After “Teaching the GOP a lesson” in ‘06, America is stuck Paying the Tuition
So, here we are on the verge of a national health care system. It’s the subject that has dominated the news cycle and been at the heart of nearly every political debate in America since Barack Obama decided to make it the centerpiece of his 2008 presidential campaign.
We’ve been preoccupied with the indications of rationing, not to mention the unsustainable budgetary numbers of it all. Honestly, with all this data being thrown about, one can be certain that it’s nearly impossible for everyday Americans to even begin to take the time to grasp it all.
However, that notwithstanding, from what Americans have been able to grasp just enough of what’s going on as congress attempts to slip this under our collective noses, and the consensus seems to be pretty clear:
Americans do not want socialized medicine.
Now, there is no point in going on and on at this point about congress not listening to us or some such thing. There is no lesson to be learned there, as it is fairly obvious at this point. Truth be told, we should be pointing the finger at ourselves.
Think back to the 2006 midterms, where the rallying cry across the conservative voting landscape was, “Throw the Republicans out! Teach them a lesson!”
Of course, considering how much of the GOP had softened on conservative principles, it is understandable how this sentiment could take hold. Every day, it seemed as though another conservative luminary just couldn’t wait to bash the GOP, deservedly or not, and say what a boon it would be for the party and the conservative movement if the Republicans lost in November of 2006.
As I just said, I can understand that line of thinking. I’m just as much for true conservatism in the Republican Party as anybody else, but in every conversation I ever had on the notion of the GOP losing its majority in ’06, I kept coming back to one simple mantra:
You can’t teach a “lesson” to career politicians. These people are like cats. They always land on their feet. If you boot them out, they’ll find a cushy analyst job on a cable network or go on a book or speaking tour, where they can make even more money than they already do.
So, knowing that we had a Democrat Party that is as close to socialist as America has, or is likely to ever see, it was clear to this conservative that while it sure sounded good to spend election day smacking around Republicans, we would be the ones who would pay a very steep price for the lesson that we intended to teach.
As we all know, voters got what they wished for, and the GOP lost by sizeable margins, and as I had feared, our economy, our healthcare system, and our defense efforts are now on death’s doorstep. Meanwhile, despite what we want, politicians from both parties continue to ignore us, and charge on with their own agendas.
The American electorate needs to learn that elections matter. It needs to turn off American Idol pay attention, and say informed. This is what happens when it doesn’t.
If anything, our last two elections should teach a lesson to the American people. Politicians will always be politicians. They’ll look out for themselves before they ever look out for any of us. The only defense we have is to do our best to educate ourselves, and hopefully pick the ones best suited for upholding our ideas and traditions. In order to do that, we must remain engaged at all costs.
Maybe it will be better in the long run for the conservative movement when this is all said and done. Many of us, me included, certainly hope that it is. But, with a government apparatus that is moving America away from its founding principles faster than any time in history, the burden American electorate unwittingly placed on itself may prove to be too much to bear, and the “lesson” that some thought they were so wisely teaching may be nothing more than a prime example of “Too little, too late”.
Let’s hope not.
Right on, Right Girl! We never hear of democrats abandoning their party. Strength in our system comes in numbers. Numbers of seats in congress. Our side too often forgets this, which is surprizing considering the 60 years we spent in the wilderness.
If this health care, er, institutionalising fascism, bill passes, then we will need 2/3 majorities to repeaal it. Something, it would be good to note, that has NEVER happened in US history up till this point, and I will not live to be 250 to see it!
Comment by Ted Pethick — November 24, 2009 @ 5:20 pm
You hit the nail squarely on the head. Conservatives who thought they were teaching the RNC a lesson, just dug themselves a big hole. If America survives this, it will truly be a miracle. I fear however, that this will be the end of our great Republic, at least as the Founding Fathers created it.
Comment by Ed — November 24, 2009 @ 5:56 pm
.
Great post, we must keep drilling it into the young. Obama will be a lesson to many today, as Carter was a BIG lesson to many yesterday.
We must defeat and expose the Left at EVERY opportunity.
.
absurd thought -
your supreme God really
admires rabid communists
because it’s they who BELIEVE
in such a deadly system
.
absurd thought -
our supreme God says
hire admitted communists
only those true believers
can improve America
.
absurd thought -
God of the Universe says
KILL the evil golden goose
make everyone poorer
that will make the world better
.
Comment by USpace — November 24, 2009 @ 8:48 pm
I agree with you every once in a while, and this is one of those times. Sorta. We’re going to get what we paid for with the Democrats, that’s for sure. But don’t act like the Republicans are the party of good ideas right now. They continue to oppose the majority of Americans on social issues. The same fiscally retarded Republicans that were responsible for the largest expansion of the federal government in our nation’s history are still in office, and they now have the nerve to act like they have been free-market, limited government, fiscally responsible Republicans all along. More and more, Americans are seeing that the Republicans don’t stand for limited government, they just stand for a government limited to Republicans. They are losing the ideas war because, like the Democrats circa 2000-2004, they are the party of no ideas and obstructionism. So if you’re not happy with the way things are in this country right now, point the finger of blame back at yourselves, because the Republicans lost touch with mainstream America a long time ago, and despite the negativity coming from the Obama administration’s policies, it’s going to take a lot more than a hypocritical “unity test” to earn back America’s trust on fiscal responsibility.
I have been a Republican all my life, and I’ve never been more ashamed to be a part of this sinking ship.
Comment by DJ Meph — November 25, 2009 @ 3:33 am
What I find striking about this post is that you talk about “we” and yet you are not “we”. You don’t live in the U.S., are probably not a U.S. citizen and probably don’t vote in American elections. Pretending to be an American does not make you an American. By all means, pack up your bags and move to the U.S. and begin the process of becoming a citizen. Until then, you’re not a “we”.
Comment by RichardDennis — November 27, 2009 @ 2:05 pm
Actually, *ahem* Richard, I wrote that piece. Not Wendy. I was born in Illinois, and have lived here all my life, I understand the process, and I vote in all elections, including primaries. so I am indeed an American, and since you didn’t read the username of who wrote the article, I guess that makes you A-stupid.
Thank you for writing, and have a nice day.
Comment by Art Lindsey III — November 27, 2009 @ 2:13 pm
The simple matter is that the GOP has been presenting a “prisoner’s dilemma” to its base for several decades now (albeit with a brief respite or two provided by Reagan and the Contract for America) - vote for us or things will be worse. This is hardly something to strive for. I’ll take a 10 year depression if it allows conservatives and libertarians to come out strong on the other side. The alternatives are an endless crawl towards socialism / totalitarianism under the GOP punctuated with brief sprints under the Democrats. Sooner or later we need to clean house. The longer we wait, the worse it will be.
Comment by EvilRedScandi — November 27, 2009 @ 2:25 pm
Another thing to keep in mind is that for all of the hubbub, McCain’s positions on economic issues weren’t terribly different than Obama’s. In fact, you could argue that we’d see more aggressively destructive legislation passed through his “maverick-y bipartisan” approach than Obama has been able to achieve so far.
McCain was for a huge stimulus.
McCain was for Cap and Trade.
McCain was for more bailouts.
McCain’s vision for health care reform probably wasn’t as stupid as what we’re presented with, but given his positions on other issues I doubt we’d sitting around praising his genius.
Comment by EvilRedScandi — November 27, 2009 @ 2:28 pm
[...] THE RIGHT GIRL: After “Teaching the GOP a lesson” in ‘06, America is stuck Paying the Tuition …. [...]
Pingback by Steynian 399 « Free Canuckistan! — November 28, 2009 @ 4:28 pm
I called my senator’s office in Wichita just shortly after I had my left kidney removed for cancer in September. I was unemployed but due to being retired from The Armed Forces Of The United States, it was for the most part covered by Tricare. My chunk of the almost 30 grand is 3 grand. I asked the staffer if he knew of any part of the pelosi-reid-obambozo health legislation would be addressing Tricare as applied to Armed Forces Retirees. His answer was unique to say the least. It was the Law of Unintended Consequences at work. I doubt the writers of this are even aware of those of us who rely on Tricare.
I am fortunately back at work. I have a civil service, aircraft mechanic job with the Air Force at Edwards AFB as of the 9th of this month. Due to overly high premiums for my wife and I, we will keep the Tricare and just purchase dental and vision. But I am fully prepared to be deprived of that which I earned from 1973 to 1993 in the Service of The Republic. I have a feeling that the VA will be all but eliminated, even for those with service connected disabilities, including myself at 30 percent. And before EvilRedScandi gets his panties in a wad, the job was only open to those with up to 30 percent.
Anyone with any info? I would like to hear from you.
Comment by Glenn Cassel AMH1(AW) USN Retired — November 30, 2009 @ 11:42 pm
astounding. The righteous right leaves probably what is the biggest disaster on all fronts, and somehow, it’s the lefts fault.
You just can’t make this stuff up can you. Apparently, even half wits can’t seem to figure this out can they.
Comment by skinny dude — December 3, 2009 @ 10:00 pm