Sometimes, the Wall Street Journal's editorial pages, generally defined by an ignorance-is-bliss philosophy, are worth something. Last week, Michael J. Petrilli, a research fellow at the Hoover Institution, published a provocative op-ed, arguing that the Republican Party should embrace intelligent policies and court college-educated voters if it wants to return to the political majority.
This column is heartening for several reasons: It rejects the party's populism, favored by Sarah Palin, Glenn Beck, et al, in favor of respectful rationality. It wisely dissects voting trends to show college-educated voters are a growing section of the populace, disputing the idea that pandering to the hotheaded masses is good strategy (which must, in part, drive the turn toward spiteful politics, in addition to these people's general anger with the world). It recognizes the party's anti-illegal immigration and anti-gay marriage positions are racist and homophobic, sometimes covertly so and sometimes obviously so. And it realizes people don't always conform to stereotypes: Some might shop at Whole Foods, that "symbol of progressive affluence," but "lifestyle choices aside, they view big government with great suspicion." Petrilli writes, "The first step is to stop denigrating intelligence and education...It's good news that America is becoming better educated, more inclusive, and more concerned about the environment. The Republican Party can either catch this wave, or watch its historic opportunity for "resurgence" wash away with the tides."
Petrilli's essay hit close to home. While I don't shop at Whole Foods, the namesake of his new bloc (and think one can eat and shop responsibly without patronizing it), I fit all the other distinguishing characteristics he lists: appreciating diversity, living in urban walkable settings, and believing in environmental stewardship, community service and a spirit of inclusion. I don't usually have a suspicious view of big government. Then again, I tire of union politics and like charter schools, two un-Democratic positions. I also like my politicians to be fiscally responsible, and prefer compromise to the intensely partisan, often unrealistic view that the left wing of the party takes as it unsuccessfully tries to cement a Democratic majority (though, to be fair, the Republicans' right wing unsuccessfully attempted to do the same).
A crisis of confidence ensued: Am I really as true a Democrat as I've long thought I am? Maybe I should be an unenrolled voter, or vote for Republicans more often? Then, I realized, among other things: I believe health care is a right, not a privilege, and access should be extended universally; abortion should be legal, as should gay marriage; science has proven climate change is happening because of man-made activities, and must be dealt with (which has a very good chance of yielding its own economic innovation); preemptive foreign policy isn't wise and war must be considered carefully. I'll stay in the Democratic column for now, thanks, but thanks for getting me thinking, Mr. Petrilli.
Update: The New Yorker this week published a lengthy profile of Whole Foods' founding CEO, John Mackey, who gained notoriety last summer for his op-ed in the WSJ arguing against the Obama administration's health care policy. A friend's sister said in September that she has stopped shopping there as a result, though I haven't seen her since. Perhaps there aren't as many Whole Republicans as Mr. Petrilli thinks. (In the somewhat more distant past Mackey also badmouthed his former competitor Wild Oats, which Whole Foods eventually bought, on Internet chat sites under a pseudonym. Oh, the Internet.)
Though Mackey generally came across as inconsiderate if passionate, the story highlighted two important questions: The age-old punk-rock conundrum of whether a cultural phenomenon can remain true to itself and the cause once it gets big and popular, and whether capitalism can produce social good. Mackey firmly believes the answer to the latter is yes -- Whole Foods' impact on generally more responsible and healthier eating habits suggests he's correct -- and for that, I must respect him.
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