Is America's Glass Half Full?
During today's podcast, Rob Long asked me if I am optimistic or pessimistic about the prospects for a genuine recovery and resurgence of America in general and its conservative roots in particular. At least that's how I understood the question. My answer was that I see short term success, starting in November, but that I am still concerned about the long term prospects. I'm still rethinking that answer because it really goes against the grain for me to be pessimistic. But conservatism is ultimately rooted in reality, no? Oddly enough, much of our success may be derived from the apparent Kamikazee mission upon which the Democrats are currently embarking, and if they implode for a generation or so, as Dick Morris suggests, the country's prospects improve by default. So what say you? Are we seeing a fundamental shift back to the classical American ethos of individual liberty, limited government, and strong national defense? Or is this a mere blip on the cyclical path to serfdom?
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Jul '10
Re: Is America's Glass Half Full?
Dave, so long as there are states where anywhere close to a majority will vote for a Patty Murray, a Barbara Boxer or a Dick Durbin, put me down for the "This glass is completely freaking empty" side.
May '10
Re: Is America's Glass Half Full?
Ask me again in early 2016 (Please, God). I am still waiting for the first true conservative victory. If the NEA doesn't exist and Public Broadcasting has to fend for themselves and a cabinet position or two has ceased to exist, then we are refilling the glass.
If Obama is winding down his second term.... shoot me.
Edited on Sep 30, 2010 at 9:07pmRe: Is America's Glass Half Full?
Kenneth, are those states, or rather, those portions of those states, the aberration? Do we dismiss the plurality because of the exception? I really don't want to believe the cause is hopeless. I'm thinking long term here.
Re: Is America's Glass Half Full?
Kenneth, are those states, or rather, those portions of those states, the aberration? Do we dismiss the plurality because of the exception? I really don't want to believe the cause is hopeless. I'm thinking long term here.
Re: Is America's Glass Half Full?
I don't know why my last comment posted twice. I don't know why my last comment posted twice.
Jul '10
Re: Is America's Glass Half Full?
Look at an electoral map of the US. Contrary to popular opinion, the stupid is pretty evenly distributed (with apologies to our friends in Idaho, Utah and Alaska).
May '10
Re: Is America's Glass Half Full?
Trying to rack up those response numbers again, eh, Carter?
Re: Is America's Glass Half Full?
EJHill, you found me out. I'm blaming the phone no matter what.
May '10
Re: Is America's Glass Half Full?
We all have our shameless tricks. Mine come out of PhotoShop, although the last one seemed to fall a little flat. I guess after you score big with Queen Claire it's all down hill from there....
Jul '10
Re: Is America's Glass Half Full?
I'm cautiously optimistic, but I'm concerned about complacency setting in with a big win in Nov. As EJ said, it's not enough to mark as a shift unless there is real, measurable progress where departments and programs are actually eliminated. Simply slowing the growth of government is no longer viable as a sustainable economic strategy. Programs needs to be eliminated, and we need wholesale, fundamental reform on entitlement spending. I'd love to see much of it eliminated, but I don't think that's politically possible.
May '10
Re: Is America's Glass Half Full?
Do you know what I really want to see as progress? If the GOP finds itself in the majority after Nov. 2nd, the Tea Party backed Freshman winners caucus among themselves and announce that they are collectively going to vote for Paul Ryan as Speaker. Nothing against Boehner, but he has no real plan and Ryan does.
Jul '10
Re: Is America's Glass Half Full?
Too many people drinking from the glass and not enough people refilling it.
Put me down for the obvious.
Jun '10
Re: Is America's Glass Half Full?
We remain a center right country with all the potential that implies. America is still blessed with abundant natural resources from agriculture to energy. Our genius as a people is unsurpassed in the world. Put me down as a long term optimist.
Sep '10
Re: Is America's Glass Half Full?
We'll know for sure if and when the first real cut to federal government is tried. I think most people truly are fed up and want a change, but, may be envisioning change that does not affect them. Of course I'm also assuming our pols have gotten the message and will actually try to cut something, rather that the S.O.S. of reducing the increase, etc, etc.
May '10
Re: Is America's Glass Half Full?
Dave,
I try to be an optimist, but man it's hard these days. I like the Tea Party ideals and the talk of smaller government, but there are so many people who are ingrained with the concept of government as a solution to their problems. I don't think our trajectory can be stopped. Ben Franklin's quote "When the people find that they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic." is all too true I fear. The next time around we should stick to the Constitution as written. Perhaps USA v2.0 will last for 500 years instead of 250.
May '10
Re: Is America's Glass Half Full?
In the short term (this decade), I think odds are good for stopping government expansion; less good for actually reducing federal power. I'm cautiously optimistic.
In the long term (within a generation or two), I'd say Constitutional America is probably doomed. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't struggle to preserve it. Miracles happen every day.
Besides, life isn't about being. It's about becoming. All governments end, as surely as all people die. The purpose of my life is not mere survival. It is to learn what it means to be human and to prepare my soul for God's embrace, necessarily helping others along the way. Likewise, America should not merely exist, but constantly strive to secure for individuals here and around the world the freedom to choose the directions of their lives.
WW3 was inevitable the moment WW2 ended, because the world is ever more connected and technologically advanced. Ultimately, we will face an existential war... a World War, a civil war, or both.
But that's in God's hands. What matters now is that we aim high and give our all for freedom. America is, first and foremost, an idea.
May '10
Re: Is America's Glass Half Full?
My fear is that we are too impatient. Americans, and even more, conservative Americans, want to Win Now and go back home to normal life. To liberals, "normal life" is all politics, all the time, and the feeling of virtue when you give something to someone you perceive to be needy (out nof someone else's resources). Victory in the end belongs to those who keep showing up- between elections, when the cameras are off.
The reason the country is angry at Obama is because he couldn't wait, and stepped out too far. If we win and do the exact same thing, in the same way, we will blow just as he has. Pick the two essential topics and work them patiently, carefully, with persistent focus, not mercurial fits and starts. No victory is really victory if you don't bring the public along with you- and that takes time.