Posted on 03/01/2013 6:00:05 PM PST by SeekAndFind
Many argue the coalition that elected and re-elected Barack Obama represents a long-term shift in the electorate that will determine elections and public policies for generations. Some of commentators think conservatives have lost their relevance, and the Republicans are about to go the way of the Whigs.
It's an interesting theory, but of course it's wrong. Politics, like much in life, tends to move like a pendulum, shifting back and forth around equilibrium. While the liberal Democratic coalition is ascendant now, a few decades ago people were speaking about the decline of the Democrats. More recently, leftists took to calling themselves "progressives" to avoid what was seen as the pejorative term "liberal." And just over two years ago, the Democrats took a drubbing in the midterm elections. Today, with the real-time flow of unfiltered information via blogs, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, etc., and more Americans self-identifying as independents and able to shift their support rapidly to either party, lasting coalitions will be difficult to maintain.
But the primary reason today's liberal Democratic coalition will fade is because the very policies it pushes sow the seeds of its own destruction. The coalition can survive over time only by allocating slices of our nation's economic pie in a way that favors and placates its constituent members. But people, being human, will continually want larger slices of our economic resources, so continued success in placating those members, while at the same time adding the necessary new members, requires a continuing and ever-growing economy. A flat or shrinking economy will never generate the resources needed to feed the coalition.
Yet the White House and congressional Democrats are working to stifle economic growth.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
I’ve been listening to the same argument from both Presidents McCain and Romney.
It’s not a problem for the Democrats. You have to remember that they lie.
I’ve been saying this for some time. From some republicans I hear the contradictory assessment:
1) The democrats have assembled an entitlement coalition of more than 50% of the population to continually elect their members, for generations to come
2) The welfare state is unsustainable for more than a decade.
So how do you square a situation that will collapse before the beneficiaries achieve their goal?
we are doomed... a weak economy cannot survive an entitlement mentality...
As long as the “markets” let the fedgov spend $1.40 for every $1.00 of revenue by creating Baraqqi/Bernanke/Lew minibucks, entitlements will continue to flow.
The whole country is like that family in 2007 riding a wave of false prosperity based on maxxed out credit cards and helocs on a house with negative equity. Instead of two leased luxury SUVs and a McMansion, we have vote buying entitlements.
You’re quick...and funny too.
Thanks for the laugh.
I really want to believe this, but there are some dynamics today that weren't there in the past.
All my logic tells me you are correct.
It’s depressing but hard to avoid that conclusion.
they are betting they can turn the entire middle class into the entitlement class. tanking the economy is doing that.
The Democrats can keep their base of moochers fat and happy for only so long. Human nature being what it is, the moochers will continue to want more more more from the Democrat politicians who buy their votes using the tax dollars they confiscate from normal, working, traditional American families ("Republicans").
That is, sticking with the status quo just won't do for the moochers - - the amount of "free stuff" they get must increase year after year. They believe they "deserve" annual increases in their "free stuff" as payback for their loyalty in voting for the politicians who give them their handouts, just like working people expect annual pay increases from their employers as a reward for their reliability, loyalty, and increased skill at their jobs. Well, the moochers want a raise, too.
But current economic conditions - - and the resulting decrease in revenue coming into the government - - won't allow any increases for the moochers and so, the theory goes, enough of the moochers will turn their backs on their Democrat benefactors to open the door for the Republicans to net more wins. It's not that the moochers will vote Republican - - heavens, no - - but they may not be bothered to go to the polls if their Democrat politicians have to tell them (with palms up), "Sorry, you'll just have to make do with what you're already getting."
Entitlement mentality, AKA “Gibsmedat” mentality most assuredly will survive until the death o the small minds in which it is so deeply embedded.
What may well not survive an economic crisis will be the Constitution and the Republic.
“So how do you square a situation that will collapse before the beneficiaries achieve their goal?”
You have described a situation akin to poorly adapted parasites which kill their host.
Obama is implementing an old, existing theory.
It may be that the practice is harder than the theory (such is usually the case), but so far the theory is being upheld in practice. The number of poor increase, and the number of people clamoring for more immiseration also increase.
So how do you square a situation that will collapse before the beneficiaries achieve their goal?
I believe that’s called a Ponzi scheme.
Only those at the top achieve their goal.
At the end of the days, the fundamental laws of the universe will prevail: You can’t eat your cake and have it too. You cannot have a fast horse and a full bucket of oats. You cannot have a full belly and a full cupboard. There’s no such thing as a free lunch.
We need to stand up as Americans strongly, against both parties it would seem, and bring back US jobs now.
Now.
Our budget surplus cannot continue this way.
You do it by telling whopper lies to the dumbed-down low-information voters and blaming the collapse on the other party. That's the way Democrats operate. I was born during the Great Depression and all my life I've heard Democrats blame Hoover for FDR's disastrous socialist policies. Just observe how Obama and his mini-Me Carney operate on a daily basis. I think Pete DuPont's great but he's whistling past the graveyard on this.
Oh sure you can.
First you get two buckets of oats, you give one to the horse and then take the empty bucket, get enough food to fill the cupboard and the bucket, and then eat what's in the bucket.
Viola!
The mentality will always survive. The money won’t. How can a wsj correspondent be so out to lunch?
You could be our next Treasury Secretary.
Look, McCain’s loss to the assclown was genuine. McIgnorant didn’t fight and the ONLY reason he got as many electoral votes as he did was because of Sarah Palin.
Romney’s loss may have been real—because it happened, but I am increasingly doubtful it was a genuine loss. We have Obama jackasses claiming they voted for the clown MULTIPLE times.
Of course, if this were a Bush presidency and the same thing was stated, the media would be interested as HELL about it. But when an Obama voter says it, the Obama buttlicking media yawn.
Yes, I think there was enough fraud to put certain precincts and thus states into the assclown’s column.
Wait until the weak economy hits.
The money will run out. Then the takers will riot and burn down their own communities.
“I’ve been listening to the same argument from both Presidents McCain and Romney.”
Me, too. I’ve heard the same arguments from presidents Gore, Kerry and Dukakis.
Yeah, after killing the cow there’s no milk but one can srill live quite a while off the meat...
Economic collapse will create widespread violence and chaos. It will be the excuse 0bama needs to declare martial law, suspend the Constitution and become el-Presidente-for-life.
“Decades of socialist indoctrination and dumbing down children in gov’ment skools, expansion of the parasite base, and the destruction of morals, ethics, motivation, self-responsibility, family, and manhood has created a permanent DemocRat majority.”
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You are right and it bears repeating.
You did, however, leave out one other important institution
that is now almost fully run by Marxist...The media, print and broadcast.
Even FOX seems to be going over the cliff. It may soon be little more then PMSNBC lite.
One of the few here who seems to understand the problem. It is not just the Democrats but also the Republicans who cater to the electorate. Yes, that means voting whichever the wind blows. We do seemed to be doomed these days.
We have very (very, very few) actual folks elected in Washington who actually believe in Democratic Governance and push hard for this belief. Mostly, they do their thing to get elected and cave when the time come for giving out money to their constituents.
I really do believe that we are lost in this because of money...it does seem to buy everything including votes. I do not have a opportunistic outlook for the future.
Yes, the Republicans are becoming just as bad as Democrats. Just look at the current party favorites - trying to figure out how to buy minority votes - laws have little say in their campaigns.
Sorry to say that if a third party does not arise, our democracy is lost! Was a grand glorious couple hundred years though - too bad we could not listen to our forefathers as they intended.
They did their best to instill their ideals in the Constitution and today - they look for ways to circumvent it.
Well about 20 years ago I was firmly on China’s side.
It took me a while, but we have screwed up a historic opportunity to work this out, for both coutries.
Now I just want to work it out for the USA.
Beware if you appear to be a "have" (regardless of your personal circumstances) among the "have nots" (who may in fact live in subsidized housing and have wide-screen TVs) when the crisis hits.
The author of the article: Pete Du Pont must be living under a rock.....
The liberal parasitic base will never cede power because of economic reasons....
They will suck this country dry as bone....no matter how much pain they inflict on us.....
As long as they can keep their political position which is not likely to change anytime soon, since they are now over 50 % of the vote....they will grind this country down u til their is nothing left....
Then the fun begins....
Just as the Democrats can print an infinite number of dollars, they can manufacture an infinite number of votes. And they are supported in this by at least 4 of the Supremes. There is nothing to be optimistic about. We’re cooked.
Nonsense.
However we need to stop always being in the middle about everything. Everything.
Everything.
Be for America GOP. Say it. Shout it. Do whatever and never let up.
But get out of the darned middle. It is where the GOP goes to lose.
Well, trade policy is certainly a part of the problem but much less than our own internal problems.
I have no problem with other countries with cheaper labor getting contracts from America and importing their goods. My problem is with the politicians making this lucrative to them and their colleges even if it hurts the economy of our country. It becomes a matter of tax breaks, laws, etc. that our own lawmakers pass. I have no problem with countries making goods at a cheaper price or companies moving manufacturing overseas - they after all do want to stay in business. It will eventually be best for those buying those products!
My problem is when Congress passes laws to penalize those that do so thus making higher prices here and making is even more inviting for companies to move to other low wage places. That is just another problem of our Congress folks trying to manipulate business for their benefit - not the benefit of the populace. Just look at Walmart - they do a major business with those overseas companies and provide the consumer with lower prices - the result of that is demonetization of them by Congress.
I have to say though, that your exception is just a minor part of the overall problem.
Well, that is the Fed producing all of that money but they do seem to be very happy to do it with the Democrats. I do wonder that they wouldn’t do the same for the Republicans though - after all, Washington seems to be the same regardless of who is in charge!
That is the basic problem I’m talking about... it does not matter party wise. By the way, inflation by big jumps is our future...hold on, just a matter of when.
The village had its one poor street, with its poor brewery, poor tannery, poor tavern, poor stable-yard for relays of post-horses, poor fountain, all usual poor appointments. It had its poor people too. All its people were poor, and many of them were sitting at their doors, shredding spare onions and the like for supper, while many were at the fountain, washing leaves, and grasses, and any such small yieldings of the earth that could be eaten. Expressive signs of what made them poor, were not wanting; the tax for the state, the tax for the church, the tax for the lord, tax local and tax general, were to be paid here and to be paid there, according to solemn inscription in the little village, until the wonder was, that there was any village left unswallowed.
it was the worst of times,
it was the age of foolishness
it was the epoch of incredulity
etc.
And on the day of the end of Detroit. They taxed their way to prosperity.
UI’ll believe it when I see it.
Obama had a solid win last November even after 4 years of dismal leadership.
As long as democrats can suck wealth from others and use it to pay off their constituencies I don’t expect to see any big changes.
Don’t you think it’s time to forgo party and actually support ideas instead? Just what party supports your ideas?
Are you a Conservative? What party supports you? Are you a Libertarian? What party supports you?
Many that read here have no party to support...that is a big problem.
yes. the middle is where cowards go to avoid responsibility. A large portion of this site.
I am currently a Republican though that was strongly tested last election.
I am waiting to see what Sarah Palin does. :D
Right and the Republicans don’t lie! Please... Politicians are politicians and will say what will get them elected regardless of party.
There are differences yes, but don’t make such blanket statements. Politicians by occupation are required to lie to keep their jobs. It is a rare politician that can tell the truth and keep getting elected - you know the kind that we all love, keep electing, keeps letting us know the truth, etc. Far and few in between but when you find them, keep them in office for as long as they live up to that principle!
Kind of like electing one of those old time writers of the Constitution.
Sorry, gave up being a Republican for so many reasons that it would be silly to say... Glad you are so dedicated regardless of their stances.
Well played.
Pete du Pont doesn’t understand that the progressives’ goal is not to build a coalition that will elect them for generations to come. Rather, they’re attempting to bankrupt the system, so that in the chaos of a financial and societal collapse, they can complete their fundamental transformation of the country from a constitutional republic to a socialist state.
Well, good for you but it does not matter whether Palin was running or some other - Republican. It is a matter of what they believed and what they promised to promote/vote for.
I unfortunately think that if Sarah Palin was elected, she would be little different than others that get into the Washington circle of power - seems to be catching.
I have little faith in any politician as you might expect by now. Still waiting for that wild and wooly politician that goes to Washington and makes waves - very large waves!
It didn’t help that Zero had no real opponent. The fix was in, and Willard was a ringer.
The hilarious part is, the ones being crushed by the policies of this depraved demagogue were the first in line to vote for him. Fantastic. I love it. To paraphrase the 70's jingle, You asked for it, you got it, Obama.
I'm digging it almost as much as I'm going to enjoy watching the fawning enabler press be the first folks lined up against the wall and dispatched by their own objects of worship. It's invariably the case in leftist transformation, lest the useful idiots wise up.
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