The American Spectator : Use It or Lose It

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Use It or Lose It

By W. James Antle, III on 12.27.10 @ 6:10AM

The one thing Nancy Pelosi and Howard Dean can teach the new Republican majority.

Soon the three-fifths Democratic majorities will be gone and Nancy Pelosi will surrender her gavel. The triumvirate of Obama, Pelosi, and Reid will be compelled to share power with newly elected Republicans. Before we bid Pelosi's vanquished minions a fond farewell, however, let us pause to reflect on their handiwork even if we can't admire it.

Theirs is a legacy of bigger government and deeper debt, an inexorable march toward a health care system and an economy that more closely resembles the social democracies of Europe than the American constitutional republic, of deem and pass tactics despite near-one-party rule.

But one need not share the Democrats' principles to respect their commitment to them. A significant portion of the country was already in rebellion before the final price tag on the stimulus package was set. Politically, the handwriting was on the wall when Republicans won a special election in Massachusetts nearly eleven months before the midterms: the health care bill was an electoral disaster waiting to happen and the voters were standing athwart Obama yelling, "Stop!"

Yet Obama and the Democrats, briefly stunned by the "Scott heard 'round the world," shook it off and pressed ahead. The result was the biggest expansion of the federal government since the creation of Medicare in 1965, a legislative victory for which the Democrats risked their majorities.

When was the last time Republicans took similar risks in the battle over the size and scope of the federal government? What do conservatives have to show for a Republican president, House, and Senate from 2005-07? Very little besides John Roberts and Sam Alito, who without conservative outcry might have instead been Alberto Gonzales and Harriet Miers.

Howard Dean said of having a majority in Congress, "If you don't use it, you lose it." The Democrats lost theirs but leave Obamacare behind. The Republicans didn't use theirs and lost it anyway.

Oh, the Republicans have pledged to repeal Obamacare. But when is the last time Republicans repealed any major liberal program? FDR boasted that "no damn politician" would ever touch Social Security. Given the way Republicans ran from a plan to reform the retirement program with personal accounts while they had a 55-45 majority in the Senate, Tom DeLay bringing down the Hammer in the House, and George W. Bush in the Oval Office, can FDR's claim be disputed?

Democrats believe that for all the GOP's bluster about health care repeal, in an election cycle or two "no damn politician" will treat Obamacare differently than Social Security. Republicans can't even get rid of the National Endowment for the Arts or the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. When one Republican Congress sharply curtailed farm subsidies, another Republican Congress restored them.

Although Bush held the line on taxes, the upward trajectory on spending has been almost constant: No Child Left Behind, the Medicare prescription drug benefit, the Wall Street bailout, the stimulus program, and Obamacare.

Even after the health care juggernaut stalled plans for an immigration amnesty or cap and trade, the Democrats came back from their "shellacking" ready to pass more legislation in the lame-duck congressional session. They repealed "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," ratified New START, and added new deficit spending. Bur for a handful of votes in the Senate they would have passed the DREAM Act and a substantial minority of House Democrats was prepared to let taxes rises across the board rather than keep the tax cuts in place for the top 3 percent of income earners.

The Gingrich Congress tried to control Medicare spending. A Republican Senate and bipartisan conservative majority in the House passed the Reagan supply-side economic program. But not since the "Do Nothing" Congress that served alongside Harry Truman has a Republican majority been willing to risk failure at the ballot box to achieve success at preserving limited government.

Will the new Republican majority in the House and the bigger, more conservative Republican minority in the Senate be different? Will the GOP heed the demands of the Tea Party movement, undo liberalism's gains of the past two years, and restore the country to its constitutional foundations?

Republicans have been invited back to power. For once they should learn from the Pelosi Congress and heed Howard Dean: If they don't use it, they'll lose it.

About the Author

W. James Antle, III is associate editor of The American Spectator. You can follow him on Twitter at http://Twitter.com/Jimantle.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (54) | Leave a comment

MoeBlotz| 12.27.10 @ 7:43AM

Those of us who gave them the power will also remind the newly elected Republicans whom they work for. If we do not,we lose a republic.

Dave| 12.27.10 @ 3:47PM

From what I've observed (so far) from the likes of "Weepy Johnny Boehner" and the continuing fence straddling of "Little Mitch" McConnell -- ain't a whole lot gonna be changing but -- the seating chart in the Big Room across from 1600.

Whazatmean?

S.O.S. Just a different sent of go-along-get-along talking points. Fortunatly for an old dude like me - I'll probalby live juuust long enough to outlive the ... final, socialist solutions.

Epilogue: Don't count on the Republican Old Boy's Club to change much of anything other than -- the drapes.

Not convinced? Well, take a look at what they ALREADY gave up -- and it's not even 2011. Yet!

Like I said: S.O.S. -- just a different shade of window coverings.

But that's just me. Your shades may vary.

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 12.27.10 @ 7:43AM

Probably the most illuminating article to be published this year.

It defines cowardice in the face of the enemy or was it simply greed that led Republicans astray?

However, your article should be e-mailed to every Republican in the U.S. Congress.

Your article also contains hope. The very first thing Republicans should do is defund NPR and the mindset that comes with it. Yes, it's the proverbial drop in the bucket but it's a start and it should be easy.

There are way too many media outlets to justify this expense at this point in time, so Republicans do your duty! Start off with NPR and their ilk in January and in February start cutting other budgets.

As the article points out, you've been given the mantle. The public will let you know when you've gone too far. And that's a long way down the road.

Stan Redmond| 12.28.10 @ 10:43AM

I vote cowardice. Look at the republicans who get their name in the paper and celebrated as sensible moderates. Snowe, Brown, McCain, Graham... Cowards all. The allure of the fame and fortunes that come with power are enticing to the weak willed.

Occam's Tool| 12.28.10 @ 2:48PM

Dream BIG! Zero out the Dept. of Education and Energy (except for Los Alamos). Zero out NEA and all of PBS/NPR, etc.

Set up a policy that every Senator and Representative will see one job cut from their office each year until they reach two---one secretary, one aide. (Lincoln got by with two secretaries, and he was much busier than the typical Rep or Sen).

Ban any lobbying that involves trips, dinners, or anything except donations to campaign chests. Paying for trips and dinners is not free speech---if MDs can't get it from drug companies, legislators (much stupider on average) should not be able to get it from Lobbyists.

No law should be passed which is not applied to the House and Senate. All current laws should be applied starting January 2011.

Do that and you're on the right track. This will make things crystal clear who's about clean government and who's a worthless scum, I mean, Democrat.

Have you considered| 12.27.10 @ 7:55AM

Agree Mr. Antle. If the GOP does not come out of the gate swinging by cutting spending and reining in the regulatory agencies As Pledged, we are in trouble. They know that Tea Party folks don't want a 3rd party, as that will almost certainly guaranty a Democrat majority.

This may give them a false sense of security thinking "where else can they go?"

They may yet force a 3rd party to arise, which is not a mathematical winner for conservatives. Only time will tell, but I believe we will have the answer in short order.

SALEBOTER| 12.27.10 @ 7:56AM

So True! We will see, but if they don't act substantially I predict the death of the republican party.

Big Tony| 12.27.10 @ 8:10AM

And good riddance to them!

MikeD| 12.27.10 @ 10:25AM

If the republicans chicken out, we are done as a nation; never mind being a super power or economic powerhouse. We will be finished. Are you listening, GOP? Remember, we didn't vote you in; we threw then damned demo-commies out. Do not misread the mandate.

DISMANTLE EVERY BIT OF THE MESS WE'RE IN. THAT MEANS:

1. Eliminate the Depts. of Energy, Education, Housing, EPA, and others I forgot to mention in my frenzy of fury.

2. Investigate, and eliminate EVERY CZAR that barry the muslim has given us; and investigate every one for treason and any other crimes we can discover. Barry and every one of these people is DIRTY.

3. Repeal the healthcare abomination...now! Then, arrest pelosi and reid for malfeasance in office and theft of public funds. Add theft of military property to peloshit for her abuse of the military transportation. Any American who is not furious with her blatant and arrogant misuse of her office is too stupid to vote.

4. CUT, not delay, not reduce the increase, but CUT the budget 10% across the board in addition to the elimination of the useless departments.

5. Reduce EVERY Senator to 2 staffers and Reps to 1...including secretaries.

6. Eliminate ALL federal pensions and healthcare insurance; and put 'em ALL on Medicare and Social Security.

7. Make congress and every federal employee, appointed, elected, or civil service, subject to every law, policy, and rule that covers every other American. That includes, in case it wasn't clear; GETTING RID OF FEDERAL PENSIONS AND HEALTHCARE. If Social Security and Medicare is good enough for the rest of us, it's good enough for them.

8. Pass the BRICKER AMENDMENT Now!!!

By the way, did anybody notice that barry and his thugs got royally screwed in the START Treaty by the Russkies? He; and his 'willing lackies' can't all be that stupid; they must be doing these things intentionally. Any thoughts gang?

Louis Jenkins| 12.27.10 @ 12:25PM

Did we notice? The Russkies played the table while obama sat with his hands folded. More third worldism. Obama doesn't want the US to lead, he desires the boot of the Russkies on our throat and the RINOs played their part.

Redstateboy| 12.27.10 @ 2:32PM

couldn't agree with you more and yours and a lot of suggesting the same IS the ONLY answer to this problem and I'd add.... let the Liber-ul howl!!

Reganite| 12.27.10 @ 4:22PM

MikeD,

Regarding Federal retirement benefits, you apparently are not aware that since 1-1-87 the Federal retirement system changed from the traditional defined benefit system to one that requires Federal employees to pay into Social Security (and they were already paying into Medicare long before that). In addition to Social Security benefits being part of their retirement package, the other components of their retirement under the 1987 law include a 401k type plan and a small federal portion called a basic pension benefit, which is a nominal amount.

All federal employees hired since 1987 pay into SS and Medicare and will receive those benefits based on their contributions just like everyone else. The bulk of their retirement benefits will depend on how religious they were about contributing to and managing the 401k portion of their retirement plan, called the Thrift Savings Plan or TSP.

Believe it or not, there are many tea party conservatives among the ranks of the Federal civil service. We see the same problems you do, but from the inside.

Shirley| 12.28.10 @ 4:30AM

That is just a drop in the bucket. Until every one from the President on down is required to be on SS and MC like all of us, there won't be any difference. The top few get the most from the rest of us.

Vickey| 12.27.10 @ 5:34PM

MikeD - I couldn't agree with you! It's time to turn this country around before it's too late! Or is it already? I agree Pelosi and Reid and the whole DNC lot should not only be removed from office, they should be done for TREASON!

Vickey| 12.27.10 @ 5:39PM

MikeD I need to make a slight correction, I left out a word in the first sentence: It should read: I can't agree with you MORE!
Blessings

PolishKnight| 12.27.10 @ 9:39PM

Some of MikeD's proposals are unrealistic but here's another one: Eliminate federal government unions across the board. Unlike private industry, taxpayers are not consumers who are able to refuse to purchase services. Government unions are engaging in the very definition of monopolistic enterprises.

This would probably be a very popular proposal in this economic climate. Millions of unemployed probably do not cry their eyes out for the plight of unionized government employee. THIS is a marxist class war in REVERSE!

Another sacred cow to be slaughtered should be the H1B's. The statistics for these indicate that they are mostly cheap IT workers from India coming to the states to drive down wages. This is an opportunity for Republicans to show they aren't just the rich guys club.

Next, the Republicans should address racial and gender based discrimination justified both via "diversity" and "reparations" logic which are in conflict with each other. A company or government agency accepting contracts only from "minority or women owned" businesses, by definition, isn't interested in diversity since the businesses by definition are not interested in a diverse workforce themselves!

Say what you like about the Democrats, but they sure do service their electorate while the Republicans ignores working class whites. Remember IMBRA which basically made men who sought to marry foreign women into criminals? And VAWA which declared that men by definition can't be victims of domestic violence?

And that perhaps is the scary part: Maybe the republican elite, like GW Bush, really likes much of the liberal agenda, don't care one way or another, or don't mind it when they make a quick buck such as cutting their costs on their hotels and construction company costs via illegal immigrant labor.

The message is out for 2012 that another John "Maverick" McCain is not likely to get much support from Republicans because "You don't have a choice so just eat it!" or Democrats "You'll vote for a moderate Republican rather than the liberal you really love". That apparently didn't work out so well in 2008. Sigh. I don't think they'll really take that lesson to heart though...

JD| 12.28.10 @ 12:59AM

But Government Employees DO NOT negotiate wages and ARE NOT able to strike, so I don't get where you are going with that.

JD| 12.28.10 @ 12:56AM

MikeD,

You are obviously not well educated on how federal employee pensions and healthcare work. You don't sound like you are very educated at all. The bulk of a federal employees pension is paid to them from a Thrift Savings Plan which works basically like a 401(k). Federal Employees pay into it and reap the reward of their investments just like someone who works for a private company. It is a 3 part (TSP, FERS, SSA) plan in which FERS (Federal Employee Retirement System) only plays a small part.

As far as Health benefits, again Federal Employees pay for those too, just like everyone else in private industry and they aren't nearly as good . If you can't afford them, you go on Medicare. Government employees are necessity. I hate to be the one to break it to you.

And I agree that politicians get away with some things that they shouldn't, but to imply that all government employees are above the law is just incorrect.

Occam's Tool| 12.28.10 @ 2:52PM

Sorry, JD, but Fed Health Benefits are better than those of the private sector. I know your benefits are better than State of Minnesota. I've been recruited as an MD by the Feds before as an attending, and worked for them from 1989-1993 as a resident.

uncle curmudgeon| 12.27.10 @ 8:21AM

Yes, this is such a no-brainer; and yet the GOP can't find the handle. Persons-of-congress should look in the mirror every morning and repeat the following:
We, the people, are not socialists. Most of the socialist organizations in the country exist only through public subsidy. These organizations slander and work to defeat all GOP office holders. We, the people, are mad as hell and aren't going to take it anymore. Congress has the power of the purse. Well...Duh!?

Curly Smith| 12.27.10 @ 9:22AM

Ah, a no-brainier... and therein lies the problem. You're neglecting the "Political Razor" which states "when faced competing hypotheses choose the one with the most assumptions and the most convoluted explanations". Government, and Big Government in particular, is decidedly anti-Occam's Razor. Bureaucracies always moves towards more complex systems because of the increased opportunity for graft and the decreased probability of accountability.

Louis Jenkins| 12.27.10 @ 8:34AM

The Republicans have a Herculean task ahead of them. Thank the Lord that the Democrastas have gone home. The overall look of our nation is a disheveled mess. The libs did their best to destroy this nation, and have pretty much accomplished their task. Will the new Republicans be as agressive as the former Democrats? There is a lot of work to do, two years of it.

loulou| 12.27.10 @ 8:41AM

But has Boehner received the message?

I don't have faith that he has. He's just pleased as punch that he's Speaker and doesn't understand the task ahead because he's ruling class.

Melvin| 12.27.10 @ 9:00AM

As much as I loath John Boehner, I'm going to support him all the while making his speakership a living hell.
The living hell that I am talking about is reminding him every day if need be, exactly why he is in the position that he is in.
I don't want him or his supporters to fall into old habits. He has to make the leadership of Nancy Pelosi look like Disney land.
John Boehner needs to be tough, and have the mentality to destroy every single piece of legislator that the Democrats created.
He needs to use every maneuver and parliamentary trick to keep the new Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi in her cage and not allow her to influence anything.
Nancy Pelosi needs to be put into a steel box, covered with three feet of concrete and dumped into the deepest point on earth. Because she and she alone is responsible for the survival of Obama Care until the Democrats return to power.
Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer need to be separated from Obamacare and marginalized.

Brian Mc| 12.27.10 @ 9:13AM

The Internal Revenue Service should be changed to the Internal Accountability Service. Then, it would be a 'service' to "we the people" worthy of the name. Make every department and agency account for every dime; if they can't-shut it down.

East Texas Rancher| 12.27.10 @ 9:25AM

I watched the debacle of the Republican Party in the mid-1990's. While they accomplished small victories, it seemed that they could not fight their way out of a box. They seemed more interesting in collegiality than governing.
I can only pray that this combination of new Tea Party elected folks reminds the rest that we are watching closely. If not, the republic is lost. It may already be lost, but I wouldn't want it going down completely without a good fight from within to recover the principles with which we were established.
The East Texas Rancher

Ken (Old Texican)| 12.27.10 @ 9:55AM

Folks,
Reflecting a lot over Christmas, I have begun to see the sharp edges facing the Republicans.
Perhaps most urgent is the State bailout pressures Congress will face. Whew!

I read about California's new "green" laws going into effect on the first, regardless of their insolvency, and their further bleeding of businesses and productive population.

I also read some numbers. Do you folks realize the huge percentage of public unions are teachers and administrators across the country?
"Congress must help the childrun" the cry will go out.
Second, if Congress cuts an entitlement...they automatically lose those voters. (Well actually, those voters will be back to the polls, seeing their candy going away.)
Finally, everything they do must be with "one eye cocked" toward the 2012 elections including the presidency. We simply must replace Obama.

We gotta' keep a cool tool, folks as we keep the pressure on. Further, let's continue developing quality candidates out of our tea-parties.

Ned the Red| 12.27.10 @ 10:04AM

In a nutshell, "No balls, No glory".

MikeD| 12.27.10 @ 10:30AM

We are too far gone for niceties. If Boehner and his team do not crush the demoncraps with every breath in their bodies, we do not need them. We are against the wall; with no room to retreat any further. Make the filthy trio of barry the muslim, reid, and peloshit hate you with every fiber in their bodies! See them for the filthy vermin they really are. Their agenda is the total destruction of our Country; and they are 90% finished. Do you get it GOP???

VBMax| 12.27.10 @ 10:43AM

But as they always do, the Dems will try to sabotage every attempt to put the country back on the right track. They will blame the Repubs for every problem, accuse them of starving the children and elderly, homophobia, Islamaphobia, racism etc. It will take very strong leadership to hold up against this onslaught. I don't think that leadership exists today.

**posttenebraslux**| 12.27.10 @ 1:55PM

So, with Hussain out campaigning on our money, why can't a republican campaign right behind his AS*? Everywhere he speaks, send a repub out to speak right behind him. Remember the ones that he will be "speaking" to...........they'll go for anything and their memory is short!

J Kelley| 12.27.10 @ 11:23AM

The Republican House will hold firm. Our problem will be in the Senate. Republicans gained enough seats to be a major player. But we have RINOs Collins, Snowe, Brown, Graham, McCain since he was reelected and the write in from Alaska. The Tea Party has to keep up the heat.

Redstateboy| 12.27.10 @ 11:45AM

and the really pathetic part??? there are many Liber-uls that comment their rubbish here; that see absolutely nothing wrong with America becoming a European-styled Socialist country.

PattyMor| 12.27.10 @ 11:57AM

I have little faith in the RepubuRats. But we have to keep up the pressure and keep our attention on
2012. There are a lot of Dem Senators up for reelection. The Tea Party must get busy and find good candidates to defeat the "establishment" RepubuRats. Either the Tea Party takes over the
RepubuRat party or they will cease to exist. We MUST make the march back to a constitutional limited government or to the abyss we go.

Yosemeti Sam| 12.27.10 @ 11:57AM

" ... Will the new Republican majority in the
House and the bigger, more conservative
Republican minority in the Senate be different?
Will the GOP heed the demands of the Tea Party
movement, undo liberalism's gains of the past
two years, and restore the country to its
constitutional foundations?

Republicans have been invited back to power.
For once they should learn from the Pelosi
Congress and heed Howard Dean:
If they don't use it, they'll lose it...."

IOW - DO or DIE!

Especially, either take on BHOs' and the Democrat Partys' praetorian guard: the Leftoid media - aka PEN1 - or forget about being a party!

Dave Williams| 12.27.10 @ 1:05PM

East Texas Rancher, nice to see you back. I always enjoy reading your comments.
Stay strong, everybody: if we don't lose our resolve, we can turn this country back toward sanity in 2112...not that far away.

Nunya| 12.27.10 @ 1:25PM

I fear that the GOP will continue it's "Democrap-Lite" routine and will take us down the same road, albeit a little bit slower than Obozo and his sycophants. I've no faith left in the "Republican" leadership, they no more want a republic than the communists in the Democrap party--more government, more power to control "We the people"--W should have been proof of that to everyone.

200+ years ago we had Washington, Jefferson, Adams, Franklin, etc., et al. Today we have ?? We're left with career politicians who think of nothing but themselves and don't give a damn abou the country as a whole--that goes equally for the Democraps and the Republicans.

Ned| 12.27.10 @ 1:32PM

If the people of this country are stupid enough to give Barry Bullsh*t another four years of golf and vacations, then the US of A is finished. And it won't even take that long to happen - look at all the messes we're still embroiled in that Craphead Carter left behind... we will be bankrupt and disgraced, and any two-bit tyrant with a bomb will be able to ride roughshod over whomsoever
they choose...

And it's not even so much that Barry the Muslin is so singularly bad (and he IS) - it's that a populace so ignorant, greedy and self serving (and, yes, it's the people with their hands out that will vote for him twice) is incapable of self-rule.

Dale Emde| 12.27.10 @ 2:47PM

All this learned analysis pap with no discussion of the real danger to the world is just that. Why don't you go after the ones who really matter, those who control most of the politicians in the world and all of the money. This pap you all indulge in is just that, worthless pap.

mujalan| 12.27.10 @ 2:49PM

Thanks for the article Mr. Antle. But will the numbscull "moderate", i.e. liberal Republicans get it?
My trust in the GOP keeps sinking, and I must confess I used to be a Republican. Some of these jerks are worse than the Democrats; they masquerade as elephants but inside they are more like donkeys.

Oldefarte| 12.27.10 @ 3:31PM

Mostly agree with ALL OF THE ABOVE. The crutial point is that the tea partying must be enlarged/increased to include any/all sane/rational taxpayer-voters [whether they attend rallys or not, as long as they stay tuned and vote]. The initial fight/skirmish of 11/2/10 is just the beginning, and must be continued and improved upon going forward. The new guns entering congress/state governments must be watched and held accountable, and if they F-up, then taxpayer-voters should defund/defeat them also. There will be the usual Democrats/RINOS that can't be touched [ie California, NY, NE liberal areas,etc], but Makaskill in Mossouri, Nelsons in Nebraska and Florida etc should all be targeted for defeat. All of us who are business owners/managers, etc should use your bully-pulpit power of pursuasion to either terminate the employment or to put the fear of God into any/all liberal/Democrat leaning employees under your control [and make them understand that their survival depends upon their proper voting activities]. Friends, fellow church members, business associations, etc should all be so persuaded that our country's survival depends upon everyone's anti-Democrat/liberal voting activities in local, state and national elections. Charity begins at home, and this country has historically been overly charitable through its governments and the forced taxiation from same to fund/support said charity giving. This all has to stop with each and every one of us, and the only way to stop it is through the vote!!!!!!

ProudLiberal| 12.28.10 @ 11:43AM

Oldefarte, what sort of Gestapo-enforced, communist, totalitarian state do you think America is?? Are you SERIOUSLY advocating the firing of anyone who doesn't ascribe to your radical right wing agenda? You people horrify me. On one hand you demonize Obama for so called socialism and on the other you display the same sort of terrorist/dictatorship qualities when it suits your cause. I hope your IP is traced if in fact anyone unfortunate enough to be under your employ is let go for voting Democratic if they so choose. Shame on you, you OLD FART.

Occam's Tool| 12.28.10 @ 2:54PM

Liberals fire based on political positions. I know. I've been fired for that.

Clint| 12.27.10 @ 4:08PM

We Tea Party Rebels and You have 45 Tea Party Candidates ready to be seated and then sworn in The House & The Senate from January 3rd, 2011.
We are now inside & outside The GOP.
We hold The GOP's Feet to the Fire and move the ball downfield, as We prepare for Our Second Wave of Tea Party Candidates in The 2012 Elections.

The Tea Party Rebellion Escalates.

Rise Up In Rebellion.

Purpleguy| 12.27.10 @ 6:07PM

Hmmm, this rings a bell .. oh, yeah - sounds like the Reichstag in the early 1930's.

Clint| 12.27.10 @ 6:54PM

The ObamaBoy Propagandist VioletBoy Plays The Nazi Card.

George True| 12.27.10 @ 9:10PM

So this is what you consider a reasoned argument?

We have had this conversation multiple times in recent days. If you are here to disrupt the conversation do everyone a favor and find something else to do.

Occam's Tool| 12.28.10 @ 2:55PM

PG, de-ass your head. This Jew gets pissed off at Liberal scumbags who compare inappropriate things to Nazis.

Negro X| 12.27.10 @ 5:58PM

All elected officals need constant monitoring, if they vary from the conservative line they need to be slapped down immediately with exterme malice. Pandering, waffling or "compromise" with the left will not be tolerated.

Heywood| 12.27.10 @ 6:47PM

Get rid of the stinkin' RINO's and the loser strategy of including those types as deal makers and breakers and maybe we'll see a significant change from liberalism to conservatism. Get rid of all the old-timer Republicans who still always think and act like Republican's are always the Rump party and walk across the aisle not only to shake hands with liberalism, but to give it a deep French kiss.

Tom| 12.28.10 @ 12:12AM

The American Spectator cites the 1965 Medicare legislation but conveniently but not the 1965 Immigration Act. Why am I not surprised?

Keep up the good work pretending to be conservative! You are experts at it!

Osamas Pajamas| 12.28.10 @ 1:22AM

Recall those colonial American revolutionaries who pledged their "lives, fortunes, and sacred honor" when the British vowed to kill them? Which Republicans today are the logical extension of the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution?

What this country needs is a truly LIBERAL president and congress and judiciary! And I forgive the reader for suspecting that this must be some kind of bad joke!

But the Democrats believe in "statism" --- not "liberalism."

They benefit from the imprecise American political terminology ---- we say "the government" here in the USA ---- rather than "the state." And that's a dangerous problem. Famous brands of statism in recent centuries have been Nazism, socialism, fascism, communism, and welfare statism ---- this last is sort of a mix of fascism and socialism.

Liberalism, on the other hand, is a political philosophy of small, cheap government ---- it is a constabulary ---- and the job of a liberal government is to enforce human rights within its own jurisdiction. I speak of the unalienable and perfectly-natural and universally-valid human rights of life, liberty, private property, and the pursuit of personal happiness.

The first article of private property is "the self" and all other rights are derivatives of and flow from these cardinal rights. These rights ---- The Rights of Man ---- are the gift of nature or of nature's god ---- and they belong to all human beings, everywhere.

Show me a Democrat who subscribes to all of the above, without qualifications or weasel words. The words "liberal" and "liberalism" were hijacked by the Democrats and socialists and fascists long ago ---- and it was the mistake of conservatives and libertarians to let them get away with it.

It is long past time that liberalism be reclaimed, defined, and explained by its rightful owners ---- by the champions of freedom, i.e.: not by Democrats.

Well, how about "progressivism?" Whuzzat?! “Cancer” is “progressive,” too. Isn't “progressivism” just another statist cancer? It chews you up, piece by piece, in the name of Da Peepul? Eat Da Rich? Moral cannibalism, anyone?

Friends of freedom! Friends of peace-through-strength! And friends of prosperity! Declare yourselves to be "liberals," then ---- and kick over the bloody coffee tables --- and overthrow and trounce the Democrats in 2010 and 2012!

Osamas Pajamas| 12.28.10 @ 1:23AM

SAM ADAMS IS MORE THAN JUST A GREAT YANKEE BEER!

TAX HATER SAMUEL ADAMS, ON A ROLL AND ARMED TO THE TEETH, AUGUST, 1776……

"You darkeners of counsel, who would make the property, lives and religion of millions depend on the evasive interpretations of musty parchments; who would send us to antiquated charters of uncertain and contradictory meaning, to prove that the present generation are not bound to be victims to cruel and unforgiving despotism, tell us whether our pious and generous ancestors bequeathed to us the miserable privilege of having the rewards of our honesty, industry, the fruits of those fields which they purchased and bled for, wrested from us at the will of men over whom we have no check.

"Contemplate the mangled bodies of your countrymen, and then say, What should be the reward of such sacrifices? Bid us and our posterity bow the knee, and supplicate the friendship, and plough, and sow, and reap, to glut the avarice of the men who have let loose on us the dogs of war to riot in our blood and hunt us from the face of the earth? If you love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom – go from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or your arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.

“Courage, then, my countrymen, our contest is not only whether we ourselves shall be free, but whether there shall be left to mankind an asylum on earth for civil and religious liberty. Dismissing, therefore, the justice of our cause, as incontestable, the only question is, What is best for us to pursue in our present circumstances?”

“It does not take a majority to prevail….but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men.”

“Among the natural rights of the colonists are these: first a right to life, secondly to liberty, and thirdly to property; together with the right to defend them in the best manner they can.”

“The Constitution shall never be construed… to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms.”