Folks, if you want a picture of what happens when the political class gets too comfortable in their ivory towers, just look at Germany. We’ve got this wire report talking about Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the CDU leader Friedrich Merz – supposed political rivals – suddenly finding common ground to bash the AfD after the nationalist party gained ground in some local elections. They’re calling the AfD’s migration policies “ethnic cleansing” and all sorts of other overheated rhetoric. Honestly, it sounds less like a policy debate and more like a collective tantrum from the folks who clearly aren't getting the message from their own voters.
Now, I don't pretend to be an expert on every nuance of German politics, but I've seen this movie before, right here at home. When the established parties, be they left or right-of-center, start losing ground to someone they deem "far-right" or "extremist," their first move is rarely to reflect on why their own policies might be failing. No, the knee-jerk reaction is to grab the loudest, most scandalous labels they can find and scream them from the rooftops, hoping to scare everyone back into line. It's a classic play from the elite playbook: if you can't beat 'em on policy, demonize 'em on character.
The irony here, of course, is that these same establishment parties have been presiding over years of policies that have, for many ordinary Germans, felt like a steady erosion of their way of life, their security, and their national identity. When you have an open-door policy that strains public services, creates cultural friction, and leaves people feeling unheard, it shouldn't be a shock when a party like the AfD gains traction. People aren’t stupid. They see what’s happening in their towns and cities. They feel the pinch. And when the mainstream parties offer nothing but platitudes or, worse, outright dismissal of their concerns, folks are going to look for alternatives.
To call a political opponent’s policies "ethnic cleansing" is not just inflammatory; it's a dangerous escalation of rhetoric that shuts down any possibility of genuine debate. It’s the kind of language you use when you're out of arguments and your only hope is to intimidate and silence. And let's be clear: this isn't about protecting the integrity of the political discourse; it's about protecting the political class's hold on power. They're not worried about democracy; they're worried about their jobs.
What these German politicians, and frankly, some of our own here in Washington and on the coasts, seem to forget is that democracy isn't just about elections. It's about listening to the people, even the ones you disagree with. It’s about understanding their frustrations, not just dismissing them as bigoted or ignorant. When you paint a significant portion of your electorate as beyond the pale, you're not just attacking a political party; you're attacking the very idea that their concerns are legitimate.
The truth is, many people who vote for parties like the AfD aren't doing it because they're suddenly embracing some radical ideology. They're doing it out of frustration, out of a feeling of being left behind, and out of a desire for their own nation and culture to be prioritized. They see their traditional values being dismantled, their communities changing rapidly, and their leaders offering no solutions or even acknowledgment. And when they look for someone to represent those very basic concerns, the establishment offers only condemnation.
Edmund Burke, a man who understood a thing or two about the dangers of unchecked zeal, often spoke of the need for prudence and a respect for the inherited wisdom of a nation. This current German kerfuffle, with its shrill denunciations and hysterical accusations, feels a long way from Burkean prudence. It feels like a desperate attempt to shore up a failing consensus by smearing anyone who dares to dissent.
So, as we watch the German political class tie themselves in knots, let's remember this lesson. When the elites panic and start throwing around serious accusations, it often means they’ve lost the argument, and more importantly, they’ve lost touch with the ordinary folks they’re supposed to represent. The people have spoken, and instead of listening, the powers that be are just shouting louder. That’s a dangerous game for any democracy.