L'élégance, Encore de L'élégance, et Toujours de L'élégance
They say conservatives can sound shrill. It is true that there is a sort of desperate edge sometimes to talk radio, Fox News, the conservative blog sites, or the Drudge Report as they attempt to challenge the established monopoly of the network news, the wire services, and news feeders —AP, Reuters, Bloomberg, Google and Yahoo News — the marquee newspapers such as the New York Times or the Washington Post, and the left-leaning government owned NPR and PBS.
To be heard above that cacophony, conservatives must be loud, persistent, and repetitive. And the message of limited government, free markets, and self-reliance is easily caricatured as selfish and greedy, at least in comparison to the idea of a paternalistic government and its egalitarian Siren songs of taking care of the collective at the supposedly small price of surrendering liberty.
Although MSNBC certainly seems more hysterical than Fox, The Huffington Post far more accusatory than is the National Review, Air America more crass than right-wing talk radio, at times we might do better with tragic voices rather than accusatory ones -- to remind the public that it was the left, not the right, that turned mean and crass and decided that its utopian means justified almost any means necessary.
How, for example, did it happen that the liberal movement forsook its classical roots and instead opted for the tribe—the resort to illiberal voting along ethnic lines, as if those who look or speak similarly are not so much individuals as racial automatons. And how strange that we now speak so casually of the Latino vote, the black vote, the Asian vote, gay vote, the youth vote—as if there is not a human vote? Are there not to be any individuals within these stereotyped castes? Was the pathos of Martin Luther King to look to the content of our characters rather than to the color of our skin to end with the bathos of Rev. Joseph Lowery's pre-election venom that whites belong in Hell?
The reason we read Lincoln and Churchill and not Andrew Jackson or David Lloyd George is not just the greater wisdom of the former, but the greater beauty of their words as well. Conservatives cannot, as competing would-be emperors bidding for the services of the Praetorian Guard, trump the big-government entitlements of the Democrats. But we can offer more cogent—and more elegant—arguments for smaller government, fewer taxes, and greater individual freedom.
Barack Obama, it is true, is at times mellifluous on the teleprompter, but his rhetoric grows wearisome because it long ago became stereotypical and trite. We tire not just of the faux cadences and patois; of his monotonous fillers like ‘Make no mistake’, and ‘Let me be perfectly clear’; or the constant straw men “they”, or the obsessive use of the first-person “I”, “me”, “my” and “mine”; or the psychodramatic braggodacio about Skip Gates, Trayvon Martin, and Susan Rice; or the occasional mean-spirited threat like “punish our enemies” and “get in their faces”; but also the banality of “pay your fair share” ad nauseam, and all of its predictable formulas like "spread the wealth", "corporate jet owner", "fat cat banker", and "you didn’t build that" business. An Obama speech is now all refrain and chorus with not a new line to be had.
Cannot a conservative answer in a simple, straightforward and logical manner? At what point did success become morally suspect, and dependence a virtue? If paying over half an income in local, state, and federal taxes is not a fair share, what, then, would be? Is not half a man’s waking hours enough for others? Mr. President, we can understand why you might brag to your base that you shut down new oil and gas leases on federal lands, but why at the same time boast that those whom you sought to stop—despite, not because, of your hostility—produced more gas and oil on private lands than at any time in our recent history? Are they to be damned or praised for providing more domestic carbon-based fuels?
Forget birth certificates and college transcripts. Let us show how Barack Obama is absurd and juvenile—but let us do it in a manner unlike that of Barack Obama.
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Nov '11
Re: L'élégance, Encore de L'élégance, et Toujours de L'élégance
Sometimes you have to just sit back and be amazed. How, for example, can one be for both diversity and absolute equality? How can one be for diversity while demanding that minorities march in ideological lock step?
Edited on December 10, 2012 at 7:49pmNov '11
Re: L'élégance, Encore de L'élégance, et Toujours de L'élégance
Thank you, VDH...Character matters!
Sep '12
Re: L'élégance, Encore de L'élégance, et Toujours de L'élégance
The conservative case is better, but harder to make because it works for the common good over tribalism, takes into account human nature, and understands that government is not always the answer, it is often the problem. How do we help ordinary people understand these things though? I think most of us learn through stories, and the left seems to be better at telling their stories. That's why, though most of us on the right found her creepy, Obama's Julia meme had some power. It was a story that people who related to the character could understand. Our stories lead to far better things than creepy Julia could ever hope for--marriage, personal success, national prosperity, religious freedom and just all around goodness--but we need to hear less about abstract principles on the right and more about the success of those principles in people's lives. Stories allow people to imagine particular things for themselves and the nation in general. What was Romney's most powerful ad? It was the small business person telling his inspiring story. More of that please.
Edited on December 10, 2012 at 8:02pmSep '12
Re: L'élégance, Encore de L'élégance, et Toujours de L'élégance
Fear seems to drive the Republican party and party members silence the Conservative voices out there. Hence, John Boehner and his shunning Conservatives out of Finance committee.
Our Republican leadership seems to bow down to the tribal illiberal references and frankly bigoted lefty-speak, out of fear of being labeled racists.
Help Mr. Wizard!
Sep '12
Re: L'élégance, Encore de L'élégance, et Toujours de L'élégance
Romney's weak campaign was so, because he did not speak to O's absurd and juvenile attacks! Had he done so, he would have acquired new voters who were "low information' voters.
Cannot a conservative answer in a simple, straightforward and logical manner?
Forget birth certificates and college transcripts. Let us show how Barack Obama is absurd and juvenile—but let us do it in a manner unlike that of Barack Obama. · · 43 minutes ago
Jun '10
Re: L'élégance, Encore de L'élégance, et Toujours de L'élégance
To anyone (publicly educated) under about 40 (certainly under 30), it matters not what manner your argument takes. Whether with the precision of a Milton Friedman or the convincingness and warmth of a Thomas Sowell - any criticism of Barack Obama is obviously racist (and in Sowell's case, self-loathing and false consciousness).
The "listen" switch is turned off. It cannot be budged. Your criticism of the Black President is all that is necessary and sufficient to warrant dismissal of anything you say.
I don't think it too much of a stretch to suggest that 5 years ago, a high-school Debate Club might have posited: "Proposed - George Bush is stupid" vs. "Proposed - George Bush is evil".
Edited on December 10, 2012 at 8:46pmMar '12
Re: L'élégance, Encore de L'élégance, et Toujours de L'élégance
Apr '11
Re: L'élégance, Encore de L'élégance, et Toujours de L'élégance
I think we are being forced onto the right track as far as the best argument is concerned. We need to keep on talking openly about makers and takers as well as being conservative about what is ours . Most everyone I know is conservative whether they realize it or not. Lets keep it simple not necessarily easy and try to talk to one individual per day about keeping our private property. Self interest is Good. Chin up!
Feb '12
Re: L'élégance, Encore de L'élégance, et Toujours de L'élégance
At the height of the 'blitz', when the Luftwaffe was hammering day and night at hitler's military objectives, that is, the break social fabric of Britain..Winston Churchill spoke these simple words: "Here in this island we are in good health and in good heart." His speeches reflect the spirit of every British man and woman, their grim determination to hang on despite all setbacks, and to fight on and win through..
A polished speech style reflects, if not always a good character, yet good manners; a completely illiterate person may sometimes attain a crude and forthright vigour which if honest, may not be unpleasing; but the sorriest spectacle is presented by the semi-literate, the half educated, the 'petit borgouis' running wild, floundering hopelessly out of his depth pursuing that which eludes him screeching out his turgid vulgarities, catch-phrases and platitudes..... Extract: Winston Churchill as seen by his enemies and friends ( 1943) p48-49
Ironic how President Obama removed the bust of Churchill that once graced the Oval Office.. Obama has shown not the style or grace to match the great man..
May '10
Re: L'élégance, Encore de L'élégance, et Toujours de L'élégance
Prof Hanson: Great to see you back on the Ricochet Main Feed. Don't be such a stranger in these parts.
Also, consider what Dennis Prager is doing teaming up with Adam Carolla. You and Carolla have much in common with respect to your views on "Two Californias" and a dialog between the two of you on that subject would not only be worth listening to, it would be worth paying for.
Feb '12
Re: L'élégance, Encore de L'élégance, et Toujours de L'élégance
Two long-time Liberal standards no longer seem to be operative:
1) "Judge a man not by the color of his skin but by the content of his character"
2) "Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country"
Also we've witnessed a general deterioration (if not outright collapse) of "open mindedness" and a commitment to dialog.
Now, whatever is considered of conservative origin (Fox News, Talk Radio, Limbaugh, Beck, WSJ etc.) is automatically considered not only false, but a malicious lie with the worst of motivations.
So called "Fact Checkers" will back up this assumption enough with most to feel comfortable within the limits of their own liberal assumptions.
Combine this with a general culture of intimidation and mockery and you have quite a headwind in trying to get your message across. Moreover, the Conservative message appeals to reason (not emotion) with a view towards the long-term. God help us!
Aug '10
Re: L'élégance, Encore de L'élégance, et Toujours de L'élégance
>>>And how strange that we now speak so casually of the Latino vote, the black vote, the Asian vote, gay vote, the youth vote—as if there is not a human vote? Are there not to be any individuals within these stereotyped castes?<<<
Indeed, and it is depressing to see conservative pundits post-election framing issues in exactly this manner. We are each and every one of us our own unique demographic "group."
Dec '10
Re: L'élégance, Encore de L'élégance, et Toujours de L'élégance
Last Thursday I spent an evening in the company of a number of so-called "progressives." What struck me most was not that they were so tribal, even ecstatically so, in their approbation of our president and his recent win. It was the sheer, irrational cultishness of it. These people are beyond reason. I am glad they haven't discovered snake handling. For the sake of the snakes.
Sep '11
Re: L'élégance, Encore de L'élégance, et Toujours de L'élégance
Bill Waldron: >>>And how strange that we now speak so casually of the Latino vote, the black vote, the Asian vote, gay vote, the youth vote—as if there is not a human vote? Are there not to be any individuals within these stereotyped castes?<<<
Indeed, and it is depressing to see conservative pundits post-election framing issues in exactly this manner. We are each and every one of us our own unique demographic "group." · 1 hour ago
Hear, hear! Yes, we should make it a priority to cease and desist this very minute from thinking this way. Otherwise, we are just pandering like the left, only not as well. We should always address Americans. When government is doing favors for one group that only means it is doing something it has no business doing at all.
Sep '11
Re: L'élégance, Encore de L'élégance, et Toujours de L'élégance
Speaking of beauty of words and elegance of argument, thank you for this post.
May '11
Re: L'élégance, Encore de L'élégance, et Toujours de L'élégance
I find talk such as this by Dinesh D'Souza to be a great introduction to open the eyes of young people.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oT5ueJhZrQM
They start to listen after they here this.
Sep '10
Re: L'élégance, Encore de L'élégance, et Toujours de L'élégance
Kneel before Zod.
Aug '10
Re: L'élégance, Encore de L'élégance, et Toujours de L'élégance
At the point when declaring such to be true gained more votes than it lost.
The virtue of a republic is in its citizens, and its government can only reflect what pools of virtue they retain. (Here I'm treading on Paul Rahe's turf a bit.) Obama et al can only declaim in this manner because the constituents approve of it.
It is impossible to measure "virtue" in the citizens to find a distinct inflection that affects large movements in government, empire, or history. The best such tool we have are elections, and I suspect last month's primary shock to conservatives was that we passed one such tipping point without them realizing it.
Aug '10
Re: L'élégance, Encore de L'élégance, et Toujours de L'élégance
It's small consolation to conservatives out of power, but the reign of Didius Julianus only lasted 9 weeks.
The Democrats have backed themselves into a dangerous corner. They have split the electorate into factions and elevated each one's importance. Identity politics demands customized handouts, which become the basis for loyalty.
In short, bread and circuses for the masses are no longer enough; they must offer a donativum to every faction to obtain victory. And that eventually becomes an unaffordable venture.
Sep '12
Re: L'élégance, Encore de L'élégance, et Toujours de L'élégance
Look, before the 60s most Americans were confident that the prevailing culture would produce virtuous citizens, which is why they were comfortable keeping the federal government limited. Nowadays, not so much. In fact, the popular culture is a public toilet. Everyone finds relief in it, and the more disgusting it gets, the more heedlessly people go about their business. Worse, people keep the culture they treasure to themselves, preserving it from the public rather than evangelizing. Not so?
Regarding Republican politicians, they're lousy communicators because they're afraid of pulling an Aiken. Why? Because they're not confident in the culture they treasure - they're used to hiding it from the public rather than selling it.
The remedy? Get confident and go on the attack. Pop culture is a public a toilet. It's noisome, barbaric and dehumanizing. In contrast, my culture - the one I share with my family, friends and colleagues - produces cohesion, decency and success. If you want to embrace and impose your pop culture on everyone, then be prepared to finance an unlimited government that will seize the lion's share of your property and disregard much of your liberty and individual dignity.