So, You Think The Republicans Have It Bad?

Evidently the tremendous irony of his piece aimed at the Dems is lost on Arnold Kling.

For the Democrats in 2006, and more importantly in 2008, I would like to point out that there are some fundamental differences between America and its radical Muslim adversaries. You will forget these differences at your -- and our -- peril.

Think about that. The Democrats are carrying on as though they have already won an approaching election, as if they are actually a party prepared to govern America today. In reality, nothing suggests that's the case.

True, Republicans, including the President are taking a hit over Iraq, likely on gasoline prices, too. But if you have to counsel an allegedly incoming party about the significant differences between America and radical Islam, might it not be fair to say said party is far from in step with contemporary America?

For all their talk of what is in the news, few Democrats seem to be thinking about what is not. The economy has been going gang busters due to Republican tax cuts, and before the campaigning is done, it'll be easy to point out that most anything the current Democrat party would do involves raising taxes. They'd do well to take a look at NJ Senator Corzine's approval ratings since he raised taxes - he got to Bush's level after being in office a mere 100 days.

New polls show that the majority of America supports Bush in the scandal du jour, the NSA program, something the Democrat party's composition would never allow them to support. In the end they will be seen as weak on defense as they are strong on tax raising - not a good combination, that.

The Democrats really fail to understand that if America in general is frustrated with anything as regards Republicans right now, it is that they haven't been conservative enough.

America has been trending moderately conservative for the last twenty years - ever since the Sixties, which amounted to little more than a marijuana smoke-laced beer belch right into America's face. Certainly 9/11 did nothing to reverse that trend.

Today, on issues from immigration, national security and taxes, to crime, liberal judges and entitlements, there is no great silent majority salivating over what a too Liberal Democrat party would eventually bring.

Even if they win one election, or two ... short of disguising themselves, while not delivering and angering their base, the contemporary Democrat party still has no real place to go. They can't win, let alone govern as themselves, even the Clinton co-presidency proved that. Have they forgotten the last healthcare mess?

The best the Democrats can hope for is centrism while holding back their most dedicated own ... America can live with that for a short time if need be, though I'm far from convinced it will come to that.

The foreseeable future of America is moderate to conservative. One election isn't going to change that. And neither are Nancy Pelosi, Ted Kennedy and John Conyers. But given the extent to which Americans do enjoy being entertained, it might actually be fun to watch for a year or two before they get thrown back out. The only way they could ever hope to stay in power is by throwing aside the Left.

Comments

[DennisAOK]

I agree that America has a conservative majority, but neither party reflects that. Certainly not the Republicans under Bush. It's sad that the chief reason to vote for a major party - the Republicans - is because the other party is even worse.

[tester]

"The economy has been going gang busters due to Republican tax cuts, and before the campaigning is done, it'll be easy to point out that most anything the current Democrat party would do involves raising taxes."

You must live in a different US than I do. The only gang busting going on is that adding to the national debt. The tax cuts were consumed and then some by state/local taxes, the cost of energy, the rise of inflation against static payrolls, and the cost of heathcare.

I'm sure that some would argue the tax cuts actually did something, but its more likely that any improvements are the result of the incubation of technology over a period of tight spending and a gain in per capita productivity.

Having said that, what matters to most are the tangibles: food on the table, clothes on the back, etc. From this perspective, the economy does not look very healthy.

[Rick]

I agree that America has a conservative majority, but neither party reflects that. Certainly not the Republicans under Bush. It's sad that the chief reason to vote for a major party - the Republicans - is because the other party is even worse.

Posted by: DennisAOK |

We used to say we were voted for the lessor of two evils...........It has become the evil of two lessors.

[tester]

"Choosing the lessor of two evils is still choosing evil"

Jerry Garcia