Trumpled (Alternative Leading)

[Mav]

Don't both parties support law and order though?

Of course, but they differ on what that means.

Trump believes it means that whoever is in power can wield it as a weapon against his political enemies and to hold his allies safe. He doesn’t believe that nobody is above the law. He believes “l’état, c’est moi!” He says the Constitution says he can do anything he likes. This is the dictator’s version of law and order. Taking him on is sedition or treason. Authoritarians love him for that. Remember that it’s not just the guy in power who is an authoritarian. Authoritarian voters love a strongman.

Case in point: General Flynn had pleaded guilty and the Judge had accepted his plea. The Judge was on the verge of sentencing him when Barr instructed the DOJ prosecutors to withdraw the charges. The prosecutors resigned in protest. The Judge refused to dismiss the charges and this case is now wending its way through the courts. Was this really an example of law and order? 

Is Trump’s latest attempt to cajole Barr into prosecuting Biden before Election Day an example of law and order?

The US should ditch the image of Lady Justice holding a set of scales while wearing a blindfold. Those with connections are beyond the reach of justice and those without connections are the sacrificial lambs.

Particularly by comparison with Trump, the Democratic Party ideal is even-handed justice. That doesn’t mean there’s no corruption on the left and that allies aren’t protected. The political system is designed to promote this. Unlike in Australia, the partyin power can gerrymander to preserve its power and judicial appointments are far more political. John Roberts’ Supreme Court in Citizen’s United rejected an attempt to restrict dark money from lobbyists. In the majority’s view, a corporation is a legal person and has a right to influence policy by making donations to politicians. Rich people also have a right to gain favours by making donations. How can anyone expect equal application of the law given this? And the courts are very weak when it comes to cracking down on voter suppression.

So when I say Law & Order voters, I’m not talking about people who believe in justice for all. I’m talking about people who want to see harsh justice meted out by Dirty Harry-style cops against people who aren’t like them. You might not see them in that light. But that’s why the “doesn’t everyone like law and order” question doesn’t hit the spot.