It was a mere four years ago that the Republican Party governed — and I assure you I employ the word "govern" reluctantly — every level of federal government. Few experts construed this to mean that the Democratic Party was forever irrelevant or a rotting cadaver.
What were the future apparatchiks up to as Republicans were busy breaking every promise, crime and piggy bank they could get their paws on?
Well, they did what all enlightened individuals should do: They found themselves. They started blogging. Getting angry. Raising money. Marching. Caring. They began purging impostors and crafting catchy platitudes that the non-ideological voter could digest.
Today a comparable spontaneous grass-roots effort has materialized. This one celebrates free market principles rather than statism. Not surprisingly, there is also a sudden shift in perception. The once-glorified citizen activist is now nothing more than a radical slack-jawed proletariat yokel.
The "tea parties" are ridiculed — the participants demeaned and falsely portrayed as venomous radicals. As we all know by now, deniers of hope and change, by definition, are extremists.
Hey, times change. You have to grow up. Now that longtime liberal Sen. Arlen Specter has defected from the Republican Party, lots of smart people are imploring conservatives to stop scaring away innocent moderates.
It's funny because in 2006, when Democrats purged Joe Lieberman for his traitorous position on a single issue, few know-it-all Beltway types scolded the Democratic Party for its ideological rigidity; fewer moaned about the shrinking size of the tent; and fewer still demanded that Dems be more reasonable and conform with the ruling party in the White House.
Yet Specter, rather than admit that the only way he can win an election is as a Democrat, has perpetuated the following mythical narrative: "Since my election in 1980, as part of the Reagan Big Tent," the Democrat-turned-Republican-turned-Democrat explained, "the Republican Party has moved far to the right." (All of a sudden, Ronald Reagan provided a big tent? Who knew?)
Now, it is true that fiscally conservative ideas are as popular with voters as they are with Specter … but a lurch to the right? Not on economics.
There was no greater friend to expansion of government than former President George W. Bush. I know that because anytime I mention the massive deficit, debt and regulation with which Obama already has saddled us, a helpful Democrat appropriately points out that Bush started it — which apparently makes it all tolerable.
As the left continues to lecture conservatives about their political future — because, after all, Dems have been fully in charge for more than 100 days now — let's recount a couple of facts: The Iraq war was supported by more than 60 percent of Americans. Polls showed wide-ranging support for the Patriot Act. Jimmy Carter was once president.
What's beloved today may be reviled tomorrow. Americans are a fickle bunch.
It's possible that voters who opposed a "stimulus" plan that only stimulated the colossal growth of government will not be the extremists tomorrow. It's possible that citizens who protest against the nationalization of the auto and banking industries will be proved right one day. Who knows? Those nutty protestors with their crazy opposition to the socialization of health care and energy policy may look prescient someday.
Granted, principles won't win you elections. (Just ask Specter.) You need big tents — and clichés about big tents. But if you don't have cause or purpose, what's the point of winning anyway?
David Harsanyi is a columnist at The Denver Post and the author of "Nanny State." Visit his Web site at www.DavidHarsanyi.com. To find out more about David Harsanyi and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.
COPYRIGHT 2009 THE DENVER POST
DISTRIBUTED BY CREATORS SYNDICATE INC.
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3 Comments | Post Comment
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Sir;...Nonsense...The democrats waited for the world to grow sick of the republicans, and now the republicans will wait for the world to grow sick of the democrats...That is what passes for government in this country...We build structures to withstand hurricanes, or earth quakes; but our governments waffle at an unkind word... Our economy; perverting always the natural course of government is like a snake trying to strangle itself while it squeezes the profit out of every imaginable human activity...Our churches and our educational institutions are as durable as they are irrelevant to our success or failure as a society... They offer nothing we cannot live better without...So we mark time with our parties, and all the while time brings us closer to our demise...The whole tragic workings of madness and vanity and fate are a spectacle unequalled to the unenthralled...It is enough to make me wish for an easy chair, an endless bowl of popcorn, a handy fridge of beer, and texas catheter so my seat never grows cold...I am watching the madness on t.v....Thanks...Sweeney
Comment: #1
Posted by: James A, Sweeney
Fri May 1, 2009 7:10 PM
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You "mention the massive deficit, debt and regulation with which Obama already has saddled us" yet I seem to remember that the debt was already run up when Obama was sworn in. In fact, Reagan ran up the worst deficit in our history, which was replaced by a surplus under the Clinton administration, after which W. Bush wiped out the surplus and ran up a larger deficit than Reagan. (And yet some republicans have the gall to say that Bush inherited a recession from Clinton. You can go to Hell for lying, same as stealing.) That's not the only thing I remember about Reagan. I remember that he fired all of the air traffic controllers.
Comment: #2
Posted by: Paul M. Petkovsek
Sun May 3, 2009 1:48 PM
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Folks, the Change, Taxpayers expected, that have a job at present, 'ain't
gonna happen' unless you let the politicians know you're fed up with their
deceit and greed! Taxpayers, of all races, just thought they were fed up
with the Bush Administration! Obama convinced voters he was the man for
President, so in next few months, let's see how he handles economy and stops
doing radical things that's costing trillions!" Americas' debt would have
been drastically reduced from Obamas' two years of campaigning!
Promising to redistribute wealth isn't the answer! Raising taxes on highest
income earners who are private business owners won't create jobs! During
these depressed times, this will accomplish the socialists' goals. Socialist
and Radical changes will haunt America forever!
Taxpayers, of all races. both Democrat and Republican, should have put an end to 'social and welfare
programs', numerous committees and boards. The following shows how socialist
and radical programs took place.
1977 - Community Reinvestment Act. Carter admininstration. The Democratic
Congress intimidated banks into making sub-prime loans to high-risk buyers.
People living off social and welfare programs shouldn't have been pushed
into buying the American dream without working for it.
2000-2008 - Frank, Meeks, Waters, Dodd, Reid, Clinton, Pelosi, (naming a
few) stating "We don't have a crisis. Nothings' wrong with Freddie/Fannie!"
They continue to cover mess up! Raines, Howard, and Johnson were some of
their buddies that walked away with 20-90 million dollar parachutes! Was
this a windfall or what?
2009 - Politicians want infrastructures, new visions. They've admitted these
are temporary solutions. Without manufacturing jobs, we don't need
infrastructures? These manufacturing jobs helped people pay taxes, buy
houses, cars, and kept the economy rolling. Doesn't take a rocket scientist
to figure out Nafta and Cafta played a huge role in the downfall of America!
From 1970 until 2009, the automakers continued 'producing lots of cars'! The
plastic cars cost a fortune. Maintenance and repairs are huge. Didn't the
automakers, politicians, insurance companies and others that profited ever
stop to think about America's future? Who profited besides the plastic
manufacturers?
While I'm on a roll, it's time for AIG, Freddie, Fannie, several banks, GM,
Chrysler, and others taking Taxpayers money, to file bankruptcy, as they
need to learn how to run a private business, thus stopping the politicians
from taking control.
Politicians have some nerve saying that 'stronger government regulatory
power is essential and broader powers are needed by them?' Taxpayers would
be fools to let this happen after what's happened to America! You're not
entitled to any power!
Just think, Obama is now stating 'maybe, his new spending of almost another
four trillions will be partially paid off by 2012!' With What? Oh, I almost
forgot, 2012 is election year!
As for 'Tax & Spend politicians', lets' go back to 50's and 60's, when they all decided the 'give-a-way' social and welfare programs was the thing to do to 'redistribute the wealth!' Did you notice that politicians didn't give any of their wealth up, it keeps going and growing for them, but not for Taxpayers! Gitmo sounds better, all the time, for a future home for all these crooks! Let's fight to keep it open for them!
Comment: #3
Posted by: Shirley deLong
Sun May 3, 2009 4:46 PM
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