What is Jacobin?
Jim Thompson
By Jim Thompson
HCP columnist
When I have heard an unfamiliar term two or three times, I look it up. In the political world, Jacobin comes up quite often when I hear discussions of the radical left.
Jacobin originated in the French Revolution.
Today, from my research, it means:
A radical reformer.
A revolutionary socialist.
Someone favoring centralized government.
Someone considered politically extreme.
In other words, an energized left-wing individual.
Who might we label Jacobins? Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and other left-wing types, each with a loud microphone.
Who do we see on the left who is not a Jacobin? Chuck Schumer, Nancy Pelosi and Sherrod Brown would be good examples.
This latter group, however, is just as dangerous. Why? They don’t have the energy to resist the Jacobins. It appears they would rather get along than stand up for Constitutional principles.
Time spent lining their own nest is more important to them than the direction the country might go.
What I am saying is that politicians, especially of the Democratic variety, come in a number of varieties and flavors (often referred to as the “big tent”). What is dangerous about them as a whole is that the ones who most nearly align with American values don’t have the energy to throw out the revolutionaries in their party.
If you haven’t voted, I strongly urge you to go out and vote for preserving America.
We owe this to our parents and our grandchildren.
Jim Thompson, formerly of Marshall, is a graduate of Hillsboro High School and the University of Cincinnati. He resides in Duluth, Ga. and is a columnist for The Highland County Press.