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Quote of the Day: The Infallible Left
“A totalitarian state is in effect a theocracy, and its ruling caste, in order to keep its position, has to be thought of as infallible. But since, in practice, no one is infallible, it is frequently necessary to rearrange past events in order to show that this or that mistake was not made, or that this or that imaginary triumph actually happened. Then, again, every major change in policy demands a corresponding change of doctrine and a revaluation of prominent historical figures.” — George Orwell, “The Prevention of Literature”, Polemic (January 1946)
Have you ever noticed the continuous tendency to remove “inconvenient” episodes from history? Consider that 1970s environmentalists believed in a new Ice Age and that Bill Clinton promoted the Defense of Marriage Act in the 1990s. Obama was opposed to gay marriage then he was in favor immediately after the Supreme Court decision. There are lots of problematic lines from prominent Democrats and leftists across history but the Democrats are always portrayed as right and on the side of all that is good. If people are perfectible, obviously their side is perfect and always was perfect. Any problems are someone else’s fault.
Conservatives do not have this problem – or at least, have it to a much lesser degree. Of course, people in the past are fallible and imperfect. George Washington was a great man and a heroic leader but he was imperfect. This should be blatantly obvious, but it needs to be pointed out. This is also why there is no conservative case for Cancel Culture or tearing down statues; we see people as fallible, so wicked behavior is expected. It’s the good, the noble, and the heroic that people do that is exceptional.
Published in Group Writing
Once or twice. 😉
HMO’s were the whipping boy of the healthcare industry. Where did these horrible things come from? Legislation sponsored by Sen. Edward M. Kennedy.
It also helps that a lot of conservatives are religious, and already have perfect exemplar from their faith.
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The leftist have admired the British National Health System, and HMO’s were a step towards that goal.
IIRC, Senator Kennedy also messed up Health Savings Accounts so they became difficult to use. When I was a contractor I wanted one, but decided it was less costly to be on my wife’s employer plan.
I canceled my subscription to National Review because Rich Lowery called for that very thing.
Just Saying.
Great quote. Article confirms above article by Susan Quinn. We have to develop simple repeatable responses to their rearranged stories, their changed focus with examples and get our guys to use them every chance they get access to any media.