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Political Hay
The Peaceful Transfer of Mobocracy
Not all revolutions involve coups.
Casting about for something positive to say on Inauguration Day, pols and pundits fell back on the cliché that America exhibits the “peaceful transfer of power.” But that’s not much of a consolation if it results in revolution anyways. Most revolutions are not against state power but with it. So it goes with Obama’s, as he leaves the old forms in place but fills them with new revolutionary meanings.
The disturbing hollowness of Obama’s inauguration derives from this more subtle form of revolution. All the usual trappings of tradition were on display but at the service of a revolutionary ideology antithetical to them. Obama swore to uphold the Constitution, by which he meant his lawless reading of it. He invoked God-given rights, by which he meant man-made ones.
“There is no mob” here, said Republican Senator Lamar Alexander in his inaugural remarks, praising the day’s “orderly” transfer of power. But Obama’s concept of a living constitution is a species of mobocracy, in that it revolves around a demagogue seducing a mass of people into overthrowing their country’s original form of government. It is revolution not by force but by fraud: changing the form of government not through a constitutional convention but through the successful manipulation of popular opinion.
As a state senator in Illinois, Obama gave a radio interview in which he described the Constitution as defective. He lamented that courts did not “break free” from an originalist reading of it as a “charter of negative liberties.” He implied that if he had written the Constitution he would have made it a charter of positive liberties: “It says what the states can’t do to you, it says what the federal government can’t do to you, but it doesn’t say what the federal government or the state government must do on your behalf.”
The fulfillment of that vision — combined with the invention of new rights to gay marriage, free contraceptives, and so on — is what he meant by “fundamentally transforming” the country. His inaugural address was a pledge not to protect the Constitution but to undo it as he seeks to enact what he considers positive liberties.
Replacing the real Constitution with liberalism’s living one appeared in several passages of the speech. He alluded to it in his contention that rights are not “self-executing,” meaning that the federal government must execute them. And then he suggested that adhering to an original reading of the Constitution in our enlightened day and age is as silly and antiquated as fighting wars with muskets: “For the American people can no more meet the demands of today’s world by acting alone than American soldiers could have met the forces of fascism or communism with muskets and militias.”
Fidelity to the Constitution requires infidelity to it, he asserted with a straight face: “For we have always understood that when times changes, so must we. That fidelity to our founding principles requires new responses to new challenges, that preserving our individual freedoms ultimately requires collective action.”
He spoke of America’s “forebears.” But he didn’t mean the founding fathers. He meant the icons of the living constitution and the pioneers of the chief constituencies of the Democratic Party. The media cooed over his address as “Lincolnian,” but had Lincoln heard it he might have mistaken Obama’s “Stonewall” reference for a confederate, not a gay bar.
Liberal activists were thrilled to hear the “first gay” reference in an inaugural address contained within Obama’s implicit promise of a federal right to gay marriage: “Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law, for if we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well.” This contradicts his hedge last year that while he personally supports gay marriage he still considers it a state matter.
It was an LGBT inauguration all around: the Cuban-born gay poet spoke of rainbows and “forgiving a father who couldn’t give what you wanted,” and the Episcopalian pastor who pinch hit for Louie Giglio proved sufficiently gay-friendly in the eyes of journalists. But gay activists might have detected some vague heterosexism at the Commander-in-Chief’s ball when the Obamas automatically paired off with members of the opposite sex for the ceremonial dance. “Our journey” won’t be complete until Obama dances with the male cadet.
At the heart of Obama’s revolution is the overturning of all traditional assumptions — a new constitution for a new man, whose journey ends not in self-government but in self-delusion under the shepherding of the state.
About the Author
George Neumayr, a contributing editor to The American Spectator, is co-author, with Phyllis Schlafly, of the new book, No Higher Power: Obama’s War on Religious Freedom.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (172) | Leave a comment
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Aristocat| 1.23.13 @ 6:32AM
Brilliant article by Mr.Neumayr. The only hope is an uprising by the states....
Jack in Wi| 1.23.13 @ 6:54AM
I agree Aristocrat. George is finally doing some good work. The problem is that Republicans like Lamar [ cave in Alexander ] don't want to fight but but would rather be pals with Obama. The Bush gang of liberal Republicans don't want confrontation. They would rather lose then do that. It is time to fight every issue that we can, just like Obama and his gang do.
Quartermaster| 1.23.13 @ 9:05AM
Sadly, Alexander wasn't like this as Governor of Tennessee. Cheese Eating Surrender Monkey is what he is now. The Federal teat must have some sort of brain damaging compound that causes this.
RJ| 1.24.13 @ 2:47AM
Mega dittos, Aristocat and thank-you George - it is an outstanding article. As you mentioned, most successful modern revolutions (e.g. Hitler & the Third Reich) take place once the revolutionaries obtain control of the government.
Yes, still we have the trappings of an American Republic, but our society's commitment to the rule of law, equality under the law, and consent of the governed, has become so weak that our government is functionally little different from a corrupt dictatorship (e.g. The President two years ago committed US troops to battle in Libya without an imminent threat to America, a treat obligation to an ally or the consent of Congress. That seems like the act of a Roman Emperor, not an American President.) The government has operated without a budget for four years with an annual deficit of over $1 trillion. We are witnessing a historical collapse of a great society. It is going to be very hard to change course now, but we must continue to try.
Albert Constantine Jr.| 1.23.13 @ 6:58AM
The Constitution was written not only to limit the power of the federal government in order to protect the rights of individual citizens and states, but also to protect the rights of minorities from the tyranny of the majority (from such depredations as voting to seize larger shares of the property of others).
TLP| 1.23.13 @ 8:59AM
Attention Mr. Neumayer.
He's Gay. Ask the LBGT Bunch, in Chicago. Do some research, and dig up the Story in one of the Chicago Print Rags, in which the Queers in that town couldn't believe that nothing came out about him in the papers, even though he was a well known Frequenter of the whole Chicago Gay Scene, with the Gay Batthouses being his Favourite.
Go find the Story from the Guys that were at The Harvard Review when President Tinkerbell was prancing around, trying to get a Play Date with one of these Boys.
That his Coming Out Party (Inauguration) was All Gay All The Time, shouldn't surprise anyone.
Who knows............He told Putin that he'd have more leeway if he got Reelected.
Maybe next Press Conference, he'll come out with a Dress on, and one of the Wookie's Wigs.
TLP| 1.23.13 @ 9:33AM
That wasn't about Albert.
That was about Barry.
The next one'll be about Albert.
Albert Constantine Jr.| 1.23.13 @ 9:39AM
...though I might look fabulous in one of Michelle's wigs...
TLP| 1.23.13 @ 9:49AM
I think you mean: Super Fabulous, don't you?
SUBVET| 1.23.13 @ 10:05AM
Don't forget to put on the bussel...............Jr.
SUBVET| 1.23.13 @ 10:07AM
Bustle............where's the sp. app. ?
Russel| 1.23.13 @ 10:20AM
You're actually on to something . It came to my attention a gay ' aquaintance ' mysteriously died . His Mother confirmed he was a __ of Zero . All I can remember , but the jist was that he was silenced , permanantly .
TLP| 1.23.13 @ 10:59AM
That's right, Russell.
He just Died, suddenly, for no apparent reason.
As for the other two guys at that College Paper?
They seem to have fallen off the face of the Earth.
It's like they never existed.
SIEG HEIL!
Von Mises Jr| 1.23.13 @ 11:43AM
There is nothing to it. It was ruled an accidental death by choking during that game that Perp and Arnie play.
Albert Constantine Jr.| 1.23.13 @ 12:30PM
By the way, TLP, what are your thoughts on Ross Kaminsky's use of the HIV analogy in this article?
Could he be working on his metaphor and analogy skills with plans to enter a contest in the near future.
TLP| 1.23.13 @ 2:28PM
Maybe.
But, then again, he spends a lot of time in Third World Countries. A lot of time in Southeast Asia.
Do the Math.
potkas7| 1.23.13 @ 9:02AM
True, but more than that, the Constitution was specifically written to keep power out of the hands of the mob. The Founders understood that popular democracy is not a good idea. All republics fail because they eventually demand more and more democracy in the fruitless pursuit of a chimerical l equality of results and not merely of equality of opportunity.
Knowing this, our forefathers designed a structure where the House of Representatives would reflect the ever-changing passions of the demos (democracy); The Senate would be made up of the best men (Timocracy) chosen by the state legislatures; and the national interest would be represented by the President. We the People fatally wounded that scheme when we abolished the representation of State interests with the passage of the 17th Amendment. Now there is a move afoot to abolish the Electoral College as well thus making Mob Rule our chosen method of governance.
The British politician, Enoch Powell, once said of a proposal to make the House of Lords a popularly-elected body: "There can be no second elective chamber in the legislature of a unitary state. The proposition is axiomatic because it is self-evident that there cannot be two equally valid representations of the same electorate."
Powell's words have a message for us as well.
Job| 1.23.13 @ 1:15PM
interesting last paragraph. had to look up Timocracy; thought you wanted to send TLP to washington.
TLP| 1.23.13 @ 2:32PM
If only.
TLP| 1.23.13 @ 2:31PM
I'm not sure that I understand your point, potkas7.
Last I looked, the MOB was already in Control.
Virtue| 1.23.13 @ 7:09AM
Or, in the words of Marquise de Merteuil (the Glenn Close character in Dangerous Liaisons) "Like most intellectuals, he's intensely stupid."
Cobalt| 1.23.13 @ 7:27AM
Obama has already successfully replaced two members of the Supreme Court with his own people. He will probably replace at least one more member of the court during his second term.
Obama is going to leave his leftist, radical mark on the whole federal judiciary.
......game, set, match.
ncatty| 1.23.13 @ 1:17PM
Correct.
Doctor Right| 1.23.13 @ 7:46AM
Can we confront the 800 lb. gorilla in the room?
It's time to bail on the Republican Party. In fact, there's never been a better time.
Ross Perot (whom I don't like) was able to get 20% of the vote in 1992 even after quitting and then rejoining the race. And the impetus for Perot's "Reform Party" was a mild recession that ended before the election.
We've been in a severe recession since 2008; unemployment is high and not going down, the President is a die-hard socialist committed to destroying our country, and the GOP has neither the guts nor the inclination to fight back.
Like-minded Conservatives MUST make their voices heard by leaving the GOP and either becoming Independants or by forming a new Party that would caucus with the GOP and force them to give our issues the attention they deserve.
Obama is trying to drive a wedge in the GOP, anyway. Let's grab the initiative and do it OUR WAY, rather than his way.
The Big E| 1.23.13 @ 8:42AM
Frankly, Dr. Right, I agree.
The Republican party is dead, we should go ahead, have the funeral, derink a toast to it, and move on with life.
Thiank about it like this - if Obama is successful in breaking the GOP, what would result? The moderates "might" keep the label Republican, just like they do now, but they would remain Democrat toadies, just like they are now.
But the conservatives would immediately be an angry, energized opposition willing to work, willing to fight, the onslaught of darkness. They would be, on day 1, a more effective opposition if for no other reason then that they are committed to what they believe. The current Republican "leadership" (and I use that word very loosely) is more committed to stopping those who would oppose the President in order to protect themselves than they are to opposing the President.
TLP| 1.23.13 @ 9:24AM
What a Brilliant Idea from two obvious Geniuses.
Let's start a Third Party, cause that always works.
Never mind Primarying these Lib Repubs. Never mind getting Conservatives Elected. This is a way better idea. In fact, it's almost as BRILLIANT an Idea as the one those 3,000,000 people who STAYED HOME on Election Night, because the Guy who WASN'T OBAMA, didn't meet their Standards.
Now, these two Super Brains want to Split the only Opposition to The Fall Back Party of The CPUSA, in to Two Pieces, where it will remain until we're Pressing 5 for English.
Doctor Right.
I can't tell if his Name is Ironic, an Oxymoron, or if he's just a lot Stupider than I gave him credit for.
It's probably a combination of all three.
Doctor Right| 1.23.13 @ 9:37AM
Ordinarily I wouldn't bother explaining anything too deep to you because I don't think you'd get it.
But this isn't too deep...in fact, it's downright easy to understand. Maybe your obtuse brain refuses to accept it? Whatever...
Anyway, just this once, I'll make an exception. To wit:
Your solution - "Primarying these Lib Repubs" - is stupid. That's because it rarely ever works. That's because even if a Conservative Candidate manages to get through to the general election, he/she is more than likely to be attacked by the RINO-establishment as by the Democrats.
Ask Christine O'Donnell...ask Joe Miller...ask Richard Mourdoch...ask Michelle Bachman, whose only "crime" was to point out the obvious (that the Muslim Brotherhood has made inroads in DC)...
...And even if they get to DC, they're told to "get in line and shut up" by stalwarts like Boehner, or they get no funding at the next election.
So if you want to keep banging your thick skull against a wall for "hopey changey" things to happen in the GOP, then by all means.
I haven't replied to one of your idiotic posts in quite a while because, frankly, you're a tedious bore with zero insight.
In other words...I'm not impressed.
TLP| 1.23.13 @ 10:09AM
Yes. Primarying these people is Stupid. Just ask Charlie Crist, and Dick Lugar, and Mike Castle, and that Lib Repub in Colorado.
"It's Stupid because it rarely ever works."
Unlike Third Parties, which, to my knowledge, haven't Won since Teddy Roosevelt.
And, according to you: "Even if these Conservatives do manage to Win? They're gonna get yelled at, and the Rinos will attack them, as will the Democrats."
You really are a To wit, ya know that?
You saying that "The Democrats will attack them", is like Me saying that you're an Idiot, and your Stupid Ideas are Moronic.
The Democrats are gonna attack them, no matter what. And, if these new People wanna keep their Job, they'll learn to tow the Line that we set up for them.
Breaking up the Band couldn't be more Stupid, even if you wrote it Twice.
The Democrats will Rule this Country till the End of Time, if we listen to you.
Which is why we don't listen to you.
Because you're Stupid.
Doctor Right| 1.23.13 @ 10:39AM
You just purposefully misquoted me, dummy.
That's because you don't have the brain cells to actually debate.
What I said was:
"...even if a Conservative Candidate manages to get through to the general election, he/she is more than likely to be attacked by the RINO-establishment as by the Democrats."
But this is how you chose to present my quote:
"And, according to you: 'Even if these Conservatives do manage to Win? They're gonna get yelled at, and the Rinos will attack them, as will the Democrats. ' "
I guess you can't read, dim-wit? Prior to chiming in with your particular brand of idiocy, 2 other forum members stated they agree with my supposition.
Like I said previously, the Democrats already rule the country. Your method - fight from within! - is a tried-and-true loser that's yielded pitiful results in recent years, but hey, don't let history and precedent get in your way!!!
Watch, genius...after the GOP screws up the mid-terms in 2014, you'll see a mass exodus from the Party of Fools.
Now, do you actually have anything insightful to say? Or are you just going to bloviate?
You're an idiot. Pure and simple.
TLP| 1.23.13 @ 11:32AM
It's not that I can't read.
It's that, after a coupla your inane scribblings, my eyes start to glaze over and I get dizzy.
That's probably where I made my mistake.
Other than that, everything I said was right on the money.
You're still an ignoramus. And any kind of a Plan that comes outta your stupid head, should immediately be Ignored, and Erased.
Doctor Right| 1.23.13 @ 12:29PM
Empty Post:
TLP has NOTHING to say here.
Best to move on.
Doctor Right| 1.23.13 @ 11:21AM
Also, Einstein...
What did Castle, Lugar, and Crist do once they were "primaried"?
They sabotaged and trashed the GOP candidate.
You make it so easy, Timmy...
TLP| 1.23.13 @ 11:38AM
That's why they were Primaried in the first place.
I'm not concerned with what they do AFTER they've been thrown out. I have no control over that. Nobody does.
Your way will Guarantee the end of our way of life.
But, why would you care?
You don't have a life, anyway.
Doctor Right| 1.23.13 @ 12:31PM
Well, I don't have a smoking-hot, fashion industry titan Asian wife...
But otherwise, my life is pretty good.
(BTW...I can help you; I have a LOT of patients just like you)
TLP| 1.23.13 @ 2:40PM
God help them.
And, I'm not surprised that you don't have a Smoking Hot Fashion Industry Asian Wife.
You sound really Ugly, which on top of being Stupid, ain't gonna get you a hot, anything.
Doctor Right| 1.23.13 @ 5:19PM
That's ok...neither do you.
CJW| 1.23.13 @ 6:48PM
Tim, Doc, everybody
The enemy is Obama/Reid/Pelosi. Biden does not count, he is a lackey.
We agree on the goals , no need to get into personal attacks over the tactics.
Doctor Right| 1.23.13 @ 10:02AM
Notice how TLP has NO solutions of his own to offer...
Just childish, meaningless negativity.
Pecos Pete| 1.23.13 @ 10:15AM
That's not true. TLP does recommend that we get on the phone to DC, to local offices, to local elected officials and to work for Conservative republicans to either elect them or to reelect them.
TLP| 1.23.13 @ 10:26AM
Thanks, Pesco. But I don't need any help with the likes of him.
Besides. Shouldn't you be Milking the Horses, now?
Pecos Pete| 1.23.13 @ 5:50PM
Thanks for reminding me. Actually, I was supposed to be riding the fence line. My pony, me and my rifle. Did a half circuit and decided I'd rather drink (vodka) the evening away. Just returned. Now, with drink in hand, I'm ready for battle with Stupid Communist vtwin. As for the others, regardless of the stupidity they write, I will not respond. I'll leave that to CJW.
Albert Constantine Jr.| 1.23.13 @ 6:10PM
Purple light ♪ in the canyon ♪♫
That's where I ♪ wanna be
with my three ♪♪♫ good companions
My Rifle, Pony and Me
Doctor Right| 1.23.13 @ 10:43AM
"Make phone calls" is a futile suggestion that I already shot-down.
If you do have a GOP Congressman, most likely he/she is too busy these days sticking a wet finger in the air to see which way the political winds of fortune are blowing so they can save their jobs in 2014.
To that end, they're not going to have much time or inclination to listen to a mere citizen complain.
Maybe you haven't noticed, but most of the Tea Party candidates that were sent to DC in January, 2011 were almost immediately co-opted (or coerced) by Boehner to get inline and shut their mouths...and most of them acquiesced.
But TLP says to make lots of phone calls?
That's because he's not very intuitive.
TLP| 1.23.13 @ 10:23AM
I noticed that.
Oh, I thought you were talking about you. Cause it sounds like a Cry for Help from your Subconscious.
You really need to see a Real Doctor, and not the Stupid One that looks back at you from the other side of the Mirror.
Doctor Right| 1.23.13 @ 10:46AM
Is that all you got, Timmy?
Any insight? Facts? Intelligent suggestions or proposals?
No? Oh, I forgot...you're a lightweight.
Like I said, I'm not impressed.
TLP| 1.23.13 @ 11:40AM
No, I don't have anything.
You are way too smart for me.
Doctor Right| 1.23.13 @ 12:32PM
Seems that way, doesn't it?
squalis| 1.23.13 @ 10:13AM
Press 5 for English-wonderful!
TLP| 1.23.13 @ 10:27AM
Que?
The Big E| 1.23.13 @ 12:24PM
TLP,
"Never mind Primarying these Lib Repubs. Never mind getting Conservatives Elected."
So we get our butts kicked in an election that a dead cat shold have been able to win, and your proposal is to keep on with the same strategy that led an Obama re-election.
You're clinging to a fantasy that conservatives can re-take the GOP, when in fact the GOP has become the Republican Wing of the Democrat Party. You and I are not welcome there. They want our money and they want our votes, but they do not want us, and they will continue to exclude us. Nothing will change in the GOP by sticking with what hasn't worked thus far.
"Now, these two Super Brains want to Split the only Opposition"
What opposition? What exactly have Boehner and co. opposed? Tax increases? Nope. They agreed to that without even expecting cuts in ANYTHING. Debt cieling? Nope. They're passing that just so they don't have to fight about it.
That's opposition? Are you kidding me?
Doctor Right| 1.23.13 @ 12:33PM
Careful Big E.,
Don't rock little Timmy's world with facts. He prefers fantasy...
...and he can't deal with people who disagree.
Doctor Right| 1.23.13 @ 12:35PM
Also, Big E.,
Notice that Timmy has NO reply to your post.
Nothing. Zip. Zero. Nada.
That's because he's all out of 8th-grade insults.
TLP| 1.23.13 @ 2:49PM
We lost because 3,000,000 whites, as Stupid as you are, stayed home and sat on their asses, because the guy who WASN'T Barack Hussein Obama, wasn't Perfect.
That's why we lost, Jackass.
No wonder you've got your lips glued to Doctor Stupid's @ss.
You're as Stupid as he is.
The Big E| 1.23.13 @ 3:28PM
TLP,
First of all, I was not one who stayed home. I voted for Romeny.
Second, there's a reason why those 3,000,000 stayed home. You may its imply because they're idiots, but whose dumber? Those who stayed home? Or those alienated them? They stayed home for a reason, you may not agree with their reasoning, but the fact is a conservative had been running they would not have stayed home. They would have voted, and BO would not be President/Pharaoh today.
You sound exactly like Karl Rove and the other goofs who blew this whole thing. They run a stupid campaign, appealing to voters who do not exist, and alienting the ones who do, and then blame the voters because they lost.
BO won because he didn't give a rat's ass about the non-existent moderates and spent all his energies energizing his base so they would vote, and they did. Romney tried to cater to voters who don't exist, alienated his base, did NOTHING to energize ANYBODY. But it's the voter's fault?
Here's a clue - moderates are FOLLOWERS. They 're afraid to take a stance on anything, and so vote for the strongest leader, the candidate who forcefully voices his vision. We all know what BO's vision is. What exactly was Romney's?
TLP| 1.23.13 @ 4:37PM
Nobody "Alienated them".
We had PRIMARIES.
Romney Won.
Simple as that.
If these people wanted someone else? They shoulda got out there, and Voted for them.
I didn't want Romney, but when he became the Nominee? It was Romney, or Caligula.
Period.
Those people who Stayed Home are the ones responsible for what we have, now.
Not Romney.
Of you're too stupid to get this through your Thick Head? That's your problem.
That you don't see these 3 Million Crybabies not going out and Voting for Romney, as the reason we lost, says everything about YOU.
And, nothing about Me.
Maybe if you took your head outta your @ss, from time to time, you'd understand that.
3,000,000 Crybabies Stayed Home, and now we've got 4 More Years of Scumbag.
Period.
End of discussion.
Doctor Right| 1.23.13 @ 5:21PM
Enjoy voting for another mushy GOP candidate in 2016 when Hillary is elected, dummy...
I'll be at the movies.
Doctor Right| 1.23.13 @ 9:41AM
A truly Conservative 3rd-Party - unattached to the idiocy and cronyism in DC - would also attract a lot of blue-collar Democrats who despise Obama but see no real alternatives being offered by the GOP.
To those who say that a 3rd Party "wouldn't work," my reply is that it only doesn't work if you keep voting for the GOP.
And to those who say it guarantees a win for the Dems, my reply is:
"Hey, stupid...the Dems are winning anyway. Wake the hell up!"
Russel| 1.23.13 @ 10:40AM
You're BOTH right , D.R. You two remind me of the football pile-on and the ball squirts out , no one getting control . Only a matter of time that the old guard GOPhers will die of from atrophy . The likes of Cruz and Rubio are already headlining . They'll get the Tea Party vote . So, think of it as a corporate takeover . The name stays the same , but with different owners .
Doctor Right| 1.23.13 @ 10:49AM
We can't both be right; in act, we are diametrically opposed.
And your analogy is flawed. That's because the "Old Guard" carefully hand-picks the "New Guard" who will succeed them.
I'm not too impressed with Rubio; he's soft on immigration, and is already being touted as the chosen candidate for the GOP in 2016, and make no mistake about it: The GOP will do whatever they can to make sure that their guy get's through - like Romney, McCain, Dole, Ford, etc.
I like Ted Cruz, but he just arrived. Too early to tell how that will work out.
CJW| 1.23.13 @ 11:14AM
We are arguing about tactics rather than strategy. We have the same goals to cut taxes, reduce the size of government, reduce the deficit, and destroy our enemies.
A third party will not work because history has proven it will not work. Perot's third party got Bubba elected with help from the principled conservatives who stayed home. Roosevelt's third party in 1912 got Wilson elected.
We need then to have more conservatives involved in the primaries and general election to vote for the most conservative candidate. Staying home and bragging about it because the candidate does not meet your standards helps the Dems win.
Elections have consequences, with each win the Dems grow the government and reward their voters with taxpayer money.
Look at Jimmy Carter as an example. Many conservatives stayed home, we got Carter , who created the Dept of Energy and Dept of Education. Now those who stayed home because Jerry Ford was not conservative enough whine and complain that we have to get rid of the dept of Energy and Education.
Take a lesson from the Dems. Starting with George McGovern the lefties have burrowed into the Dem party and taken it over, getting rid of moderate and conservative Dems so that the present party is the hard left, with few exceptions.
The bottom line is winning elections to enact your agenda. Anyone running against a lefty Dem is always preferable to the lefty Dem.
Doctor Right| 1.23.13 @ 11:26AM
I have no interest in any strategy that includes the vain and futile hope that the GOP can be transformed into a staunch, Conservative Party because it's NOT going to happen. Period.
History has proven this. The GOP establishment is entrenched, and they have ZERO interest in accommodating anyone or anything that threatens their power.
Yet you say that, historically speaking, a 3rd-Party is "a loser"???
Your two thoughts are in utter contradiction; either history serves as a guide, or it doesn't.
Yes, elections have consequences, and the consequences of November's election - which was a slam-dunk for any Conservative candidate with the balls to attack Obama - are obvious:
The GOP is dead.
I don't know how Conservatives can expect to have a Conservative agenda enacted by supporting a Party that has repeatedly worked against their interests.
That's nuts.
CJW| 1.23.13 @ 12:05PM
Doc
History serves as a guide that third parties do not work,and serves as a guide that you can transform a party. That is not a contradiciton. The Rep party grew out of the collapse of the Whigs and the abolitionist movement.
Roosevelt cost the Republicans a win in 1912, and we ended up with Woodrow Wilson. Perot got us Bubba twice. Now, that is nuts.
Gerorge Wallace i 1968 and 1972 lost, Strom Thurmond in 1948 lost, John Anderson in 1980 lost. Third parties are usually driven by a single issue, and an egomaniac like Perot and Roosevelt, or both.
The Dem party has been transformed several times. It was originally the party of small government and farmers, then a coalition party of the big city machines relying on the ethnics, and the South. Now is is a lefty idealogical party of abortion , redistribution, and class warfare.
New York state has a Conservative Party. It did win one election, James Buckley who was supported by the Reps, but it has not done well.
Doctor Right| 1.23.13 @ 12:37PM
The Republican Party WAS a 3rd Party...
...And you are mistaken if you think the goal of a 3rd Party would be to capture the House or Senate.
It wouldn't be...for now.
FYI, the only reason that the Conservatives control Parliament in Great Britain is because they have a coalition with the Liberal Democratic Party (not to be confused with our Liberal Democrats...)
CJW| 1.23.13 @ 1:12PM
In the 1856 election there were three parties, with the Whig party having collapsed, and reformed into the Rep party as the abolitionist wing of the Whigs, and another party that I can't remember. As a result the Dems won with Buchanan, a terrible president who did nothing to prevent the Civil War.
In 1860 the Dem party split into two running a northern and a souther ticket. As a result they split the vote, and the Rep Lincoln won. Lincoln had run as Whig in Congress. The Dems were essentially two "third' parties.
The history is clear. Third parties lose because they split the vote.
I am not trying to discourage anyone from starting another party. Try it, maybe it will help.
TLP| 1.23.13 @ 11:44AM
You're wasting your time, CJW.
Your time would be much better spent helping Pesco milk his Horses.
Obviously, Doctor Dementia is just too Smart for the likes of You, and Me.
You, anyway.
TLP| 1.23.13 @ 11:47AM
And, don't look now, but Doctor Out Of His Mind, just called you: Nuts.
Go figure.
Doctor Right| 1.23.13 @ 12:38PM
Actually, Timmy, you're wasting your time trying to prove me wrong.
It can't be done...by you.
Pecos Pete| 1.23.13 @ 5:54PM
CJW: I'd welcome your visit, we'd sit in rocking chairs on the porch and watch the sunset ... with very strong drinks in hand.
CJW| 1.23.13 @ 10:03PM
Senor Pete,
Gracias for the invite. What state are you in? Cigars to go with the drinks.
Pecos Pete| 1.24.13 @ 7:37AM
CJW: New Mexico, northern mountains just east of Santa Fe.
CJW| 1.24.13 @ 9:58AM
Senor Pete
A friend of mine went to New Mexico State on a baseball scholarship and all I hear is how beautiful NM is. Will have to visit someday.
The Big E| 1.23.13 @ 12:28PM
A third party? I'm not wanting a third party - I'M WANTING A SECOND PARTY!!!! The GOP is no longer a second party - it is, as I have said before, merely the Republican Wing of the Democrat Party. In reality, it is NOT doing what a second party should do in a two party system.
History shows "third" parties fail when there are two effective parties already. Currently, there is only one. Therefore, creating a new party would not be creating a "third" party, but creating a "second" one since the GOP is, as I said above - DEAD.
CJW| 1.23.13 @ 12:43PM
The Dem party was supposedly dead in 1980, 1972,and after 1860 it lost most of the presidential campaigns. The Rep party was dead after 4 terms of FDR, and 1964. We ususally declare a party dead when it is the nationa party that loses big.
There are more Rep governors than Dems, and many are good conservatives, such as Perry, Martinez, Jindal, Kasich, Haley, and others.
Creating local conservative parties will dilute the vote against the Dems.
But, we need a NATIONAL debate on whether we want the lefty/liberal or the conservative government.
If anyone really believes that a third party will suceed, then do it, maybe it will.
Doctor Right| 1.23.13 @ 1:25PM
The Democrat Party is managed completely different from the Republican Party.
That's because the Democrats aren't really very democratic; they run their party with an iron fist, and maintain discipline with the promise of unending future spoils and plunder for the loyal, and exile for the disloyal. They don't tolerate dissent, and they never, ever eat their own...if it serves their political interests. If they had to defend a pedophile to keep a 50th Senate seat, tey damn well would.
Meanwhile, the Republicans are too democratic. They are - compared to the Democrats - more honest and trustworthy people who play by the rules, and it is this very quality which is used against them to great affect by the Democrats. The Republicans play fair, so they assume everyone else is, too. They also assume that their Democrat colleagues who work just down the hall are really good guys who'd NEVER lie to them!
I'm not really sure what you mean by "a NATIONAL debate on whether we want he lefty/liberal or the conservative government."
We just had that debate; the Lefty-Liberals won - again - because the GOP is afraid to challenge them.
CJW| 1.23.13 @ 4:34PM
Doc
We agree on the descriptions of the parties. Boehner and the Reps negotiate in good faith with Obama who does not. This happened to Reagan and Bush 41 when they promised spending cuts by the Dems.
Romney did not articulate the conservative view, that is what I meant by debate. We may have in 2016 since it appears Mrs Bubba is running, and we may have it in the congressiona elections in 2014 as we did in 2010.
The Big E| 1.23.13 @ 1:59PM
CJW,
The fact that there are so many GOP Gov's, and that so many of them are conservative, and yet the GOP manages to lose to the weakest incumbent in my memory, and then fails to oppose ANYTHING he wants out of congress despite the fact that they're supposedly the majority party only goes to prove my point.
THEY ARE DEAD. They are ineffective, unable to win national elections they should win, and unable to stop legislation they ran against and got elected for opposing despite being the majority party.
Think about that a second - they ran on opposing tax increases. They won their seats running against tax increases. The President wants a tax increase. They vote to give him one without getting ANYTHING in exchange.
That is why they are dead. They have ceased to exist as an effective opposition even when they are, in fact, in power.
CJW| 1.23.13 @ 4:29PM
E
I share your frustration with the congressional "leaders." They as Doc said, try to play by the rules, and be fair. Can't do that with Obma and Harry Reid and Mrs Bubba. Question is how do we win?
You stated one of the problem why we lost. 3,000,000 voters stayed home. I do not care what their reason is. There is no good reason to stay home when the choice is Obama v. Romney, or anyone else. That is one problem we have. Someone is always saying Romney, or Dole,or Ford, or Bush is not conservative enough. Well we know that, but Carter, Clinton, and Obama are worse. Then the worse candidate wins, and they whine and complain. As Barry Goldwater said, "Grow up conservatives, take your party back." But we have to defeat every Dem candidate we can.
BTW, you do criminal defense?
Doctor Right| 1.23.13 @ 5:25PM
When the Party that wants my vote repeatedly trashes Conservatives, that is a good enough reason to stay home.
The veil has been lifted; I see the GOP for what they are:
Excrement.
CJW| 1.23.13 @ 6:38PM
Besides staying home, what concrete steps do you suggest we do now?
Job| 1.23.13 @ 2:19PM
cmon can' we all jus gedalong. TLP is a effin riot as per usual but this is an adroit comment, and i looked that word up by the way...any way an adroit comment: "A third party? I'm not wanting a third party - I'M WANTING A SECOND PARTY!!!! "
true that the RINO patrol may as well merge with the Dems.
Pecos Pete| 1.23.13 @ 6:07PM
I have to chime in. In my opinion, the republican party is either converted to a Republican Conservative Party, which will take time; or, a third party is necessary.
The problem with a third party is finding people to lead the third party. Such leaders, and there must be many leaders not an anointed leader, in our current situation can only come from the ranks of conservative republicans (Tom Cruz, etc.).
Until conservative leaders step forward, then the best we can do is to work for elected conservatives and potential conservative candidates within the republican party. Once there are enough conservative republicans to mount a challenge to the embedded RINOs at the NRC and Congress, then we will have the opportunity to either remake the republican party (not possible in my mind) or create a third party. Call it what you will, Tea Party, Conservative Party, Freedom Party or the Constitution Party. Until then we have to support the true conservatives in local, state and national offices.
It does no good to argue among ourselves about the need for conservatives in government. We are all agreed. Nor does it do any good to debase our internal arguments with less than thoughtful personal attacks. The only acceptable result is: We win, they lose.
Doctor Right| 1.23.13 @ 6:33PM
So in essence, you agree with me.
Because the GOP will NOT be "converted to a Republican Conservative Party."
And by your own admission, even if that we're to happen, it would "take time."
Well, we're out of time.
Pecos Pete| 1.23.13 @ 6:54PM
Doc: I accept that you want the best for the United States based on Conservative Fiscal Philosophy. I agree with most of your (sans personal) comments. I don't agree that we can create a 3rd party in time for the 2014 elections. We have to walk before we can run. The RINOs have ruined the republican party on a national basis, but not on a local or state basis. Before I will be willing to throw out the dishes with the dishwater, I want to be sure the dishes are broken. Intermediate steps (walking before running) will have more future strength on a national basis that trying to jump over the "low information voter" who are so important to King O, Harry Reid, Nancy Pelose and the MSM.
And, I do wish that you and my good friend Tim would declare a truce on the personal attacks. We are all in this foxhole together.
CJW| 1.23.13 @ 7:52PM
Senor Pete
Agree with your 6:54 comment, you said it much better than I did.
We are all passionate about what Obama/Reid/Pelosi have done and continue to do to our country. We can argue and disagree about the tactics, third party, primaries, etc., but we need to focus our attacks on the ones destroying our country.
Doctor Right| 1.23.13 @ 9:34PM
I don't think you've read these posts very carefully. If you had, you'd see that we are NOT in this together. In fact, many of us adamantly disagree with how to proceed.
But here's the main difference:
I don't really give a damn what Timmy and the other GOP cheerleaders do. If they (or you) want to stick with the GOP, go ahead; its a free country.
What I'm really sick of are the mental midgets like Timmy who cannot handle the fact that others - 3 million strong and growing - have had enough, and won't be played for suckers anymore.
CJW| 1.23.13 @ 6:38PM
Senor Pete
As usual you make sense.
Joellen| 1.23.13 @ 8:22PM
CJW & Pete - both of you stated the message beautifully, thank you both. Time for conservatives to unite and fight the real enemy, two brilliant minds like TLP & the Doc should know that the left wants us to be divided - dont let them win fellas - we need you both on our team.
Doctor Right| 1.23.13 @ 9:42PM
Joellen:
The problem is NOT that Conservatives need to "unite." That is a gross oversimplification, and a meaningless sound bite.
The problem is that some Conservatives persist in the idea that this "uniting" you seek can be done to any meaningful degree within the constraints of the Republican Party, which is NOT a Conservative Party, and which does NOT represent Conservatism.
I also do not give a damn that the Left "wants us divided." The GOP is already divided, and the preference of the Party establishment is to banish Conservatives to the fringes. One way or another, Conservatives are now on the outside looking in. I say it's better to start fresh with our own Party than to be jerked around - again - by the GOP.
CJW| 1.23.13 @ 10:17PM
If you want to join or form a new party then, as you say it is a free country, go and do it. But Joellen is right about uniting to defeat the lefties.
You asked how do you reform the GOP. Answer: very simple, the same way your reform any organization. Get better people in it. The GOP is comprised of persons, you don't like them, then work to get more conservatives elected in the GOP. This is what the lefties did to take over the Dem party.
You will have to do the same process in a new party, recruit persons that share your views and work to elect them. I am not telling you anything you do not know.
I said we agree on beating Obama/Reid/Pelosi but disagree on tactics. Your tactics are to form a third party, and not vote for any Republican against the Dem candidate. We have persons on site, not you, who brag they stayed home or voted third party in the Carter/Ford, Bubba/Dole, Bubba/Bush elections. That worked out real well for the country.
I do not believe a third party will win based on the history of third parties that I gave you, but if you believe in it and do it, then I hope it works.
sweatyfederalist | 1.23.13 @ 8:59AM
It is worth recalling that the first Revolution didn't wait until Gallup and Rasmussen confirmed that "natural rights" had the backing of the majority of colonists.
And wouldn't it would be refreshing if the Spectator grew a pair and gave solid backing to Doctor Right's idea instead of doling out column space to neo-cons whining about how Chuck Hagel is only 82% pro-Israel?
Doctor Right| 1.23.13 @ 9:43AM
Don't bet on TASOnline's "endorsement" of any 3rd-Party ideas.
When push comes to shove, most "Conservative pundits" still just want to hob-nob with their GOP (and Democrat) buddies in DC.
TLP| 1.23.13 @ 10:36AM
And by: Neo-con, you mean Jew.
We get it.
What a surprise that you'd be backing an idea from Doctor Dementia.
Are you still selling Lampshades with tatooed serial numbers on them?
Cause, I'm thinking that you are.
Anthony| 1.23.13 @ 9:30AM
I am also coming to this concluson. Fortunately, or unfortunately, depending on one's perspective, the Rs will do this for us.
With eunuchs like Boner, McQuisling, and the rest of the R elites clinging to power like drowning rats, as they continue to do a Lewinsky on Obozo, they will finally bring the whole thing down crashing around them.
Doctor Right| 1.23.13 @ 9:49AM
I am increasingly encouraged by the response I get to this suggestion on this forum, and on others.
To be sure, there is a LOT of opposition from people who should know better but just can't take off their GOP blinders.
But I'm fairly confident that when Conservatives see how badly the GOP will screw-up the 2014 mid-terms, momentum will shift away from the GOP and towards a newer, 3rd Party.
Saying "It'll never work" is the swan-song of the stupid. The success of a 3rd-Party is only held-back by their limited imaginations.
For example...
I read this alternative history novel about the downfall of the Soviet Union. Within 20 years, the newly reformed Russian Republic had more billionaires than any country in the world, a rising standard of living, and a flat, 13% income tax. AND Pravda had become a beacon of free enterprise, and was actually warning Americans NOT to surrender their guns, and to avoid the pitfalls of socialism! Meanwhile, America was being transformed into a worker's paradise!
...Funny stuff, huh?
TLP| 1.23.13 @ 10:43AM
Yeah. I can hardly get a word in edgewise, with all of this "Support" for your Brainchild.
You should Run for Office on your New Party Ticket.
Surely, there's a Village Idiot position out there, somewhere, that you could Run for.
I know I would Vote for you.
Early and often, cause you deserve it.
Lord knows, you've earned it.
Doctor Right| 1.23.13 @ 10:52AM
Blah-blah-blah-blah!
Wassa' matter, Timmy?
Not getting enough personal attention today for making childish, temper tantrum-like posts that are long on indignation but short on insight?
Mad because you're need for attention is being hijacked by an actual conversation over actual ideas?
You're a clown.
TLP| 1.23.13 @ 11:50AM
"Blah-blah-blah-blah".
That's the first thing you've written, Today, that's even come close to making sense.
You should stick with it.
Doctor Right| 1.23.13 @ 12:40PM
"...Once again, Timmy is forced to obfuscate because he's unable to actually reply."
Job| 1.23.13 @ 2:51PM
uh oh T you just got dealt the O word, mama don't allow no obfuscating round here. i think that just before someone takes their toys and goes home they use that word so lets just call it the, "taken the toys" rebuttal.
TLP| 1.23.13 @ 4:40PM
I don't get it.
Job| 1.23.13 @ 6:24PM
no worries. the reference to, "taking the toys rebuttal"is like how a kid that is losing will say, "i'm taking my toys and leaving" like it's some kind of chess end game strategy of something; seems like the Obfuscation word get invoked for that purpose too.
Doctor Right| 1.23.13 @ 6:34PM
You make zero sense. I'm not playing a game, and Timmy is obfuscating.
Job| 1.23.13 @ 7:21PM
oh
Albert Constantine Jr.| 1.23.13 @ 10:49AM
I believe that in the State of New York, there is a Conservative Party in addition to the Republican Party (though sometimes a candidate is reflected on both lines), along with a few others (the Working Families Party does the same some times with the Democrats).
While there have been three elections in the last thirty years where the candidate running as a Republican has won in overwhelmingly Democrat New York City (Giuliani-1993, 1997; Bloomberg on the Republican line in 2001), and Pataki won statewide running as a Republican for Governor in 1994 and 1998, has there been a Conservative Party victor for state wide office since Buckley won as US Senator in 1970? Other than Pataki, has a Republican won a race for major statewide office (i.e. Governor or US Senator) since D’Amato was defeated 14 years ago?
While there may be appeal to your prescription, Doctor, in its practice trial in NY, the side effects appear to overwhelm the benefit of the medicine. I would be hesitant to repeat the regimen without some alterations that could more clearly bring about more conservative outcomes in the electoral process.
Doctor Right| 1.23.13 @ 11:31AM
I don't think you can use the deep blue state of New York as an example to illustrate the failure of a Conservative 3rd Party.
The Conservative Party in NY doesn't expect to win the Governor's office, or to dominate the legislature; they use whatever leverage they have to push the NY GOP further to the right on important issues.
As should be evident, NY is a VERY liberal, left-wing state, so a Conservative Party's chances there are not really good.
Albert Constantine Jr.| 1.23.13 @ 12:03PM
I’m not sure that I would qualify my description of the Conservative Party in New York as a failure. I asked a question as to how it was working, and suggested that in that state laboratory, we should attempt to isolate the variables to determine what works and what doesn’t.
While I am not a resident of NY (or your New Jersey), having so many former New Yorkers now choking the highways here, I do have some sense of what they left (and unfortunately, what they are bringing here in many cases).
Running as a Republican in New York, with the exception of 1986 (an otherwise really bad year for Republicans in the Senate), D’Amato never broke 50%, but managed to be victorious in three other Senatorial elections because he received more votes than anyone else. He was defeated when Schumer united all of the opposition on the left, and beat him with more than 50% of the vote, even though D’Amato got just a slightly smaller percentage in that losing contest as he had when he won.
Likewise, Clinton didn’t get 50% in either of his victories, but won because his opposition was fragmented.
After Nader helped to defeat Gore in 2000, the Democrats and leftists learned to coalesce behind a single candidate by 2008, and as a result, they have captured the Presidency by more than 50% in two consecutive elections.
I’m not sure that we will learn to defeat them by doing what they did when they lost, rather than studying how they won.
CJW| 1.23.13 @ 12:30PM
James Buckley, brother of Bill, won a Senate election on the Conservative ticket.
You are right about Nader costing Algore the election. Nader's votes in Florida would have gone to Algore . We should all be grateful to Nader.
Bill Buckley ran as mayor of NYC on the Conservative Party, and wrote a book about it. He knew he would lose but ran to debate the issues.
Another function of third parties is that they push an agenda that gets adopted by the other two.
The Socialist Party ran Eugene Debs in several elections. Much of their agenda has been adopted by the Dems.
Albert Constantine Jr.| 1.23.13 @ 1:52PM
CJW;
I did note Buckley's 1970 Conservative Senate victory, though I am unaware of any major statewide success since then (or minor statewide office, for that matter).
I don't recall how his imprisonment during WW I effected his electoral achievements, but a subsequent Socialist (Bernie Sanders) has been elected to both the House and Senate in Vermont, so their Third Party has managed to have some success.
Doctor Right| 1.23.13 @ 12:42PM
They won by dumbing-down the electorate and making them dependent on Government for their sustenance...
...That's NOT a strategy to emulate if you have a conscience.
Albert Constantine Jr.| 1.23.13 @ 1:41PM
The low information voter and benefit dependent certainly were a plurality that helped expand the margin of victory to majority, but I’m not certain it can be concluded that they are the only ones who voted for Obama (to the point where their number equals or exceeds 51 % of the electorate).
What any successful political party must do, though, is figure out a way to get their candidate more votes than any other candidate receives. While it is critical to have principles and know what you won’t do to get votes, it does not seem likely that this approach by itself will be sufficient to achieve victory. Accurately analyzing what went right and what went wrong, and how the latter can be overcome by a better ground game or other means might be a good strategy to get closer to (or actually) winning again.
TLP| 1.23.13 @ 2:57PM
I commend you for trying to explain the Low Information Voter phenomena, to our Resident Low Information Commentor.
Alas, I fear that you're just wasting your time.
Doctor Right| 1.23.13 @ 6:37PM
No, the Low Information crowd aren't the only people who voted for Obama. Who the hell said that???
But the L.I.V. Crowd certainly helped to put him over the top.
And when the Republicans nominate another mush, moderate candidate in 2016, the L.I.V. crowd will help to elect Hillary.
So enjoy!
Albert Constantine Jr.| 1.23.13 @ 8:17PM
Actually, what you wrote was “They won by dumbing-down the electorate and making them dependent on Government for their sustenance...”
I wrote in response: “The low information voter and benefit dependent certainly were a plurality that helped expand the margin of victory to majority, but I’m not certain it can be concluded that they are the only ones who voted for Obama…”
You wrote, presumably in response: “No, the Low Information crowd aren't the only people who voted for Obama. Who the hell said that??? But the L.I.V. Crowd certainly helped to put him over the top”.
In other words, no one has written that anyone said it, but my response addressed a lack of specificity in your earlier statement, but in your subsequent response you provided further clarification that almost mirrored what I said (unless I’m missing the big difference between “helped to put him over the top” and “were a plurality that helped expand the margin of victory to majority”).
Albert Constantine Jr.| 1.23.13 @ 8:18PM
I’m not yet convinced that there are not any low information voters that cannot be lured away by educating them to the advantages that adherence to Constitutional principles, free markets and other conservative principles provide. While I won’t rule out the potential viability of a third party, I haven’t seen enough yet to convince me that to do it now is the best or only way to achieve electoral success, which, given the content of what you’ve posted on that topic today, is likely one of the points over which we disagree.
Doctor Right| 1.23.13 @ 9:46PM
OK. Stick with the GOP, because you've surely been convinced how successful that strategy will be, right?
Ridiculous.
Albert Constantine Jr.| 1.24.13 @ 9:13AM
I don't think I ever said I was going to stick with the GOP.
I would say that it is more akin to me not abandoning a foundering ship that might sink to go to an imaginary lifeboat not yet constructed by somebody who hasn’t been able to articulate a history or a plan to construct seaworthy craft.
C. Vernon Crisler | 1.23.13 @ 10:00AM
Agreed.
Joellen| 1.23.13 @ 7:49AM
"Our journey wont be complete until Obama dances with a male cadet".
Now that could top Jim McGreasy's "I am a Gay American" coming out!
JimH| 1.23.13 @ 8:07AM
Who gets to lead?
Bob Grant| 1.23.13 @ 8:50AM
Obama will...from behind!
TLP| 1.23.13 @ 9:25AM
Best Comment Ever!
Von Mises Jr| 1.23.13 @ 11:48AM
You beat me to it. I was thinking the same.
Barney Frank was once asked I think on the business news about something being "a pain in the butt." He simply commented it was a poor choice of words.
JimH| 1.23.13 @ 12:43PM
I guess any reference to Kerry’s seat now being up for grabs would be equally uncalled for.
TLP| 1.23.13 @ 2:59PM
Not at all.
Let loose the Dogs of War.
The Big E| 1.23.13 @ 8:57AM
The American Revolution's philsophical goal was to replace the rule of man with the rule of law. Its basis, as expressed in the Declaration of Independence, were that all men were created equal by God, and endowed with inalienable which other men had no right to abridge.
The Obama counter revolution is the exact opposite. It's philosphical goal is to replace the rule of law with the rule of man on the basis that there are no inalienable rights, only privileges and entitlement granted by the enlightened few to those whom they favor, and that there is no God, only supermen who are gods themselves.
Obama is not our President. He is our Pharoah, a superman god-king to be worshipped and bowed before, who deigns to himself the power to grant freedom to those he favors, and bondage to those he disfavors. In the name of "freedom" he condones the murder of innocents, in the name of "diversity" he would wipe those who disagree from the face of the earth.
He has become out Pharoah. Our question is this: who will be our Moses?
Von Mises Jr| 1.23.13 @ 11:58AM
The Big E:
You actually hit on the most important aspect of this column. Hannah Arendt in "On Revolution" describes the two types of revolution. Recalling from memory, they were effectively the "Democratic" revolution and the revolution of the Oligarchy.
The American Revolution was a Democratic Revolution as was the revolutions across Europe in 1760-1800 as discussed in "The Age of Democratic Revolution" by Palmer. The Monarchies of Continental Europe and in our case the Brutish Crown were tyrannical oligarchies that ruled the people by Decree. European serfs and American colonist threw off the yoke.
The Obama revolution is sold as a Democratic Revolution, but in fact it is to establish a ruling oligarchy. Free market capitalism and individual liberty are being displaced by institutionalized crony capitalism (fascism) and a Ruling elite Caste.
That is the irony that people of lesser intellect are unable to grasp. It is like cheerfully building a casket not understanding it is the same length as from your feet to your head. It is yours.
CJW| 1.23.13 @ 4:39PM
Von and E
Agree. As Albert pointed out, Obama and his fellow travelers, like Justice Ginsburg, favor a Constitution that grants rights rather than restrains the government from infringing on our natural rights. So that what the government gives it can take, the classic rule by man.
If you want to see the most liberal, progressive constitution granting rights, read the old Soviet Union constitution.
Bill8472| 1.23.13 @ 9:19AM
The Constitution as written does indeed contain one obligation that government affirmatively has to the people: TO LEAVE THEM ALONE!
Dave Williams| 1.23.13 @ 9:22AM
Black is white.
Freedom is slavery.
War is peace.
.....and as for all you drones, just shut up and enjoy your Obamaphone.
I weep for this country.
TLP| 1.23.13 @ 9:30AM
Don't cry. Do something.
Work the Phones. 1-202-863-8500 Press 1. THE RNC. Be polite, and don't swear.
Get the Phone Number of these Republicans at the House Directory. Look it up.
If you can't get through to a Human Being at their D.C. offices? Go to their Offices back in their Home States.
Become a Squeeky Wheel.
We got enough Crybabies, already.
Doctor Right| 1.23.13 @ 9:57AM
Yeah, that'll work.
Call your Congressman, and complain! They will, of course, listen.
They'll also take copious notes, and make your issue their top priority!
I have to laugh at the naivete of some people.
Folks...those kinds of things only work in a functioning, Constitutional Republic governed by moral men and women.
We don't have that.
We live in a post-Constitutional Republic. Those in Washington are increasingly disconnected from the people in their districts by choice, because they have NO incentives to care.
Additionally, Party procedures are designed to make it extremely difficult for outsiders to access "the Club," especially outsiders who have no intention of playing the game - like Tea Party candidates. The GOP Club prefers to promote "from within." They want you to pay your dues at the local and state level, say the right things, don't be a publicity whore, and if the time is right...they'll ask you to join and support your candidacy, all the while making sure that you KNOW where your bread is buttered.
The system is rigged against us, on both sides. The nation is being transformed into two (2) classes:
1. The ruling, political class
2. Everyone else
But hey...work the phones!
Bob Grant| 1.23.13 @ 10:28AM
Well,
There are a few simple things the voter can do. And that's to primary these S.O.B'S. every two years until they get it!!!
Send a message that congressmen/women are not irreplaceable and that long tenures are a BAD thing, not a good one!
The voter can send a message that a new paradigm exists: long tenures will be an exception, not a rule!
TLP| 1.23.13 @ 10:51AM
You don't understand.
Doctor Brainiac believes that we need a Whole New Party. Why fix the one we have, when we can start a New Party, and keep the Democrats in Power until the End of Time?
He doesn't understand that we already showed that we can beat these guys in a Primary. And, I don't see why we can't become the Majority in the Republican House, after the 2014 and 2016 Elections.
Super Moron wants to cut it in half, in the hope that, in 100 Years, we'll retake the whole shabang.
Because he am be So Smaart.
Doctor Right| 1.23.13 @ 10:59AM
It's not that hard to be smarter than you, Timmy...
And you have yet to offer one scintilla of evidence either in support of your position ("Change the GOP from within!", which is a proven loser), or to contradict my suggestion.
Look, Timmy...I get it. You don't "do" facts. Intelligent discussions are not your forte'.
You prefer to lob childish insults and irrelevant points at people and hope others mistake it for actual discourse.
That's because you lack imagination and creativity. It makes you a good foot soldier, but a pretty poor leader.
So naturally, you prefer to stick with the team that's intent on sticking it to you.
Can you offer one (1) concrete suggestion as to exactly HOW the GOP can be reformed from within - as a Conservative Party - in time for 2014 and beyond? How is that going to happen, genius?
Hmmmm???
...Tick-tock...
Doctor Right| 1.23.13 @ 10:59AM
It's not that hard to be smarter than you, Timmy...
And you have yet to offer one scintilla of evidence either in support of your position ("Change the GOP from within!", which is a proven loser), or to contradict my suggestion.
Look, Timmy...I get it. You don't "do" facts. Intelligent discussions are not your forte'.
You prefer to lob childish insults and irrelevant points at people and hope others mistake it for actual discourse.
That's because you lack imagination and creativity. It makes you a good foot soldier, but a pretty poor leader.
So naturally, you prefer to stick with the team that's intent on sticking it to you.
Can you offer one (1) concrete suggestion as to exactly HOW the GOP can be reformed from within - as a Conservative Party - in time for 2014 and beyond? How is that going to happen, genius?
Hmmmm???
...Tick-tock...
TLP| 1.23.13 @ 11:55AM
How perfect is that.
"It's not that hard to be smarter than you, Timmy..."
From the guy who posts the same thing, twice.
It's like one of those Master Card commercials.
It's PERFECT.
Doctor Right| 1.23.13 @ 12:44PM
Nice non-reply reply.
We're still watching, little Timmy, and waiting...
The clock is ticking...gonna' man-up?
Job| 1.23.13 @ 3:15PM
What we've got here is failure to communicate. Some men you just can't reach.
Doctor Right| 1.23.13 @ 6:40PM
There's no "failure to communicate," here.
There is a refusal to reply. L'il Timmy only likes to play when he thinks he can get the upper hand with his endless, 8th-grade insults and sublimely obvious and uninsightful observations.
When challenged, like all blowhards, he retreats.
He's a loser.
Job| 1.23.13 @ 8:50PM
"just when i thought i was out, they pull me back in."
I can help you; I have a LOT of patients just like you)
ok i got this right from your comments he's: "someone you can help because you have a lot of patients just like him: a flawed, ignoramus, idiot, dimwit, dummy, fool, negative, childish, lightweight, stupid, blowhard, obfuscating, 8th grader, and loser....wheew and you can help him because you're Doctor Right and never can be proven wrong;" Right? "its a waste of time and can't be done."
well i agree with some of what you said but you get a zero for style and i am going to prescribe one chill pill and a strict regimen of one dick measuring contest a day for you; we'll call it a contest since you're not playing a game .
Doctor Right| 1.23.13 @ 9:23PM
Punctuation. Grammar.
Get used to them. Then people might understand what you're trying to say.
As a result, they won't think you're a moron.
Job| 1.23.13 @ 9:42PM
there you go again.
Doctor Right| 1.23.13 @ 9:51PM
Yup.
Doctor Right| 1.23.13 @ 9:59AM
I was in a store a few weeks ago and I actually overheard two people talking about what to do to get an "Obamaphone." (Their words!)
Stormy| 1.23.13 @ 9:29AM
Are we seeing a slow, steady coming out of the closet for Barack Obama, as his gayness "evolves? Did anyone really believe that he was against same sex marriage four years ago? What's the chances that we see Obama dance with a make cadet withing the next four years?
Anthony| 1.23.13 @ 9:34AM
Peaceful transfer you say eh George? That's not how the CBS News Political Director put it. This far out lefty and Slate contributor, in his other job, called on Obozo to "pulverize" us.
Sounds not so peaceful to me.
squalis| 1.23.13 @ 10:24AM
In my post yesterday on Obama killing the Constitution, I wrote of an acquaintance of mine. He is a 1-2 %er, male, caucasian, Jewish, and an MD. All the things the Obamaites are targeting, yet he is a robotic supporter of Obama. He has one other characteristic I forgot to mention yesterday; he is heterosexual. How can he, and people like him continue to support this regime? The word seduce (Merriam-Webster definition: to lead astray usually by persuasion or false promises) used in the article is just perfect. How f....ing stupid does the majority of the American electorate need to be to be seduced by this guy. I think we have our answer.
Game over!
cicero| 1.23.13 @ 11:09AM
News Alert! Read this morning that Boehner, at a closed meeting with the Rep caucus, in a locked room, in the basement of the Capitol, promised to present a balanced budget within ten years. Wow. That really makes me feel better.
So, Obama has promised to change the American into a totally new man. Where have we heard this before? When do they start breaking eggs?
New party, old Party? All you have to do is look at what the RNC did to anyone not on its dance card in the last primary cycle. They froze them out, refused to support them with money or workers, and even (in Michigan) ran write in candidates against them. I tend to the position that the conservative movement can save time and money by assimilating the Republican Party. However, I question whether there is enough time. In 1852, the Whig Party was caving in to the Dems on the slavery issue, as the new states were entering the Union. There just wasn't enough time to turn that train around. We may be there again.
CJW| 1.23.13 @ 12:23PM
cicero
It seems we are at a similar moment in history to the 1850's. The abolitionist movement and collapse of the Whig party led to the creation of the Republican party.
We now have the abortion issue, similar to the moral issue of slavery. There is no compromise. You are either for it or against it. The Dem party is the party of abortion just as it was the party of slavery.
And we also have the deficit and growth of government that will transform our contry to the failed European model, as promised by Obama.
Kwan| 1.23.13 @ 11:19AM
The MSM continues to fabricate the Matrix of Illusion that finally the country is on the right track now that Premier Obama has subjugated the conservative forces of evil. All that remains now for Marxist Demi-God Obama is to proclaim that the Constitution is no longer the law of the land, and that by executive decree he has rendered it null and void. Yes the MSM informs us we are now on the right track by being transformed from a Constitutional Republic into a Marxist Dictatorship. And what do you know it turns out that the Founders had it all wrong, because it was freedom that was causing all the country's problems and that was causing all this inequality, but now that Hugo Chavez wannabe Obama is in charge freedom in all its forms would be euthanized by the Central Government, and equality would finally be able to flourish in Obama's Kingdom. What a joke attaining equality through enslavement.
Petronius| 1.23.13 @ 11:48AM
But you can all the freedom you want if it's killing babies, packing fudge, smoking weed, and a parasitic life style.
Kwan| 1.23.13 @ 12:20PM
The left promotes and supports these activities because they believe it weakens the fabric of society leading to the collapse of the social order and the eventual establishment of a Totalitarian Socialist State.
Who Knows?| 1.23.13 @ 11:31AM
It’s vital to know who your opponent or enemy is.
After four years, MAYBE people will begin to fathom how deep Obama’s wallowing in ideological excrement is. Consider the following take on Hitler’s Table Talks, with my words in parenthesis—
“The ‘magic spell’ that Hitler (Obama?) cast over his listeners has been acknowledged many times. This fascination—‘the strange magnetism that radiated from Hitler in such a compelling manner’---rested indeed ‘on the fanatical belief of this man in himself’, on his pseudo-authoritative judgments about everything under the sun, and the fact that his opinions---whether they dealt with the harmful effects of smoking or with Napoleon’s policies---could always be fitted into an all-encompassing ideology.
Fascination is a social phenomenon, and the fascination Hitler exercised over his environment must be understood in terms of the particular company he kept (Which is why we need to note WHO Obama is now choosing for his high powered minion, like Kerry, Hagel, et al). Society is always prone to accept a person offhand for what he pretends to be, so that a crackpot posing as a genius always has a certain chance to be believed (Hence, the 2008 and 2012 election of The One).
Who Knows?| 1.23.13 @ 11:33AM
In modern society, with its characteristic lack of discerning judgment, this tendency is strengthened, so that someone who not only holds opinions but presents them in a tone of unshakable conviction (Then there’s even a Rush Limbaugh) will not so easily forfeit his prestige, no matter how m any times he has been demonstrably wrong (When has Obama EVER been right?). Hitler, who knew the modern chaos of opinions from first-hand experience, discovered that the helpless seesawing between various opinions and ‘the conviction … that everything is balderdash’ could best be avoided by adhering to ONE of the many current opinions with ‘unbending consistency’. The hair-raising arbitrariness (With Obama, though, there is NO arbitrariness—he’s a true blue socialist, at least) of such fanaticism (But, BHO IS a fanatic!) holds great fascination for society because for the duration of the social gathering it is freed from the chaos of opinions that it constantly generates. This ‘gift’ of fascination, however, has only social relevance; it is so prominent in the Table Talks because here Hitler plays the game of society and was not speaking to his own kind but to the generals of the Wehrmacht, all of whom more or less belonged to ‘society’.
Who Knows?| 1.23.13 @ 11:33AM
. To believe that Hitler’s successes were based on his ‘powers of fascination’ is altogether erroneous; with those qualities alone he would never have advanced beyond the role of a prominent figure in the salons (Just so with Obama---his successes were surely aided by his “fascination”, but IMHO they are actually due to the “totalitarianism” of the MSM) .” Page 305, “The Origins of Totalitarianism”, Hannah Arendt 1951
Paul Murphy | 1.23.13 @ 11:37AM
Dear Mr. Neumayr:
I believe you have captured the feel of the thing here, but not it's underlying cause.
The cause, I think, is that Romney/Ryan won the election in taking about two thirds of the county level totals and more than two thirds of the precincts but losing in state wide counts (e.g. the senate and electoral college races) because Obama counted nearly 100% of the votes in some densely populated areas with nearly 100% turnout - among voters who mostly can't remember one Obama policy or list two things he's stood for.
Know who else gets margins like that? Chavez, Mugabe, the finepeople running Iran and Palistinian areas; and, of course, the fearless democratic leadership in Vietnam, North Korea, and Cuba.
Abu Nudnik| 1.23.13 @ 11:49AM
Concerning remark re: "not self-executing." Troubling.
But people still miss the strongest point to be made re: same sex marriage. It is a symbol of the union of the male and female sex. This joining subsumes the joining of the two persons since two persons are needed to represent the two sexes. The "new modern" meaning of joining of two persons regardless of sex is therefore less inclusive, not more inclusive symbolically. It is only more inclusive numerically. Symbols are important. Man is the only being who makes symbols and our cultures are built on them and sustained by them. Sacrificing symbols for numbers (and for financial reasons) is the crassest materialism. To call it a matter of principle is, therefore, risible.
spoofproof | 1.23.13 @ 12:18PM
The cleverly disguised rhetorical deceits that Obama's handlers write into his speeches pander to emotions of pity, hate, and lust for power. Demonstrable ignorance in mob-members embracing the Obama Coterie's false hope is common human putty that tyrants have molded to their purpose since the beginning of time.
"The firepower I keep at home is nobody's business but my own. If I go out to shoot up the town, I know another shooter will shoot me down. It's the Code of the West."
Norman Conquest| 1.23.13 @ 12:24PM
The insane mania over this pompous, preening fraud is like the tulip bulb mania of 17th century Holland. I have no doubt that it will all end just as unpleasantly as that one did.
Lyneuss Fields | 1.23.13 @ 12:32PM
Ah yes, there's nothing like a well-armed mob (err, militia)! Everybody speaks about fear of the U.S. government confiscating our weapons. But alas, it's the small, local cop who should by feared by prudent Americans. They're the pigs who walk onto your property—without a warrant of course—to grab the camera you've used to film their abuse of your neighbor. That is why I want my AR-15, cop-killer bullets, and high capacity magazines. It’s all about equal protection, don’t you know?
http://lyneussfields.blogspot......rowds.html
Kingofthenet| 1.23.13 @ 12:41PM
Your 'Vision' Lost accept it, at least be honorable in defeat. The President in the campaign laid out what he wanted to do and the voters choose him, let the President pursue his mandate the American People granted him, don't block the will of the American People.We will not let you NeoCon Knuckledraggers take us 'Back'...Forward to a NEW Dawn!
Anthony| 1.23.13 @ 1:29PM
" Let the president pursue his mandate..... don't block the will of the people"; Judge Bork would have appreciated your comments. Apparently, Kennedy and Biteme didn't get your memo, jerk.
Oh wait, this only applies to leftist presidents, Neo Con knuckledraggers need not apply.
Forward..... over the cliff with our exhaulted leader, the one, the only, the Kenyan Muslim Marxist himself....... OBOZO.
Kwan| 1.23.13 @ 3:42PM
Kingofallnonsence informs us:... let the President pursue his mandate the American People granted him, don't block the will of the American People.
Is this the mandate that gives Obama the authority to convert the country into a Communist Peoples Republic? It takes a very large stretch of the imagination to see that this is an overwhelming mandate.
2012 election results:
Obama 65,899,660 votes or51.1%
Romney 60,929,152 or 47.2%
A difference of 4,970,508 or 3.9%
The population of the United States is 311,800,000. 4,970,508 equals 1.59% of the total population. So according to Kingofallnonsense 1.59% of the people have given Obama the authority to dump our Constitutional Republic and replace it with a Communist People's Republic. That's the signpost up ahead your next stop, the Twilight Zone.
Kingofthenet| 1.23.13 @ 4:19PM
President Obama is the ONLY President since Eisenhower to win 51%+ of the vote TWICE, not even RAYGUN did better:
http://www.politicususa.com/ob.....-vote.html
I call that a mandate
Albert Constantine Jr.| 1.23.13 @ 6:16PM
You could call it a mandate, but you would be disagreeing with the Democratic bumper sticker of 2005.
Petronius| 1.23.13 @ 5:08PM
There is no new dawn in the libertine cultural sewer. And we will not be dragged or coerced into accepting the will of the UnAmerican trash who invade our lives, plunder our earnings, and rob us of the good living we deserve. The only thing affirmed yesterday is that every parasite needs a host.
RAM| 1.23.13 @ 4:36PM
So what exactly do we do to assure a high enough percentage of live, legal, decently informed voters who favor the Constitution over the Obama alternative? Hint---the content of formal and informal education from K on up matters! Otherwise, mass-stupefied voters will repeat 2012 only worse and Dems will even rule the House again.
fmm| 1.23.13 @ 6:50PM
Ane with these understandings, the lack of activities to right these wrongs is absurd.
JenniferSmithe22| 1.23.13 @ 8:51PM
up to I saw the check which said $9870, I be certain that my friends brother was like they say trully taking home money in there spare time on their apple laptop.. there mums best friend had bean doing this less than twelve months and recently took care of the mortgage on there villa and bought a great Lancia Straton. this is where I went,Great60.comCHECK IT OUT
Philo Vaihinger | 1.24.13 @ 5:27AM
Really, George, the "revolution" you're harping about goes back through LBJ and FDR to Wilson and TR, at least.
As for the constitution, well, your complaints would impress a lot more if we didn't know it was written by lawless slavocrat plutes in defiance of the then law, the Articles of Confederation, to craft a new government to suit themselves.
And that it has absolutely never been given democratic legitimacy by adoption by the American people.
Not even in the travesty of democracy usual in such cases, an up or down vote.
As for homosexuality, what is your problem, anyway?
So what if gay marriage is a travesty?
Where is your sense of humor, man?
HB| 1.26.13 @ 12:18PM
Have any of the Pharaohs of new America ever told the men of America how much they hate the real Christian man? Has the press ever depicted anyone associated with the Holy Bible as anything more than a push-over, pervert or wimp? Do any of them concede to the abhorred concept of Men at the helm of society that gay sex is the "politically correct" way to classify sodomy between two males. Wouldn't they be gratified to see all the males of the new world in make-up, girlish hairdo’s, jewellery and painted finger nails?