Thread: Retreat of the idealogues: How Radical Republicanism has failed to sway America

Originally Posted by johnlocke

This morning, while reading the local paper (and eating my breakfast at the local diner), I happened upon an article, co-authored by Thomas Sowell, decrying partisanship in politics. The article, in today's Contra-Costa Times, declaims the virtues of being more like Joe Lieberman and less like the acrimonious and divisive partisans currently populating our government. Mr. Sowell indicated that the problem with politics is that it has turned into an exercise in "knocking off the other guy before he knocks you off."

What unmitigated gall.

IF there is rampant partisanship in politics, Mr. Sowell need only look to himself and those on the radical right as the basis for this problem. Yes, the left practices partisanship, but when it comes down to plain old, mean spirited and viscious attacks one must defer to the expertise and practices of the radical right. Never has there been such rancor, in the public debate, as there is now. Personal attacks are common, and institutionalized "swift boating" is the method of choice for stifling political opponents.

The left is wrong for comparing George Bush to Adolf Hitler, and cries that this administration is fascist are equally deplorable. This practice pales, however, in comparison to the attacks of the radical right. Those who disagree with this administraiton are called traitors, cowards, terrorist sympatizers and worse. This, not withstanding the fact that the vast majority of those who engage in these smear campaigns feel at liberty to impugn the character of veterans who oppose their misadventure in Iraq. This despite the fact that many of these "commentators" HAVE NEVER SERVED ONE DAY IN THE MILITARY.

I disagreed with Moveon.org's attack on General Patreus as being an attack on him personally, and thus inherently disrespectful of his service. The right was quick to jump on Moveon.org for their ill considered and disrespectful advertisment. I have YET to hear ANY conservative decry the attacks on Max Cleeland, John Kerry, and ALL the liberal veterans who choose to exercise their constitutional right to dissent with this administration. They hem, haw, and obfuscate hoping that the new issue of the day will conceal the fact that no such apology is forthcoming and that NONE of them will condemn Rush Limbaugh and his ilk for their attacks on those who have served honorably.

I will attempt to find the article so that you can all see what has me so angry. My take on Mr. Sowell's concern is simply this: After having run the government (for twelve years) on a "fuck you democrats, we don't need bipartisanship" basis, the radical right is now confronted with the reality that they are about to lose control of the government, and not just Congress. Perhaps they should have considered their, inevitable, change in political fortunes when Mr. Gingrich was busy telling Democrats to pack sand?

I think by your first paragraph, you did infact prove his point for him. Good work.

Originally Posted by conservative

If you narrow the sphere of influence to nothing but radio talk show hosts, of course the Conservatives have more influence. But if you include all areas of influence in society that isn't the case.

That to me is a good thing, but it would even be greater if the left could get even more influence. We would all be better off, incuding the radical right.

Originally Posted by Coolio43

I have to disagree with you John. Howard Dean gets my vote for the most poisenous, mean spirited person I ever heard.

I don't even know why I am responding to this post, but its not even close. Rush makes Dean look like a boy scout in comparison.

Originally Posted by conservative

And you don't try to equate all conservatives with Rushlimbaugh...pfffft.

There is a far greater impact from all sectors of society by Liberals. From the Liberal idoctrination of public schools, to the many professors across the country comparing GWB to Hitler, to the MSM and it's liberal indoctrination of the airwaves...it's everywhere.

There are just as many haters on the left as the right...

To the original premise...John was whining about the divisiveness of the culture and politics...and then rather than calling for a ceasefire...he wants to blame the right...apparently you do too. This is what is called "Divisiveness". If that is what you are after please continue to call out the right as being the more hateful of the sides.

As I stated before to John, and now you, if you went and polled some conservatives they would say the same about leftists...both sides can cite examples all day long...as you seem to want to do. That will prove nothing, and accomplish nothing.

Till then...

Pfffft? What happened, blow a tire?

Blame the Right? Exactly and I believe the arguement on this thread has merit, but its been presented in an articulate manner from the left.

Originally Posted by steezer

That to me is a good thing, but it would even be greater if the left could get even more influence. We would all be better off, incuding the radical right.

So you base this opinion on what...

Originally Posted by steezer

Pfffft? What happened, blow a tire?

Blame the Right? Exactly and I believe the arguement on this thread has merit, but its been presented in an articulate manner from the left.

Can you point me to those posts?