18

THE CONCORDAT

Since the close of the Civil War, the GOP has been the party of wealth and profits. Its principal mission is to safeguard corporate assets, inherited fortunes, and investments of owners and executives.

This presents Republicans with a problem. The United States is ostensibly a democracy, which means majority sentiment must be given some heed. But the party’s prime beneficiaries are a small sliver of the electorate, not enough to carry a few precincts. So to succeed at the polls, it has had to find other sources of support.

In considered steps, the GOP has expanded its portfolio, while not forsaking its solicitude for the well-to-do. Thus it has added policing of pregnancies and safeguarding firearms, embracing sectarian causes and purblind patriotism, along with undermining civil rights and unleashing local police. Republican candidates, from the presidency to county boards, not to mention judicial nominees, are expected to pronounce their support for these and kindred issues. If some seem like opportune conversions, all that is asked is an appearance of conviction.

Hence a concordat. On one side, its wealthy wing agrees to sit silently as women’s clinics are closed and private arsenals are shielded. Urbane executives and financiers look in other directions when they hear xenophobic innuendoes and scientists being scorned. It is collateral for their upcoming bonuses and options.

In return, the party’s less-affluent adherents concur with policies that enrich the party’s affluent echelons, albeit at a material cost to themselves.1 Under the concordat, both tiers get what they want most, at least when their party has power. This said, the GOP is finding that growing sectors of the country are repelled by both codicils to this agreement.

The Republicans most align with my Christian values. (Nebraska)

I agree with the basic values of the Republican Party.
I uphold Christian values and am pro-life. (Maryland)