Reader Mail
The Country Party Rules!
The story of the year.
‘FANTASTIC ARTICLE’
Re:
Angelo M. Codevilla’s
America’s Ruling Class — And the Perils of
Revolution:
Wow. That was an amazing, well thought out, articulate and
persuasive manuscript. Please forward my thanks to Dr.
Codevilla.
— Martin Hanus
Best article I have ever read regarding this matter. It
truly put its arms around several issues that I have been
attempting to formalize in my mind for the past several years.
Have forwarded to several friends who share similar thoughts and
concerns.
— Dave
Brunswick, Ohio
Absolutely brilliant! Mr. Codevilla has accomplished what
no other writer has been able to achieve. By providing the
historical context of the growth of governmental power and abuse,
he has clearly and succinctly defined the debate for the soul of
America. The only question that remains — Are we up to the task
of reclaiming our Constitutional Republic?
— Bill Riggs, Sr.
Charleston, South Carolina
Mr. Codevilla’s article struck such a strong feeling with
me that it’s hard to articulate. His writing could not be clearer
nor more in tune with my observations over the past years (I’m a
citizen and 68 years old and well-read). This appears to be a
modern Declaration of Independence and I will reread it many
times and recommend it to anyone I can. Please keep publishing
essays such as this!
— Richard Pytlak
I just finished reading “America’s Ruling Class” by Angelo
Codevilla and I was blown away. As a dreaded leftist of the
libertarian / anarchist variety, I have say that I agreed with
about 90% of the article. Codevilla provided particularly useful
denunciations of the way in which the establishment grows in
power by conformity, of the corruption of the unions, of the
top-down Democrats and provides a great path forward —
responsibility and increased political action through
decentralization. A main thought, however, that goes unquestioned
is how a decentralized body deal with large multinational
corporations. The Progressives, for all their many flaws, did
improve workers relations with capital in regards to child labor,
work-place safety and time spent at work and I find it hard to
believe that any, much less the two-thirds of the “country
class,” would advocate a return to worker-capital relations as
they were in the 1800s. The same could be true for race relations
from the Civil Rights era, although since those rights have been
won perhaps decentralization would take the edge out of the issue
as it exists today. With that said, this was otherwise a truly
terrific article and I hope that the Spectator continues to
promote this brand of fair yet radical conservatism. However my
appreciation for Adorno (and Marx!), fear of the authoritarianism
associated with conservatism, non-Christianize, and darker skin
color (and not wanting it to become lighter) will, for the time
being, keep me from subscribing.
— Matthew Stokeley
This article is the best read since the Bible, U.S. Constitution and Atlas Shrugged.
For 60 years, I’ve not missed voting in an election. Since Goldwater and Regan, I’ve have had to hold my nose and vote for Republican candidates and hope they aren’t a second Lindsey Graham, et al.
My epiphany is that no incumbent politician gets my vote in
November.
— Fran
Schroder
Folsom, California
Will another revolution be the answer or will GOD take care of things in his own time? Your article was brilliant! Keep up the good work on seeing things as they truly are.
God Bless you!
—
Marsha Miller
Rarely have I read a more ‘spot on’ piece that describes
the political climate and trend in this country. Absolutely
riveting account of what is happening today in America.
— S.C. Salter
Nail on head; out of ballpark.
— Jay Talley
I commend The American Spectator for publishing Angelo M. Codevilla’s “America’s Ruling Class – And the Perils of Revolution.” The power of this very timely article is undeniable, and in my opinion it ranks with Thomas Paine’s Common Sense as a clarion call to all patriots. I’m forwarding the article to all my friends, urging them to follow suit. Codevilla’s words must be disseminated as widely possible, and if they are perhaps we’ll be able to avoid the bloodshed and destruction that came after the appearance of Paine’s book. I pray that is so.
I’d appreciate it if you would forward my congratulations
to Mr. Codevilla, along with my sincere
gratitude.
— J. Michael
Pearson
Letter to the Editor View all comments (15) | Leave a comment
More Articles From Reader Mail
http://spectator.org/archives/2010/07/23/country-party-rules
Follow us:
ADVERTISEMENT
Current Issue
- Way Beyond the Lemonade Stand
- Of Weiner and Women
- Yes, It Can!—Maybe
The Spectacle Blog
Democrat Dan Maffei Blames Budget Cuts for Girl’s Rape, Mother’s Murder
Robert Stacy McCain | 6.18.13
SPONSORED LINKS
FLASHBACK TO: 1995
-
Pope Culture
A man of faith in a godless age is hitting Americans where it hurts.
-
Why the GOP Does Not, Like, Totally Suck
Mr. and Mrs. American Spectator Reader, let P.J. O’Rourke talk sense to your kids.
-
Dames at Sea
-
In the Absence of Guns
In Britain, defending your property can get you life.
-
The Metaphysical Martini
-
Counting the Costs of Clintonism
The debacle of this president’s administration is both a cause and a symptom of the decline of American values. Unless Congress impeaches him, that decline will go on unchecked. An eminent jurist surveys the damage and assesses the chances for the recovery of our culture.
-
Chuck McHagel
It won’t take long for conservatives to scratch this presidential wannabe off their 2008 scorecard.
-
The Legacy of Old John and Mother Fresh-Roasted
-
It’s the Best Time of the Year
The American Christmas, like the songs that celebrate it, makes room for everybody under the rainbow. Is that why so many people seem to be hostile to it?
-
The Bush Crack-Up
Was the President done in by the economy, or by the politics of the economy?
Clip of the Day
ADVERTISEMENT
Brian Mc| 7.23.10 @ 7:48AM
I'm not very computer-savvy but suffice to say, this was the first article I've saved to my documents.
Let us pray that the revolution can now begin and that there is no blood shed as we move toward the country of our founding.
S. Ruger| 7.23.10 @ 8:51AM
Brian Heffron writes, "Pure, uncut lies and falsehoods: Utter nonsense from a dictatorial right wing POV," regarding Prof. Codevilla's essay on what he calls the ruling class.
Mr. Heffron, please elaborate. In this forum you won't be voted off the island for engaging in honest debate (as one will be on Kos or -- in the near future -- Salon.com). I'd like to hear what you have to say.
Radegunda| 7.23.10 @ 4:16PM
Don't hold your breath. I doubt that he read much of the article anyway.
But he might start by explaining what he means by "dictatorial right wing.
Louis Jenkins| 7.23.10 @ 8:57AM
It was a great article. Even the radio talk show hosts are talking about. The clarion's call to the masses in fly over country.
Will Turner| 7.23.10 @ 10:23AM
I agree that our country is divided in the way Prof. Codevilla describes. There is another dimension about which people seem afraid to speak. The world views of the ruling class and the citizen class are hopelessly irreconcilable. But even more ominous is the # of Americans who continue to support the same ruling class officials; and the juggernaut of entitlements continues to grow the burgeoning dependent class upon whom the ruling class itself depends. Let's be realistic: our republic will not be retaken by voting (I'm for voting, but it's no longer enough). Let's recognize that we are just steps away from civil war. With that sobering cloud hanging over us let us redouble our efforts to make our voices heard. Don't be an American Spectator; be a participant. With heart and soul engage now in the turbulent war of ideas. As for me, I'm also prepared for the war of violence that may be inevitable.
S. Ruger| 7.23.10 @ 12:36PM
I think you'll be able to leave that AR in the safe, Mr. Turner. The economic violence that is being done -- and will continue with a vengeance in 2011 -- will be enough to upset the apple cart of the ruling class without physical violence. State governors, with the backing of their legislatures, will be a major source of the push-back.
Kurt| 7.23.10 @ 10:43AM
"I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them"
My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government"
"Our country is now taking so steady a course as to show by what road it will pass to destruction, To wit: by consolidation of power first, and then corruption, its necessary consequence.
Thomas Jefferson we need you now to change our 2010 path to destruction!!! Can the sheeple be awoken in time!!! My personal hope is Texas secedes before the mother load hits the fan!!!
Clinton nee Publius | 7.23.10 @ 11:43AM
The only real solution is to create an economic society that renders the political class irrelevant. This economic society would have to be self-sustaining and self-regulating in nature, as all government regulation is, by definition, a corruption of the market's natural outcome.
Think about it...
Steve Gruber| 7.23.10 @ 12:44PM
This article is a class act: if there is but one article that best describes the divide between the elitists who have ruled the academy and politics for the past half century, and ordinary Americans, this article is it. Print it, save it, share it with your children.
Leo| 7.23.10 @ 2:57PM
This article should be read by everybody in America. I send it to everybody I know.
PCC| 7.24.10 @ 9:46AM
Terrific diagnosis! A pity about the prescription.
Minuteman| 7.24.10 @ 10:29AM
Rare insight. Keen analysis which takes this topic to another level of understanding. An opened window on American politics.
Dan McKay| 7.24.10 @ 9:11PM
Magnificent writing by all. A Thomas Paine is surely among us.
Ken Roberts| 7.25.10 @ 9:09PM
I was wanting to read this and missed it but I found it in previous week and I copied and pasted it into word it took about 4 minutes but I am sure it will be worth the read when I have about two hours to sit down without interruption and read it all. I think we have a bigger problem then the two parties as they are both laced with corruption and crime. I will find out when I read this, I will call it a book, a short book but a book just the same .
Kevin S.| 7.26.10 @ 2:03PM
The article on the whole is excellent, but fails to address some relevant points. Points that have been covered extensively by Prof. G. William Domhoff for decades (Who Rules America). The ruling class is directed and controlled by the major shareholders of income producing properties. The very interests that - some - conservatives wish to further strengthen. The "Ruling Class" is a combination of the social upper class and high level managers of major corporations, foundation heads, government officials, university heads, to name a few. These people compromise a power elite, i.e. a ruling class. The article seems to dismiss the role of mutli-national corporations and regional business interests, who in actuality are the driving force behind the Ruling Class.