05/14/2008 (12:06 pm)
Change We Deserve, Indeed
The national Republican Party machinery is busy producing the sort of change America deserves — a surrender to world socialism on all fronts.
Yesterday’s defeat of Republican Greg Davis by Democrat Travis Childers, running for US Representative in Mississippi’s First District, indicates that Republicans are not only in trouble, but have no clue how to address it. Childers, a genuine conservative though a Democrat, captured 54% of the vote to Davis’ 46%, a remarkable victory in a heavily Republican district. He’ll probably vote with Republicans in Congress much of the time, but the “D” after his name helps secure committee chairmanships for the Democratic party leadership.
Republicans illustrated their utter cluelessness by announcing a national campaign theme of “Change You Deserve.” The hilariously pitiable fact that the slogan is already an advertising slogan for a well-known anti-depressant just adds to the embarrassment. The Republican party needs to come to terms with the complete failure of Republicans to live up to their billing; not only did they not reduce the size or power of government, they sold out to the nest-feathering patronage system they said they were coming to upset. Simply issuing a slogan isn’t going to do the trick.
What’s called for is a pledge with teeth for all Republican office-holders to sign, on this order: “I will refuse all opportunities to enrich myself on the taxpayer’s dime; I will oppose all increases in the government’s ability to control basic life decisions of ordinary citizens; I will submit legislation eliminating 3 government offices in the next year; OR I WILL RESIGN MY POSITION.” And then, they need to follow through to the letter. Don’t expect this to happen this year.
I do have to wonder about voters who decide that since the latest corrupt, government-bloating party isn’t going to change things, they’re going to return to the old, corrupt, government-bloating party. That seems… well, self-destructive. But what choice do they have? I have little intellectual patience with the claim that “both parties are exactly the same;” in principle, they’re not the same at all. In practice, however, if the Republicans are going to enjoy the trappings of power, cave to the Democrats on most major issues, and collaborate with them in growing government power over education and health care and inviting a flood of illegals to cross our borders, there’s little difference.
While I know I risk ostracism for a decidedly unpopular point of view, I have to acknowledge that most people, especially those living in a self-governing republic like ours, are governed by the quality of government they deserve. Even in totalitarian and military states, the government ultimately reflects the moral character of the people. Edmund Burke said this, and I believe it’s true. Consequently, while I believe the Democrats are going to bring the American experiment in self-government to a close in failure and usher in an American gulag comparable to the oppression of the now-defunct Soviet Union, I also believe that that’s what we Americans, as a people, deserve. We did not retain the moral character to recognize and reject fools, nor the wit to resist them effectively; and now, they’re taking over. So, as clueless as they are, the national Republican party seems to be uttering prophecy from the very Throne of God: we’re getting a change we deserve.
Photo from Africa on the Matrix.
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6 Comments »
Comment by Douger
“While I know I risk ostracism for a decidedly unpopular point of view”
What…that Republicans suck? That Bush paddled the party into oblivion? It’s true, and I don’t see how it can be unpopular with anyone that doesn’t have their heads planted in their asses.
The only thing Bush did right in eight years is appoint good judges, and the only thing I fear from a Barry presidency is the fact that he’ll set that good work back 20 years.
Otherwise, I see little difference in either party.
Comment by philwynk
“While I know I risk ostracism for a decidedly unpopular point of view”
What…that Republicans suck?
No, that we deserve what’s about to happen to us.
I’m rather a pessimist.
The only thing Bush did right in eight years is appoint good judges…
I disagree. He also restored the military competently, and stood pretty much single-handedly against the spread of radical Islam worldwide. He also advocated the right energy policies most of the time, including the streamlining of approval for nuclear power plants.
I also fall into the minority that believes the Iraq war was not a mistake; I think it was bold policy requiring out-of-the-box thinking, and may yet accomplish what it was intended to accomplish.
However, Bush failed dramatically in that he refused to prosecute the criminal behavior of the Clintons, and he failed in that he made bargains with the devil on domestic issues, growing the power of government alarmingly. And finally, Bush was absolutely inept at selling his policies to the public, with the result that whatever else he might have accomplished, the most vicious, disgusting human beings on the planet have actually taken the moral high ground in the culture.
The biggest failure lies, not in the White House, but in the Capitol. The Republicans in Congress absolutely abdicated all moral authority by selling out to power.
Comment by Douger
“He also restored the military competently, and stood pretty much single-handedly against the spread of radical Islam worldwide. He also advocated the right energy policies most of the time, including the streamlining of approval for nuclear power plants.”
And he also foisted the “No Child Left Behind” on us, signed McCain/Feingold, and generally spent his first term french kissing Democrats. I did not vote for him in 2004, largely because I perceived him to be a boob.
I don’t agree that he should have hounded Clinton. That would have set a bad precedent that would likely haunt him starting next year..not that the power hungry liberals won’t try anyway.
“The Republicans in Congress absolutely abdicated all moral authority by selling out to power.”
That, I’ll buy. And insomuch as we put them there…well, not me, I haven’t had anything more than a RINO to vote for in years…maybe we do deserve what we’re going to get.
I’m not holding my breath, but the shellacking Republicans are going to take this fall should be a wake up call.
But they didn’t answer the phone in 2006, so maybe this is “change we deserve.”
Comment by feeblemind
I wish I could take issue with your last paragraph, Phil, but there is not a single point there that I can contest.
Comment by MsSwin
“The Change You Deserve”
CLINICAL TRIALS HAVE SHOWN:
The new and improved Republican Platform Prescription XR for America produces side effects including but not limited to generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, nervousness, yawning, and/or sweating.
Studies have shown a propensity for abnormal vision, impotence, nausea (31%) and constipation (10%).
Also revealed were increased instances of depression, decreased libido, agitation, nightmares, delirium, blurred vision and difficulty focusing.
Known to cause loss of appetite, cold feet, postural hypotension and hemorrhoids (see Bend Over For Bush Syndrome).
Most common side effect is flatulence and political irritability.
Less common side effects include acne and/or pustular rash.
Not a controlled substance and has not been studied in clinical trials regarding potential for abuse.
For further information see Effexor XR for additional warnings.
Consult your family doctor if symptoms persist for more than four years.
Comment by RM
My belief is coming to be that we are headed inexorably toward socialism, or at the very least, socialism lite. And what is even more depressing is that the American people seem to want this. The current thought pattern seems to be along the lines of: “Whoever promises me the biggest bag of goodies gets my vote, as long as the tab for the goodies is paid for by someone else.”
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