The American Spectator : Save Wrath for Obama

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Save Wrath for Obama

By Quin Hillyer on 4.15.11 @ 6:09AM

John Boehner isn't the enemy.

Ladies and gentlemen, this nation is in deep, deep trouble. We have a president and a Senate majority and four of nine Supreme Court Justices who believe that property, earnings, and even rights all belong to government, and that those blessings are merely doled out to individuals as the government sees fit. The government rules the people, not vice versa.

We also have a president who believes that a cut from the federal government is the same thing as a cut from the things the feds help fund. In his speech on Wednesday, he accused Republicans supporting the Paul Ryan budget of aiming at "a fundamentally different America than the one we've known throughout much of our history. A 70% cut to clean energy. A 25 % cut in education. A 30% cut in transportation."

Well, no. This is a lie. Even if Republicans may propose a 25 percent cut from federal government support for education, that is not a 25 percent cut in the nation's education: It's a 3.68 percent cut in total government support for education (local, state and federal combined). And that doesn't even take into account how much other money goes to private education (more than 6.2 percent of American students go to private schools). Considering how much waste and duplication stems from federal education programs, and merely clutters up the works, that's a 3+ percent which, when cut, might actually improve the quality of education by removing red tape. Likewise, a "70 percent cut to clean energy" is merely a cut to federal support for otherwise unwanted, non-competitive clean energy programs -- but it's not at all a cut to clean energy itself. It's only a cut to clean energy itself if government is the be-all and end-all of all "investment" and all progress.

Our nation is in deep trouble because we have a president and Senate who actually believe that government creates progress. They actually believe that government can "invest" in things. They actually believe that a tax cut is the same as "spending." They even believe that an itemized deduction on a tax return is the same as government "spending." We have a president who wants to ration care (read: death panels) thusly: "We will slow the growth of Medicare costs by strengthening an independent commission of doctors, nurses, medical experts and consumers who will look at all the evidence and recommend the best ways to reduce unnecessary spending while protecting access to the services seniors need." That "independent commission," by the way, is designed to operate with almost no congressional oversight. Its model sure does operate as a death panel in Oregon, which pays for assisted suicide but won't pay for cancer treatments. Barack Obama actually believes that it is worse to be "at the mercy of the insurance industry" than to be at the mercy of these government death panels. And he dares to claim the mantle of "patriotism" for his vision of a "sense of responsibility" as expressed through government fiat, which means at the point of a gun -- this man claiming patriotism while he runs around the world apologizing for sins this nation did not even commit.

But back to the idea of government "investment": The great Frank Chodorov, one of the earliest editors of Human Events and of the Freeman, put it best a full half-century ago: "The use of the word 'investment' in connection with a bond issued by the State is a treacherous euphemism…. The State, however, does not put your money into production. The State spends it -- that is all the State is capable of doing -- and your savings disappear." Also: "Government is not a producer. It is simply a social instrument enjoying a monopoly of coercion…. It uses its monopoly of coercion for the distribution of wealth, not for the production of wealth."

Barack Obama doesn't care. He would rather "spread the wealth around," as he told Joe the Plumber, even if it means hindering the production of a greater total store of wealth in the country.

This self-important scold in the Oval Office dares tell us that "we would not be a great country without [federal social programs]." Oh? Were we not a great nation in the 1920s? Were we not a great nation in the 1820s? Were we not a great nation from the moment of our founding? Would we not be a great nation if we relied on private charity combined with state, rather than federal, assistance for the indigent? What the hell does he know about greatness?

But as dangerous as are Obama's self-delusions and extremist ideology, those aren't the only reasons to fear for the country. We also have reason to fear because his opposition cannibalizes itself. It spends more time arguing over whether its leaders are being "tough" enough with regard to one seventy-fifth of the budget than it does in figuring out how to evict Obama from office. It spends more time arguing over whether a cut in budget authority is a real cut (it most certainly is) or a "fake" cut than it spends explaining and publicizing why its own budget, the Ryan plan, would mark a huge advance in individual freedom, prosperity, and fiscal survivability. It spends more time freaking out and engaging in internal warfare than it spends keeping its eye on the ball, long-term.

With a needlessly fractious opposition like this, Obama and Nancy Pelosi and Elena Kagan and all the government-firsters in their ranks may well survive their own deep unpopularity. They may survive their own fecklessness. They may survive their own, abundantly evident hypocrisy, and may survive their own ineptness. They may do so because their opposition -- the activists who carry the ball for the majority of Americans who are basically center-right, basically market-oriented, basically individualist -- is so pathetically unable to get its act together.

Self-criticism is perfectly fine in its place. When one-sixth of the entire economy is at risk of government takeover, as it was last year, it makes sense to berate leaders who won't use every single tool at their disposal to beat back the vile attempt. But when just one seventy-fifth of the federal budget, which means about one three-hundredth of the whole economy, is at risk, it makes more sense to target those in power who threaten our whole way of life than it does to target our wrath at our own leaders who may or may not have extracted every drop of blood from a half-year, Continuing Resolution turnip.

This is not to say that self-criticism has no place. It is to say that its tone and its threatened repercussions should be more reasonable. Mouth-frothing, if it comes to that, is neither a very becoming sight, nor a very effective tactic. Nor is it wise when the stakes of the larger political war are so much higher than the stakes of the short-term budget skirmish, nor is it wise coming from so many people who have no clue how the federal budget process works.

This is a sad time for these United States. We stand on the threshold -- within three or four years -- of financial ruin, of a loss of liberties, or even worse. Yet we who understand these things spend more time fighting each other than we do in fighting the domestic political adversary who is the one posing the threat. An existential threat can't be defeated in the midst of internecine warfare.

About the Author

Quin Hillyer is a senior editor of The American Spectator and a senior fellow at the Center for Individual Freedom.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (344) | Leave a comment

Robbins Mitchell| 4.15.11 @ 6:23AM

My wrath for this lame ass reactionary punk has been on slow simmer for over 2 yrs now but is slowly approaching full boil...I'm just likely to start publicly questioning his baby mama's lack of feminine hygiene if he keeps this up.

ENOUGH ROPE| 4.15.11 @ 10:23AM

Boehner and Cantor are cowards; replace them with someone such as Bachmann or Ryan who will fight the Democratic/Marxists who hate America.

LiveFreeOrDie| 4.15.11 @ 12:10PM

"Our nation is in deep trouble because we have a president and Senate who actually believe that government creates progress" - Q. Hillyer

And a house that's complacent.

vtwin| 4.15.11 @ 1:36PM

No, the country is in “deep trouble today” because of the borrow-and-spend policies one Republican Administration after another starting with the Reagan administration.

Ronald Reagan started with a debt $930 million and ended with a $2.7 trillion debt.
A 13.71% annual increase and he never balanced a budget.

Bush I started with a debt of $2.7 trillion ended with a debt to $4 trillion.
A 10.32% annual increase and he never balanced a budget.

Clinton started with a debt $4 trillion and ended with a debt of $5.6 trillion.
A 4.2% annual increase and he never balanced a budget.

Bush II started with a $5.6 trillion debt and with a $10 trillion debt.
A 9.8% annual increase and he never balanced a budget.

LiveFreeOrDie| 4.15.11 @ 1:48PM

You didn't include the latest Pres in your list did you? Care to explain the biggest spending increase in history by a Democrat?

vtwin| 4.15.11 @ 2:26PM

I didn’t include Obama because unlike the others his presidency isn’t over.
The “biggest spending increase,” I assume you mean biggest deficit increase, is the result of the worst economic downturn measured raw dollars, the largest debt( $10 trillion), largest projected ($1.2 trillion) deficit, and the most irresponsible tax policy inherited by any President in the history of our nation.

Curtis Rasmussen| 4.15.11 @ 3:41PM

In his first 19 months in office, Obama increased the national debt by $2.5260 trillion, more than the debts of all prior presidents up to Ronald Reagan combined. Thanks in part to the phony, wreckless stimulus plan and the upcoming fiscal train wreck of Obamacare.

One can only conclude that King Obama wants to bankrupt this country to bring about his Marxist utopia. That, or he is an ignoramus that knows nothing about economics. Either way, this clown is an immediate threat to the long term stability of this country.

Thrifty| 4.15.11 @ 11:19PM

Irresponsible tax policy? What about an irresponsible spending policy? This is totally out of control. How can you ignore the present, the past is past. The present is the only thing we as citizens can change.

Michael Tomlinson| 4.16.11 @ 3:56AM

Obama apologists will defend his failed Presidency on every front -- his increasing discretionary spending by 25% in 2 yrs, his doubling the national debt and attacking a forward country during a civil war (an idea Obama ridiculed endlessly). The fact is as he drags American down the toilet to Third World status his acolytes lap up the BS!

Oldefarte| 4.16.11 @ 1:18PM

Give me a break with this 'inhereted' crap......the only thing he inhereted was his father's radical insanity!!!!!!!

USSAlabama| 4.16.11 @ 6:01PM

/IF/ that's his father.

Southern_Comment| 4.16.11 @ 7:41PM

Actually that's not completely true vtwin - when the banks were bailed out, the deal was the money they paid back was to go to pay down deficit - hmmm but that didn't happen did it? Nope, your beloved poobah stole the money. Where is it? Well he certainly did not pay down any part of the deficit with it.

skip| 4.15.11 @ 2:10PM

vtwin vtwin vtwin

If only you would have explained it so clearly before now I could be well on my way toward rehabilitation.

Just match revenue to spending and shazam! - no deficits - ergo no debt. The truth is always so simple in the end.

Just one small problem.

How do we morally and constitutionally justify lying, cheating, and stealing to obtain these matching revenues?

vtwin| 4.15.11 @ 2:30PM

"Taxes are what we pay for civilized society.'' — Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.

skip| 4.15.11 @ 3:01PM

vtwin vtwin vtwin

This rehabilitation is tougher than I thought.

50% of the 'civilization' pay nothing into the 'civilization' yet vote to be supported by the other 50% of the 'civilization' who pay for everything in the 'civilization' - this is a 'civilized society' is it?

Not to mention 53,000,000 million 'legal' abortions - this is 'civilized society' too?

So my lying, cheating, and stealing concerns have already morphed into lying, cheating, stealing, and killing concerns.

This simple solution stuff is damned hard to understand.

vtwin| 4.15.11 @ 3:23PM

Unfortunately skip you are correct. Large numbers our fellow Americans incomes have fallen, because of the failed economic policies supported by both parties since the end of the “cold war”, to the point where their incomes are no longer subject to Federal income taxes. But they do contribute, all be it in a more regressive way, to the costs of civilized society through state income taxes, sale taxes, gasoline tax, cigarette taxes, transportation taxes….
Yes, abortions are another of our nation failings, as is pornography, environmental destruction, almost continual war…

skip| 4.15.11 @ 3:53PM

vtwin! vtwin! vtwin!

Reconciliation at last!

We both agree the solution is the restoration of government as a Constitutional Republic as established by the Constitution.

Hallelujah!

Douglas Fletcher| 4.15.11 @ 9:34PM

OW Holmes was a proto-fascist creep.

Walking Horse| 4.18.11 @ 5:18PM

Too kind by half, Mr. Fletcher.

Walking Horse| 4.18.11 @ 5:17PM

Government has precisely nothing to do with the existence or non-existence of "civilized society". Government is a reflection of the people who choose to tolerate it. Take a look, a hard look, then look in the mirror. Preteens employ a pithy description of the image: "U-G-L-Y, you ain't go no alibi! You're ugly, you're ugly, you're ugly!"

Thrifty| 4.15.11 @ 11:15PM

Vtwin, Ronald Reagan experienced 18-21% interest rates that shot up the national debt. Bush's highest deficit was 465 bill in a year, it was only 170 bill in 2007. Obama has spent over a Trillion each year in office. He has incorporated the stimulus spending that was to be a 1 time expenditure into the baseline of the budget. How do you reconcile Obama's spending if you have a problem with Repubs?

Quartermaster| 4.16.11 @ 3:39PM

Revenue is not teh problem. Spending is the problem. The tax code is irresponsible because of the weight it places on the economy. No tax is "progressive" because they all place a burden on the economy to support unproductive people in a bureaucracy.

Between taxation and regulatory burdens, we have driven much of our manufacturing off shore. Industrialists have a responsibility to their share holders to maximize return on their investment and the left has placed too large a burden on the shre holders.

We need to get FedGov back in its cage and get its boot off our neck. Congress hasn't done its job in that respect. The GOP leaders are simply a bunch of weak jelly fish. They have the ability to bring this to a halt. Today.

Oldefarte| 4.16.11 @ 1:27PM

Wrong, you no doubt meant to use the word COMPLIANT [agreeing to], NOT COMPLACENT [smugness]! You should have said a House that is desperately attempting to stop spending, BUT WITH A SENATE AND A WH that are dispicably trying to continue their radical, extremist destruction of this country through government spending [made possible by the STUPIDITY OF THE AMERICAN VOTERS THAT ELECTED THE CURRENT GROUP OF DEMOCRATS WHO ARE NUMICALLY IN CONTROL OF THIS COUNTRY'S GOVERNMENT!!!!!!

Brian Mc| 4.15.11 @ 6:31AM

When Patton slapped the 'coward' sitting in a hospital tent in Sicily, was this also internecine warfare?

Paul Hilsenrath| 4.15.11 @ 6:33AM

I think you are mistaken.

The GOP leadership doesn't have the stomach for the fight. They acknowledge defeat before the battle begins by giving away their strategy at the outset.

I think the series of meetings at the White House and the eleventh hour agreement was Kabuki theater, the outcome was set from the beginning and what we saw was the well rehearsed production.

The folks deserve real leadership.

Those are my thoughts, YMMV.

Paul H.

mames| 4.15.11 @ 9:55AM

The old saw "good men doing nothing" fits Boehner to a tee. He is in fact our enemy even though he may be sincere he is sincerely wrong. He is a coward as is Cantor. Ask yourself would Bachman have conducted herself this way? NO. This is no time for timidity this is a time for unflinching attacks on these cryptic socialist who do not even have the guts to say what they are. Boehner is what is wrong with the GOP. Another "nice guy" like the Bushs who stands around and gets in the way of real action. My Lord what is the matter with you "conservatives" at AS?

loulou| 4.15.11 @ 10:09AM

The "conservatives" at TAS, the WSJ and NR are elites. They don't know how to fight. Fighting is icky.

Boehner, Cantor and McCarthy have got to go.

vtwin| 4.15.11 @ 2:10PM

In defense of Boehner: John Boehner is the Speaker of the House of Representatives, third in line of succession to the Presidency, therefore does not have the luxury, say of Michele Bachmann, to the kowtow to the wishes of the illogical fools on the far right.
The reality is you folks the readers of American Spectator represent and tiny minority of the American people with version of America that never exited and never will. So, be happy with the $38.5 billion or $354 million it’s all John was going to get.

carnot| 4.15.11 @ 10:40PM

illiterate as you are........the folks you contemn? we're the producers...and we're going to sink your ship.

Thrifty| 4.15.11 @ 11:21PM

There is nothing illogical about fiscal responsibility.

Oldefarte| 4.16.11 @ 1:15PM

No, fool, after the November 2012 elections [when the number of Republicans in congress will increase substantially], Boehner and the current R's will dismantle this welfare state known as the US government!!!!!!!!!!!

Larry| 4.15.11 @ 6:33AM

It's simple: Do you want to be a slave or do you want to be free?

Regime change!!

Ken (Old Texican)| 4.15.11 @ 6:52AM

Quin,
thank you!
You must get tired of writing on-point columns and watching the comments coming in from all over the compass.
So many comments heard here and elsewhere seem to break down into three categories.
1. meaningless grumbling.
2. pie in the sky "plans" that aren't plans at all.
3. Woe is us.

I must repeat myself. We must all work our butts off to find, support, and encourage solid candidates all the way down the ballot, and yet be ready to work our butts off for Daffy Duck himself if nominated. NObody on the Republican side hates America.
Obama and crew do hate America.
It may very well require a national sit-down strike of some description by we producers to get through the next year and a half, but we MUST clean house of the communists, (pardon the shorthand), in 2012 or face consequences beyond our imagination.
I do hope you will check my new novel's website.
I certainly got chills down my own arms writing it and imagining it.
www.americaalonesaidno.com

mames| 4.15.11 @ 9:58AM

You are in denial as to the depth of complicity the GOP has in the demise of this country. There is nothing worse than a "friend" who acts like an enemy. We do not need friends like the "entitled" GOPers.

gazinya| 4.15.11 @ 10:40AM

Thanks for the pat on the head. Who would it have hurt if Boenher had come out and said, 'this is a load of crap brought to you by the Senate and the White House. It is what it is and we the GOP wholeheartedly reject this. It was The Obama that refused to permit the funding of the troops, in war, not the GOP. It is Harry Reid and Schumer that have chosen to break federal law and pay for abortions than pay the troops dying for this nation.' Who would have been hurt? This is what we want from our leaders. Not 'mission completed' tripe. We will need help next election to keep conservatives in the House but we need to show those in this nation that there is a difference between The Obama and his minions in the Senate and his thugs in his administration. Not with smiles and orange skin but with the truth.

mames| 4.15.11 @ 3:12PM

He does not have the skills, guts or integrity to do so he is a ruling class member and all they do is divide the spoils among themselves. Boehner is absolutely out of his element and of no use to us.

Rogue Elephant| 4.15.11 @ 7:06AM

Sorry, Hilyer. The Tea Party and conservative activists (not GOP leadership) delivered the House to the GOP for one reason - to avert the looming fiscal crisis and reign in federal overreach. The GOP leadership (including Boehner and McConnell) helped lead the GOP into the wilderness (through profligate spending and abandonment of conservative principles).
Now, the GOP leadership appears unwilling or unable to accomplish the mission that WE THE PEOPLE sent them there to do. Our message to them remains: Lead, Follow, or Get Out of the Way!

mames| 4.15.11 @ 9:59AM

exactly

loulou| 4.15.11 @ 10:11AM

Precisely. Boehner and McConnell are impediments. Boehner thinks it's all about him and his personal story. (Sob) No cojones.

Grzmlyk| 4.15.11 @ 10:33AM

I agree:

Again, Republicans have allowed Democrats and the media to name the game, set the rules, establish the parameters of the playing field and choose the referees.

How in the hell do you think we're going to win under that scenario?

Collapse is inevitable, and revolution will be the only way out. For once in our cowardly, craven, go-along-to-get-along lives, let's use a crisis to OUR advantage. And take no prisoners.

I'm sick of Republicans who bring Roberts Rules of Order to a brawl. I'm tired of GOP leaders who refuse to get their white gloves soiled. And I've lost patience with our satisfaction at nibbling along the edges of this black hole of government.

Sic Semper Tyrannis.

Quin| 4.15.11 @ 10:36AM

Facts are facts: John Boehner has never requested an earmark during his entire career. John Boehner has a superb overall record in spending. I criticized Boehner in the past for not being enough a part of the solution -- but he never was part of the problem, either. In this case, the fact is that he leads only one House. The Senate and the White House are in other hands. It was hard enough in 1995 when Republicans held the Senate, too; it is all the harder now, without the Senate in hand. Anybody who doesn't understand that cannot call himself a constitutionalist, because he doesn't understand Madison's checks, balances, and deliberate creation of barriers to rapid changes of governmental direction. Progress is progress; the big battle comes in 2012.

gazinya| 4.15.11 @ 10:50AM

Oh, I think we do understand how it works. We also remember how the Boenhers and the Grahams and the talking heads recoiled at defeating Reid et.al., when it came time to throw these bums out. Would a Sharon Angle have been such a nightmare? Is having Boxer a better choice than what was presented as 'our' candidate. The RNC and the Repub leadership scoriated 'tea party' candidates as not being 'bright'. Well Quin, we have had it with this tired, old and uncomprehensable morbid political thinking. We want and need our nation back before these 'hats' in Congress have us buying yuan to buy our gas.

Oldefarte| 4.16.11 @ 1:11PM

And WHY was Reid elected instead of Angle [or Boxer instead of Fiorina]? Because PEOPLE STUPIDLY VOTE FOR DEMOCRATS, that's why [at least in California and Nevada] and BECAUSE OF LABOR UNIONS!!!!!!!!

Frisbee| 4.18.11 @ 9:57PM

One of the problems is that the R party won't support "unannointed" candidates legitmately elected in the primaries. They didn't support Sharron Angle or McConnel or Miller, handing the Dems much easier wins (or in Alaska, the RINO Murkowski).

Dixie Pixie| 4.15.11 @ 11:04AM

Quin...It is winning the small battles that leads to winning the Big Battles.
If you can not or will not "win" the small battles, why do you think your side can win the big ones?
The latest battle was to fund the Federal Government for the rest of the fiscal cycle and thus was small potatoes.

Bottom line:::
NPR and PBS funded.
Planned Parenthood funded
ObamaCare funded.
EPA funded
Federal Spending increased.

Where in that list do the conservatives celebrate a victory

Warrior| 4.15.11 @ 11:31AM

Quin, perfect examples. It was 1995 and the contract with America produce exactly what? By 2006 with all three branches for a significant amount of time, it ended up producing, SCHIP, No child left behind, Medicare Part D and unfunded wars to name a limited few things. What it did not produce was responsible fiscal policy, entitlement reform, limitation of Presidential power in the use of regulatory agencies and Czar's...basically it put some window dressing up and utterly failed to return to any form Constitutional government. Now you are trying to have us believe that putting the power back with these same types of politicians is going to produce any significant differences? These are Republicans you are asking us to support not Conservatives. Boehner may be further left than Tip O'Neill when comparing todays compassionate conservatives to yesterdays liberals. One thing is for sure, he does not have stones one quarter the size of O'Neill's or Pelosi for that matter.

Grzmlyk| 4.15.11 @ 11:53AM

Well you could walk to the Pacific ocean with a pail and begin emptying it spoonful by spoonful.

At the end of the day, you've made progress, no?

For all its braying about how bad America is, and how evil capitalism is, the truth is that liberals are relying on American economic hegemony - courtesy of capitalism - to continue in perpetuity; that's the only way that socialist theft as intractable policy can work - you can only steal from the productive sector if there IS a productive sector. Once the goose is dead, the golden eggs stop coming.

Unfortunately for mankind, the temptation to strangle the goose for myriad reasons - resentment chief among them - is just too tempting. And in every economy this planet has ever seen, choking the goose has led to its imminent death.

The problem is that here, on this bank and shoal of time, as a body politic we have decided to pretend that 1) America can be both hegemonic and deferential to the global zeitgeist simultaneously; 2) people in favored victim groups are owed a world-class standard of living just by being born; 3) deficits don't matter; 4) the dollar is not being debased and will always be king; 5) a cradle-to-grave nanny state can exist side by side with freedom; 6) profit is evil.

These tenets are not only untrue individually, but they collapse under their own inherent contradictions when lashed together as a charter for America.

But we do not care about the truth.

Those few conservative elected officials who remain principled have my undying admiration. But they are bugs on the windshield of a juggernaut that is hurtling down the mountainside with the brakeman dead at his post.

The madness won't end until we yield to the physics of reality, and momentum and gravity become intimately acquainted with terra firma.

Frisbee| 4.18.11 @ 10:00PM

Courage, Grzmlyk.

Find your inner Churchil, and resist the inner Denethor.

Frisbee| 4.18.11 @ 10:00PM

Courage, Grzmlyk.

Find your inner Churchil, and resist the inner Denethor.

Mark Shepler| 4.15.11 @ 12:04PM

Yes Mr. Hillyer, Boehner is a good egg. At least better than many Reps who came before. But one of the great frustrations for us, me anyway, is how these episodes are compartmentalized and debated in a vacuum, as though there is nothing that came before and our disappoinment entirely unreasonable.

I'm here to say that after watching the passing political scene over 30 years the big surprise wasn't that he caved and wound up with real cuts in real time of only $352m after promising $100B, then $61B, then crowing over $38.5B but would have been if he had delivered on his first promise. Or even his second. THAT would have been astounding and had it happened Boehner would be the man of the hour for us, the ones who delivered him the Speakership, rather than the hero of Congressional Dems, the MSM and establishment Reps.

For me the disappointment is not so much in the dollar amount but that he was so prepared to compromise that "reaching agreement" last week became the thing, not the promised cuts. Towards the end that's all we heard about. Agreement, compromise. Gotta avoid the shutdown, can't go there, no way. From our own "leader". But it was the only real leverage they had. By telegraphing his priority and willingness to play that "inside baseball", in Bob Dole's execrable parlance, and their fear of the PR of a shutdown he told the Dems he wouldn't go to the wall, perhaps ever. I'm curious then why that should bode well to us?

And so they took him to the cleaners. He got his agreement and $352 million in real cuts and the Dems? They got the bargain of the year. Boehner's credibility, very public failure of will and the very reasonable case that, hey, they did their bit in agreeing to "historic cuts" so now it's time for us to ante up with tax increases. The Reps set out to force-feed Dems some mildly symbolic cuts but in the end it was they who swallowed hard. As usual. That's the political problem here, Mr. Hillyer, all the wonk-talk about dollars and recissions, etc. notwithstanding. And it's the political that matters most now.

The other trouble with all that history is that it adds up. We're out of time. Decades of gov't growth, spending and regulation have brought us to the brink. The Reps share plenty of blame in that, mostly complicit but much is explicit, too. Ryan's plan calls for a balanced budget in 26 years. Funny, that's exactly how long the CBO says we have until the US gov't collapses on its present course.

That bears repeating: Our own gov't says it will collapse in a scant 26 years if things don't change drastically. We know they lie, obfuscate or just plain get wrong just about everything so it's probably closer to 10 or so. As one of our greatest presidents asked, "If not now, when? If not us, who?" is the test Boehner et al face. Last week, Boehner failed the test but promises to do better on the same debate that'll dwarf the CR in real terms. Tell us again why we should be confident he'll meet the test this time?

Scot| 4.15.11 @ 12:22PM

"I criticized Boehner in the past for not being enough a part of the solution -- but he never was part of the problem, either." -- In other words - he has been present for 20 years. Outstanding. Is it any wonder that he cuts a deal that is mostly smoke and mirrors and claims it as a great victory?

LiveFreeOrDie| 4.15.11 @ 12:24PM

Following your logic why does the house even show up? Just stay home, result would have been the same.

Anthony| 4.15.11 @ 1:31PM

The big battle comes in 2012? Ya know what Quin, if your buddies continue to capitulate, by the time 2012 comes, Washington will look like burned out Detroit, and frankly, not a moment too soon either!!
The way things are going with the feckless R party, we will require a "hail Mary" to save our country, and other than Michelle Bachmann, ain't nobody from the beltway that's gonna do the job either.
You and your pals are kicking the can over the cliff!!!

darcy| 4.15.11 @ 11:06PM

Every day that passes without the "establishment" understanding that American taxpayers have had enough, every day that passes when all our hard work to achieve a historic win in the House goes by without accomplishing REAL change in the DECREASE of government -- making peaceful revolution possible -- is one day closer to making violent revolution inevitable.

My friend, a former Marine, after back-to-back tours of duty in Iraq, and returning home last summer, told me yesterday that he firmly believes civil war is coming to America. Republicans and Democrats alike are unresponsive to the demands of patriot taxpayers and have concluded -- as their actions reveal -- that socialism/communism is inevitable, and as in the case of the Republicans, are cleverly using the Tea Party movement's successes (a net benefit to Republicans) to jocky for a greater portion of the power sharing pie they share with the hard leftists, the radicals, in the Democrat Party.

Boehner feared the Obama machine's PR war and so he caved; but a man of principle would have given his very life to save us from the coming collapse. This is no time for nice guys; this is a time for warriors.

Michael Tomlinson| 4.16.11 @ 4:04AM

Quin these are the people who handed Congress to the Democrat in 2006, insured the nomination of John McCain and gave us Barack Obama. I predicted this in 2005 when you I exchanged e-mails. These people who supposedly "love" Reagan and conservatism no absolutely nothing about politics, governing or winning elections. They are the best friends Obama and the left have.

Margie| 4.16.11 @ 3:55PM

Count me out of that bunch!

Russell Steadman| 4.15.11 @ 7:07AM

This is a deep analysis. I am a simple man. I take from this piece that Obama and is team are wicked people. I heard a Christian man on Fox news say that the democrats aren't evil; they're just wrong. I disagree. They're evil! We conservatives go around apologizing for the 5% of the time we're wrong and Team Obama is wrong 95% of the time on economic matters and half the country doesn't even want see it because they are in on the scam of bleeding the tax payer dry until we are laid out on the cooling board, cold and lifeless. The liberals take a high moral posture while thy steal our hard earned money and squander our national wealth by redistributing it to themselves in an attempt by votes to keep themselves in power. We must get rid of these parasites and evict them from office in 2012.. It's April 15th; I'm off to a tea party rally today to give my support.

mames| 4.15.11 @ 10:04AM

All Alinskites are evil as are faux GOPers because they have a far different agenda than the one they publicly espouse. WE call that lying and Satan is the father of lies. Willingly, knowingly and strategically lying is the highest form of evil. In fact believing your own lies as Boehner appears to do is also pathological. WE MUST remove him via the primary process before it becomes necessary to do so in another manner.

Grzmlyk| 4.15.11 @ 10:37AM

Russell, I have come to realize that there are degress of evil - shoplifters are one sort; hypcrites like Obama's merry band of tax cheats are another; serial killers are another.

But the most evil of all - the one thing that makes me believe Satan truly exists - is the number of people like VTWIT and his ilk - and they are legion - who are happy to wreak utter destruction of their fellow man in the name of GOOD.

That's the worst evil of all. Evil done in the name of good. There is no corner of Hell hot enough for those people.

**posttenebraslux**| 4.15.11 @ 3:49PM

Spot on Grzmlyk. There is a big fat WOE coming to them (woe to those who call evil good) and a special place reserved in Hell is theirs in the making. Not only are they calling evil good, they delight in kicking a man when he's down. Heaps of Woe has been and are continually being seared into their consciousness so that they probably can not (even if they so desired) see or do good. They are helplessly blind.

BackToBasics| 4.16.11 @ 3:11PM

They call it good but they know deep inside that it's not. Someone above already spoke about detructive ways of the left due to resentment. I agree totally but I prefer to call it envy. To me it is the number one destructive force in a free society.

Calling the leftist ideas good is only a fig leaf for the deep envy and resentment that lies atthe core of their destructive mindset.

Doctor Right| 4.15.11 @ 11:28AM

It's not really THAT deep of an analysis; at it's core, it basically says "Stop worrying, you principled Conservatives, and let THE PROFESSIONALS take care of it."

Dee See| 4.15.11 @ 7:09AM

Boehner personally, no.

But he's currently carrying the banner of
deadly, time and energy depleting complacency.

Like so many among the asleep at the wheel Republicans, he's still worshippping things
as they are, even as the very ship of state
disintegrates and stealth integration rockets
forward.

In all the '80's Show' blather about 'welfare
cheats' ---not a word about cutting it off to
illegal immigrants.

Nothing at all about coming to grips with
prosecuting and abolishing the ILLEGAL
Federal Reserve, and the society devestating
'benny violent' Globalist/EUGENICS foundations.

Not a word about writing off the fake and illegal
1.5 quadrillion is derivatives ---or writing off
the absurd debt to our creation ---'the Chinese
miracle'.

Nothing about the demoralizing, degrading, empty
wampum culture we've been handed POST
Nixon/MAO and the RED China TREASON
op..

Not a word about facing the legacy of our
last 4 CFR/Rockefeller/Tavistock Institute
front op. cardboard
administrations and their fundamentally illegal
international transactions and sellouts ----UH,
we meant 'agreements'.

These are serious, deadly serious issues
that won't go away. Not the time for equivocation.

Neither will things just stay the same, for
'the agenda' calls for things to, in fact, get much,
much, much, much worse ----and soon.

Time for one and all to throw out their
mind control televisions and radios,
restrict their PC's, repent of virtually
everything post Reagan ------and MOVE!

mames| 4.15.11 @ 10:06AM

Oh so he is not evil he is just incredibly incompetent on the level of a clinical moron. I guess that is a better alternative. :)

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 4.15.11 @ 7:12AM

When the leaders don't lead the army retreats or runs.

When the Republicans mislead the public on simple issues like cuts, then why should the public not be suspicious?

When a 100 billion dollar promise dissolves into a 325 million dollar cut, which was overwhelmed by an actual 5 billion dollar increase in defense spending, why would anyone question a cause for public concern?

The claim that you are winning or have a chance of winning when it appears your coaches are for the other team is not a winning strategy.

When the public is offered deceit, that is defeat, for the public.

While Washingtonian ruling class pundits tell you not to be concerned, you should be very concerned about the lack of backbone which gets you to settle for a 325 million dollar cut which in the deceitful realm of Washington, D.C. incorporated, was actually a 4.7 billion dollar increase.

The truth is there has been so much evil compromise on Capitol Hill that real opposition has to be relearned.

If that takes frothing at the mouth let's froth away.

What is not needed is to turn away public criticism based in reality.

What was not based in reality is taking part in lying to and deceiving the public by triumphantly proclaiming 38 billion in cuts which were 325 million in cuts.

When you do things like that you look like a clown and the collective public has a tendency to notice little things like that. If you want to look like a clown join the circus.

If you want to be taken seriously then be good at what you do.

If you complete less then half a percent of a project at work you get fired.

If you do that in the political realm that's a passing grade.

Not criticizing failure is simply more failure.

mames| 4.15.11 @ 10:08AM

This one man army does not wait for these candy asses to lead. I align myself with fellow TEA party patriots and work like hell to remove them. Ands so should all of us. No more excuses. NONE.

Oldefarte| 4.16.11 @ 1:06PM

.....and if El ChosenOne's/Reid's/Pilosi's/Schumer's/Rangel's etc budget would have been passed, it would have been POSSIBLY A MUCH MUCH HIGHER BUDGET/DEBT .........INCREASE, you think?????

Gold BC| 4.15.11 @ 7:34AM

Read between the lines, this article is rationalizing the debt-ceiling increase to come courtesy of none other John Boehner, GOP Speaker of the House. Boehner himself could stop the increase but he won't therefore plenty more wrath to come.

Mimi| 4.15.11 @ 7:42AM

What was seen this week....In watching The"O" present his plan for deficit reduction...dishonoring and castigating Paul Ryan and Rebublicans was the MOST ruthless, digusting display of an emotionally, weak , morally enept man who in no way should be allowed to destroy this nation in another term. Reaching "THE BOIL LEVEL" doesn't , in no way describe what we are feeling and seeing.
Thank-you Quinn....folks we must take his wise advice....and come together to defeat this vengeful. get even , totally destructive PRESIDENT....In fact Ken, even DAFFY-DUCK would look good!!!

Margie| 4.15.11 @ 12:34PM

Thanks for saying it exactly as it needs to be said.

The war is on and it's the LEFT that needs to be defeated.

Mimi| 4.15.11 @ 2:24PM

Hi Margie....Where you been? missed you!

Margie| 4.15.11 @ 5:37PM

Thanks, Mimi. I'm going to try and be on my best behavior since being rebuked constantly~ my behavior will be at LEAST as good as most here: speaking my mind as I see fit, and damn the torpedos.
I promise to laugh at the trolls.
I promise to also call them the names that befit them.
I promise to quote all the Scripture I wish.
I promise to kiss the hineys of whomever I wish.
Just like everybody else does.
:^).

Pelligrino| 4.16.11 @ 3:15PM

Hello Margie! Welcome back!

And, yes, please quote and use all that good Scripture from the Bible.

They are often the only real words of wisdom amidst the thousands of words on these internet/digitized pages.

Margie| 4.16.11 @ 3:53PM

Thanks, Pelligrino. But know that now that you have welcomed me, you have made yourself despised here by most. Don't be surprised if you are shunned.. but you won't be by me.

I just called Clint/Tim* a bastard so I will expect an e mail from one of the editors shortly advising me I am banned as before.

Some here are not allowed to name call. Others are freely permitted.
But a bastard is is till a bastard no matter how you cut it.

TennesseeVolunteer| 4.15.11 @ 7:45AM

Quin, the patience of we, The Great Unwashed, is wearing thin. The republic is fixing itself from the local government up to the Federal. The real leaders of the Federal government that we need are not there yet. When I listen to Rand Pauls speech this week about the budget, I have some hope. When I listen to DeMint, Bachman, Rubio, Chaffetz...I have some hope. When I listen to Boehner, I feel like he gets it...but when I watch his actions and explanation of those actions...he doesn't get it yet.
I heard Cornyn say yesterday that they are positioning Republicans for the 2012 election. Quin, we don't have time till one grand sweep of Obama and the Socialists in 2012!
The Republican leadership has a chance with the debt ceiling. They must drive a hard bargain or else it will be clear to common sense Republicans, conservatives and independents that they can only lead when they have a huge majority.
Quin, many of us in flyover land are risking everything we have in this economy. Our homes have lost 25% + of their value. Our businesses are barely making it. We see an assault on our livelihoods, our principles and on our children. Quin, that cannot stand.
We will not quit, we will not go away but Lincoln had to go through many Generals before he found Grant.
Ask yourself, "Is Boehner our Grant?"

Nunya| 4.15.11 @ 10:41AM

TV, Boehner is absolutely NOT our Grant.

Quin, while I agree with you to a certain extent--inasmuch as we need to get rid of Obozo and his minions, I sincerely disagree with you on the infighting. Our spineless leaders like Boehner need to know that We the People are tired of the same games they've been playing with OUR money for the last 50 years. They need to know without a shadow of a doubt that We the People are ANGRY with this gamesmanship and lies. Boehner is EXACTLY the reason we are where we are--spineless, and without PRINCIPLE. THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT ARE NOT NEGOTIABLE. EVER. And included in that is the financial stability of this nation--which Boehner and the other Ruling Class R's have pissed away. I can promise you the debt ceiling was part of the "compromise" that Boehner agreed to, the writing is on the wall. More compromises when we need PRINCIPLE. More BS from the Ruling Class. Frankly, I'm damned sick of it.

Quin| 4.15.11 @ 10:42AM

That's my point exactly: We need a Grant. And what did Grant do to win? Did he mount an all-out charge on Vicksburg? No, he defeated Vicksburg with a slow and steady envelopment followed by a siege. Did he defeat Lee with one all-out assault? No, he did so by taking ground in tiny chunks, maneuvering, taking more ground, maneuvering, etc., followed by a siege. He realized that the way to win is by keeping the pressure on and advancing, not by one act of outright destruction of the enemy. In fact, sometimes he even took a draw or a tiny defeat (on paper) but then ADVANCED by maneuver. That's what he did after the Wilderness: On paper, he lost to Lee there, but rather than yell about his losses, he marched around Lee's flank and renewed his movement toward Richmond. There's a lesson there.

Bob Grant| 4.15.11 @ 10:51AM

Quin, can you please give us proof of this so-called slow advance by the republicans?

Quin| 4.15.11 @ 11:11AM

Yes. In the past three years, federal spending went up by something like 32 percent. This year, in just half a year, we have cut actual, real budget authority by $38 billion. Read my blog post at this site yesterday for the explanation. It was REAL money that we saved.

LiveFreeOrDie| 4.15.11 @ 12:43PM

Yes, great strategy. Keep up a steady snail's pace while the dem's cruise along at 100 miles per hour.

Oldefarte| 4.16.11 @ 1:00PM

What a brilliant reply/rebuttal!!!!!

LiveFreeOrDie| 4.16.11 @ 11:50PM

Really? Now you're stalking me because I don't agree with you that the house pubs did a good job and got a great deal? Even when the 38.5B turned into zip? Keep hoping for change. Let me know when you wake up from your "stupid" coma.

TennesseeVolunteer| 4.15.11 @ 6:35PM

Quin, we are all on the same side. I know sometimes our comments don't seem that way. My lack of patience, and yours I'd guess, are formulated in words to give the Republicans more courage so that when they go there to battle, they will know where we all stand.
They don't need to go wobbly, or to think they can take it slow and steady. I am watching for actions and if they show progress each and every action, they will receive my undying loyalty and prayers.
But if the give half of the negotiation away before the negotiation starts, they will, and should, hear about it.
Huzzah!

Michael Tomlinson| 4.16.11 @ 4:11AM

TN Vol the rants and hysteria exhibited on TAS and other sites only helps Democrats. Never forget 1/3 of the electorate are "independents" who are easily swayed by perceptions and media spin. When self-described conservatives act like MoveOn.org leftists it pushes them to the Democrats. Want to win elections or bitch and moan? If the former compromise and sanity are the keys to success. This is how Reagan, the uber pragmatist who compromised more than the right will admit, became so popular (despite massive deficits, amnesty for millions of illegals and tax increases out the wazoo).

Bob Grant| 4.16.11 @ 2:07PM

Even you would admit that compromising with the likes of Tip O'neill, Patrick Moynihan, and Fritz Hollings is just a TAD different than "compromising" with Reid, Pelosi, Frank, and Schumer.

USSAlabama| 4.15.11 @ 11:19AM

There is going to be a revolution.

Some will be able to wait patiently for the ever-looming 'next election', others won't.

When we saw TEA party groups march on Washington, it was such a small representation of what is out there in America right now.

As the boiling point is reached by greater numbers the type of revolution we will have will start to show. As long as Obama keeps making speeches that just turn up the fire, we won't have long to wait.

Mark Shepler| 4.15.11 @ 1:07PM

Got yer point Quin, but your comparison is inapt. Grant was decried as a brute and butcher for taking some 55k union casualties in just over 30 days just fighting from the Wilderness to the siege before Petersburg. At Cold Harbor, just thee weeks after the Wilderness, Shelby Foote says 7,000 union troops fell before the Confederate lines in the first 20 minutes. In his memoirs, the last charge at Cold Harbor is the only regret of the whole war Grant admits. And not for the losses mind you but that they were spent to no advantage. And still after that, he kept on.

Why did he keep up the charges all the way through the end of the war? Because after the Wilderness Lee would not come out from his lines to face the Army of Potomac in the open. Lee was reduced to fighting the entrenched, defensive war even he, especially he, knew could not prevail. But Lee was the consumate master at maneuver and Grant knew that to outflank him he must first strike at him to fix his position and cause losses the CSA could not replace because he also knew that until the Army of Northern Virgina, and all the CSA armies in the field, were destroyed the war would not end. In other words the actual soldiers of their cause must be defeated. How were Reid, Schumer et al defeated last week, again? How were they even injured?

So, yes, even after the Wilderness and every other bloodbath of '64 he was willing to keep "moving by the left flank" to keep his promise to "fight it out on this line if it takes all summer". THAT's the point. In the face of unrelenting northern criticism, blood curdling press, Copperhead treason, horrendous casualties and losses he kept to his purpose to ultimately prevail.

But, ala Boehner, how different would history be if, at The Wilderness, he had gone out under a white flag to parley with Lee after the first shock of battle? To reach some sort of accomodation to reduce the losses and end that battle? Just as most of his predessors did or who simply skedaddled back across the Rapidan, whipped and licking their wounds. Would they have then marched on to Spotsylvania to take thousands more casualties at the Bloody Angle and beyond and ultimately prevail? Kinda hard to picture that happening and certainly not as a winning strategy in a life and death fight for National survival, no?

If Boehner, or somebody, is to be a Grant and save the Union at some point he's going to have to face the "awful arithmetic" and the naysayers and charge those entrenchments. On Friday the Dems were pinned in their lines in a Wilderness Obama put them in. Pinned in a way they haven't been for a long time. Obama, the Chief Executive and Commander in Chief, was on record for funding Planned Parenthood over our troops at war and planting his colors over a few measly billions of dollars. If ever there was a moment to charge 'em and carry their works that was it. Now, having abandoned their front over those measly billions we're to believe the Reps will charge at Cold Harbor? I dunno, maybe, we'll see but somehow I don't think having that parley Friday eve is something Grant would've done.

Kishego| 4.15.11 @ 4:12PM

Mark, that was awesome!!

Nunya| 4.15.11 @ 7:38PM

Mark, outstanding analogy. Excellent post.

Nunya| 4.15.11 @ 8:02PM

Excellent information and analogy, Mark.

Mark Shepler| 4.15.11 @ 10:34PM

Thank you and forgive the cheesy plug, but you can read more of my stuff at: www.rightwingmuse.com

Grzmlyk| 4.15.11 @ 1:09PM

I'm no expert on the Civil War, and I hope you are right, but what if the center of industry had been in the south as opposed to the north? Would Grant's drip-drip-drip tactics have worked against Lee then?

I think of the mainstream media as liberal factories producing never-ending supplies of war materiel with which they pummel conservatives. And no, the liberal mainstream media is NOT in retreat. I could pick literally dozens of examples, but just to pick one, see the difference in coverage of Abu Ghraib vs. the coverage of the Afghan kill teams.

Abu Ghraib corroded Bush's moral authority almost entirely; nobody has even heard of the Afghan kill teams. It's not even on Fox News's radar screen. Why? Because the mainstream media decreed it a non-story.

And we'll be seeing wall-to-wall headlines like "Rebublicans Want Grandma to Eat Dog Food While They Drink Veuve Clicquot on Their Yachts," which will indelibly set the parameters of debate and keep Republicans forever on the defensive, which is a losing position. It is WE who are besieged; it is we who are throwing rocks at the juggernaut.

Also, what if Lee had an unlimited supply of soldiers? I'm thinking of the freeloaders and union thugs and the burgeoning force of federal employees whose numbers continue to swell. I'm thinking of the waves of illegal immigrants who may well be voting in 2012, and of Democrat precinct captains stealing elections throughout the country.

We don't have the advantages Grant had, and we can't bleed the enemy dry; on the contrary, he's bleeding US dry.

Mark Shepler| 4.15.11 @ 1:45PM

Grzmlyk. Grant's strategy was anything BUT "drip, drip, drip". It was assault, assault, assault, then maneuver if the assaults fail...repeat until victory. In that order, too.

So far, Boehner's got the maneuver part down. Trouble with maneuvers is you can also be outmaneuvered. We'll see about the assault part...someday.

Grzmlyk| 4.15.11 @ 2:03PM

Hi Mark:

Thanks for the correction - I was referring to Quin's "siege" talk, and I didn't see your post as I was posting two minutes later.

In any case, my point is that, in this situation, the "South" - i.e., liberals - have the armaments and the momentum and the numbers on their side (and I'm tired of polls that say the majority of Americans are "right of center." If that's true, where the hell have they been for the last 40 years? Hell, I am virtually the ONLY conservative I know).

It is WE who are besieged; it is we who are on the defensive. We have been on the defensive since the Great Society, and we have cheerfully given up more and more territory in the vain hopes that if we just concede THIS TIME, liberal pop culture - the gods of the zeitgeist - will finally "like" us. And so we've been pushed further and further to the leftist totalitarian state and we have been collaborators in that shift.

And it's not going to change. Look at the GOP field as it's currently constituted - not a lot of bold people there; I see a lot of "hand across the aisles" types. I heard Laura Ingraham actually touting Jeb Bush this morning. JEB BUSH!!! With conservatives like him, who needs liberals?

There is no appetite whatsoever among the critical mass of people in this country to face reality.

The truth is that we won't do anything of consequence to head this off until the shit has already hit the fan.

And then it will be too late.

michigander_sandusky| 4.16.11 @ 12:23PM

Grzmlyk, I'm afraid you're right that most folks won't do anything until the manure hits the fan. Most of the people I work with are basically good and decent people, but they fall into one of three camps: 1) some are so ignorant as to actually trust words coming out of the mouths of Obama, Reid, and Pelosi, 2) some care but their awareness of the problems are vague because they aren't paying close enough attention to have a clue as to how much deep do-do we're really in, or 3) they understand the seriousness of the situation, but they are too timid to actually do anything except gripe. I would put 97% of the people I know into one of those three camps. If at least 50% of the people in these camps don't wake up and take some tangible action we are sunk.

Mark Shepler| 4.15.11 @ 2:03PM

Also, when Grant took command of the Army of the Potomac he quickly grew exasperated with his subordinates carping, whose constant defeats had conditioned them like whipped dogs, "well, he's not fought Bobby Lee", "just wait until he fights Gen. Lee", etc. Grant finally snapped at some, "why don't you stop worrying about what Lee is going to do to us and think about what we're going to do to him!".

This is 2011 and the MSM enjoys a power in our minds greater than they possess in fact. Many on our side are still in the same awe of them as Grant's generals were of Lee. Just as Lee how knew to use that fear against the Army of the Potomac, so too does the Libs and MSM against us. Why shouldn't they? All is fair in love and war, yes? But we have media assets too and with the internet it is not possible for Washington's lies to hold. Witness the truth about the CR deal.

Or more appropriately the entire mid-term election cycle. It was one of the most deceitful and vicious I can remember and still we not only prevailed but swept the field. How did that happen if the MSM is all powerful? It is time we take confidence and move forward against our adversaries, the MSM being but one division amongst them, knowing we too have assets and capabilities. More accurately, it's time our leaders see it too.

Grzmlyk| 4.15.11 @ 2:33PM

But we don't call the tune that popular culture dances to. That is the problem.

Look at my example above of the devastation, the nonstop barrage, conservatives endured for years over Abu Ghrab.

The NYT did over 2,000 stories on Abu Ghrab. Nobody died at Abu Ghraib. Now look at the illegal kill teams that are in place in Afghanistan; you can youtube a lot of videos of our rogue soldiers killing civilians. If Bush were president when this happened, he'd have been impeached, thrown out of office and into prison for this.

Has this story even penetrated the public consciousness? Not a blip. It hasn't even made a dent on Fox News. Why? The MSM doesn't want Obama's status as god-like commander in chief compromised.

As I say, the problem is that, as a collective entity, we choose to buy into the MSM's mythology; it is the last refuge of a decadent, bloated, self-satisfied and vainglorious populace.

Sure, sometimes, when they are caught red-handed, like Dan Rather, it might result in one of them being fired. But I'd say 90% of the public awareness in this country is formed by the mainstream media, hollywood, television, academia and other entities that continue to promulgate a myth - a myth that is far more palatable than reality.

that's what our elected officials are up against - that and the way things are done in Washington. Nobody - nobody - in Washington has the country's best interest at heart. Like jackals, they are all just picking at the corpse, eager to get their share of flesh before it's all gone.

Mark Shepler| 4.15.11 @ 3:05PM

Yeah, I know. Been watching it 30 years, too. But something is different now. I think most reasonable people see the threat of a metastasizing gov't in a very real way they did not in the past. The threat is real now, concrete and here today. Not 30 years hence as we used to argue in futility. Whether it'll prove sufficient even now remains to be seen but what WON'T work for sure is waiting for all the stars to align for us. They NEVER will and if we're not willing to take it on the chin now, when collapse is perhaps the day after tomorrow, then when?

Even the shutdown PR fear the Reps had was not based on the real results of the last go 'round. It was based on the personal perception of establishment Reps to their personal concerns.

Fact is, many of these debates are going to be out of anyone's hands very soon. It's only a matter of time before we run out credit and we've already run out of money to fund our gov't. How much more can we borrow? As Mark Steyn likes to point out, we're the brokest country on earth and there is not enough "spare" money in all the world to fund our juvenile binge spending. Pretty soon, adults around the world are gonna shut off our credit cards.

Grzmlyk| 4.15.11 @ 3:18PM

I could not agree more - and when our credit cards are shut off, the dollar collapses and is then routed as the world's reserve currency, that's when the shit will hit the fan.

I heard Larry Kudlow say today that he's not worried about the dollar's being ousted as such. Why not? He's very aware of the precipice on which the dollar is perched.

It's denial, pure and simple. The inability to accept how precarious our accepted reality is.

History can change in an instant - we've been rolling toward this collapse for half a century (more, if you want to go all the way back to Wilson).

I think people simply cannot fathom the calamity that's imminent. Hell, I have trouble thinking the little cocoon in which I live - and it's a pretty spartan one at that - will be punctured by the chaos of collapse.

I agree also that we shouldn't just sit around and wait for the stars to align. We need to fight, which is why the tea parties are one of the noblest undertakings I've seen in this country. But I don't know how to turn around the popular culture - yes, I advocate conservatives purchasing major media outlets and producing more entertainment content for TV.

But the accepted cultural norm in this country has always been that each new generation is more permissive than the last. Even 20 years ago, porn was essentially a "tabula rosa" type thing, not something you flaunted; now, porn is mainstream all the way, accepted, embraced, celebrated. I'm just waiting for the day we see graphic sexual intercourse on a Tide commercial.

Because it's coming.

It seems to be a ritual that each generation is more liberal than the last; that last year's boundaries are always exceeded by this year's sensibilities. And that's reflected in government; if $1 billion was enough to pay for Generic Progam X last year, then obviously Generic Program X cannot survive on anything less than $1.5 billion this year and $2 billion next year.

It's that inertial socio-economic momentum that we have to turn around, and frankly I just don't think it's possible.

Mark Shepler| 4.15.11 @ 3:46PM

Thoughtful comments, Grzmlyk. Geez, dude, can't buy another vowel for that first syllable? Took me three times to get that spelling right! Just teasing you, man. :)

Not to flog the Grant horse well past it's expiration, and I promise to let it go after, but I always cite two other lessons he specifically mentions in his memoirs:

1. In his very first command he is ordered to destroy or drive off a small confederate force in N. Arkansas. As he's approaching the hills behind which they're supposed be encamped he feels more and more fear and apprehension. When they crest the hill they can see where the enemy had been but were now long gone and there was no fight. He recounts "It had not occurred to me that he was as afraid of me as I was of him. This was a view of the matter I had not taken before." He resolves from then on never to worry about what they would do to him but what he would to them.

2. After The Wilderness battle of Hillyer's analogy it is generally agreed the Union took another whipping by Lee. Grant sits his horse at a crossroads as the Union troops who set out on the march are fully expecting to take the fork north, back to safety as they always had before. Instead, they take the fork southward towards the next battle, Spotsylvania. Cheers, huzzas and kepis fill the air. At that moment they are changed forever and become perhaps the greatest army of its time.

Until we have leaders who are willing to crest that hill or take the south fork, even after a drubbing, how can we expect the troops, the public to follow? Our "leaders" keep waiting for the public to move and then hope to jump out in front. That is not leadership.

Why should the MSM or culture take us seriously if even our "leaders" don't? A few significant victiories and millions will fall in line behind us once they see we're actually moving forward, headin' south to more victories. Until then, what is there to follow?

Grzmlyk| 4.15.11 @ 3:54PM

Again, I cannot disagree with you.

We haven't had conservative leadership in a very long time.

With Mitt Romney sort of at the top of the GOP field right now, I'm not holding my breath for 2012.

I do know that Grant's memoirs are considered one of the finest autobiographies extant. I've always wanted to educate myself on the Civil War - I'll have to put that, and Shelby Foote's history, on the front burner.

It might be good preparation for the Civil War II, coming to a town near you. And me.

Mark Shepler| 4.15.11 @ 4:38PM

Yep, I just happen to be re-reading this week so I'm fresh in anecdotes. :)

I'd also heartily recommend Sherman's Memoirs. Actually better written and cover more details of the rest of his life, before and after, the war. Perhaps America's first true "hard war" man, what he has to say about fighting and leadership is even more to the point.

I am a Southerner by birth and have always admired their fight and resolve. But I've grown to agree with Grant, that probably "have never a people so nobly fought for such a terrible cause." (I paraphrase). I am immensely glad the North won but they only did so when the South was defeated in the field, home and hearth. Not before.

The Libs fight with the tenacity and esprit de corps of the South. And we will never defeat them until we fight with the determination of the North.

michigander_sandusky| 4.16.11 @ 12:40PM

Grzmlyk & Shepler, Thanks for the cogent and compelling comments!

BackToBasics| 4.17.11 @ 12:19PM

The Repub leader-less-ship will fight only when grassroots conservatives lead them by fighting tenaciously as you mention. But a critical mass of conservatives will not fight this way until they are literally hungry and broke. This is true because most conservatives are family types and still have the stay-on-the-farm hard work ethic. But Obam is working, snake-like, on taking their jobs away. So, we will all get there soon enough once the jobs and the "farms" are taken away as is the plan of the Obam/Democrat communists/globalists.

**posttenebraslux**| 4.15.11 @ 3:52PM

Quin, spot on. The key to success are the twins of on and on.

Sue| 4.15.11 @ 5:30PM

Yes, and at Cold Harbor he tragically and irresponsibly lost 50,000 men and achieved nothing in doing it. We definitely don't need a Grant! We need a Lee on our side (Lee was smarter).

Kishego| 4.15.11 @ 4:06PM

Tennessee, I don't think they can lead even when they DO have huge majorities and the biggest election mandate in more than half a century. I am sad to say, along with countless others that this was to be expected from the current crop of leaders. The fealty these people have to "The compromise" is truly mind boggling.

martin j smith| 4.15.11 @ 7:52AM

First: On the surface I think the leadership of the Republican Party should be fired.
Second: Obama by design or not has given US a great favor thru his last speech. Political adds could be made from that speech alone and I think we can win. SO; For me the primary goal is to fire Obama ( and that means his entire entourage. ) and in addition get as large a majority in the Senate as possible but get a majority.
Third: The American PEOPLE as a whole --not those who agree with Conservative ideas --are very fickle in my oppinion. For example, in theory they are all in favor of cutting spending--but not for them. And, even if you explain to them that a government shut down is " no big deal" they are afraid anyway. And, they respond to Socialist Panick adds.
So--In my view one must deal with the NATION very carefully. The average American is uninformed,thus ignorant and prone to fear and even panick.
Thus I conclude this way: As Vladimir Ilyich Obama once said--"Two steps forward,one step back". Focus on dethraning Obama. Do put as much pressure on the leadershit as possible of the Republican Party. Infiltrate the Party with as many Conservatives as possible--primary the "losers"-- and build up an organization within an organization so to speak.

Johnny Reb| 4.15.11 @ 8:00AM

We need 300 conservatives in the Congress because even conservatives do not agree and see everything the same. If it takes 218 votes to pass something we need a pool of 300 or so to ensure we can get 218 each time.

Our (the TEA Party) next battle is to take control of the Senate, it is doable in 2012 and of course we must replace the liar in Chief.

Boehner is not playing with a stacked deck, he has to deal with the Lying Senate and Lying President. We need to reinforce his numbers in the battle in November 2012.

We need to make election day in 2012 the "biggest damn TEA Party this country has ever seen". Patriots unite, we aren't going away, get to your statehouse today (Tax Day) and send the message, again, and again and again.

Minuteman| 4.15.11 @ 8:06AM

Boehner is the good cop, Obama the bad cop, in this ruling class good cop/bad cop routine. Both are not on our side, both are the enemy. Unless he shows some results that exhibits that he is indeed on our side, Boehner will have to go.

mames| 4.15.11 @ 10:12AM

Exactly. This is the ruling class at work. You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours. Except Boehner actually believes his capitulation will be reciprocated by O. What a sap. He can't even play the inside game to his advantage.

darcy| 4.16.11 @ 12:25AM

Here's a Boehner quote from Feb. 11, 2011:
In a press conference Thursday, House Speaker John Boehner said he is working with “members and our committee chairmen to make sure that this cut is as big as possible.”

Notice how he did not say: We promised the American people $100 Billion in cuts and that's what we'll deliver. From the very beginning he signaled weakness, using "compromising" language: "cuts as big as possible." And the race was on among the liberals to see how far they could whittle Boehner down. It's remarkably depressing to realize how successful they were.

Michael Tomlinson| 4.16.11 @ 4:17AM

What not demand $6 trillion in cuts? The skys the limit when you really don't know what you're talking about or how really governing works. Go back and examine the Reagan Presidency (not the myth Hannity, Limbaugh, etc. push) and you'll find compromise and working with the Democrats was a reality of his Presidency.

Timothy L. Pennell| 4.15.11 @ 8:12AM

Look, pal. We sent them there to "TEAR DOWN THIS WALL". Ya understand?
No more games. No more COMPROMISE. You don't make deals with the Devil. I promise you, if the roles were reversed, Nancy Pelosi would have MADE A STAND against the Republicans, and SHUT IT DOWN! The half breed African, in the White House, was willing to stop paying the Military, while they were fighting 3 WARS! This is how THEY play the game.
But, not you. You are too noble. Too STUPID. They were about to COMMITT SUICIDE, by not paying our troops, and you stopped them.
The Marxist POS, in the Oval Office, invited the Republican Leaders to his speech. He even sat them in THE FRONT ROW. And then he proceeded to SPIT in their faces. Accusing them of CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY. Crimes against Children with Autism. Old People with Illnesses. DIALASYS Patients. He acted like a Prosecutor from the INQUISITION.
This is how THEY play the game. This is who you want to make a DEAL with?
John Boehner. Consider yourself on notice. This is the 2nd time in a row, that you needed HELP from Democrats, to get your garbage passed. You put your place in History, at risk. I promise you.
And, I wouldn't be getting my advice from Soft Hands, Perfect Fingernails, Nice Creased Pants types (Quin Hillyer) if I were you. I'd start listening to the AMERICANS who put you in your position of power. We MADE YOU, and we can unmake you, just as quick.
The DEBT CIELING vote, is coming up.
Screw it up! I DARE YOU.
This is your last chance.

mames| 4.15.11 @ 10:14AM

I have been blowviating all morning on this site- glad to see someone else gets it . Our pontificating, "smartest" man in the room, pundits sure don't.

A. C. Santore| 4.15.11 @ 10:37AM

Timothy and "mames," you'll be pleased to know that someone else gets it!

If Obama and his minders tell you that the sun is shining, run for your umbrella and hide under it in a corner of your basement.

I weep for my country.

**posttenebraslux**| 4.15.11 @ 3:54PM

Spot on ACS, if Bammy's mouth is open and his lips are moving, there are lies coming out.

Mark| 4.15.11 @ 10:27AM

I read this and kept having to re-read the byline. I thought it was a piece by David Brooks.

Mimi| 4.15.11 @ 10:31AM

TIM....When are you gonna RUN for congress?
Great piece as usual ! Read Steve McCann in todays American Thinker....You really give the ...
" HAD IT " out here some good old RED MEAT!!

michigander_sandusky| 4.16.11 @ 12:43PM

Pennell, Direct hit...bullseye!

Lawrence of Lutz| 4.15.11 @ 8:24AM

Say what you'll do,
DO what you say!
The Republicans do not have the courage and convictions to stop this mess. They are not like the 300 who fought til the end to save their country. Stand NOW, are become just another party of the past. 2012 isyour last chance, for in 2014 there will be another party, for better or worse.

Doctor Right| 4.15.11 @ 8:31AM

Wrath for Obama?

To what end? We KNOW that he's the enemy; he's an incurable Marxist, and he needs to be defeated. And THAT'S why we sent these Republicans to Congress - to politically crush him, and make sure he loses in 2012.

And once again, they are letting us down, and demonstrating timidity and fecklessness instead of a terrible resolve.

And that's why we're angry. And that's why these Republicans "leaders" like Boehnet deserve our
wrath, and our scorn.

Stop carrying their water, Mr. Hillyer.

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 4.15.11 @ 8:49AM

Very good analysis!

Ted| 4.15.11 @ 11:05AM

"And THAT'S why we sent these Republicans to Congress - to politically crush him, and make sure he loses in 2012."

Easy Tiger... That's why we sent CONSERVATIVES to Congress. Part of the problem - as I know you realize - is that not all of our "dear" Republicans are conservative.

I am not quite so sure that Boehner deserves our scorn... I haven't yet made up my mind on him.

What we really need are Conservative Leaders who are smart fighters. They should have the principles of a Ronald Reagan, be wonk smart like Paul Ryan, have the street smarts of a mafia don, and the ruthlessness of a Pelosi (it was her one useful quality) - with that ruthlessness of course being tempered by discretion, wonk smarts, and street smarts.

Mike D.| 4.16.11 @ 7:23AM

When its revolutionaries vs. politicians, politicians lose every time. Every time.

Teflon93| 4.15.11 @ 8:34AM

If the Republican Party and its Beltway Barons don't wake up and start cutting government right now, the Tea Party will replace them.

We are at the point where the roads diverge and we find out who the statists are and who the conservatives are. We know which road Quin Hillier's taken--now leave him to David Frum's cocktail circuit and move on to serious people.

We are out of money. Period. The time to cut government is NOW.

Who Knows?| 4.15.11 @ 8:46AM

Excellent take, Quin.

None are so blind as those who WILL NOT see.

Reading the comments, just NOW, after this heartfelt litany of truths, verily reinforces the sad point made---so many angry people are aiming their ire at the wrong people.

Remember when Ronald Reagan wasted Carter in a pivotal debate, with the smiling and truthful put down---

“There you go again.”?

Well, the tyrants leading the government “motoring” party, especially Obama, are ALWAYS “going, AGAIN”.!

Never underestimate your opponent, OR the stupidity and/or simple ignorance of most people, when it comes to politics. Fools exist to be---FOOLED!

And, as if we don’t face terrible enough odds, as things now stand, Narcissus seems to be ready to do his déjà vu dance ALL OVER AGAIN---

Trump is pondering doing a Perot.

CW says if he does go the third party route, and thereby tap into the anger of misplaced people, such as those who focus on criticizing a Boehner or any other Republican leader, that would guarantee another term for BHO.

Yikes!

A detailed take down of Obama ‘s policies by Phil Gramm in today’s WSJ provides more ammo to use in a “There you go again” fashion.

It’s always been a mystery to me how Americans could have been so STUPID in the 30’s, extending the economic down turn into a decade’s LONG depression. What fools!

And, NOW---we are “enjoying” another shot at such idiocy.

What’s needed is a huge jolt, a game changer, a paradigm shift, a massive and unavoidable event, which must wake up those “bright” denizens on the left, so that a solid majority of Americans realize from head to toe how dire the situation is.

I picture a “Mickey Kaus” type liberal being mugged by reality, and converting from their statist stupidity.

Therefore, perhaps a government shutdown is exactly what is required.

Either such an event would be terrible for Republicans, or it would not.

If not, then likely the GOP would start to get its way, and even elect more Tea Party types, so that the Paul Ryan agenda could be enacted, say after Obama is excused from his duties.

Or, if the GOP suffers, and more donkeys are elected, at least then we could have a reprise of the Obama-Pelosi-Reid sausage making, and thus bring the USA even further down---which would be not only seen, but FELT by the vast majority of Americans.

The only problem is that the latter option could possibly be a one man one vote ONE TIME deal---but hey: in the Great Depression we suffered unemployment of 20%, and we’re nowhere near that now.

Let’s go for 25% unemployment, so the FOOLS will be shocked out of their big government delusion.

No matter what, though, a tipping point MUST arrive, because the much anticipated economic demise of America---at least for the short term---is cooked into the cake, ALREADY.

In essence, then, “Obama”, et al, are STONED, figuratively, and their supporters are also LOADED.

It’s NOT that they are blissfully ASLEEP pace Biden, but they are ACTIVELY “awake” in a druggy condition!

Just as with respect to religion, CONVERSION is the sine qua non of America’s voter-chosen condition.

And this can only happen if things get bad enough.

Come on trouble, make our DAYS!

Bob Grant| 4.15.11 @ 9:37AM

"It’s always been a mystery to me how Americans could have been so STUPID in the 30’s, extending the economic down turn into a decade’s LONG depression. What fools!" ----- the million dollar question for me as well. I completely understand why FDR and his ilk would turn a severe economic downturn into a crisis only a few "brilliant minds" can fix in order to transform society. Sound familiar? ....
------
"What’s needed is a huge jolt, a game changer, a paradigm shift, a massive and unavoidable event, which must wake up those “bright” denizens on the left, so that a solid majority of Americans realize from head to toe how dire the situation is." --- Something I've been thinking about as well. My fear is the only thing that will remove this guy from office, this game changer to which you refer, is something that's brewing as we speak. If by next year our country is paying an additional dollar per gallon for gas , hyperinflation exists, and the economy remains stagnant, he will surely loose the vast majority of middle class citizens who don't work for the government, aren't receiving a government check or living off a cushy government pension plan. There are millions and millions of middle class people (of all races and genders) who voted for Obama in '08 who rely solely on the private sector to earn a living, not government largess. They have no vested interest in Obama and the government. They, collectively, will be one pissed off group of voters who will have seen enough of this clown and want him gone. It's up to the republican party to appeal to this group of voters. This, I'm afraid, will be the only opportunity the opposition has to win in '12.

**posttenebraslux**| 4.15.11 @ 3:58PM

Repectfully, Mr. Grant, the republican party does not have to appeal, all they have to do is tell the TRUTH which will be such a contrast to what is being told now. Let the truth be the weapon, it would be so easy, what have we to lose?

Bob Grant| 4.15.11 @ 10:58PM

Yes, but it doesn't hurt to effectively tell the truth. Something the republican party has had problems with since Reagan.

Anthony| 4.15.11 @ 8:53AM

We are in country in trouble because we have a R party that has no guts and is unwilling and unable to stand up to Obozo, Reid and the rest of the corrupt Marxist Ds.
What the hell is wrong with you Quin?
Boehner swears to cut $100B from the budget, puts on a dog and pony show with the Ds, with the bogus $39B cut and it really is $300M!!!
The Rs in the senate are willing to go along with allowing presidential appointments to be made w/o senate approval. This from a president who apppoints illegal, Marxists tzars, sponsered by Chuck Schumer the deplorable, detestable, piece of human debris, who fillibustered Bush's judicial appointments.
Get real Quin, you really are becoming a D.C.toady.

Ret. Marine| 4.15.11 @ 8:59AM

Wow, after having read the posts thus far, I am indeed "very concerned" for the Republican label, and for good reason. It would appear the We the People "get it" and those who have positioned themselves as the slave masters will soon get it themselves. It can not be stated in any other form as to the "I'm mad as hell and am not going to take it any longer" category. We in fact have seen a betrayal from the so-called leaders of the R-label. The fact that this Bohner thinks this usurper-n-thief is a "nice guy" says all I needed to hear from another TRAITORS of this REPUBLIC.
Mr. Hillyer, shame on you for another insult to our intelligences for the task that has taken over the slaveholders dreams. I rather think of We the People, not those of the demonrats, but the Patriots of this Republic have had enough in the arts of convictions of the other side. Insulting our intelligence is hardly the cure for what ails this Country and those who would dare fight the good fight, some gave, others gave their all. Some of us are in fact willing to take this fight to the person, persons responsible for this disaster we call a two party, both sides in on it, rail to slavery system. If you don't have anything constructive to the conversation, by all means STHU and go about your business of appeasing both sides with no future of shares of wealth to hold when it all comes tumbling down around you. I for one, find your argument rather distasteful to the extent of the false set of choices, there was no choice other than to give in to the Dem's.

Doctor Right| 4.15.11 @ 11:06AM

I'm thinking of switching my voter registration card to "A", for "American".

USSAlabama| 4.15.11 @ 11:23AM

Mimi| 4.15.11 @ 2:33PM

Doc don't do it, we need your primary vote.....Folks enroll republican so you can vote in the Primary in your state!!!

Margie| 4.15.11 @ 5:47PM

Why Mimi! How DARE you say such a thing! I'm surprised that volumes and volumes of RINO accusations haven't followed, however true it is what you say.

Frisbee| 4.18.11 @ 10:16PM

Welcome back Margie. Yes, Mimi is right. Tea Partiers need to maintain their Republican affiliation in order to control the primaries. No more RINOs.

Fed Up| 4.15.11 @ 9:03AM

Hillyer would have made a good propogandist for Goebbels. Maybe he regrets being born too late and on the wrong continent?

Destroying Planned Parenthood (couldn't spell it out?) and NPR/PBS taxpayer funding is what real citizens and their upright elected officials are to do.

That ain't hard. And that isn't wasted time. (These clowns are AGAIN on 2 week recess starting sometime about 3 p.m. today. Like they REALLY work hard. They already have an accumulated 4+ weeks of vacation since the swearing ins in January.)

You save every dime you can find for the Americans of today and tomorrow.

Less government = less evil and corruption. So you cut it in EVERY instance.

And we dump Boehner and Cantor. They had since November 3, 2010 to get their planning, strategies, coalitions, proposals, media campaigns, etc. ready. Obviously they failed to prepare, failed to execute, or just don't give a flip.

This weak-kneed nonsense over pay for active military was pure crap.

Quinboy: Real conservatives (and real American Patriots) have figured out -- like 6 weeks ago -- that Boehner and Cantor don't give a flip.

They're kicking the can down the road.

And you say, Quin, we only have 3-4 years. You're right. But NOBODY is stopping that death sequence. Nobody. And that is what we needed the 17 members of the US House of Representatives Majority Party to do last week and this week.

They didn't.

Again.

Failure.

Get a real job; you sure cannot write or reason. And you are NOT helping the good people of this country.

Who Knows?| 4.15.11 @ 9:24AM

Wow---a propagandist for Goebbels?

It’s pretty bad when a teammate stoops to Hitlerian depths to dis someone on their own side---assuming you are not a troll, and really do oppose Obama et al.

Masochists abound.

Michael L. Hauschild| 4.15.11 @ 9:06AM

“What the hell does he (Obama) know about greatness?” Not much, but he knows a whole lot more about “”Republicans” than you do. You say that John Boehner is not the problem; balderdash, you cannot preserve our nation by preserving part of the problem.
You are typical of the pundits that wring their hands, wail in anguish at the fate of our nation but do nothing except beg for more of the same punishment. You continue to support and defend the very same people that have wreaked havoc on our Nation. If Reagan behaved in the manner you suggest he would now be installing that second air controller and giving them all raises.
We are being led (and lectured to) by cowards.

Who Knows?| 4.15.11 @ 9:29AM

Name calling, especially using the “coward” word, is bad form.

It actually make YOU look bad.

Geez, fellah.

LiveFreeOrDie| 4.15.11 @ 12:58PM

Get off your high horse, hypocrite! Here in non-pc land we call a spade a spade. When leaders are cowards not only should it be pointed out, it ought to be shouted from the rooftops!

Who Knows?| 4.15.11 @ 2:54PM

How am I a hyporcite?

Don't words mean something?

Oldefarte| 4.16.11 @ 12:56PM

Then why don't you demonstrate your COURAGE, run for office, give us all some POSITIVE ideas concerning governance, if you/they are intelligent enough, we'll vote for YOU???????

**posttenebraslux**| 4.15.11 @ 4:01PM

Geez who knows? Actually makesS you look bad would seem to be better grammar. A coward is a coward, no bit of fragrance or pretty dress up will make he/she look better.

Oldefarte| 4.16.11 @ 12:58PM

....and no doubt replied to by MORONS!!!!!!

MacDaddy| 4.15.11 @ 9:14AM

Listen, we WANT to believe in John Boehner. We really do. But he isn't doing a damned thing. He isn't leading, he isn't educating voters. He isn't rallying the caucus. He isn't framing issues. He is playing defense in a critical time in American history where we should be going on OFFENSE. I'll make the analogy to civil war Union Generals. Boehner is a McLellan, and the 2010 election was Gettysburg. As anyone familiar with History will know, right after Gettysburg, the Confederate Army was vulnerable. If McLellan had summoned himself and attacked, he could have pretty much destroyed the Rebel army and set the war on a path which would have resulted in capitulation of the South much sooner. He dallied and dithered and took no action to seize the opportunity for initiative which had been given to him. As a result the nation suffered a much longer war than necessary. Lincoln, impatient for results, eventually fired him and brought in Grant, who proceeded to kick some serious ass.

We need a Grant as the Speaker of the House. Boehner is a McLellan, treading too cautiously, too hidebound to his old RINO ways. NOW is the time to seize the victory and play offense, attack, attack, attack. Obama and the Liberals don't ever stop attacking unless forced.

Please, Quin, we hope you will use the power of your pen to urge a change in Boehner's stance before it is too late. Time is a luxury we no longer have.

Fed Up| 4.15.11 @ 10:16AM

Boehner is an alcoholic who probably loses half his day before sobering up. That explain enough?

Every day he could read the $4.5 billion - $6 billion added in red ink debt due to overborrowing -- every day he could verbally read that to the American people.

Then giving us weekly tallies, montly tallies, and year-to-date tallies on both spending + debt accumulation.

Then break that down by each household (yours and mine).

Since they don't do it the message is loud and clear: Boehner, Cantor, and Co. don't give a flip.

Bob Grant| 4.15.11 @ 11:06AM

Yep, Boehner has been a disappointment so far as SOTH. According to the republican bigwigs, it was his turn to take the lead. Terrific, another Bob Dole.

Just the glint in his eye tells me he his mind is occupied on happy hour, not fighting for this country.

darcy| 4.16.11 @ 1:13AM

Major Garrett reported in the NationalJournal on Friday last, " . . . Boehner knew his conference didn't have the stomach for the fight any longer. But he WAITED (emphasis mine) for the rank and file to express this underlying sentiment of fatigue. It was personified by Rep. Austin Scott of Georgia, president of the 87-member freshman class, who late Friday afternoon offered Boehner sight-unseen support."

So in other words, instead of getting out there and taking charge, rallying the troops, and exerting himself to the utmost, Boehner was "wait[ing]" for the troops' fighting spirit to wither and die.

http://www.nationaljournal.com.....rch&page=1

In failing to fight the political war the November 2010 returns proved we are in, he's virtually guaranteeing another kind of war. As patriots lose hope that our newly elected members (as per Austin Scott's capitulation) will make a difference in reversing socialism, the people's frustration may take an unwanted but predictable turn.

Yet, 59 Republican House members voted against the compromise; and today, the Ryan budget resolution passed by a vote of 235-to 193. I only hope that the GOP understands -- in the face of the withering criticism ensuing from the leftist MSM -- that the Ryan plan is merely prologue to what's coming down the pike from the Tea Party; it by no means satisfies America's need for a complete reversal of socialism.

Frankly, I don't see the ruling class permitting us any gains by way of reversal; they're playing a game of chicken. We'll see.

335blues| 4.15.11 @ 9:29AM

Not the enemy? Exactly what is the enemy? So your position, Quin, is that we all should support the republican party elites and all their favorite players they want to shovel the American people's money to because they are not, well, the democrat party. You are beginning to sound more and more like a beltway insider doing the bidding of the washington rinos who are in the business of handing the American people's money to their friends. Even marxist democrats run as conservatives during election time. In other words, like a karl rove, the architect of bush's big spending ways. No, Quin, the American people have had enough of all of you arrogant big spending types whatever stripes you might carry. Boehner is at worst incompetent, and at best he is inept. The latest CR was a deceitful con of the American people. We are used to the marxist obama lying to us because every time he opens his mouth he lies. But it was very insighful to catch boehner in a huge lie to the American people. It really shows what we are up against, and why we must continue to purge washington of politics as usual rinos like boehner as well as marxist democrats. Either way, the American people demand leaders who will fight for them, not the usual beltway insider crowd. Boehner, rove and even you are part of the problem. Just because you clothe yourself in the republican party doesn't mean your're not.

Quin| 4.15.11 @ 10:50AM

Look, buddy, I've spilled more sweat working for smaller government for 35 years than you'll ever spill in your lifetime. I've done it in the trenches in politics; I've done it in the trenches in Congress; and I've done it as a columnist for 15 years. When Bush was at 70% approval ratings, who was criticizing him for over-spending -- and taking hell for daring to do so from others on the right? Me. When Gingrich and company caved in the 1998 spending agreement, who was almost the only one in print in the entire country who went ballistic on them? Me. I'm as much of a fiscal hawk as you will find this side of Ayn Rand. It's just that I know which battles are crucial, and which are mere skirmishes. This one was a skirmish. It wasn't worth the vitriol aimed at Boehner.

big bob| 4.15.11 @ 11:06AM

Quin,
I'm guessing most of here would not question your commitment to removing the man who would be king. However, Pres. Lincoln went through more than one general before he found Grant. And Grant had Sherman who would be found to be a psychopath these days. Many of us in this forum do not understand how you can look at Boehner and see a Grant. I see a Meade. Meade had everything he needed to give Lee a death blow at Gettysburg. But because of fear and caution, he refused. Boehner is afraid of too many things to be the point man for conservatives against a diabolical leader like O'bama. That is the truth. He probably MEANS well, but he is not capable, period. We need Michele Bachmann or someone with her tenacity and brains. That is the bottom line. Maybe Boehner is not the enemy....but he is not getting the job done. At this rate, we will NEVER catch up with this guy at the rate Boehner is moving. Never.

Mark Shepler| 4.15.11 @ 1:37PM

Great analogy Bob, better than mine. :) To add to it, let's remember too how Lincoln begged and pleaded with Meade to crush the retreating Lee who was trapped for 10 days in front of the flooded Potomac. Still, the over-cautious Meade would not move. Grant would have assaulted relentlessly.

In short, the militarily amateurish Lincoln saw the crucial opportunity more clearly than a West Pointer. Is it possible Mr. Hillyer, we amateurs see things a bit more clearly, too?

Also, when informed of Grant's ascension to Lieutenant General over all Union forces including Meade, who ranked Grant, Meade tendered his resignation to Grant not out of indignation but out of deference to Grant's prerogatives and zeal for the Union cause. Grant was moved by Meade's selfless patriotism and praises him for it.

Lastly, it's interesting that under Grant, Gen. Meade proved a wide-awake and fearsome fighter who never hesitated thereafter.

Perhaps Boehner really will prove himself another Meade when we finally get our Grant.

big bob| 4.16.11 @ 9:44AM

Wow, well said. I was not aware of the resignation detail. Very clever insight on your part. We can only hope that Boehner will have that much courage at some point in this battle.

Oldefarte| 4.16.11 @ 12:52PM

Since my great great grandfather faught for the CSA, I'll comment that the whole bunch of YANKEE BASTARDS under that moron Lincoln were similarily inept to the current Chicago/Yankee community organizer, Harvard/Yankee law degreed un-commander-in-chief that you Yankees [along with Massachusetts/Yankee Teddy Boy' money] implanted into the WH on 11/2/08. If Grant had not had 10 times the amount of troops at his disposal as did Lee, this nation's capitol would possibly now be located in Biloxi, Mississippi instead of its current one!!!!!!!!!

Oldefarte| 4.16.11 @ 12:52PM

big bob| 4.16.11 @ 4:38PM

And the relevance to this discussion is ....what?

Mark Shepler| 4.16.11 @ 6:14PM

Hey Oldfarte, I guess your umbrage rating saying it twice! :)

I hear you brother. I'm a fellow Southron (the olde way of saying it) so go easy on me. Not refighting the Lost Cause here, just talking about Grant 'cause Quin brought it up as regards Boehner.

I would point out however that in his memoirs, Grant tells how the armies counted their effectives differently. The North counted all men under arms, not making any differentiation between rear echelon ranks, detachments guarding supply lines, cooks, teamsters, etc., etc., etc. whereas the South counted as effectives only true "bayonets", as Grant calls them, in fighting units on the field or readily available in reserve.

He especially points to the many troops required to guard supply lines and bases for an army operating in enemy country where each mile forward represents another further from your base and must be protected as opposed to the ANV who can move freely without fear of their rear and every soul a friend and no movement precluded to them.

So quite reasonably in his defense Grant states that when you back out all of those non-fighting men in blue the numbers become a little more equal.

This is to take nothing away from Mars Robert and our boys in Gray, Oldfarte. We all know they were one of the most daring, dashing and bravest fighting force ever to march on history's stage!

Oldefarte| 4.17.11 @ 11:01AM

As Col. Rebel once proclaimed, FORGET, HELL NO!!!!!!!!!!

Doctor Right| 4.15.11 @ 11:10AM

...yawn...

So your assertion is that, based on your vast "experience", we should roll-over and let the political elite continue to screw things up because you (supposedly) "worked in the trenches"..??? (And as a columnist, no less!)

Go sell crazy someplace else, "Quin"...We're all stocked-up, here...

And BTW...WHAT makes you think that we readers LACK the requisite experience to criticize you, you pompous jack-ass?

Doctor Right| 4.15.11 @ 11:12AM

And if Boehner isn't willing to fight "the skirmishes", he's certainly NOT willing to fight the big battles, is he?

Bob Grant| 4.15.11 @ 11:23AM

Good point.

Per Quin, I guess we are to kick the can down the road and wait for the day when Boehner grows a pair by article of faith.

I want a leader with a little testicular fortitude and never has a bad day fighting the good fight; not someone who's focus is on happy hour and his next golf excursion.

Let the young guns take over the party. NOW!

Anthony| 4.15.11 @ 1:08PM

The Rs, Quin's heroic buddies, are already in the process of Capitulation II; known as the debt ceiling. As Quin tells us, they passed on the first "minor" crisis, but are really, really ready to do battle now.
Oops sorry, Quin, battle II will not be fought by these pantywaites either. Just wait and see how Boehner spins, twists and cries his way to raising the debt ceiling with nothing more than promises from Obozo and the Ds. I can see Schumer smirking already.
Afterall the Rs are only 1/2 of 1/3 of the government, don't you know. No, actually, the Rs are 1/2 of 1/3 of the morons in congress who are spending this country into oblivion.
Just wait to Capitulation III, the Ryan budget. Oh, wait, the folks with the pitchforks have arrived, never mind, we don't need any of these morons anymore, we'll do it ourselves, thanks.
Come and watch Quin, you might learn something.

dnha14| 4.15.11 @ 9:36AM

Boehner may not be the enemy, but something is appearing very Vichy.

Mark Shepler| 4.15.11 @ 4:40PM

That line is priceless. Good job!

Pelligrino| 4.16.11 @ 3:21PM

The dnha14 "Vichy" line is also very true.

Dixie Pixie| 4.15.11 @ 9:42AM

The above article was a brilliant analysis and a heartfelt plea for Republican unity.
There is one thing that bothers me.

Harry Reid deliberately set up the budget showdown as a choice between fully funding Planned Parenthood and shutting down the government.
How can you lose the argument against killing babies even when it means shutting down the government.
That was a conflict that the only way the Republican Leadership could lose was not to fight at all.

All Speaker Boehner had to do was to make a stand on Principal to win.
Instead he got a bunch of phantom cuts that turns out to be billions in increased spending
The Republican leadership looks like a bunch of rubes taken to the cleaners because they do not have the guts to fight on Principal.
The Democrats won because they would fight for their Principals.

So why should the Conservatives support a Republican Leadership that will not fight for Conservatives values?
What good are they anyway if they facilitate the enslavement to government noted in the first part of the article?

Doctor Right| 4.15.11 @ 11:18AM

I don't go for "Republican Unity"; I'm an American first, and a Conservative second. Being a Republican doesn't even make the top-5, and it's getting less and less important each day.

"Unity" without principle is a meaningless exercise that generally only benefits the people who are screaming for unity.

The GOP-elites REPEATEDLY demonstrate their lack of "unity" whenever one of their anointed candidates gets criticized, or fails to secure a nomination. Their response is to INSTANTLY turn-tail and support the Liberal against the Conservative, and they can go TO HELL.

"Unity"? Ask Christine O'Donnell about unity; or Joe Miller; or Sharon Angle.

If the GOP members of Congress don't get the message that was sent last November, than they'll soon be joining many of their Democrat colleagues in the unemployment line.

Fed Up| 4.15.11 @ 12:07PM

Thanks, Doc R. Lots of good posts here from you today. Much appreciated.

I now believe that the GOP did not at all want to achieve majority in the US Senate on November 2, 2010. No way. Then they'd really have to lead & produce the goods.

And that for them is scary. I mean, they'd be without excuse. And they know that the citizens would expect them to be doing the very things we've made plain.

Yet they want excuses. So they tanked on purpose in Nevada, Washington State, Alaska, Deleware, Colorado.

Mitch McConnell sucks. Hey Hoosiers, what is Dan Coats doing for you? He ain't doing squat as far as I can tell.

Ken in Tyler| 4.15.11 @ 9:47AM

Here's the crux of the matter:

There is one- and only one- way to save our nation. Restore the Constitution to its rightful place as the contract which defines what limited authority the federal government was given.

All the arm waving and gum beating about trimming the budget or deficit will ultimately solve nothing because not a single elected official has the courage to base his position on principle, admit that 90% of what the feds do is not authorized by We the People and begin to dismantle all federal activities which We the People did not authorize in writing.

What we manage to cut today will grow back if the root of the problem is not eliminated. The bottom line is the truth that neither party has any interest in abiding by the Constitution. To do so would remove their power. And that's what this is all about. Power. Not the defense of our Republic.

"The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government are FEW AND DEFINED. Those which are to remain in the State governments are NUMEROUS AND INDEFINITE." (Madison)

"I do solemnly swear to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; to bear true faith and allegience to the same and to well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office to which I am appointed. So help me God." (Me)
Semper Fi-

Doctor Right| 4.15.11 @ 11:18AM

Tyler, Texas?

Immortal 600| 4.15.11 @ 12:43PM

Ken,

I would submit that the passage of the 17th amendment was the death knell for this country as it was originally founded. The only way to get back to it, would be a repeal of that atrocity. I find it interesting that 6 of the 10 states that did not ratify that amendment were from the old Confederacy (two others were slave states that did not secede).

martin j smith| 4.15.11 @ 9:59AM

Two points: Like GWB,Boehner is a very bad communicator and also like GWB not honest about his intentions either.

Still I am with Bob Grant on this point: The American Voters who I have labeled fickle could be woken up but only in the way Mr Grant has stated: Actual conditions ( economic ) on the ground. I think they are already happening ( gas and food prices ) and other matters will be of concern as well. So when people check out there pcket books and wallets and see EMPTY --THAT IS WHAT WILL CALL THE DAY. TALK IS CHEAP--BUT BEING BROKE --SPEAKS VOLUMES. So be ready to get out the vote and stop voter fraud and push for whatever we camn get till then. And, let Boehner know WE ARE NOT AMUSED !!!!!!!!!!

big bob| 4.16.11 @ 9:46AM

I beg to differ. GW was not a great communicator, but a clear thinker. Boehner is NOT a clear or smart thinker and thus, while an okay speaker, does not really have anything to say!!!

CT Yankee| 4.15.11 @ 10:01AM

Every budget battle must be fought in earnest and with great tenacity. I want the collectivists to shutter at the thought of negotiating compromises. So far the experience has been much to kind for them to not feel emboldened. We will not win every fight, but at least the left will think twice before offering a ludicrous counter proposal.

There was much more blood left in that turnip. What will be the excuse for the next series of compromises that amount to trivial budget reductions?

But sadly, I think the gig is up anyway. The Treasury will undoubtedly default on debt obligations within my lifetime.

When totaling the sum of future entitlement obligations, the nation is technically insolvent. There is simply no way to raise the tax revenues necessary to fund over 100 trillion in entitlement payouts over the next several decades

Bob Grant| 4.15.11 @ 10:02AM

Although I agree with the often-used cliches posted here like: "we need to return to constitutional principles"; "Put God back in the classroom"; "Liberty or Tyranny"; or "family values", they should be followed but seldom used as campaign fodder because most people are not interested in listening when their savings accounts are dwindling and money is flying out of their wallets at a faster rate.

If the republicans were smart (don't hold your breath), they should focus on how Obama is crushing the standard of living for most middle class Americans.

If they can effectively incorporate those cliches into these issues fine, otherwise, use them with extreme caution.

PolishKnight| 4.15.11 @ 10:10AM

I hate to risk validating Godwin's Law, but the Republican congress reminds me of Chamberlain at Munich. We can "compromise" and give away bits and pieces until we're in a strategic position to win. But this begs the question: What are they doing to get into that strategic position besides just buying (very) little time?

Let's examine the S.C nominees. Indeed, most of the liberals on the courts have been put there by conservatives including RR. The Republicans have used only a fraction of their power while the left abuses theirs. Consider: RR could have refused to enforce affirmative action as chief executive. He could have enforced immigration law. I love hearing people become defeatists and say: "There's no way we could deport all those people" but in the meantime, it's entirely possible we can provide them all with healthcare?

It's clear that when the authorities even BEGIN to enforce immigration law, such as in Virginia, that the illegals quickly react and move and the employers start to crack down to avoid lawsuits. Have the FBI visit a few schools and ask to see the paperwork of all the kids there. In a matter of days, ALL of the illegals would be pulling their kids out of the schools (and then, it's pretty easy to just get a subpoena to request from all the schools the addresses of all the parents who pulled their kids out...)

Instead.... what are we getting? Republicans cutting a few percentage points off of a bloated budget and maybe a few tax breaks, for the wealthy. Laughable.

mames| 4.15.11 @ 10:17AM

Quin, you need an epistemological house cleaning. Stop trying to be nice and try being correct. Evil is as evil does, not as it "intentions" would have you believe.

Fredrick Ward| 4.15.11 @ 10:30AM

Dear Quin,

Let me know how siding with the losers works out for you. The GOP promised a $100 Billion cut, and we got a measily $325 million instead. Not soon after Obama is right back to talking about raising taxes more instead of actually being responsible in regard to finances. Boehner is right there with him, and said that raising the debt ceiling is inevitable; that it was, more or less, a part of the budget deal. You want me to support someone like that? Not on your life, or anyone else's.

Pete| 4.15.11 @ 10:34AM

They actually believe that a tax cut is the same as "spending." - No one is that dumb. This is posturing for the American Idol voters.

rightasrain| 4.15.11 @ 10:38AM

We haven't lost sight of our goal of deposing Obama; we just don't know how we're going to get there now that our generals have proved themselves so craven.

Reagan Loyalist| 4.15.11 @ 10:39AM

mames - you are so full of yourself, so narcissistic it's sad. Who assigned you the job of correcting every other post (exaggeration) like a school teacher grading papers? You're an angry judgmental twit who believes he has special insights and the rest of us are ignorant. Get back on your meds before you have a stroke.

Dixie Pixie| 4.15.11 @ 10:41AM

I have a question for the TAS Readership.
What were the "Signs and Portents" that definably state the Republican Leadership is against the enslavement of the populace to government?

Has anyone considered that the public's enslavement would be acceptable to the Republican Leadership if they were running it?

Melvin| 4.15.11 @ 10:56AM

"Are we free or are we slaves under mob law?"

Dixie Pixie| 4.15.11 @ 11:26AM

On a local Courthouse there used to be the following inscription::::
"We must be slaves to the Law to be free...Marcus Cicero"

It isn't mob rule that we are under.
Has any "mob" anywhere, anytime, anyplace that demanded their own enslavement to government?
Or was it Roman style Government and the governmental officials that enslaved the people for their own wealth and pleasure.

George S| 4.15.11 @ 11:22AM

All of this is pointless finger pointing. If the upcoming vote on the debt ceiling increase passes, the Tea Party is over (or irrelevant in future elections). If the Republicans hold the line and do not increase the ceiling, all hell will break loose as we won't be able to borrow and fund entitlements. That's what is meant by the day of reckoning and why it is around the corner whether we like it or not. Will Boehner usher it on the next vote, or next year, or keep punting until after he is safely retired? The man is afraid of a government holiday type shutdown. That should be your answer, no?

Wayne | 4.15.11 @ 12:03PM

By passing the 2011 budget the GOP has already tacitly passed the debt ceiling. It is already a mute point. The Tea Party is not over, the GOP is over.

Mark Shepler| 4.15.11 @ 2:23PM

I'm with Wayne. George you mistakenly conflate the Tea Party with the GOP. The Tea Party represents an insurgency, or invasion really, of the GOP. The Tea Party worked within the GOP only because it the closer fit of the two parties. But the TP is not a creature or beholden to the GOP. It is more the other way around.

If the Reps fail to heed and follow the Tea Party I believe they will go the way of the Whigs and be supplanted by the TP.

The Dems existence is not in much danger. There will always be mendicants to speak for. It's representing liberty over the long-haul that is a challenge. The GOP may have run its course just as their predecessors did over issues of liberty.

George S| 4.15.11 @ 5:34PM

I wasn't too clear.. what I meant is that if the debt ceiling is increased again in the face of a 1.5 trillion deficit, then there is no return. Any future Congress or President will become the caretaker of a socialist welfare state, constantly searching for ways to borrow money to keep the economy from collapse. Reducing the deficit will become impossible as the debt plus interest will exceed GDP in non-war conditions. The only non-borrowing choice is to print more money, devaluing the dollar and further shunning away debtors as their existing investments devalue. This is why Greece and Spain are in trouble, and there is no reason why America will be blessedly exempt. There is nothing a Sarah Palin or even a Ronald Reagan can do under these conditions except... dismantle entitlements and break the promises to all those alive today. But as long as people can vote, that will be politically impossible. Even for the Tea Party.

That's why the Democrats fell on their swords last November.

Al Adab| 4.15.11 @ 11:26AM

An almost meaningless budget deal and we turn on each other. What this actually demonstrates most clearly is that The Left- in total control of the once proud Dem party- thinks any single dollar of cuts is too much. They are the enemy of Liberty and as Cato said, Democrats "delenda est". That friends is our goal. TEA Party tonight like your lives depend on, for your Freedoms do.

Wayne | 4.15.11 @ 12:00PM

Lets face it, Boehner has not been impressive. It seems that he in Cantor are more concerned with corralling the Tea Party members than corralling Obama. They seem to be running interference for Obama. Just as defenders must take out the blockers to get to the running back, we need to take out the GOP blockers who are running interference for Obama. Nothing personal, just no more business as usual.

Bill Diebold| 4.15.11 @ 12:04PM

President Ronald Regan spoke of the 11th comandment which was approx "don't speak evil of a fellow Repubilcan" but... J Boehner is a cowardly traitor. Conservative voters know brak el hussein the bummer is nothing more than socialist tyrant, but we were deluded into thinking that Boehner was some sort of reformer. I'm sure Pres Reagan is looking down right now saying to himself "maybe the 11th doesn't apply to Boehner"...

PolishKnight| 4.15.11 @ 12:58PM

The irony of that quote is that his VP called his economic policies "voodoo economics." Imagine how far RR could have gone if he didn't follow a one sided commandment...

Melvin| 4.15.11 @ 12:09PM

I thought I was bad at playing Poker. Are each parliamentary fight, we keep hearing, "This is just the beginning, we have to start somewhere." Well to be frank Boehner is running out of, "Somewheres," and before they realize it, it is going to be knee deep in campaign season again, and the energy to fight the budgetary battles won't be there."
If Boehner and the rest of the Republican leadership isn't careful or more forthright in their fight, they are going to run out of legislative road real damn quick. And Harry Reid knows this full well.

CalMark| 4.15.11 @ 12:14PM

More apologism for cowardice and fecklessness. Some people have been living in/reporting on/part of Washington, D.C. far too long to "get it."

By refusing to fight, Boehner & Co. are enabling evil, namely the terrible damage done by the Obama regime. Moralists say that enablers of evil are worse than evil-doers, as the enablers consign innocents to suffer by passively abetting wickedness. (Think antithesis of Christ cleansing the temple.)

Or, most simply: "With friends like these, who needs enemies?"

Louis Tully| 4.15.11 @ 12:14PM

Wrong again. Boehner and Cantor are a big part of the problem. They occupy critical positions and yet are unwilling to fight, and unwilling to yeild the floor to those who ARE willing to fight. this is why they both must be removed...and they will be.

davelnaf| 4.15.11 @ 12:28PM

Americans opposed to Obama should stop making these ‘what-did-we-do-to-deserve-this (meaning, of course, the Bamster)’ kinds of comments. Big Mistakes sometimes happen in our elections. We elect presidents that seem determined to screw things up. We elect fools to Congress.

We should see Obama leave office early in 2013, unless, that is, the country IS basically unsound in its moving parts and the machine cannot be fixed without a major overall. But I believe it’s basically sound. It seems that a decent number of our fellow citizens that voted for the Bamster now recognize their mistake.

But just in case, by some miracle of miracles—and massive voter fraud, the Bamster gets an additional four years tacked on to his Four-Year-Plan to ruin this country try to go on with your life and always remember to disrespect the people the people in Washington at least as often as they disrespect us.

PCPSmoker| 4.15.11 @ 12:31PM

Pathetic piece. The usual mush from the southerner Quin. This is now the third act. The first was the facade of bravado (100 billions in cuts). The second is the lie that obscures weakness (the largest cut in history. We have changed the conversation). Now we get the third act --don't hold us accountable.

It's too bad, AS is carrying this garbage. Hannaford presented the second act with an equally long and pathetic piece. Now Quinn carries the 3rd act with an equally long and pathetic piece

Paul from SA| 4.15.11 @ 12:49PM

I disagree strongly. I am furious. I am double-mad.

Boehnor and the GOP leaders deceived me, intentionally, and that is unacceptable. I expect liberals to lie, cheat and steal, but not the people whom I purport to support.

Nope, Boehnor needs to be replaced with an honest Speaker.

Mr. Quinn, character matters. It's time for the politicians to start treating us with respect.

Paul from SA| 4.15.11 @ 12:50PM

How long has Boehnor been in D.C.?

How much has federal spending increased during that time?

Oldefarte| 4.15.11 @ 12:53PM

Many of you people are simply MORONS! You simply DO NOT understand the point that Quin is correctly making here. IT'S THE GD DEMOCRATS..........STUPIDS! Nobody wants to put the Boehners of congress on a pedistal for worship, but WHAT IN THE YOUKNOWWHAT are the GD alternatives? Quin's referencing the EAT-YOUR-OWN mentality here is prophetic IF YOU PEOPLE DON'T GET YOUR HEADS OUR OF YOUR YOUKNOWWHATS! R's only control ONE out of THREE branches of government, get it? Barry and the D's are in CHARGE, get it? Go ahead, declare war against the Boehners, McConnells, McCains, etc, defeat them, and then SEE WHERE IT GETS YOU, FOOLS! More Barrys, more Charlies from NYC, more Dickies from Illinois, more Lightin Johns from Michigan, more Barbaras and Nancys from California, that's where! Go ahead, run your third party canndidates, split the conservative votes available, and, as the lunatic Charlie declares, WINNING! More appropriately......STUPID!!!!!!!!!

Louis Tully| 4.15.11 @ 1:03PM

Its too early to be drinking, isn't it ol smelly one?

LiveFreeOrDie| 4.15.11 @ 1:41PM

Yes of course, we're all just a bunch of idiots. You have it right, the Speaker is doing a wonderful job and we should be proud of the House and it's accomplishments. Pffff...

Yesterday you chastised everyone for name-calling. How's it feel to be a complete hypocrite?

Oldefarte| 4.15.11 @ 3:50PM

I'm far from a hypocrite, but you are a FOOL! I repeat, THE PROBLEM IS THE DEMOCRATS, DUMBARS!!!!!!!!!!!

LiveFreeOrDie| 4.15.11 @ 5:13PM

You're the textbook definition of a hypocrite. You've chided others for name calling, all the while calling others names.

Look, we're on the same side here but if you want to call the urine running down our backs rain that's where we part ways. Your crackpot posts about how we only control the house so we have no power are factually incorrect.

We need leaders not afraid to fight. Boehner and the rest of the house pansies aren't even trying. I'm not happy over getting NOTHING, if that makes me a fool and a dumb-ass then so be it. How much do you want to bet the debt ceiling is raised? How much do you want to bet Obama care and every other program will be fully funded and operational as planned?

Oldefarte| 4.16.11 @ 11:59AM

'Crackpot posts' , that's good....AND STUPID! 'Factually incorrect', that's stupid also!
'Pansies' WOW, you really must be some kind of macho-moron, huh? 'Fight', yeah like some imbicilic bar-fly who gets his ass thrown in jail fighting over some prostitute? Brilliant, you go ahead and FIGHT ALL THOSE PANSIES, FOOL, AND THAT WILL GET YOU EXACTLY.......NOWHERE!!!!!!

Oldefarte| 4.16.11 @ 12:33PM

PS: Although I'm wasting my time explaining the truth to someone like you that is no doubt constantly negative in attitude, but I'll try. You're correct that the debt ceiling will be raised, simply because IT HAS TO BE [if not, the stock markets etc would crash from our defaulting of payments, banks would close, interest rates would skyrocket, private business would go bankrupt,etc; in essence, it would become THE END OF THE WORLD]. If these Republicans that are successful in attaching a rider onto the debt ceiling bill that forces a gvernmental spending freeze and also an intiation of a BBA, then everyone should be extactic over same AS A START. BHO's WELFARECARE becoming full operational/funded, no way; and the reason for same is that it won't become so until 2014 and if enough Republicans/conservatives are elected in November of 2012 and BHO is defeated by a Republican [which will happen], then it will become thereafter game, set and match for WELFARECARE, period. In conclusion, the problem with people such as yourself is your constant negativity [and lack of a positive attitude]; always assuming the worst possible outcomes of every occasion; probably don't even vote [or possibly ignorantly/stupidly voted for BHO in November of 2008, being in your p-off mood over GWB] and just instead bitch, moan and groan WITHOUT OFFERING ANY POSITIVE IDEAS. Sure, I complain like everyone else, but I also offer encouragement and positivity if possible. Some of the comments here [including yours] are totally lacking in any semblance of CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM whatsoever; but are simply BITCH, BITCH, BITCH [with no alternatives offered]; and of which I cannot stand/tolerate. If you disagree with something [which is your right to do so], offer alternative ideas/solutions, UNLESS OF COURSE YOU DON'T KNOW OF ANY AND ARE THEREFORE................S-T-U-P-I-D!!!!!!!!

Margie| 4.16.11 @ 3:46PM

Oldfarte,

You will never get a reasoned response from a Paul-bot.
Think Neo-confederate.
Remember~ this is the guy you're beginning to support. Don't drink the Kool-aid!

LiveFreeOrDie| 4.17.11 @ 1:43AM

If he wanted a reasoned response maybe he should have started with one. If this is the same Margie that used to post here I'm quite shocked. If you recall we've had friendly discussions where we didn't agree but now I'm a Paul-bot? Neo-confederate? Our whole argument is over the Boehner budget compromise. It really has nothing to do with Ron Paul so buzz off.

victor| 4.17.11 @ 1:20PM

Buzz off? OK~ after you.

Margie| 4.17.11 @ 1:38PM

Sorry, forgot to type in hubby's name here as it remained from earlier, as he was posting to the Neo-Nazi Clint/Tim*.

Live Free Or Die,

I do not understand the mindset of some who take the side of the Ron Paul mentality and choose to attack those of us who vote Republican and insult and demean us for voting for them.

I believe the non-interventionist and anti-Israel mindset is not only wrong, but thoroughly destructive.

Just look at how it divides us. There is no conservatism in an isolationist stance, as well as the anti-Israel one.

"Of the four wars in my lifetime, none came about because the U.S. was too strong."
— Ronald Reagan

"Please tell me you're Republicans."
(to doctors preparing to operate after assassination attempt)"
— Ronald Reagan (Speaking My Mind: Selected Speeches).

"You and I are told we must choose between a left or right, but I suggest there is no such thing as a left or right. There is only an up or down. Up to man's age-old dream -- the maximum of individual freedom consistent with order --or down to the ant heap of totalitarianism. Regardless of their sincerity, their humanitarian motives, those who would sacrifice freedom for security have embarked on this downward path."
— Ronald Reagan.

If we're all on the same side, why is it that we have to attack each other?

Why do you attack OLDEFARTE when he speaks truthfully?

Why am I accused of being a RINO because I vote Republican when it is the only party that is in oppososition to the Left?

If you really think I, (or OLDEFARTE for that matter), are not as angry as you at our side at times for not doing enough and/or being weak when they should be strong you are nuts.

(Sorry OLDEFARTE, I do not mean to associate you with me if you are offended).

LiveFreeOrDie| 4.17.11 @ 4:29PM

@ Margie

O.K. Marge, I'll bite. Starting at the top:

"I do not understand the mindset of some who take the side of the Ron Paul mentality and choose to attack those of us who vote Republican and insult and demean us for voting for them."

I've never attacked anyone for voting republican. This doesn't even make any sense. The argument with old fart was over the budget deal. You know, the one where Boehner came out with 100Billion dollar figure, while even bigger numbers were being tossed around, and managed to get 0.325% of it. The "deal" stinks. Both Oldefarte and Obama are in total agreement this was a good deal, that should tell you something. Again, Ron Paul has NOTHING TO DO WITH this discussion and neither does Israel.

"I believe the non-interventionist and anti-Israel mindset is not only wrong, but thoroughly destructive.

Just look at how it divides us. There is no conservatism in an isolationist stance, as well as the anti-Israel one."

Good for you and I'm not arguing the other side of that. The fact remains it has NOTHING to do with the conversation. Why bring it up, again and again when it doesn't apply to the article or the discussion?

"If we're all on the same side, why is it that we have to attack each other?"
"Why do you attack OLDEFARTE when he speaks truthfully?"

How about answering your own question? Why did you attack me? All I did was disagree. He attacked me for it, calling me a dumbass, moron and stupid several times. As far as speaking truthfully, well that's a matter of opinion that you, him and Obama all share. Oldefart seems to think all we have to do is get the other two branches and everything will be fine. Well it wasn't that long ago when the R's controlled all three branches and what happened? Nothing new. The same. The usual. As long as suckers keep "hoping for change" they will continue to get shat on. By the time they figure out they've been had it's too late. A two-party system breaks down when both parties are corrupt. I see corruption and/or just plain non-representation from our "conservative" leaders and it's not acceptable. That doesn't mean if my guy doesn't win the primary I'm not going to vote for whoever does. The lesser of two evils is still a choice to make.

"Why am I accused of being a RINO because I vote Republican when it is the only party that is in oppososition to the Left?"

I can't answer for other people. I've never accused you of being a RINO. Ask the people who did.

"If you really think I, (or OLDEFARTE for that matter), are not as angry as you at our side at times for not doing enough and/or being weak when they should be strong you are nuts."

In this instance that's EXACTLY what is happening. Go back and read what he's written. We're more or less equally angry about most of the issues but on this one, he sides with Boehner, Obama, the Senate and the MSM. As more and more information comes out it's quite obvious this was nothing more than theatrics, lies and back-door agreements.

LiveFreeOrDie| 4.17.11 @ 1:31AM

Your incoherent response makes it difficult to address. The majority of your drivel is nothing more than personal attacks. Rather typical behavior for the intellectual light-weight.

"...constantly negative in attitude" - You're damn right about that. Until politicians stop flushing this country down the toilet my attitude towards them and their supporters will surely be negative and highly skeptical to say the least.

If the debt ceiling is raised then it will be "...THE END OF THE WORLD]" I disagree but I'm not going to argue the subject of global economics when that's your starting premise. Also I imagine a huge waste of time and effort that you wouldn't even read before replying how "S-T-U-P-I-D" I am.

"BHO's WELFARECARE becoming full operational/funded, no way; and the reason for same is that it won't become so until 2014 and if enough Republicans/conservatives are elected in November of 2012 and BHO is defeated by a Republican [which will happen]" You believe you have the ability to predict the future, at least with regard to elections? If I'm drinking kool-aid what are you drinking?

Boehner said 100 billion and got 325 million. That's 0.325% and you're dancing around in your cheerleader outfit trying to tell us how wonderful it is. I'm going to ignore the rest of your rambling, personal attacks.

Bob Grant| 4.15.11 @ 5:15PM

Fart,

Cool your jets. No one here wants a third party split.... yet. They're justifiably putting constant pressure on the RINO repubs who are partially responsible for the mess we're currently in.

You should let one of those out every once in a while. It might calm you down :)

darcy| 4.16.11 @ 1:52AM

If thieves keep getting into your house, you have to start wondering about the security system you have in place, O.F.

I do not believe for one moment that the Repubs are not in on the scam. This slide into socialism has been going on for 100 YEARS. Our political class has all but publicly renounced our Founding principles, our Declaration of Independence, our Constitution, and only trot out "patriotic slogans" during campaign season. Otherwise, they lament, oh boo hoo, it's the best deal we could get.

As they watch us bleed cash, freedoms, and decency.

Bob Grant| 4.16.11 @ 11:27AM

They are "in on the scam" in that they want to enjoy their nice little Washington perks and go out of their way to make them permanent by talking out of both sides of their mouths. They say one thing and do another. I don't believe they, like many liberals, have an ideological bent.

Term limits!!

Mimi| 4.15.11 @ 3:00PM

As My SON the coach says..."keep your eye on the BALL".....dis-unity lost us some votes in 2008 ...as did some stay homes...."O" should never been elected....Look at the BIG picture...PUT somebody good up to run against Obama. Stay vigilant the Dems are out there trying to destroy RYAN and his "plan". Is he the one they fear now? they got off Sarah's back lately. they play sleazy and DIRTY..... thats not us...So we got to PLAY-IT better....Pray before you go into the SLIME... ask for AID & PROTECTION...like your going after the DEVIL!!!

Margie| 4.15.11 @ 6:17PM

The Liberalterriors and Paleos would much rather beat the living doo-doo out of the Republicans than they would go after Obama and co.

This is why we lost to him the first time around. And it's why we'll lose to him again.

But YOUR words are TRUE, Mimi, and need to be heeded.

Doctor Right| 4.15.11 @ 6:33PM

If "dis-unity" cost us the election in 2008 it's because the GOP-establishment REFUSED to unify behind a real, articulate, accomplished Conservative candidate, and gave us that idiot McCain, instead.

And like a good soldier, I went along because I understood the alternative.

NEVER AGAIN. It's time for the GOP-elites to "unite" behind OUR Candidate, this time.

Time for them to put-up, or shut-up.

'Cuz we ain't playin' no more.

Margie| 4.15.11 @ 6:51PM

The idiot McCain would have been McCain/Palin though, and we wouldn't have the mess we have now.

Also, it wasn't just the establishment folk getting him elected, it was the stinking open primaries and the Dems voting in them.

Is there a way we can get them closed?

Can we agitate to get these laws changed in our states?

darcy| 4.16.11 @ 1:56AM

Here's how South Carolina's handling it, Margie:

http://www.carolinapoliticsonl.....primaries/

Margie| 4.16.11 @ 3:43PM

Thank you, darcy. At least a few people around here are decent.

Clint| 4.16.11 @ 5:49AM

Who You Shuckin' & Jivin' Apocalyptic Crank Lady Victor-Margie.?
When You Voted For The Serial Traitor to Conservatism John McCain In The New Jersey Primary on Super Tuesday It wasn't an Open Primary. It Was "CLOSED".
Now, tell Us about McCain-Lieberman, McCain-Kennedy, McCain-Feingold, The Gang of 14, Opposing Bush Tax Cuts of 2001 & 2003, Tarp.

The Tea Party Rebellion Escalates.

Carpe Diem.

Margie| 4.16.11 @ 3:41PM

Hey moron, I never said what you're saying I said But then, you stalk me to purposely lie and mistreat me, so I am not surprised.

You're a liar and a scumbag.

And, I voted for McCain/Palin and am proud of it. I vote Republican for a reason~ to help defeat the enemy~ it's called the Left.
I have said repeatedly to your disgusting posts, though I don't have to explain myself to a lowlife like you, but for the sake of truth~ I did not want McCain to be the nominee. I wanted Fred Thompson to be, but since Thompson was out of the race, I voted for McCain.
Now only a sick, twisted, evil bastard like yourself would hound another human being around a website in order to slander and malign another human being that did the right thing.

The side YOU seem to be on!

Now for all you fools out there who will rather write in your brother-in-law's name on the ballot and give us Obama II like Clint/Tim* the Ron Paul Neo-Nazi lunatic, here's a bumper sticker for ya's:

MY BROTHER-IN-LAW/2012!

LiveFreeOrDie| 4.17.11 @ 1:47AM

This isn't the original Margie. Margie wasn't a bitch!

CAPTAIN OBVIOUS| 4.17.11 @ 1:09PM

What else do you call a mean spirited hypocrite?

Margie| 4.17.11 @ 1:47PM

This shows who you are, that you ARE in agreement with the Neo-Nazi anti-semite Clint/Tim*.

What a disgrace. You will be to me persona non grata henceforth.

Margie| 4.17.11 @ 6:54PM

I do not believe that YOU are the sam LiveFreeOrDie that used to post some time ago.

Are you the fellow who is in the military?

Hmm?

Clint| 4.17.11 @ 10:46AM

You're A RINO-CINO , Apocalyptic Crank Lady Victor-Margie.
You Voted For The Serial Traitor To Conservatism John McCain In The "Closed" New Jersey GOP Primary & then again in The 2008 General Election And Beat The Drum For The Serial Traitor McCain All The Way.

Now, Tell Us About McCain-Feingold, McCain-Kennedy, McCain-Lieberman, Gang Of 14, Opposing The Bush Tax Cuts Of 2001 & 2003, Tarp.
The Tea Party Escalates.

Carpe Diem.

Margie| 4.17.11 @ 1:42PM

To Clint/Tim*:

You're a warped liar on his way to Hell.
That i where God says liars go.
Lotsa luck.
You are a disgrace to humanity.

CAPTAIN OBVIOUS| 4.17.11 @ 3:02PM

Thus sayeth Margie who shines the light of Christ through her thoughts, words, and actions.

Margie| 4.17.11 @ 3:58PM

Doesn't matter what YOU think, genius.

"Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and fornicators and murderers and idolaters, and every one who loves and practices falsehood." Rev. 22:15.

Practicing falsehood?

CAPTAIN OBVIOUS| 4.17.11 @ 6:51PM

Margie at 1:47PM - "You will be to me persona non grata henceforth." Your response is henceforth and therefore you just practiced a falsehood no? Margie at 2:01PM - "You will crawl to the King of Kings when He returns, as all worms will. I look forward to that day!" Thus sayeth Margie who is righteously indignant when referred as a bitch, or mean spirited, or a hypocrite, or failing to shine the light of Christ through her thoughts, words, and actions, or practicing falsehood.
"I look forward to that day? No falsehood?

Margie| 4.17.11 @ 8:25PM

Are you brain dead?

PCPSmoker| 4.15.11 @ 7:37PM

The alternative is to maximize one's leverage to force Obama and Reid To accept a compromise. It wasn't us who came up with the idea of 100 billions. It was Boehner himself. It wasn't us vowing to repeal Obamacare. It was Boehner. We are asking for guts, guys are like are making excuses for a weak-kneed hack like Boehner. Guys like you excused GWB during his spending spree.

Jack London| 4.15.11 @ 1:17PM

Goodness me this is a useless and ignorant article even by the exceptionally low standards set by this site. It's as though the author had woken up today without an ounce of American history in what passes for his brain.

skip| 4.15.11 @ 2:36PM

Ironic considering part of American history is that in 2007 the top 1% of income earners paid more income tax than the bottom 95% of income earners combined, yet when repeatedly asked about this in response to your statements on income inequalities, your only eventual response to this part of American history was those top income earners were not 'taxed highly at all' (4.4 @6:26pm).

Goodness me I'll let you get back to commenting on the useless and ignorant lack of understanding of American history here by authors and readers in what passes for our brains.

e cowan| 4.15.11 @ 1:24PM

I just found out that Boehner and his miserable bunch continued taxpayer subsidies for "renewal energy" projects. AND they did nothing to stop the EPA from putting CAP and TAX in place through regulations.
A plague on BOTH their Houses!

Michael L. Hauschild| 4.15.11 @ 1:38PM

“Look, buddy, I've spilled more sweat working for smaller government for 35 years than you'll ever spill in your lifetime. I've done it in the trenches in politics; I've done it in the trenches in Congress; and I've done it as a columnist for 15 years.”
Don’t look now, fool, but that makes you just about the most abject failure in political, advocate and literary history; thank you for admitting it in print.

Oldefarte| 4.16.11 @ 11:50AM

If you're a columnist, then why are you wasting your time here blogging/commenting [and belittling/demeaning other commentors] so frequently upon other columnists' editorials? Why don't you just go write your own editorial and have it published here or elsewhere????????

LiveFreeOrDie| 4.17.11 @ 3:25AM

It was a quote, genius. He's not a columnist.

Oldefarte| 4.17.11 @ 10:55AM

Okay, MORON, here's a quote for you[Criticizing people for criticizing people is ignorant and hypocritical]!!!!!!!!!

LiveFreeOrDie| 4.17.11 @ 4:36PM

"Okay, MORON..."

Until you can put together an entire paragraph that makes sense and stop with the juvenile name calling I'm not going to respond.

Nick| 4.15.11 @ 1:41PM

Good article H. Sadly, this is not our Father's Congress or Presidency. Collegiality is finished. Replaced by the far left idealogues and whacked out environmentalists. So, here we are, with 'good' men in leadership positions that are trying to be 'fair' and 'reasonable'. Sorry, no room for that from our adversaries (formerly culturally cohesive Americans). So, yes it is time to fight. Question: Do you think the 30% of Colonists that supported the Crown were saying these things about those nasty, fiesty Revolutionaries?? Taht would be a YES.

Pat| 4.15.11 @ 1:41PM

Amusingly, many Conservative writers such as Quin Hilyer are perpetually amazed at the incompetence of the Republicans. “How can the Republicans fail to see the problem, how can they fail to act?” they constantly wail. But in their very next breath they remind us the GOP is the only game in town – if you’re a Conservative that is. Sure, you can vote for a third party, but you’ll be wasting your vote they piously admonish us.

No Conservative pundit ever addresses how an Obama can come to power and do so much damage in such a short time. He found a way to give his political allies almost $1 trillion in handouts – Stimulus Handouts funded by taxpayers but also by borrowing money – he frantically gave away billions of dollars us Americans didn’t even have and he did it with a smile on his lips, a song in his heart and time out for shooting hoops. He successfully restored massive yearly bonuses for the Democrat’s secret admirers on Wall St. He rushed to the rescue of a major labor union by forcing taxpayers to bail out the auto companies, swindling the stockholders and bond owners in the process. If only our Republicans could be as bold, dynamic and effective.

Sure, we’re constantly reminded that Obama’s Party controlled the legislature – so did Bush at one time – and what miracles did he accomplish? Even at our most charitable, it’s impossible to list Bush’s comparable accomplishments – the triumphs which would equal a one term legislator’s first try at acting presidential. Being a Conservative means you must also be a Republican we’re informed – but what did we ever do to deserve such a punishment?

NCdefector| 4.15.11 @ 2:07PM

That Boehner lacks the leadership bandwidth to be a committee chairman, let alone Speaker, is obvious to the most casual observer. As Speaker he is a mistake. As Speaker he is the proxy for the House Republicans. And therein lies the problem. Once again we have been bought and sold by our elected representative. Whoever thinks that we can pick up the political pieces over multiple election cycles is smoking some of that good California medication. Oh, and we don't have 3 or 4 years with the budget/economy-maybe 2 at the outside.

So Quinn, enough of your condescending reprovals. The old guard has lost its way and needs to step aside. Problem is, as it has always been, no one in power attrites of their own volition.

Ray| 4.15.11 @ 2:23PM

I hear so many complaints about the "gop leadership" and the like, by those who voice their opinion, and leave it at that. Why haven't ANY OF YOU actually tired to make a difference by, you know, RUNNING FOR OFFICE! It's very easy to criticize someone like Boehner for doing what you, yourselves, avoid, but at least he's trying. He's not sitting around complaining about how someone else isn't trying hard enough. He's actually out there doing it! What are any of YOU doing, besides complaining?

If you want change, then YOU have to do something other than complain. Here's an Idea: get directly involved in your local, State, and federal politics, by becoming local, State, and federal politicians yourselves. If you have the drive, the commitment, then you, just like so m,any others thought American history, can do it. Don't tell me that it can't be done, for it's been done thousand and thousands of times, year after year, for over two hundred years, no matter who's "controlling" government or who's "in charge" of a given party.

If anyone is "failing" America, it's the lazy people like yourselves who refuse to take any real action and be a part of the government but only criticize those who dare to try to change things. If anyone is to blame, it is yourselves.

In other words, Stop complaining about others, get off your lazy asses, and do it yourself. No one else can do it for you.

Oldefarte| 4.15.11 @ 4:01PM

Finally, some with intelligence [Ray]. Thank you for your TRUTH! BHO was elected by these same type morons, no doubt, who are now ignorantly critisizing Boehner/Republicans who are at least doing something. These blogging morons here are most probably some of BHO's and his leutenants operating out of the D of J building in DC. TAS has now obviously been seized/taken over/captured by Eric's troops from the sound/intensity of this idiotic statements. There's no hope, and this country is doomed. These morons allowed El Chosen One to be elected [hell they no doubt even voted for him themselves] and now they are attacking Boehner, Canter, Ryan, McConnell etc. It is the unemployed, welfare class defined and proclaimed by Michelle Malkin's latest editorial concerning Americorp that are blogging here!!!!!!!!

Lucky Garnett| 4.15.11 @ 4:12PM

I'm willing to bet most of the people on this site are involved in one way or another. Giving money, working for campaigns, attending rallies, etc..
Does one actually have to be a politician to be able to criticize?
I'm also not sure what Boehner is "daring to change"? If he actually were "daring to change" I don't think there would be the criticism.

Now, Michele Bachmann is "daring to change" but she has been sent off to the corner by Boehner and Cantor.

big bob| 4.16.11 @ 9:49AM

First, how do you know what anyone is doing?
Second, what is your great claim to fame?
Third, I don't like your assumption that everyone IS sitting on their collective behinds.

LiveFreeOrDie| 4.17.11 @ 3:53AM

Criticizing people for criticizing people is ignorant and hypocritical.

Assume much? You don't know anything about the people here. I've done my share and then some but I guess if you're a GOP cheerleader you can just kick back and relax because it's all under control, right? All you have to do is vote 'R' down your ticket every so often and you've done your part?

This is a forum for discussion, which is most often critical because the leaders in our government (conservative or not) have done an awful job, to put it mildly. It's an unfortunate reality.

Now as far as becoming a politician, no thank you. Honest politicians don't get elected, or reelected. On top of moral apprehension lies the problems of corruption and elitism. In this country every US Senator is a millionaire. You think you can break into that good old boys club with some hard work and fresh ideas go for it. I'm under no such delusion.

Oldefarte| 4.17.11 @ 10:53AM

What a brilliant statement [Criticizing people for criticizing people is ignorant and hypocritical].........GADZOOKS, SHAZAM!!!!!!

LiveFreeOrDie| 4.17.11 @ 4:39PM

I'm starting to feel sorry for you. It's pathetic, really. You're only making yourself look bad, nobody else.

clamor| 4.15.11 @ 2:27PM

There was a sea change with all of the new Tea Party Congressmen. But it's going to take a Tea Party Tsunami to wash out all of the old "Ruling Class" Neo Conservatives like Boehner who always want to compromise rather than fight for what is right.

Hopefully 2012 will bring another huge wave of Tea Party congressmen and senators who will be able to take control of the party from those who worked harder to stay in office than they worked to do the responsible things.

Lucky Garnett| 4.15.11 @ 4:01PM

From the outside it looks like the plan of the Repubs (boehner) is not to do anything to upset the Independents while trying to marganalize the Tea Party. Tea Party=Extreme
I mean they attack Michele Bachmann regularly.
What is all the stuff Cantor and Boehners camps put out about Michele being better off on the campaign trail cause of all her "meddling"? Really, shouldn't that talk be aimed at Bozo? Instead Boehner tells us he "likes" Bozo.
The Rino's are attacking 'their own' and I haven't seen any articles scorning them for their behavior.

martin j smith| 4.15.11 @ 4:02PM

I agree--The current leadershit is incompetent at best. OK here is my thought as to what to do. First Objective--inspite of them--work to defeat Obama.
If you do not agree with THAT AS THE FIRST OBJECTIVE--then I question the motives of complainers or dividers. Obama has given us ample opportunity to defeat him. We will lose if we are divided period. His "big speech" childish, idiotic and un-presidential--a vast majority of people know it and agree. So, lets see who are the ones who are understandably upset by Boehner--yet who keep their feet on the ground versus those who have other motives to dividide and a possible victory away. Oh yeah--I know --what is the point of winning if we have Boehners--true--but would you really prefer Obama ? If you say yes--WE ARE NOT ON THE SAME PAGE AT ALL.

Lucky Garnett| 4.15.11 @ 4:25PM

Of course the objective is to beat the bozo. But when people are being told to shut up and follow the leader like a bunch of sheep becuase anybody is better than Bozo it doesn't sit well.
That has been the Rino plan all along, let bozo destoy everthing in his path and by default people will have no choice but to vote for us.
I think the people are looking for something a little better.

Oldefarte| 4.15.11 @ 4:04PM

This country is doomed, it has been captured, we're surrounded. Michelle Malkin's description of Americorp's welfare troops are obviously blogging in full attack mode here at TAS!!!!!!

Wayne | 4.15.11 @ 11:25PM

Oldefarte, I respect you as a poster. But I think you are misreading our criticism. We know the Democrats are the enemy and Obama leads them. But what we are seeing is a set of Republican leaders who DONT seem to see what we are seeing. They seem weak and ineffectual. We are questioning if they have our backs. I think some do, but others definitely do not. We even had 5 GOP senators vote for Planned Parenthood, some of whom are only in office because of the Tea Party.

Oldefarte| 4.16.11 @ 11:33AM

Wayne, I'm not disagreeing with YOU in that HEALTHY/CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM is always warranted/necessary; but IMO, this group here basically have gone off the deep end of sanity. Please re-read Quin Hillyer's TITLE of his editorial [along with its contents/meaning]. The focus should be on Obama/Democrats, not these Republicans. Commentors here are playing right into their clandestine playbook by fighting amoungst themselves as conservatives. The object/purpose is to change the country from what we're now faced with, and that cannot be done by [as Quin accurately indicates] EATING OUR YOUNG. Do I [or any sane person] agree with these R's activities/votes etc by NOT GETTING $100-200 TRILLION THIS YEAR in governmental expense reductions? Hell no, but rationality/reasonableness/sanity has to prevail. This is politics. There is another side called Democrats/liberals/radical terrorists who now control the WH and the Senate; AND UNTIL/IF WE ELECT MORE CONSERVATIVE/REPUBLICANS TO THE HOUSE, SENATE AND REPLACE THE LIBERAL DICTATOR IN CHARGE, substantial expense reductions are now impossible to obtain. Take care and keep up the good [reasonable] fight, okay????????

John E| 4.15.11 @ 4:04PM

This is now a government that knows no limits.. It is out of control doing what is expedient and self serving to each power broker. It is bought and paid for by the refusal to abide by the Constitution. The President is one of the worst and the rest of the dems are right there with him. The idea of not boiling the GOPers since they are not as bad is much like having to choose a neighbor who is either an arsonist or a pedophile. If you live in a wood house and have kids you are screwed. Well.....we are in that position.

martin j smith| 4.15.11 @ 4:56PM

Remember one thing --DEFEAT THE SOCIALISTS--
and by all means do keep Boehner in your sights and keep on his case. Don't stop that either. Just get of Mr O.

Sue| 4.15.11 @ 5:35PM

Look, the Democrats are giving the Republicans an opening. They don't want Medicare or SS touched. Don't touch it, but touch everything else except defense. When they booed Ryan today during the point on SS and Medicare, they played their hand. Eliminate as much as you can on discretionary spending by "saving" SS/Medicare which is what the Dems today asked for. Strike it while the iron is hot, then move on! Am I the only one who saw it?

Thom| 4.15.11 @ 6:32PM

Quin,

I understand your “pragmatic” point. Hopefully you understand my “principled” point. For 40 years Republican Presidents rolled over to Democrat control of spending via the House of Representatives or the People’s House. The House has unique constitutional powers regarding appropriation bills. If the House Republican Leadership does nothing effective between now and the end of 2012 another 2 plus Trillion will be added to our National debt assuming there is still someone out their willing to loan us 4-5 billion a day…. And they think we will replay them with interest. If nothing changes our trajectory between now and then, the Titanic version of this Republic will already be below the waves and headed to the bottom of what will not be something anyone else can save us from. Some people in this nation understand the term “good men” and will not react lightly to blazing corruption and malfeasance in elective office indefinitely.

If the Republican leadership keeps playing by one set of Queensbury rules while the Marxist Democrats keep playing by whatever suits them without consequence or accountability the 2010 midterm election results have already been voided and that fact will not be lost on many in this nation that already see politics as a disingenuous game among the Country Club set. I’ve made it my point the last two years to remind my friends that as long as we have a functioning political system it must be allowed to work. No one can claim our political system is anything but dysfunctional at this point. What course does that leave?

I’m also fond of reminding those that put way too much faith in Democracy as a temperate force for good that “an enduring weakness of Democracy is its lack of accountability”. As John Adams said democracies soon waste and commit suicide. History is on John’s side here. We’ve been a devolving “democracy” since the Civil War but the year 1913 figures large in our fatal embrace of what is becoming “mob” rule. What usually happens when the foundation of the law at the highest levels of government is routinely ignored?

Without a doubt, the John Galts of this society have taken their wealth off line and there is no way to make up the gap between government expectations, promises and revenue. Consequentially the Marxist side of the equation is desperate to steal that wealth directly or intimidate the Galts into putting their wealth back into the risk pool so as government can get its cut back. That’s not going to happen. The government will default at some point. The only question is will it be because we run out of “someone else’s money” or enough people get fed up and stop doing anything that feeds the beast enough to survive. Either way the end result is the same for most of us.

I don’t say this lightly but the current Republican plan is based on the equivalent of winning a football game being three touchdowns behind with 2 minutes left in the fourth quarter via some miracle play that has never worked in practice. The Republican leadership can’t get beyond their own 20 yard line in their end zone. Most seem to think a miracle is going to happen in 2012 and they end up with either two thirds control of Congress or control and the Presidency. Fools think that way.

The problem with conservatives was once summed up by a conservative with one line I can’t give credit to but it is appropriate for our times. “The problem with conservatives is they let facts and figures do the talking for them”. The most articulate and passion driven members of the current conservative movement are routinely savaged by our own elites almost as often as by the Marxist Democrats. We are looking for a boilerplate candidate with 50 years experience in government and private sector combined while the Marxist Democrats keep shoveling sweet smelling shit onto the plate and getting the most mutts to vote for. The problem with the Marxist Democrat Party is not its leadership. It’s the 60+ million people who vote for them and don’t have problem with liars, cheats, murders and stealing from someone else to subsidize their “poor” choices in life. Until someone in the Republican leadership understands this is “war” by other means we are steadily marching to meet at a “bridge” the evil that is consuming what was the most successful Republic known to mankind.

There are far too many pragmatists in the Republican Party and not enough “good men” willing to stand up to evil and speak the truth of the matter. The last man that spoke the truth to King Obama’s face in public got censured in Congress for doing it. If we will not speak the truth that lives in our heart and soul to a blazing liar it is already over…..

Bob Grant| 4.16.11 @ 10:15AM

Your 20 yard line analogy seems appropriate and and, yes, we are in an uphill battle.

Personally, I'm going to quit fretting daily over how we performed against Obama on this issue or the other.

I believe he made his bed during his budget speech this week. He has decided to fully defend and even double down on his socialist agenda. This will be a Godsend for the republicans because there are now no more gray areas: You either believe Keynesian economics will cure the economic ills of the country or it wont.

I believe republicans have a HUGE opportunity to target and go after one specific voting demographic that could turn this country around in a big way.

That demographic is middle class citizens who voted for Obama in '08 who don't rely on government largess as their primary source of income. They are not government workers; don't receive a check from the government; nor do they enjoy a cushy government retirement pension. Their lifeblood is invested in the private sector market. They could afford in '08 to indulge their emotional whims, personal guilt, or some other illogical reason to vote for Obama, but the conditions - unfortunately - will be far different a year and a half from now. It will be ALL about rational self interest. Each one of them will have to ask the difficult question: can I afford to vote for him again when my standard of living has dramatically decreased and, because of his policies, the prospects of a brighter future have significantly dimmed?

These people are of all races, genders, and religions.

There are be millions of them, extremely pissed off and ready to lay blame on someone for their economic ills.

It's the republicans job to CONSTANTLY direct their blame in Obama's direction and to provide concrete solutions to THEIR problems.

What republicans SHOULD NOT do is go after my vote. They already have it. Quit preaching to the choir.

I have doubts republicans will pull this off but hope is eternal.

Thom| 4.16.11 @ 11:36AM

As I said Bob, Conservatives tend to let facts and figures do their work for them and that kind of hard evidence reflects current events not the coming future. No one can predict the future with any kind of certainty but the situation we are in is very close to another analogy I’m quite well versed in. Our economy is like a 15,000 ton coal train moving at 50 mile per hour 1 mile out from a deep gorge that is crossed by a 50 year old bridge. Suddenly the bridge is blown up. To avoid complete disaster all the train has to do is stop within one mile or about 70 seconds. If the head of the train makes it there will be consequences for not being able to deliver that cargo on that day. If a portion of the train goes over the cliff, the overall impact will depend on how deep the gorge is and how much of it goes over. Because the 155 coal cars are coupled together there is a tendency for following cars to follow the ones that leave the track to be pulled over.

So the ultimate question is can the train stop in time and if not what portion will manage to stop in time? If you know anything about railroading you already know the answer to this. I don’t need to step off a 100 story building to know the ultimate outcome despite the time between when I step off and the time when I hit having no impact on my life at all just like that train trying to stop before the gorge. That’s my overall point to Quin. By the time the next Congress and President are seated that train above will already be going into the gorge. The only unknown here is how much of the train will go over the cliff.

Bob Grant| 4.16.11 @ 12:40PM

True, we can't predict the future with any certainty but can game out scenarios nonetheless. Unfortunately, there's nothing we can do legally in the next 11/2 years to stop Obama but can make sure we do all we can to be prepared to fully embrace potential new republican voters which I believe will be in the millions.

Obama cannot pay off any more voters than he already has. No new entitlement programs to recruit new people. He can only use his charm to keep those people I mentioned above in his camp.

It's up to the republicans to appeal their rational self interest and make them understand Obama CANNOT help them. That was my only point.

I understand your point that we may or may not have crossed the point of no return and the only question is how much we will lose.

Thom| 4.16.11 @ 1:54PM

You didn’t express a lot of “faith” that the Republican leadership could pull off what you think is required in your first comment. I have a whole lot less “faith” that the electoral map can be changed enough in 2012 via “new” Republican voters regardless of what the Republican Leadership does. For me the answer lies in the electoral math. A.S.S.U.M.ing the Republicans hold the House and take just control of the Senate which will require about 56 seats at last count of Republicans and Rhinos combined and King Obama wins re-election it is basically over at that point. Nothing short of a veto proof Congress will be effective to reverse what has been put into play. Statistically speaking you can get a better return in current market place than betting on this happening with the current crop of Republican leadership. Somebody has to win; Somebody is going to lose.

Bob Grant| 4.16.11 @ 8:44PM

All I know is he cannot bribe any more voters than he already has. LOTS and LOTS of people who voted for him in '08 are going to be left high and dry unless he introduces some MASSIVE debt relief program for homeowners. The chances of it passing through the house would be slim however.

What you would have left, then, is millions and millions of pissed off Obama voters who have seen their standard of living decimated by this man. Rational self interest dictates they would want change, and not the change they got in '08.

So, yes, the electoral math looks good for republicans unless they do something utterly stupid (which is not entirely out of the question).

Thom| 4.17.11 @ 10:02AM

Let us pray stupidly does not win another presidential election and as an aside the Republicans don’t select another lame presidential candidate that gives hordes of Conservatives a reason to sit the election out. Both are in play. Any compromising middle of the road type Republican candidate will do just that.

Oldefarte| 4.17.11 @ 10:35AM

Thom and Bob Grant: Your commentary here is outstanding and truth. Thom's expression concerning those of us who HOPE and yes, think possible] that R's could capture the Senate and WH as being fools sadly puts me into that category. Not that there are [or will be] a wholesale conversion of voters to the R column, but the independents will be key [who voted for O in '08 and then shifted in '10 to R's]. The combination of I's and R's that are pissed off enough will result in my prediction IMO. O was a relatively unknown quantity [other than by myself and a few others] prior to '08, BUT HE IS NOT SO NOW. He has completely come out of his politically radical closet to totally reveal to even a moron with an IQ of -10 as to who/what he truly is. There are no more possible disguises for him [and moderate D's know this and are scared shitless over same, for their own selfish purposes]. Sure he'll win NY, California, Washington, etc; but he's toast in the mostly moderate sections of the country. His non-stimulus, welfarecare, proposed income tax increases, affiliation to organizations like Acorn, etc will be the kyptonite around his superman neck. Have faith, continue the good fight here and elsewhere and run for daylight, and we will all hopefully be singing %%%%HAPPY DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN%%% in December of 2012!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

fred| 4.15.11 @ 6:36PM

Since conservatives have a real understanding of the actual problems when they put together a plan to address them, they assume that all others will understand their approach as well. They forget that most people alive today have been brought up in a liberalized school system which does not teach basic civics, economics, or critical thinking, all of which are essential to understanding the problems we are having. They need to add "educational" segments to all discussions and repeat them ad nauseum to have any hope of winning the masses to their side.

jan| 4.15.11 @ 7:08PM

The establishment Republicans WILL fail, they already have. They want BIG GOVERNMENT! they don't want things to change and it shows and Obama nows Boehner is a big liberal or just doesn't care either. How in the heck did Ryan not know what Obama was going to say to him at his speech, I knew and I'm just a chick is CA! Either he's stupid or he was in on the whole show, which is it?? It's funny our leadership doesn't even have any influence on the usual 5 republicans, none, zero, zilch, what's with that? It's pretty freakin amazing what a bunch of losers these people are. Why would anyone vote for the same crap in a different party? We'll have to fix that now won't we, Run Sarah Run!!!!

PCPSmoker| 4.15.11 @ 7:44PM

I'm sure the congressman's office gave Quin a call to please, please stop those meanies on the right from attacking Boehner.

When election time comes, we'll dazzle those tea party (idiots) with out 500 quadrillion cuts and repeal of socialist healthcare.

Oldefarte| 4.17.11 @ 2:16PM

Don't know what in your pipe, but it must be good and effective!!!!

Ken (Old Texican)| 4.15.11 @ 8:17PM

Quin,
thank you for eliciting this thought above.

There is some darned good thought sprinkled among the stupids.
You know, we baby-boomers get a lot of grief. Nevertheless, we paid in to the system for forty years. We paid a LOT into the system for our moms and dads it seems.

Reading the comments above, I am frightened that the center cannot hold any longer.
Is it civil war with Islam licking its chops?

Kelly Staples| 4.15.11 @ 10:10PM

Put not thy faith in Captain Crybaby.

Margie| 4.15.11 @ 10:13PM

Put thy faith in God and do the right thing.
Which is defeat the Left.

Bob Grant| 4.15.11 @ 10:27PM

Is this the original Margie?

Margie| 4.15.11 @ 10:37PM

Yeah, it's me. Howdy.

Margie| 4.15.11 @ 10:39PM

Oh, is this the original (and you just know what I mean by original) Bob Grant? Hmm?
When are you going to fess up?

Bob Grant| 4.15.11 @ 10:50PM

I'm gonna play it coy. kinda like Obummer does with where he was born.

(Personally, I believe he was born of jackals on some african plain, but that's for another thread)

Anyhoo, welcome back.

Bob Grant| 4.15.11 @ 10:50PM

I'm gonna play it coy. kinda like Obummer does with where he was born.

(Personally, I believe he was born of jackals on some african plain, but that's for another thread)

Anyhoo, welcome back.

Margie| 4.15.11 @ 11:13PM

One thing I do like about you and that does remind me of thee Bob Grant is that you don't mind speaking your mind and saying what you really believe.

There, I just kissed your hiney. You're the only one besides Mimi that said welcome back so I have to. But when you start in about Sarah Palin it makes me doubt you're the original article.

I keep meaning to go to your website and e mail you to find out if it's you. If I find out it's not you (LOL) you're in big trouble. :^)~

Bob Grant| 4.16.11 @ 9:33AM

Well, I appreciate the kind words. What makes me post here as opposed to other sites is the respect people have for others' opinions. The comments posted are thoughtful, which is refreshing.

As far as Sarah is concerned, she's not in the news so much (thank Goodness) so that issue seems to be working itself out as her prospects of running are diminishing. God bless her otherwise.

Unfortunately, Trump has replaced her so my energies will be focused preventing him from gaining any traction.

Margie| 4.16.11 @ 4:21PM

I like your stance on the Donny boy. The pipes, the pipes are calling him... back to that t.v. show!

puma magasin| 4.16.11 @ 1:21AM

nice spot.

Fed Up| 4.16.11 @ 3:06AM

Hit the GOP where it hurts: No funding.

Laugh at the poor kid who phones you at suppertime from some Republican Party fundraiser organization asking for a GOP donation.

Mock his request.

No $$. Never again.

And tell 'em why: "Boehner, Cantor, and Mitch McConnell suck."

We worked long and hard for them starting in January of 2009 and delivered the goods (despite them -- their 'tanks' in Nevada, Wash. State, Alaska, Colorado, and Delaware for those US Senate seats).

They know full well why they have the US House majority leadership roles: The Tea Party folks with 'fiscal house in order NOW as job 1.'

But they fail, roll over, play nice, cave, can't communicate to the nation, claim a nonsensical victory, and then go on another 2 week recess.

They suck. Kill 'em where it hurts; no more GOP money donations for their campaigning and projects.

The Republican Party is over. It needed to go anyway, but guys like L. Graham, the broads from Maine, McConnell, Hatch, Boehner, and Cantor just confirmed what we (sadly) already knew.

Failure has consequences.

No funding for ALL of them via your hard earned dollars as contributions.

Primary ALL of them. (And, please, choose non establishment men or women to elect.)

Please join with me in this. Thank you.

martin j smith| 4.16.11 @ 8:18AM

In my view what will determine the 2012 election will be ( assuming the Republicans choose even a hum drum candidate for President ) will be thusly: THE ECONOMIC CONDITIONS THAT EFFECT THE PEOPLE. . And, I believe that things will nt change for the better from where they are now they will get worse. A wild card will be a TERRORIST attack. Primary matters: inflation,costs rising in vital areas such as fuel,food,transportation etc.
I believe most Americans ( except the ideologues on the Left for the most part ) are scared AND
do not believe Obmama or the democrat Plans do any good. So a lot of your angst about Boehner's
moves are shared by me as well, in the greater scheme of things what will matter are the voters. Do they think that they are or are not better off then they were beore Obama and the Socialists ?
If things continue as they seem to be and Obama continues as he seems to be --the RESOUNDING RESPONSE WILL BE NON!!!!!!!!!!!!!. And that will mean a good possibility of winning and then we can kill each other again over this or that.

Bob Grant| 4.16.11 @ 10:38AM

agreed. It will be rubber-hits-the-road time. It's going to be all about rational self interest.

The question is how many robots out there will go against their self-interest (see my post above) and vote for this clown again. If there are enough to reelect them, God help us all.

bluecollarbytes| 4.16.11 @ 8:58AM

As long as there are Rovilian Republicans looking to split the difference between conservatism and the absolute opposite, we will have these discussions in public.

As we saw with
Bush , it's not as simple as winning the presidency and both houses. Well it is for many careerists, who live in completely different worlds than most of us living the consequences of unbridled 'compassionate conservatism'.

Bob Grant| 4.16.11 @ 10:52AM

Excellent point. Control of the presidency, both chambers of congress, and a relatively conservative Supreme court got us...nothing. They governed as though they had permanent fiefdoms inside the government, immune from the disastrous policies they created. Just like liberals.

Of course, none of this would occur if term limits were opposed which would force lawmakers to live with the laws they were responsible creating.

Pelligrino| 4.16.11 @ 3:42PM

Do we ever hold old men like Frank Wolf, R., accountable? Do we? (He is from Northern Virginia -- his district is right up against Washington, D.C)

He has been a US Congressman for 30 years.

THIRTY.

Yes, he has done some good things, some really good ones.

But, I mean, his 30 years in office since January 1981 have been the penultimate rise of Leviathan, have they not?

On Wolf's watch, government has "gone wild."

How can you justify your behaviors, inactions, silence....how can you justify this to the nation, Congressman Frank Wolf?

Where is he as a conservative? Christian senior voice (he is 72 years old) speaking the words and leading this nation as only old, gray-haired wise men are supposed to do?

Frank, why are you letting John Boehner lead? (Boehner is not a leader nor qualified to be one, and you know this.)

Plus, Frank, you know all about how to play to win (AND ALWAYS WIN) in the US House of Representatives. So, Frank, why do you not employ what you are supposed to have learned first-hand over these past THIRTY years?

(Half his life -- remember he's only 72 years old -- in the US House of Representatives.)

So, Frank, what's the problem? You don't know what to do? Or you don't know how to do it?

A man who is a millionaire multiple times over on 'just' his US House of Representatives salary.

Alan Brooks| 4.16.11 @ 9:49AM

"Our nation is in deep trouble because we have a president and Senate who actually believe that government creates progress"

Progress? what does 'progress' mean at a rightwing site?

Oldefarte| 4.17.11 @ 2:13PM

AB, it means taking an already too high defecit/debt and quadroupling it through socialistic spending upon such welfare as maintaining your labor unionized/Democrat friends employed by state/local governments [when they should have become unemployed similar to the 15-20% within the private sector]; strangulation of our domestic oil industry production so that you can maintain your chips with the environmental wacko crowd for political purposes; kissing the arsholes of foreign dictators that are bent upon this country's destruction; not being able to locate the oval office or to make decisions since you're inept, unqualified, stupid, socialistic and rely upon former domestic terrorists to write books for you;etc. That AB is the definition of 'progress', and most of us are sick and tired of this CRAP OF HOPE/CHANGE PROGRESSION!!!!!!!

martin j smith| 4.16.11 @ 10:08AM

Get over Bush and Rove. We are in a new ball game. I think most Americans are scared of the future. They are experiencing: High unemployment,inflation in such basic areas as food and fuel. And they have a President that I think is scaring them. If Gallop has Obama at 41 percent--that means it may be worse than that.
The rhetoric from Obama is turning more and more people off and I am not talking about the Tea Party either.
The 2010 election was not a vote FOR but a vote AGAINST. This election will be no different in that respect. So the main thing for Republicans in coalition have to do is to appear more reasonable,
and frankly more sane. The nation wants NORMALCY remember that one ? But I believe this is true. However, I also believe that MOST AMERICANS- including those not engaged and who are not blogging or compelled to watch news around the clock want to be lead in such as way as to bring us from disaster that these voters know is coming. They do NOT WANT THE SOCIALIST AGENDA OF BRINGING DOWN AMERICAN. Andthat is what the 2012 election will be about.

Bert| 4.16.11 @ 10:23AM

Sorry Quin, NO ONE is buying your SPIN and I can not beleive you are this naive ?
Johnny Boehner , Eric Cantor, and Mitch McConnell wanted this bloated budget to PASS ! Their K street buddies had already been PROMISED these Goodies in OBAMACARE and Phony Rail systems so when GE, Big Pharma , and Siemens snapped their fingers well JOHNNY B Jumps to their rescue !
Johnny B and Mitchy are the biggest K street cronies on the Hill .
WE are screwed until Johnny , Eric, and Mitchy are driven from power.Obamacare will not die unless Johnny B and Eric are removed from place of power because Big Pharma owns them.
Quin I find it impossible for you to not know
that Johnny B is a K street crony machine.
Its his trademark on the Hill !

martin j smith| 4.16.11 @ 11:04AM

As a follow up on my post above: There is a difference between reasonable and foolish. Boehner put himself and his RINO crowd in a box. He cannot expect to gain the confidence of supporters if he repeats his performance of looking foolish again.
Obama has show who he is and his position is NOT ONE OF NEGOTIATION of reasonableness .
So Boehner et al will only once again look very foolish once again if they maintain a similar posture. THAT WOULD BE A DISASTER. But, it would expose the current leadership to a VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE from the base. They canno0t afford that

Yosemeti Sam| 4.16.11 @ 1:02PM

Yo, Governor of Ohio, John Kasich - what say you of your sun-baked Republican colleague Boehner?

Does he shine for Ohioians?

Mimi| 4.16.11 @ 1:20PM

I have a vague feeling that "O" is in trouble. Puting the Republican young Guns in a front ROW to admonish them and not giving the Country a Democratic Plan for fiscal restraint with the finesse and perfection of Paul Ryan's....A GRAVE "O" mistake!!! A TRUE picture of a "NUTSIE" President going off the RAILS. The dem's look more and more ridiculous trying to agree and defend him....everything is at the cracking point and soon they'll start to come forward...and spill the beans !

Dixie Pixie| 4.16.11 @ 5:02PM

Greetings Mimi

The Democrats are beyond desperate.
Economy wreaked, Foreign Policy burning, Illegal, unwanted and unnecessary War, incompetent lying, criminal personal does not make for a good electoral season.

A measure of their desperation was Nancy Pelosi's statement::::
"....The Republicans want to kill Medicare and give the money to the Oil Companies..."
Such outright inflammatory lying is a sign that the Democrats fear a disastrous defeat in 2012.
Either that or they are completely insane.

The Republican Leadership may sense this and are trying to play it safe expecting electoral victory to come to them without an effort on the part of the leadership.
That may explain a lack of fortitude and drive in the Leadership.

If so then the Republican Leadership gives us no reason to vote "for" the Republicans.
Disastrous for the US from both sides.

PCP Smoker| 4.16.11 @ 7:51PM

"are trying to play it safe expecting electoral victory to come to them without an effort on the part of the leadership.
That may explain a lack of fortitude and drive in the Leadership."

Insightful and very much on it. These creeps think it's in the bag already. Passion beats reticence 99% of the time, and Hussein Obama is passionate.

Margie| 4.16.11 @ 4:02PM

Hey darcy, check this out:

"Freedom prospers when religion is vibrant and the rule of law under God is acknowledged."
— Ronald Reagan

Ain't it great?!

darcy| 4.16.11 @ 6:35PM

Yes. And it's the truth, too, as John Adams has attested: "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other."

Ergo: we are in very deep weeds as a republic because morality and the religiosity of our people has been compromised, and much of that, a direct result of Federal policies and court rulings that inculcate immorality and marginalize the Judeo-Christian traditionalists among us.

Margie| 4.16.11 @ 6:52PM

Not only prayer, but action is needed. We have woken up as a country it seems, but I do not know if it's too late.
Nevertheless,
I will NEVER give up. EVER.
God bless you.

Alan Brooks| 4.16.11 @ 4:12PM

Religion, Marge? does that include Satanism?

Margie| 4.16.11 @ 4:19PM

Nope. There's Religion, capital 'R' and then there's religion, small 'r'.

You can look it up, but there's a huge difference.
Man's idea and God's definition are two different things completely.

Although, you could definitely say that Karl Marx's Religion was indeed Satanism.

Read Isaiah chapter one.
Then read James 1:26 & 27.
1 Tim. 3:5, 3:16.

Oldefarte| 4.17.11 @ 2:05PM

AB, do you mean 'satanism' like that of sitting in front of a radical, extremist, racist-black nationalist, ignorant preacher for twenty plus years and thereafter professing yourself as a CHRISTIAN [when possibly your long form birth certificate indicates otherwise]????????????

Margie| 4.17.11 @ 2:19PM

Gooooooood!

Margie| 4.16.11 @ 4:13PM

More Reagan quotes I'd like to share for the edification of ALL:

"Above all, we must realize that no arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women."
— Ronald Reagan

"When you can't make them see the light, make them feel the heat."
— Ronald Reagan

"Of the four wars in my lifetime, none came about because the U.S. was too strong."
— Ronald Reagan

"We must reject the idea that every time a law's broken, society is guilty rather than the lawbreaker. It is time to restore the American precept that each individual is accountable for his actions."
— Ronald Reagan

"No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth!"
— Ronald Reagan

"Socialists ignore the side of man that is the spirit. They can provide you shelter, fill your belly with bacon and beans, treat you when you're ill, all the things guaranteed to a prisoner or a slave. They don't understand that we also dream."
— Ronald Reagan

"…No people in all history paid a higher price for freedom. And no people have done so much to advance the dignity of man. We are called materialistic. May be so…but our materialism has made our children the biggest, tallest, most handsome, and intelligent generations of Americans yet. They will live longer with fewer illnesses, learn more, see more of the world, and have more success in realizing their personal dreams and ambitions than any other people in any other period of our history - because of our materialism…I think on our side of civilization and on the other side is the law of the jungle…We all have to recognize that this country has been handed the responsibility, greater than any nation, to preserve some 6000 years of civilization against the barbarians."
— Ronald Reagan

"Government exists to protect us from each other. Where government has gone beyond its limits is in deciding to protect us from ourselves."
— Ronald Reagan

And here's one especially for you, Red Phillips, re: our conversation a few days ago:

"If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be one nation gone under."
— Ronald Reagan

Clint| 4.17.11 @ 10:51AM

Ronald Reagan:
"If you analyze it I believe the very heart and soul of conservatism is libertarianism. I think conservatism is really a misnomer just as liberalism is a misnomer for the liberals–if we were back in the days of the Revolution, so-called conservatives today would be the Liberals and the liberals would be the Tories. The basis of conservatism is a desire for less government interference or less centralized authority or more individual freedom and this is a pretty general description also of what libertarianism is.

Now, I can’t say that I will agree with all the things that the present group who call themselves Libertarians in the sense of a party say, because I think that like in any political movement there are shades, and there are libertarians who are almost over at the point of wanting no government at all or anarchy. I believe there are legitimate government functions. There is a legitimate need in an orderly society for some government to maintain freedom or we will have tyranny by individuals. The strongest man on the block will run the neighborhood. We have government to insure that we don’t each one of us have to carry a club to defend ourselves. But again, I stand on my statement that I think that libertarianism and conservatism are travelling the same path."

Clint| 4.17.11 @ 10:54AM

Ronald Reagan:
"Ron Paul is one of the outstanding leaders fighting for a stronger national defense. As a former Air Force officer, he knows well the needs of our armed forces, and he always puts them first. We need to keep him fighting for our country."

Clint| 4.17.11 @ 11:05AM

Ronald Reagan On Defense Waste:

"Much of the waste in defense is directly attributable to the appropriations process. The vote delays on the MX missile and the suspension of the B-1 bomber cost this country billions of dollars--dollars that were lost forever as those systems that were set back had to be reprogrammed at higher cost.

"The report also calls for less micromanagement," he said. "Instead of scrutinizing every paper clip, bolt and bullet, Congress should give more thought to our overall defense needs and strategy."

The President particularly praised the commission's recommendation for five-year spending projections and two-year budget cycles for the Pentagon. "We are the only major country in the world that rewrites its defense budget every year," Reagan said.

"The waste that results is immense," he said. "No company in the private sector could survive if it couldn't plan for the future. The effect of funding programs this way is less defense and more cost."
Reagan appointed the commission, headed by former Deputy Defense Secretary David Packard, last June and asked it to propose reforms that would end "horror stories" about $600 toilet seat covers, $400 hammers and fierce interservice rivalries."

Margie| 4.17.11 @ 2:22PM

LOL!
Dates and places, please!
This is supposed to prove something and place Ronald Reagan in with the Paul-bot mindset?
(That of anti-Israel and anti-war)?
No, it doesn't.
Reagan was for keeping our military strong.
Ron Paul is voting with Dennis Kucinich and other like-minded loons to defund our military.
Not just cutting the waste.
CUTTING IT, PERIOD!
You're ridiculous.

LiveFreeOrDie| 4.17.11 @ 4:51PM

I really like the part about how libertarians are pretty much conservatives...

Timely Renewed| 4.16.11 @ 4:15PM

The solution must go deeper than replacing this incompetent ideologue. Much of the Obama administration's ability to wreck such havoc comes from a constitutional jurisprudence which has allowed the national government to expand far beyond its proper constitutional bounds. We can only hope to be free of this or future administrations of its ilk when we restore the original limits on the national government. Given how entrenched this modern Supreme Court jurisprudence is, this can only be done by constitutional amendments restating those original constitutional understandings. See http://www.timelyrenewed.com.

jocon307| 4.16.11 @ 4:45PM

Amen! Mega dittos! Right on! What you said! Thank YOU!

Let's stick together like the stinking lefties do, can we people? Can we just do that for a few years as we try to pry back this country from the cold dead hands of the left?

It took DECADES to get here, do you think this system is going to be re-structured in a few months? Would that even be a proper conservative approach? Do you think this will be done in one, or even two, or even 3 election cycles?

Stop moaning about John B0ehner. Join your local tea party. Vote in your school board elections. Run for town council. GET INVOLVED!

Look at what has been done already, Republican victory in the house (6 months ago!), a conversation that is now about cutting spending, a public who are catching on the the big O is a big Zero, this is what progress looks like.

I remember an old joke, told by a liberal: An optimist says the glass is 1/2 full, a pessimist says it is 1/2 empty, and a Republican asks "who drank half my water?"

Maybe there is more truth to that than I realized.

Margie| 4.16.11 @ 5:18PM

Right on. Count me in. Thanks for posting some reality here. Excellent!

PCP Smoker| 4.16.11 @ 7:54PM

Join the tea Party to primary "Crying" Boehner, Midget Cantor, and McCarthy. The slime needs to be cleaned up before we can get on to fixing the Republic

Oldefarte| 4.17.11 @ 2:02PM

Shazam, Forrest was correct!!!!!!

Margie| 4.17.11 @ 2:25PM

Notice that the "slime" in his case are conservative Republicans, not the Leftists and their henchmen.

Proving once again that the Lefty Libertarian mindset really doesn't want our side to win.

SLIME?

You are INSANE!!!!

LiveFreeOrDie| 4.17.11 @ 5:09PM

Expecting everyone of a conservative nature to agree on everything, is insanity.

Margie| 4.17.11 @ 6:51PM

Expecting everyone to behave like human beings is something the Paul-bots aren't capable of doing.

That or facing the reality of what they really stand for (or don't stand for).

You aren't interested in the facts, and your ilk are the ones who have the absolutely most cult-like mentality I have seen anywhere. Apart from Jim Jones and the Kool-aid drinkers, that is.

LiveFreeOrDie| 4.18.11 @ 12:37AM

More insults Margie? That's all you got?

Margie| 4.18.11 @ 12:54AM

Ha ha. I've got Truth.
You have slithering like a snake in the woods.
Lotsa luck.

Margie| 4.18.11 @ 1:26AM

p.s. You never answered my question. You are not the LiveFreeOrDie that used to post here, are you?

Are you the guy that's kind and conservative, that's in the military?

Yes or no.

LFOD| 4.18.11 @ 2:05PM

Yes, the same.

paul| 4.16.11 @ 5:28PM

The evil progressives that control Obama have the goods on Boehner,he must roll over and cannot quit!AKA Gingrich and Livingston! If not they out him!

PCP Smoker| 4.16.11 @ 7:55PM

Quinn, you are a scumbag

Oldefarte| 4.17.11 @ 2:01PM

You are without a doubt......APPROPRIATELY NAMED-MONIKERED!!!!!!!!

martin j smith| 4.17.11 @ 7:47AM

Further thoughts and things to watch out for: Here is a theory--The so called GANG OF SIX" in the senate and Obama. Now I heard that Tom Coburn one of the gang criticized Obama's big speech as taking BI-PARTISNSHIP THREE STEPS BACKWARDS. My comment on that is with the SOCIALISTS, I NEVER KNEW IT EXISTED.
SO, let us look at Boehner and the rest of the REPUBLICAN leadership who also are looking for BI-PARTISANSHIP. My problem with that it is quite clear; IT DOES NOT EXIST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It translates at this time in our history as SOCIALISM HEAVY VERSUS SOCIALISM LIGHT.
Thurs, I suspect Obama will play "bad cop" the GANG OF SIX" GOOD COP AND there will be a deal on the budget. Will it be a deal good for the country or good for the leaders dof both parties ? That is the question. And, these ARE MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED.

Ken (Old Texican)| 4.17.11 @ 10:07AM

Margie,
I've been out of pocket. Welcome back!
Thanks for the Reagan quotes. I've put them in my documents file.

Margie| 4.17.11 @ 2:30PM

Howdy.

Clint| 4.17.11 @ 10:59AM

Ronald Reagan:
“The United States has thus far sought to play the role of mediator. We have avoided public comment on the key issues. We have always recognized and continue to recognize that only the voluntary agreement of those parties most directly involved in the conflict can provide an enduring solution. But it’s become evident to me that some clearer sense of America’s position on the key issues is necessary to encourage wider support for the peace process. . . . the immediate adoption of a settlement freeze by Israel, more than any other action, could create the confidence needed for wider participation in these talks. Further settlement activity is in no way necessary for the security of Israel.”

Oldefarte| 4.17.11 @ 2:17PM

Now here's a possible contender:

http://www.newsmax.com/video/v.....1d9b3c4756

Margie| 4.17.11 @ 2:29PM

Gary Johnson?
Isn't he just another Lefty-Libertarian who is for the legalization of drugs?

Funny how they're always proclaiming they're better than the rest.

Ughh.

NJK| 4.17.11 @ 3:28PM

I heard Boehner had a meeting with House members prior to this vote. He told them it would be catastrophic to the "Party" to not pass this latest CR. I don't give a darn about him or the party. This is about the country. We expect him to obstruct not work with a bank robber who was elected president.

hk| 4.17.11 @ 6:39PM

Hi Quinn, the issue is we have a member of the ruling class negotiating on behalf of the Republicans.
I am among millions who feel cheated by Boehner.
Is there any way we can replace him?

Bob Grant| 4.17.11 @ 7:45PM

A more pressing issue than Boehner's capitulations is this fascination with Trump among some republicans. This better be nipped in the bud pronto 'because he'd be disastrous. He makes Sarah Palin seem viable.

Margie| 4.17.11 @ 8:22PM

Heh, are you kidding, Mr. Grant?
The Lefty-Libertarians WANT him to run.
They WANT the Republicans to lose.

Patriotic Soul| 4.17.11 @ 8:49PM

Thanks so much for this article! As dumb as the Democrats are in their ideology, they are smart enough to know that they need to be united in order to win politically. If we Conservatives are impatience and demand perfection from our leaders, we will lose in 2012.

Joe D.| 4.18.11 @ 10:56AM

Quinn, I love you man. But you are dead wrong on this. When we are told that a vote for us is a large cut in government spending, no new taxes and defunding of obamacare and we don't get any of this, we should raise hell. $38.5 billion or $352 million is nothing. I repeat nothing. Funding for obamacare goes on, along with Planned Parenthood. We should easily have gotten more. I agree with Rush. We should have shut the government down and explain why. We had, according the lastest poll 57% who agreed we should shut the government down rather then support obamacare.