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Streetcar Line
Jim DeMint Issues Political Call to Arms
Just the facts, ma’am, which struck Jon Stewart as too apocalyptic.
On the phone on Thursday, U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) was politely emphatic: “We’ve never been here before.” And again: “We’ve never been here before.”
“Here,” in DeMint’s parlance, was the nation’s exceedingly precarious fiscal condition, exacerbated by a fast-approaching political tipping point as well; together they indicate that “the 2012 election will be a make-or-break moment for America.” That last quote is from DeMint’s new book, released this week, called Now or Never: Saving American From Economic Collapse. In an extended interview on “The Daily Show” with Jon Stewart this week, Stewart complained to DeMint that the book contained too much “apocalyptic” rhetoric, and that people like him on the left side of the spectrum would be too turned off by such rhetoric to consider the book’s substance.
To which, DeMint basically told me that he didn’t mean to be apocalyptic — just accurate.
“The whole point of the book,” he said, “is to help create a sense of urgency, but in a way that calmly and rationally goes through the facts of where we are and why we’re here. The key statistics, about the debt relative to the size of our economy and relative to the projected size of our economy in the future, are alarming.” With the debt of $15 trillion now equaling the size of the entire economy, he said, he looks at it like a businessman looking at his balance sheet and realizing that “our short-term debt is as large as our annual sales, plus you have to borrow even more money every day just to keep the lights on.” Such a situation, he writes in Now or Never, is “demonstrably unsustainable,” and it is “insane.”
I haven’t had time to read the whole book, but I’ve read every word of about 50 pages and skimmed much of the rest. It’s well worth the time.
He writes that we have:
… weakened an American culture once renowned throughout the world for its spirit of independence, rugged individualism, strong work ethic, commitment to family, and moral dignity. For example, for decades the federal government has encouraged unwed births, a major cause of poverty, school dropouts, drug use, juvenile delinquency, and incarceration. Forty percent of American children, including 70 percent of African-Americans, are now born out of wedlock. Rather than encouraging independence and personal responsibility, our government continues to encourage irresponsible and destructive behavior while expanding welfare and entitlement programs that force millions of Americans into dependency on taxpayer-funded programs. Some politicians have suggested that social issues be set aside while we address our fiscal crisis, but this view belies the real root causes of the nation’s reckless spending and crushing debt. Cultural pathologies caused by the unintended consequences of naïve social policies have contributed to many of America’s economic and fiscal problems. The economic crisis was caused by too much government. The same is true of many of our social crises, where the solutions must also mean getting away from government interference and largesse.
Completely aside from the fact that he sounds exactly like Rick Santorum in several of the presidential debates, DeMint is onto something here. In our phone interview, he made a point of noting that we still have time to turn things around economically, but only a small window of time before the debt is too onerous to overcome — and that only a small political window is open as well. Using very rough numbers for illustration, he said: “Nearly 20 percent of Americans are working for governments at one level or another; another 20 percent are largely dependent on Social Security and Medicare; and another 10 percent are on some means-tested welfare program and completely dependent on government for their daily bread — and many of these groups are fairly well organized politically, so getting them to vote for less government is increasingly difficult.”
With basically half the country being net receivers of government largesse rather than net donors, it will take only a small additional push for the left to create a virtually permanent majority in favor of higher taxes and higher spending ad infinitum, world without end, Amen.
All of which makes 2012 perhaps the last chance to turn things around.
Toward that end, by the way, DeMint’s “Senate Conservatives Fund” is busily assessing candidates hoping to lead a Republican takeover of the Senate. (So far it has endorsed four — Mark Neumann in Wisconsin, Don Stenberg in Nebraska, Ted Cruz in Texas, and Josh Mandel in Ohio — but that is beside the point of this column.) For all the attention to the presidential race, DeMint believes that a Republican takeover of the Senate, and a conservative majority within the GOP caucus there, are both eminently achievable and necessary for the country’s future.
“We need five or six more folks like [freshman senators] Marco Rubio, Rand Paul, Pat Toomey, folks who will take a stand,” he said.
For that to happen, and for America to pull back from the cliff, DeMint writes in the last section of his book, individual American citizens absolutely must get more involved in the often “messy and unpleasant,” but also necessary and rewarding, realm of politics. “There are hundreds of small things you can do,” he writes, “that will make a big difference.”
DeMint is, of course, not just politically to the right, but he’s also right on target.
“We’re a bottom-up country,” he told me. “We’re capable of a lot of self-governance. We can do this.”
About the Author
Quin Hillyer is a senior editor of The American Spectator and a senior fellow at the Center for Individual Freedom. Follow him on Twitter @QuinHillyer.
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Clint| 1.13.12 @ 6:37AM
Interestingly, We Pennsylvania Gun & Bible Clutchin' Conservatives, Helped Throw Rick Santorum Out Of The Senate, After He Stepped In The Last Weeks And Propped Up The RINO-CINO Poster Boy,Arlen Specter Against Our Republican Primary Guy, Pat Toomey.
Now, Both Santorum And Specter Are Out And Our Tea Party Senator, Pat Toomey Is In.
The Tea Party Rebellion Is In South Carolina.
Jack in Wi.| 1.13.12 @ 6:54AM
Clint: Jim Demint has just called on the Republican Party to listen to Ron Paul and his message. He has also called for debates between the Libertarians and Conservatves in the party. He said there is no more room for the liberals and moderates. There is just no more money for them to spend. I am glad he is supporting Mark Neuman over my old drinking buddy Tommy Thompson. Tommy is way past his sell date. He belongs in peaceful retirement, with the other old fools, Orin Hatch, Dick Lugar,George Allen, Kay Bailey Hutcheson and the Maine twins..
Clint| 1.13.12 @ 7:02AM
Jack, Keep Showin' Up.
Ya Got The Israel Firster Smear Bund To A Point Where They Don't Know Whether To Wind Their Ass Or Scratch Their Watch.
The Tea Party Rebellion Is In South Carolina.
1-2 Punch| 1.13.12 @ 11:54AM
You pretentious arrogant prick, you couldn't come up with an original thought or debate your way out of a paper bag. The only "smearing" going on around hear is Jack in Wi. dick across your lips when your not getting a phallic slapping from real conservatives on this board. Isreal>You
1-2 Punch| 1.13.12 @ 11:56AM
*here*
Clint| 1.13.12 @ 9:51PM
Those Are Very Queer Things To Say.
You Talk Like Another One Of Those Israel Firster Smear Bundists With Sugar In Your Pockets.
Talk To Barney Frank, Sweetie Pie.
The Tea Party Rebellion Steps On Punchy.
Oldefarte| 1.14.12 @ 11:22AM
What's all this 'queer' capitalization posting about today [is it the result of your newsletter arriving in the mail at the trailer park]?????
rhoetus| 1.14.12 @ 11:50AM
Decent people live in Mobil homes some which are located in MH Communities, decent people have tried to insult my parents and failed. The real trash live on Park Ave NYC townhouses and vote for socialists like Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.
Occam's Tool| 1.14.12 @ 9:56PM
Well it's nice to see jack and Clint jerking each other off. Paul is gonna finish 4, and Rubio will be VEEP---or Jim DeMint. But probably Rubio.
Snooki| 1.14.12 @ 12:07AM
We're going to take the Senate and send Obama
back to Africa.
Oldefarte| 1.13.12 @ 11:47AM
Clit and Jack's cintinuation of SLURP, SLURP, GULP, GULP, UMMMMM, UMMMMM!!!!
Clint| 1.13.12 @ 9:55PM
You Sound Verrrrrry Queer Today RINO-CINO Fart Panties.
Did Punchy's Queer Talk Spark Ya Up, Fart Panties ?
Oldefarte| 1.14.12 @ 11:20AM
Nah Clit, I'm just reflecting on your chasing your idol in his TOO SHORT SHORTS around Lake Jackson for his autograph [and wanting to empty your $5 checking account balance toward a newsletter subscription ]!!!!!!!
MXLord327| 1.13.12 @ 4:57PM
I live in Maine and have done just about everything I can to get rid of Collins & Snowe, short of voting form a dimocrat. I just may have to go that route next time, but as you have seen, once your in in Maine, your in for life, or you decide to retire.
Herman| 1.14.12 @ 12:06AM
Agreed: Get rid of the old fossils in the Senate like
Utah did last time....And get DeMint to run for President...It's not too late...
carnot| 1.16.12 @ 9:50PM
agree...get rid of the old fossils in the House .... :-) ....
Oldefarte| 1.14.12 @ 11:26AM
Hey, you forgot Scott Walker [and John Kasish], which you and your fellow labor union [at the instruction of your community orgainizing Acorn friends] drinking buddies are politically harrassing/threatening, huh??????
Oldefarte| 1.14.12 @ 11:29AM
Jack, the 'M' in DeMint should be capitalized. You've been hanging around Clit too long and picking up his CAPITALIZATION OF EVERY WORD type errors, no doubt!!!!!
MyGirlFriday| 2.3.12 @ 1:34PM
You may think that Orin Hatch is an old fool and wish his retirement. But those in Utah with any sense will do their homework and understand: Of the four committees Hatch sits on, he is the ranking Republican on the (Finance) and former chair of two others (Judiciary; Health, Education, Labor and Pension). Any Utahns with an inkling to oust the longest-tenured senator better think twice before casting a vote against him. That is because if Republicans take control of the Senate in 2012 and Hatch wins re-election, he will ascend to the chairmanship of the powerful Fiance Committee that controls the purse strings on entitlement spending. And should his challenger win in 2012, then Utah's new junior senator will begin serving in the Senate with zero seniority and minimal influence on the committee level--much less the chairmanship of the Finance Committee. Finally, should Republicans loose the senate, and Hatch looses to his challenger Olympia Snowe is next in line for Finance. Be careful what you wish for.
Cosmo| 1.14.12 @ 12:04AM
Jim DeMint: Please declare your candidacy for President....You are just the man we need.
Mike Hawk| 1.15.12 @ 7:38AM
Clint, you by no means even remotely typify the Pennsylvania Conservatives or Tea Party Patriots. You are a fringe hanger-on akin to the crackpot you support so blindly and robotically. That's why you are a Paulbot.
Ken (Old Texican| 1.13.12 @ 6:55AM
Quin,
thank you forthe heads up on Jim's book.
AGREED| 1.13.12 @ 12:42PM
Candidates need to teach Americans about the liberal/Democrat philosophy, its agenda, its language, and its anti-business position.
Then give a lesson about the fact that entitlements come from private sector and business.
Then tell them that if the liberals continue...there won't be any coins to funnel through entitlements.
Obama will use dependent Americans' fear of losing their safety net to net the votes.
Precipice...
TrueBlue | 1.13.12 @ 6:08PM
Logic cannot be used against the party of emotion, they just start yelling and screaming at you. By the time they're out of high school they've been fully indoctrinated into this kind of emotional "thinking." This stuff has to be taught while they are growing up or it'll be rejected nearly every time.
Mekhong Kurt| 1.13.12 @ 7:29AM
Although I've not read Senator DeMint's book either, based on his comments, I believe he does raise some point needing discussion.
My concern, however, is the apparent blindness on the right that the other forms of welfare we have in this country also need to be on the table for discussion.
The Pentagon is having to suck it up as we move it into an era of frugality, an era we do need for it to experience. I have long objected to the way defense funds are lavished.
If we're willing to tell the troops to suck it up, and if we're willing to tell individuals currently receiving some form of government aid to do the same, then we *also* need to be willing to tell corporations it's time for them to start adjusting to reduced government welfare, too. We give it in subsidies. We give it in tax holidays. We give it in loopholes in the tax code that allow deductions that ought not be allowed. we give it by not imposing some form of financial penalty on American companies shifting operations -- and jobs -- outside the U.S.
I'm not wealthy, but I've much better off than many of my fellow Americans, despite the fact that the more-than-30 tax authorities to which I pay taxes at the federal, state, and local levels take almost 40% of my income. Some of it is wasted, such as on defense cost-plus-plus-plus contracts, and I do resent that. But I don't resent a considerable part of the share I carry: helping innovators, encouraging research in every imaginable field, and, yes, giving a helping hand to my fellow Americans who are on hard times, many of them through absolutely no fault of their own, though every dollar we give them in the form of some type of welfare infuriates some -- no matter how downtrodden a given recipient may be.
Despite my considerable exisiting tax burden, I am willing to contribute even more -- IF corporations wil reduce the number of government teats on which they feed, too; if truly wealthy people will pay a nominal on their incomes exceeding some figure substantially higher than the great majority of us earn -- $500,000, say? Only on every buck BEYOND that? Is that so unreasonable to ask?
The problem I have with the right is they want to throw the poor under the bus and protect the big guys. The problem I have with the left is they want to throw only the big guys under that same bus without examining whether or not a given, particular little guy actually needs or deserves our help.
*Both* need to be considered -- but neither side is willing to admit that.
I imagine I'll get flamed across the board now, especially the right, given where I'm writing this. So be it.
If oil companies and banks and financial
Ryan| 1.13.12 @ 8:21AM
Why does it have to be through government? Why not charity?
Nancy in NC| 1.13.12 @ 8:32AM
No flaming from this precinct. I think you are right on target. Too many in government are idealogues, refusing to see what is in the country's best interest, but always looking out for their own welfare, politically and monetarily.
As a true conservative, I don't think government should be involved with business at all, other than to police illegal acts and to provide a level playing field of opportunity.
Of course, we should help the poorest and the disabled. Unfortunately, the present system keeps them poor and encourages them to be disabled. I would be willing to guess that at least 50% of those who are drawing disability are capable of work...maybe not digging ditches, but I can't do that either.
As for the military, the military industrial complex skims off the real money and the military man or woman is left holding the bag. I get pissed of every time I see one of those ads for Wounded Warrior or some such group and see that people that gave their limbs for this country or now depending on charity for their medical needs to be met. What the hell is wrong with that picture? We send the best of our youth in harm's way and then leave them out to dry.
On the other hand, the military needs to restructure the retirement system. Someone that was in admin for their entire military career should not be treated the same as a grunt who risked life and limb. Even though few could live on that 20 year retirement package I realize it's a terrible drain on the country. But being in the military is no picnic; you life is not your own, and compensation should be fair. I know of what I speak; my husband served 26 years in the Marine Corps. We have lost many benefits; for example when he enlisted, free medical care was promised for life. Well, it's not free, and it's not all that good either. One more reason I'm against Obama Care; I know about socialized medicine.
With all that being said, the Democrats are in bed with big business just as much as the GOP. To think differently, is to be totally naive.
Nancy in NC| 1.13.12 @ 8:44AM
One more note on your post: Americans need to be willing to pay the money for American made goods. American business can not compete against cheap labor; no more than the American worker can afford to work for $8 an hour. Everytime we buy a cheap product from some 3rd world country we are helping them and the corporation that took their business there. The American worker must be willing to sacrifice as well; he can't expect to be paid $50 an hour for turning a lug nut with a pension package that would choke a horse.
If we are honest, we will see all of us have played some part in this mess. It's going to take all of us to dig our way out. I'm unsure if I see that happening with a citizenry so completely self absorbed. For many the American spirit of frugality, hard work and independence is dead. They prefer an easier softer path: the road to serfdom.
wukong| 1.13.12 @ 11:06AM
Cheap labor my ass!!!
Let's look at simple facts. If an investor puts equity into a US Corporation that returns $100 in profits, or most benevolent government sucks up $35 right off the top leaving $65 as distributed dividends. When the investor receives that $65; he, she or it thing then must share an additional 28% or $18.20 with our hoggish national government. The actual return on our investors equity is $48.80 before state and local governments elbow into the spoils.
If the investor buys equity into a foreign corporation that pays no corporate taxes, our benevolent government merely hogs up 28% of the swill leaving $72.00
Now try to act like a rational being and ask yourself would you rather receive $72.00 or $48.80 from your $100 or EARNED income.
Nancy in NC| 1.13.12 @ 11:58AM
Hey, I didn't make the rules.
TrueBlue | 1.13.12 @ 6:26PM
Which just goes to show the rules need to be amended. Our government takes far more than it should, and it's taken at all levels. The corporation/business that makes the money is taxed by state and federal government, then the employees get taxed on their income, then the investors gets taxed on the income they receive from their share of what's left of the profits, and then all are taxed again in most states when they go to purchase something thanks to sales tax.
This is why corporate taxes are bull. Tax the investors and employees on income at most, but taxing a corporation on sales made in the country are stupid. They cause the corporation to raise the price of their goods, so they lose no money on the whole thing, but citizens end up paying more for the end product. Tax imports, regardless of where the company is based, to incentivize production here in the country and you also increase the numbers of jobs available to citizens.
Count all income the same, and tax everyone at the same percentage with minimal tax write-offs; Investment losses, charity and children being the only ones I can see staying. Investment losses because it will make people more willing to invest if they know they can write off the losses for the year, charity because it helps your fellow citizens WILLINGLY, children because they ensure the continuation of the society. Won't have to worry about tax write-offs for business expenses because we won't be taxing the companies.
rhoetus| 1.14.12 @ 11:54AM
Nancy: If I made the rules most politicians would be in prison for perpetuating a public fraud. Barney Frank should share a cell with Bernie Madoff.
Dai Alanye | 1.13.12 @ 9:04AM
Mekhong Kurt and others need to understand that corporations -- and businesses in general -- do not pay taxes. Taxes, along with other costs of doing business, are simply passed along to the consumer. When you and I deal with K-Mart or Joe's Meat Market the prices we pay include the taxes various government entities charge the businesses, minus (perhaps) any subsidies. All that is ultimately accomplished is a distortion of the market.
Corporate profit taxes penalize those companies efficient enough to make a profit while making foreign goods more attractive to the consumer. They should be eliminated, along with most subsidies. Rick Santorum's proposal to cut profit taxes in half is a start, and a future step should be to eliminate them completely.
And don't get me started on personal taxes.
TrueBlue | 1.13.12 @ 6:29PM
The 16th Amendment never should have been passed in the first place, but sadly without another Amendment making it null and void it's here to stay. Would be nice if they at least passed an Amendment capping it at a specific percentage (say like 15% or less).
rhoetus| 1.14.12 @ 11:56AM
We worked to repeal the 16th in the 60's, 70's - the amendment was passed by 8 or 9 states.
albert constantine jr| 1.13.12 @ 2:23PM
Mekhong Kurt-
I’m not sure if your name references the whiskey or the river, but I digress. Not that I am a fan of any form of welfare, but it is an axiom of economics that things that you subsidize you tend to get more of, and things that are taxed you tend to get less of.
Since prosperity is not one of those things that are increased by subsidy, we wind up fostering dependence and bad (i.e. less competitive) behavior, whether we are handing out to corporate entities or individuals.
On the other hand, regarding defense expenditures, what separates these in the hearts and minds of many people is that you get something you can see for your investment. One sees fighter jets, bombers, ships, and large formations of uniformed troops with weapons and equipment. While much that is allocated to defense may to lost to fraud, waste and abuse, there are both tangible and intangible assets associated with this.
When contrasted with the visual of the non English speaking woman with an infant paying for her groceries and formula with her EBT card, or a trailer full of ill mannered children neglected by their Jerry Springer viewing mother with a cabinet full of government cheese, it should come as no surprise that many prefer the former over the latter.
While the images may not accurately portray how the government spends the money it collects, the impressions last.
TrueBlue | 1.13.12 @ 6:35PM
One of the biggest issues with government spending, defense especially, is their method of contracting. They do things by lowest bid, but in most cases they never bother to see what a similar project would cost in the civilian sector. So rather than ending up with the lowest bidder on a project that would cost a civilian firm doing their own research something around $40k, they end up paying $250k. On top of that they then make the contracts last for years without the ability to renegotiate if the cost for items/services involved goes down. Take their computer contracts for instance, computer hardware gets cheaper as years go on but they still end up paying the same cost for systems that are several years old as when the contract was first made.
The people negotiating the contracts don't care because it isn't their money, and the companies love it because it means even more profit for them.
Konnie| 1.14.12 @ 9:57AM
No, no, no, the right doesn't want to 'throw the poor under the bus'...What they want is for able-bodied people to get off their asses and get a job. I make no apologies for that. Also, we need to quit paying young women to have babies without a husband. We are encouraging this behaviour, rewarding it, even. This is cruel indeed to the children of these women.
breanna| 1.15.12 @ 1:30PM
you are so very right. i believe, strongly, that the ONLY people that should receive government assistance (food stamps, housing, utility payments, medicaid etc.) are those that can NOT fend for themselves because they either have a permanent physical or mental impairment that PREVENTS them from being able to provide for their own needs. EVERYONE else needs to go to school to increase their chances of becoming employed and then BECOME employed. There is no excuse other than what was stated above.
I also believe that the earned income credit REWARDS people for having as many children as they can. Get rid of it. There is already a child tax credit that is allowed so there is no need for the EIC. I also think that if we get rid of this, people will not procreate as much. The government DOES reward people for not being married to the baby's daddy(s) and does so because these daddy's weren't being responsible and paying child support (or marrying the mother) and so women naturally sought assistance through the state. Gov't has to change the rules, reform welfare. I bet if Gov't said that ONLY people who are not physically and/or mentally capable can receive assistance, there would be 1) less children born into poverty 2) more people working and paying taxes 3) more marriages.
Tired Taxpayer PRM| 1.14.12 @ 12:04PM
I am on the right and I do not wish to “throw the poor under the bus”. I only want the government to get out of the “welfare” business.
A government bureaucrat, with VERY few exceptions, is in the welfare business as a job. Like most people, he would like to see his responsibilities expand and, therefore, get him a promotion. The only way to do this is to create MORE clients. They will verbally discourage bad behavior but never take the steps necessary to eliminate it, like drug testing welfare recipients. They are also bad, like all government entities, at spending money wisely.
A charity, on the other hand, is in the “welfare” business so they can feel good about themselves and get to heaven (whether or not they are religious). They are hoping every day to run out of clients so they have to close down. They make it their business to help welfare clients get back on their feet and not need help anymore. They will also discourage dumb behavior. Some even go so far as to stop helping anyone who has been doing drugs or alcohol.
I am also in favor of stopping all corporate welfare. We shouldn’t subsidize any company at any level of government. Government should enforce the laws and get out of the way. At the same time we should eliminate all corporate taxes. As many people have said here, corporations do not pay taxes, they only pass those taxes along as the cost of doing business.
We should eliminate the income tax and replace it with a consumption tax. Who thinks it is a good idea for the government to be in the business of every American concerning their income? Instead of taxing income (remember, whatever you tax you get less of) we should tax spending. Eliminate the IRS and disincentives on earning more income, sweet!
We should also cut the pentagon budget wayyyy down. If we eliminate the goals of propping up (so-called) allies, nation-building and vote buying here in the USA, I am sure we can cut their budget by half, if not more. We need a strong Navy and a small bunch of bad-assed Special Forces. Lets stop trying to prepare for another World War II and be real.
I know this is all scary sounding but take a minute and think about it. If we change the way we live in this country we can be great once again. I know we can argue about the details but I am trying to get everyone to think “outside the box” and really come up with a solution, enough of the nibbling around the edges.
carnot| 1.16.12 @ 10:05PM
you missed the whole point of the article: it is the Left who are EXPANDING the ranks of the poor.
Why do you only reproach DoD? anyone familiar with DHS and a dozen other departments knows the same waste and abuse occurs.
and pls...don't consider "contributing" more: do it or don't it and spare us all the silly, ambivalent sermonizing.
Indy| 1.13.12 @ 7:30AM
"DeMint basically told me that he didn't mean to be apocalyptic -- just accurate."
Sadly, the media has no interest in accuracy, they are complicit in our fiscal destruction. DeMint is right, we must focus on the Senate.
Margie| 1.13.12 @ 3:27PM
Apocalyptic is what one is labeled for daring to speak point blank truthful.. the Left and liars cannot BEAR the plain truth.
mjs_pa| 1.13.12 @ 7:56AM
DeMint sounds like Santorum, but, by his silence, he endorses Romney.
He says he wants more "conservative" senators but won't challenge any sitting RINOs.
His mixed messaging unfortunately makes him yet another politician.
Nancy in NC| 1.13.12 @ 8:36AM
I disagree. If one would look closely at Jim DeMint you will find that he's one of the honest politicians in Washington. He's far from wealthy; he's not stealing from the taxpayers.
However, we must get rid of Obama or everything else is a moot point. Jim DeMint is principled and honest; he's also not blind or stupid. Unless we completely control Congress (and they grow a pair), we are dead as a country. Emperor Obama will continue to RULE (not lead) by executive order and the unelected bureaucrats will systematically destroy this country.
Indy| 1.13.12 @ 9:01AM
I think like many of us DeMint is not happy with the field, he is smart to focus on the Senate
Bridget Blueskye| 1.13.12 @ 2:22PM
DeMint lost an ardent supporter, myself, when he gave the green light to the Unconservative candidate, Mitt Romney, by predicting Romney will win the SC primary. DeMint can say he didn't endorse Romney but I know that's exactly what he did. I'm sure he won't miss the donations I have budgeted for and sent regularly to his Senate Conservatives Fund. But I'll feel good about not ever sending DeMint another dime. I wonder how many other conservatives won't send him another dime either? Anyone who supports Romney is no conservative. Not in my book.
martin j smith| 1.13.12 @ 8:11AM
mjs_pa is not me just to be clear.
Regardless of what DeMint may otherwise be doing he is correct. In my view looking at the nominees the following will not bring us back from the brink--but lead us down the primrose path to hell in one way or another: Romney,Paul,Huntsman.
I am watching and waiting to hear and see more of where Gingrich,Perry and Santorum go. There could be a new entry in the race becasue many or I will say most voters are not satisfied too much of what is out there.
Nancy in NC| 1.13.12 @ 8:47AM
I wouldn't include Gingrich in that list. He's for big government all the way...just look at what he's done and ignore what he says.
David T| 1.13.12 @ 9:33AM
When you look at what Gingrich did as House Speaker, you'll see that he reformed welfare, cut capital gains taxes, and gave us a budget surplus for four straight years. Doesn't appear to be big government to me.
Nancy in NC| 1.13.12 @ 11:56AM
Global governance, anyone? Look at Gingrich's relations with CFA, plus his outing with Freddie and Fannie.
TrueBlue | 1.13.12 @ 6:37PM
Gingrich would be good as a financial advisor maybe, he really does have some great ideas for cutting things down. But putting him in charge is just a bad idea, he has a tendency to try some really crazy stuff.
tbascom| 1.13.12 @ 8:18AM
paragraph 4: inaccurate debt load mentioned. we're not 15 billion in debt, but 15 trillion. 15 trillion is about equal to our gdp.
FL Conservative| 1.13.12 @ 8:32AM
"A Call" to Arms? Very true.
Nice to know about his book Quin, but
Sen. DeMint could and should have weighed in long ago on the Republican Florida Senate primary for 2012, and for some reason has chosen not to, to Conservatism's detriment.
We have in Florida, in the 2012 Senate primary, essentially, 1 viable conservative Republican who can beat Obama's rubberstamp senator, Bill Nelson, and build a strong coalition of the Jewish vote in SFL in former Majority Leader of the Fl Legisature, Adam Hasner, from Boca Raton, (who readily won the FL CPAC Straw Poll voted by (R) activists at the FL gathering in Orlando in late September). And there are 2 other candidates competing in the top tier who are complete opportunist, Charlie Crist moderate-liberal Republicans.
One is Gov. Crist's former appointment, to that Senate seat, George LeMiuex, who was Crist's former campaign manager who's never been elected to office and lost the only race he ever ran in his district (and who as a U.S. Senator voted as 1 OF 2 Republicans IN THE COUNTRY for a 42 b-i-l-l-i-o-n dollar Obama "stimulus" for businesses.
And an even worse Senate candidate, Congressman Connie Mack IV, a RINO Congressman of 4 terms, who repeartedly voted for pork and a man who voted 4 times for taxpayer backed embryonic stem cell research and is an open borders guy. Read about that here:
http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-.....zi-germany (if link does not transfer Google it)
Connie Mack IV endorsed our liberal do nothing then A.G (Crist) in 2006, over the conservative candidate for governor, Tom Gallagher, and in 2010 Mack endorsed Crist over Marco Rubio. The same Gov Crist who apointed DEMS to the bench and willfully pillaged the RPOF coffers for 4 years, Mack IV supported Charlie Crist over Marco Rubio for the U.S. Senate and was also his State Senate campaign chariman. Mack endorsed Crist AFTER he camaigned with Obama in Florida for the almost trillion dollar" stimulus" which no Republican in Florida in Congress voted for. Mack has also refused a challenge to debate and said he was not even going to respond to that request. He is arrogant and counting on his father's name I.D., not his record.
A question for Jim DeMint is, having the reputation and mantle of recognizing and supporting conservative leader; what are you waitng for? Why are you allowing the MSM in Fla to prop up a weak link, busy as ususal D.C. moderate, who cannot beat Bill Nelson? Nelson can be beat, but only with a principled R candidate who has a record to prove it.
There is only 1 man running who fits those qualifications, it is Adam Hasner. Taking bold stands requires moral courage and leadership. Let's take back the Senate and demonstrate principled leadership at the national level. America's fate hangs in the balance in this election. Serious fiscal debt can't be solved using statist, DC- deal making RINOS. The Cause is much bigger than any of us.
Al Adab| 1.13.12 @ 10:45AM
Demint may actually understate the crisis. We have a President who in effect has declared himself Ceasar. What must be the response of free citizens to that? If we continue to play by the old rules and seek accomodation with the tyranical Left, then we are as culpable as they. Have we reached the point at which our government is itself, "destructive fo those ends" for which it was created and if so, what do we do with the "alter or abolish" clause?
The day may come when Liberty dissapears from human history, but that day should not be this day and let it never be said that when mankind needed defenders of freedom that the American people were weighed in the balance and found wanting. Here is the hill on which to stand; here is the day when tyranny met its Waterloo.
KennesawJack| 1.13.12 @ 1:34PM
Al, a bit dramatic, beautifully poetic, and I loved every bit of it. Not to worry, the lefties don't have a clue as to what the ultimate outcome will be. I'm not really sure where this quote came from, I think it was from the novel, Topaz which I read maybe 40 years ago. The quote, though, stuck with me because the author, Leon Uris, was describing a conversation between two men, one bent on harming the U. S. the other advising caution. Loosely, it was "Be careful. The Americans are all like John Wayne. They sit back and take it and take it, never saying a word, then they shoot for the heart." The essential fibre of the American people is alive and well, just not within the self-anointed elites. We'll rise to the occasion when the time comes.
Deborah D | 1.13.12 @ 2:30PM
Al and Kennesaw -- thank you both. I've been thinking more and more about what it will take to bring this country back. The entrenched D.C. bureaucracy, the clueless RINOs, the pundits who keep fiddling while Rome burns -- does anyone truly get it? We need someone in that snake-infested DC pit to start chopping off heads. If there's anyone interested in doing so -- he/she hasn't made him/herself known. I think it's the "go-along to get-alongers" that tick me off the most. Heads in the sand. Reaching across the aisle. Compromising with evil. How do you compromise with those who want to "fundamentally transform the United States of America." There's no compromising with that, there's only fighting that or giving up. Which will you do, Republicans?
KennesawJack| 1.13.12 @ 3:07PM
Deborah, I've said this so many times on AS that folks are probably getting tired of hearing it but here it goes again. I believe there is a very good chance our eventual nominee is not in the race yet. For as much as I don't like most of what Ron Paul has to say, as much as I dislike this current tack that Newt is sailing, and as much as I believe Santorum can't win, I believe they will garner enough delegates to force a brokered convention, If, and admittedly it's a big "if", that were to happen then I think a draft movment in the direction of Mitch Daniels or Paul Ryan could develop with some rapidity. Knowing that both of these men are not obsessed with becoming President would seem to indicate they would not feel a need to "go along to get along" in order to govern. And, by the way, I don't see how anyone drafted by his or her party to run could possible refuse, Daniel's wife notwithstanding. Not saying these two are the only ones out there. I could see Rubio, Spence, or even Palin in the mix. Whichever way it goes, the tide is coming to us. There is a declination in Latin that is rarely used in English. It is the ablative absolute. It is used to describe an event in which an action is taken, without modifiers (read that mean "equivocation"). The most famouse example is probably "Ponte facto, Caesar transit." That translates to "The bridge being there, Ceasar crossed it." In short, we are approaching a bridge that will require courage and forthrightness to cross. I have no doubt we will.
Deborah D | 1.13.12 @ 3:40PM
I've been thinking about the "brokered convention" as well. Regardless of how one feels about Ron Paul, I do admire his fearlessness. I think even more than his message, it's his willingness to say what he believes that is attractive. I would be happy with Paul Ryan or Daniels -- they both just seem to attempt to do what's right. I'll keep holding my breath and praying we're able to save our country.
Al Adab| 1.13.12 @ 3:45PM
DD:
We must spew the lukewarm, tepid ones from our mouths. Those who stand for nothing will stand for anything.
Deborah D | 1.13.12 @ 3:53PM
So true, Al, so true.
Deborah D | 1.13.12 @ 2:36PM
Oh, and Kennesaw -- here's one of my favorite quotes: "I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue!" Barry Goldwater
MikeG| 1.14.12 @ 2:18PM
All interesting but Goldwater got decimated and we got LBJ.
Louis Jenkins| 1.13.12 @ 8:54AM
Demint is endorsing good sound fiscal methods, and realizes that spending has now surpassed income. He's one of the few that spoken out about this, and the writing is there for everyone to see if they will look. In other words, we're in trouble and the "window" is closing fast. Another point is that Demint is looking at the Conservative Senate Race. That is where we will win, or heaven help, go home with our tail between our legs. (A conservative controlled senate will not settle on McConnell as its speaker.) Obama cannot continually ignore the Constitution even though he was a Constitutional expert in college, and if the Senate goes conservative he'd better be on guard.
Indy| 1.13.12 @ 9:04AM
Here's a short video on the debt limit, I would like to see one that focuses on spending
http://debtlimitusa.org/
Derek Leaberry| 1.13.12 @ 9:11AM
As a Romney supporter, DeMint is now part of the problem. Perhaps it will be better if Obama is re-elected and our fiscal collapse will match the nation's moral collapse.
Noah| 1.13.12 @ 9:15AM
The problem that I see with what your proposing is from the stand point that we have never been here, thats call the future. Raise Corporate Americas"corporate rate not income rate Then there will be plenty of capitol to fund all programs in the future.
VonMisesJr| 1.13.12 @ 9:27AM
Perhaps the Republican ruling class elites have concluded that there is no hope for turning around 100 years of socialism. We owe over $100 trillion including all entitlements promised.
Obama was the bottom up strategy to consolidate the socialist and other radicals, with the whacko rights crowd and the poor receiveing government largess. Now Romney is the top down financial wizard that sells the survival plan to the conservatives and independents as the only poosible course left.
We saw a manufactured crises in 2007 with the subprime plan that took over a decade to gel triggered by Chuck Schumer's IndyMac alleged failure. And next we may see a 2012 financial crises where Romney will be deemed the only one who can save us.
We may be in for Scene II of the Faustian Bargain Tragedy that renders our Constitution null and void, and re-establishes serfdom.
9thID| 1.13.12 @ 9:41AM
DeMint is right in that the root cause of this mess is the secular humanism and moral relativism of Liber-als, Liber-tarians, and RINOs...
aware| 1.13.12 @ 6:02PM
When have libertarians passed anything or run anything, bub. Neo cons and progressives have been running the show, they own 100% of the blame. From way back. The Welfare/Warfare State is all their creation. Get a clue on who is robbing you of treasure and liberty.
Oldefarte| 1.13.12 @ 11:59AM
Governmental welfare is the greatest threat to this country and, if not halted/decreased substantially, will soon cause the destruction of same. IMHO it should be entirely eliminated, but that is no doubt impossible. The Democratic Party has made their political living for decades off of providing same to indigents in return for same's votes for Democrats at election time, all at the taxpayers' expense in quid-pro-quo fashion. Social Security and Medicare should be taken out of the so-termed ENTITLEMENTS mix description, since everyone basically receiving same has PAID FOR [thorough a lifetime of working and paying their FICA/SS taxes] same [though not totally, depending upon their length of lifetime receipts of these benefits]. Medicaid, housing/food assistances etc are NOT PAID FOR by their recipients and are pure welfare that again is funded strictly by taxpayers. The cause of this governmental welfare expense is almost solely attributable to the illegitimate birth rates of indigents unable to finance same and therefore dependent on governmental assistance. Why does this country encourage, applaud and ignore this detrimental problem for our nation? Why do voters allow a obviously promotional political platform by the Democratic Party to continue of this governmental welfare system??????????????????????????????
Who Knows?| 1.13.12 @ 1:35PM
??????????????????????????????
Margie| 1.13.12 @ 3:30PM
Hey, Oldefarte speaks the truth with gusto.
ANYBODY BUT OBAMA 2012!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Petronius| 1.13.12 @ 1:44PM
The people living in what used to be the United States of America will never accept the kind of government that will facilitate economic recovery because they would have to grow up and become competent adults. There will be no real Conservative government until we hit bottom and lose everything.
cicero| 1.13.12 @ 1:47PM
Now that the most wonderfully, free and prosperous country in the history of the world has been brought to the brink of collapse by our polititions who have used their positions to buy votes to keep themselves in power, we get one of them raising the hew and cry that the sky is about to fall.
As I have said in this blog on more than one occasion, you show me a social malady, and I'll show you the government program that created it and/or sustains it. Now we have the Party of Stupid tripping over the chairs as they try to rearrange them on the deck of the Titanic. Time to get the act together,folks. If we are truly in a crisis, which we are, it is incumbent on the Republican Party leaders to stop the bull sh.. and agree on a candidate. I don't particularly care whether it is done in a smoky room or not. Either the Party is conservative, or it is not. If it is, pick a good candidate and fight the real battle in the House and Senate elections. Enough of the overwheening ambitions on display. Enough of the, "I want to be first.", manuevering. We are talkiong about saving this country. If they can't even agree on who to put in the White House, a position which should have secondary power over domestic policy, (read, spending), in the first place, what hope is there for these people.
Let me be the first to propose it: If the Republicans cannot win both House and Senate, and the Presidency; and/or if the can, and don't balance the budget in the first House term, and show a concrete plan to satisfy the debt in 5 years, we owe it to the country to form a truly conservative polital party to replace them. They will render themselves as relevant as the Whigs in 1850.
KennesawJack| 1.13.12 @ 3:17PM
Cicero, I think if we don't truly reform the Party this time around, the replacement party you speak of will come to pass. It will need to.
Who Knows?| 1.13.12 @ 1:56PM
“Wake up, little Suzie, wake up!” Sing it, along with the Everly Brothers---the night is coming.
Indeed, from the perspective of my youth, say 1960, the political-economic situation in 2012 is ALREADY the “night”.
“The business of America is business”, as some president once said. Well, the busy beavers known as American consumers are overwhelming the producers---of the entire WORLD.
They are approaching majority status, as takers---busy bodies cleverly playing rip off “entrepreneurs”, finding more and more ways to live for the gusto, for tomorrow we die. The “machines” seem to have ALREADY won! That is, the physical transformation of mother earth into ordered products has become so efficient that the “poor” humans can’t keep up---they are running out of ways to conspicuously consume it all.
And, politically? Why, never underestimate the stupidity of people!
I’m reinforced, daily, in my understanding of the ongoing decline of Americans. Isn’t it obvious?
Remember Venn diagrams, or Boolean Algebra? Picture a Venn diagram representing all physical “stuff” within the boundaries of the USA---you know, the gathering of elements for a while humming along there.
Now, make a circle to contain only the physical bodies of the humans therein. Why, if one did a back of the envelope measuring of the weight of ALL of it, from say six feet down to six feet above the ground, human beings would hardly “measure up”.
Well, the not-human physical America SEEMS to be holding its own, for the most part. Yes, highways etc are wearing out. BUT---look at the state of the humans!
Physically UNFIT, and self-righteously full of self-esteem, busy holding down their couch, and eating like there’s no tomorrow---24/7, almost. At the YMCA, I regularly endure gross bodies in the therapy pool, wagging their gums, talking about FOOD!
Never NOT eating or talking about eating!
Apocalypse NOW-------accuracy in FAT spades!
Ken (Old Texican| 1.13.12 @ 4:05PM
Who knows...
that was stupid.
Grow up.
Deborah D | 1.13.12 @ 5:36PM
Truly, Ken -- just bizarre postings.
Margie| 1.13.12 @ 6:35PM
Not as bizarre as a man (Ken) that claims he has a "deal" with God to use His Name in vain.
He is also a man who claims that we evolved from apes, agreeing with an atheist named Darwin.
He also claims to be a Christian and yet has said that God made Homosexuals that way, and that it is HATRED to speak the truth to them.
If that isn't enough, h has openly accused me here of wanting to commit Adultery with him, and that he has the "proof" in the form of e mails, but when I DEMANDED that he post said e mails, he then changed his story.
Yet this REPROBATE continues to make the accusation here, repeatedly.
BIZARRE INDEED!!
Now: how come there are no Christians here taking him to task??
RCV| 1.14.12 @ 2:28PM
Maybe if you'd read Darwin, or take a course on evolutionary biology, you'd come to understand that Darwin did not claim that "we evolved from apes." You might also come to realize how prescient the creation story in Genesis is to what we have come to learn over the centuries, validating the belief that those ancient men who passed on those stories were inspired by the Holy Spirit in their recognition of God's plan and mechanism of life's creation and evolution.
Margie| 1.14.12 @ 5:05PM
For someone who thinks they're sooo much smarter than me in all things, I give you Darwin's own words:
From his book, "The Descent of Man":
"In each great region of the world the living mammals are closely related to the extinct species of the same region. It is therefore probable that Africa was formerly inhabited by extinct apes closely allied to the gorilla and chimpanzee; and as these two species are now man's nearest allies, it is somewhat more probable that our early progenitors lived on the African continent than elsewhere."
And more:
"If the anthropomorphous apes be admitted to form a natural sub-group, then as man agrees with them, not only in all those characters which he possesses in common with the whole Catarhine group, but in other peculiar characters, such as the absence of a tail and of callosities and in general appearance, we may infer that some ancient member of the anthropomorphous sub-group gave birth to man. It is not probable that a member of one of the other lower sub-groups should, through the law of analogous variation, have given rise to a man-like creature, resembling the higher anthropomorphous apes in so many respects. No doubt man, in comparison with most of his allies, has undergone an extraordinary amount of modification, chiefly in consequence of his greatly developed brain and erect position; nevertheless we should bear in mind that he "is but one of several exceptional forms of Primates."
Methinks YOU are the one who needs to actually READ DARWIN.
As to Genesis? God says He CREATED MAN, and it was separate from the animals, AND He created MAN in HIS IMAGE, unlike the animals.
So your lame attempt at matching up Darwin with what GOD did, is utterly false and I would also add: disingenuous, as usual.
REAL Christians REJECT FRAUDS like Darwin.
RCV| 1.15.12 @ 1:10AM
I have Margie, and even the brief excerpt from Darwin refutes your claim. Homo Sapiens and the great apes are now "the closest allies" among species. Hardly disputable since they share so much common DNA.
Genesis perfectly describes, as understood by an ancient Hebrew inspired by the Holy Spirit, God's incremental creation of both the universe, the earth, and life itself, culminating in God's creation of Man, with a spiritual soul, in the image of God, who the scriptures tell us, is wholly spirit, not flesh.
Margie| 1.15.12 @ 8:33PM
God says HE CREATED, Darwin says we EVOLVED.
God says HE CREATED MAN in HIS IMAGE.
The account in Genesis shows He CREATED MAN SEPARATE from the animals.
DARWIN THE REPROBATE claimed we EVOLVED from the animals!!
Christians choose to believe GOD!!
Who Knows?| 1.13.12 @ 9:44PM
How much do you weigh?
Tex Expatriate| 1.13.12 @ 2:04PM
DeMint is 100 percent correct in his analysis. Like others who call attention to the seriousness of our economic situtation today (and political mess as well!), however, the solution that he proffers requires too many Americans to go to the polls to achieve it. This problem won't be corrected at the polls. Any correction will require a deconstruction of the present United States, either by means of secession by a number of states or the economic and political dissolution of another large number of states.
Deborah D | 1.13.12 @ 5:37PM
I fear you may be right, Tex.
David| 1.13.12 @ 2:10PM
Come on Marco Rubio, Sarah Palin, Bobby Jindal, and Jim DeMint. What is holding you back from endorsing Rick Santorum. It will put an end to the destruction that is going on in the primary right now. Following this post is another with some facts about Santorum from RedState.com.
RCV| 1.15.12 @ 1:12AM
Marco Rubio is not about to undermine his future status as a potential running mate and his influence in any Romney administration by endorsing any rival of the frontrunner.
David| 1.13.12 @ 2:12PM
Hey folks, this is information on Santorum from RedState. It was published on January 6, 2012.
I keep telling everyone to get behind Santorum now - support him with five bucks. Forget Perry and Huntsman and Gingrich and Paul. Santorum can win - and win as a conservative.
The following is From RedState.
Here are his ratings from when he was in Congress:
American Conservative Union — 88%
National Right to Life Committee — 100%
Americans for Tax Reform — 95%
National Tax Limitation Committee — 92%
U.S. Chamber of Commerce — 88%
League of Private Property Voters — 94%
Now remember, this is Santorum’s House ratings, in a DEMOCRAT district. How many Republicans in Democrat areas vote this conservative? Kirk? Snowe? That’s conviction! Santorum is NOT a ‘big government conservative’ but an across-the-board mainstream conservative with a solidly conservative voting record, albeit marred with the support for earmarks and some spending bills that many Republicans in Bush eara fell prey to.
Yet another source that looks at Santorum’s record is Jen Rubin, who likewise absolves Santorum of the phony claim that he is a big-government conservative:
“While in Iowa, Texas Gov. Rick Perry tried to begin a line of attack on Rick Santorum claiming that the former Pennsylvania senator is a big-government conservative. That attack seems poorly thought through (shocking, I know from such a meticulous campaign) for several reasons.
First, Santorum is to the right of Perry in some important ways. Santorum opposed the Troubled Assets Relief Program; Perry wrote a letter on the day of the Senate vote urging Congress to pass legislation to avert a meltdown. Santorum, as we saw in the debates, is likewise to the right of Perry (and Newt Gingrich, for that matter) on immigration.
Indeed, Santorum’s supposed deviations from conservative orthodoxy are similar those of his rivals. He voted for earmarks and highway funds. Gov. Perry took the money. Santorum voted for Medicare Part D; Gingrich lobbied for it, and Perry said in a debate that he wouldn’t repeal it.”
“And finally, Santorum has put together an aggressive spending reduction plan. He’s for the balanced-budget amendment. He’s embraced Rep. Paul Ryan’s Medicare reform plan. He’s in favor of Social Security reform, against energy subsidies, for privatizing Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, and in favor of repealing Obamacare. The guy is no liberal when it comes to spending taxpayer money. Is he to the right of Gingrich? Yes. To the left of Ron Paul? Yes. But so are most GOP voters.”
Where Santorum deviated from the conservative line, like his vote on NAFTA and his support for earmarks, he was doing the exceptional thing, and those deviations were in most cases catering to his constituents. But UNLIKE most Northeast Republicans, that ‘catering’ did not extend to abandoning conservative principles again and again. They’ve been the exception to the rule that Congressman and Senator Rick Santorum held. With his support for lower taxes, prolife and profamily policies, conservative Judges, for balanced budgets and entitlement reform, against McCain-Feingold, for school choice, against TARP and Frank-Dodd. Rick Santorum has had a solid and mostly consistent conservative voting record.
Santorum further has a solid and conservative agenda for President. Romney timidly talks of getting spending maybe down to 20% of GDP. Rick Santorum fully supports the Republican balanced budget amendment that caps spending at 18% of GDP. He wants lower tax rates for all, going to a 10%/28% two tier tax rate and lowering corporate tax rates.
While Gingrich criticized the Ryan roadmap, Santorum embraced it. Newt supported Medicare Part D, supported at one time healthcare mandates, and supported all the Bush programs that conservatives object to in Santorum’s voting record. Romney has gone further of course, embracing not just TARP, but healthcare mandates and failing to even fully criticize the Obama stimulus spending. Only Gingrich or Santorum will wage a campaign that fully challenges Obama’s whole agenda and actually works to repeal it. Newt has pegged Mitt Romney rightly as a Massachusetts moderate, but Newt is not without flys in his ointment either, from global warming to embracing Hillary, Pelosi and Al Sharpton (!) at various times in attempts to ‘reach across’ bipartisanly.
The bottom line is that between Newt, Santorum, and Romney .. Santorum is the one who is most fiscally conservative and who will have the most fiscally conservative administration as President.
Both Newt and Santorum are conservative. Just not perfect conservatives. For those who say that Santorum is not a ‘true conservative’, I would argue simply that if an 85% ACU rating and leadership on conservative issues in Congress for almost 2 decades is not enough, you will NEVER find a ‘true conservative’ in the Presidential field.
For the rest of us without that fine a filter, yes, Rick Santorum is a ‘true conservative’. Conservatives will be happy with his SCOTUS picks, his support of our military, his support for life, his tax reform and entitlement reforms, his pro-energy policies, his economic growth agenda, his fiscally responsible budgets, and his appeal to get America working again.
Pat| 1.13.12 @ 5:39PM
In America, we talk almost endlessly about achieving a “sense of urgency”, but the good folks of Italy simply turn their economy over to the Mafia, according to recent news stories. As a nod to political correctness, there is no documented evidence the Mafia exists, at least outside of books like “the Godfather”. But Italy has long given the world great artists, deep thinkers and phenomenal athletes, so maybe we should listen to them on this issue.
Their country’s central bank is irrelevant and moribund, Italians do most of their banking with the Mob's professional bankers, although ATM cards issued by First Bank of Cosa Nostra don’t exist. Some say this is an historical Italian practice – during times of the trouble they turn to the Mob for protection from their government and a return to economic sanity.
Our American Mob is quite anemic in comparison and thanks in part to the FBI, but maybe we’ve been too heavy handed with them. Democrats and Republicans have long stolen as much as possible from us voters but can’t seem to manage our economy like a true Mafia chief would. Sure, you don’t get to vote for Sammy the Knife or his cousin Guido, but what did voting for Obama the Lame buy us?
Putting America back to work is clearly beyond the abilities of Obama, his Harvard professors, his talk show catamites and his Hollywood intellectuals. Maybe it is time we put our criminal element in charge of our elected criminals. And can you imagine how the Mob would deal with those Occupy Wall Street protestors?
aware| 1.13.12 @ 7:30PM
This quote is from "They Thought They Were Free: The Germans, 1933-45"
by Milton Mayer
Long but compelling. See if this sounds familiar.
"You see," my colleague went on, "one doesn't see exactly where or how to move. Believe me, this is true. Each act, each occasion, is worse than the last, but only a little worse. You wait for the next and the next. You wait for one great shocking occasion, thinking that others, when such a shock comes, will join with you in resisting somehow. You don't want to act, or even talk, alone; you don't want to 'go out of your way to make trouble.' … In the university community, in your own community, you speak privately to your colleagues, some of whom certainly feel as you do; but what do they say? They say, 'It's not so bad' or 'You're seeing things' or 'You're an alarmist.'
"These are the beginnings, yes; but how do you know for sure when you don't know the end, and how do you know, or even surmise, the end? On the one hand, your enemies, the law, the regime, the Party, intimidate you. On the other, your colleagues pooh-pooh you as pessimistic or even neurotic… the one great shocking occasion, when tens or hundreds or thousands will join with you, never comes. That's the difficulty. If the last and worst act of the whole regime had come immediately after the first and smallest, thousands, yes, millions would have been sufficiently shocked… But of course this isn't the way it happens. In between come all the hundreds of little steps, some of them imperceptible, each of them preparing you not to be shocked by the next. Step C is not so much worse than Step B, and, if you did not make a stand at Step B, why should you at Step C?"
Richard Baker| 1.13.12 @ 8:13PM
By the way, it's spelled Mekong as in Delta. As long as the American public thinks it can get money from the public purse (as many have said over the centuries) and that someone else should pay for it then our problems will be insoluble. The author is correct in that there are too many people taking it out and not enough putting it in. If we go under it will be a self-made collapse and not from without. Take the dead hand of government and get out of productive American's way.
POST American| 1.13.12 @ 9:53PM
----------------------FINAL WORD----------------------
---Putting this sideshow aside---
"America better watch it
or in a couple of decades we're
going to be a minstrel show for
RED China."
-Gore Vidal
1985
The supreme underlying issue of
2012, and the century, is the 4 decades
underway, now coming round the bend,
CFR Globalist RED China sellout, TREASON
and EUGENICS OP.
---------WE ARE DEALING WITH TREASON------
---------------FULL BLOWN, CAPSTONE-------------
------------------------TREASON-------------------------
------TREASON is reckoned, has ALWAYS
been reckoned, a capital crime of the VERY
highest order ---even, on some levels, exceeding
FIRST DEGREE MURDER.
USE the word
MAKE the case
ACCEPT NO substitutes
----------------TREASON is the ISSUE----------------
TeaPartyPatriot4ever| 1.14.12 @ 1:56AM
Sen. Jim DeMint is exactly right, as so pointed out by the author, Quin Hillyer..
Obama is not called an Anti-American Liberal Socialist-Marxist for nothing.. His every word and action, since taking office, has been to fiscally, financially, economically, as well as internationally, and even Militarily, through the gutting and hollowing out of the US Military, via the Budget, thus weakening US National Security to the point of extreme vulnerability and then collapse, is all for one purpose.. to destroy America internally, upon it's own weight of debt and obligations, and even it's own defense, so that it, America, cannot sustain and fulfill it.
This is the Marxist-Leninist, as well as the radical anti-American domestic subversive strategy of Cloward and Piven, to defeat and destroy America from within.This is also a part of Obama's ultimate goal as an Anti-American Anti-Colonial Imperialist superpower nation, from his father's indoctrination into him.
Now, one would say that this is just extreme rightwing conspiracy theory, but theory is only as good as the evidence that backs it up, and there is absolutely without question, more than enough evidence to prove it's validity.
Thus, the more real the threat grows, the more we are certain to meet it's inevitable fate, unless like Sen. Jim DeMint says, we, the American Patriotic conservatives, rally and take up massive political arms, against Obama and the radical far left, as well as the betraying backstabbing liberal RINO's in our own camp, to fight and defeat these political internal enemies of America.. or we will forever lose our Freedom, Liberty, and Rights, so endowed to us by our creator, and so written into, prescribed and stated by, the U.S. Constitution, let alone our America, our nation itself.
One last note- This is exactly what can happen, when the people of a nation, in a Representative Democracy, aka, a Republic, do not take their responsibility seriously, when electing / selecting, a national leader, aka, the U.S. President.
Complacency, Ignorance, and Indifference, breeds Apathy and Stupidity, then Disaster.
As the saying goes, because it's true, "You never know what you have, until you lose it"
Clint| 1.14.12 @ 3:35AM
Mittens' Campaign Money Trail.
Goldman Sachs $367,200
Credit Suisse Group $203,750
Morgan Stanley $199,800
HIG Capital $186,500
Barclays $157,750
Kirkland & Ellis $132,100
Bank of America $126,500
PriceWaterhouseCoopers $118,250
EMC Corp $117,300
JPMorgan Chase & Co $112,250
The Villages $97,500
Vivint Inc $80,750
Marriott International $79,837
Sullivan & Cromwell $79,250
Bain Capital $74,500
UBS AG $73,750
Wells Fargo $61,500
Blackstone Group $59,800
Citigroup Inc $57,050
Bain & Co $52,500
The Tea Party Rebellion Is In South Carolina.
Chef Schnauzer| 1.14.12 @ 6:55AM
I would like to believe that DeMint is correct that 'there still exists a small window'. I just don't see it though - I deal with an alarmingly incompetent county and state government that operate with a off-putting mix of entitlement towards wealth I create and contempt towards me for the drive and determination for actually creating it. The federal government is far worse - the useless government trolls in DC created 'flex time' a way to not even show up and get paid. I will continue with my plans to create another business this year but I am equally fully prepared to walk away from both my business closed and shuttered (just under 50 more government parasites added) and not look back. I can fully disappear in comfort with no need for government at all. The government parasites are going to steal the 401ks, the Roth IRAs and so on - it is wiser to prepare for the last 20 years of life independent of government COMPLETELY .
aware| 1.14.12 @ 11:17AM
I like it. Contains the right amount of indignation, sheer contempt, and downright "I've had it with the criminal gang sucking the life out of everything worthwhile" attitude.
Some of us are mad, REAL mad.
Chef Schnauzer| 1.14.12 @ 7:01AM
By the way I'm in Mecklenburg county North Carolina, I won't personally deal with the slack jawed losers from government any more, they aren't even allowed in my office. Whichever manager is on my 'poop' list has to deal with these unionized criminals.
Konnie| 1.14.12 @ 10:15AM
I would wholeheartedly support Jim DeMint for Prez.
somnolence| 1.14.12 @ 10:38AM
ALL of the candidates have a campaign money trail, Clint. So thanks for the laugh with your pathetic argument. Are you really a plant? The focus in this election is on OBAMA, and on OBAMA only. Let's see you put up a list of his campaign money trail.
Clint| 1.14.12 @ 12:14PM
Barky Obama & Mittens Romney Are Bobbsey Twin Crony Capitaliism Poster Boys.
" In its recent look at Romney's record with in 77 companies he worked with at Bain, the Wall Street Journal said that 22% of them filed for bankruptcy reorganization or closed up shop within eight years of the fund's initial investment. "
Romney Is A Job Gravedigger.
The Tea Party Rebellion Is In South Carolina.
RCV| 1.14.12 @ 2:30PM
So now Clint is a critic of laissez faire capitalism. Even Ron Paul would be embarrased by this posting, you poor boy.
Margie| 1.14.12 @ 5:08PM
Clint the imposter poster has told us here that he's an anarcho-Capitalist, haven't you, "Clint"?
PattyMor| 1.14.12 @ 6:57PM
Jim DeMint is right. There is only a small window (1-2) years that the U.S. has before we face total collapse. The debt and deficits are now so massive that only radical change will save us. Are we up to the challenge? I dunno. My two liberal sisters are in lala land over the deficits and I can't get them to think rationally, but then what liberal does.
I contribute to Jim's Senate Conservative's Fund and to several RINO hunters. Its hard for Jim to come out against sitting Senators, even the RINO's as he, too, is part of the "party". So find a Senator and adopt one, or donate to The SCF, Club For Growth, Faith & Freedom Coalition or any such conservative advocacy group. We need everybody pitching in to their ability. Full court press.
t michel| 1.14.12 @ 10:29PM
He left out the biggest reason we're going broke. 900 military bases around the world and decades of illegal wars we're in,and paying nations to "like" us. Stop the wars, bring home the troops, and stop foreign aid payments and maybe we'll be in the black again.
Zak Klemmer | 1.14.12 @ 11:40PM
http://search.dilbert.com/sear.....&w=dogbert newspaper&uid=10526100&method=and&isort=date&view=list&filter=type:comic&srt=54
Dick Nome| 1.15.12 @ 7:29AM
Paulbot claptrap. Your crackpot kooky stupidity knows no bounds.
Random Blowhard| 1.15.12 @ 12:34AM
It's about time the mainstream establishment woke up to the fact that the "business as usual" print and spend to infinity fest will result in the United States suffering an economic implosion at least equal to the great depression with a not zero chance of hyper-inflationary collapse (and the creation of a new gold backed currency) like Zimbabwe or the Wiemar Republic depending on circumstances.
Look at what happened to Argentina in 2001 and Greece right now and into the future for a preview of what awaits us.
If you look at the trillions of dollars the Federal Reserve is sending overseas via swap lines in a desperate attempt to save the over leveraged TBTF Euro banks from imploding due to sovereign debt poisoning (and taking out Wall Street AGAIN) the 2012 timeline may be right on the money.
The can may be impossible to kick much beyond the 2012 presidential elections, the implosion will definitely arrive during the next presidential term.
race_to_the_bottom| 1.15.12 @ 1:36PM
Let's see now.
The past three decades have seen the export of jobs to China, a dramatic decline in real wages, huge losses for unions, huge cuts in the regulatory regime, huge cuts in government services, large tax cuts for upper income individuals and corporations, and a political system fueled by corporate money.
All of this, and we find ouselves in the toilet. So the prescription of the DeMints of this world is more of the same. More wage cuts, more deregulation, more tax cuts, etc. Can this work? Well, yes, it will work for Wall Street financiers. It will NOT work for Main Street. It is full steam ahead on the road to pardition.
rhoetus| 1.15.12 @ 6:42PM
race: Check your facts not just the facts you want to use for your argument.
The top 1% pay 36.7% of US Income taxes
The top 10% pay 70.47%
The bottom 50% pay 2.25%
http://ntu.org/tax-basics/who-.....taxes.html
King of Bain | 1.15.12 @ 7:13PM
Yesterday, I deleted Jim Demint's facebook page from my profile.
Jim Demint is a disgrace and a traitor to the tea party in promoting a flip flopping draft dodging job killer (Mitt), in the same cloth as Nimrata Randhawah (also known as Nikki Haley): a scorn Indian Sikh whose extra marital affairs will be made to bare all come 2014.
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Zek J Evets | 1.17.12 @ 9:06PM
I'm confused Quin...
What isn't apocalyptic about Jim DeMint saying that 4 more years under Obama would make us not a country anymore? And furthermore, what is accurate about it?
All respect to Jim DeMint for his service as a senator, and for his candid remarks on Stewart's excellent program, but when Stewart literally handed DeMint a solution to the fiscal problem in this country, DeMint side-stepped it. He blames Democrats in his book yet says we need to stop thinking along party lines...
The man talked out of both sides of his mouth, and while I can sympathize with your fan-boy cheerleading in this article, I can't help but notice it lacks depth and clarity about the real issues affecting real Americans.
Jim DeMint, Jon Stewart, and the rest of our country will inevitably have to make hard choices about holding the top 1% accountable for the wealth they've accumulated on the backs of tax-payer funded programs, utilities, a tax-payer educated workforce, loopholes, unrestrained greed, and now governmental bailouts to the tune of over 1.2 TRILLION dollars.
Blaming unions, Democrats, or even Jon Stewart is not a solution, nor is it in good faith considering who is ultimately responsible for our current economic situation.
Nonetheless, thanks for trying to have a conversation.