Two days ago, I declined to accept the crass, cynical theatrics of Mr. Limbaugh when he wished for President Obama’s failure. Today, I generally applaud what seems to be a more sincere form of dissent from Christine Flowers, a lawyer published on the opinion pages of the Philadelphia Daily News.
I favor Ms. Flowers’ approach because she consistently tries to focus her dissent on policy rather than person. In other words, she does not wish a general, all-encompassing, Limbaughian failure on Obama; rather, she hopes the new president fails to implement, without modification, certain assumed elements of his larger agenda.
For instance Flowers hopes Obama “fails in trying to force Catholic hospitals to provide abortion services.”
If he signs the Freedom of Choice Act as anticipated, it will severely limit the ability of those who oppose abortion on moral principles to avoid performing abortions themselves, or having to make referrals for the procedure. FOCA should actually be called ‘The Freedom to Impose My Choice on Others Act.’ I know Obama is an ardent abortion-rights advocate, but I hope he has the integrity to respect the religious beliefs of those who disagree with him.
She further desires Obama’s failure “in intimidating employees to unionize.”
If Obama has his way, the Employee Freedom of Choice Act will become law, thereby eliminating the secret ballot (how un-American) that allows employees to decide whether they want to belong to a union.
Under EFCA, employees will be forced to publicly declare their vote. To replace the allegedly intimidating tactics of employers, we’ll now be giving the same tactics to the unions. It would be sad and chilling if our new president condoned them.
By virtue of specifying policy disagreements, Flowers (unlike Limbaugh) cedes ample runway for Obama (and by extension, the country) to succeed — in righting the economy, defeating terrorists, etc. — without rolling over and handing #44 everything he claims he wants.
Whether or not you agree with Flowers’ policy positions, her approach is precisely what we should encourage (and actively participate in) if we want a civil and effective political process. It is the type of politics that the nation’s founders envisioned when they carefully designed a constitution that, if honored, prevents the concentration of power. It allows individuals to bat .400 but stacks the game so they can never bat a thousand.