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

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?

a thought just struck me;
it won't matter if ron paul wins the presidency, because congress will still probably be majority dem.

How is Mr Sowell a radical?

Both the Right and the Left are equally culpable...trying to pin the majority of the blame on the Right is in and of itslef "Divisive". Until all parties admit they are all sinners nothing will change...it will only get worse.

Originally Posted by conservative

Both the Right and the Left are equally culpable...trying to pin the majority of the blame on the Right is in and of itslef "Divisive". Until all parties admit they are all sinners nothing will change...it will only get worse.

Nope. The right is much worse about this than the left could EVER hope to be.

Originally Posted by johnlocke

Nope. The right is much worse about this than the left could EVER hope to be.

You see....that is exactly my point. The left has dug in their heels and claim that the problem is the right. The right digs in and says the problem is the left. Both see it as right from their perspective. Both can cite examples of disparagement from Reagan being called a simple Actor, a triggerhappy Cowboy, a senile old fool...to Clinton and all the accusations of mysterious murders to his sexual escapades...both think they are right...both are wrong. You are not helping the problem...you are helping to create the problem.


He who is without sin cast the first stone".

Originally Posted by conservative

You see....that is exactly my point. The left has dug in their heels and claim that the problem is the right. The right digs in and says the problem is the left. Both see it as right from their perspective. Both can cite examples of disparagement from Reagan being called a simple Actor, a triggerhappy Cowboy, a senile old fool...to Clinton and all the accusations of mysterious murders to his sexual escapades...both think they are right...both are wrong. You are not helping the problem...you are helping to create the problem.


He who is without sin cast the first stone".

Okay, let's compare:

We had Thomas P. Oneill- a great statesman who made government work on a bipartisan basis.

You had Trent Lott, Tom DeLay, and Newt Gingrich.

Case closed.

Originally Posted by johnlocke

Okay, let's compare:

We had Thomas P. Oneill- a great statesman who made government work on a bipartisan basis.

You had Trent Lott, Tom DeLay, and Newt Gingrich.

Case closed.

The only case you are closing is the case for bi-partisanship.

Originally Posted by johnlocke

Nope. The right is much worse about this than the left could EVER hope to be.

Probably disingenuous of me to agree but I do.

Originally Posted by 2lane

Probably disingenuous of me to agree but I do.

You are both proving my point. You bitch about nastiness in politics, of the failure to get things done for the people, about the debased level of discourse amongst the right and left...and instead of reaching out...you accuse the other side of being the problem. Then you sit back in your smug self-righteousness and wonder why the attacks continue from both sides.

Pathetic.