Many of us now of a “certain age” grew up with a personal understanding of an old rule embodied in the ancient saying: “Spare the rod and spoil the child (See KJV Proverbs 13:24).”
My mother on select occasions as I grew through early childhood administered two or three sharp whacks with a switch cut from a family tree when I threw tantrums aimed at getting my way and certainly later at New Mexico Military Institute during my plebe year the old cadets took up the task of applying the same rule using paddles, rifle buts and coat hangers.
Children must be taught that throwing fits and tantrums while sassing their elders in an effort to get their way must be countered with strong measures to impress on them the need to grow up apace learning while they grow and not think they can rule the world two minutes after shedding their swaddling clothes.
Well, I’m not for returning to corporal punishment, to whipping or spanking children but…
What can be done about AOC and her band of youthful insurgents?
They seem bent on running amok, whining of mistreatment because they aren’t getting their way and throwing down the “race card” against their party leadership in an ill conceived and unjust personal attack.
Many of us believe there is no more vital objective than to bring our Country back from the abyss and defeat Donald J Trump and his merry bank of cruel and greedy enablers in 2020. To do that the Democratic party must come into that election totally unified in the objective of defeating Trump.
Trump defeated, the fight can be resumed over how far and how fast necessary changes to make people’s lives better can be made but not now.
Keep your eyes on the prize!
But no, not for AOC and her friends. Speaker Pelosi pointed out that when four young members of her caucus opposed the Border Bill because they said it wasn’t strong enough in protecting migrants they only got four votes – theirs. And AOC’s response was that the Speaker was attacking them and singling out “women of color” for her criticism.
That’s unfair – her record on civil rights is above reproach – and hurling the “race card” at your opponent is no way to win an argument of this kind or gain widespread support from your fellow Democrats.
So, what do we do about them, about the divisiveness in Democratic ranks they are intentionally fostering?
No, we can’t spank them and children eventually do grow up. To want to move quickly to change American lives for the better is a commendable aim but in life, all things must be weighed against the consequences.
If fighting the overwhelming majority of her House caucus and their Leader and splintering the Democractic party is more important than defeating Donald J Trump, okay, go to it and be prepared to accept the consequences of your action.
I can’t believe AOC wants that.
Although, I note that her Chief of Staff, if quoted correctly, seems to think that continuing this fight will result in a huge majority of voters swinging behind their program, throwing the party “moderates” out of power (goodbye Nancy), and defeating Donald J Trump on a platform of far-left reforms right now.
Oy, vey, so many children!
The popular saying is “Spare the rod and spoil the child” although the origin of that thought is found in the Bible
KJV Proverbs 13:24“He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.”