“Childless Cat Ladies” and Why Non-Americans Need the Republicans
“We’re effectively run in this country… by a bunch of childless cat ladies who are miserable in their own lives and the choices that they’ve made…” — such were the words of JD Vance back in 2021. Vance is now Donald Trump’s recent pick as his running mate for the upcoming presidential election.
Vance was referring to Kamala Harris, amongst other politicians, who were occupying very influential positions in American politics without having a generational stake in the country due to their childless status. It is his belief, as well as the belief of many in the Republican party, that having children and being pro-family are essential traits for individuals in positions of power in American politics.
Former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy (and a long-time friend of Vance) famously stated that “The nuclear family is the greatest form of governance known to mankind.” Elon Musk, a staunch supporter of the Republicans who had just committed $45million/month to the Trump campaign, is infamous for having twelve (yes, twelve) children.
Conservatism, or what we may call being old-school, is at the heart of the modern Republican party’s world view. Along with a belief in God and a trust in the capitalist free market, the nuclear family is arguably up there on their triad list of most crucial tenets of Republican-ism. Faith, Freedom, and Family may very well be the three ‘Fs’ of today’s right-wing politics.
But there is another F-word (not that one) that I would associate with this Right-wing gang lead by Trump. That word is Fun.
For lack of a better word, the Republicans seem to be having a lot more fun than the Democrats in recent years. Try to think of an example of when the last time Bernie Sanders or Elizabeth Warren last made you laugh out loud. I’m waiting. Joe Biden has certainly induced a few chuckles out of the public, but it was inappropriate laughter at the expense of a cognitively impaired elderly — not the kind of laughter anyone should be proud of.
The Republicans, however, have undoubtedly provided much superior entertainment value to American politics. Vivek Ramaswamy was half-mocking the whole presidential race when he posted himself playing tennis shirtless and calling it his “debate prep” for the upcoming presidential debates. Trump arguably got the biggest belly laughs when he satirically caricatured mega billionaire and former presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg as “Mini-Mike” back in 2020. We have even seen Trump and Jeb Bush high-fiving each other with a somewhat bro-mance vibe in the midst of an intense presidential debate.
The recently resurfaced words from JD Vance on “childless cat ladies” back in 2021 is just another example of Republican humor-ism that makes American politics ever so colorful.
At the heart of this right-wing humor is the looseness that comes with today’s conservatism. Paradoxically, it is within the confines of conservatism where freedom of speech flourishes, including the freedom to offend. It is today’s progressivism — the left’s desperate plea to please everyone at all times — that crushes all the fun, crushes all the creative verbal jibs and jabs that American politics is so valuable for.
Unfortunately, for the patriotic wavers of the star-spangled banner, this seems to be the whole point of American politics today: It is more of a popularity contest rather than a contest of substance. A platform fit for a master of ceremonies, rather than a master of chivalry. More of a search for a stand-up comedian, rather than a stand-up citizen. As an outsider, I am loving it. As long as the Fun (the Republicans’ most important F) is still alive and well.
