ILLINOIS – For any American who has lived even a few decades—whether you’re 85, 65, 45, or 25—one truth should be clear: political power in the United States is never permanent. Most of our lifetimes have been evenly divided between Democratic and Republican presidents. That is not coincidence. It is the result of a constitutional system deliberately designed to prevent a permanent political class from entrenching itself.
History reinforces this point over and over. The Federalists yielded to the Jeffersonians. The Whigs vanished and the Republican Party emerged with Lincoln. In the 20th century, the New Deal consensus eventually gave way to the Reagan revolution. More recently, 2008 shifted to 2016, then 2016 shifted to 2020. The American electorate consistently recalibrates itself, whether politicians like it or not.
Across the country we see an unsettling rise in political tantrums from certain states, counties, cities, activist treasurers, and even former military officers now sitting in Congress. They challenge federal authority only when the opposition holds power, then disregard constitutional limits when their own side is in control. Some now go as far as threatening the taxpayer dollars in their custody or encouraging open defiance of the lawful military chain of command.
This is not justified dissent. It is not moral courage. And it certainly is not “protecting democracy.”
It is the same destructive petulant impulse that has destabilized governments throughout history: the belief that the law is optional when you don’t like the outcome.
We’ve seen versions of this before—during the nullification crisis of the 1830s, in the constitutional clashes of the Civil Rights era, and in the erosion of institutional trust during Vietnam. Selective obedience to the law, no matter which party engages in it, corrodes our civic foundation. It undermines the Constitution, weakens public trust, and fuels cynicism at a time when the country desperately needs steadiness.
The rules matter. Laws matter. The chain of command matters. And we should not be a nation expected to run to the Supreme Court—or worse, to international bodies—every time politicians behave like children demanding a parent referee their disputes.
Illinois, like the rest of the nation, is not suffering from a shortage of resources or talent. What we lack is seriousness. Far too many leaders chase symbolic fights, national headlines, and ideological theater while ignoring the practical needs of the people they were elected to serve.
Government’s role should be clear and limited: Step back when possible, step in only when necessary, and create conditions for economic strength, public safety, affordability, and equal opportunity.
Not carve-outs for insiders. Not endless expansions of political power disguised as compassion. And certainly not reckless rhetoric from bureaucracies or intelligence circles hinting at rebellion—language that edges dangerously close to treasonous territory.
Illinois does not need more division. We need unity, lawful governance, and policies that put Illinois residents first. We need leaders who understand that no matter who occupies the Oval Office at any given moment, our shared responsibility is to work together, compromise, and keep this state safe, stable, and affordable.
Because the pendulum will swing again—just as it always has throughout American history. The only question is whether our leaders will be ready to govern responsibly when it does, not only in the moments when their political team happens to be on top.
For more information, please contact Rep. McLaughlin’s office at 224-634-8300.
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Rep. Martin McLaughlin serves the 52nd District, which includes portions of Lake, Cook, Kane, and McHenry Counties.