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Audacity of Truth
Kruggie to Fibbs:
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-Paul Krugman, NYT columnist & Nobel prize winner - 8/11/10
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Island of Misfit Bloggers
Tea Parties: A view from the Ivory Tower, and a grassroots view
Senior Obama advisor (called by some on the right “Obama’s brain”) David Axelrod described the Tea Party movement as “unhealthy” because of its alleged potential into developing into something extreme:
WASHINGTON (CNN) – Senior White House adviser David Axelrod on Sunday suggested the “Tea Party” movement is an “unhealthy” reaction to the tough economic climate facing the country.
Axelrod was asked on CBS’s “Face the Nation” about the “spreading and very public disaffection” with the president’s fiscal policies seen at the “Tea Party” rallies around the country last week.
“I think any time you have severe economic conditions there is always an element of disaffection that can mutate into something that’s unhealthy,” Axelrod said.
Axelrod appeared to backtrack when pressed on whether the movement is unhealthy.
“Well, this is a country where we value our liberties and our ability to express ourselves, and so far these are expressions,” he said.
Uh huh. Nice attempt at spinning his way out of it, but he made it pretty obvious he was taking a page out of the Napolitano/DHS handbook when it comes to smearing right wingers (and others who agree with them) whow have legitimate political differences with this administration. In fact, it’s actually the whole “they’re all extremists like Rush Limbaugh” all over again, which is a play out of Carville’s and Axelrod’s books.
Contrast that with a story posted at the LAT’s Top of the Ticket blog from the perspective of Ticket reader, Dann Selle from Spokane, WA, who provided a recap of the Spokane Tea Party that took place on the 15th. The two differing views are a study in contrast between a WH that is out of touch with the anger felt by many Americans over what they’ve done in the last near-100 days, and a left coast conservative recapping the concerns and anger expressed by him and his fellow Tea Party attendees over the adminstration’s agenda.
Interestingly enough, in that same CNN piece, it was noted that Dem strategist James Carville didn’t find the Tea Party movement “unhealthy” in the way that Axelrod suggested, but indicated he felt it was “damaging” to Republicans, which brings to mind a related issue I’ve been wanting to bring up.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard over the last several weeks from supposedly “concerned” liberals about how the Republican party is going to “fade into obsurity” if it doesn’t “fall more in line” with the views of the American people. Now, I don’t think the core philosophy of conservative Republicans is out of step with the American people, but instead believe that conservatives in DC lost their way over the course of the Bush years with the massive, mostly unchecked spending, and with the various corruption scandals. That said, let’s assume for a minute for the sake of argument that the principles of smaller government and lower taxes were “out of touch” with what mainstream Americans wanted. Is that any reason to “modify” our stance on bigger government and higher taxes? Let’s say for the sake of argument that the principles of desiring a strong national defense were “out of step” with mainstream America. Should we therefore “change” what we believe on that in order to gain popularity with the American people?
The answer, in my view, is no. If conservatives abandoned their principles on those issues, our party as we know it would cease to exist. In fact, we saw what happened when conservatives in Congress started acting like moderate liberals on spending, for example – it didn’t do us any good. Certainly there are issues that we can find common ground on with the left on, like on card check, supporting our returning veterans, and on regulation/deregulation. At this point, we don’t have a choice, but in the end there are core principles that should never be sacrificed on the altar of political expediency. Even if it means in the end the party would die out.
The jobs conservatives have to do in order to ensure that doesn’t happen is to explain their conservative positions to their respective constituencies (or in the case of those running for office, explain their positions to their potential respective constituencies) clearly and articulately – and make their case for how a Congress and WH controlled by fiscally conservative Republicans is better overall for our country’s future than one controlled by fiscally irresponsible liberals. And at the same time, they shouldn’t be afraid to tackle the tougher social issues like illegal immigration, gay marriage, and the right to life. These issues can be framed in ways that have the potential to win over potential young conservatives and independents of all ages alike. We shouldn’t cede ground on the “green” issue, either. We don’t have to fall for the phony “man-made” global warming arguments to be able to make persuasive arguments for less dependency on foreign oil via more offshore drilling and exploring alternative forms of energy. It is, after all a national security issue more than anything else, and even after all the last two elections where conservatives have lost considerable ground, national security is still one of the few issues more people trust us on than they do the left.
What do you think?
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14 Responses to “Tea Parties: A view from the Ivory Tower, and a grassroots view”
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Sorry, I just don’t fing any common ground between conservatives and liberals. We’d have to abandon core principles to find agreements with liberals. That would be much too McCain like and I, for one, will not stand for it.
To keep the spirit of the tea parties alive, I think those who support these efforts should fly their flags. How can the left possibly take exception to that! Let’s make America look like it did after 9-11.
It really amazes me when I hear the libs talk of “falling in line” with mainstream America. I could have sworn that McCain won something like 48% of the vote and Obama won roughly 52%. That is hardly a landslide victory, regardless of what the left wants everyone to believe.
The left realizes that if we look at the trends, they are likely to lose the Congress in 2010 or 2012, so they’ve got to act fast. Step one is getting their left wing agenda passed and they are well on their way to that. Second, is to demonize the right which is what we are seeing now.
I remember hearing that Obama and the democrats are going to “unite” the country. He’s been one of the most divisive figures into such a young presidency. My fear is that people will only take being pushed around so long. If the DHS is so concerned about “right wing” extremists, then they should realize that THEY are pushing people towards that end with idiotic “reports” like this.
The media hasn’t helped by mocking and making fun of the protesters. When people feel they are being oppressed and they have no voice due to a lapdog media, it makes for a bad combination.
An armed insurrection of any type would be a disaster for this country, but I’m afraid if things don’t change, things may get ugly very soon.
The same Democratic strategists wanted Republicans to pick McCain and Lieberman… enough said!
Obviously, running ANY federal deficit under any circumstances other than a war for our survival is daft at best. When we had a Republican Congress to counter a Democratic President, we had a balanced budget and actually reduced the national debt. When we elected a Republican President we thought FINALLY we can make some headway in reducing the federal government to its Article I Section 8 responsibilities and pay the national debt down toward zero. Instead, they ran off in the other direction.
Now we have the Dems in control of everything after the Republicans tried to win with the lesser of two evils option. Result: Trillion dollar deficits as far as the eye can see.
Combine that with a cap and trade or carbon tax regime based on a HOAX, and we have the makings of the destruction of America as a functional nation or a restoration to sane government when Republicans finally get a clue and give the voters somebody they can vote FOR.
The tea parties are protesting the RINOs as well as the Democrats. The bailout as well as the porkulus. That is why we booed Republicans who voted for either or could not get themselves to use the word “hoax” when it comes to global warming.
The big government fans snarkily called us “teabaggers”. But that gives me an idea on how to address the RINOs. We can say “Your teabag is empty!” And if anyone complains about RINOs or Obama or anyone being compared to Hitler, we can say “At least he had one!”
After hearing all the various gambits from the left, ranging from the alleged “unhealthiness” of the tea parties to the tirades from the likes of Ms. Garofalo, I keep returning to the advice given to Dorothy by Glinda the Good Witch, when Dorothy was urged to give up the ruby slippers: “Keep tight inside of them — their magic must be very powerful, or she wouldn’t want them so badly!”
The tea parties have really hit home — the left would not be attacking them so frantically if they were not so badly frightened by them. It is crucial to the left that we are prevented from organizing and participating in future public events, whether they use derision or false “concern” for our political future.
For this very reason, it is imperative that we persist in our efforts — and I urge anyone who has felt upset and oppressed by the counterattacks of the left and their media friends, to keep right on demonstrating and working on a grass-roots level to build support for conservative ideals. I myself plan to take every opportunity to participate in rallies and to write and phone my elected representatives to let them know what I expect from them in order to have a prayer of getting my support.
I think you are absolutely right. If the R’s want to win elections they must be more conservative, not less. (If that’s not what you were saying, :”> my bad.)
“Certainly there are issues that we can find common ground on with the left on, like on card check”
NO! There is NO Common ground here! This is about making intimidation, harassment, and stalking legal for the Union bosses.
Laura, I was talking about common ground in terms of enough lefties coming around to our side on the issue. And that has happened in the Senate.
“I think any time you have severe economic conditions there is always an element of disaffection that can mutate into something that’s unhealthy,” Axelrod said.
These guys are praying for a domestic incident. Axelrod is practically going out to gun shows and flea markets and looking for recruits.
Watch out for yourself if criticize that DHS report. The LGF patrol is watchin’
“I think any time you have severe economic conditions there is always an element of disaffection that can mutate into something that’s unhealthy,” Axelrod said.
These guys are praying for a domestic incident. Axelrod is practically going out to gun shows and flea markets and looking for recruits.
Watch out for yourself if criticize that DHS report. The LGF patrol is watchin’
Oops…forgot to say great post! Looking forward to your next one.
The administration will collapse. They haven’t appointed enough people yet in the Cabinet positions. The Senate and the House Pubbies and Blue Dogs will sense the weakness as they themselves come under pressure from VOTERS closer to 2010.
The entire nation is watching Barry Soetoro ROLL OVER to the likes of Hugo Chavez and the sniveling Calderon of Mexico, the Castor Bros, Syria and Iran, while bowing to the head of the most corrupt regime in human history- and the most violent- Saudi Arabia.
“soft” power looks to MOST Americans as limp….oh never mind. you know what it is.
the point is that the frantic driving of a bulldozer, metaphorically speaking, usually leads to mowing down support as well as opposition. and most of us are smart enough to get out of the way. so Barry’s Boys are nailing the fringe among us, while the rest of us live to fight for our CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS (as opposed to the frivolity of “civil liberties”) another day.
We CAN do this.
Conservatives have been betrayed by the politics and PC backwash, drinking koolaid from the indoctrination centers beginning at the kindergarten age.
No more politics! We need a business plan, that has a solution! PERIOD!