Reader Mail
The Country Party Rules!
The story of the year.
(Page 2 of 6)
I don’t know why I have never heard of Anglo Codevilla, but
wow….I will be looking for more of his articles. He nailed this
one.
— Ian Bailey
This article is the most concise article I have
read on how our country has gotten to where we are without
the hyperbole of a partisan vitriol. I appreciate your
work.
— Sterling
I just wanted to say, regarding the July/August issue, in Navy terms (ask any prior Navy person on your staff) “Bravo Zulu!” So far have only read the Codevilla piece. It is excellent. Have just started on the Republican “pre-election symposium” which is well done and well-timed. Republicans (and I count myself one) have got to wake up and get “back to message,” that is, our principles, and again become a party of principle.
I’m glad I subscribed!
— Gene Wisdom
Brentwood, Tennessee
Pure, uncut lies and falsehoods: Utter nonsense from a
dictatorial right wing POV.
— Brian Heffron
One type of revolution is a constitutional convention originated and controlled by the states. The purpose of the convention would be to limit federal power in several ways. First — a limit on congressional income of all forms. Limit their income to the median income of non governmental employees in their congressional district. Second - all states to opt out of all federal laws not explicitly allowed by the constitution and the federal taxes that their residents pay can be reduced by the amount that supports the federal program.
Money is control — reduce the money in Washington and you
will remove their power.
— Jerry Potter, Professor Emeritus
Kent State University
Fantastic Article!
It makes perfect sense to me and explains what I couldn’t see. Maybe now, we will have a better view how to stop the spreading cancer.
It definitely will be difficult.
Thanks,
— Don Roberts
Dallas, Texas
Kudos to Mr. Angelo M. Codevilla for his feature on the Ruling Class. I am eternally grateful for his insightful, calm voice of reason in a sea of media insanity, and it gives me hope this may all be changed someday (however fragile).
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!
— Laurie
Wadsworth
As Ambrose Bierce noted, “Education is that which discloses
to the wise and disguises from the foolish their lack of
understanding.” On that basis, I use the phrase “criminally
mediocre class” in referring to the broader spectrum of those who
take the positions Professor Codevilla describes. That phrase, I
think, encompasses both “The Ruling Class” and its hacks and
hangers-on: the inhabitants of the arts and entertainment
business and organizations such as the National Council of
Teachers of English (NCTE). The NCTE makes policy, of course, but
its members are not after power or wealth. They are satisfied
with the scraps thrown outside the gates. In 1988, I presented a
paper to their Canadian counterpart, the CCTE, on the merits of
teaching English grammar — which act nearly got me stoned to
death on the spot as a heretic. I remain a proud heretic and
applaud Professor Codevilla for his truly incisive article.
— C. Edward Collins
Sarnia,
Ontario
Dr. Codevilla’s article “America’s Ruling Class — And the Perils of Revolution” is one of the most brilliant pieces I have read in the past ten years. It crystallizes random thoughts I have been having myself of late into a well-reasoned and coherent whole. It’s quite easy in the current political environment to trap oneself into thinking in terms of Democrats vs. Republicans, liberals/progressives vs. conservatives, or the like. Dr. Codevilla hits on the clearest explanation for the arising of the Tea Parties: the “country class” (CC) has become as mad as hell at the “ruling class” (RC), and it will not take it anymore! This explains why the tea partiers are willing to lash out at both Democrats and Republicans; both, for the most part, are more interested in furthering the self-interest of the RC than in doing the will of the CC.
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.