Why are conservatives whining so much?
February 23rd 2009 20:45
What has the American conservative movement so miffed? From Sean Hannity to Rush Limbaugh to the average conservative on the street, they are livid. Is it because their policies were so roundly rebuked? Their standard bearer, George Bush, was so soundly set aside, and may, possibly, still be held to account for crimes and misdeeds? One could expect some hurt feelings, but damn - there's a point at which it becomes ridiculous.
If one can bear for a few moments to listen to Sean Hannity you would think it's the end of America. The other shills- Limbaugh, Savage, Levin, and the rest are the same. Obama is a communist, America is going socialist, and the rich are under attack.
Well, actually, the rich are just fine. No one is suggesting they be dragged out into the streets and shot. They do, however, need to be reigned in and held to account if they have been part of causing the economic collapse. And they need to be told, in no uncertain terms, that there will no longer be an exclusive American elite. No longer will the super rich be able to live above the law and above tax obligations. And yes, their tax obligations should be substantially bigger as they use the resources of the country to a much greater degree. Of course the economy hasn't degraded enough that the rich will be reigned in. But it is getting worse, so dare to dream!
But back to conservative whining. It seems to be reaching a fever pitch. Some on the fringe are even calling for armed revolution in response to the Obama presidency, or even more unbelievable, the slight chance Mr. Bush might be held accountable. What ever happened to supposedly being a "nation of laws?" The double standard stinks more than the G.W. Bush sewage treatment plant! As if asking that laws be applied to those who for so long so themselves as above them is a bad thing!
Fact is, the American conservative movement has seen it's zenith. The damage done to the country, the economy, our international standing, and the general well-being has really started to come home to roost. Reaganomics and "trickle down" have been discredited to all but the stalwart ideologues. Most Americans now realize economies, and countries, are built from a strong foundation and grow up out of that.
Worker's rights are coming into focus again, real health care reform is on the horizon, America is rejoining the community of civilized nations, and conservatives want none of it. I think the reasons are as much about losing relevancy as they are about real ideals. They see their influence dwindling, their ideals rejected, and it scares the hell out of them.
Since Reagan conservative trends have dominated economic thinking, even, to a large degree, during the Clinton years. Now, everyone from "Joe Six Pack" to economic planners worldwide are rethinking their previous acceptance of cowboy capitalism and are looking to be more socially effective.
America is moving from a country fairly split down the middle to a country with a firm majority leaning "liberal" and a decreasing, albeit vocal, conservative minority. And while one of the firm principles of democracy must be protection of minority views, conservatives need to realize they no longer can run roughshod over the political landscape. The rest of us welcome their views, but also realize our time has come
If one can bear for a few moments to listen to Sean Hannity you would think it's the end of America. The other shills- Limbaugh, Savage, Levin, and the rest are the same. Obama is a communist, America is going socialist, and the rich are under attack.
Well, actually, the rich are just fine. No one is suggesting they be dragged out into the streets and shot. They do, however, need to be reigned in and held to account if they have been part of causing the economic collapse. And they need to be told, in no uncertain terms, that there will no longer be an exclusive American elite. No longer will the super rich be able to live above the law and above tax obligations. And yes, their tax obligations should be substantially bigger as they use the resources of the country to a much greater degree. Of course the economy hasn't degraded enough that the rich will be reigned in. But it is getting worse, so dare to dream!
But back to conservative whining. It seems to be reaching a fever pitch. Some on the fringe are even calling for armed revolution in response to the Obama presidency, or even more unbelievable, the slight chance Mr. Bush might be held accountable. What ever happened to supposedly being a "nation of laws?" The double standard stinks more than the G.W. Bush sewage treatment plant! As if asking that laws be applied to those who for so long so themselves as above them is a bad thing!
Fact is, the American conservative movement has seen it's zenith. The damage done to the country, the economy, our international standing, and the general well-being has really started to come home to roost. Reaganomics and "trickle down" have been discredited to all but the stalwart ideologues. Most Americans now realize economies, and countries, are built from a strong foundation and grow up out of that.
Worker's rights are coming into focus again, real health care reform is on the horizon, America is rejoining the community of civilized nations, and conservatives want none of it. I think the reasons are as much about losing relevancy as they are about real ideals. They see their influence dwindling, their ideals rejected, and it scares the hell out of them.
Since Reagan conservative trends have dominated economic thinking, even, to a large degree, during the Clinton years. Now, everyone from "Joe Six Pack" to economic planners worldwide are rethinking their previous acceptance of cowboy capitalism and are looking to be more socially effective.
America is moving from a country fairly split down the middle to a country with a firm majority leaning "liberal" and a decreasing, albeit vocal, conservative minority. And while one of the firm principles of democracy must be protection of minority views, conservatives need to realize they no longer can run roughshod over the political landscape. The rest of us welcome their views, but also realize our time has come
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Comment by RubySoho
Music Zone
Thought Zone
Comment by Morgan Bell
Science News
Deep Pencil
Business News
Movie Train
Artist Quirk
a true conservative would be all about thinking things through and not making rash decisions and slowing change for the purpose of examining it properly
i dont think your Republicans are economic conservatives, and socially i think they going backwards, like they want life to be a historical reenactment of the dark ages
i wonder if there is a major movement of Creationists or Pro-Lifers in any other developed democracy? like with regards to fundraising, elected officials, and media attention . . . even majority Catholic nations seem to have less destructive groups dictating the direction of their society
im so glad for the majority of Americans who no longer have to compromise for the "values" of the crazy minority who seemed to hold all the power there for awhile
Comment by Janet Collins
Acceptable Etiquette
The Social Critic
Janet Collins Blog
Sometimes it takes something as bad as what is happening to wake people up really. And the "crazy minority" held all the power for more than a while.
Returning to sense? I hope so.
Comment by Jim Stillman
Political Certainty
I have been following Glenn Beck's call for a real revolution, Sean Hannity's looking for a new Civil War and Rush's prayer that the new President fail and, I assume, that the United States also fail.
When I was younger, a popular T-Shirt for toddlers stated "My name is No-No" and this is the route taken by the GOP. I have often spoken of the need for a responsible rational opposition party. The far right is choosing to refuse a role in governing.
It's a damn shame.
Comment by Anonymous
I feel that without an equally prominate conservative party the checks and balences are not nearly as effective. Moderation in all thing is more important.
I am reaching the point where it does not matter how much more I work, I still get paid the same. I am tired of doing a good job and never getting rewarded for it. Taxes take so much of my salary that I don't feel like working tomorrow, I'll take the day off and make a little less. The thing you should think about is, am I a doctor, and who will die because I am skip work tomorrow.
Comment by Anonymous
I feel that without an equally prominate conservative party the checks and balences are not nearly as effective. Moderation in all thing is more important.
I am reaching the point where it does not matter how much more I work, I still get paid the same. I am tired of doing a good job and never getting rewarded for it. Taxes take so much of my salary that I don't feel like working tomorrow, I'll take the day off and make a little less. The thing you should think about is, am I a doctor, and who will die because I am skip work tomorrow.
Comment by Anonymous
I feel that without an equally prominate conservative party the checks and balences are not nearly as effective. Moderation in all thing is more important.
I am reaching the point where it does not matter how much more I work, I still get paid the same. I am tired of doing a good job and never getting rewarded for it. Taxes take so much of my salary that I don't feel like working tomorrow, I'll take the day off and make a little less. The thing you should think about is, am I a doctor, and who will die because I am skip work tomorrow.
Comment by Jeff Musall
Secular Humanity