The November elections were what we thought they'd be. Today is no time to rest on our laurels.
The recently completed mid-term elections were everything I thought they would be: And I'm certain that most of you regular readers here at IC were just as pleased with the results as I was. Monday night I was like a child on Christmas Eve! I was so excited about going to the polls on Tuesday that I didn't sleep a wink! Watching the returns on Tuesday Night was a treat as well. While the rest of you may have watched a local channel or Fox News, I chose Cycling back-and-forth between CNN and MSNBC. There's nothing quite so gratifying as watching the likes of Chris Mathews and Keith Olbermann wailing, gnashing their teeth, and donning black armbands.
With the exception of a race or two going through recounts I'd say both the T.E.A. Party and the Republican Party delivered candidates with regularity across the country. While not being able to speak for other states; here in my home state of Arkansas the T.E.A. Party not only delivered national candidates but candidates considerably down ballot as well.
So; first of all, I believe there are some congratulations in order.
First, to all the fine candidates that stepped forward to run in this election cycle: And I'm speaking especially to all the T.E.A. Party candidates across the country. Whether you ran for a federal, state, county or city office; win or lose thank you very much! There's a lot of people out there in the country that said; "What are we gonna do?" All ya'll responded with the same dedication and fervor that our Founders displayed. You stood up and said; "I'm willing to throw my hat into the ring!" You knew that in some cases the liberal media was going to put you and your entire family through a brutal microscopic examination of every facet of your personal life. You knew, that in some cases, your ideological brothers-in-arms were going to treat you as pariahs. You knew you were in for ridicule because you didn't go to the right schools, didn't have the right connections, and in some cases didn't even have the backing of the local Republican Party.
You placed your personal lives on hold, and campaigned with gusto across your districts, your counties, and your states. Some of you won and some of you lost. But all of you ran, and in the end that is what is most important. First; to have the convictions of your beliefs and then to so firmly believe in those convictions as to place them before the public in the arena of ideas and urge voters to evaluate and adopt your convictions as theirs. Way to go!
Congratulations to the citizen legislators who did win their respective elections. You were outstanding! You may not have been the most polished of speakers, but you spoke from the heart! You did your level best to inform yourselves of the issues and defended those positions passionately in your debates, public appearances, and your advertising. For most of you, this was your first time in the political arena and ya'll acquitted yourselves well.
Congratulations to all the T.E.A. Party activists! Once again; I cannot speak for all other areas of the country, but here in Arkansas we began the process of candidate selection back in July of 2009 by formulating a description for a candidate and what characteristics should guide such a person. Our motto was that you were either running for office or supporting someone who was running for office. You held coffees in your homes, manned phone banks, walked neighborhoods, placed signs and did all those volunteer things that candidates cannot win without. You put in the hours and you gave unselfishly of your time and treasure to assist those you believed in. Congratulations on a job well done.
I would like to address all those candidates and their supporters. Now, while the election is still fresh, go through and review the entirety of your campaign. What worked? What didn't? What could you have done better? What do you think you should have done more of? It is important for successful candidates and even more so for those unsuccessful ones. Many of you may have been bitten by the bug. If you won, you have a seat to defend in the next election, if you didn't you may decide to give it another attempt. Now is the time, before the responsibilities of your newly elected position begins to wash over you; for you to take the time to analyze your recently completed campaign in the most minute detail.
Now; with all that out of the way, I'm going to continue to talk to the supporters. We've savored this victory long enough. It is now time to roll up our sleeves and get right back to work. Our job did not end at the ballot box on Tuesday. I know, I know; getting these people elected was like raising kids! But to continue the analogy; placing them into office is like sending them off to their first day of school.
In some areas we may have seated candidates that are still in the minority party. In others we may have won enough races to secure a new majority in a City Council, County Quorum Court, State Legislature and so on all the way to the new majorities in Washington DC. We must all realize that these elected officials are now our representatives in these respective bodies. We must immediately begin the process of holding them accountable to the aspirations that caused us to support them in the first place.
I would suggest that the beginning of this process be a congratulatory letter sent to their residence. It shouldn't be difficult to find the address, email, or P.O. Box they use for mail. January will be too late. Get your letter to them before the volume becomes too large for them to tackle personally. Congratulate them on their successful run. Tell them why you supported them. List the things they spoke in favor of that you agree with as well. Wind it up by letting them know that you are closely interested in their term, and you will be watching as they progress through it.
For those that had opponents win, such a letter is still a good idea. Tell them that while you did not vote for them, they are now YOUR representative. Tell them what you expect out of your representative. List legislative items you are specifically in favor of, and close by telling them that you will be watching their performance in office with interest.
In order to keep your groups engaged, we all need to keep up the interest within our respective organizations. Assign a person or persons to watch every candidate. Schedule monthly meetings so that they can report back to the group regarding each candidate's performance. At these meetings it is important to discuss not only their performance, but immediate issues confronting the body as a whole. Groups should continue to interact via email, texting, phone calls or whatever method of communication suits you the most. Representatives across this country learned this election cycle that an informed electorate is a group that must be reckoned with; let's be certain that thought remains foremost in their minds.
Immediately after those meetings, author another missive to those candidates encouraging them to continue on correct paths. Ask for clarification on votes they may have cast which seem to be against what they campaigned on. If these are local candidates; City Council, Quorum Court, or State Legislature, Invite these representatives to address your group on at least a quarterly basis. You may not get that type of access to a federal representative; but you can extend an invitation during any recess. Track their recesses so you can make appointments at local offices when they are in the district. Stay in as constant a contact with these people as you can; regardless of if you voted for them or not. Vigilance is our most important weapon now. As long as they know we are watching them all closely; they'll be less likely to try some shenanigans. Engagement is also important from the standpoint that we must ensure we keep the enthusiasm alive. What I desire most is for the T.E.A. Party name to be as often on the tongue of the opposition in the future as it has been in the past. The rallies must continue. We can rally in support of people as well as against. Keep this movement alive. This will be the real challenge.
It is also time to begin to seriously consider where our support should lie in 2012. 2010 was an off year election. We concentrated on majorities in cities, counties, and state houses. These paid dividends in some federal races as well. Our next challenge is a little more daunting. Not only must Barack Obama be relegated to a one term presidency; we must ensure he is replaced by the most conservative candidate available.
This is why I said that now is no time to rest on our laurels. We not only have to re-elect those we elected this two year cycle but we have some more senators and congressmen to replace, as well as a president.
We've learned plenty from our opposition regarding the ins-and-outs of political activism. The battle never ends. We must remain engaged each and every day if we want to realize the goal of keeping this United States the free Republic it was originally designed to be. It matters not on which level the engagement is. What we have to ensure is that we remain engaged at all levels.
Congratulations to all who worked so hard to make the 2010 elections the success they were. Now let's get down to business. Let's get down to the business of governing, and begin the process of defending the territory taken while planning the next assault!
Hi, Guys:
I am saddened. Sean Bielat has been defeated, and Barney Frank has been re-elected.
I’d long ago understood that my home state’s political climate has been so warped and skewed by the Democrat Party that I have never been entirely comfortable talking politics, unless I’ve sounded out my audience first.
Simply, these people are insane.
They re-elected a carpetbagger who dashed up here to run for Robert Drinan’s office within 24 hours of when he resigned, who was materially instrumental in bringing down the entire economy, who then lied about it, blamed others for it, and exonerated himself of any culpability. He even verbally abused his own constituents at town meetings, when asked hard questions.
For the nation, I am happy and pleased that the Tea Party and Republican Party have done so well. Now they can begin to turn back the tide of Liberal fiscal and social madness. You have done exceedingly well, and I laud you for it.
And for myself, though my family has resided here since the 1600s, I am now seeking my exit strategy from my home town, my home state, to head for saner climes.
And that fact should speak volumes.
The outcome of the Senate races in Colorado, Alaska, and Oregon (and perhaps California) notwithstanding, it is troubling the that chamber, which approves treaties (read: “bio-diversity” nonsense) and Supreme Court nominees, is still under Democratic control.
With the not wholly unjustified, allegations of Republican “cannibalism” from O’Donnell, borrowing a term form Newt during the 1998 losses, it seems the GOP still has little problem undermining — or rather giving only tepid support to — its own more conservative candidates. Hence, the continued domination of the Senate by the Democrats.
But perhaps in all this there is a silver lining: As many have said, this election was NOT an endorsement of the GOP per se, and the purported “tsunami” resulting a strong GOP majority in both houses may have been misinterpreted as such an endorsement.
With that in mind, the Republican party leadership to stop being neocon “big tent” RINOs and remember that supporting conservatives and conservative values enabled them to win yesterday.
deleeuw,
The biggest challenge is that the Republican Party is almost a full of elitists as the Democrat Party is. As I said; “You knew you were in for ridicule because you didn’t go to the right schools, didn’t have the right connections, and in some cases didn’t even have the backing of the local Republican Party.” Since the drubbing of 2006 republicans have spent too much time listening to the progressive MSM. The MSM declared conservatism extinct after they won majorities in both houses in 2006. They’ve been repeating this mantra ever since. Like Orwell’s bleating sheep they’re all over the print media and the airwaves repeating; “Progressivism good, conservatism bad.”
They’ve repeated this message so often that a lot of ‘establishment’ republicans began to believe it; not realizing that these people are just preparing the ground for the next election. A majority of republicans thought that moderation of their message was the key. Sure it’s the key, the key to defeat! Then the T.E.A. Party happened. Even conservative political pundits weren’t giving the T.E.A. Party much credit last night and I believe that is because the true results are ‘invisible’ to the national scene.
In Garland County, Arkansas our chapter decided that this year we would concentrate on only one or two national races, but would really focus on the ‘down ballot’ races. We figured take back county government, get more representation in the state legislature, and then refine our tactics in order to not only defend our 2010 gains in 2012, but also take the step of capturing more representation in the state house and national races.
Our results were fairly good. At the state level it actually looks as if the state legislature is made up of a two party system now. Both House reps and the State Senate rep from our Garland County districts are now republican. We went three for three. We ran a total of twelve more T.E.A. Party candidates for county offices and/or Justice of the Peace positions on the Quorum Court. Out of the five county offices we ran candidates for we won all five; County Judge, County Clerk, Circuit Clerk, Assessor, and Treasurer. Out of the seven Quorum Court positions we fielded, we won six and turned the Court from democrat to republican. A 93% success rate isn’t too shabby!
The lesson learned from all this: Conservatism works every time it’s tried.
CORRECTION: Washington, not Oregon, is a still-contested race.
No kidding, Bill.
The Republican party lost it’s way for 20 years and lost badly, hopefully it’s back on track.
The party establishment ran George Bush, Bob Dole, George W Bush and then John McCain. Some of those weren’t gonna be presidents at all. Some just weren’t gonna be good presidents.
Now, we must push the party back to it’s principles. No more go-along get-along attitudes.
Time for some true conservatives.
“The party establishment ran George Bush, Bob Dole, George W Bush and then John McCain. Some of those weren’t gonna be presidents at all. Some just weren’t gonna be good presidents.”
Enough bashing. Yes, they had their faults, but none was anti-American like BHO. All served honorably in the military, three saw combat, and two were wounded. Your statement sounds too much like Chris Matthews.
Ian, that’s preposterous.
George W Bush spent money like a Democrat. Yeah, I realize there was a war, but he hardly had the conservative principles I would like to see in Republican candidates.
I hope we Republicans will now find our way back to REAL conservative principles. To provide a clear contrast to the Democrats. If we can do that we can win elections again.
If Meg Whitman had exhibited proper conservative principles rather that the moderate ones she had she would have won in California. $160 million dollars, to lose. Sheesh.
So, you want to nominate another Barry Goldwater?
And what exactly was so preposterous about what I wrote?
You essentially said nothing has been wrong with the Republican party. That’s preposterous.
The Republican party lost it’s conservative principles and failed to run candidates that were conservative enough. I don’t think that’s in dispute.
I didn’t say Dole, the two Bush’s and McCain weren’t nice guys or even war heroes, they were. But they didn’t provide the contrast from our Democrat friends that we need in the Republican party.
JD Hayworth, Newt Gingrich, Sarah Palen, now that’s conservative. But they didn’t go anywhere, or at least not yet. I hope they will.
“You essentially said nothing has been wrong with the Republican party.”
I said nothing of the sort. In fact I did say “they had thier faults”
I don’t know much about JD, because I never had the chance to vote for or against him, but the guy that lost to your buddy Obama, kicked his butt. Newt is no friend of mine or conservatives. The law he brags about put the federal government in charge of putting men in jail because divorce lawyers tell women “Get in his face! When he touches you then you get everything.” That’s Palin, not Palen. I voted for her and McCain and I like her more every day, but we will see. The “hope” you speak of got Barry elected. Now I’m done with you troll.
If anything, this election should teach conservatives that adhering to conservative ideals, is important. You also need a good campaign strategy, but moderating a conservative message is not going to hood-wink anyone. If you try to run as Democrat-Lite then the electorate might as well just vote democrat and get it over with.
I hope that conservatives have learned this lesson. We have to redefine the word ‘compromise’. Compromise used to be defined as whenever conservatives caved in on their ideals and crossed the aisle to agree with democrats. Conservatives can no longer afford to do this. Our continuing goal should be to purge the RINO’s from the party.
WE also need to stop this ‘legacy’ qualification strategy the party establishment has been using to qualify presidential candidates. We’ve got to stop rewarding longevity in party with a presidential candidacy. Look at the numbers; Clinton 47, Gore 52 Kerry 50, Obama 47; average 49. Dole 73, Bush Sr. 55, Bush Jr. 54, McCain 72; average 63.5. That’s’ a difference of over 14 years average. How many presidential elections do you think conservatives will win in the future if they keep on insisting they run candidates almost a generation older than their opponents?
Bill,
What I said.
The Republican party establishment was running the senior guy (Dole and McCain), and those senior guys weren’t nearly conservative enough.
We need to provide a clear contrast with our Democrat friends. Without that, you’re exactly right, they might as well just elect Democrats.
Now it’s time to get some conservative principles. No more pandering.
Dear Readers,
In vain have I tried to work out what the great success is all about – it’s like turkeys voting for Christmas!
The GOP and TEAR Party (led by cry-babies like Boehner and Beck) take this ‘win’ to mean that 98% of the population are prepared to ‘sacrifice’ their tax ‘reduction’ if the top 2% are not given theirs (Boehner on Fox News). Is this Boehner idiot serious?
So while the ‘tearful’ Party are calling for ‘spending cuts’ to reduce the national debt they are advocating ‘policies’ that will do precisely the reverse.
But, oh no, they say they can find ‘spending cuts’ elsewhere. Where exactly?
Defense spending in the US is 40% of the world total – some $929 Billion! Shall we cut there to bring Defense spending into some sort of rational equivalence to the rest of the world? Hell no, that would be ‘un-patriotic’! So not that!
Well, what about ‘education’, since the US is well down the list for producing educated people? Education costs the US some $1,072 Billion. Well, I have yet to see a TEAR Party member, or ‘revitalized’ GOP member, recommend that – in fact the reverse. But if what 98% of people in the US are prepared to sacrifice for the benefit of the 2% is anything to go by, then education is what they desperately need; And not the Beck-Mormon imitation of the real thing.
So what about Health Care? $1,200 Billion. Definitely not for Medicare at least. All those ‘seniors’ living in retirement complexes playing golf, or driving around in RV’s proclaiming that they are spending their children’s inheritances, will not like it. Not for them to ‘sacrifice’, even though they only have their cozy little indulgent retirements because others (like their children) are working today to provide it. Very keen these people are to see others sacrifice for their benefit – oh, but they have ‘worked’ for it! Nonsense, they have just taken advantage of it.
And then there’s Pensions, another $1,017 Billion. Unfortunately, as with Medicare, the beneficiaries have ‘earned’ it. So no cry-babies intruding into that arena!
Ah, but Welfare? That’s $1,017 Billion – those ‘undeserving’ leeches! You see, when those ‘divinely inspired’ Founding Fathers wrote down what they read in John Locke’s Treatises Of Government (and another little piece of drivel titled A Letter Concerning Toleration) they came to the ‘insane’ and ‘socialist’ idea that “We the People” should promote the “general Welfare” of those self same People. Very peculiar!! And, with their ‘divine’ inspiration (from John Locke primarily) they then wrote that the power of the Congress was to provide for the Defense and, oh dear, the “general Welfare” of the United States”. But perhaps that is the catch – perhaps the words “United States” doesn’t actually mean “We the People” but only those people who “We the better-off People” decide are worthy of being the recipients of “general Welfare”. Of course, to impose such a contortion on such plain and simple words would entail such violence to the intention of the ‘divinely inspired’ as to amount to ‘heresy’. Hence the need for that ‘education’ budget!
And so, notwithstanding the celebration of lunacy and stupidity that has accompanied this ‘victory’, don’t expect any transformation. Those who have ‘engineered’ this victory simply have no Principles. What they regard as Principles are nothing but prejudices. The Constitution that they profess to ‘honor and uphold’ is in direct contradiction to everything they espouse. They are just being led around by the nose by half-wits like Palin and Beck.
Perhaps Americans should educate themselves without the help of the likes of Palin and Beck. In Europe, that dirty little ‘socialist’ enclave, people don’t die, see their children die, or lose their homes because they cannot pay the extortionate bills of greedy doctors or Insurance Companies – but we in Europe are free to choose. Everywhere in Europe you can choose the ‘death panels’ of the Insurance Companies, or simply go stress-free to the better National Health Clinics. Perhaps Americans should even listen to their own Ambassador to Spain (where the National Health System is contribution-based, with a vibrant private sector alongside) – “Spain’s Healthcare system is much better than in our country. It is more advanced than in the US in many ways.” – You socialist b’stard!
Wake-up ‘conservative’ America! Beck and Palin are enriching themselves at YOUR expense, not for your benefit.
Joseph BH McMillan http://www.freedomvrights.com
Mr. McMillan
Your first line “In vain have I tried…” says it all. You propose not one solution, just a bunch of bashing and bitching.
I’ll propose a simple fix to the debt problem. I’m not sure your numbers are correct, but let’s assume for the moment that they are. Start with a spending by 10% across the board and then make modifications by transferring from one account to another.
Example: Cut Defense by $92.9B
Cut education by $107.2B
Cut medical by $120B
Cut pensions by $101.7B
Cut welfare by $101.7B
Leave the tax cuts in place except to reduce the corporate tax and move it to the people (who are paying it now anyway).
This assumes your numbers are only Federal money spending. Private pensions, private insurance, and the 50 States are excluded. The modifications I have in mind are in education. The Feds have no business in education and I would take 90% of that budget and move it to a more worthy project. For many years (when I got a good education) the States paid for the schools, mostly from property taxes, without Washington.
By the way, what budget does BHO’s, and his fat ass wife’s, vacations come from? We can cut those along with greens fees!
Joseph,
Apparently; you’ve decided to jump into a thread without reading all that came before. I won’t accuse you of being insufficiently schooled in other essays that have appeared here at IC as we do try to welcome newcomers; but each point you’ve raised has already been completely dismissed long ago.
You ask; “The GOP and TEAR Party (led by cry-babies like Boehner and Beck) take this ‘win’ to mean that 98% of the population are prepared to ‘sacrifice’ their tax ‘reduction’ if the top 2% are not given theirs (Boehner on Fox News). Is this Boehner idiot serious?” In a nutshell yes. You see; there is a new definition to the word ‘compromise’. I understand that for the better part of a generation it’s been a code word for whenever conservatives abandon their principles and agree with progressives; but all that is now water under the bridge. The new definition of compromise is; no one gets what they want. Everyone gets some sugar and everyone gets some vinegar.
First of all, these tax rates have been around so long to call them cuts is a misnomer. They are, by now, the prevalent tax rates of the nation. Second; conservatives are intelligent enough to realize that de-coupling the different tax tiers from one another is a trap. Either everyone gets or everyone doesn’t. None of this; “Make the middle class rates permanent, and merely extend the upper rates.” Conservatives won’t fall into that snare.
Look at the Department of Education. The proposed 2010 Budget number was $46.7 billion. Since that amount of spending actually translates to about 7 cents of every dollar spent by school districts they won’t miss it. We’re obviously not getting any bang for these bucks so let’s just defund the DoEd and close the department. After all; you yourself said we’re well down the list of producing educated people. It can’t be anyone’s fault other than the people charged with educating children, namely the teachers. Another good fix would be for every governor to decertify all the Teacher’s Union affiliates. Then we could finally fire the bad teachers and replace them with teachers that actually have the best interest of the students in mind.
You also go on to mention the Defense Department, Medicare, Pensions, and Welfare. Let’s add to that Medicaid, the earned income tax credit, extended unemployment, social security, and a plethora of other unaffordable entitlement programs.
Here’s how I envision compromise working. Republicans state that the newly elected House of Representatives will vote to cut all budgets 15% across the board, no sacred cows, no untouchable entitlements, departments, or programs. And this is a true 15% cut not a 15% decrease in the programmed increase from last year; 15% less than last year. When the progressives scream bloody murder we simply ask; “OK; what’s your number? 12%? 10%? What is it? We’re willing to work with you; as long as it’s a true budget cut.” That’s compromise. You see; everyone helped create this mess so everyone has to give some back to fix it.
Regarding health care; I believe the republican congress will first, vote to repeal the entire mess. When that is blocked in the Senate, they’ll use their subpoena power to parade each and every Obama Czar and Department Head into a hearing room and ask; “Exactly where DID you get this outrageous number anyway?” Can you imagine having all these progressives trying to explain a piece of legislation 2,600 pages long that they’ve STILL not read? Within a short time republicans will pass legislation allowing insurance companies to sell policies across state lines thereby increasing competition and lowering prices and dare the democrats to explain how that could possibly be bad for the country.
As for your statement regarding the ‘general welfare’. Your reading of this as a promise to ‘care’ for all as a father cares for his children is a blatant mis-read. We should promote policies that offer the most opportunity for liberty to the greatest segment of the population. General welfare doesn’t mean paying off some public uterus so they can sit around and watch Oprah.
Only a fool would believe that the ‘general welfare’ clause of the US Constitution was written specifically as a ‘social justice’ clause. You are either not from this country or a progressive. If you’re not from here, you have no standing to comment; if you’re a progressive, you have even less as you’re not only not from this country but most likely not even living in this reality. Besides; most often those people you expect to be ‘cared’ for have only the person that stares back at them from the mirror each morning (if they arise before noon) to blame for their circumstance.
Believe me; I understand your rant. You were probably astonished that the 2010 election was even held. With unassailable majorities in both Houses plus the presidency; you were probably shaking your head in disbelief that Obama and Co. failed to shove the entirety of their redistributionist agenda down the gullets of the American people. Where are the free houses for all? Where are the Sustainable Development mandates? What about Agenda 21? What about the living wages, the free health care, the mandatory confiscation of all property and wealth. And, of course, the biggest question that must be on your mind; how is it possible that the Republican Party is still a legal entity?
You are correct Europe is free to choose. And they have overwhelmingly chosen to run as fast as they can in the opposite direction that Obama and Co. has tried to take us. France has raised the retirement age from 60 to 62 and the French are apoplectic! England has revamped everything but their health care system, to the chagrin of the English people, and I predict that their health care system will be next. The American people allowed democrats to prove they could be the party of fiscal responsibility. And found out that what Obama, Pelosi, Reid et al was selling was merely a whitewash. They added $1 trillion to the deficit for absolutely no ROI and saddled the country with as unmanageable a health care system as has ever been conceived.
The American people invited the progressive democrats to sit at the adult table; and after less than two years got tired of ya’ll throwing mashed potatoes and vegetables all over the dining room. On November 2nd we relegated ya’ll back to the children’s table; where you need to sit down and keep quiet while the adults are talking.
Oh, and welcome to the fray! I’m eagerly awaiting your disjointed response.
Joseph, I would highly advocate you listen to Bill.
In my lifetime, I have witnessed the Democrat Party hijack America into nothing more than a machine that takes everyone’s money and then pisses it away on witless social engineering programs, the consequences of which those who proposed and enacted them could not possibly know. And it’s virtually bankrupted us.
I’ll provide you an example: here in Boston, when the economy was going over a cliff, the City sought to cut the budget wherever they could. One such program they mentioned was “Fishing Camp for Disadvantaged Teens,” I kid you not.
The response to this proposed cut was legendary and all-too-predictable. “YOU can’t cut THIS program, you heartless MONSTERS!” And, harangued into it, the City did not cut this program. Which, by the way, ran just under $800K per/year.
Now you take that sacred Cow, multiply it by however many thousands (or more) similar programs, then by 50 states AND the Federal government. How much does that equate to?
Liberalism and the belief that this nation exists for nothing more than enacting the idiotic social programs of Liberal Radicals have ruined us.
And that’s a fact.
Only a fool would believe that the ‘general welfare’ clause of the US Constitution was written specifically as a ‘social justice’ clause.
Hardly surprising that Mr. McMillan would find himself in this category. Reading his brief missives on “true conservatism” as pseudo-theocracy, which are really nothing more excerpts from the book he obnoxiously and incessantly tries to foist upon anyone with ears to hear or a screen to read, should have removed all doubt long ago.
You are either not from this country or a progressive.
Mr. McMillan lives in Spain, which he frequently points out during his commentary that seems to deal exclusively with American politics, of which he is powerfully ignorant yet feels eminently qualified to offer commentary (insert your European stereotype here).
I’d submit to Mr. McMillan that perhaps his thoughts on socialized medicine and welfare as the salve for America’s fiscal problems might have a more authoritative ring to them once his own country, which he offers up as the model upon which the United States ought to model its social welfare policy, is upgraded back to AAA bond status. Being acquainted as he is with the Bible, I’m sure a reference to Matthew 7:3 is sufficient without quotation.
Joseph,
Spain? Really? Such a revelation speaks volumes. Re-reading your screed through that lens clarifies all. This is all about misery desiring company isn’t it?
The Spanish jobless rate is currently more than 20 percent, the highest in the 27-member European Union. http://www.laht.com/article.asp?CategoryId=12395&ArticleId=361272
I would think you’d spend more time haranguing your own government than the governments of other countries. With a Debt/GNP ratio of 53.2; higher than the US I might add http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_sovereign_states_by_public_debt
you’re not offering solutions; you’re begging for fellow travelers on the express train to economic disaster.
Say; isn’t Spain the recently debunked capitol of ‘green jobs’ as well? Destroying three jobs for each created in the renewable energy sector? I guess you’re correct after all; we could learn several valuable lessons from the economy of Spain; a case study in exactly what not to do.
And people wonder why so many Americans believe in American exceptionalism! Here in Arkansas we are consistently ranked in the 49th position in such things as infrastructure, business tax burden, and education; it all stems from the fact that democrats have been in firm control of this state for the last 130 years. Our only succor is knowing that our neighboring state of Mississippi is often ranked 50th. Our battle cry is; “Thank God for Mississippi!”
Yet you would presume to tell us how we should conduct ourselves when you live in the ‘Mississippi’ of the EU? You’re hoping all other countries will follow you into the pit. With everyone equally screwed, then we’ll all decide to press the ‘reset’ button, huh?
Bill Said:
Well, clearly I misunderstood the html tags. If a mod can fix that one. OOPS.
Steevo,
I don’t have an issue with attempting to assist a RINO with a spinal transplant. It’s just my opinion that the Republican Leadership has been trying just such a thing with these RINO’s for years.
At some point in time they are going to either have to stop crossing the aisle or face consequences. RINO’s such as John McCain are probably already lost. John is so used to getting his 10 minutes of ‘Mike Time’ every month by either dissing some real republican conservative, or opposing some conservative push in the Senate. He’s also over 70 years old. Time to paint a target on his back.
I agree that conservatism must become more activist. For far too long we’ve let the progressives frame the debate by allowing them to be the vocal bunch. Conservatives must become morew vocal. It doesn’t’ matter what coverage you get from the MSM. Even bad press is better than no press at all.
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