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Two Americas
FrontPage Magazine ^ | August 22, 2014 | Bob Lonsberry

Posted on 08/22/2014 7:33:46 AM PDT by SJackson

Two Americas

Posted By Bob Lonsberry On August 22, 2014 @ 12:10 am In Daily Mailer,FrontPage | No Comments

Reposted from Bob Lonsberry.com

The Democrats are right, there are two Americas.

The America that works, and the America that doesn’t. The America that contributes, and the America that doesn’t.

It’s not the haves and the have nots, it’s the dos and the don’ts. Some people do their duty as Americans, to obey the law and support themselves and contribute to society, and others don’t.

That’s the divide in America.

It’s not about income inequality, it’s about civic irresponsibility. It’s about a political party that preaches hatred, greed and victimization in order to win elective office. It’s about a political party that loves power more than it loves its country.

That’s not invective, that’s truth.

And it’s about time someone said it.

The politics of envy was on proud display last week as the president said he would pledge the rest of his term to fighting “income inequality.” He notes that some people make more than other people, that some people have higher incomes than others, and he says that’s not just.

It was the rationale of thievery.

The other guy has it, you want it, Obama will take it for you.

Vote Democrat.

It is the electoral philosophy that gave us Detroit. It is the electoral philosophy that is destroying America.

And it conceals a fundamental deviation from American values and common sense. It ends up not being a benefit to the people who support it, but a betrayal. The Democrats have not empowered their followers, they have enslaved them – in a culture of dependence and entitlement, of victimhood and anger instead of ability and hope.

The president’s premise – that you reduce income inequality by debasing the successful – seeks to ignore and cheat the law of choices and consequences. It seeks to deny the successful the consequences of their choices and spare the unsuccessful the consequences of their choices.

Because, by and large, the variability in society is a result of different choices leading to different consequences. Those who choose wisely and responsibly have a far greater likelihood of success, while those who choose foolishly and irresponsibly have a far greater likelihood of failure.

And success and failure can manifest themselves in personal and family income.

You choose to drop out of high school or to skip college and you are apt to have a different outcome than someone who gets a diploma and pushes on with purposeful education. You have your children out of wedlock and life is apt to take one course, you have them in wedlock and life is apt to take another course.

Most often in life our destination is determined by the course we take.

My doctor, for example, makes far more than I do. There is significant income inequality between us. Our lives have had an inequality of outcome. But, our lives also have had an inequality of effort. Whereas my doctor went to college and then gave the flower of his young adulthood to medical school and residency, I got a job in a restaurant. He made a choice, I made a choice. And our choices led us to different outcomes.

His outcome pays a lot better than mine.

Does that mean he cheated and Barack Obama needs to take away his wealth?

No, it means we are both free men.

And in a free society, free choices will lead to different outcomes.

It is not inequality Barack Obama will take away, it is freedom.

The freedom to succeed, and the freedom to fail. And there is no true option for success if there is no true option for failure.

The pursuit of happiness means a whole lot less when you face the punitive hand of government if your pursuit brings you more happiness than the other guy.

Even if the other guy sat on his arse and did nothing.

Even if the other guy made a lifetime’s worth of asinine and shortsighted decisions.

Barack Obama and the Democrats preach equality of outcome as a right, while completely ignoring inequality of effort. The simple Law of the Harvest – as ye sow, so shall ye reap – is sometimes applied as, “The harder you work, the more you get.”

The progressive movement would turn that upside down.

Those who achieve are to be punished as enemies of society and those who fail are to be rewarded as wards of society. Entitlement has replaced effort as the key to upward mobility in American society.

Or at least it has if Barack Obama gets his way.

He seeks a lowest common denominator society in which the government besieges the successful and productive and fosters equality through mediocrity.

He and his party speak of two Americas.

And their grip on power is based on using the votes of one to sap the productivity of the other.

America is not divided by the differences in our outcomes, it is divided by the differences in our efforts. And by the false philosophy that says one man’s success comes about unavoidably as the result of another man’s victimization.

What the president offered was not a solution, but a separatism. He fomented division and strife, he pitted one set of Americans against another.

For his own political benefit.

That’s what progressives offer. Marxist class warfare wrapped up with a bow.

Two Americas, coming closer each day to proving the truth to Lincoln’s maxim that a house divided against itself cannot stand.



TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial; Politics/Elections
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1 posted on 08/22/2014 7:33:46 AM PDT by SJackson
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To: SJackson

btt


2 posted on 08/22/2014 7:38:51 AM PDT by BenLurkin (This is not a statement of fact. It is either opinion or satire; or both.)
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To: SJackson

bookmark


3 posted on 08/22/2014 7:40:19 AM PDT by Oldeconomybuyer (The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.)
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To: SJackson
He seeks a lowest common denominator society in which the government besieges the successful and productive and fosters equality through mediocrity.

Yes, the proverbial LOW road,
guaranteed mediocrity,
equally dismal futures.

Who would/might be YOUR top FIVE picks?

Republicans

Sen. Kelly Ayotte (N.H.) — Ayotte, who is up for reelection in 2016, is already being discussed as a vice presidential pick.

Rep. Michele Bachmann (Minn.) — Tea Party favorite has said she might run again in 2016.

Former Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour — Barbour is well liked by the GOP establishment and was included in a Republican National Committee straw poll in January.

Rep. Marsha Blackburn (Tenn.)

Blackburn denied a report she is mulling a bid.

John Bolton — The former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations is leaving the 2016 door open.

Scott Brown — Brown is the underdog in his race against Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.).

Jeb Bush — Bush fatigue would be a significant obstacle for the former Florida governor.

Herman Cain — Jon Stewart prayed on the air that Cain would run again.

Ben Carson - Carson is a rising star in the GOP.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie — Bridge-gate hasn’t deterred Christie, who sounds like he’s going to be a candidate.

Sen. Ted Cruz (Texas) — Tea Party star must convince kingmakers that he can beat Clinton.

Mitch Daniels — The ex-governor of Indiana decided against running in 2012 because of family concerns.

Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin — The former House member is in the mix of speculation.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam — He says he’s not interested in running.

Newt Gingrich — The 2012 presidential candidate and ex-Speaker might run again. Asked by Fox News’s Greta van Susteren about throwing his hat in the ring, Gingrich responded, “Ask me that in January of 2015.”

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley — Haley is always mentioned as a possible candidate.

Mike Huckabee - Huckabee’s poll numbers are quite good.

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal — The former House member knows policy inside and out, but he would have to stand out amid the many personalities that will be on the 2016 stage.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich — Will Kasich and Ohio Sen. Rob Portman both run? Regardless, Ohio is a must win for the GOP in 2016.

Rep. Pete King (N.Y.) — A frequent critic of Sens. Ted Cruz (Texas) and Rand Paul (Ky.).

Rep. Steve King (Iowa) — A kingmaker in Iowa and a hard-liner on immigration.

New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez - The first female Hispanic governor is not expected to run for president. But she will be a leading vice presidential candidate.

Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (Wash.) — She has a bright future, though a presidential run in 2016 probably isn’t in the cards.

Sarah Palin — The RNC put her in its straw poll, but most think the former Alaska governor will remain on the sidelines.

Sen. Rand Paul (Ky.) — Paul, who is up for reelection in 2016, looks like a sure bet to run for president. Of all the possible 2016 GOP hopefuls, Paul has arguably had the best 2014.

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence — Pence is a dark horse who shouldn’t be overlooked. The former House member was Tea Party before the Tea Party existed and is well respected by social and fiscal conservatives.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry - Comebacks are common in politics, but can Perry pull it off? He has two things going for him: The border crisis has put him front and center on the national stage, and the right has rallied behind him in the wake of his indictment in Texas.

Sen. Rob Portman (Ohio) — Portman, who is up for reelection in 2016, is headed to New Hampshire next week.

Condoleezza Rice — The former secretary of State routinely comes up in this conversation, but the chances of a Rice bid are remote.

Rep. Mike Rogers (Mich.) — The retiring House member and soon-to-be talk-radio host hasn’t ruled out a run.

Mitt Romney — The rumors of another Romney run continue to persist.

Sen. Marco Rubio (Fla.) - Rubio will have to decide whether to run for president or reelection in 2016. As he said, “you can’t be on the ballot for two different offices” in Florida.

Rep. Paul Ryan (Wis.) — He seems more intent on becoming Ways and Means Committee chairman than running for president.

Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval — It’s more likely that Sandoval would challenge Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) in 2016.

Rick Santorum - The former Pennsylvania senator is being overlooked in the 2016 race. He did, after all, win the Iowa caucus in 2012.

Joe Scarborough — The host of MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” is certainly eyeing a return to public office. Will it come sooner or later?

Sen. Tim Scott (S.C.) — He probably won’t run but will be discussed as a possible No. 2 on the ticket.

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder — He faces a challenging reelection race in November.

Sen. John Thune (S.D.) — Thune nearly ran in 2012, and he has more than $9.5 million in his campaign war chest.

Donald Trump —Trump might run, but don’t bet on it.

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker — Walker first has to win reelection this year.

Allen West — The former congressman from Florida is mulling a bid.

4 posted on 08/22/2014 7:45:06 AM PDT by cloudmountain
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To: SJackson

a two tiered system


5 posted on 08/22/2014 7:47:19 AM PDT by yldstrk ( My heroes have always been cowboys)
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To: SJackson

Well said. I wonder how long tax payers will continue to enable the administration. Maybe it is time to slow down work, earn less, take all legal deductions, lower your taxable income and spend less.


6 posted on 08/22/2014 7:48:54 AM PDT by ActresponsiblyinVA
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To: SJackson

HARUMPH!


7 posted on 08/22/2014 7:50:10 AM PDT by MrB (The difference between a Humanist and a Satanist - the latter admits whom he's working for)
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Less Than 17K To Go And The Freepathon Is Over!


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Support FR, Donate Monthly If You Can

8 posted on 08/22/2014 7:50:35 AM PDT by DJ MacWoW (The Fed Gov is not one ring to rule them all)
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To: SJackson

IF(Takers > Makers)
THEN America = null


9 posted on 08/22/2014 7:54:53 AM PDT by stinkerpot65 (Global warming is a Marxist lie.)
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To: SJackson

Well said.


10 posted on 08/22/2014 7:55:24 AM PDT by Rusty0604
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To: SJackson

The ‘Progressives’ say that the views expressed in the article are extreme. But they are the core values this nation were built on.
Obama recently said the ‘center will not hold.’ Where is his center? Certainly he does not believe the welfare state is the center? He cannot be that ignorant of history.


11 posted on 08/22/2014 7:55:49 AM PDT by griswold3 (I was born here in America. I will die here in a third world country. Obama succeeded.)
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To: SJackson

You know, I was thinking about this in regard to the Brown case.

I would be considered a “have” and he would be considered a “have not”.

I went to work at 16 and have been employed mostly since that time (worked p/t and stayed home with kids some of that period) .

Brown was l8 and wasn’t working, he was out assaulting store owners and stealing.

I am considered a “have” because I worked all my life. He’s a “have not” because he didn’t want to work, he wanted to rap and steal.


12 posted on 08/22/2014 7:57:05 AM PDT by Reddy (B.O. stinks)
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To: SJackson

Give(produce, create) and it shall be given unto you. Always demand that more be given to you and you will never have enough.
There’s your two Americas.


13 posted on 08/22/2014 8:00:02 AM PDT by all the best
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Comment #14 Removed by Moderator

To: SJackson

What he said!^^^^

Nailed it!


15 posted on 08/22/2014 8:06:29 AM PDT by Thorliveshere (Minnesota Survivor)
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To: SJackson
In a nutshell.

Excellent essay. I wish the GOP would take it to heart.

16 posted on 08/22/2014 8:10:03 AM PDT by skeeter
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To: SJackson
It’s not about income inequality, it’s about civic irresponsibility.

It's about PERSONAL irresponsibility, Bob. The people that do not take PERSONAL responsibility for their OWN lives and those of their FAMILY members are the real problem.

The so-called 'men' who will not raise their own children, but let the government provide for them are the focus of all that is wrong today.

The glorified 'single moms' with several children of different fathers do not care where the money comes from, and if there are no strings attached, then all the better for them.

The destruction of the black family as a cohesive unit creates generations of dependency that in turn creates even more of the same.

Increasing the allotment of money and other subsides only worsens the situation.

They system is not 'broken', it was developed to work that way, and it's doing a fine job.................

17 posted on 08/22/2014 8:28:42 AM PDT by Red Badger (If you compromise with evil, you just get more evil..........................)
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To: SJackson

There are not two Americas, just one.

There is America and those that respect and enjoy her. Then there are those that don’t; who disrespect and hate her.


18 posted on 08/22/2014 8:38:25 AM PDT by CodeToad (Romney is a raisin cookie looking for chocolate chip cookie votes.)
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To: skeeter

The GOP wouldn’t dare utter the words for fear of being called bigots


19 posted on 08/22/2014 8:50:25 AM PDT by SJackson (incompetent and feckless..the story of the Obama presidency. No hand on the f***ing tiller, Hillary)
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To: SJackson

Two Americas, coming closer each day to proving the truth to Lincoln’s maxim that a house divided against itself cannot stand.”

We are already there and elections are not going to resolve this. There is going to be a resolution conflict in the next several years. We are one Bundy ranch away from the kickoff.


20 posted on 08/22/2014 9:40:29 AM PDT by Georgia Girl 2 (The only purpose o f a pistol is to fight your way back to the rifle you should never have dropped.)
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