Everyday ethics: Meet the Do Nothing Party

Once upon a time in American political life there was a Know Nothing Party.  According to the Britannica, this party flourished in the 1850s with a strong anti-immigrant,especially anti-Roman Catholic, sentiment, believing these groups represented a threat to native-born, mostly Protestant Americans. When members were asked about their organization, they were supposed to reply they knew nothing -— hence the party’s name.

I’ve been thinking we need a new party given the temper of our politics — the Do Nothing Party, whose goal would be simple — do nothing. For those today who don’t want government at all, this would be their choice.

This would be the logical choice for those who say the government that governs least governs best. Proponents of the party would say no one has emerged to run for office on their ticket, but since they don’t have a desire to do anything, who needs candidates anyway?

This party is the natural result of those who don’t believe we need a federal government or a constitution. It’s the law of nature — dog eat dog, the survival of the fittest and all those good things before our Founding Fathers tried to give us common law and basic rights.

Look at it this way, the House won’t need to elect a speaker nor worry about another attempted coup. Nor will members need to spend so much time raising money for their next elections or going on their networks of choice to spread half-truths or downright lies.

If the Do Nothing Party would field a presidential candidate it would not need a party platform nor even a candidate since really nothing would be ventured, nothing gained. And the president would speak only once, and not even from the Oval Office, but online.

The only problems a Do Nothing Party might have is when Social Security checks and other benefits don’t go out, military bases are closed and neither highways nor bridges repaired,

OK, lighten up. I was born a few minutes after April 1 because my mother said she didn’t want an April fool.  Too bad, there are too many serious people already doing too much harmful mischief.

I trust you realize what I have written is not serious but an early April Fool’s commentary with a little truth mixed in.

John C. Morgan is an author and teacher, and almost an April Fool.