It's Always About The Long Game
Whatever result we wake up to on November 7th, the war is just beginning. Romney in the White House and a Republican Congress would be a significant tactical win in a strategic war where conservatives have much catching up to do.
It's always been about the long game. President Obama is not a marvel created by that speech at the Democratic National Convention in 2004. He is the product of 100 years of progressivism and the "long march through the institutions." The last four years are the culmination of decades of hard work by progressives in education, the media, places of worship, and the entertainment industry. Big government came in stages; little pushes that became huge shoves when it was apparent that the population wouldn't fight back. It's a slow alteration in the American DNA -- perhaps an idea sown into your head in high school, championed by that celebrity you admire, made requisite for coursework by your college professor. In the end, we have reached a point where close to half of the American population will not reject concepts and values that would have been considered reprehensible a century ago. The progressives' long game has worked.
I have lived in Canada, England, Belgium and Australia. I can assure you with no small degree of confidence that in these places (barring Canada ... go Canucks!) conservatives are, in cricket parlance, "on the back foot." Our ideas are the radical and fringe ones. Thrift and economy, family values, the right to own firearms, and pride in one's c0untry are values that might as well be on the sandwich board of the lunatic on the street. It did not happen overnight. Imagine living in a nation that thinks like Massachusetts, and has Spain's financial prospects ... that's where the vast majority of the western world lives.
The world, however, is complex. It is inherently chaotic and ever-changing. This is why the world's media will be looking at the Election Day results with such interest. Has progressivism indeed been the inevitable force its supporters hoped it would be? Will conservatives in the U.S. be limited to the isolated enclaves they inhabit in the rest of the west? The dominant political view here hopes so. The small minority of conservatives hope too ... that if Americans can resist, then so can they.
I believe Romney will win, and it will not be just because of what Americans do now with their campaigning and door knocking. It will be because of a conservative long game, that first came to fore with the Tea Party and that summer of discontent. An America that returns to ideas of small government, personal liberty and responsibility will be due to the long game that you all start that morning of November 7th... regardless of who is dominant in Washington.
- Comment (24)
- · Quote
- · UnfollowFollow (5)
- Pages:
- 1
- 2
Comments:
Dec '10
Re: It's Always About The Long Game
You're a wise man, Antipodus. How soon can you get here? I've decided if we lose this one, we need to concentrate conservatives in the US in as many non-blue states as possible. You've got until the next census in 2020. Start packing.
Oct '10
Re: It's Always About The Long Game
Sorry to disagree CW. The history of the Republican Party and the conservative movement are not the same. We have seen over the decades that the GOP is the ally of the progressives, but the opposition of the Democrats. In other words, their opposition is more a factor of power seeking than philosophical.
The great battle has been between the conservatives and the Republican Party. Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan had been opposed by the GOP party regulars, and Mitt Romney will be also IF he proves to move in the conservative direction more than enough to keep us in the GOP camp.
Pessimist? About the GOP being our ally? You bet. If, and unless, the conservatives seize control of the GOP, cause for optimism is slight.
Of course, God will give us the government that our hearts vote for. Sadly, that is how the progressives got their power. Do we show God that our hearts have changed, or do we get four more years of the same frustrating activity that we have had for the last 50 years?
Jul '10
Re: It's Always About The Long Game
Ah! The long game.
?Do you really believe the Tea Party is tough enough to commit to a long game. Such action will require not only winning some political offices, but changing the educational tenor of the nation.
The liberals have been clever. They have taken over the basic educational system that we have, and have been busy indoctrinating our young. I am seeing some "youth" breaking from the more common liberalism and looking much more seriously at conservatism - or at least libertarianism. It is hopeful, but it will take a long time. We didn't get here overnight.
It will also take some bitter fighting. Winning the terms of the debate. Winning the SCOTUS. Making many of the college professional liberals marginalized. Taking out the obvious false contentions now mouthed by the left over and over. Removing things like PC, "offense", "fair", and generally thinking government does much of anything well.
Those of us who are conservative have often been disappointed. After a while it tires.
Aug '10
Re: It's Always About The Long Game
Gdnya mate !
Still have to buy that land in NZ.
republicans better be busier than a lizard flat out drinking
it's not over until the last lawyer sings
Jul '11
Re: It's Always About The Long Game
I have been torn about this issue should we lose. What is the conservative to do? Most certainly we will see Europe fail and China falter without a strong US while our boys go soft at home in the indoctrination camps known as schools. Is US failure something to hasten so we can rebuild while we still have resources or should we fight in conservative states who will resist federal power and form militias of sorts? Those aggressive stances could potentially achieve better long term results than fighting through the GOP which will never be the same should they lose this election yet those stances also ensure a poorer quality of life for our children and grandchildren in the short term.
We have abandoned God and God's principles in this world. God will not abandon us in the next life but I can only surmise his interest in American exceptionalism, if one believes in a micromanaging God, passed around the time we started killing our babies( or preventing them if one is Catholic).
This election is not only a referendum on socialism but of American values of bygone days. The values a mighty God wished for His children.
May '12
Re: It's Always About The Long Game
I think you are absolutely correct that Obama was not made at the 2004 convention. He is as much a reflection of America as anything. He did not do anything before becomeing president and other than rubber stamping the Reid/Pelosi/DNC platform he hasn't done much since taking office.
We have the president we elected and deserve. Obama didn't sneak up on anyone.
I do believe the Tea Party is going to be around a while. In sufficient numbers? Hard to say, but those willing to go the long mile for liberty aren't going away all together.
Oct '10
Re: It's Always About The Long Game
"We have abandoned God and God's principles in this world. God will not abandon us in the next life but I can only surmise his interest in American exceptionalism, if one believes in a micromanaging God, passed around the time we started killing our babies( or preventing them if one is Catholic).
This election is not only a referendum on socialism but of American values of bygone days. The values a mighty God wished for His children."
Thank you @DocJay. I frequently say that we have lost much, but in fact we have thrown away everything. And, God is not mocked.
Thank Him, because His grace can change everything, for those who trust Him. We, as individuals, will still live in God's grace, regardless of the 'will of the people'.
For my house, we choose God.
Mar '11
Re: It's Always About The Long Game
Almighty Father in Heaven,
More Raycons and Docjays, please.
Amen!
raycon: "We have abandoned God and God's principles in this world. God will not abandon us in the next life but I can only surmise his interest in American exceptionalism, if one believes in a micromanaging God, passed around the time we started killing our babies( or preventing them if one is Catholic).
This election is not only a referendum on socialism but of American values of bygone days. The values a mighty God wished for His children."
Thank you @DocJay. I frequently say that we have lost much, but in fact we have thrown away everything. And, God is not mocked.
Thank Him, because His grace can change everything, for those who trust Him. We, as individuals, will still live in God's grace, regardless of the 'will of the people'.
For my house, we choose God. · 2 hours ago
Dec '10
Re: It's Always About The Long Game
raycon: Sorry to disagree CW. The history of the Republican Party and the conservative movement are not the same. We have seen over the decades that the GOP is the ally of the progressives, but the opposition of the Democrats. In other words, their opposition is more a factor of power seeking than philosophical.
The great battle has been between the conservatives and the Republican Party. Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan had been opposed by the GOP party regulars, and Mitt Romney will be also IF he proves to move in the conservative direction more than enough to keep us in the GOP camp.
Pessimist? About the GOP being our ally? You bet. If, and unless, the conservatives seize control of the GOP, cause for optimism is slight.
Of course, God will give us the government that our hearts vote for. Sadly, that is how the progressives got their power. Do we show God that our hearts have changed, or do we get four more years of the same frustrating activity that we have had for the last 50 years?
I don't think we disagree, raycon. You'll notice I advocated concentrating "conservatives," not Republicans.
Oct '10
Re: It's Always About The Long Game
"A slow alteration in the American DNA, perhaps an idea sown into your head in high school, championed by that celebrity you admire, made requisite for coursework by your college professor."
Well put. This is how it works isn't it. I keep making additional points and erasing them because this is a masterful summation that can stand alone.
Dec '10
Re: It's Always About The Long Game
I think this is another case of both/and. It is true that the GOP has largely been a disappointment to conservatives. It is also true that the Left has been playing the long game and, you've got to hand it to them, they've been winning by subversion of traditional (in God we trust) institutions which bear the responsibility of communicating truth: the education establishment, the media establishment, and the judiciary.
The GOP has been, at best, an ineffective opposition to the tyranny of relativism. But, in this world, it's the only party we conservatives have to work with. In playing the "eternal" game, I've made a commitment to become more active in the right-to-life movement come November 7. We need a restoration of Truth in this nation, if we're going to live as free and virtuous people.
Jul '11
Re: It's Always About The Long Game
Severely Ltd.: "A slow alteration in the American DNA, perhaps an idea sown into your head in high school, championed by that celebrity you admire, made requisite for coursework by your college professor."
Well put. This is how it works isn't it. I keep making additional points and erasing them because this is a masterful summation that can stand alone. · 5 minutes ago
An Australian doctor, and a fairly young one at that, has it figured out so eloquently yet so very many here in the US are blatantly ignorant as to the problems. It's maddening.
Note to self, when a post might go main feed don't type militias. Wait, there's a knock at the door.
Mar '11
Re: It's Always About The Long Game
The polarization between left and right is real and profound. And the Left will, by dint of the expansion of the entitlement state, win in the medium and long run if we do NOT halt that expansion.
I believe this is our last chance as a single nation to do so. Once 50%+ think they gain more from the government than they pay into it, then liberal majorities are set for as far as the eye can see.
And I consider myself an optimist!
Jul '10
Re: It's Always About The Long Game
Thank you, DocJay and Raycon, for your words of uplifting.
I have faith. Many others on this forum also have, but many don't yet remain conservative.
From my personal perspective, I feel this nation was created by men of faith, in a format pleasing to God, as an example to the world - which the world has by-and-large failed to follow. It continues to hold to old tribal and pagan thinking - not just in islaam but in Europe too. I also feel God guides each and every one of us with faith to move in the right direction; we may fail that direction, but He nevertheless guides us. We must therefore follow our hearts, know the righteousness of our God, and DO the RIGHT THING. Always.
Israel often forsook God, but He never wavered. He always brought them back from their foolishness to the path He wanted them to follow. I can only hope He will bring back this nation, which is so made in the full righteousness of His instruction.
"But your will, not mine."
Edited on November 1, 2012 at 4:31pmOct '10
Re: It's Always About The Long Game
Western Chauvinist
I don't think we disagree, raycon. You'll notice I advocated concentrating "conservatives," not Republicans. · 43 minutes ago
Forgive me. I read what I am accustomed to seeing, not what you actually wrote. We are still on the same page!
Aug '11
Re: It's Always About The Long Game
Socialism is a resilliant idea that thrives in Democracy. It is too easy to promote government as benefactor when you are the beneficiary. And once you are the beneficiary, it is next to impossibe to get you to vote for a reduced subsidy. The Iron Lady was only partially right; she missed the printing and borrowing of money. We know where this ends, of course, as seen in every banana republic's hyperinflation. But for now, we are all complicit in deflating our currency then pointing to its relative value agains other deflated currencies as evidence of its stability! Oil prices are but one indication of what is really going on here. Let's hope that Americans (like the Canucks) reject these Rousseauian pipedreams and get back to prudent government and self reliant Liberty.
If not, we must redouble our efforts, "stand atwart history and yell, stop."
Oct '10
Re: It's Always About The Long Game
Gus Marvinson: Almighty Father in Heaven,
More Raycons and Docjays, please.
Amen!
raycon: "We have abandoned God and God's principles in this world. God will not abandon us in the next life but I can only surmise his interest in American exceptionalism, if one believes in a micromanaging God, passed around the time we started killing our babies( or preventing them if one is Catholic).
This election is not only a referendum on socialism but of American values of bygone days. The values a mighty God wished for His children."
Thank you @DocJay. I frequently say that we have lost much, but in fact we have thrown away everything. And, God is not mocked.
Thank Him, because His grace can change everything, for those who trust Him. We, as individuals, will still live in God's grace, regardless of the 'will of the people'.
For my house, we choose God. · 2 hours ago
1 hour ago
I know I am speaking for DocJay as well as myself when I say we are honored, not only by your words, but to be a part of making a statement for the true author of our freedom.
Nov '10
Re: It's Always About The Long Game
Re Derbyshire's depressing book:
We Are Doomed: Reclaiming Conservative Pessimism
Slow slide into socialism? As I've said elsewhere on this site, we might better quickly plunge into socialism while a large part of the population will still remember the good old days of capitalism. I'm just appalled at my Leftist friends can claim that "Cpitalism doesn't work"; they are incredibly blind to the prosperity all around them - where did all this material prosperity come from? I ask them incredulously. If we quickly degrade the economy via socialism or statism, they might be rattled into common sense.
Otherwise, we are doomed.
Jul '11
Re: It's Always About The Long Game
David John:Re Derbyshire's depressing book:
We Are Doomed: Reclaiming Conservative Pessimism
Slow slide into socialism? As I've said elsewhere on this site, we might better quickly plunge into socialism while a large part of the population will still remember the good old days of capitalism. I'm just appalled at my Leftist friends can claim that "Cpitalism doesn't work";they are incredibly blind to the prosperity all around them - where did all this material prosperity come from? I ask them incredulously.If we quickly degrade the economy via socialism or statism, they might be rattled into common sense.
Otherwise, we are doomed. · 2 minutes ago
Well put, we'll be there soon if Obama wins.
raycon, Amen. Honored is a good word. The job continues until our final breath.
May '12
Re: It's Always About The Long Game
iWc: The polarization between left and right is real and profound. And the Left will, by dint of the expansion of the entitlement state, win in the medium and long run if we do NOT halt that expansion.
I believe this is our last chance as a single nation to do so. Once 50%+ think they gain more from the government than they pay into it, then liberal majorities are set for as far as the eye can see.
And I consider myself an optimist! · 1 hour ago
I think we are past the rubicon you mention.
We can still yank the nation back, but we must be brave and not merely trim around the edges. We can't alter the welfare/entitlement state, we have to kill it.