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 Reality: America Isn’t ConservativePosted on Aug 23, 2007By Joe Conason As Karl Rove exits stage right with his ruined dreams of rightist hegemony, all the political signs and portents tell us that America is turning the other way. No doubt the departing “boy genius” would dispute that assertion as liberal wishful thinking, as would many on the right. But they cannot so easily dismiss The Economist, an avowedly conservative voice that is among the oldest and most respected periodicals in the world. Framing the shift on the cover of its Aug. 11 issue with a question—“Is America turning left?”—the magazine’s editors conclude in their lead essay that the answer is yes, probably. “Having recaptured Congress last year, the Democrats are on course to retake the presidency in 2008,” says the venerable British weekly, which blames the destruction of the vaunted Republican machine on the ideological excess and breathtaking incompetence of the Bush administration, as well as the sleaziness of the GOP leadership in Congress. The editorial warns fellow conservatives against claiming that George W. Bush failed to fulfill their agenda. The president is a lame duck but not a good scapegoat, because “rather than betraying the right, he has given it virtually everything it craved, from humongous tax cuts to conservative judges.” The worst political errors of the Bush regime, from its ruinous war in Iraq to the awful Terri Schiavo intervention, sprang directly from the brilliant minds of the religious right and the neoconservatives. “Now the American people seem to be reacting to conservative over-reach by turning left. More want universal health insurance; more distrust force as a way to bring about peace; more like greenery; ever more dislike intolerance on social issues.” The magazine also presents a thorough briefing and even more gloomy analysis of the current condition of the American right, noting that conservative activists are openly angry and depressed while Republican officials privately anticipate a “catastrophe” next November. The Economist’s doomsaying is still more persuasive because its top staffers predicted only a few years ago that the Republican right would fulfill the dreams of Rove. Back in 2004, Economist editor John Micklethwait and Washington bureau chief Adrian Wooldridge published “The Right Nation: Conservative Power in America,” a best-selling book that insisted the United States is an inherently conservative country that was only growing more so under the tutelage of a powerful coalition allied with the Republican Party—and that the remnant of American liberals should simply acknowledge their status as a permanent minority relegated to irrelevance. Right-wingers themselves, the authors predicted that the Republicans could expect a bright and boundless future thanks to favorable demographic trends, bolstered by young people who supposedly leaned right regardless of ethnicity, geography, education or profession. Happily, neither Micklethwait nor Wooldridge has paid much for their bad bet. Indeed, the latter is now the magazine’s Washington bureau chief and featured columnist; the former has been promoted to editor in chief. They deserve to be congratulated not only for climbing the professional ladder, but for confronting the political realities that may now be somewhat embarrassing to both of them. The Economist’s editors—and all their once triumphal comrades—might have avoided such foolish predictions if they had paid more attention to the nuances of American politics and less to the self-serving propaganda of the Republican noise machine. They might have noticed, for instance, that despite the outcome of the 2000 presidential election, Al Gore and Ralph Nader together decisively outperformed Bush. Or that Republican power in the Senate owes more to the outsize clout of small states than to a true electoral majority. Opinion surveys have provided copious evidence that contradicted the conventional wisdom about the nation’s political outlook. Astute analysts at Media Matters for America, a liberal watchdog group, recently released “The Progressive Majority: Why a Conservative America Is a Myth,” an exhaustive study of reams of polling data from nonpartisan sources that shows that American voters are not just now becoming more progressive, as 2008 approaches. (See http://mediamatters.org/progmaj/ for the full study.)
On salient issues, despite the plurality of respondents who always identify themselves as “conservative,” the American people have favored progressive policies for many years. With all due respect to The Economist, favorable attitudes toward universal health care, environmental stewardship, economic fairness and social tolerance did not suddenly arrive from nowhere this year or even last year. Support for increasing the minimum wage, keeping abortion legal, strong environmental and consumer protections and higher taxes on the wealthy and corporations are among the most durable results in polls from one decade to the next.
© 2007 Creators Syndicate Inc. Previous item: Only the Little People Pay Taxes Next item: Maliki Doesn't Deserve All the Blame Elsewhere: . CommentsAre you a Truthdig member yet? Login now, or register with Truthdig. Add Your Comment |
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Washington’s Overrated ‘Old Hands’
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By Jaki, August 30, 2007 at 11:52 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
Scott:
Utter hopelessness is exactly what the Rovians want us to feel. Hopelessness leads to inertia and surrender.
The planet (and its inhabitants) are in an evolutionary /revolutionary process. One MUST believe it is meant to move in the direction of sanity, rather than…
Each of us is needed to play our part (from the heart) to harmonize the interconnective web of consciousness. This requires struggles of all sorts, especially the struggle to win the battle against despair and hopelessness and FIGHT BACK. We must all RESIST the temptation to wallow in cynicism or
hopeless/helpless states.
No matter what you do to participate in a helpful way is good. Even blogging. There will come a time when we will one by one get out from behind the computers and get boots to the ground to join with others and take back our country (maybe even save the planet). (Key words: join with others)
The timing will vary. Each will know when. Yours will come. Hang in there.
Report thisBy PatrickHenry, August 29, 2007 at 2:09 pm #
Vote for the person and not the party.
The rhetoric the Democrats and Republicans give each other is only good for sound bites and photo ops. After that they cover each others collective ass (535 of them) as they need each others vote to bring the pork home.
Report thisBy Winghunter, August 29, 2007 at 1:28 am #
(Unregistered commenter)
Bush ONLY delivered on taxes and judges.
Lower taxes brought a landslide of revenue which saved our bacon against the price of the war and increasing the size of government.
The judges have returned to sanity by following our law instead of legislating from the bench.
Now for the negatives: Bush screwed up the Iraq war by not flooding the country with enough troops to get in, get the job done and get the hell out; He increased the size of gevernment; He tried to jam the Shamnesty bill down our throats twice; He placed inexperienced idiots in critical positions who didn’t have the commonsense to cover their butts with competent people immediately under them; He did not take the libertine Congress to the bully pit to stop the nonsense of their incessant investigations motivated by payback for a rightly impeached President wherein all the investigations have proven complete wastes of our time and money. He did not place pressure on both parties and their leadership to rid us of pedophiles and thieves.
The next election will see a large shift to the real right.( The Economist left themselves a Weasal clause for good reason. )
The Presidency will again have a loyal American there to serve instead of dictate.
We will see a huge turnover of RINO’s for true Conservatives whom strictly adhere to the ideals of our founding fathers.
Socialism ( i.e., progressive, Liberal ) has never nor will it ever work as advertised and only upon the failure of mans memory can they fall for the empty and wrongheaded promises of it.
Report thisBy driving bear, August 28, 2007 at 7:56 pm #
Spidey
I have only one thing to say about your last post : Remember the Carter Administration.
Report thisDuring the Carter admin. America had what was called the Misery Index with inflation and unemployment running about 20%. This and not the Iran hostage crisis was the true reason Reagan won in 80& 84 by hugh landslides
By driving bear, August 28, 2007 at 7:49 pm #
Conservative Yankee
Report thisI do not know about NH, Here i the south Social issues are very important to the Voters and have helped the GOP win and keep control here. Also when the GOP loses here they lose to a Dixiecrat who are very conservative on social issues.
The voters here also know that the conservative reforms like welfare under Bill Clinton were due in great part to a true conservative GOP congress.
By spidey, August 28, 2007 at 6:48 am #
Funny thing about conservatives and liberals when it comes to economics. There hasn’t been a depression in this country since the conservative Anti-Christ,FDR, instituted the reforms to protect the capitalists from themselves. Strangely enough, our business savvy republicans were in power,usually via congress, when prior to 1929, we had a depression or panic just about every 20 years. I can’t help but notice how shaky the American economy has gotten ever since the heady days of St.Ronnie. We’d better dump the repubs before we have another depression and hopefully, the next dem prez won’t be quite the idiot that Bill Clinton was when he signed NAFTA.
Report thisBy Conservative Yankee, August 28, 2007 at 5:47 am #
(Unregistered commenter)
Driving Bear;
While I agree with you about Hill-the-shill and about conservatism in general, I draw the line at “this administration” and “the social issues” take.
Historically conservatives have been anti-intervention and parsimonious. They have also been encouraging to poor folks who wanted, and were trying to “climb the ladder. Conservative administrations (like those of Calvin Coolidge, Dwight Eisenhower, and Richard Nixon) expanded opportunities to poorer citizens wanting opportunity but NOT a hand-out.
Most conservatives know that a restless angry underclass is not in the best interests of economic stability. For this reason large employers from the past have been able to assimilate black, brown and yellow folks who were willing to work.
The conservatives are losing “market share” to “middle-of-the-roaders”. One of the major reasons for this shift is the unholy (pardon the pun) alliance between the religious rightists and the fiscal conservatives (flinty New England tightwads among whom I proudly number myself) Note the loss of New Hampshire, long one of the most conservative states in the Nation. During the last election, it’s State House and Governorship, faded from red to blue. I believe the loss in New Hampshire is directly due to this administration is hemorrhaging money, and to the imposition of “social strictures” REAL conservatives do NOT look into their neighbor’s business UNLESS it is effecting their own. Abortion, gay this-or-that, an individual’s right to die do not touch me or mine… They may (IMHO) do as they wish. What does hit me and my family hard is our loss of constitutional rights… and if you are a U.S. Conservative, but not a “royalist” The constitution should be your document. I know it is mine.
Report thisBy farmertx, August 28, 2007 at 3:22 am #
Obviously Diving Bare has used that Masters Degree to compound his own version of LSD.
Report thisBecause he sure can’t see reality.
Just like Godsend and others, it is useless to debate them.
Their superior intellect is beyond the ken of mere mortals...kinda like the Shrubs’. And we all see where that led to.
By driving bear, August 27, 2007 at 8:06 pm #
Gogogeo
I know that the truth is upsetting to you libs. I tell you the truth and in the famous words of Jack Nicholas “ You can’t handle the truth “. As a lifelong republican and a collage grad ( MS biochemistry 94 ) I am simply smarter that you.
Report thisBy gogogeo, August 27, 2007 at 5:05 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
Driving Bear (bare?), you are sorely in need of some education (aside from reading bumper stickers). I don’t know if you are just some kid trying to chime in with the adults or if you are trying to type too fast, but you NEED spellcheck. You won’t be taken seriously here (nor your political points) if you can’t display some sort of literacy. The truth is, you don’t know why you are a “conservative” or what being a conservative really means. Let me try to enlighten you. A Conservative (should) be a person that believes in self-determination and self-sufficiancy. You are free to be what you want and owe nothing to anyone, no obligations, “pull yourself up by your ‘bootstraps’”. This is NOT what Republicans stand for. They take from the weak, give to the wealthy by duping us into wars, trade agreements and “tax cuts”. Do you see, Bear?
Report thisBy cyrena, August 26, 2007 at 8:08 am #
#96977 by PatrickHenry on 8/26 at 7:05 am
Greetings from California,
We did get some good news on the voting machines. But then, it was immediately followed by bad news. The repugs are trying to hijack our blue state by rigging up some electoral process, (that won’t apply to the rest of the states) that would force us to split our electoral votes between the candidates, instead of the old system, (which needs improvement but it needs to be nation wide)where the winner of the most votes in the State gets all of the electoral votes.
We have some really low-lifed republicans here in California, so this is very bad news. We’re hoping we can keep it from happening.
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/082207C.shtml
Report thisBy PatrickHenry, August 26, 2007 at 7:05 am #
The best news I’ve heard in a while was that California had decertified the diebold and ESS electronic voting machines.
The reason is that the machines and the subsequent software “updates” were being installed without state supervision or certification just prior to local elections.
These machines, without a paper reciept to verify a vote and allow a recount, represent the most serious threat to undermine our democracy, bar none.
The old tactic of ballot box stuffing by corrupt polititians has reached a new level.
Report thisBy driving bear, August 25, 2007 at 10:08 pm #
To Louise
Report thisHillary Clinton a Leader that the best joke I heard in a long time . She could not get elected dog catcher on her own , and the only reason she is a senator and has a shot at the white house is because she is married to bill.
As for the social issues the dems don’t have a leg to stand on there. For example on health care the dems and left report that 47 million dont have insurance.
Guess what that means 253 million America do and this 253 million dont want hillary or the dems to F up their present coverge.
The dems lose an the moral issues too like abortion an gay marriage
So with out the antiwar boost the dems are in trouble and they know it
By driving bear, August 25, 2007 at 10:08 pm #
To Louise
Report thisHillary Clinton a Leader that the best joke I heard in a long time . She could not get elected dog catcher on her own , and the only reason she is a senator and has a shot at the white house is because she is married to bill.
As for the social issues the dems don’t have a leg to stand on there. For example on health care the dems and left report that 47 million dont have insurance.
Guess what that means 253 million America do and this 253 millon dont want hillary or the dems to F up their present coverge.
The dems lose an the moral issues too like abortion an gay marriage
So with out the antiwar boost the dems are in trouble and they know it
By Louise, August 25, 2007 at 9:22 pm #
I feel bad.
I made an unkind observation on another post and immediately it was taken as a cue to attack Hillary!
Now mind you, I really truly hope Hillary is not the democrat candidate, but not because I don’t like her.
Here’s why.
Like Kerry, she’s been targeted and like Kerry, I worry she doesn’t know that.
She was selected by the media within hours of Bill leaving the White House. In fact she had to constantly defend herself from attacks about her motives when she was running for the Senate.
In my view, that means two things:
First: The repubs want her to be the candidate, because the hate and attacks, previously for no reason, are already in place. So you can bet the repub pack of dogs have everything ready to go and will try to destroy her. That is after all how they do politics.
Second: The constant hype may have convinced her she is the candidate of choice, and she knows how to run a campaign. But neither of those facts qualify her to clean up the mess repub leadership has created, unless she gets rid of all her advisers and starts being herself!
She is thick-skinned and gutsy but able to hold her aggression in check. And at the same time, she is smart, compassionate and forgiving. And she doesn’t give a damn whether or not she looks or walks or even talks the way her critics [myself included] think she should. She is far more focused on what she does, than how she appears.
Those qualities make her a leader. But, she is trapped in the machine that listens to pollsters and pundits and sometimes really bad advise. All based on a perception of what republican voters want, and those dim-bulbs don’t have a clue what republican WOMEN want!
Which when you think about it, neither do the repub candidates. After all women are not really valued by them. Just used!
And of course, she is trapped in a media controlled environment. I suspect there are times when she would love to turn around and tell those phony bastards where to go ... in very graphic terms.
Her influence helped Bill do the right things, but I think Bill is out of his element trying to guide her. I suspect she is far superior in that area.
She should listen to her own instincts and tell her advisers to get lost!
And of course none of this has anything to do with being presidential. But these days, given the almost daily ‘circus parade’ of candidates, what on this green [wet and burning] earth does?
Personally I think we need to call a six month moratorium on campaigning and take care of business.
Something that hasn’t been done since the repubs first gained control of the Legislature.
Thanks Newt ... for putting that contract out on us!
Report thisBy cyrena, August 25, 2007 at 9:17 pm #
#96940 by driving bear on 8/25 at 8:27 pm
Alas driving bear,
It’s not only about the war. Clearly that appears to be the main concern most voiced in the media, and of course it’s what has been framed as the reasons the dems were able to take control of the Congress in 2006.
However, there are overwhelmingly other factors and reasons for why the GOP will never control the next Congress. Sadly, not all voters have the war as their first concern, and I have to imagine that most voters have not been able to ignore the crumbling of our entire institution, under this most corrupt and sinister administration, and the GOP that supported and covered-up their crimes for the first 6 years.
Voters aren’t going to ignore the disappearance of jobs, their lack of health coverage, or the fact that they have to work three jobs just to barely squeek by, IF they’re lucky enough to have one. Other voters may be more concerned about the destruction of the Constitution under this gang, or the spying, or the political undermining of the entire justice department.
So no, I don’t think you’re predictions have a snowball’s chance in hell of becoming a reality. Do you not see that the Rovian plan is in full blow back, and that it’s effectively taken the entire party down? What he didn’t screw up, cheney certainly has. Nope...I think we at least don’t have a GOP majority of anything to deal with in the future. We’d never survive. Matter of fact, we may not survive the next 16 months of them.
Report thisBy driving bear, August 25, 2007 at 8:27 pm #
I think everyone should stop and look at the results of the 2006 election real close especially the Senate.
Report thisLook at two of the Dems pick up’s Webb In VA won the election by 0.3% and The Dem senator of Montana won by 0.6% . Also several of the house seats the dems won were by similar margins, and the dems had a antiwar boost.
Since the election the dems have done nothing to end the war. Therefore I think the Dems will not repeat will not have the benefit of the anti war vote in 08.
Therefore I look for the GOP to retake control of the senate and keep the white house and possibly retake the house
By cyrena, August 25, 2007 at 6:26 pm #
#96916 by Benjamin on 8/25 at 3:50 pm
I care Benjamin,
But, aren’t we putting the cart before the horse here a bit? I mean, Hillary isn’t our democratic candidate just yet. Can we at least get through the primaries first?
I have to acknowledge that if we should wind up with her, that it could be problematic, in that she probably WOULD involve us in as many wars as we are now engaged. That’s not a certainty like it would be with all of the Repugs, but it’s definitely got some probability to it.
Still, we know that any Dem is going to halt the war, including Hillary, even if it’s only “temporary” (like this redeploy option)
So, wouldn’t (or shouldn’t) there be some thought as to how she (or any of the other candidates) plan to deal with the issues that we all face right here, and everyday? I mean, besides the war, what else is she likely to do that would make a difference?
I’m curious because I’ve been hearing for years now, how so many people despise Hillary, (always men) and yet none have ever been able to provide any objective reasons. Then I guess I shouldn’t expect any, from anyone who expresses their dislike in such passionate terms as “despise” or “hate”, or whatever.
I mean, I could go on record as despising Boy George, (or more realistically, dick cheney) and if somebody asked me why I felt such intense dislike, such as, “Well, what did they ever do to you”?, and I would have hefty volumes of “evidence”, as would the 300 million or so other US citizens, not to mention the rest of the world.
But with Hillary, I can’t find anything like that, because she’s never had that sort of power, to do that kind of evil. If she has, then I just haven’t been aware of it.
So, while I can certainly disagree with some of her positions, (like the fact that she initially voted in favor of this war action, and refused to back down even later) I’m still at a loss to understand the basis for the hate that she has generated, for actually long before any of this war stuff came up. I know people that have hated her since she was a First Lady. But, they’ve never said why.
Just curious.
Report thisBy Benjamin, August 25, 2007 at 3:50 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
If all the liberals who despise Hillary as GOP-lite refuse to vote for her, then the Republican might still take the White House in 2008. I might be one of them. If you follow Hillary’s rhetoric carefully, she is as likely to get us involved in more war as any Republican. Unfortunately, too many Democrats don’t seem aware of this, or don’t care.
Report thisBy cyrena, August 25, 2007 at 3:37 pm #
#96822 by Louise on 8/25 at 5:57 am
Thanks for the words of wisdom Louise.
I think these are things that so many folks fail to consider, on a number of ends...particularly the whole “involvement” issue. Just exactly where does one find the time to engage in the demonstrating and protesting, when one has the survival of their own at stake? What of our kids, who need us to keep working to put food on the table and a roof over their heads? Yes...trapped.
And, what if they were able and willing to “participate” even during off-times, and even bring the kids along? Well, there’s a problem there as well, because I can’t count the number of people I know who have been discharged from their jobs for participation in such activities, even on their own time!! Is that against the law? Well, OF COURSE it is, and what exactly can we do about it? (There are several million of us wondering). Trapped.
So, it came to me a long time ago, that since I’d already fallen victim to this, and now have little more to lose, and don’t have kids of my own to be responsible for....I might as well be the one in the demonstrations, so that they can continue to work. (of course I claim disabled/elderly status when we’re deciding who’s gonna volunteer to be arrested at any given gathering). And yep, that’s really sad too, eh? We have to “plan” on being arrested in the course of exercising our Constitutional rights to feedom of assembly.
Still, that’s one way to divide the chores involved in getting that level playing field that we all so desperately need, since lifting all boats is the only way to save ourselves.
Report thisBy mary, August 25, 2007 at 10:28 am #
Great post Louise #96822. You really nailed it. Any thing we can do to be more involved will help. Actually, I am more concerned Americans will see no solutions to any of our problems and therefore lose all hope. Small as they may seem, gains are gains. We absolutely have to stay involved anyway we can......
Report thisBy PatrickHenry, August 25, 2007 at 9:08 am #
On Sept 15 there is a march on Washington to stop the war. Be there.
If the draft was happening now, the city would be on fire.
This country needs another direction than being the number one exporter of armaments in the world and the number one meddler in other nations affairs to affect armament sales.
Report thisBy farmertx, August 25, 2007 at 7:10 am #
Louise
Report thisDamned apt posting.
Food for thought for a lot of folks. ‘Cept too many of them won’t bother. Of course, most of those won’t read such blogs as these.
By Louise, August 25, 2007 at 5:57 am #
With a few notable exceptions, the comments here are all pretty much right on. So what exactly are we?
Conservatives believe they believe in God, love, tolerance and traditional values.
Liberals believe they believe in a level playing field for all, love, tolerance and traditional values.
And lest I offend, a good many liberals believe they believe in God.
So, except for that level playing field aren’t we all the same?
But everybody who’s fair-minded believes in a level playing field right? Even conservatives!
So what’s the problem?
For what it’s worth, here’s what I think.
I think we are all conservative liberals.
OK, I know but think about it ...
We all want a better world, more opportunity for self improvement. The chance for a better income. We all want a better plan for health care. We all want a fair share of the wealth [what’s left of it] We all want to see a strong economy and a strong educational system. We all want our kids to stop dying in the Middle East. We all feel a little pain when we read about a family accidentally getting blown up.
So what’s the difference?
The difference is in the perception of how we can get from here to there.
Devout religious people think God will get us there. A cop-out that allows lack of personal intervention to correct things. And, allows someone who claims to be divinely guided to acquire great power.
Also religion teaches “poor” is good, “rich” is bad. A fact that doesn’t slow down the wealthy who go to church for one second, but a fact that goes a long way to keeping the poor in line.
Likewise devout atheists or agnostics think the whole system is corrupt so until “someone else” comes up with a plan to fix it, they can’t be bothered ... other than to remind us all how bad it really is.
But even that is an over-simplification.
A neighbor put it in perspective for me when she said, “I know what’s going on. I also know if I don’t show up to work every morning in a few weeks me and my kids will be on the street. You find the time for me to march, and help me find someone to watch my kids, and some way to keep the bills paid while I’m doing it, and I’ll march!”
Like our military in Iraq, we are trapped!
And in the final analysis, that my friends is the pay-off people like Karl Rove have been lying and cheating and manipulating and twisting and fixing for! Getting us trapped!
And now that he can see the success of his efforts, he is moving on to make sure he and his co-conspirators preserve it.
So watch, because while it may feel good to believe his leaving the administration signals a victory for the “liberal” side, it only signals a new approach to the same plan.
Remember the sage observation, “Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
Rove and his associates, the “conservative” media and all the conservative “think” tanks still have the power.
Otherwise a good many of them would be facing criminal charges!
By the way, dems do show up to vote. The problem is their votes don’t get counted! Another fact the media chooses to ignore!
Report thisBy Scott, August 24, 2007 at 10:24 pm #
When power is in the presence of wealth it should be regarded with deep suspicion and mistrust.
With the technology we have today people could effectively chip their representatives and wire them to the Internet 24/7. Everyone should be Big Brother.
Orwellian notions of who should be monitoring who need to be completely turned on their head. That would represent a truly revolutionary paradigm in my opinion.
Perhaps this might lead to a dystopia of a different kind but I’m game for just about any change. Right now I feel like I’m trapped in the trunk of a car being driven off a cliff into a deep dark abyss.
I feel utterly hopeless most of the time.
Report thisBy TL Anderson, August 24, 2007 at 8:20 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
Y’all must know that Rove and Schlozman are taking a week off before they sell their services to the Repuke ordained candidate. All of the recent leavings are only designed to allow a front-loading of the 1000 year Reich. The new States Attorneys General are silently waiting their marching orders, and the California fix is going to win it for them.
Report thisBy DennisD, August 24, 2007 at 2:43 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
A vote for either the left or right is like trying to decide which turn signal to use when you’re still parked in the driveway. Our destination is what should concern us.
Report thisViewed from a very simple individual perspective - ask yourself what has either party done in the last 40 - 50 years that has made your life that much better. With the technology this country has produced, tax dollars taken in, etc. we should be a utopia or pretty damn close. Are we?
Voting independent is the only way to change the status quo short of a revolution which is the only other option to remove our entrenched oligarchy.
By blueshift, August 24, 2007 at 11:11 am #
The fallacy is that the American voter has a say in this, or any, national election. The media-political complex determines the candidates, and presents their choices to us for ratification. They even present us with helpful hints, such as polls, so we will vote accordingly, and political ‘analysis’ which is merely the output of campaign spin machines repackaged as ‘news.’ (Anderson Cooper? Bill Oh Really?, Suzanne Malveaux? these are journalists? Of course not! They’re entertainers. In the way the Ginzu Knife pitchman is an entertainer. They are trying to get you to buy something.)
What the Economist is really saying is that the conservatives running as Democrats more closely fulfill the brand, so they are willing to anoint the ‘left’ even though Hillary is not left at all.
Report thisBy ocjim, August 24, 2007 at 9:09 am #
Before anyone jumps in jubilation, let’s survey the damage and assess how much the Democrats will do to erase the damage done by BushCo. During beleaguered Carter’s time and beleaguered Clinton’s time not much was done to bring fairness back to our system after Reagan. We have an even more apartheid system now, a massive gulf between the rich and the poor. Democrats are already indebted to rich lobbyist and corporate interests. Where does that leave the less connected citizens?
Some examples: in Canada, Bush and his herding of dissenters away from those in power. Those in power can blithely ignore and mute the wishes of the majority (Iraq War), having control over the sound track of the apartheid dissenters.
This apartheid has always been with us in the sense of dual justice: a justice for the poor and a justice for the rich. The poor and the sick go to prison (witness the burgeoning prison population)where they can’t bother the rich. The rich get slaps on the wrist in private. The media makes sure that the majority doesn’t witness the thievery, drunkedness, disertion, and fraud of the rich. Examples loom: George Bush—DUI, disertion, insider trading, lying, Neil Bush—thievery in the Silverado S&L;, Jeb Bush—thievery in the Broward S&L;, George sR—influence peddling, Reagan—Iran Contra, Nixon—pardoned. Apartheid dissension, justice, military service, bankruptcy laws, taxes.
We are slowly getting into a tyrannical state: a gulf separating the rich and the poor.
Will we let this continue?
Report thisBy JOEY, August 24, 2007 at 4:39 am #
(Unregistered commenter)
don’t count karl rove out. he has had 6 years examining the electorate with NSA computers. and can still steal any election he wants.
Report thisThe press couldn’t come up with anything but praise as he slithered out the door.
By driving bear, August 24, 2007 at 12:00 am #
In reference to waxman 96636
Did I hit a nerve
I sorry the Truth Hurts does it not.
Thanks to my education at the hands of republicans I see and speak the truth.
And the fact that the leader so far in the democratic polls MS. Clinton is described as republican lite speaks for itself
Report thisBy GW=MCHammered, August 23, 2007 at 11:52 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
Vote them ALL OUT: the short stiff vicious Dicks and their limp tool ass sidekicks. C’mon America, there are more CHOICES than the two stage performers, donkeys and phants. Turn this filthy critter on its ear in ‘08.
Report thisBy G.Anderson, August 23, 2007 at 10:56 pm #
Unfornately, this hasn’t been thought through all the way. Just because America seems to be rejecting Bush’s brand of conservativism. That doesn’t mean that we are ready for a left turn.
It wouldn’t take much to refraim things by saying that since Bush wasn’t a real conservative, but just a manipulative politician, real conservative politics hasn’t had it’s chance
Lots of American’s who would never have voted for a Republican, may be driven to do just that, by Hillary Clinton, and fears that she would be a left wing version of Bush. Maybe that’s why she’s doing her best to “hug the center”.
Report thisBy waxman, August 23, 2007 at 10:09 pm #
driving bear #96608..YOUR COMMENT ABOUT BUSH VOTERS KNOWING HOW TO MARK A BALLOT SAYS IT ALL ABOUT THE PROBLEM HERE IN OUR COUNTRY.. I’LL BET A DEMOCRAT TAUGHT THE ‘PUBICLICAN HOW TO READ AND WRITE..AZZHOLE..
Report thisBy Debra Istvanik-Strotman, August 23, 2007 at 9:58 pm #
I can’t abide a republican. Since Regan was president, I could see that these wacko’s were out to destroy our country. Especially this bunch of corrupt anti-americans in the White House right now.
Bush has some of you believing only republicans believe in God; and some of you are gullible enough to buy into that.
It used to be the candidate we voted for, not the party, but since Bush, I will vote for the best democrat and never vote for a republican. The pubs can thank Bush for that.
Report thisBy Lefty, August 23, 2007 at 8:37 pm #
Unfortunately, America is not turning left. It is turning its collective noses up at the repukelican “culture of corruption” and hypocricy. And the left is benefiting . . . for now.
Report thisBy joey, August 23, 2007 at 8:28 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
Any democrat that is running for anything should get a copy of the young Karl Rove tape, with horn rimmed glasses and tosseled hair, talking about how to corrupt American youth and turn them into zealots and religious freaks . This tape should be #1 on you tube.
Report thisBy driving bear, August 23, 2007 at 5:44 pm #
As for Bush voters be insane I have only one thing to say.
At least Bush voters have enough since to mark a ballot, Unlike the Gore voters in Florida
Report thisBy PatrickHenry, August 23, 2007 at 5:16 pm #
No incumbents.
Send a message.
We have to get new ideas in the public offices and get rid of the dynasties wherever they are.
Report thisBy Enemy of State, August 23, 2007 at 3:44 pm #
Well, maybe. As others have mentioned we have had a problem with getting liberals to vote. Especially the younger Americans, who are more liberal haven’t been voting in large enough numbers (06 was up a bit, but the continuance of that uptrend is crucial). There are still things that could scupper 08. A good terrorist attack followed up with clever fear mongering for one.
The economists predictions have not always been good. Most famously back in the late 90’s they forcast that oil was going to be $5 a barrel now!
Report thisBy Tom Semioli, August 23, 2007 at 2:47 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
Reality: America is no longer a democracy: we live under a corporate monarchy. Democrats and Republicans are simply actors in the theater of the absurd. Elections are farcical. But, to quote a wise old bard: “it’s not dark yet, but it’s getting there...”
Report thisBy Montino Bourbon, August 23, 2007 at 2:32 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
“There is a growing movement to restrict folks with mental illness from voting. “
There goes bush’s political base!
Report thisBy Marshall K, August 23, 2007 at 8:24 am #
Today’s conservatives are not really conservative. Old style conservatives are in favor of small central government, fiscal responsibility and personal freedoms. These people have brought us the Patriot Act, warrantless wiretapping, No Child Left Behind, record deficits to fund pork, etc, ad nauseum.
Report thisCall them the irresponsible, intolerant, fascist radicals that they are.
By farmertx, August 23, 2007 at 7:32 am #
Re:#96518 by ~B~ on 8/23 at 7:02 am
(50 comments total)
Amen.
Report thisCandidates, not the Party, are important.
And we do have a very long road ahead, regardless of who is elected.
It won’t be easy. It will take co-operation on all sides to acheive.
By ~B~, August 23, 2007 at 7:02 am #
Independents will likely do well vs. Dems where there are IN candidates. Otherwise people will probably go with the Dem over a Rep.
I myself hope for more independent candidates. The Dems have proven to be nothing more than Republican party enablers.
I don’t think the Dems are doing themselves any good in Congress. I think many voters feel betrayed from the previous election as the Dems have done nothing for the mandate they were handed - Impeachment, Protection of our Rights, and getting us out of Iraq.
This will cost them many votes when it is possible. Unfortunately there isn’t much of a third choice so the Dems will be the lesser of two evils for many voters. Methinks both parties need to die off.
This nation needs to vote for candidates not for parties. There are a few good candidates on both sides of the fence. Maybe if it wasn’t locked up in a virtual Duopoly we would find more [don’t hold your breath but maybe even better] candidates.
We have a LONG road to get back to sanity let alone to get back on the right path.
B
http://b-political.blogspot.com/
Report thisBy GodSend, August 23, 2007 at 6:53 am #
Americans aren’t conservative OR liberal, Republicans OR Democrats: Americans are DOOMED!
The politicians who control America are ZIONISTS - from all other parties. Just like Joseph Lieberman, they have ‘loyalties which are greater than my party’. Loyalty to Israel and Zionism, to be specific.
Where will that lead America?
There are 3 places where you can find out:
(1) http://www.conspiracypenpal.com/columns/tipping.htm
(2) http://novalight.org
(3) http://www.lasttrumpetministries.org
Report thisBy farmertx, August 23, 2007 at 6:37 am #
I have to wonder just how much the Democrat’s will actually gain, unless they start addressing the real issues facing them.
Report thisRight now, they are playing politics as usual. Holding hearings to try and show how bad the GOP is.
We already know that.
What we need now is some real action, starting with impeachment of the Shootist, followed immediately by the Shrub.
Getting those two out will do more than any hearing or investigation could ever hope to achieve.
But the Democrat’s (too many of them, that is) are more interested in the special interests that fund them than they are in what their constituents say.
Nancy talked the talk when she was elected Speaker. Then threw it all away when she went to that big fund raiser. Anybody paying $10,000 for a dinner and speech is looking to get some special attention.
Maybe those who do it for an established charity would be the exception.
By William Loeb, August 23, 2007 at 6:23 am #
(Unregistered commenter)
Guess what:
America IS a conservative nation. 94% believe in God.
86 precent believe in the capitalist economic system.
Depending how the question is worded abortion as a woman’s right enjoys a small majority on one side or the other.
We generally believe in treating children as adults for purposes of criminal prosecution.
72% majority support the death penalty.
There is a growing movement to restrict folks with mental illness from voting.
The Democrats who gave the Senate their majority are generally more conservative than the Republicans they replaced. (there are exceptions)
Sommewhere around 56% of Americans would sacrifice some of their rights for more security.
The war (like Vietnam) is a passing event. It dosen’t seem so to younger people, but it is. When the war is over, the young (concerned with paying off college loans and starting families)will again turn right...just as they did in the eighties.
A British citizen (not mentioned in the article above) Once said “A boy not a Liberal at 18 has no heart, A man not a conservative by 60 has no head” Winston Churchill knew something about the world....and..... our country has an ageing population.
Report thisBy Steve, August 23, 2007 at 6:19 am #
(Unregistered commenter)
If the country is turning more progressive (as I believe it should be) why are most of the front running Democrats still pandering to the right. Why do they take the center which means they stand for nothing at all; Republican lites that is all the moderates are. Why should anyone vote for them?
Report thisBy R.Glasspoole, August 23, 2007 at 5:58 am #
(Unregistered commenter)
This is something most honest observers have always known. However, it remains irrelevant. The left/progressives are by their very nature splintered and unorganized. Trying to get them to vote as a block is like herding cats. Then there is the fact that only a small portion of people vote. If we could get 80-90% turnout progessives would rule.
Report thisFurthermore, as pointed out, the system is rigged in favor of conservatives. This has been exacerbated by effective campaigns by conservatives to block large numbers of people from voting and more recently by the manipulation of electronic voting. Then there is the fact that the majority of what we refer to as conservatives are really fascists: they desire authoritarian rule and blindly follow the directions of the party hacks. I live in a very rural area of Blue NY, but here the very people who are being truly hurt by conservative rule still vote with the rich and powerful. One reason, and this is true throughout the US in my opinion, is the stronger influence of religion in this country. Most religion, by definition, trains people to follow leaders without thinking and without question.
Another issue is the lack of a free press and the unrelenting conservative propaganda that the MSM shoves down our throats. Even if polls show people support progressive ideas, when they vote there is a disconnect and they support candidates who are out of step with those ideas. Just look at the current Democrats in Congress and the Presidential race.
Finally, I cannot help but be disheartened by the consistent 30%, almost 1 in 3, who still strongly support the current administration. This 30% votes as a block and when the Republicans present a candidate, he is guaranteed this block of votes coming out of the gate. Progressive votes are divided amongst at least two and usually more candidates.
By Marjorie L. Swanson, August 23, 2007 at 4:39 am #
If Consumer protections are on the front burner for all Americans, not just those on the left then Conservatism is in deep, deep trouble. Republicans might let Big Business get away with poisoning their toothpaste, poison their kids with lead paint on their toys but when they threaten Fido, well that’s just going a step too far. Unless Wal-Mart has a sale on poisoned pet food and it’s really, really cheap.
Report thisBy THOMAS BILLIS, August 23, 2007 at 2:34 am #
(Unregistered commenter)
People finally have seen consevativism up close and have come to the conclusion you can’t put lipstick on this pig.The liberals owe a great debt to George Bush.The only problem I see is that liberalism has been defined as Hillary Clinton and that ain’t close to the truth.Hopefully the democrats will capitalize on the Republican neo conservative downfall by being FDR and LBJ liberals.In other words Democrats and not Republican lite.I hope in any Democratic administration that Russ Feibgold plays a prominent role a true liberal in the Paul Wellstone mold.
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