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Wokism is really bad, in my view. And dangerous. But right now, I'm a lot more worried about the destruction of the sacred norms of our democratic republic. Trump has already likely succeeded in forever tarnishing this election; many will always consider it stolen.
We all knew Trump would do this. He's like that 12-year old kid down the street whom you would beat 21-5 in pickup basketball, but who would insist that he actually won. When you are kids, it's just annoying. When it's the POTUS though, it's incredibly dangerous.
Let's be absolutely clear about this: Nobody who supports this should claim to be conservative. There is absolutely nothing conservative about eroding the most sacred norm of the US, the norm that matters more than any other, the norm that ensures peaceful transfers of power.
So, yes, we knew Trump would do this. He did it when he lost IA in the 2016 primary. He always does it. He has absolutely no regard for anything larger and more important than his own ego. But the GOP establishment, I thought, would reject his machinations and vulgar egotism.
Instead, they are issuing innocuous "let the process play out" tweets. Of course, if Trump has evidence of fraud, then the courts should look at it and decide. Everybody agrees. But that's not what Trump is doing. And everybody also knows that. He will likely never fully concede.
And he has likely forever stained the election. I am a conservative. I love our country. And our country is bigger than any person or party. It is an idea, a system of norms and institutions, and when somebody assails those norms, we have to reject that vigorously.
Now, again, to be clear, of course Trump has the right to look carefully at the results. But he should do that with rhetoric that is protective of our norms and does not sow distrust and discord, which is the exact opposite of what he is doing.
I ask my fellow conservatives to be conservative, to protect our sacred norms and institutions. This isn't somebody putting pronouns in her twitter profile; this is the president of the United States attempting to divide the country by attacking the legitimacy of an election.
This is as real as it gets. Self-governance is a fragile experiment. It has been guided by great humans of great character: Washington, Lincoln, Roosevelt, Eisenhower, Reagan. It's not natural or automatic. It has to be assiduously protected and promoted.
We must revere the wise men and women who led us here, and we must reject the vainglorious, selfish, divisive, egotistical who seek to divide and alienate us for personal gain. Today, Trump is clearly the single greatest threat to the country. And thus we must say "no" to him.
Allow me to end this by noting, again, that of course Trump is allowed to look into the results and character of the election. And if there is widespread fraud, then of course that is important. But this has to be done respectfully and with due prudence.
The president is *the last* person who should be making wild and intemperate claims. For the love and sake of our country, he has to be calm and instill patience and trust in our institutions. That is clearly not happening. And I am truly disturbed by it. And you should be too.
