on the radio and Superbowl nipples. Don’t be so pro-life as to make us fear death. And don’t make us fear those who think so differently from us, polarizing left and right, East and West. Because I believe they’re wrestling with the same issues we are.

Just the early version of an idea, partially inspired by Matt Bai. I’m sure there are holes. Thoughts?