Musk is correct: Divided government is best
THERE are no saviors or miracles in democracy, only a grueling, soul-sucking, forever war of attrition. That is the enduring lesson of the 2022 midterms, as it is every election. And, though the results will be overinterpreted by pundits, and partisans will have all their priors confirmed, in the end, it is proof that American “democracy” is working.
Overall, it was a disappointing night for Republicans, considering the high expectations and the president’s low approval ratings. But let’s not forget, we’re all winners when D.C. is mired in gridlock; not only is it the most accurate representation of the national electorate’s mood, but it means the system is working.
Democrats have spent the past few years squeezing every globule of meaning from that word “democracy.” President Joe Biden delivered two divisive national prime-time speeches arguing that the only way to save democracy was to implement one-party rule. Today, Biden says that the election was a “good day for democracy.” He’s right, but not for the reasons he thinks.
If your version of “democracy” exists only if your party runs every institution, it wasn’t a good day. If you believe “democracy” means exploiting the narrowest of national majorities to lord over all the decisions of states and individuals, it’s going to be a tough couple of years for you. If you want to destroy the legislative filibuster to federalize elections or cram $5 trillion in generational mega-“reforms” through Congress without any national consensus, condolences. You won’t be adding fake senators from D.C. or “packing the courts” to capsize the judicial system. At least not until 2024, at the earliest.
As Elon Musk recently noted when recommending people vote for Republicans, “shared power curbs the worst excesses of both parties.” Musk is right. Not only is it an excellent outlook for the independent-minded American, but it has been the reflex of the electorate — a healthy, real democratic inclination. The inability of one party to monopolize power will either compel both to compromise or, in times of deep division, shut down Washington and incentivize governors to take care of their own business.
Democrats will whine that failing to implement their economic statism is tantamount to sabotaging the nation — and “democracy.” Biden will blame the GOP for “obstructionism,” as if the executive branch, rather than the legislature, is charged with writing laws. The media will again lament the dire state of our “dysfunctional” Congress. But, as we learned during the Obama and Trump years, the less Congress meddles in our economic life, the better it is for everyone.
Legislative gridlock does not mean Congress is powerless. The House has a duty, as the left incessantly pointed out during the Trump years, of holding the executive branch accountable. That might entail investigating Alejandro Mayorkas for precipitating a border emergency and Merrick Garland, who has politicized the Justice Department in unprecedented ways. Washington is a target-rich environment. It is surely the case that Democrats will call any inquiries into the executive branch a crime against “democracy,” as well.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not contending that Republicans are saviors of “democracy” — though slowing the attacks on our institutions, from the Supreme Court to the Electoral College to the filibuster to the First and Second Amendments, is good news. Nor am I arguing that I wouldn’t rather have people who agree with me winning elections. I’m simply saying that people who confuse and conflate the word “democracy” with getting their way all the time are either frauds or fools.