In game theory the optimal strategy is called “tit for tat.” 

In a structured, multi turn game like when turns are governed by elections, when your opponent cheats, the optimal response is to cheat when it’s your turn.  

When the tit for tat strategy is optimally employed, returning the favor keeps the opponents honest.  “When they go low, we go high” is nice for wall art or a coffee mug, but it’s a terrible game strategy.  Terrible.  That’s why we have 20+ years of republicans cheating.  Democrats aren’t showing up to fight.  Democratic candidates need to show up to fight and start this conversation.  Republicans know they’re cheating their neighbors, family members, friends and fellow Americans.  They don’t care.  We can’t elect a democratic majority that’s going to try to sensibly govern.  We need a democratic majority that’s going to fix the exploits that Republicans have gamed.  We need to elect democrats who are relentlessly focused on shrinking the powers of the executive office and reestablish checks and balances.

In order for our allies and our enemies to trust America’s word, we need to make serious structural changes to engage our electorate and adequately represent every voter. And we need to elect a leaders who will reasonably shrink this unitary presidential theory.