The Dangerous Virtuosity of Johnny One-Note
He took the stage in Charlotte and, like the kid in the school choir who could only sing one note, Barack Obama hit that note with perfect pitch, just as he did four years earlier. Only this time, the reviews were mixed (aside from Chris Matthews, who as usual needed a cigarette). Hope and change were the order of the day, and the promises again rolled effortlessly from the candidate's lips:
Our challenges can be met. The path we offer may be harder, but it leads to a better place. And I'm asking you to choose that future. I'm asking you to rally around a set of goals for your country, goals in manufacturing, energy, education, national security, and the deficit; real achievable plans that will lead to new jobs, more opportunity, and rebuild this economy on a stronger foundation. That's what we can do in the next four years, and that's why I'm running for a second term as President of the United States.
Oh yeah? Tell it to the Marines. For he seems to be saying that while he didn't get around to improving things in the last four years, this time around he's fixn' to commence to begin to start to go ahead and get in there and go to town to prepare to take steps to pursue progress by moving forward and going for broke, see? Actually, he already went for broke and found it, but you get the general drift.
Pablum like that was fresh and vibrant four years ago. At his beguiling best, not even Bill Clinton himself could hit the stirring notes of the 2008 Barack Obama. Across the globe, great throngs of humanity gathered to bask in the soaring oratory, the great smashing of the lines of traditional political demarcation, the unification of mankind, the healing of the planet, the transcendence over mere grievance, all incarnate in a little jug-eared liberal from Chicago. Four years later, in a smaller venue, safe from the rain that never fell, the messianic figure from 2008 appeared smaller, fallen himself. He sang the same note, because it seems to be the only one he knows. It was the oratorical equivalent of watching the same tired artillery pieces being dragged across Red Square year after year in the Soviet Union.
Like Barry White singing I'm Gonna Love You Just A Little More, Baby, the President implored, "If you turn away now -- if you turn away now, if you buy into the cynicism that the change we fought for isn't possible, well, change will not happen." And the audience applauds, but wonders if this guy has just run out of ideas. Not by a long shot, as it turns out.
The Heritage Foundation reports that the EPA appears poised to implement those cap and trade energy regulations that could not get through Congress, through administrative action instead. After the election, of course. During a panel discussion hosted by Politico last week, former EPA Administrator Carol Browner said that, "…Obama would use the [Clean Water Act] and the [Clean Air Act] to go even further in his attempts to regulate air pollution." This is nothing less than federal regulation of virtually every smoke stack and muffler in the country, public or private, and will of necessity, drive fuel costs and utility bills through the roof. It's been estimated by ICF International that 20 percent of America's coal power plants could close by 2020 due to regulations the EPA is prepared to unleash after the election. According to the Electric Reliability Coordinating Council, the EPA's new mercury and air toxic's rule alone could add $100 billion per year to the nation's electricity production. Does that sound like a guy who is out of ideas?
In recent weeks, FirstEnergy Corps, based in Ohio, closed power plants in Albright, Rivesville, and Willow Island, West Virgina, in addition to four other plants in Ohio, Maryland and Pennsylvania because they simply could not comply with the new emissions standards. When Barack Obama warned that under his plans, "electricity rates will necessarily skyrocket," he wasn't just whistling Dixie. They already have. University of Alabama Professor Andrew Morris (co-author of The False Promise of Green Energy) says, "Electric rates will be going up and up as a result of these standards."
Johnny One-Note has some other tunes as well: Remember when the public employee unions actively and vocally supported the implementation of Obamacare? Over at her own website, Mallory Factor writes, "The real reason for stalwart union support of Obamacare is that the law throws the door wide open for unionizing most of the 21 million health care workers needed to implement Obamacare." By increasing the number of health care workers that receive payment under some sort of government program (Medicaid or what will be a growing public option) unions will attempt to enlist state governments to treat these workers like government employees and unionize them, complete with compulsory dues. According to Ms. Factor, unions receive $1 billion in dues for every million members in the 27 non-right to work states. These are the ideas that dare not see the light of day before the election. Hence, Barack Obama's adherence to the stale platitudes of yesterday.
"This is my last election," President Obama told Russian President Medvedev, adding, "After my election, I have more flexibility." Are these the words of a man who really believes what his teleprompter told him in Charlotte when he said, "…America is not about what can be done for us. It's about what can be done by us, together, through the hard and frustrating but necessary work of self government."? Self government? Capitulations to Russia that he dare not unveil prior to the election, administrative agencies gone wild, union thuggery that hath no limit, government that rules against the consent of the governed, …if these are exercises in self government, then the Declaration of Independence has no meaning, the Constitution is pointless, and we might as well lower the flag and call it a day.
If, on the other hand, America is more than a plaything for utopian puppet masters and weak-kneed guardians; If, as the Founders maintained, men are not born to be subservient to any but their Creator; If we are to accept the accumulated wisdom of the ages, which shows that if citizens do not restrain their government, it will restrain them; Then we have only one option. President Obama and all those who masquerade as advocates of the people but then issue one dictate after another against the people, must be voted out of office. Then, finally, We the People will have added truth to Barack Obama's own words when he said, "My fellow citizens, you were the change."
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Sep '12
Re: The Dangerous Virtuosity of Johnny One-Note
Just got back from seeing 2016: Obama's America tonight. They showed a clip of this conversation in the film. Absolutely chilling.
Jul '10
Re: The Dangerous Virtuosity of Johnny One-Note
“Our challenges can be met. The path we offer may be harder, but it leads to a better place. And I'm asking you to choose that future.”
“The path we offer may be harder…” – because too many now realize my ultimate goals.
“…but it leads to a better place.” – the utopia we progressives know is possible.
"And I'm asking you to choose that future." in order to fulfill my dreams.
(The rest of Mr. O's paragraph - as his speech itself - was merely filler, an appeal to what he thinks the people want to hear.)
From there, Dave eloquently sums up the path – that being administrative action - not Congressional action, and hardball using unions.
Well done, Dave.
Sep '10
Re: The Dangerous Virtuosity of Johnny One-Note
You have put your finger on the nub of it, Dave. And that's why Mark Steyn -- who's seen gummint healthcare in the UK and Canada -- knows that the United States is the last stand. Once that happens, you roll over for the state the way the Athenians rolled over for Macedon.
Apr '11
Re: The Dangerous Virtuosity of Johnny One-Note
Brilliant... Excellent summation, great points made with real teeth.
However, my favorite line is: aside from Chris Matthews, who as usual needed a cigarette
I almost lost it..........actually I did.
Great post.
Apr '11
Re: The Dangerous Virtuosity of Johnny One-Note
The point about the unionizaton of future medical workers. This is chilling...and yet, once you make the point, so clear.
Jun '10
Re: The Dangerous Virtuosity of Johnny One-Note
Dave Carter
...men are not born to be subservient to any but their Creator
But, Dave, you know He didn't build that...
Re: The Dangerous Virtuosity of Johnny One-Note
Pseudodionysius
You have put your finger on the nub of it, Dave. And that's why Mark Steyn -- who's seen gummint healthcare in the UK and Canada -- knows that the United States is the last stand. Once that happens, you roll over for the state the way the Athenians rolled over for Macedon. · 4 minutes ago
This is a point, along with EPA's plans for our future, that Team Romney needs to hammer hard, in my humble opinion. This is about more than giving a well meaning but bumbling statist another chance. This is about opening the door to a whirlwind of government overreach with disastrous consequences.
Jan '12
Re: The Dangerous Virtuosity of Johnny One-Note
Mr. Carter, this a riveting article!
Thank you.
Re: The Dangerous Virtuosity of Johnny One-Note
Eeyore
Dave Carter
...men are not born to be subservient to any but their Creator
But, Dave, you know He didn't build that... · 13 minutes ago
I keep forgetting... Thanks! Now, when I say my prayers at night, am I supposed to bow toward Washington DC, or the nearest Obama fundraiser?
Jun '12
Re: The Dangerous Virtuosity of Johnny One-Note
Somebody mail this to the Romney/Ryan camp pronto. They need to hire Mr. Carter as a speech writer.
Seriously.
Jun '10
Re: The Dangerous Virtuosity of Johnny One-Note
Dave Carter
Eeyore
Dave Carter
...men are not born to be subservient to any but their Creator
But, Dave, you know He didn't build that... · 13 minutes ago
I keep forgetting... Thanks! Now, when I say my prayers at night, am I supposed to bow toward Washington DC, or the nearest Obama fundraiser?
Washington, only if your prayers involve something so serious that a Catholic might wish an audience with the Pope. Otherwise, the direction would be purely à ton choix - there's a nearby Obama fundraiser at every point of the compass.
Oct '10
Re: The Dangerous Virtuosity of Johnny One-Note
My thoughts exactly. It's not good enough that the VP nominee has some teeth, the President-to-be has to show his now and again. And it has to be believable when he snarls.
Dave, in a comment you say "This is about more than giving a well meaning but bumbling statist another chance." I think we fool ourselves when we portray Obama as bumbling. Is getting exactly what one wants "bumbling"? He figured out a long time ago that he gets to play by a different set of rules from other politicians, and he's shrewd enough to maximize this advantage. If the media and academic elites like you, substance and actual achievement are irrelevant yardsticks. Liberals literally re-wrote history to make FDR's New Deal an economic success, then ensured this became the canon of well-educated thought for the next five generations. Obama's "bumbling" isn't a bug; it's a feature.
Nov '11
Re: The Dangerous Virtuosity of Johnny One-Note
HVTs
Dave, in a comment you say "This is about more than giving a well meaning but bumbling statist another chance." I think we fool ourselves when we portray Obama as bumbling. Is getting exactly what one wants "bumbling"? He figured out a long time ago that he gets to play by a different set of rules from other politicians, and he's shrewd enough to maximize this advantage. If the media and academic elites like you, substance and actual achievement are irrelevant yardsticks. Liberals literally re-wrote history to make FDR's New Deal an economic success, then ensured this became the canon of well-educated thought for the next five generations. Obama's "bumbling" isn't a bug; it's a feature. · 3 hours ago
HVTs: I believe that Dave was being ironic here, but more important he was being critical, not supportive, of the Romney team's characterization of the President.
Dave: An especially brilliant piece, and one that needs wide circulation.
Everyone: Pass it on!
Dec '11
Re: The Dangerous Virtuosity of Johnny One-Note
I'm not the only one thinking this then. Mr. Carter, your post made me equally nauseous and hopeful. If the argument against President Obama can be made this succinctly, in a post that could be read aloud in 20 minutes or so, why tap dance around the independent voters with a soft sell? Every time Gov. Romney has called out the president in a more forceful and direct way his poll numbers have spiked. People may be stupid, but they're not that stupid. Everyone knows, even the crazy liberals I live around, everyone knows that gas, energy, and food prices have spiked over the last year. This is the time to explain why.
OT, do other people have trouble with commenting with their iPads here?
gnarlydad: Somebody mail this to the Romney/Ryan camp pronto. They need to hire Mr. Carter as a speech writer.
Seriously. · 5 hours ago
Jun '10
Re: The Dangerous Virtuosity of Johnny One-Note
Obama's problem is that you can only make a first impression once. He did that four years ago, but now he's a known quantity. The "hope" is gone and for most Americans the only "change" they see is the nickels and dimes sitting in a jar above the fridge. When you stand forth and promise to make the oceans recede and heal the planet, there's only one direction you can go when reality sets in. Fear not, my friends, Nemesis is fully awake now and filled with a ravenous hunger. She will feed on his bones.
May '10
Re: The Dangerous Virtuosity of Johnny One-Note
Your collected writings should be published as a book.
Jun '11
Re: The Dangerous Virtuosity of Johnny One-Note
John, this is excellent!I quibble with just one thing: you were too kind about Barack Obama's early speeches. But nearly all of us on the Right are.Proposition: the speeches were twaddle from the first. Puerile imagery, cliche. Delivery gets a B+. Maybe it just sounded like Demosthenes after Bush. (I still get angry about his garbage speech at Reagan's funeral.)
Mar '11
Re: The Dangerous Virtuosity of Johnny One-Note
There may be some truth in that, seeing the bounce after such a, err, poor convention and speech. Let's hope it is a dead cat.
If Mr Obama is re-elected, the USA is done for good - because of the majority of citizens voting for such emptiness, rather than Mr Obama himself.
Robin - yes, posting on an Ipad is a pain - enter doesn't seem to work.
Apr '11
Re: The Dangerous Virtuosity of Johnny One-Note
People who are paid to write political opinion can do no better than Dave Carter has in this post, and usually do much worse. Dave is Paul Rahe in an 18-wheeler. Powerful!
On the iPad question, I find that I can comment successfully, but am unable to create a post. For that I need my desktop. Odd.
Edited on September 9, 2012 at 5:14pmRe: The Dangerous Virtuosity of Johnny One-Note
Capt. Spaulding: People who are paid to write political opinion can do no better than Dave Carter has in this post, and usually do much worse. Dave is Paul Rahe in an 18-wheeler. Powerful!
Edited 11 minutes ago
High praise indeed! Thank you sir.