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Trading Their Birthright For An Obama Phone
Calm isn’t quite the right word. Peace? Yes, I’m at peace. The people were presented with two diametrically opposed philosophies. To employ a sports phrase, our side, “left it all on the field.” We highlighted the plans, failures, illegalities, and abuses of the statist. Where the major media failed, we stepped in. We countered utopian platitudes with facts, and answered entitlements with opportunity. After hundreds of columns, endless hours writing and researching when I should have been resting to meet the demands of life on the road, countless conversations with friends and family, and a multitude of prayers for my country, there was nothing left, save for the people to decide. And they did.
Mitt Romney is a sterling man who loves our country. I have no ill words or thoughts for him, and no Monday morning quarterbacking. He made the best calls he could while in the arena, under the white hot lights of scrutiny from friend and foe alike. He didn’t need the stress, the hassle, or the expense of running for office and could have easily retired and waved at the world as it passed by. But he put a personal stake in the future of America, and for that I am grateful. But he was outnumbered. We all were outnumbered.
My mistake, and the mistake of a great many of us on the right, was to think that a majority of Americans still believed in the country as it was founded. They don’t. The sacrifices of men at Valley Forge, on the beach at Normandy, or landing at Inchon, were all washed away on election day, leaving only the stark warning of Benjamin Franklin that, “Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters.”
They will get their masters. On the night of the election, a young man wearing a mask walked into a convenience store in Warren, Ohio, pointed a gun at a customer and robbed him before pointing the gun at the clerk and admonishing him to,”Vote for Obama.” These are the people who carried the election. Meanwhile, in Detroit, eight-time convicted felon and lifelong Democrat Brian Banks was elected as State Representative for the 1st District. Good. He’s a credit to the constituency that elected him. May they all enjoy the hell they have created.
As the days and weeks pass, we on the right will examine what happened and be told what should be done next. Some have suggested we change our messaging, on immigration for example, hinting (though not coming out and saying) that an insistence on securing the nation’s borders, or a resistance to rewarding the breaking of our laws, alienates the Hispanic vote. Let them put action to words then, and move to the border towns I travel to, and sleep with the doors as unsecured as the border. For we already have a pretty good idea what happens when we suggest watered down liberal ideas and policies, don’t we?
We suggest amnesty and they offer in-state tuition. We offer in-state tuition and they offer free education. On social issues, it’s the same. It was demanded that we give public approbation to private behaviors, and when we try to accommodate those demands, the demands only increase. Hence, the progression from civil unions to same-sex marriage, which progression will not stop, I suppose, until people start marrying aardvarks. We now have a majority of people who vote their biological plumbing, and on the basis of which party can produce the niftiest incarnation of Santa Claus. We can’t out-liberal the liberals.
So what to do? For me, there are two answers, one intimate and the other public. On an intimate level, to people I know personally who supported this man, my message is simple: good luck. In the words, of Samuel Adams, I will not seek, “… your counsel or your arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.” May you enjoy your rendezvous with the government functionary who will weigh your age and health against the expense of whatever medical procedure you will need. You earned it. But my children and grandchildren didn’t earn it, yet you’ve foisted that awful and ghastly fate on them as well. For that, you have my undying contempt.
On a public level, recognizing with shame that it is my generation that has consigned a great country to darkness and servitude, I can only continue the fight. At some point, events will run their course. The currency will be devalued into meaninglessness by repeated mass printings, the debt will be called, the loot which the takers now demand will dry up, and the country will implode. Perhaps out of the ashes, a few voices will be heard reminding all that it didn’t have to be like this. It is my hope that Ricochet will be among those voices, and that mine will be among yours.
Though this generation is lost, the fight continues for the next, or the one after that. As long as I have a voice, I will be using it to remind everyone that it didn’t have to be this way. Recalling Winston Churchill’s remark that, “I like a man who grins when he fights,” I look forward to engaging along side the rest of you. And as my friend Alphonse says, “May God bless da hell outta you.”
Published in General
I’m old school there, or perhaps it’s the military training. Remember the words “Leave no one behind?” I have two children and a grandson. I fight for them, now as before. But next time a panhandler asks for money in a truck stop parking lot, I’ll hand him a piece of paper with the White House switchboard number on it and say, “Call this guy.”
Edited 0 minutes ago
Disagree. The generations who will suffer most, aren’t old enough to know that there was anything different. They will hear stories of when you could chose your own healthcare. Tall tales of years gone past when the debt was “only in the trillions.” Those that will suffer most, won’t know that they’re suffering. ·59 minutes ago
Edited 58 minutes ago
Its called Canada.
Thanks, Dave, for an excellent post that seems to sum up so much of what so many of us are feeling today.
May God have mercy on our souls.
…I’m with you right up until “the fight continues”. It doesn’t. It’s over. We lost. ·3 minutes ago
Well, mebbe not. A fight can be a variety of things. I live in the terribly blue state of Illinois. My revenge may well be moving to somewhere like Texas. Enough of the producers move, and the blue states may well become like Detroit – ghost towns.
We seem to need a revolution about every 100 or so years. Maybe that is coming – as econ0mic combat perhaps, or civil disobedience (?what if ALL of Texas refuses to pay any federal income tax! Then add other “red” states!). LOTS of ways to make this stupidity run its course.
This is not Romney’s fault. He is, as Dave says, a good man. It is the fault of the RNC, which has long viewed all as “tactical” – and lost its soul. You can’t win elections as being “them – only less”.
Some good points, Dave, but as Trace points out and Pseudo adds to, nobody left anything on the field.
I recall reading that at no time during the Revolutionary era were more than 25% of the people in support of the Founders. That was a tough hill to climb.
Looking at the most recent numbers, I’m seeing Obama 60,000, Romney 58,000. Pretty close. Last time it was Obama 67 and McCain 59. Nine million fewer people voted not to visit the field, at all. More folks didn’t go out and vote themselves free stuff and tyranny, this year. More folks just shrugged.
Folks aren’t voting themselves into serfdom, they are just bending their necks to the cudgel.
Slouching toward tomorrah.
I’m old school there, or perhaps it’s the military training. Remember the words “Leave no one behind?” I have two children and a grandson. I fight for them, now as before. But next time a panhandler asks for money in a truck stop parking lot, I’ll hand him a piece of paper with the White House switchboard number on it and say, “Call this guy.” ·2 minutes ago
A part of me says that John Derbyshire is right: “we are doomed.” But then another part of me says, “I have not yet begun to fight.”
I know, and I also know that deep down, you’re right. Fighting is the only way. But I am also now firmly convinced that it’s a losing fight.
My little girl was at the breakfast table this morning. I could hardly look at her, I was so ashamed. I tried to smile my brightest. The look in her eyes said, “What’s wrong, Daddy?” I hugged her hard and turned away.
I admire your grit and determination, I really do. But look at the trajectory: Wilson, FDR, LBJ, now BHO. The train is headed in an obvious direction, and it ain’t goin’ our way. We’ve managed a couple of minor detours, sure, but the ultimate destination is no longer in doubt.
“For as their laws and their governments were established by the voice of the people, and they who chose evil were more numerous than they who chose good, therefore they were ripening for destruction, for the laws had become corrupted.” Helaman 5:2
This isn’t the first time this has happened to a country…
I’m old school there, or perhaps it’s the military training. Remember the words “Leave no one behind?” I have two children and a grandson. I fight for them, now as before.
I can’t help but think of Matthew 24:19 though, Dave: “And woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!”
A good friend of mine told me he’s glad he never married and became a father now, because of the world that is to come.
Yep, me too. That’s one of the reasons I weep for the country: they’re about to get a big dose of what we’ve been feasting on for years.
Wish I had the option of moving. Right now, I don’t, though I assure you I will not remain here one second longer than I have to. “Land of Lincoln”. Feh.
Dave, it hurts. But I’m not so pessimistic about the core values of my fellow Americans.
I think most of them, in their own personal lives, are really good and decent and hardworking.
They themselves do not actually live the values they voted for.
Most of them go to work and look after their families just like we do.
A lot my friends, who would come to my aid in a moment, are among those who voted the wrong way. They’re not grubbing or selfish. Almost quite the opposite. They are just plain stupid about politics.
(I am so mad at them right now, I could rip their ears off and feed the pieces to the neighbor’s dog. But in the end, friendship trumps politics. Isn’t it great to live in a country where friendship does trump politics!)
I think a lot of them got fooled this time. Okay, I admit, a lot of them have been fooled for a long time.
A lot of them are about to get unfooled.
Experience is a good teacher, but harsh. Even in their foolishness, they don’t deserve what they are about to get.
Dave Carter, you are Ricochet’s Jeremiah.
“Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not . . . .” [Jeremiah 5:21] We know that one turned out.
I don’t know whether it’s appropriate to applaud a beautifully-written jeremiad, but . . . . clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap . . . .
A few words from Edmund Burke seem to fit your theme: “Men of intemperate mind never can be free; their passions forge their fetters.” A lot of fetter-forging took place last night.
Thanks, Dave. The fight indeed continues.
I don’t know if this job is going to last. I suspect it won’t, and at my age finding a new one will be a challenge. We discussed it at work today, and if Obama is going to hire 100,000 new math and science teachers, maybe we’ll all go teach math. Eighth grade or above – that should be high enough to weed out the real lame-oids.
[snip]
A good friend of mine told me he’s glad he never married and became a father now, because of the world that is to come. ·3 minutes ago
As am I. And I’m not just thinking economics- we’ve had relative peace here on the homefront. Under these leaders, I don’t think it will last much longer.
I also feel that we lost the good fight, and that it is time to circle the wagons and take care of our own as best we can. Perhaps I will feel less demoralized as the days pass and I will find the strength to fight on. Doubtful, but maybe. I do know that I agree with Dave about no longer giving money to any person or cause. The government is going to take care of that now. They have decided that they know best how to spend my money. More than half the electorate concurred, so no money leaves my house voluntarily any more. That includes Church envelopes. The Catholic church tried to close the barn door, but that horse left decades ago. The Church will receive a note with the number of the White House switchboard as well. My piano teacher who whole heartedly supports Obama may find that I can’t afford piano lessons once my taxes go up. And the taxes are the least of it. If it was just taxes, I wouldn’t be so spiritually ill. But if all conservatives close their wallets, maybe we can send a message.
I think most of them,in their own personal lives, are really good and decent and hardworking.
They themselves do not actually livethe values they voted for.
Most of them go to work and look after their families just like we do….
(I am so mad at them right now, I could rip their ears off and feed the pieces to the neighbor’s dog. But in the end, friendship trumps politics. Isn’t it great to live in a country where friendship does trump politics!)
I think a lot of them got fooled this time. Okay, I admit, a lot of them have been fooled for alongtime.
A lot of them are about to get unfooled. …
Oh, Astonishing,….why weren’t they unfooled last time? This time they knew. They were warned. And with the greatest respect to you,…it’s not just “politics.” It’s about the liberty and lives of our children and grandchildren. People who supported this have attacked my family. It’s personal now, and they are gone to me. Sound harsh? Not nearly as harsh as the future our kids will inherit.
Dave, I have been feeling the same way about Romney. I’m sure there are legitimate criticisms to be made of his campaign but I just don’t feel like making them. He is a good man and would have made a better President than the one we are saddled with. The differences were obvious and the choice was made.
Bless you, Dave Carter. Nobody has said it so well as you have. Come through my town )personal message on the way, wait) and let me feed you what passes for the best around here. It will be a great pleasure.
You said it, Dave! 2014 is a frightening prospect…Gonna keep on keepin’ on, though…
If I were an optimist, I would think that there is a silver linings under this dark cloud. Had Romney won, it is doubtful that his modest program of tax reform and energy development would have substantially altered the fiscal armageddon we certainly face. To attempt reform and have bad results would not improve the prospects of conservatism. If I were an optimist, I would hope that Obama and the returning Congress successfully kick the can down the road and a conservative President and Congress in 2016 can institute the reforms necessary for our survival as a free society. Maybe someday I will change my pseudonym to Southern Optimist. Keep up the good fight, Dave. I am with you, I guess, but I am not so sure about the outcome.
St Carter is at it again. Anyone who does not vote the way he does is not virtuous as he is, is worthy of contempt and has no appreciation of the principles of the founding fathers, or the sacrifices made by the thousands who have fought for their country.
Unfortunately your post once again reflects the primary reason Republicans have difficulty. If you want to know why Obama was victorious and Romney got one million fewer votes than McCain try looking in a mirror.
I think most of them,in their own personal lives, are really good and decent and hardworking.
They themselves do not actually livethe values they voted for.
Most of them go to work and look after their families just like we do….
. . .
I think a lot of them got fooled this time. Okay, I admit, a lot of them have been fooled for alongtime.
A lot of them are about to get unfooled. …
Oh, Astonishing,….why weren’t they unfooled last time? . . . People who supported this have attacked my family. It’s personal now, and they are gone to me. Sound harsh? Not nearly as harsh as the future our kids will inherit.
I get it. But I think we can still turn this thing around. And we’ll need some of their votes and support to do it.
Then there’s the little problem that my very own child voted the wrong way. I can’t disown her. She’s too big to spank. She got brainwashed at Yale. But she would jump in a burning tar pit to save you. Just wish I had sent her to cosmetology school instead.
Oh, Astonishing,….why weren’t they unfooled last time? . . . People who supported this have attacked my family. It’s personal now, and they are gone to me. Sound harsh? Not nearly as harsh as the future our kids will inherit.
I get it. But I think we can still turn this thing around. And we’ll need some oftheirvotes and support to do it.
Then there’s the little problem that my very own child voted the wrong way. I can’t disown her. She’s too big to spank. She got brainwashed at Yale. But she would jump in a burning tar pit to save you. Just wish I had sent her to cosmetology school instead. ·11 minutes ago
Oh my. No you’re right,…you can’t disown your kids,..but it would certainly inform certain interactions in the future. God bless.
Dave, I forwarded your writeup to many.
I don’t agree that every man should be for himself. But I do think – and strongly – that those of us who prefer community to government should stick together.
Will the Red States increasingly separate themselves from the federal government and achieve a de facto secession? If so then I, and many others here, may well be renting a moving truck.
Let’s build our City on a Hill.
I don’t agree that every man should be for himself. But I do think – and strongly – that those of us who prefer community to government should stick together.
Will the Red States increasingly separate themselves from the federal government and achieve ade factosecession? If so then I, and many others here, may well be renting a moving truck.
Let’s build our City on a Hill. ·5 minutes ago
Agreed.
Dave, first the obligatory kudos: you da man! I could reiterate all the great compliments that precede my comments, but that would exceed the word limit, so I’ll just say, emphatically, “dittoes.”
As to one of the thrusts of your post, I confess that from yesterday forward there are 60 million people in this country to whom I won’t give the time of day, and there are 58 million Americans to whom I would give my final breath.
For more than 2 years I’ve tried to convince, persuade, and otherwise enlighten an Obamabot family member who relies on employer-provided health insurance for his expensive monthly arthritis drugs that Obamacare is not in his or his country’s best interest. His concern repeated to me many times was that if he lost his private insurance, his drugs would be unaffordable to him. Which they would.
He was incapable of understanding that government insurance bureaucrats will be faced with worse economic pressures than market-driven private insurers, and will be unaccountable to anyone for their decisions. That didn’t move him.
“So what to do?” I will have no sympathy for whatever comes down his Obama-paved road.
Great post. I still need some time to think about everything that’s going on. I’m not entirely sure people decided they want more gov’t. I have a friend who works in NY in the banking industry. He’s normally a moderate person but one day after the Republican primaries he turned on Romney (for Obama) and just started hating him. I asked him why– he really did say that Romney had no experience beyond the Olympics and he decided that he didn’t like Mormons. Maybe he thinks “something” needed to be done about healthcare (do what? Anything!).
I think reasons for Romney losing are long and complicated. I wish it boiled down to people just wanting free stuff (we can deal with that!)
But some people really wanted gay marriage. Not a lot, but maybe enough.
Unfortunately your post once again reflects the primary reason Republicans have difficulty. If you want to know why Obama was victorious and Romney got one million fewer votes than McCain try looking in a mirror. ·35 minutes ago
Please explain. Saying “look in the mirror” is cute and succinct, but it really says nothing.
I could say, “look in the mirror for why Obama got NINE million fewer votes than last time.” But it wouldn’t mean anything, just like your line. In fact, Romney got a greater share of the overall vote than McCain did. Why?
Look in the mirror.
I don’t agree that every man should be for himself. But I do think – and strongly – that those of us who prefer community to government should stick together.
Will the Red States increasingly separate themselves from the federal government and achieve ade factosecession? If so then I, and many others here, may well be renting a moving truck.
Let’s build our City on a Hill. ·16 minutes ago
That is what I’m hoping for at least!