How the GOP Can ‘Run Against the Center’
Republicans' best shot at success in 2010 is to craft a campaign against the Washington-centric policies of the Democrats.
Second, the anti-Washington agenda should put a primacy on personal choice when it comes to health care. The Democrats are offering a health-care plan crafted and directed by the government, with only the “best” procedures reimbursed by the government-approved insurance plan. That’s a far cry from the consumer-friendly, customized service world which voters, especially young voters, have become used to. Smart Republicans should make clear they favor competition, choice, and individually-purchased insurance, not government-run, homogenized health care (which inevitably will be rationed, as has been the case in other industrialized nations which have gone down this road).
Third, the anti-Washington agenda would (as the Tea Party protestors have done) make fiscal discipline its cornerstone. Poll after poll make clear that voters are queasy about the mound of debt which is accumulating and suspect the taxes to pay for it are coming just around the corner. (In the recent Gallup poll, by a 48-46% margin, Americans disapprove of the president’s handling of the deficit and by a 51-45% margin they are displeased with his handling of federal spending.) And sure enough, tax ideas are popping up right and left — a soda tax perhaps, or maybe a VAT, or a soak the rich scheme. It all amounts to the same thing — more power and wealth concentrated in Washington and less in the homes and businesses around the country. The anti-Washington forces should push for spending restraint and, rather than tax hikes, tax reform and reductions (e.g., on corporations and capital gains) to spur private economic activity.
Finally, the anti-Washington agenda would seek to place a premium on personal responsibility and end the era of the “bailout nation.” That’s far cry from where we are now. As Matthew Continetti writes:
In the past, the U.S. government allowed private companies to fall apart, confident that new ones would rise in their place. Not the bailout state. The feds already had protected the GSEs and Wall Street. Why not Detroit? The price is “only” $110 billion, compared with trillions to the banks and in guarantees to Fannie and Freddie. The Rust Belt economy, moreover, has been reeling for some time. Liquidating GM and Chrysler could wreak havoc on parts suppliers and other businesses that depend on the auto giants. Better to cushion the blow. …
There’s only one complication. All of this is both misguided and unpopular. American voters have serious misgivings about the TARP and the auto bailout. Those concerns likely will become even more pronounced as government embeds itself deeper into the banking and car sectors. In time, the electorate may even vote for politicians who stand with private enterprise.
Failing companies should, well, fail and government should get out of the business of running industrial enterprises. Sen. Lamar Alexander proposed that the government distribute the GM stock to the taxpayers, thereby ending the era of the Obama Motor Company. That’s a move in the right direction. Next: set a date certain for the end of all government bailouts/take-overs.
All of these measures, of course, are antithetical to the statist, we-know-best philosophy which underlines virtually all of what the president and Democratic Congress hope to achieve. But that is fine. In fact, it’s more than fine. It is the essence of democratic politics to provide a clear difference in governing visions and allow the voters to decide which they prefer.
And if Barone is right, such an ideological face-off might spell doom for those who think that grabbing and retaining as much power as possible in Washington is the way to earn the public’s support. As Continetti notes: “The political party with a track record of opposition to government overreach, overspending, and overindebtedness — and with proposals to roll back the bailout state — will benefit. It won’t be the Democrats.”
Whether the Republicans will benefit from the Democrats’ misguided zeal for Washington-centric policies will depend on whether they offer, as the saying goes, a choice and not an echo.
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Jennifer Rubin is PJM's Washington, DC, editor. She also blogs at Commentary’s Contentions.
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66 Comments
1. vivo:by Jennifer Rubin
“Republicans’ best shot at success in 2010 is to craft a campaign against the Washington-centric policies of the Democrats.”
Good luck with that.
Jun 9, 2009 - 3:40 am 2. "progressive"watch:I’m thinking of changing my name to Mr. Waterboarding.
This is the strategy. The tactics must be a thousand-cuts ways to carry the strategy into effect. And the big obstacle is that Washington Republicans still want to be Washington-Centric-Politics lite. And two,the Republicans are scared to death,not of the Democratic Party,not of the people,but of the former mainstream media.
Jun 9, 2009 - 4:21 am 3. Ed Wallis:Developing a spine, in other words, Ms. Rubin:
Related:
http://spectator.org/archives/2009/06/09/martin-luther-king-limbaugh
Excerpts:
“I must confess that over the past few years I have been gravely disappointed with the white moderate. I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro’s great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen’s Counciler or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate, who is more devoted to “order” than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice; who constantly says: ‘I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I cannot agree with your methods of direct action.’ ”
“But I must confess that I am not afraid of the word “tension.” I have earnestly opposed violent tension, but there is a type of constructive, nonviolent tension which is necessary for growth. Just as Socrates felt that it was necessary to create a tension in the mind so that individuals could rise from the bondage of myths and half truths to the unfettered realm of creative analysis and objective appraisal, so must we see the need for nonviolent gadflies to create the kind of tension in society that will help men rise from the dark depths of prejudice and racism to the majestic heights of understanding and brotherhood.”
Jun 9, 2009 - 4:52 am 4. AThinkingPerson:We’re making this much harder than it has to be. When the moderate Democrats are now jumping ship on Obama’s health care disaster and the Supreme Court has put the brakes on Obama’s GM gift to the unions, there is hope yet. I think we should stop with the “remodeling” of the GOP and wait for Obama to do what Obama does best…Keep on yapping with no action to back anything up. Already the overseas newspapers are asking when all of his rhetoric will end in results. I see that as a positive sign. The blind are finally starting to see.
In the meantime, why must we dismantle the Republican platform and try and emulate the liberal trainwreck? The left is fueled by followers, not leaders. Is that truly the path we want to take the GOP? I’d much rather retain our standards than fall prey to busing in college kids and paying people to leave their homeless shelters to vote. That got Obama elected and look what we got. A fumbling, arrogant mess that’s what.
Jun 9, 2009 - 6:06 am 5. deguello:the best response to the incipient Obamanista regime, is a militant,populist, third party,based on opposition to globalism,closed borders,localism,smashing government schooling,reindustrialization,energy independence, isolationism(ending the stupidly conceived war on terror) destroying the power of the judiciary, to engage in plutocrat friendly social engineering,and the confiscation of all personal fortunes over 200 million dollars. The Repub poltroons will never support any of this as they,like the dems,are on the take.Ultimately,the GOP is merely Democrat lite party,ie:Plutocracy on the installment plan!
Jun 9, 2009 - 6:15 am 6. BackwardsBoy:The GOP could craft a viable alternative to the massive government intrusion into the private marketplace, but what do we see and hear from them? No opposition to any of Obama’s plans to destroy our economic system. None. Zero. Zilch. Nada.
Jun 9, 2009 - 6:23 am 7. Angry White Dude:What we, as a country, need are principled, strong leaders who are not afraid to voice opposition to the wrong-headed policies coming from Washington, and to point out the negative consequences that we ordinary Americans see every day. Obama’s policies are failing, hard and fast.
Why is the GOP silent?
Are they being subservient on purpose?
What could they possibly gain from a quiet approval of Obama’s radical shift toward the left?
With the current state of the economy and the Obama administration doing everything in their power to make sure it never recovers, the GOP should make itself highly visible by offering common-sense alternatives such as reduced corporated tax rates and a moratorium on new emissions regulations. These ideas are but a few of a long list of proven solutions to our problems. They aren’t hard to understand. Most Americans already know them.
When will the GOP show us that they, too, know them?
The Republican party is basically the Democrat party of 20 years ago..before Democrats moved to open socialism. The Republican party needs to return to following the Constitution without apology. Moderate Republicans have always failed and always will. Conservatives have always won. We have not had a conservative since Reagan and it shows! The only time I want a Republican to “reach across the aisle” is to grab a Democrat by the throat! They are the enemy and the Democratic party must be destroyed. Even if it means getting rid of what so many eleced RINO Republicans refer to as “my good friends.”
Angry White Dude
Jun 9, 2009 - 6:39 am 8. David S:It’s hard to run against the center on a platform that is skewed so far to the right. Fighting against health care for all citizens is a poor long term strategy, as universal care is the most cost-effective system – fiscal responsibility leads inexorably to the public option.
The GOP has no credibility on fiscal responsibility or the government bailouts, as the worst problems have been delivered by the Republican party. Furthermore, the GOP clings tenaciously to social policy planks that will slowly strangle the party by turning away young, socially liberal voters.
The ranks of citizens willing to marginalize the poor and disadvantaged is shrinking – the youth of the USA are no longer swallowing the red pill.
The GOP represents Big business, Big religion, Big military and Big money – all of these are opposed to the interests of the average voter. Convincing people to vote against their best interest is the GOP’s specialty, but it is likely to grow increasingly difficult as the consequences are becoming very difficult to disguise.
If the GOP really wants to be competitive, it needs to recognize the pointlessness of social issues such as abortion and gay marriage, and spend some time to develop an alternative plan for health care reform and green energy. Without intelligent policies to move the country into a successful future, the GOP is destined to wander in the wilderness.
Peace.
DS
Jun 9, 2009 - 6:58 am 9. Sapwolf:Gov. Sarah Palin is not silent, and neither is the GOP/Indy grassroots.
The strategy will and should be attack DC. But, the GOP establishment does not have the courage.
Jun 9, 2009 - 7:04 am 10. Fred Beloit:Why, Ms Rubin, you sound just like a conservative. I think the advice you offer is sound.
Jun 9, 2009 - 7:07 am 11. sheesh:Super Easy . . . in 2012 run Palin and Huckabee . . . or Hucakabee and Palin . . . and put your faith in God. You believe in the power of prayer, don’t you?
Jun 9, 2009 - 7:33 am 12. deguello:#8David S: You repeat the libtard canard that the GOP represents big busineess.In truth, Wall street,Hollywood,the entertainment “industry”,and their attendant libtard bllionaires,like.Robert Rubin, Bill Gates,Sumner Redstone,and George Soros to name a few, are all firmly in the Demtard camp,and have an interest in making this country into a third world style plutocracy,through globalization,horrible public schools, open borders,and outsourcing.As for the poor,the DEmocrats DEFINITELY are interested in keeping them dumb,ignorant,unskilled,and dependent on Demtard welfare,so as to get their votes.Green energy is another libtard fantasy: we need to drill and go nuclear like the rest of the world is doing.As for fiscal responsibility,it’s to a liberal what penicillin is to a syphillis fatal. Obamamoron has turned the printing presses loose to “pay” for his harebrained socialism and you accuse the GOP of being fiscally irresponsible?Come down from planet surreal, and watch as the Demtards deatroy the American economy.We have the highest rate of unemploymnent in 25 years,1/7 mortgages are in default, as the Chinese openly laugh at Obamas sec. of the Treasury,the Timmy “the retard “Geithner,when he tries to lieto them about the “strength’ of the dollar.When Weimar inflation hits,watch the center disappear,as Obama’s stupid and corrupt regime collapses.There will be no center,only libtard freaks running for their lives from a vengeful middle class,they impoverished. Start jogging David!
Jun 9, 2009 - 7:50 am 13. Ed Wallis:David S #8,
Your thinking exhibits beautifully the moral relativism (READ: NIHILISM), irresponsibility and hypocisy of today’s Left.
Let me make it easy for you to see your stupidity (ditto to “sheetz”): Following contemporary standards of dental hygiene, lots of people brush and floss their teeth…yet they still get cavities.
The Leftists’ response: See! They failed! They’re wrong! That’s why we don’t even bother brushing or flossing our teeth! You’ll just have to pay my dental bills when it’s time!
Losers.
Jun 9, 2009 - 7:53 am 14. David S:@12. deguello:
In one short post you managed to reveal more ignorance that one person should be capable of. Big business depends on the GOP to fight against the minimum wage, environmental laws, public oversight, regulation and taxes. The GOP advocates dismantling the social safety net while cutting taxes on the richest Americans, expanding dead-end pollution-based energy sources, deficit spending for warfare, and continues to fight against basic health care for the poorest citizens of the USA.
The GOP is the party of rich, white, Christian fundamentalism. Good luck with that.
Peace.
DS
Jun 9, 2009 - 8:13 am 15. njcommuter:The automakers have been under government pressure for so long that they deserve one last chance–free of the destructive union contracts and government meddling in their product line and their dealer networks. The best way to get this is to go to Bankruptcy Court. I would not be against the government offering to buy some NON-CONVERTABLE preferred stock afterwards, so long as the bankruptcy made economic sense otherwise, but only because the government’s oppressive hand helped to create the mess.
Jun 9, 2009 - 8:23 am 16. deguello:#11 SHEESH: HUCKABOOB? He already played his part,which was to derail Romney,and prevent a true conservative from running against MCain. He’s probably in Mexico, counting his money(gratefully contributed from moderate country club republicans), while having his needs met by underage mexicans,like a catholic parochial school priest in the 60s.
Jun 9, 2009 - 8:27 am 17. Osprey1:I reject the notion that there must be a third party that steps up and leads the nation out of this troubled time. It has been suggested repeatedly that the Republican party is no longer viable and no longer able to rally the belief of the people to her side. This too I reject. The Republican Party just needs to refine itself, shed itself of the maddening positions it has fallen into over the past 15 years and refocus itself on what it is. What it is was strong enough to win 5 of the last 8 elections, and strong enough to cause and maintain a period of the greatest economic growth the world has ever witnessed. That said a makeover is required, seeing the RINOS leave the party is not a bad thing, but the beginning of a return to our roots, as Ronald Regan stated we must paint our difference in bold colors not pastels and stand strong for what is right.
It will not take very long for those to fled the Republican Party and elected President Obama to see the error of their ways and begin looking back at the party that brought them prosperity for a solution to this new mess. The Republican Party has to be ready and have ready those solutions. When Wild Bill Clinton won the election in ’92 the Republicans did not wither and die, they authored the Contract With America and led the Nation from the Congress. Six months in to the madness that is the Obama administration and I do not see the leadership that we need to provide, but I do see the confidence of the American people shaken and concerned about their future, and a President that has no clue what he is doing flailing at the helm. Michael Steele has thus far failed to unify the party and produce the ideas and buzz necessary for us to be heard. That quickly needs to change. The Republicans must get out front, be vocal and advocate what is right for the country, in essence be the leaders you were voted to be. Nationalized Health Care is bad, fight it, Corruption is rampant, expose it, Nationalization of Corporate America is bad for America then challenge it. This is no time for the meek, it is time for our leaders to stand up and be counted. In doing so, even in defeat the American People will be shown leadership and will be shown that there is a choice and different way, and know where to go when they are really ready for “Hope and Change”.
Jun 9, 2009 - 8:34 am 18. Ed Wallis:Oh this is getting FUN!
Let’s just “flip” Davis S’s nonsense and see how it goes:
“Embittered minorities and females depend on the Democratic Socialists to fight against low-pay for low-work, public speech, freedoms and paying taxes. The Democratic Socialists advocate dismantling society’s civilization while raising taxes on the all Americans, expanding dead-end policies, deficit spending for Chicago-land patronage buddies and other societal leeches, and continues to fight against basic freedom of all citizens of the USA.
The Democratic Socialists are the party of lazy, mentally-ill, multi-mulatto-but-NO-WHITES-ANYMORE, PLEASE!, America-haters. Good luck with that.
Gimme my share: I’m entitled!.
(nothin’ but) BS
Jun 9, 2009 - 8:35 am 19. Fred Beloit:Hahahha, get this by David S[heets?]:
“Fighting against health care for all citizens is a poor long term strategy, as universal care is the most cost-effective system – fiscal responsibility leads inexorably to the public option.”
There is only one way that the demonstrably incompetent government can produce any consumer service like health care cheaply, use of the d-squared technique, i.e., is delay and deny. Make the waiting longer and the procedures and products fewer. Ask the Brits and Canadians; they speak your language.
http://www.americanissuesproject.org/blogs/columns/archive/2009/06/09/what-really-happens-with-government-run-health-care.aspx
Jun 9, 2009 - 8:38 am 20. Fred Beloit:Here’s how the government manages things, David:
Jun 9, 2009 - 8:43 am 21. David S:http://www.newser.com/article/d98m8mro0/apnewsbreak-30-million-for-construction-project-in-iraq-symbolizes-inefficient-spending.html
@18. Ed Wallis:
“Oh this is getting FUN!”
Yes, yes it is.
The Democratic Socialists are not a very large party in the USA, but I think it is great that you want to debate their position.
“Democratic socialists believe that both the economy and society should be run democratically—to
meet public needs, not to make profits for a few. To achieve a more just society, many structures of our
government and economy must be radically transformed through greater economic and social
democracy so that ordinary Americans can participate in the many decisions that affect our lives.
Democracy and socialism go hand in hand. All over the world, wherever the idea of democracy has
taken root, the vision of socialism has taken root as well—everywhere but in the United States. “
The central mission of Democratic Socialists to make sure that profit is not given a higher priority than people. Public speech and essential freedoms are not the issue here. The GOP consistently puts private interests above the interests of the people. This is not a sustainable model for a society. Democracy cannot survive in the absence of justice.
There is no reasonable justification possible for the massive transfer of wealth from average Americans to the wealthiest 1% that has occurred since 1981. The reduction of marginal tax rates demanded by the GOP has led to massive budget deficits and debt, and thus exacerbated the problem by expanding the burden on those at the bottom.
I’m a well educated, intelligent young white male. Your argument has no appeal to me. Do you ever imagine how your racist rhetoric sounds to others? You can’t refute my points on “Big business, Big religion, Big military and Big money” so you go for the distraction play. It’s not the Democratic Socialists who worry me. Truly.
Peace.
DS
Jun 9, 2009 - 9:04 am 22. David S:@19. Fred Beloit:
We in the USA have the highest per capita health care costs in the world for any major country, yet by most measures, we rank behind at least 30 other countries in quality of care. Other nations enjoy superior universal health coverage at lower total cost, with better outcomes and no medical bankruptcies or uninsured millions.
Is there something about math that is particularly difficult for the GOP?
Peace.
DS
Jun 9, 2009 - 9:17 am 23. WhyamInotsurprised?:#8 DavidS – “The GOP represents Big business, Big religion, Big military and Big money ” – ummmm, I think I’ve heard this before somewhere.
The problem with “universal” health care is not that people against this notion are willing to ignore the poor, those who don’t have health insurance (extent of the problem that they can’t get health care is debatable), it is the thought that like with medicare, social security, why not JUST provide help to those who need it. Those who have insurance like what they have, don’t believe the government can provide better service at lower cost, or even good quality over time.
Fix the problem for those who don’t have coverage. I don’t begrudge them assistance. What I resist is being forced into a government run system that is only a trojan horse leading to control of 100% of the population.
So stop with the cheap lines from a well worn liberal tome. Start thinking, if that is possible like a person who is not only concerned with helping the poor but with helping keep our country strong by supporting individualism and self reliance and freedom of choice. You understand that “choice.” I think that is the liberal mantra, am I right? Choice, you shouldn’t have too much trouble supporting that, do you?
Jun 9, 2009 - 9:21 am 24. WhyamInotsurprised?:#11 Sheeeeeeeeeeeesh – Yes, I do believe in prayer. And you should also because the way libs keep saying Republicans and conservatives are a shrinking minority, you would think that there is nothing to worry about. But alas, here you are, again. Yes, I pray daily, for your mental illness to be healed. Maybe you should try praying for yourself, couldn’t hurt.
Jun 9, 2009 - 9:24 am 25. Just Passing Through:david s.
‘I’m a well educated, intelligent young white male.’
You are at best poorly educated and appallingly ignorant, though quite obviously highly indoctrinated. Nor do you show any ability to use what intelligence you might have. The first sign of that is the ability to think for oneself. Parrots can learn to repeat phrases and even be taught to do so at times where the phrase seems to relate to a question or conversation. That does not mean they are intelligent. It means they are trained to respond in a Pavlovian manner to particular stimuli.
You say you have a blog. You repeatedly reveal yourself as dumber than stone on this site. Perhaps you should confine your vacuous hypocrisy to posting on your own blog where no one will notice it.
Jun 9, 2009 - 9:35 am 26. Fred Beloit:Davis S. Here is the guy who came up with the data you sited above. He says the answer to all our problems is to let more immigrants in. I’m suspicious of his data.
“For Mr. Coutsoukis, the site is one of many he runs on the internet. The others though, are associated with his company, Information Technology Associates (ITA), which develops and sells immigration software.An immigrant himself, Mr. Coutsoukis says that immigration is more than a commercial interest for him. A way “to stem the social decline of America is to allow large numbers of immigrants to come in,” he explains. For Mr. Coutsoukis, the site is one of many he runs on the internet. The others though, are associated with his company, Information Technology Associates (ITA), which develops and sells immigration software.An immigrant himself, Mr. Coutsoukis says that immigration is more than a commercial interest for him. A way “to stem the social decline of America is to allow large numbers of immigrants to come in,” he explains. Having lived on four continents, he says he knows that there are people outside the United States “who are more positive,” who have values different than those that absolve people in this country from any social obligation.
David, do you agree with this sentiment as well as his nums? “…he says he knows that there are people outside the United States “who are more positive,” who have values different than those that absolve people in this country from any social obligation.” You sure do, don’t you Dave?
Jun 9, 2009 - 9:38 am 27. Fred Beloit:David, this is from your second site.
“The World Health Organization’s ranking of the world’s health systems was last produced in 2000, and the WHO no longer produces such a ranking table, because of the complexity of the task.”
I’m impressed. The data is almost 10 years old and the outfit that presents it says it can no longer update such data because it is now too complicated to figure out. Strange, it used to be so simple. Even more impressed.
Jun 9, 2009 - 9:43 am 28. Self-hating Boomer:Rasmussen has an interesting new demographic distinction; populist v.s. political class. I’m not sure how precisely the groups are defined, but their surveys against this axis are very interesting, and reveal a definite major split between the two groups.
The public is in a major anti-beltway mood, and I think it’s too late for the donx to try to paint themselves as populists after this orgy of insiderism. All the Republicans have to do is resist, pose, and be ready to clobber them over the head with all of this organizational/class incest.
If he can learn to mellow a bit in his old age, Newt’s the perfect guy to do it. Clinton got the best of him, but Clinton was a virtuoso. I don’t think that Pelosi or Reid have a snowball’s chance in hell of rolling Newt, and at this point, 0bama’s spent all his political capital, and won’t be able to save them.
0bama’s already peed all over too many people he needs. He’s not as smart as Clinton. He could very easily be Carter II in more ways than one.
Jun 9, 2009 - 9:45 am 29. Teleprompter Jesus:Umm….dude. Login to HQ. New memo. Now. Don’t talk about big business, religion or money. Don’t talk about military, either. My advisers tell me that I don’t want to be drawing attention to those things, since I took over GM and most of the banks.
Repeat: Ixnay. That is all.
P.S. You may be a white male, and you may be educated, but you’re as dumb as a bag of hammers. People like you are the reason I don’t like to talk about my white half.
Jun 9, 2009 - 9:52 am 30. Fred Beloit:“The Russian Federation’s constitution guarantees citizens the right to free healthcare, which probably sounds like a good deal to Americans who face high premiums, deductibles, and co-payments — or have no insurance at all. But on closer inspection, the grass may not be greener on the Russian side of the hospital lawn.
According to a recent Gallup Poll of Moscow residents*, about one in five (22%) Muscovites feel the availability and accessibility of healthcare in Moscow is good. More than a third (37%) feel it is bad; 39% are neutral.”
Jun 9, 2009 - 9:55 am 31. Fred Beloit:http://www.gallup.com/poll/18955/poll-moscow-free-healthcare-taxes-muscovites.aspx
“Access to specialists and diagnostic tests given failing grades
Canadians reported a decline in the quality of health care they’re receiving, finds a Canadian Medical Association survey released Monday, though regional pockets of satisfaction do exist.
Jun 9, 2009 - 9:58 am 32. Falconsword:According to the CMA’s seventh annual national report card on health care, which surveyed 1,001 Canadian adults on their views about Canada’ More..s health-care system, 62 per cent of Canadians grade the overall quality of health-care services available to them and their families as an A (21 per cent) or B (41 per cent), a decrease from 67 per cent in 2006.”
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=7eb_1188036834
David S(tupid) says;
>yet by most measures, we rank behind at least 30 other >countries in quality of care.
Sure buddy, and people who die on waiting lists or are refused care/drugs because they have a low survival potential often don’t live long enough to give their care a ‘negative rating’. I honestly don’t believe we’re going to actually do this, in this country. We’re really going to socialize medicine? Fine with me, do that I’m out out, I’ll stop contributing to the BEAST and start consuming its flesh. If they pass it, it will never go away. You know that DS, and that’s why your president is pushing it so hard and fast. We’re still buying helium as part of the WWI strategic reserve! No program dies, as long as a congresscritter makes votes from it. And socialized medicine is THE BRASS RING! They know if it is passed, it’s all down hill from there. At that point nearly EVERY American will be counting on Uncle Sugar for a little hunk of the honey pie, and every time they vote they will vote for more. A stupid white guy (founding father) said that once the electorate realizes they can just vote themselves goodies from the public treasury, its game over. Well there you go, and it is what makes your little bleeding heart go thumpity-thump, does’t it DS. You fraking troll, it just makes you as hard a blue steel to think that FINALLY WE’LL GET THEM ALL!
They pass that and inside six months I’m quitting my job and living off every program/entitlement/theft program they have. The only way to bring this down is with sabotage, and I will no longer donate my skills, inventiveness, and life’s blood. It’s not Atlas Shrugged, he’s proved to stupid to shrug. We going to have to kill him.
It’s not a threat, chump, its a promise. And I’ll take as many of the producers, the builders, and the thinkers with me as I can. I have a small farm, animals, my own water supply, and a source of power. Piss on all you son of a bitches that took us down this road. I’m going to watch it burn, and hope to help do it right next time.
Marik
Sic Semper Tyrannis
Jun 9, 2009 - 10:11 am 33. davidt:A literal reading of the US Constitution shows it to be an effort against concentrated central government power.
This is all anybody needs to run on.
Unfortunatly, career polititions profit through concentrated central government power.
Jun 9, 2009 - 10:20 am 34. SteveB/Colorado:#5 Deguello: “the best response to the incipient Obamamista regime, is a militant, populist third party based on opposition to globalism, closed borders, localism…….” Just how do you propose to “close” the 3,000+ mile Canadian border? How will you police the ports and thousands of miles of coast lines? Sounds like what you’re proposing is an extremely expensive police state.
“smashing government schooling, reindustrialization, energy independence, isolationism……” If government education is done away with, then who educates the kids? Maybe share some details here. How do you propose to bring about energy independence? Our economy runs on oil. We consume a quarter of the world’s daily production while sitting on 3% of the world’s reserves of petroleum?
#7 angry white dude: “we have not had a conservative since Reagan and it shows.” Reagan was a conservative? I recall his campaign proposing to do away with the Department of Education? Didn’t happen. His budgets weren’t conservative either; he introduced the country to Republican style “borrow and spend liberalism.” Now, I liked a LOT about Reagan. But I wouldn’t call him exactly a conservative.
#12 Deguello: “Green energy is another libtard fantasy. We need to drill and go nuclear…..” Just where do you think we should drill?
How do you feel about the big energy companies hoarding leases? As of June, 2008, energy companies were sitting on over 67 million acres of undeveloped oil & gas leases on shore, mostly in the West, and off shore. And that was before the companies began to cap wells and idle rigs due to the recession. You can talk “drill, baby, drill” all you want. But if the companies aren’t drilling, what is your plan?
Jun 9, 2009 - 10:29 am 35. sheesh:16. deguello:
I can’t believe you would say such things about a man of God.
Jun 9, 2009 - 11:32 am 36. Carol:I wouldn’t presume to know what their best shot is for 2010, but I do hope it will involve some shred of genuine prioritizing. Republicans, save just a couple these days, have abandoned their supposed commitment to national security. Both parties are a travesty, filled with ambitious folks dazzled by power who appear quite spineless at the end of the day. Makes me get back in touch with my inner cynic.
Jun 9, 2009 - 11:45 am 37. AThinkingPerson:David S: Well educated white male? Yeah right. You might try actually READING one of your own posts before hitting submit. Your anger and group-think mentality shines right through. You show not one iota of original thought and would probably suffer a broken neck if Obama took a sharp right. I always enjoy a good laugh when I read one of your self-serving posts because I know that for all of your bravado, you’re yet another “well educated white male” that was probably shipped into your polling place on an ACORN bus and patted on the back when you were dropped back off at your dorm.
Grow up and get some life experiences and then try again to tell us how the Government taking over the private sector, killing the unborn, allowing the subjugation of women and selling out Americans abroad is a great idea again.
Post some more hilarity about your “intelligence” there David S. I await another good belly laugh at your expense!
Jun 9, 2009 - 12:03 pm 38. Gary Ogletree:We have two excellent candidates who have proven records, highly regarded by those who know them and can fill arena and stadiums better any others: Palin/Bachman 2012. Yeah, guys, I know, too many “sisters,” but, to invent a phrase, “two very together sisters together is powerful.” We can handle it.
Jun 9, 2009 - 12:05 pm 39. sheesh:38 Gary Ogletree . . . “Palin/Bachman 2012″
Yes, please, god.
Jun 9, 2009 - 12:27 pm 40. David S:@37. AThinkingPerson:
“… try again to tell us how the Government taking over the private sector, killing the unborn, allowing the subjugation of women and selling out Americans abroad is a great idea again.”
I’m sure public highways, public airports, public airwaves and public schools and parks are of no use to you. You’ll be so kind as to stop breathing the public air, too, I trust. There are some things that should not be private – health care is one such thing. The private sector is not the answer to every problem, despite what your talking points say.
I support safe, legal and rare abortion, in that order – if that sounds like the subjugation of women to you, I don’t know what to tell you. And your assertion that I support selling out Americans abroad is laughable. Sending our troops into Iraq in the first place was the selling out – and I fought it from the start.
“Post some more hilarity about your “intelligence” there David S. I await another good belly laugh at your expense!”
I look forward to watching the GOP slowly hoist itself on the petard of social issues. It should be a slow but very satisfying show. I hope you will enjoy it as well.
Peace.
DS
Jun 9, 2009 - 12:29 pm 41. JMD:The other day my company sent out this memo to all employees (paraphrased):
‘Effective June 1st Northwest passengers will now be boarding flights out of the North terminal. This will add approximately 150 more people going through the North terminal security line. Request for additional scanners have not yet been approved by Washington.
Lines may be long and slow depending upon time of day.’
It struck me that a local staffing issue was being controlled by Washington, hundreds of miles away. While we wait for their action, local citizens are stuck with longer lines.
We need to stop this micromanaging by the federal government and return decision-making to local leaders, companies and individuals.
Jun 9, 2009 - 12:30 pm 42. billslayer:I fear that the republican party will again become the majority party through no fault, action, or merit of it’s own. It will simply become the majority party again under the weight of the Dem party’s corruption in congress and the incompetence of the Obama administration. It doesn’t have to be that way. The republican party could be the party of balanced budgets, strong defence and personal liberty… I just don’t see that evolving right now.
Jun 9, 2009 - 12:41 pm 43. AThinkingPerson:Re #38 Gary Ogletree: I’m rooting for Palin/Newt in 2012.
Of course in reality BugsBunny/SpongeBob 2012 would be an improvement over our current administration but I think we should try harder than a Chicago street thug and his bumbling sidekick.
Jun 9, 2009 - 12:53 pm 44. billslayer:@43. AThinkingPerson…Obama is not s street thug, He’s a street trick. Rezko was his sugar daddy. But yes, Bugs/Bob would present a challenge to sweet little Barry.
Jun 9, 2009 - 1:21 pm 45. Ed Wallis:David S #21,
Just like the good old Communists…err…I mean the “Socialists” of contemporary – you are also an evasive fraud. Trying to sound so “reasonable” as you avoid facts and reason.
I couldn’t care in the least “what” you are (young, white male…bla bla bla…by the way, I think your colleagues label you a “Race Traitor”…though I’d skip the “race” part…), it’s your sick thoughts which are troublesome. They swim, lost in the limited chambers of your Kos/HuffPo mind.
By the way, though you may not have read, these same ex-Communists of Eastern Europe are now considering changing their names once again from “Socialists” to “DEMOCRATS.”
…crickets chirping…
Jun 9, 2009 - 1:35 pm 46. Self-hating Boomer:Hey Einstein. ‘Splain how an oil company makes money by “hoarding leases”.
/Your messiah called, and said you’re embarrassing his white side…
Jun 9, 2009 - 1:44 pm 47. AThinkingPerson:So David S…Your newest assertion is that I should thank the government for the air? Yeah. Right. I COULD go back to your “I am an intelligent white male” assertion right now for comedic emphasis, but I’m polite so I won’t.
Might I point out that MY TAX DOLLARS FUND schools, roads, etc. that you so heartily pointed out? Those are gifts from the government. Yet more proof of your unenlightened youth. Might I point out that MY TAX DOLLARS ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO FUND the government setting pay standards under the newest “czar”, paying off unions before stockholders or funding ACORN? I know, I know, in the liberal dictionary those fall under “technicalities” right?
Yet again you fail to prioritize (and open a tiny window into your black soul)…
Rare abortion, safe and legal is the only rational order. Why you insist on putting lives after lawsuits is beyond me but very telling on what level of education you posess (not much).
Jun 9, 2009 - 1:45 pm 48. Free Hat:AThinkingPerson: “Of course in reality BugsBunny/SpongeBob 2012 would be an improvement over our current administration but I think we should try harder than a Chicago street thug and his bumbling sidekick.”
Of course you would refer to our president as a “street thug”, because you’re a cowardly racist. How pathetic.
Jun 9, 2009 - 1:55 pm 49. David S:@43. AThinkingPerson:
“Of course in reality BugsBunny/SpongeBob 2012 would be an improvement over our current administration…”
You’re on the right track – nobody in the GOP who is serious about winning the White House is going to take on Obama in 2012. 2016 is the next big opening for the GOP, and there is plenty of time to get in position. I don’t doubt there will be a strong challenge to Democrats when Obama’s second term comes up – but I can’t see any reason to presume that the GOP has any chance of knocking him out in one term.
Whoever runs on the GOP ticket in 2012 is either hoping for a miracle, or setting themselves up to be the frontrunner in ‘16.
Peace.
DS
Jun 9, 2009 - 2:14 pm 50. billslayer:@48. Free Hat. Like I said, I agree, Obama’s no street thug! He’s more of a street hustler, turning tricks for his slumlord sugar daddy.
Jun 9, 2009 - 2:18 pm 51. AThinkingPerson:David S: The GOP could seriously put a turd in a punchbowl on the stage and it would make more fiscal sense right now than Dear Leader Obama.
Jun 9, 2009 - 2:31 pm 52. AThinkingPerson:Free Hat: Calling Obama a street thug makes me a racist?
Were you appointed the Racism Czar? How about the Troll the Blogs Czar? How about just a desperate troll without a valid point so he/she/it uses the word racist in a lame ass attempt to make themselves appear more intelligent and worthy?
Yeah, it’s the last one, I’m just sure of it.
Jun 9, 2009 - 2:52 pm 53. AThinkingPerson:PS Free Hat: Before I forget: Obama is a CHICAGO street thug. I wanted to be perfectly clear.
Jun 9, 2009 - 2:53 pm 54. David S:@51. AThinkingPerson:
“The GOP could seriously put a turd in a punchbowl on the stage …”
It wouldn’t be the first time.
Peace.
DS
Jun 9, 2009 - 2:57 pm 55. myth buster:sheesh, be careful what you wish for, because Huckabee/Palin would destroy Obama. Huckabee is just as charismatic as Obama, but Huckabee actually knows what he’s talking about, and he has the humility to admit he’s not Jesus.
Jun 9, 2009 - 3:00 pm 56. AThinkingPerson:David S: Name one turd bigger than our current turd-in-chief. Pelosi doesn’t count, she’s a democrat remember.
Jun 9, 2009 - 3:27 pm 57. ReConUSMC:8. David S:
It’s hard to run against the center on a platform that is skewed so far to the right. Fighting against health care for all citizens is a poor long term strategy, as universal care is the most cost-effective system – fiscal responsibility leads inexorably to the public option.
_________________
******** You know nothing about Economics Obviously ****** there is no way Tax Paying Citizens can pay for 68 Million people who don’t work plus more in taxes .A new Carbon Tax and VAT TAX . One suspects you have never had a real Job…. DAVID S .
______________
The GOP has no credibility on fiscal responsibility or the government bailouts, as the worst problems have been delivered by the Republican party. Furthermore, the GOP clings tenaciously to social policy planks that will slowly strangle the party by turning away young, socially liberal voters.
_____________________
Socially Liberals Voters like Blacks will only Vote for Nanny State Candidates .duh !
repub have no Fiscal responsibility …..
OBAMA HAS SPENT IN 140 DAYS MORE THAN ALL PRESIDENTS IN 33 YEARS YOU FOOL !
MONEY WE DON’T HAVE ! NOW OLD ARE YOU ? 9 ?
______________________
The ranks of citizens willing to marginalize the poor and disadvantaged is shrinking – the youth of the USA are no longer swallowing the red pill.
_______________________________
Your a Fool ! the Ranks of those on Welfare and Govt. Entitlement programs is growing like wild fire . Young Poeple moronically as do Blacks Think Govt ..owes them ….B/S !
____________The Red Pill is the Red C on Bill Ayers T shirt ..Obama friend and mentor !
The GOP represents Big business, Big religion, Big military and Big money – all of these are opposed to the interests of the average voter. Convincing people to vote against their best interest is the GOP’s specialty, but it is likely to grow increasingly difficult as the consequences are becoming very difficult to disguise.
Jun 9, 2009 - 3:54 pm 58. SteveB/Colorado:_____________________
In the last Election the Facts are Obama got more Money from the Rich than any Presidental Canidate ever …..
That Military you hate keeps us save ! Not to mention Obama got more unknown Millions from Moslem money in the Middle east …. George Soros . Unions , Hollywood , Wall Street …. THE Disgiuse is Obama ran as a Centerist ..he is a radical YoungDicator/ fascist/ marxist and a lier on taxes !!!!!!!!
he is the least qualified man ever to be president ..Lefty !
____________
If the GOP really wants to be competitive, it needs to recognize the pointlessness of social issues such as abortion and gay marriage, and spend some time to develop an alternative plan for health care reform and green energy. Without intelligent policies to move the country into a successful future, the GOP is destined to wander in the wilderness.
________________
Then we would be Liberals .
Obama won by 2.2 % more Votes …….. Clinton never got 50 % .
a devout Conservative Reagan got the most votes ever and carried all 50 states one time at 48 the first time .. Duh !
#46 self hating boomer: “hey Einstein. Explain how an oil company makes money by hoarding leases.” Gladly, as it’s unclear how much you know about corporate finance. The process is listing undeveloped leases as assets on the balance sheet.
Those assets may or may not offset liabilities. Regardless, the undeveloped leases add to the corporate bottom line. Companies also make money from those leases by not spending money to develop and drill.
Jun 9, 2009 - 4:02 pm 59. Pee Wee Herman, Community Organizer:Wow. We got some real economic geniuses here. You make money without income. Why didn’t I think of that?
Paul? Paul Krugman? Zat you? Welcome to PJM. Please feel free to fritter away as much time here as you wish. Let me get you a beer. With such an overheated cerebral smart brain, I’m sure you need something cold. I have a better idea. How ’bout an Olde English. Or two. Or three. Or some Boone’s farm. Let me tie your shoelaces together so you don’t slip on anything. K?
Jun 9, 2009 - 4:55 pm 60. fear obama:Give our great used car salesman president a break!
He is now offering $4,500 dollar vouchers for the purchase of a new leaner greener car.
It will revitalized the car industry.
My 12 mpg clunker can be traded for a 22 mpg greener.
The only problem is-
I can’t trade until next month.
By then all the Chrysler and GM car dealers will be closed and I will have to drive 4,000 miles to Canada to pick up a new car.
That trip alone will cost me $2,000 dollars.
So I guess I will drive 4 blocks to the Honda dealership and get his $1,000 dollar trade in offer.
My next car will be an import made in Taiwan Tennessee.
Moral of my story.
If you gonna shut down all the freaking dealerships how about giving us some free gas.
Jun 9, 2009 - 6:59 pm 61. Typos_R_us:Sorry, the 2010 elections will be decided by the same thing that decided the ‘08 election. The economy.
Jun 9, 2009 - 8:00 pm 62. fred:Without the October surprise of a stock market crash, it would have been a very close race.
In early October, it was within the margin of error in almost all the polls, with the Usurper regaining a slight lead when the Market crashed. With acorn and all those dead voters he might have pulled it off anyway, but then again he might not.
McCain lost because of the lack of support from conservatives as much as the stock market caving. Change either condition and it’s a close race. Another 2000 election. Change both conditions and Obama is back in Congress, stealing from the masses. Blogo isn’t waiting for his trial to start and America isn’t in Debt for the next 2 generations. 3 counting the one that is spending all this money.
I trace the acceleration of the recession to the rational expectations of investors and business owners two weeks before the election, when it was apparent that Obama was going to win big and the Democrats were going to pick up even more seats.
I work as a professional analyst of equities, so I understand well what was happening at that time and how everything has played out since.
Businesses are shedding more jobs than they initially intended to, because they are looking at increased taxes and regulations. The real killer is cap and tax (also euphemistically called “cap and trade”). Our in-house economist told us that it would, well in advance of its passage, cost this economy one to three percent in GDP.
Most of the gargantuan deficit spending by the government is a failure because it takes money out of the economy or it substitutes good money with bad (monetizing the debt), thereby raising interest rates (recent treasury auctions are going badly)and choking off economic growth by raising the hurdle rates for businesses. And because markets are forward-looking, not backwards-looking, this is Obama’s recession far more than Bush’s. It is Obama’s and his party’s policies that are being appraised by the markets and by businesses. Thumbs down verdict.
All MBA students taking the basic finance course know what hurdle rates are. So, why are the czars of the president so ignorant of this? And if they are not, why are they so silent about it? It’s clear that the president and his political advisers believe in the Keynesian Multiplier, which has been time and time again proven wrong when it has been tried. Instead, there is plenty of evidence that the rational expectations model does work.
Neither the president nor his advisers truly know what they are doing. And if they do, then they are deliberately trying to destroy our economy for some other purpose.
Jun 9, 2009 - 8:05 pm 63. Typos_R_us:It doesn’t matter. Voters will vote their wallets in 2010.
Jun 9, 2009 - 10:35 pm 64. The Historian:If the economy is OK, or at least their wallet is OK, they will keep the Demonrats in Congress. If not, the Repugnantcans will get another shot at stealing millions. I guess that would count as change.
The System is broke. We should be debating how to fix it, not which pack of crooks gets the key to the safe next.
THERE IS SOME REAL HOPE FOR A CHANGE
Moderates aren’t buying Obama’s act!
http://greensrealworld.blogspot.com/2009/06/americas-political-reformation-is.html
Jun 10, 2009 - 1:14 pm 65. Pat J:“The GOP could seriously put a turd in a punchbowl on the stage and it would make more fiscal sense right now than Dear Leader Obama.”
Jun 11, 2009 - 7:01 pm 66. David S:——————–
So in a way you’re saying, the spokesperson, voice or image of the GOP is a turd. A turd is the leader of the GOP and makes more fiscal sense than Obama? And which turd would that be?. Rushturd? Newtturd? Or 52% “I don’t have a clue” turd?
@65. Pat J:
I think he means to say that a turd would be an improvement over the current GOP leadership. I can’t disagree.
Peace.
DS
Jun 14, 2009 - 7:20 pm