It's obvious that most supporters of Gov. Patrick are passionate believers in the concept of "social justice." What may not be as apparent is that most of Patrick's opponents embrace "social justice" as well.
What many of Patrick's supporters seemingly fail to understand about the "other side" is that conservatives and Republicans in this state are firm believers in the tenets of "social justice." They just have a slightly different vision of what "social justice" entails.
Patrick's opponents believe that "social justice" involves reducing, not increasing, tax rates so as to stimulate the state's economy. They feel that, by creating a stronger economy, enough revenue will be produced to improve the lives of all citizens, including those on the lower end of the economic scale.
The Bay State right feels that "social justice" involves taking a tough, proactive approach to crime--one that doesn't involve telling street toughs to buckle up their pants. They believe in giving cops the resources they need to reduce crime, appointing judges who will not be lenient in their sentencing, and (while it's basically a pipe dream in the Commonwealth at this point) reinstating the death penalty to deal with our most malevolent criminals.
When it comes to the still-controversial issue of same-sex marriage, Patrick's opponents generally feel that "social justice" involves allowing the electorate to set the marital standard. They reject the assertion that homophobic sentiment is the prime motivator of those who believe that the people should vote (in fact, it's not out of the realm of possibility that the electorate could vote to democratically ratify the 2003 Goodridge ruling, if given the chance). They are troubled by Patrick's past condemnation of those who felt the Supreme Judicial Court overstepped its authority in the Goodridge case, and believe the same democracy that allowed him to become Governor should also allow citizens, not an unaccountable judiciary, to have a say in determining what should be recognized as matrimony in the Commonwealth.
There are many reasons for the tremendous tension that exists between Patrick's backers and his critics. One reason is that quite a few of his most strident supporters seem not to believe that some folks could, in good faith, object to his political agenda. There is still a belief among some Patrick supporters that those who voted for Kerry Healey were either a) fools, b) homophobes, c) racists, or d) all of the above. So long as that mentality persists, there will never be anything close to common ground in this state.
Patrick's supporters may regard the opposition as "eccentric," to say the least. However, they must acknowledge that the Bay State right's views are also fundamentally rooted in a desire for "social justice." To do otherwise would be an injustice.
UPDATE: More from Dan Kennedy, Red Mass Group, Wizbang, Jules Crittenden, the Herald, the Globe, Scott Allen Miller and Mass. GOP News.
