The American Spectator : Quitting Elections, Losing Morality

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Quitting Elections, Losing Morality

7.13.09 @ 6:01AM

Sarah and the elephant. Heard from Down Under. Vatican bailout. Comments by name. Plus more.

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I will accentuate the positive by pointing out that hairy nose wombats are actually very common -- here in Australia, at any rate. So I think the politicians with the principles that Quin is referring to are perhaps more common than he realises, as well. They are probably in the same category as votes for the Democrat in a close election -- the trick is to keep counting until you find the number that you need. It is simply a matter of looking hard enough.

I think the fundamental problem with conservatives is they simply do not look hard enough: they give up and concede the game instead of hanging on and going for the jugular. If you are going to go down for the count, at least make sure the other guy has to really sweat for his moment in the sun. Defeat is one thing, but cowardice and dishonour are other matters entirely. Hunger to win, combined with solid ideas and worthwhile convictions and the guts to defend them and to put up with adversity have always been the key ingredients for success with any undertaking. That is the American way -- be proud of it!

This also applies to the great task of bringing conservative ideas out of the meaningless swamp they landed themselves in during the Bush era and back into the mainstream of social thought and government action -- where they belong. To do this, conservatives have to first take the advice their fathers often gave them when they wore short pants -- stop sniveling, stand up straight and be a man.
-- Christopher Holland
Canberra, Australia

SCHOOL OF SOFT KNOX
Re: Fred Lucas's Hard Knox:

Criticism of this or that decision by Catholic leaders (including His Holiness the Pope) does not make one "anti-Catholic." Your writers should not pander to the poorly educated part of your readership with such cheap and nasty slurs. This article on Harry Knox reads more like a diatribe written by a Muslim against someone with a criticism of Islam.

America is a constitutional republic, not a religious order. Criticism of religious actions and decisions is part of life in any constitutional republic in the West. Your publication should aim to support this principle.
-- Michael Davis
Sydney, Australia

ELECTRIC SHOCK
Re: Peter Ferrara's Cap and Trade Dementia:

Nothing spells insanity like C-o-n-g-r-e-s-s or S-e-n-a-t-e. It is the most frustrating item in my life to write a letter or call Sherrod Brown as he is on the band wagon of global warming nuts and cannot be deterred from his appointed insanity. If Cap and Trade is passed we can kiss any type of recovery good bye. The environmentalists have already doubled my electric and heating bills over the last ten years and now they want to triple it over night. I must say; there should be a bounty on environmentalists.
-- Kenneth J. Roberts
Lebanon, Ohio

RAEDEKER GUIDE
I strongly suggest that you require full names for those making "comments" after articles (like the WSJ). Having one's name exposed would prevent many of the reckless and inane comments. Otherwise, I love your site.
-- Carl Raedeker

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Letter to the Editor View all comments (10) | Leave a comment

anon.| 7.13.09 @ 7:58AM

But, lo, it came to pass that the multiple threats from one quarter against someone who disagrees with his/her dogma has caused fear, gnashing of teeth even.
Really, Carl, there are those zealots who would climb through wires to harass or intimidate the person they disagree with -- and, in this age of computer hacking? Inept prosecutors? And goofy judges.
Nice idea, but a bit impractical maybe...

Michael L. Hauschild| 7.13.09 @ 7:59AM

You are witnessing a microcosm of the upcoming government overthrow, not a shot will be fired (sorry to disappoint Old Texan) and the dates of demise are 2010-2012 (RIP). The RNC in the past has behaved exactly as a beltway reflection. The same cast of characters, the same recycling of policy and pundits, and the elitist lunacy of incestuous financial procreation. The coffers of aggrandizement are drying up. It has become painfully obvious that the body politic, be it the branches, the “NC’s”, or their newly evolved arm the MSM are now only titular.
The troops are massed and the battlefield will be, not on in trenches or fields, but to put it rhetorically within the “grassroots.” The supply lines will be the key to victory. Interestingly the war chests are filled from the same source and that source is the tax-paying citizen. The early successes of ACORN type pseudo-governmental organizations will falter due to ever increasing scrutiny and tumbling tax revenues. The “real” grassroots monetary apparatus will simply shift modes, the blanket financial disbursement, which enabled partisan nepotism, will be “downsized” or completely eliminated. Candidates no longer need whistle stops, crony endorsements, or “airtime.” Forums such as this or websites will become the source of franchise; interaction and policy discourse will replace the historical norm of “pundit” propaganda. The lesson here is not revolutionary and the soon to be dethroned will bray all the historical references of “third party” or “splinter” doom. The reality is that entities such as the RNC are simply no longer needed and their dysfunctional diversion of funding as a self-preservation tactic will no longer be permitted. The concept of partisan “direct deposit” will be abandoned and the electorate will take that money from the safety of their mattress and give it to whoever actually represents their interests.
I certainly relish the “mighty have fallen” concept. What would really frost the cake would be the first Republican Primary where a write-in, not on the official ballot, not “anointed” by the auspices of our national buffoonery, or not present by vast personal wealth walked away with the tally. I am sure many of you, as I, would prefer that walk to the victory podium be in high heels.

Geoff| 7.13.09 @ 8:28AM

Oh, that you might be right, Mr. Hauschild.
But, alas, I fear that the bad guys have already won -- reasons? Cheerleading media, those who want/receive Something-for-Nothing outnumber we producers, and the floodgates opening with the Amnesty garbage.
Your witness...?

Michael L. Hauschild| 7.13.09 @ 9:18AM

Geoff,
I practice what I preach. Bachmann received some of my money, Rubio will garnish some of my meager hard earned cash, and the RNC will get their pre-funded envelopes back with nothing other than my humble suggestions. Jean-Luc Picard said it most poignantly; Geoff, simply “Make it so!” Palin moved away from the establishment and so can you. You do not need a lot of money to either donate (or get elected) if you abandon the premise of having to have to “buy” success. The best lesson of this is the forty million dollars of personal cash that was thrown down the rat hole of primary institutional malfeasance in the last cycle by a certain (unnamed) Massachusetts masochist.

Old Texican| 7.13.09 @ 10:49AM

Michael
I am praying sincerely and daily that you are correct.
What I have tried to do here at amspec. is weave a cautionary thread.
On any number of occasions I have advocated for "empty hands" in our refusal to be intimidated.

I have also suggested a (short), national sitdown as a possible signal to the DC jerks that we productive types can only be whipped financially to a degree until we get balky.

I must remind you that the war has already been declared on us. US venture capital has already "gone gualt" as a result.

I must also take you back to economics 101.
There are only two sources of income:
1. Person at (productive) work.
2. Dollars at (productive) work.

Most Americans have not yet "personally" felt the impact of "venture money" going gualt. We all hear that "small business" is the jobs creator...and sustainer in the country...but most folks have not connected the dots quite yet.
.........Venture capital is the life blood of small business...

Obama and crew are selling our children into debt servitude to the Chinese and other foreign opponents such as Saudi Arabia and yes, even Iran, buying oil from them instead of developing our own internal resources.

I believe Obama and crew KNOW they have a limited window to put us under their thumbs. I have never even imagined an administration spending so much "political capital" in such a short period of time. Why do you, sir, think that is?
We have to graduate to economics 303 now.

Certain companies will "buddy up" with the crew in order to be eaten last. (yep)

What happens though AS the millions of small unrepresented...un-lobbied for companies quietly close their doors, or fail to grow and hire?

In ECON. 303, we discover that the "velocity" of dollars changing hands is almost as important as the number of dollars "in the float" in measuring the strength of a free economy.

Many people...many people... have stopped spending anything over subsistence even now.

Most of them are just waiting...waiting...for "common sense" to take over. What if it does not before many many lose everything they have worked for?

Do they all move back to the farm?
Do they bow in servitude to the government and go on the dole?

I certainly do not know.

I do know that "shots fired" is the very worst thing that could happen in our country.

We sometimes forget to look over our shoulder to check out a hostile world outside our borders. For over 60 years, our economy has formed the "benchmark" and foundation for the economies of the world. Our military has been the "cop on the corner".

I can ony conclude that our present congress and administration are doing one of two things.

Either they are absolutely clueless......

Or .....................................WHAT?

So here on am spec (and around) I try to step back from the day to day tempests in a teapot to try to understand the broad outlines of what is happening to us...and pass that understanding on to others. With our 2010 census surely screwed, and legitimate vote counts thrown out across the country, how do you suggest we proceed?

Michael L. Hauschild| 7.13.09 @ 7:19PM

Old Texan,
You are doing exactly what is needed and my “shots’ fired” comment was, of course tongue in cheek. The last election, which reflected the liberal susceptibility to racial context and the “gotcha” tactics of ACORN, will not be the marginal differential of victory in 2010 and 2012. Your “Econ” series of educating the electorate will morph into a mandatory self defense tactic. Proportionally there will be far more fists clenched around 10W40’s and those same hands will be in the voting booth pulling levers or making check marks for conservatives, small government advocates, and Salmon anglers in those same high heels. Keep up the good work.

Patrick| 7.13.09 @ 10:46PM

Hah.

America, not long from now, will kneel before anyone who promises bread and circuses.

Most of your neighbors are actually quite cowed by Nanny State, and I don't see anything short of thousands dying in the streets from starvation before anything of substance is done, and even that may likely fail.

Even with such a gloomy vision of the inevitabel, I will act, that it won't be my generation that lives to see it.

Tootsie| 7.15.09 @ 1:39AM

Halloween has come early this year, and we have the batty appearance of know it all Wicked Witch Helen to prove it.

How the hell do you know Sarah was about to get dumped? Your crystal ball, you nasty old witch?

Patriot| 7.15.09 @ 1:45AM

Gee, Michael Davis, if you're so pro-criticism, what's wrong when AmSpec delivers some? Hmmmm? Oh, I see, you're a typical 'TOLERANT' Fascist Liberal--only your side has rights and privileges.

You're the real fascist Muslim.