Act Now So That We Won’t Have to Storm the Bastille Later

According to Britannica online, “pluralism,” in the context of political science, is the view that a liberal democracy’s power is (or should be) dispersed among a variety of economic and ideological pressure groups and that power is not (or should not be) held by a single elite or group of elites. Adam Nicholas Phillips summed it up when he said, “Pluralism does not mean pretending that our differences disappear. It means building a society where people of different faiths, cultures and convictions can live as equal citizens and cooperate to shape a shared future.” Pluralism assumes that diversity is beneficial to society and that autonomy should be enjoyed by disparate functional and cultural groups within society, including religious groups, trade unions, professional organizations and ethnic minorities.

E pluribus unum

EBSCO, a leading provider of research databases, describes pluralism as a framework where multiple parties, ideologies and beliefs coexist within a society, promoting active engagement and tolerance among diverse groups. It emphasizes the importance of including various social sectors in democratic processes, ensuring that the interests of all demographic categories such as class, gender, race, and religion are represented in policymaking and governance. This concept is particularly relevant in heterogeneous societies where it encourages dialogue and critical thinking, allowing different perspectives to contribute to a more inclusive political landscape.

And yet, according to anti-feminist, anti-DEI, far-right MAGA Scott Yenor, a director at the Heritage Foundation and contributing author to the infamous Project 2025, government does a disservice to society if it supports our Constitutional right to freedom of religion. He contends that religious freedom is bad for democracy because it diminishes the power of his religion over people. Yenor and his Tradwife followers would prefer a uniform culture in America, consisting of one religion (his Christian denomination), and one set of cultural values (again, his own) which are based on male dominance and white supremacy.

In short, Yenor personifies the far-right antithesis of pluralism, and he speaks for Trump and his GOP cronies. Among Yenor’s anti-pluralist values is a desire to subjugate women, and he is not just pontificating; he has a detailed plan on how this can be accomplished.

To counteract Yenor and his ilk, we must be vigilant; we must rise up and push back before our rights have been completely eroded. WE MUST VOTE! and encourage others to do the same, supporting progressive candidates who believe in pluralism and a country where each citizen has an equal voice, equal rights, and equal opportunities. Much of our strength as a nation arose from our melting pot heritage. E pluribus unum.