Lesser of two evils seems to be the motivation here.
Listen: When Tea Party support starts gaining significant ground among independents — right now they stand at about 48% approval — then we’ll know we have something.
And I think there’s a chance to get there, provided we sell the actual principles of classical liberalism/ conservatism — individual freedom; competition; free enterprise; American exceptionalism; equality of opportunity — and not rely on the typical “compassionate conservative” platitudes that the establishment GOP is convinced is the only inducement that can win over independents and “moderates”.
Reagan sold conservatism; the current crop of GOP boosters seems to want to sell the GOP as the party who wears the flag pins, and who aren’t quite as greedy and profligate in their spending as the Democrats.
Which is a lot like selling Skunk™ cologne with the ad copy, “Hey. At least it doesn’t smell like a fresh dump.”
No, no, no, no, no!
“Greed” is the first word you associate with the GOP, right after RAAAAACISM. “Profligate” applies to the GOP only when there’s a war on and the prez has an R after his name.
Get your nomenclature straight, Goldstein, or we’ll have to drum you out of the party.
Democrats and Republicans: Two divisions of Big Government Inc. who trade the employee of the month award back and for th betwwen themselves every couple of years.
Then they all go out together and swap stories over cocktails about how they fleeced those stupid clients, the taxpayers, and how they sure are glad they’ll never catch on to the scam.
Oops.
In retrospect, “Compassionate Conservatism” was cover, code words! if you will, for the good ol’ Rockefeller Republican, northeast liberal, policy umbrella. Strong on foreign policy, to be sure, but squishy otherwise.
After some frank introspection, I can say that in my own case I allowed myself to be persuaded otherwise by a variety of means.
That, and like many others, I’m sure, were determined to thwart the ascension of Saint Al in his presumed succession to those gloriously successful Clinton years; successful in terms of domestic policy, social “progress”, economic growth, and, of course, foreign policy…
Full Disclosure: I’ll never forgive Billy Jeff for disestablishing my beloved VF-84. You know, part of that peace dividend thing…
But, it turns out, save for foreign policy and W.O.T., to have been disastrous for conservatism.
“Then they all go out together and swap stories over cocktails about how they fleeced those stupid clients, the taxpayers, and how they sure are glad they’ll never catch on to the scam.”
Two words — James Carville and Mary Matalin.
Or is that four words?
Or five?
free enterprise
up is down and so forth
So Obama’s going back to his “centrist” impersonation. Free Markets! Yay!
So, just like certain folks who demanded we consider him a “good man”, and now excoriate him as if they have always been “the staunchest”, are we supposed to believe in this latest incarnation of that same “good man”?
“Reagan sold conservatism.”
Reagan conservatism was initially a grass roots movement. And many Republicans thought Reagan was a “cowboy”.
just like
I didn’t say centralizing health care in the government’s hands would lower costs.
I didn’t say I would refuse to join in the public campaign finance regime.
and etc.
I have dealt with James Carville, I would never say that I know him well, but I know him enough to have seen what he’s like when the cameras are off.
I can assure you that he is one Democrat who is not just putting out the company line; Carville is a true believer, and means every word he says.
In short; decent guy, if a little misguided, and I think Barry is bad enough to straighten him out politically. The BP trainwreck did that.
And it was five words, I counted.
How that works with Mary? I will never know, but she does really seem to dote on the singularly unattractive Carville. Lovely kids too. Go figure.
There isn’t a nickel worth of difference between the two parties in terms of where they have set the goal posts. T rather than trying to go in the opposite direction.he GOP lags behind the Dhimmies in getting to the goal posts
Hmm, I wonder if this piece by Doc Zero has had an effect on “The Won.”
See link Here.
“There isn’t a nickel worth of difference between the two parties in terms of where they have set the goal posts.”
The Democrats and Republicans been playing Atari Pong with each other while we were all busy pulling the Big Heavy American Wagon.
They’re about to see what Halo Reach looks like from the wrong end of the weapon.
It’s all going to come as quite a shock to their delicate constitutions.
oh noes
Disappointed Supporters Question Obama
I swear I think they planted a few “tough” questioners in the audience to generate a little bit of political theater, and to give Barry a chance to trot out some more second rate talking points.
Next two election cycles are going to leave people amazed, disconcerted and grasping for explanation.
I’ll bet the pundits will inflict myriad postulations about the results upon their readers& viewers. And nobody will get it.
By 2012, the transformation will be complete, and the process of restoring gov’t to it’s intended function can continue. Y’all should be exulting here.
Further—and this is for cupcake boy–Sarah is going to be the next President. Staunch is as staunch does, and all that.
If I’m incorrect, there will be a sincere apology written on this blog.
At any rate, those who enjoy our political process should be pretty enthralled with current affairs, imho.
Just my two cents.
I refuse to allow another thread to degenerate into such discussion Mr. grampa… least ways this is one pikachu what will have no part of it
that and building strawmen O!’s good at
Good for you, happyfeet. Remember: one thread at a time.
I’m just wondering how many House and Senate races we can swing by finding ballots in the trunks of our cars before the serfs get pissed off enough to do something about it.
The over/under at the club is 23, and it’s not like you heard a peep in Minnesota.
If this is the case, then my work here is done.
Please continue the discussion, gentlemen.
in the better late than never department the Associated Press propaganda whores bring word that on Thursday Team R is going to present a for real actual agenda with in or around 20 agenda items
the czech republic 1988-2010
Independents, y’all, where elections are won and lost.
Here’s our problem: We The People have taught them all to behave this way. We’ve taught them what works and we’ve done it through our indifference. What we’ve taught them has fucked us, but good. Now, we need to teach them that what worked then doesn’t work anymore. We need to teach them that we made a mistake and therefore, so have they. We built the swamp, and we need to drain it, one scumbag at a time. We need to drive the awakening forward.
Hearing it from candidates is all well and good, but that message really needs to be delivered by the voters. It’s a paradigm shift, kids. Get with it or get lost.
Reposting the Codevilla article here, on account of it should be in every thread until we get this runaway train stopped and its wheels pulled off.
the ruling class:
Colin Powell: Illegal Immigrants Fix My House
link
And, in fact, we want to get out of the way of folks who’ve got a good idea and want to run with it and are going to be putting people to work.”*
Ha ha haa haa … see, he isn’t of the belief that words mean something.
oh noes:
Monday, September 20, 2010
West Virginia Senate Poll Preview
link
Just have to use the “French Fix” for that problem. Nice car you got there, be a shame if…
Thanks to motor voter and my contacts within the administration, I know where you live mister geoffb. If my Grand Maquis gets a dent on it, the gang from the Iowa office will be stopping by for some tea.
#28 Carin, you have to parse it using the intent you know he would be putting into those words. Hint, the jobs will be in government.
My tea is not no-lead.
Bidenism.
– 48% of Independents are pro T-party candidates….
– That, as they say, is biblical proportions huge.
– Proggs must be peeing themselves.
more progg “thought”
link
well joey hairplugs thought jobs was 3 letters but you know the bigger concern is the “witch” winning the “biden seat.
The SEIU Management might want to issue its’ thugs body armor in TX… and might want to give some thought to how many friends geoffb has that he could invite over….
– So now the buzz is that the House may ajourn by the end of the week, three weeks early.
– This, no doubt, in order to provide the Democrats more time to campaign, or put another way, continue their suicidal attack campaigns on the T-party.
– Even slick Willey told the Ptroggs to knock it off yesterday, echoing his defeat at the hands of the “take back America” coalition all those years ago.
– He needn’t have bothered. There’s no known recorded instance of a Lefturd ever listening to common sense.
– Me, I just hope they keep up the drum beat. More, faster please. It will make each and every victory that much sweeter.
– Btw, Clinton says he was wrong about Obama’s health care because:
– The benefits are spread out over too many years…
– The plan was attacked by the Right…..
– Question. Does anything ever actually happen DURING the time a Democrat is in office that they admit too, or is every cause due to something done before by someone else?
– Nothing going on right now, be it the economy, the deficit, the war, whatever is Obama’s fault, according to the Lefturds. Every problem that’s ever existed during a Dem term is because of something else, never their poor leadership or plain out mistakes.
– You would think some of those ball-less pussies would suck it up, at least once in awhile, and take some responsibility.
– One thing, aside from the usual criterria, that we should start demanding of politicians of all stripes is accountability and ownership.
Faux News Alert!
It’s official: Newt Gingrich is “Mephistopheles”./Hardball!
His malign acts include trying to help explain Obama’s anti-Americanism via his father’s anti-colonialism! Apparently he wants to ship Obama back to Kenya! The panel, including Hoe Conason, wondered if Gingrich should indeed even be protected as a true “public figure”. His ancillary role as a possible newt in service of O’Donnell’s witchcraft was not in need of mention.
Via an e-mail from Tim Daniel, this, his man-in-the-street interviews for the SoCal perspective of Fiorina vs. Boxer. At the end of the article, the only ‘hopeful’ indicator is the ‘enthusiasm gap’, and how many Dems decide to sit this one out. California is still majority dead-inna-head country, it seems.
‘feets, you aren’t allowed to speak to this guy if he comes around seeking an interview. I think you’d asplode his head. But he’s speaking only to women for now, so there’s no chance you’ll get asked any questions I suppose.
walking down the street and a blind guy was coming the other way
gave him a “howdy!’ but it scared the shit outta him! he jumped two feet in the air! not my intended effect- was trying to alert him to my presence
like the tea party is saying”howdy” to washington elites..
they’re all discombobulated and their response is like
watching white people trying to dance to reggae music..
very disturbing on so many levels
pd is back,
and looks like hes been studying his school house rock ;^)
“She sounds like an idiot and is frightening.”
poke the nest:
palin/odonnell 2012
There’s a lot of that going around.
oh want the vag warriors out front
For Mr. SEIU Management.
Hush, meya. You are an idiot.
I have never understood the meaning and importance of “American Exceptionalism.” It’s like some offstage cowbell that’s supposed to both be an amphetamine and an opitate. Was this “American Exceptionalism” per se a founding principal? Really?
Do Senator Brown and Governors Christie and McDonnell ring a bell? The thing hasn’t seen much of a general election yet, emphasis on yet. You might want to spend the next 6 weeks checking your math.
The idea that you do not understand that concept is not the least bit surprising.
The meaning of American exceptionalism can arise from or parallel many of the aspects of classical liberalism IMHO. As to importance, obviously, one’s mileage may vary.
Stana Katic looks most alluring in the new season of Castle.
oops, sorry. Principle.
Can you enlighten me JD or somebody? I am proud of my country but I still find the concept of “American Exceptionialism” perplexing. It seems to imply that this country exists outside the norms of human behavior.
#53
You’d have to have lived in Europe and seen how things are done to appreciate it.
Of course I’ve actually run a business and made a product so I see it a little differently than most people.
I’d hate to start another manufacturing business today because of all the government regulations involved.
Turn the binoculars around,maya, you’re looking through the wrong end.
JD, contact info for the JOM/PW meetup StephanieGAATL@yahoo.com October 6 7:00 Emory for Andy McCarthy Everybody’s Pizza after. Bmoe and I are working the golf angle if you want to do that, too. My club, Stone Mtn, or Country Club of Gwinnett are all about the same $$ wise and on the Emory side of town for convenience. Contact me.
So it’s all about magnification. And I’m not maya.
Stephanie – I emailed you earlier. I will try again.
I was driving home and John Gibson was on the radio. That motherless snake might as well been Ed Schultz the way he was going after Christine O’Donnell. What a jack off.
I was not a Christine O’Donnell fan. I did not back her against Castle (I was not a Castle fan either). I left it to Delaware Republicans, figuring they knew better. But she is the candidate who won the primaries. She is better than the Democrat Chris Coons.
What is wrong with these people? And they call themselves conservatives and Republicans? Is she that bad that Chris Cooms is preferable to her winning?
I will never forget this. In a way this is a gift and very revealing.
Yeah, it’s a gift alright. It’a one of those white elephant parties at Christmas.
No one does it like the bull.
cynn,
American exceptionalism is an outlook which thinks that the United States occupies a special role among the nations of the world because of its unique political and religious freedoms, our “national ethos” if you will-self reliance, equality of opportunity, society devoid of social hierarchy, the ability to “rise as high” as your efforts will take you-and the fact that in large part it is a society comprised of immigrants, ancestral or otherwise.
I’ve also seen some communist types over the years use it in a disdainful way; describing it as a charade that explains how the working class is “bamboozled” into not demanding a “people
s revolution”.
Bob Reed: Thanks for the exposition. I can’t help but see this concept as a fairly recent development, and not one rooted in the founders’ precepts. In fact, if I had to date it, I would put it at approximately the time we decided to construct a war in Iraq; maybe I’ve got my timeline wrong.
It’s long been a project of the Proglodyte Left to repeal “American exceptionalism” by first denying it, until enough people disbelieve it that they can then enact their depressingly unexceptional Mandarin-Government agenda.
I’ve seen the phrase in use for decades, though mostly in articles aimed at an intellectual (or as may be in some cases intellectualistic) audience.
– You know, I just watched Bill Clinton on Greta. My impression was how easily a man in his position finds it to be totally honest when he’s no longer beholding as a politician to any special interests, other than seeking to enlist the help and resources he needs to underwrite his initiatives as a private citizen.
– Listening to him speak to a wide range of current issues was just fucking amazing, whether he really means it or not, and I had the feeling he was entirely sincere.
– The cynical side of me could view his appearence as a prelude to a possible run by hillery, but I don’t really think that was the focus of his comments, albeit that’s always going to be part of his agenda, after all he owes her hugely.
– Still, the man represented himself and his idea’s elequently, and not in the usual smooth Willy manner he’s been known for in the pat.
[ My hats off to him. He articulated the prese4nt joblessness/retraining situation, including the business/financial environment spot on, and though I might differ with a few of his points, overall he is 10,000 miles ahead of a single damn thing Bunbblefuck has ever said or done since he took office.
– Make of it what you will.
cynn you are as welcome as a wet fart.
American Exceptionalism as a concept, started with the Founders. I was alive and well when de Tocqueville made his famous visit to the United States and published Democracy in America in 1835 and 1840.
BBH, say what you will about Bill Clinton, he is a hell of a politician. Joe Klein may be a dick, but he nailed Bill Clinton in Primary Colors.
That explains your breath.
Actually, there are some scholars that contend De Toqueville first spoke of America being exceptional among the nations because we had managed to construct a functioning representative democracy; but I’ll have to look for that quote.
Last I checked that would be the early 1800’s, which predated the rise of the idea of manifest destiny during the Jacksonian era.
The concept of American Exceptionalism is as old as America.
Thank you, Ultimo. But the destiny just got a wide ass with small jeans.
Is it in Democracy in America Joe? Where De Tocqueville talked about it?
The concept of American Exceptionalism predates manifest destiny, but may have been a component in justifying the latter; I’d have to do some research because, well, I’m about as sharp as a bowling ball right now…
Got it and back at ya!
Good call, BMoe. See John Winthrop c. 1630. A Model of Christian Charity, I think the sermon was. Reagan was fond of referencing it. And so was JFK.
B Moe: Where in the Declaration? Where in the Constitution? Where does it generally state “American Exception is teh bomb” or “We pwn U”
Grow up, Cynn.
In all other countries are founded on a piece of land. France is this piece of land, to be French is to be born there. etc.
Not so America. America is an idea. The idea is expressed in our founding documents. Endowed by our creator with certain inalienable rights, among which are, Life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness. To be an American you can be from anywhere, be anywhere. America is a state of mind, a feeling in the heart, a way of seeing the world, a way of life.
That is why it is different from all other countries that have even existed. That is the “American Exceptionalism”.
– cynn, is it forever going to be the last bastion of the left to find some sort of warm fuzzies in mocking every precept of decency that is represented by the founding fathers of America’s idea’s and ideals.
– Does the light those idea’s and the freedom of expression, and independent spirit those idea’s engender burn your eye’s like rays of sunshine? What is it that drives you? Simple jealousy? A deep feeling of insecurity in whatever alternate idea’s you may or may not believe in? Or is it simply antipathetic to your side’s “believe in nothing and never be disappointed” cynical dogma.
– Really, for people that like to assume the mantle of self-styled elitism you sometimes are surprisingly transparent and immature, let alone elite.
Sorry for the mis-spellings.
Box wine is objectively bad.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. –That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, –That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established
http://www.law.indiana.edu/uslawdocs/declaration.html
Jeff: You tell me to grow up. Tell me exactly where in either the Declaration or Constitution it is stipulated that the United States is the superior, ascendant power. So grow up to what? The repurposing of the founders’ ideals to your own ends? Nothing against Libertarians, but you are as utilitarian as we are.
John Winthrop’s Shining City on a Hill.
Box wine is preferable to no wine.
cynn you are only as utilitarian as you feel. Now fetch me a beer bitch.
“Box wine is objectively bad.”
– So then JD, we might characterize the Lefts “problem” as a fundamental lack of aging and quality pedigree and handling, sort of the Annie Green Springs of wine, politically speaking.
– I could get on board with that.
Tell me exactly where in either the Declaration or Constitution it is stipulated that the United States is the superior, ascendant power.
That’s not what American Exceptionalism means except maybe to Howard Zinn and others of his ilk.
BBH – They are the Boone’s Farm Strawberry Hill of the rational world.
Patrick Willis is a freakishly good linebacker.
The current position of the U.S. at the apex of the international political order is the consequence of American Exceptionalism, not it’s cause.
Please expound, Ernst. I really want to understand this (mis?)conception.
American Exceptionialism; 20 million illegal aliens can’t be wrong…
Where do you think is better, cynn?
Whatever. The bottom line is you lost, and I got my %25 thread rebate.
Well put Ernst.
– cynn. The term doesn’t have a thing to do with “superiority” at the expense of other nations, cultures, or people. It has to do with the idea that man has inalienable rights, freedom, and the ability/right to self determination, and can ecersize those rights and abilities at his choosing.
– Its n individual sovereignty as opposed to a state sovereignty, something the left can’t even address, given their Euro block based thinking, where independence of any sort is automatically considered an enemy of the state.
– This basic difference in thinking is why Socialism to any great degree is simply unworkable in the American template of governance, and why we are in such a mess at present. The great Obama experiment was doomed from the start. That’s not who we are.
– Does that help?
cynn,
America is exceptional because of our belief in the natural rights of each member, individual freedom, equality under the law, self-reliance, American work ethic, and that fact that we’ve essential come from all over the world and chosen to live together in a society defined by a compact of laws; bu our constitution.
As an outgrowth of these we’ve built the most successful society on Earth, one that, over the years, has been able to overcome existential threats from without and within. Part of what facilitated that amazing feat has been our fierce desire to protect those unique freedoms, institutions, and way of life.
In shortm the synergistic integration of all those citizens “being all they could be”, for selfish reasons or otherwiose, is what has put us, some 230+ years later, at the apex of the international political order…
maybe we just make more sense iranianidiot
link
e pluribus unum / Annuit cœptis / Novus ordo seclorum
out of many one/ He* has favored our undertakings / A new order of the ages
That’s on the Great Seal of the United States of America
America is exceptional because the American’s allegiance is to an ideal, not a crown or a folk or blood or soil; That ideal became a reality through divine providence (see note) and the result was a new ordering of the relations between men.
The Great Seal was adopted in 1782, so yeah, I’d say the idea that we are an exceptional people, even a chosen people has been present from the start.
*The He referred to is God, but I didn’t want to put it up there and upset you
You can try to explain and teach cynn, but you might as well lecture a slab of cement. She will adamantly refuse to understand the concept that American Exceptionalism is not some recent thing, a slogan or campaign position. It is a very old idea – from when Europeans first permanently settled here. America was considered a place to come and escape the flaws of the Old World – at first, religious persecution, then opportunity, freedom from many of the restraints of Europe.
As “America” became more of an idea, rather than just a place, the exceptional nature of her freedoms, opportunities and welcome for those who fled or left the Old World was noted as an exception to any other state in the world.
#86 hits one of the main points very well – you can come here and be an “American” realdamned fast – that cannot be done in Japan, Korea, Germany, Jordan, Malawi, etc.
– Ernst, you just cannot expect a statist to ever be able to feel comfortable with the fundamental idea of independence, which also implies “self-dependence”, which is what they seem to be terrified of.
– Self determination, self dependence seems to them to push away the comforting assurance of cradle to grave nanny statism, their holy grail.
– In fact our country is at its best when the biggest number of our citizens are independently capable, and working together in unison as a mutually successful aggregate. A true living example of the whole being greater than the parts.
– But Socialists can’t bring themselves to “trust” such a system of societal conditions. It’s just not in their DNA.
It would be unexceptional if even one other nation held the same precepts, yet to date, so far as I know, none do.
– Fuck you Ultimate Zero.
– Does that help? Or is that to subtle for your pea sized brain.
these ones are enchanting I think especially the enchanting one
these are stupid cupcakes in frog
ZOMFGBBHBBQ !!!!! Typose totally suck and make the person out to be the stupid. Good Allah, you are a pathetic troll. Uninspiring and unoriginal.
smelly homo fag frenchies
– feets, you have to be staunchy with your anti-cupcake program. Even those remarkable pulled moose meat versions.
I pointed you to Winthrop, cynn. Even gave you the title. Others here have connected the dots. The rest is up to you.
I don’t think it would be possible for Ultima Ratio to make less sense than @111.
But I’m sure that it will try.
Now WHO can argue with THAT? authentic glue huffer gibberish!
BTW – Yelverton got gender-bender today and was spamming comments as “pam”
– Yes, well when you’ve spent a good three years of your life fillating your fearless leader, only to have it shoved up your anal receptor, and see the whole house of bullshit narrative, and identity politics, going down in a fiery death, typo’s are all you have left to cling too bitterly.
they’re american they’re just on the french tv
Pam, Pat, same same.
this is a very important point cause if there’s another recession it’s vital that it be understood to be separate and apart from the Keynesian ass-raping of our little country’s treasury
link
Oh that makes me feel much better, thanks
– Just as a general observation, I’ve been following PW for all the years since Jeff first stared blogging, and I have as yet to see one example of a Lefty/Progressive come on here and engage in an adult conversation, sans all the infantile personal attacks and dissembling agitprop.
– So I really don’t expect that to change any time soon, especially now that the Lefturd gaggle is sinking like a cement filled Titanic.
America is exceptional, first, because American ideals work — they provide the wealth necessary to enjoy freedom and exercise rights, to a much greater degree than any other set.
Second, because those ideals are inclusive. Any number can play, and the more the merrier (and wealthier).
And third, because Americans discovered that wealth is not a zero-sum game. That discovery reinforces the other two.
No other society on Earth has ever put all three together, and no society on Earth has ever become as wealthy. No other society on Earth has ever been not willing, but eager to share its ideals with others, because no other society on Earth has ever realized, however temporarily, that sharing wealth is the act of condescending assholes, but sharing ideals that create wealth is generous and selfish at the same time. No other society on Earth has ever fought a years-long bloody war to its bitter conclusion — then taken its defeated enemies up on the mountaintop and said, “You wanted to conquer the World, and such ambition is no bad thing, but doing it with soldiers makes a mess and annoys the neighbors. Let us show you how to get rich and buy as much of it as you want.” Pretty exceptional, I think.
Regards,
Ric
– Yes, thanks for the heads up feets. It’s absolutely imperative that our always honest and forthright government keeps us citizens informed so we’ll know when to notice or ignore our empty wallets.
– Thank god we don’t live in a Socialism./sarc
The GOP and conservative Dems always had a much respected flag pin on their suit.
It was strange to watch the Democrats react in horror to the stars and stripes being present at all Republican events. Didn’t they see it before?
= It’s like Pavlov’s dog. The Left has been so indoctrinated in Marxspeak, all you have to do is wave the flag and they hyperventilate.
HA has a link to a new Lisa Merdecowski ad that shows folks how to do a write in ballot correctly. Evidently the ad is horribly produced and at the end of the ad, her name is spelled wrong.
No other comment about her campaign is really necessary, is it?
We are exceptional because we are the only polity in human history predicated on the enlightenment ideal of individual freedom, a.k.a. the original liberalism. In our system the interest of the individual generally trump the interest of the group, and not the other way around as it is and has been everywhere and every when except here for the last 230 years. The United States of America stands alone as the exception to human tribalism. We are literally exceptional.
– I really don’t fault Murkowski for the way she’s acting.
– She was raised to be part of the RINO ruling class, and after all “Daddy said that damn seat is mine!”
– There’s nothing as sad in politics as watching a class bigot learn the hard facts of life.
It’s still hard to see the Republicans winning big. The core beliefs of the party have become muddled. The choices ahead will be very difficult, but I’m convinced that the right person could do the job. —- How do you tell the people that the goodies that were promised do not exist? Europe will show us the way. May God help those poor dupes.
The concept of American Exceptionalism is as old as America.
Similarly, I heard Bob Beckel on Hannity, apparently trying to diss the Teapartiers, blurt out that ~”they didn’t start this movement, they only grabbed onto a wave.” Of course he couldn’t have been referring to the Constitution.
– I like Beckle, but sometimes he can be a real butthead.
– WTF was he talking about. What wave? He must have attended a ballgame over the weekend. Bob is a simple soul, but always the dutiful son to the Donkeys.
– He also was adamant about a Christie loss, said she’d get stomped, but then he also said Kerry was going to crush Bush, so there’s that. It’s a standing joke on the number of times he’s snake eyed out on his enlightened election predictions.
Who cares what Bob Beckel thinks? He’s on the other side and will hate, and attempt to diminish, anything a conservative does that is successful.
I thought American Exceptionalism referred to “Everyone has a chance to succeed EXCEPT people who don’t have the drive – People like cynn who hate successful people because they don’t give her enough of their money.”
“I thought American Exceptionalism referred to “Everyone has a chance to succeed EXCEPT people who don’t have the drive – People like cynn who hate successful people because they don’t give her enough of their money.”
No. Cynn gets plenty of other people’s money shoveled to her due to unsustainable union contracts. The reason she’s angry is that whatever talents she may have had have been stripped from her by her years of empty “service” in the government.
The worst thing about all those Americans in fat government jobs is not what it does to us, but what it does to them. From living in a perpetually fearful CYA mode for no apparent reason, to the inability to make a timely decision, the government strips people of their insides in exchange for a buck.
Nobody is happy as a bureaucrat.
You could pull a snippet from any one of literally thousands of articles with this same theme, but they can pretty much all be condensed into one sentence: Making Barack H. Obama into a demi-god in order to elevate him to the Presidency has been the death of the Democrat Party.
I like this one because it alludes to the scope of the Democrats impending beating at the hands of the elderly, gays, young people, the rich, the middle class, the poor, working stiffs, non-working stiffs, and Republicans.
“The polling in Wisconsin has not yet fallen to levels seen in Ohio, but it has started to resemble Pennsylvania, another heartland Democratic state that appears to be turning red in 2010. Both states are critical to Democratic Party plans to hold the White House in 2012, let alone hold enough seats in Congress to control the agenda. Yet both states feature top-of-ticket races in 2010 that threaten to put Republicans in charge and position their states for a GOP switch if Barack Obama runs for office again. At the moment, Obama’s only 49/49 in a state he carried easily in 2008 and which has gone for Democrats since Reagan.”
I think that the Dems are left with just their core constituency at this point, the dead, bureaucrats (same thing), and union bosses (the members having been laid off).
We should have lost WWII. It was a lot closer than people think. Liberals seem to take it as an easy war. I have uncles and cousins that will tell it like it was in the forties.
The most amazing fact is how we disarmed so quickly after the war. We could have easily taken over the world, but had better things to do.
I fear that the new generation isn’t being taught this fact. I only have to look at my father’s blood stained uniform to see American exceptionalism. Why fight for a country half-way around the world that has no assets? There are times when it becomes necessary. There are no ribbons or shiny rewards – yet men stepped up to do their jobs. That is what separates us from other countries. It is only hard to those who have not thought deeply about the freedoms we enjoy in this country.
Roger that, Rupe.
Rupe — yeah, that’s significant. But “exceptional”? Not really. Some degree of disarmament is normal after winning a war, and the United States let a lot of people go but kept right on developing weapons and techniques. We even kept conscription in place for another forty years.
But, like I said upthread, I challenge you to find another example of saying to the defeated enemy, “Let us show you how to get rich. Here’s seed money.” That is exceptional.
Regards,
Ric
#145
In all of history the United States is the only country that, after having defeated a country, gives back all the territory it has fought for.And then builds that country back up.
Our exceptionalism was there from the beginning. When, even before our revolution, we thought as ourselves as Americans who happened to be British subjects. We relied more on ourselves and not on the tired class structures of europe.
Here, work got you ahead in life, not birth. The Hessian mercenaries that fought on the British side stayed here if they could manage it. Because all they would ever be in the barony they came from would be servants of their baron.That was what they were born into. But here they could be what they could never accomplish in europe. They could own land, property. They didn’t have to tug their forelock and step aside for anybody.
“It is only hard to those who have not thought deeply about the freedoms we enjoy in this country.”
– Oh they’ve thought about it alright, and the common *wisdom* among the slacker-Left is anyone who puts their life on the line for any reason is just sucker bait.
– Thoughtlessness isn’t they’re problem, it’s that yellow stripe running down their spineless backs that tells the tale.
I’m not sure which I find more disappointing: that cynn is taking the piss out of us, or that cynn is deadly serious.
In any event, it’s one more illustration of why de Tocqueville needs to be taught more widely.
– The Demorats and the WH have floated the official game plan they intend to follow in dealing with the coming shit storm they face in November, and the dutiful lapdog MFM is already swinging into action to CYA as fast and furious as possible for the light bringer and his corp of Socialist zombies.
* Say nothing on any subject that talks about Bumbblefucks performance in office.
* Attack in any way possible any and all opposition candidates.
* Always frame every mention of polls and job approval comparisons of Bumbblefuck against Bush, and be sure to always state everything currently wrong as something Bambi “inherited”.
– The fact they think this bullshit is going to save their sorry asses just proves they’re as fucked up as the majority of Americans already know they are.
#148
Most bureaucrats have no idea why the resty of us want to do things for ourselves.
rest
Well, you see, cynn being quite unexceptional herself has absolutely no idea how someone or something can be deemed exceptional. But more to the point, cynn and her ilk, desire equality of outcome not opportunity. It’s easier, you see. Effort isn’t in the leftist playbook, unless you’re talking power grab. Oh, and as usual everything that the estimable Mr. Locke said.
#152
People who have never risked anything will always envy the accomplishments of those that have.
Exceptionalism should not be equated with triumphalism or chauvinism. Just because you believe that there are exceptional attributes to the American experience doesn’t make you a jingo.
Ric Locke – I see your point, but nothing left me more bitter than listening to left-wing teachers lecture about terrible American neo-colonialism. We could have easily taken over the world, but chose not to do so. I can’t think of any country that has ever done that. Call me crazy, but I feel that God put this nation on Earth to defeat would-be world dictators, be they fascist or communist. I hope we still have a purpose.—
JD – Don’t bad mouth Boone’s Strawberry Hill. I lost my virginity drinking that. I only wish a girl had been with me. —