"Let's call an ace an ace." Why Rep. Matt Rosendale Voted No On The Juneteenth National Holiday

From USA Today:

Republican Montana Rep. Matt Rosendale released a statement on his vote against S.B. 475.

“Let’s call an ace an ace," Rosendale said. "This is an effort by the Left to create a day out of whole cloth to celebrate identity politics as part of its larger efforts to make Critical Race Theory the reigning ideology of our country.  Since I believe in treating everyone equally, regardless of race, and that we should be focused on what unites us rather than our differences, I will vote no."

“Let’s call an ace an ace,"  -  There's a meme going around on Twitter where people are asked to say something to the world without actually saying it.  "Tell me your religion without actually saying it."  Well we all know what he's not saying here.  Maybe it's progress that he knows he shouldn't say it explicitly.  But this isn't much better.

"This is an effort by the Left to create a day out of whole cloth"  - From The Free Dictionary Idioms 

"cut from whole cloth

Entirely fictional or utterly false; completely fabricated and not based on reality at all. A reference to tailors who would falsely advertise garments being made "out of whole cloth," when, in reality, they were pieced together from different cuts." 

What's the lie here Representative Rosendale?  That slaves were emancipated in the US?  He's right if he's implying that there is still rampant racism, but I don't think that's what he means.  It's just a broad statement about some unnamed big lie, which doesn't exist.

I'd also note that Rosendale is only one of 14 Republicans in the House to oppose this bill and no Republicans in the Senate opposed the bill.  So it seems like there is more than the Left supporting this by a huge majority.  Oh, and Texas - that bastion of the Left - already has a Juneteenth holiday.

"to celebrate identity politics" - identity politics has a 50 year history and has been used in many ways, including as an epithet used by Conservatives to delegitimize marginalized people's causes.  Of course White Power groups, in Rosendale's mind are resorting to identity politics, I'm sure.

 "as part of its larger efforts to make Critical Race Theory the reigning ideology of our country." - Attacking CRT is the latest attempt to delegitimize anyone who calls for  equality for marginalized people.  To make it harder to discuss how Blacks have been screwed over by racist laws throughout American history.  It's in the same vein  as the claims that Blacks were an inferior sub-group of human beings who needed to be civilized by working for white owners for no wages.  

And CRT is not an ideology - it's a fact base field of study that identifies the many laws that treat people of color - particularly Blacks - worse than whites.  

"Since I believe in treating everyone equally, regardless of race" - He probably also says things like "I don't see race" and "some of my best friends are . . ."  Since everyone isn't being treated equally, and race plays a huge role in that, this part of the quote is just platitude that tries to cover up a lie.

"we should be focused on what unites us rather than our differences"  Yes, the Republicans have managed to use this line to get Democrats to pause before using their majority in Congress.  But McConnell has made it clear the Republicans don't believe this.  They believe in using their power to get what they want regardless of what the Democrats want.  Again, all but 14 members of Congress supported this bill.  I'd say that is about as united as Congress gets these days.  

"I will vote no."  - the only straightforward, honest four words in his statement.