There used to be two understandings in politics, two uncrossable lines: politics ended at the water’s edge—Americans were united in foreign policy, speaking with one voice—and you don’t mess with a political opponent’s wife or children, particularly never their children. Politicians who stooped to attack American’s families were beyond the pale and even their political allies would punish them for that kind of callous cruelty and breach of common decency.

We often think the good old days were better than our current reality, but at least in that respect they were. That rule recognized there were lines we ought not cross and helped enforce at least the appearance of civility.

Going on 11 years ago, Kurt Schlichter wrote Liberals May Regret Their New Rules.    A retired Army Colonel, lawyer and author, he wrote:

And that better worry them, for the coastal elites are uniquely unsuited to a world where force rules instead of law. [skip]

I know the endgame of discarding the rule of law for short-term advantage because I stood in its ruins. Liberals think this free society just sort of happened, that they can poke and tear at its fabric and things will just go on as before. But they won’t. So at the end of the day, if you want a society governed by the rule of force, you better pray that you’re on the side with the guns and those who know how to use them.

The contemporary epitome of the self-imagined coastal elite is soon to be ex-governor of California, Gavin Newsom. A man of unlimited self-regard and unbounded disdain for what he considers lesser beings, Newsom recognizes no restraint on his own incivility, lack of character and concern for the welfare of others:

Graphic: Social Media Post

Despite trans issues being among the 80-20 albatrosses for Democrats, Newsom, who is surely running for the Democrat nomination for president in 2028, though he claims to be undecided, apparently thinks supporting genital mutilation, chemical sterilization, enabling mental illness that greatly increases the risk of depression and suicide and that denies girls and women their rightful accomplishments in sports is a winning issue.

So arrogant and cruel is Newsom, he, through his press office, lashed out at Elon Musk’s son, who as many Americans learned from Newsom’s unconscionable outing, is suffering from trans ideation:

Graphic: Social Media Post

Musk, who clearly considers that ideation what it is—mental illness—responded in a far more adult, measured manner than Newsom:

Graphic: Social Media Post

Unsurprisingly, many Americans recognized Newsom’s lack of character:

Graphic: X Post

Have any members of the Democrat Party rebuked Newsom?  If so, I’ve been unable to find evidence of that.

 But why would they? Newsom, who seeks to speak for them all, apparently already speaks for most. It’s this kind of cruelty, this kind of willful tearing at the fabric of society about which Schlichter spoke eleven years ago, that will eventually make Democrats regret their new rules. Should someone like Newsom become POTUS, America will likely have the opportunity for Democrats to discover whether they’re truly prepared to live in a society governed by the rule of force.

Like Schlichter, I’m certain they’ll quickly discover, to their horror, they’re not.

Become a subscriber and get our weekly, Friday newsletter with unique content from our editors. These essays alone are worth the cost of the subscription. 

Mike McDaniel is a USAF veteran, classically trained musician, Japanese and European fencer, life-long athlete, firearm instructor, retired police officer and high school and college English teacher. He is a published author and blogger. His home blog is Stately McDaniel Manor.