TheAgitator.com
Why the GOP Needs to Lose.
Monday, October 20th, 2008My Fox column this week explains why it would be good for American if the Republicans were to get pounded next month.
Some fun email on this one already. I’ll pick out the best responses, and share them with you tomorrow.
AMEN!
Not having read the article yet, I can’t comment on it. But I can envision the frothing rage which must be hitting your inbox as I type. Can’t wait to read the follow-on to this.
Okay, now having read it, I say great article! Well, all but for the last line that is.
“But the Republican Party in its current form has forfeited its right to govern.”
How I wish that this were true. Sadly, I fear the best you can do is tack “for one or two terms” onto the end of that sentence.
It seems to me that the American populace at large doesn’t want “rugged individualism”. What they want is Nanny Government to tell them, “I’ll take care of you and it’s gonna be all right.”
Well, kinda, Kwix. My impression of what people want is “Leave me alone until I want you to give me everything I want, and then leave me alone until I want more stuff.”
I decided this weekend that not everyone should be able to vote. You would have to pass some tests on general government, the measures, the candidates, etc. Let the communities get involved to come up with the test instead of relying on government to do it, and for government to score the quizzes. I know this will never happen, which is why we are becoming more doomed as the years go by because the dumber people are growing far faster than intelligent people. Break it down into “libertarian thought process/self reliant” vs. “steal from you for my socialist habits even though it hurts me too”, and the skew is even worse.
Great column Radley. You should set up a poll of the list of terms that will appear most in the responses to it. Something like:
a) commie
b) commie-f*ggot
c) Marxist
d) terrorist
e) f*ggot Islamofascist
f) Democrat
this doesn’t include all misspelled variants and doesn’t allow for the ever popular “libertarians aren’t real” argument.
I deliver a stinging blow to the two major parties every election. I vote libertarian. I hate it when some dickhead says I’m wasting my vote. I’m not the one wasting my vote. It’s the hundred million other morons who think that votes only matter if they endorse the prevailing idiocy.
Where within the Republican party lies the core thought leadership that will help the party emerge into something along the lines of Goldwater / Buckley conservatism? I don’t see anyone standing athwart history, yelling “STOP” anymore. Perhaps it is time for a socially liberal and fiscally conservative party to emerge.
Well said, Radley. Sheldon Richman goes even further: he argues that no Republican should ever be elected president, because laissez-faire will always take the blame for whatever Republicans do.
Oh, man, the responses to this one are going to be epic, aren’t they. I’m not sure if I feel sorry for you because of the abuse or envy your front-row seat at the comedy.
I agree,the G.O.P. needsto be taught a lesson.This coming from someone who has never voted for a Democrat for president.I’ve been upset since the education and medicare bills were passed.The Dems are and will always be the party of big government..We need a viable option on the other side.
One quibble: You didn’t point out your stance on the supermajority issue. Not that 90% of Fox readers would be capable of understanding what you did state, but to me, there’s a big difference between “I hope the GOP loses a demoralizing 9 seats in the senate” and “I hope the GOP loses as many seats as possible”. The former gives the GOP a much needed bitch-slapping. The latter gives said action to all current and future Americans.
While your position is certainly satisfying on a “teach them a lesson” level, it overlooks the potential permanece of the damage the Democrats can do in even one term. Government departments established don’t go away nor do entitlement programs. Big government doesn’t get smaller, even when proven to be inefficient and ineffective. What Bush has built won’t be unbuilt but rather added to and expanded.
At the same time, the economy will be better in 4 years despite any misguided efforts by the Democrats to fix it. They are effectively buying a “call” on the economy – there is limited downside (”we still haven’t pulled out of the effect of deregulation from the Bush era”) and all upside (”we fixed it and have proven we can manage better than the Republicans”).
Its like taking a gun away from a bumbling bank guard and giving it to the bank robber…..
Sorry, pet peeve on this one. :)
“They’ve failed in staying true to their principals of limited government and free markets.”
“Principle” is only a noun, and all of its meanings are abstract. “Principal” is both a noun and an adjective. As a noun, it generally refers to a person, except in specialized legal and financial terms.
Ex: Approximately $40 of your payment goes repay the principal balance; the rest are interest payments.
Ex: I have to meet with the principal of my child´s school.
Ex: We have to act on the principle that our customers are important.
My scariest moment for the future of our country would be an Obama presidency.
The man is a hard-core Marxist, schooled by the disciples of the Critical Theory of Marxism, coupled with the Saul Alinsky Bolshevik Tool-Set: Rules for Radicals.
Columbia U. Poli Sci Grad means he’s a hard core leftie orientation. Why else hide his college transcripts? Doesn’t want us to see what classes he took.
And, an Affirmative Action baby. Again, hiding his Grades both at Columbia and Harvard. Maybe they weren’t so hot.
And, who PAID for Harvard? Reliable info that it was funded by a Saudi Prince.
He’s as far left as Socialist Bernie Sanders.
Then, as the second of his Pillars of Wisdom, he’s a a 20 year adherent to one of the original disciples of Black Liberation Theology, the ranting Reverand: Jeremiah Wright.
After those two pillars of Obama’s core belief system, why even bother to mention his close affiliation with Weather Underground Leader Bill Ayers.
There is an even scarrier scenario: An Obama-Pelosi-Reid government.
More extremely liberal federal judges of the ilk of Breyer and Ginsburg.
Taxing and spending rocketing out of control.
Throwing more billions into failing Public Schools.
The Nanny State will go into Overdrive.
And, ACORN will be a Cabinet department.
P.S. the real reason the Stock Market tanked:
Realization that there’s a good chance that Barack Hussein Obama will become President.
Scary.
Dave – i’m with you, I’m casting my vote for anyone but the two main parites. Just don’t care anymore, nothing will change no matter who wins.
TJA:
What Bush has built won’t be unbuilt but rather added to and expanded.
This is true. But there is no evidence that this would not also be the case under a McCain presidency either. Either the GOP mends its fences with the fiscal conservative/libertarian base, or it faces irrelevance. If for only pragmatic reasons, the GOP will come around–it is simply a matter of when and to what extent. The bible thumping populists had their shot–and man, did they blow it.
Unfortunately, neither party can be taught a lesson. They know they are a sham that simply panders to a base. They know they will get the power back in another election or two. And they know they will never step aside and let some new blood in just for the good of the party.
Instead of one side seeing the election a stinging wake up call, the other side just pretends it is ‘mandate’ from the people to whip out their craziest bullshit and run it up the flagpole.
On a side note, I’m both impressed and befuddled by the fact that Fox News continues to run your column. Here’s hoping that’s still the case after this column.
TJA wrote, “Its like taking a gun away from a bumbling bank guard and giving it to the bank robber…..”
So your position is that Republicans meant to guard against the expansion of state power, but accidentally gave us war, the Unitary Executive, warrantless wiretapping, an assault on habeus corpus, torture, bank nationalization, ethanol subsidies, the farm bill, the biggest expansion of entitlements since Lyndon Johnson, and a trillion-dollar increase in federal spending?
Unfortunately, the penatly the GOP is going to pay is also going to be felt by the people.
As bad as the Republicans deserve their spanking does anybody seriously think that enduring 4 years (minimum) of Obama makes sense?
The damage he’ll do may very well be irreversible.
I loathe the upcoming election. There is no good choice. And even the Libertarian ticket is bad beacause Barr is no Libertarian (I don’t believe his born-again Libertarian schtick one bit, although at least he’s not the usual insane party candidate). The internet saviour is backing a party who says “God” every other word, and the other little fringers are just too socialist for even France. Jeebus.
And even the Libertarian ticket is bad beacause Barr is no Libertarian (I don’t believe his born-again Libertarian schtick one bit, although at least he’s not the usual insane party candidate).
I don’t understand this line of thinking at all. What could Barr possibly have to gain by denouncing his former views and running on the LP ticket?
It sure isn’t money. Or esteem. Or power. Seems to me the most plausible explanation is that the guy really has seen the light, isn’t it?
Washington DC
One Plane
One Bomb
Game Over
Then again, politicians are like cockroaches. No, they are cockroaches.
Scott in Phx wrote, “As bad as the Republicans deserve their spanking does anybody seriously think that enduring 4 years (minimum) of Obama makes sense?”
I don’t see anyone arguing that. The point is: after seeing what Republicans do when they control the federal government, isn’t it time you revisited your assumption that we’re any better off with them?
As bad as the Republicans deserve their spanking does anybody seriously think that enduring 4 years (minimum) of Obama makes sense?
While I agree with your concern about four years of Obama, my problem is most of my fears regarding Obama are equally applicable to McCain. Increased federal spending, government intervention abroad, government intervention in our economy (including trade restrictions), a further erosion of civil liberties… McCain hasn’t done anything to make me think he’ll be better in any of these areas than Obama. Frankly, if he did I think you’d see way more McCain love from Agitator commentors, myself included.
I’m not too scared of Obama. In two years people will be so fed up with Democrats that congress will change again and we will transition back to a lovely gridlock. And I have to believe that Obama is full of crap and wont even try to do half of the things he is talking about. That’s what has happened with every other new president I can remember.
this was picked up over at fark. going to be a long thread there. perhaps you could show up, Radley, and set the record straight? I’d be great for your publicity.
I think right now, libertarians should be reaching out to the disenfranchised conservative voters who, with all due respect, probably aren’t conservative in any shape or form, aside from calling themselves such a name.
Radley- For someone who has made his name FOR the War on Drugs, FOR federal government meddling with marriage, FOR limiting differing religious views in the military, and voted FOR the Patriot Act, it is hard to believe he just changed is mind. It seems to me that his gig as a medical marijuana lobbyist is what changed his mind, not personal enlightenment. So, yes, I believe money IS involved.
If he truly and honestly believe what he did for 8 years in Congress and as a DA was all wrong, good for him. And he will probably receive my vote this year anyway (hell, I voted for Badnarik). He just has A LOT of pennance to do before he is “believeable”. A lot…
McCain did pledge in his acceptence speech and elsewhere that he would VETO spending bills.
Obama couldn’t even discuss a hypothetical question about cutting spending.
Also, in practical ways, Obama’s assault on individual freedoms is almost certain to exceed that of the Bush administration (or McCain) -
gun control – despite what Heller says, you bet!
national service – you think he’s not going to push that? think about the Feds paying millions MORE to groups like ACORN. remember his desire for a civilian corps as large as the military? just imagine, millions of little “community organizers”. pretty soon they’ll be gathering and sharing (ref: Lord of the Rings), but mostly gathering.
how about the “fairness doctrine”? What’s that you say? You’ll find out when Pelosi and company bring it back and APPLY IT TO THE INTERNET.
The following sums it up pretty nicely (from http://www.snowflakesinhell.com/page/2/)
Libertarians/Conservatives like “Jay” and myself underestimate liberals/progressives — and what we’re guilty of is projection. But when we’re drunk and honest, we have to admit: We’re effing pikers. To restate more plainly: We don’t want power, and don’t know how to wield it. We’re pikers.
Progressives have no such qualms. Given power, they’ll take more and they’ll exercise it ruthlessly. Look at the Democrats in Congress these last two years. In not even 24 months, they’ve sunk to depths it took the Republican Congress six or more years to sink to. Their unpopularity levels are even worse than the Republicans’ in 2006. And what will happen in November? The Democrats will win seats — because they know how to wield their power to deliver the goods to please their corrupt, greedy, grabby, needy base.
—————-
Obama and the Democrats may never give up power after this election. I for one would rather take the chance that a McCain administration could hold the line while a real conservative movement comes back.
I’ll say it again. I’m not certain America will survive an Obama presidency.
“So your position is that Republicans meant to guard against the expansion of state power, but accidentally gave us war, the Unitary Executive, warrantless wiretapping, an assault on habeus corpus, torture, bank nationalization, ethanol subsidies, the farm bill, the biggest expansion of entitlements since Lyndon Johnson, and a trillion-dollar increase in federal spending?”
Russell,
My point is Republican beliefs, at some level (and clearly not in the current administration), are more aligned to core Libertatian beliefs than Democrats who are outwardly hostile toward Libertarian beliefs.
Barr’s change of heart can also be ascribed to “get paid to take over the opposition, any opposition”. It happens all of the time with organizations on any subject and at most sizes. Think subterfuge, same as cops masquerading as protesters, start some junk to give the police an excuse to “shut down the protest”, and the plant takes one for the team on the street, but is never charged once taken to the station. Remember what happened in Quebec with the pictures of the sole of the shoes of some protesters being the EXACT SAME as the cops, and the cops at first denied it, then later confessed to the plant, but tried to spin it as “it was for safety”?
Barr has a LOT of penance to do before he should be believed. Control the opposition, any opposition; make people believe they have a choice; direct energy away from activities that could change things to activities that can be controlled and therefore silenced. These things happen all of the time, there is such a huge incentive to not let people wake up and get MAD AS HELL.
“When the only two parties who have a chance at winning both have a track record of expanding the size and scope of government, every election is likely to be interpreted as a win for big government — only the brand changes.”
…and a loss for us.
My point is Republican beliefs, at some level (and clearly not in the current administration), are more aligned to core Libertatian beliefs than Democrats who are outwardly hostile toward Libertarian beliefs.
Economically speaking, yes. Socially speaking? Um… I’m gonna have to disagree with you on that one.
Vote for Barr. Anything else is a waste.
Obama is going to make things worse. McCain is going to make things worse AND start a new war.
3rd Party votes are only wasted as long as people think that way. Times of turmoil have led to the growth of 3rd party status. If both parties move left on fiscal issues fiscally conservative voters may get more serious about a 3rd option.
Barack Obama is supported by the media in a fashion which is beyond anything I’ve seen before. The efforts to destroy Joe the Plumber(*) are truly astonishing. Joe’s only “crime” was to ask Obama a hypothetical question, which he clearly identified as such. Joe didn’t sneak into an Obama rally to disrupt it. He was in front of his own house. Given the lengths to which Obama and his supporters will go, today, to attack Joe the Plumber, what do you think they’d do to any opposition if Obama were President?
(*) Joe’s his middle name, state licensing procedures require someone to work as an unlicensed apprentice for a few years becoming an independent plumber, etc. But why should any of that be newsworthy?
McCain and many other Republicans deserve to lose. I’ll grant you that 100%. I’d even grant that they probably deserve to live under King Obama’s thumb. The rest of the country, however, does not.
I saw McCain last night.
I had no idea he had a cameo in the last few minutes of Quarantine.
Hey #30. SnowflakesinHell? He voluntarily dis-armed at the NRA Convention so he could breath McTraitors’ air,in the same room.
Yes he did. NRA Convention.No guns? Jeebus we’re so screwed..
Now I see him at gun shows pushing GOP flyers.
Let’s start with him.
Not all libertarians are fake, just Balko. If he really stuck to his guns about limited government and low taxes all his DC buddies wouldn’t hang out with him (Andrew Sullivan). I bring up AS because he writes books about being a conservative but there isn’t one conservative about him. Why would he do that? Because he’s a one issue man, he wants to walk down the aisle with Bruce Valanch. Same thing with Balko, claims to be a libertarian but his deal is he wants to smoke pot without getting in trouble. That’s it! That’s all he really cares about and by pretending to be a libertarian he might be able to bring a few folks with him.
By the way John McCain is starting to gain some ground by talking about Socialism.
“Given the lengths to which Obama and his supporters will go, today, to attack Joe the Plumber, what do you think they’d do to any opposition if Obama were President?”
Supercat, please feel free to detail the lengths that Obama has gone to discredit and/or attack Joe. I don’t think you can come up with even one.
As for the media investigation into Joe’s background, frankly, McCain is the one to blame for that. McCain is the one who has thrust Joe into the spotlight – he’s the one who made Joe a central theme to the third debate, and he’s the one who continues to invoke Joe’s name at rallies around the country. If the press have taken an interest in Joe and his background, it’s only because McCain has held Joe up as some sort of example – and that’s an action that’s sure to invite media investigation.
There is a sadness to this election that I’ve never before experienced, at least not to this depth. The Democrat party continues its accelerating slide to the left and the Republican party, once being dragged along, is now happily sliding along with them.
In my six decades, I have often heard it said there is not a dime’s worth of difference between the two major parties. I would amend that to say it’s now less than one cent’s worth.
Bush has accepted every bloated funding initiative that the Democrats have larded together and, not to be outdone, has larded up his own. His motto seems to have been, “Veto? What’s a veto? We’re just trying to get along here.”
I consider myself a Libertarian spirit, though I’d prefer that the party itself emphasize something other than the right to smoke dope. In truth, I have given up expecting anyone in Washington to behave reasonably. It may be something in the air there.
So all I’m left with is voting against candidates. This year I have the rare pleasure of voting against both of my senators: Durbin and Obama. If I’m still alive four years from now, perhaps there will be someone on the national ticket whom I can actually endorse.
Yes, Republicans deserve to lose but so do Democrats. Unfortunately there is no box for “none of the above.”
OCO
“Unfortunately there is no box for “none of the above.””
So true.
I also wish this was an option. if it won, then we could ban those who lost to this option from running again and keep going until someone actually beats “none of the above”.
Well, there is the entirety of the LP platform, of which the “right to smoke dope” is expressed in only one location. To wit:
But really, why focus on the positive aspects of the libertarian philosophy when you can focus on the one aspect you dislike?
TJA: Yeah, the Jose Padilla case sure convinced *me* of the closeness in spirit of Republicans and libertarians. So did the secret prisons in which we tortured people abducted off the streets of friendly cities. So did the overt violation of the written law w.r.t. FISA court approval of domestic wiretapping for national security. So did the unending increase in the size of government and the deficit.
Look, the Republicans had complete control of the government for six years. So we don’t just need to listen to their ads to find out what they believe–we can look at what they did. Those guys aren’t libertarian. Not even the ones who haven’t been taking part nationalizing half the financial industry, and handing the other half blank checks.
JWeidner: The media to whom Obama is indebted for his support have worked hard to trash Mr. Wurzelbacher. I wouldn’t care less if some guy who happened to support Obama were engaging in such tactics, but when there is a coordinated effort by those who represent a major portion of Obama’s support, I see that as cause for concern.
As for the notion that McCain dragged Mr. Wurzelbacher into this, Joe the Plumber’s original question was stated as a hypothetical, and McCain’s discussions regarding “Joe the Plumber” are related to the hypothetical question he raised. If McCain were seeking to have the government hire Joe to repair the Capitol rest rooms, Joe’s plumbing credentials would be a valid concern. But in the actual situation!? Whether or not Joe is personally in a position to take over a business with revenue over $250K (note that Obama himself used the term “revenue”) there are many other people who are in such a position. His own personal credentials have nothing to do with the reasonableness of his hypothetical question.