Of Greed And Do Gooders

Leftists view conservatives as selfish and greedy.  Conservatives view leftists as pompous do gooders who think the masses are too stupid to take care of themselves.  The current economic crisis has enough greedy  fingerprints and do gooder DNA on it to keep a crime scene investigator busy for a long long time.

Just to be honest, few of us here in small town America understand this mess.  It makes no sense to those of us in the Heartland.  We understand that we have to pay our bills; our mortgage payments, our car payments, our credit card bills or we will lose our homes, cars etc.  We understand that if our law office, convenience store, hardware store, farm, car dealership etc. can't pay its bills then we will have to shut the doors or at least file bankruptcy.  Asking the Federal government to bail us out?  Yeah right.  We wouldn't even consider such a ridiculous idea. 

Another  thing that makes no sense to us is the idea of  the GSE.  Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac were known as government sponsored entities.  Supposedly, that means they were privately run but with a guarantee, implicit perhaps, that the Federal government would protect them.  Either a company is privately held or it isn't.  If you splice a duck with a pig all you get is a bunch of muddy feathers.  Private businesses have inherent risks associated with their actions.  Apparently, the big dogs at these two CSEs weren't worried about the inherent risks because of the sponsorship of the Federal government.  The closest analogy my unsophisticated small town mind can draw is there is no reason for Paris Hilton to worry about driving her car into a telephone pole because Daddy Hilton will cover the bill for any mess.

Another puzzling aspect of all this is the pressure that do gooder groups like ACORN put on do gooder liberals to demand that people with no assets or incomes be eligible for home loans.  Here in small town America, we believed that in order to buy or build a home we had to be able to afford that home.  Apparently, that is a parochial narrow minded view.

Starting with the Jimmy Carter administration, there has been a move afoot to expand homeownership to deadbeats.  Excuse me, lower class individuals who have been denied the American dream by discrimination.  There, does that make it sound better? 

Do you remember the newspaper headlines about "redlining" from the 1990s?  Lending institutions were viewed as discriminatory because they expected to only loan money to those who had enough money to pay the payments.  Politicians began getting pressure from community activist groups (ACORN was one of those) and as a result, the Clinton Administration's Justice Department threatened to sue these lending institutions if they refused to change their lending policies.  During the Clinton Administration, the Federal Reserve demanded that banks and other sources of loans look at unemployment payments and SSI checks as "income" for purposes of home loans.

What did they think would happen to those loans?  Of course these people defaulted.  Now, the sophisticated and powerful are shocked.  Of course Claude Rains was "shocked" to find gambling going on at Rick's Place in the movie "Casablanca" too.

Now, they want us, small town America, to bail them out.  I say "small town America" because a study in 2000 showed that over half of us still live in communities under 25,000 in population.  They want us to provide cover for the businesses.  They want us to give cover to the deadbeats who didn't pay their bills. 

The establishment elites, both right and left, are constantly arguing that small town America isn't bright enough or sophisticated enough to run this country.  If you don't believe me check out how similarly a supposed conservative like David Brooks and a kook leftist like Paul Krugman express their disdain for Sarah Palin.  The sophisticated elites, both the greedy Wall Street conservatives and the do gooder Northeastern liberals, believe they are smarter than us.

We weren't the ones who made this mess, though, the elites did.  It's time for small town America to shake up Washington and inject some small town common sense into their "sophisticated" world.

 

Tags: economy, bailout, politics, elites, elections

Hey Leftists! I Get It!

I resent the condescending tone leftists use toward conservatives in arguments as if we had experienced the "wisdom" and "compassion" of leftism we wouldn't be so strident. I'm sure you have seen it too.  If you would step out of your narrow minded bigoted cocoon you would enter into the light.

No, I haven't lived in a commune.  I have avoided living in cities, except when I went to college, and it was my parents, who first preached the evils of leftism.  My brother served in Vietnam, and while my parents were Republicans even before Vietnam; the Viet Cong flags, open drugs and sex of the VISIBLE portion of the anti-war movement made them even stronger against leftism.  Like I've said before, where I come from, even Democrats aren't leftists.

I use the term leftism because people like Barack Obama aren't liberals in the sense of classical liberalism.  They are leftists.

My first real exposure to leftism was when I was a freshman in college.  It was a small Methodist junior college in my home county, but the tenured religion professor was a borderline Marxist and actually denied the deity of Jesus.  Yep, that was a culture shock.  I stood toe to toe with him in class for a couple of years.  The discussions became pretty heated at times.  I know,  that shocks you.  I was the only kid in class that would challenge him and he had a couple of students in there that were just as far left as he and as vocal as me.  Still, my belief wasn't shaken.  It simply made me study harder in order to answer each challenge.

When I got to the University of Tennessee, as a political science major, the professor that was assigned to me  as faculty advisor turned out to be the most committed leftist on campus.  I mean protests, arrests the whole nine yards.  His parents were loaded and he had been a rebel since he was a kid.

Guess what?  I actually liked him.  He and I got along well.  When he found out how conservative I was, he asked if I wanted a different advisor and I told him "no".  This was the early to mid 1980s.  I was a poli sci major and usually the only vocal conservative in my classes.  The arguments went the gamut, from affirmative action to the Contras to campaign financing to speech to prayer in school to abortion.  Like I said, I was usually the only vocal conservative in my classes.  Even that didn't change my views.  I became more convinced in the wisdom of conservative principles.

Things didn't change in law school.  Again I found myself in the minority.  Again I remained conservative and remained vocal.

And yes, I understand leftism. 

Leftism, at its most benign, believes in governmental power over the economy rather than corporate power over the economy.  Leftists believe that as long as there are fair elections then the government will make sure that the economy is more fair.  Whereas corporations aren't interested in fairness.

That may be all well and good, but it's naive.  Politicians and bureaucrats are only interested in maintaining their own POWER.  They aren't more noble than corporate CEOs and if you guys really believe they are then YOU are the ones who need more experience, not me.  Additionally, bureaucrats aren't elected.  Finally, government has the power of the sword and prison.  Corporations don't.  Therefore, corporate power is less scary to me than government power.

Leftism doesn't believe that economic liberty is as important as freedom of speech etc.  Leftists believe that property rights should be sacrificed for the good of the collective.  That's a view that, if not kept in check, heads us down a slippery slope to where property rights mean nothing.  As a result, as long as you keep advocating for more government control over how I can use my property, I will fight you.

Leftism believes in using taxation for wealth redistribution.  If you don't believe me, read some of Jim McDermott's speeches about the death tax.  He is one of the few in the American Left who isn't afraid to admit that he believes wealth redistribution is a laudible goal.  Personally, I believe my accumulation of wealth and the ability to pass it to my kids is none of your business.

Leftism wants to rewrite history to focus on the warts of our great leaders of the past.  Simply being honest is the reason given.  In truth, the idea is promote a Howard Zinn view of history where the nation state only exists to serve the wealthy and the masses are oppressed and have no country.  I find that view to be repulsive.  No, our Founders weren't perfect.  Yes, this nation, through its leaders, has done some bad things.  But all in all the balance sheet is positive.  Leftism undermines that view by promoting the negatives as somehow diminishing our moral superiority.  Yes, I want to believe that the US is morally superior and I resent leftists trying to change that view.

Leftism wants to redefine morality in such a way where intolerance is the greatest sin, as long as intolerance is defined by leftists.  Traditional morality is viewed as narrow mindedness.  And anything less than a full embrace of nontraditional lifestyles is viewed as bigotry.  You're wrong.  There is no other way to say it.  And don't use the lack of experience canard with me.  I have worked with and for gay people and been friends with others, one of whom is now dead from AIDS.  They were great folks.  I don't deny they had a genetic predisposition to homosexuality, but their lifestyle was wrong and I'm not going to change my view.

Leftism opposes corporate globalism, but favors a more open world where all cultures and beliefs are given equal weight and validity.  EXCEPT traditional Christianity.  Don't say it I'm wrong.  I'm not.  I've had too many discussions with people on your side about this very issue.  They would never attack Hinduism or Islam, or even Mayan human sacrifice the way they attack Christianity.

Leftism equates American dominance with imperialism.  I disagree, but so what.  You should be Americans first and leftists second.  If your team is number one, don't gripe.

Leftism is interested in "saving the planet".  A laudible goal, I suppose, if you believe it needs saving in a physical sense.  However, you want to save it at the expense of consumerism.  That I can't accept.

Leftists claim I'm wrong about how elitist leftism is.  Diane Feinstein supported a handgun ban in San Francisco while keeping a handgun herself.  Ted Kennedy supports alternative energy while opposing  windmills where he might see them.  Barack Obama calls us "bitter clingers" who wouldn't have to cling if our government took care of us.

You claim I don't get leftism.  You're wrong.  I get it.  I hate it.  It will eventually destroy this nation.  I'm fighting against a tide that is too great.  People claim to like freedom, but most really don't.  It's too scary.  Leftism provides some measure of security.

BUT AT WHAT COST?

 

 

 

 

Tags: politics, leftism, ideology, elites

Trailer Trash For McCain-Palin

Today, I learned that the BBC has conducted a poll that indicates that the citizens of 22 countries that were polled favor Barack Obama in the Presidential election.  The mainstream media reported this because they believe, along with most enlightened liberals, that this should show us that Obama is who we need to elect.  The media, most college educated liberals, academics all admire modern Western Europe.  They admire Europeans' supposed sophistication.  They admire their ability to separate their religion from their day to day decision making.  They admire their aversion to war and they admire their commitment to socialist ideals.

Liberals, and most media members are liberal, believe that the United States would be better off if we emulated those above described attitudes.  Peace and fairness are the Holy (if I can use that word) Grails of liberal elitism and those goals require the diluting of religious belief and an increase of governmental control over "selfish" capitalist impulses.

Liberals believe that they know what is best for the masses.  They want (sincerely I believe) to improve the lives of ignorant trailer trash.  Ignorant?  Look at the social programs devised by leftists.  Go back to the beginning of socialism in America.  Social Security was based upon the belief by leftist elites that the average American was too stupid, too oppressed and incapable of planning for his own seniority.  Gun control laws are based upon the belief that we are children who shouldn't be allowed to play with dangerous toys.  The Department of Education was based upon the belief that Washington DC elites knew better than local parents and educators what our children needed.

Leftists do care about us in Red State America, but they think we're trailer trash.  Barack Obama admitted as much when talking to fellow elites in San Francisco.  He believes we're bitter.  He believes that bitterness is due to the fact that we don't have our needs met by an enlightened benevolent government.  He believes that bitterness causes us to "cling" to unsophisticated things like religion, guns and patriotism.  In his eyes, enlightened people don't cling to those things and content happy masses don't need to cling to those things.

I'm one of those "bitter clingers".  I'm part of trailer trash America.  I was born, raised and live in rural East Tennessee.  My Daddy (yes I really called him "Daddy") only had an eighth grade education.  He raised my brother and me on a farm while also working in a factory.  My mother taught Sunday School for decades.  I learned to shoot before I was eight.  My first experience with wine was with the homeade variety.  My first car was a truck.  In fact I even lived in a mobile home for two years.  I'm the folks that the liberal elites want to help and I'm the folks that don't want their help. 

I actually believe in God and believe the Bible is the Word of God.  (Ewww!  Did he really say that?)  I'm a flag waving patriot that believes that the United States is the greatest nation on Earth and has been specially blessed by God.  (He's one of them!)  I don't immediately look to Washington DC when trouble comes.  (Well now, that's just dumb.)  I actually believe that the right to keep and bear arms is just as important as any other right.  (Gun nut!)

The media is shocked that so many people in small town America have identified with Sarah Palin.  The media is less than thrilled that so many people in small town America have been humbled by John McCain's personal story.  They are convinced we must be simpletons.  They don't get it.  Sarah Palin is one of us.  Of course we identify with her.  Senator McCain's story exhibits the patriotism, honor, and self sacrifice we admire.

We aren't Europe.  We don't want to be Europe.  I know that is horrifying to the elites, but it's the truth.  That's the one thing that liberals don't get.  We may be trailer trash, but we are American trailer trash.  And there's more of us than there are of the "enlightened" media and the "enlightened" liberal elites.  And for most of us, Jesus is the only Messiah we need.  Sorry, Barry.

 

Tags: election, europe, obama, palin, mccain, messiah, trailer trash

Falling In Love With McCain

It's no secret, John McCain was not my first choice for President.  He wasn't my second choice and probably wasn't my third or fourth.  Senator McCain alienated me on two issues, campaign finance reform and his willingness to compromise with Democrats regarding the confirmation of originalist judges.  The First Amendment to the Constitution says "Congress shall make no law...abridging the freedom of speech."  Either the sentence means what it says or it doesn't, and I want judges who believe it means what it says. 

I knew John McCain's story and was thankful for his  service and heroism, but that wasn't enough.  I believe in limited government.  I mean really limited government, and while I was disappointed with President Bush for not fighting for limited government, I didn't and don't believe McCain truly understands the benefits of limited government.

Last night, though, as I listened to Senator McCain's acceptance speech, the contrasts in this election hit me like a sledgehammer.  "Country first".  "Service".  "This Country saved me".  "Stand up".  "Fight".  Those were the key phrases from a powerful speech by a remarkable man.  Hokey?  Perhaps.  Parochial?  Of course.  However, John McCain isn't running for President of the World.  He isn't trying to be the leader of a Gene Roddenberry dream world wide utopia.  He is running for President of what he believes is the greatest country on earth.

Unlike Michelle Obama, John McCain didn't have to wait until 2008 to be proud of his country.  Unlike Michelle Obama, John McCain doesn't believe this is a "downright mean country".  Unlike Barack Obama, John McCain doesn't believe that America isn't what it once was.  John McCain believes, "In America, we change things that need to be changed.  Each generation makes its contribution to our greatness."  That is a stark contrast.

Another stark contrast is the fact that John McCain showed himself as a man of principle who isn't afraid to take on the power.  Leftist Democrats like to use the phrase, "speak truth to power".  A confusing statement that implies that the powerful are lying to you and they must be confronted.  Senator Obama, though, got where is today, by being part of the most corrupt political machine in American history.  He has never challenged the Cook County Democratic party.  He has been a loyal lap dog of that party.  Senator Obama has never stood up to the Daily Kos, Moveon.org left wing kooks who want to see this country ruined. 

John McCain, though, does not owe his allegiance to party or machine.  His allegiance is to the country he fell in love with while in agony in a box in Hanoi.  Even when you disagree with him, you have acknowledge that John McCain is a man of principle who truly does love the United States of America.

John McCain is right when he says that when conservative Republicans took power in Washington since 1994,  they allowed Washington to change them instead of changing Washington.  They became addicted to the power and the pork and the parties and the compulsive need to spend the people's money.  At least, though, conservative Republicans never stopped being patriots.

Leftists deride those of us who bleed red, white and blue as fascists.  They take our love of country and make fun of it using phrases "my mother drunk or sober", implying that we conservatives are willfully blind to our country's faults.  They are the ones who are willfully blind.  We know the United States, through its citizens and its government, have made mistakes.  We also know, though, that no nation in the history of the earth has used its power for good like the United States.

Another thing the left doesn't understand is that a majority of Americans feel the way we do.  We aren't a nation of "bitter clingers".  We embrace our nation.  We embrace our God.  We embrace our freedoms.  I'm not saying that conservatives make up a majority on every issue.  I'm saying that a large majority of Americans believe this is the greatest country on earth.  Leftist elites, of which Obama is one, are uncomfortable with this belief.  John McCain shares our belief in the greatness of America.

Can you ever picture Barack Obama, the man who has made a career of associating with people who dislike this nation, ever talking about "falling in love with my country"?  No way.

I still don't agree with John McCain on every policy point.  Last night, though, it became obviously clear.  Barack Obama isn't worthy to be mentioned in the same sentence with John McCain.  This election shouldn't even be close.  Only one candidate for President is in love with his country.  Why would we even consider the other one?

 

Tags: country first, service, politics, election, obama, mccain

In Touch With America

The Leftist Democratic party in this country has preached for years that Republicans are "out of touch" with the common people.  In fact, Bill Clinton took this attitude and focused on a previously undefined group called "soccer moms".  It's not just Bill Clinton, though.  If you listened to the speeches at the Mount of Transfiguration in Denver, nearly all of them talked about how Democrats are in touch and that the Messiah cares about real Americans.

 

What is the truth, though?  Quite frankly, real Americans don't like losing wars.  Real Americans don't consider themselves bitter, even though God is important to them, the Second Amendment is important to them and securing the border is important to them.

 

Few "real" Americans associate regularly with convicted terrorists who now teach our young people.  Few "real" Americans attend churches where the pastor wants God to "damn America".  Few "real" Americans, even those who call themselves pro-choice favor partial birth abortion and even fewer would support legislative action that permits aborted infants who are born alive to be tossed in a closet trash can to die.  Few "real" Americans want to see Wal Mart punished causing their prices to rise and few "real" Americans want to be forced to give up driving automobiles with internal combustion engines.

 

That brings us to Governor Sarah Palin.  The Leftist Democrats are attacking Senator McCain's choice for vice president with a viciousness that is usually reserved for Ronald Reagan or George W. Bush.  This is a woman who has  achieved in spite of not having a well connected family, not going to an Ivy League school nor being part of the good old boy network.

 

She's raising five kids, one of whom is deploying to Iraq, one of whom has Down's Syndrome and one of whom is having a baby.  She has a husband who isn't rich, had a DUI when he was twenty two, and who races snowmobiles.  She's fought tax increases.  She's led her local PTA.  She's had to make choices related to having a child, meeting a family budget and has actually shopped at Wal Mart.  She isn't jaded by either K Street, Wall Street or Capitol Hill.

 

As governor, she's actually dealt with energy issues in a way that none of the other candidates have.  She understands the need to balance environmental issues with energy needs, something that "real" Americans want, as opposed to the environmental ideologues in the Leftist Democrat party who would take us back to huddling in caves if it would "save the planet".

 

Having her oldest child in the military, she certainly doesn't take issues of war and peace lightly and has a perspective that is absolutely the perspective of "real" Americans.  Unless you think that she wants to see her son killed, then you cannot claim that she willing to let soldiers die in a "war based upon lies".

 

Having a child that is going through an unplanned pregnancy, she knows what it's like to have your child give you the news that changes all your hopes and plans for that child.  She also knows, though, that you cannot allow that news to become the end of the world.  She knows that you deal with the issue, pull together as a family and do not view the baby as her daughter being "punished".

 

The Leftist Democrats can claim they are "in touch with America" all they want.  However, they are the party that actually considers people in small town heartland America to be racists, religious bigots and the great unwashed.  Their only interest in "real" Americans is to claim we're victims.  Victims of our own ignorance and victims of nefarious corporate conspiracies.  They tell us that we need the benevolent ruling class of leftist elites to protect us from corporations and ourselves.

 

Real Americans aren't victims.  Yes, they have struggles.  Yes, they face challenges.  Your average American deals with  those challenges and does the best they can to make a better life for them and their family.  Their first thought isn't to abdicate their lives to a governmental agency.  Your average American looks to himself or herself, family and community before they ever think about handing over the reins to Washington.

 

  Sarah Palin is a real American and is truly in touch with the issues of real Americans in a way that few national politicians have ever been.

 

 

 

Tags: politics, Palin, real, soccer moms