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The Virtue of “Quitting”
www.wordpress.com ^ | 26 September, 2011 | MarkAmerica

Posted on 09/26/2011 10:05:11 AM PDT by el_texicano

One of the constant smears leveled at Sarah Palin is that she “quit” her office as Governor of Alaska. The word “quit” is used in the form of a smear, in order to paint her as less-than-committed, but the truth of the matter is that in resigning her post, what she actually did was a magnificently honorable act, rarely done in politics. How many times have you wondered if Barack Obama shouldn’t simply do the honorable thing in the name of the country, and step aside? The problem is that would still leave you with President Joe Biden, so it would not offer much relief. More importantly, however, we must consider the nature of the alleged “quitting” and why Governor Palin left her office early. She wasn’t hounded from office, or anything of the sort, except that what tore at her was the fact that each day she remained, costs were being inflicted on the people of her state, counted in all the wasted dollars spent handling the various FOIA requests, and all the bottled-up legislative work that hung in the balance. Governor Palin could have stuck it out, but what would have been the cost to the State and the People of Alaska? We’ve had numerous politicians under fire for actual wrong-doing who wouldn’t resign, relying upon tax-payers to bear the costs of their defense.

In truth, it is the willingness of our current president to see your money wasted while trying to stave off investigations into his conduct and the conduct of his administration in a number of issues that permits him the luxury of avoiding the “quitter” label. Visitors logs? Fast and Furious? Solyndra? The list goes on and on, but measuring his character, we now know he will never yield the office, no matter how badly he’s run it, and no matter how much it costs the people of America to sustain him in it. Even as some members of his party now murmur that he should indeed “quit” in the interests of his own party by refusing his renomination, Obama stubbornly rejects such suggestions on the basis that his personal claim to official power supersedes the interests of his party, the tax-payers, the voters, and frankly anybody else who gets in his way.

Contrast this with the facts of Governor Palin’s resignation. She had already said, some years before, that she would rather quit the office than ever let the people of Alaska suffer needlessly for her sake. Many politicians make such oaths, but few ever live up to them. After her Vice Presidential run in 2008, she returned home to Alaska to find that the war against her from the national stage had been moved to a field of battle in Alaska. The war against her raged on, with a single purpose: Her adversaries had seen her powerful potential on the national stage, and this was a preemptive strike against her, with the ultimate purpose of the attack being to destroy her, that she could never return to do battle against the machine in Washington DC. If the people and the state of Alaska needed to be ruined in the process, they considered it as mere collateral damage in a necessary campaign.

All of it was politically motivated, and it was hampering the function of the state. Alaska was losing millions, but worst of all, the harsh national politics had been imported into the state and this was obstructing the legislative agenda. The simple fact was that Sarah Palin had become the focus and object of the debate. This was a war to destroy her, and if it meant sinking the state of Alaska with her, the political forces from outside the state were happy to oblige. Realizing that the attacks upon her were causing the state to bleed money and that her legislative agenda was being obstructed for the sake of national politics, Palin decided to step aside and remove herself from the equation. No longer would Alaska be attacked for the sake of the war on Sarah Palin. What Palin did in resigning was to isolate herself from the state so that its business could go on under the leadership of her successor, Lt. Governor Parnell. As a result, the people of Alaska would no longer be made to suffer as proxies in the battle to destroy her. Rather than hunker down and weather the storm as most politicians will try to do, she did the most shocking thing and met their immediate demands. As she has written:

“The reaction to my announcement was instructive. The same people who had wanted nothing more than to throw me out of office were suddenly outraged that I was obliging.”

Some will insist on gaining the political advantage of using the term “quitter” for its negative connotations. This is to tell a lie, and further a smear, and while some are only too happy to do so, I believe in justice, so let me tell you what this really had been: Governor Palin possessed the strength of character to act in the best interest of her state and its people despite the costs to her own short-run political power. She must have known when she resigned her office that she would be called a “quitter.” She must have known how this would be used against her in any future political endeavor. What she did was to put her faith in the good sense of the American people to recognize the truth. She always believed in the values and wisdom of the American people to ultimately sort out what was real and what was merely another political falsehood.

In my favorite book, Atlas Shrugged, the protagonist is John Galt. His act of “quitting” and all those who followed him was portrayed by the villains as an act of abandonment and cowardice. One after the other, all the best and most virtuous people “quit” and disappeared, leaving behind all the trappings of fame and fortune for the sake of an idea, knowing that by the rules they had been fighting, they could never succeed or win. Instead, they “quit.” In so doing, they rescued the world, because without them, upon whom the villains had relied to keep the world going, evil was starved out of power. As they quit, they joined in an effort to undermine the broken, evil system from the outside in a way they could have never accomplished from within. In isolation, what they found is that their power had been magnified by their absence.

Is Governor Palin’s position now any different? The great shellacking of the left in 2010 was largely a result of the determined efforts of Sarah Palin and all those Tea Party patriots who answered her clarion call to clean up Washington by sending in new blood. The Tea Party responded magnificently, and they began in earnest the process of that critical reform. In this way, Sarah Palin has been a far more effective leader for the nation than she could have been in her office of Governor. What she must have discovered is what John Galt knew: In walking away, you will find liberation if you have the wisdom to make use of it.

At the end of the story, there comes a moment when the so-called “quitters” realize the way has been made clear, and they decide to return to the world at large. I can only imagine that Sarah Palin now looks to see if her way is now clear, and whether there is an opening through which she may now re-emerge. I believe that evidence has come in several forms, including the results of 2010′s elections, and the progression of this electoral season. At this moment, the Republican field is being shown to have few shining lights. Herman Cain’s ascension to the top of the Florida GOP straw poll is just the latest example. What all of this demonstrates is that the Emperors have no clothes. The people we’ve been told are the “front-runners” have been such only for the apparent lack of better choices. There is a vacuum into which others may attempt to leap, but in truth, we all know that there’s only one person who will satisfy this lacking, and it isn’t the governor of a very blue state.

Those who suggest Palin had “quit” understand little about her governing philosophy. She had always believed that no single personality is more important than the business of responsible governance. When she resigned her office, it was in recognition of this fact and obedience to her conscience on the matter. Most politicians will fight on because to hold power is the end-all, be-all of their existence. Their egos come before all else, and the narcissism implicit in their behavior drives their decision-making. It is always all about them. Governor Palin is not that kind of leader, and her resignation was the indisputable proof. She thought it better to stand aside, or as she put it, “to pass the ball.” You may be forgiven if you have bought the superficial narrative about “quitting,” but it’s time to accept the truth of this story: What she did, she did out of her firm commitment to Alaska and Alaskans.

Many Americans claim to want leaders who exhibits the strength of character to put the interests of the country before their own political careers. Governor Palin made precisely that choice, to her own political detriment, but to the immediate benefit of the people of her state. “Passing the ball” to Sean Parnell, the media circus and the political smear campaign followed her, leaving her successor to run with the ball unobstructed on behalf of the people of Alaska. Knowing this now lays the question upon your intellectual table: Did you mean it when you said you prefer your leaders to put the interests of the people ahead of their own, or was that mere posturing on your part? Politician after politician makes this sort of promise, but damnably few of them live it. What of you? When you lamented the state of politics and the general moral bankruptcy of so many politicians, did you mean it? Did you understand what you were asking of them? Having watched politics for so many tiresome years being played out with always the same essential ending, have you become too cynical to recognize that in the person of Sarah Palin, there had finally been a politician who had actually lived according to that premise which is for so many just more high-minded talk never to be followed by actions?

I long ago decided that Sarah Palin was anything but a “quitter.” I realized it was just one more example in a long string of smears, where virtues are twisted into vices. In much the same way that my favorite heroes in literature had their best and highest virtues turned upon them, so it is true of Sarah Palin. I recognize in her a politician who did not abandon her oath, but instead, in the most thoroughly rational and honorable way, she kept true faith and allegiance to it. What her example should actually teach us is how lacking in honest virtue our current leadership in Washington DC has been, as they fight to maintain their power without any concern for how it hampers the nation and its people. Instead, they cling to power like so many ticks to the hound, embedded and draining the lifeblood of the nation. As a group, they could exercise no greater virtue than to “quit,” but don’t expect that spectacle any time soon. The vice that is their compulsive grasping for power forbids it, and all the while, the nation suffers mightily at the hands of their intransigent incompetence. There is great virtue to be found in that rarest of politicians who puts the interests of the whole people ahead of her own, but for a change, and in justice to all our finest declarations about the virtues we wish to see in our leaders, we should recognize it and honor it. Sarah Palin isn’t a “quitter.”

She kept her word.


TOPICS: Government; Politics
KEYWORDS: gop; palin; politics; president
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MarkAmerica deals with the "quitting" slur that so many of FR want to demean Sarah Palin for, when in reality they should be honoring her for doing the right thing, not as a egotistical politician, but as an honorable leader true to the people.
1 posted on 09/26/2011 10:05:19 AM PDT by el_texicano
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To: el_texicano

Human beings are very talented at rationalizing almost anything.


2 posted on 09/26/2011 10:07:59 AM PDT by Wolfstar ("If you would win a man to your cause, first convince him that you are his friend." Abraham Lincoln)
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To: Brices Crossroads; Virginia Ridgerunner; RonDog; onyx; 2ndDivisionVet

Thought ya’ll might enjoy this...


3 posted on 09/26/2011 10:15:04 AM PDT by el_texicano (Extremism in the face of tyranny is no fault, Moderation in the face of evil, no virtue.)
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To: el_texicano

I seem to recall one Barack Hussein Obama resigning (aka “Quitting”) his senate seat...


4 posted on 09/26/2011 10:16:23 AM PDT by rjsimmon (1-20-2013 The Tree of Liberty Thirsts)
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To: el_texicano

I’m sorry, but you can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear.


5 posted on 09/26/2011 10:17:30 AM PDT by NakedRampage (Fortis cadere, cedere non potest (A brave man may fall, but he cannot yield))
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To: el_texicano

Utter nonsense.


6 posted on 09/26/2011 10:18:51 AM PDT by wtc911
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To: el_texicano

wow.


7 posted on 09/26/2011 10:20:38 AM PDT by wtc911
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To: el_texicano

The Freepers who give Palin grief as a “quitter” apparently missed the entire spectacle of crazy Alaskan leftists filing constant suits against her for ridiculous “offenses.” If she HADN’T dropped out of that fray the cost to the state of these nuisance lawsuits would have been in the millions. Good on her for denying those loons their little sport.


8 posted on 09/26/2011 10:21:36 AM PDT by JennysCool (My hypocrisy goes only so far)
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To: el_texicano

Just what I’ve tried to say in the past, but this article does it much better.


9 posted on 09/26/2011 10:25:58 AM PDT by reasonisfaith (Governor Palin: "I'm not for sale." It's true. Watch The Undefeated.)
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To: el_texicano

If she hadn’t quit, the same people would be whining that she was too stubborn and was hurting her state by staying Governor...


10 posted on 09/26/2011 10:29:24 AM PDT by piytar (The Obama Depression. Say it early, say it often. Why? Because it's TRUE.)
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To: JennysCool

That’s right.

They somehow think the right thing would have been to let the people pay a huge price just so one person could keep their position of power.

Palin gave up her power, for the sake of the people. In doing so, she kept her promise.


11 posted on 09/26/2011 10:30:02 AM PDT by reasonisfaith (Governor Palin: "I'm not for sale." It's true. Watch The Undefeated.)
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To: el_texicano

It’s generally understood here at FR why Palin resigned. The general populace, however, hasn’t a clue.

And, if she gets the nomination, you can count on a barrage of TV ads hitting her on this issue.

Good luck convincing the sheeple that her resignation was anything other than a cowardly act by someone wanting to cash in on a TV deal, because THAT’S the way it will be spun.


12 posted on 09/26/2011 10:31:40 AM PDT by Fresh Wind ('People have got to know whether or not their President is a crook.' Richard M. Nixon)
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To: el_texicano

bflr


13 posted on 09/26/2011 10:32:41 AM PDT by rockinqsranch (Dems, Libs, Socialists, call 'em what you will, they ALL have fairies livin' in their trees.)
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To: JennysCool

That’s right.

They somehow think the right thing would have been to let the people pay a huge price just so one person could keep their position of power.

Palin gave up her power, for the sake of the people. In doing so, she kept her promise.


14 posted on 09/26/2011 10:32:54 AM PDT by reasonisfaith (Governor Palin: "I'm not for sale." It's true. Watch The Undefeated.)
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To: JennysCool
Regardless of whether or not her quitting was a moral act, she was only governor of a sparsely populated state for a short time.

Is this enough experience for a stint as president?

Obama has shown significant naievete and incompetence because of his lack of executive experience. In some cases it has been to our benefit as he has been unable to put in place all of the silliness he wanted.

Personally I would prefer a conservative candidate who had the experience to do more than just come up with a good plan. I would want him/her to be able to put it in place.

I agree with a lot of what Palin says, but would she be able to put it in place? Just because she was successful in fighting the oil companies in Alaska does not mean she could successfully reform Soc Sec, Medicare, or the budget process that has resulted in decades of overspending.

15 posted on 09/26/2011 10:34:04 AM PDT by who_would_fardels_bear
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To: JennysCool
If [Sarah] HADN’T dropped out of that fray the cost to the state of these nuisance lawsuits would have been in the millions. Good on her for denying those loons their little sport.

And how did Sarah respond after "quitting?" She hit the ground running and helped forge a national grassroots movement which gave rise to a new political force in American politics: the TEA Party.

And what was the result? The TEA Party-led Republicans scored historic victories in the 2010 midterm elections and took the House by storm.

Sarah has shown more than enough leadership and executive savvy. The "quitter" moniker simply doesn't apply, and it is the height of propaganda when viewed in the overall context of her career before, during and after her time as governor.

Sarah didn't need to stay in her state and be kept in a box by her foes. She rightly recognized that it was time to lead a national charge towards restoring our Free Republic. So she sidestepped them and became the national phenomenon which she still is, and she has produced impressive results.

In Sarah Palin, there hasn't been a more passionate and potent threat to the Establishment of both parties in my lifetime, and I was born in 1965. There is no politician in the nation whom I trust more, even though I might disagree on some details.

16 posted on 09/26/2011 10:37:45 AM PDT by sargon (I don't like the sound of these "boncentration bamps")
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To: Rational Thought; kara2008; Immerito; Students4Palin; Ladysmith; EnglishCon; thouworm; ...

(((((PING)))))


17 posted on 09/26/2011 10:39:27 AM PDT by Virginia Ridgerunner (Sarah Palin has crossed the Rubicon!)
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To: Wolfstar

Yes, hopefully, everyone can rationalize. We are rational animals and it is what distinguishes us from the Ape.

The rationality using fixed principles of “Right and Wrong” established in the philosophy of Natural RightsTheory infused with the Christian virtues of Faith, Love and Charity which is the fundamental principles of US law— have created the most outstanding cultures in the history of the world.

Bonhoeffer quit also....so to say—dropped out of the official government day to day operations. They were evil....he wasn’t going to “go along” with it.

Those who base their rationality on “moral relativism” are irrational from the laws of nature and Christian standards .....whose ideas have always led to great evil—de Sade, Stalin, Mao, Hitler, etc.

I will stick to those whose rationality is based on Christianity and Natural Law esp. since it is what made this country excel.

Irrational thinking includes all other ideology which doesn’t include the Christian values as being universal—given to every human being, even the mentally challenged and elderly and dying.

Palin operates under a set standard—of Objective Truth (from where our Natural Rights originate)....which I have seen her adhere to again and again—including the gift of life for Trig. To me, that proves her dedication to Right and Wrong-—on a much higher level than most other people would have the courage to face.

You are not moral if you don’t walk the walk. Quitting was standing up to great evil which took way too much of her time from State affairs and her celebrity was used to bankrupt and impede state functions, through our corrupt legal system. Any “rational” moral person would have quit. The system as it is is so corrupt, it is not going to be fixed from within by one person. Has to be Bonhoeffers now because of the shear immorality of our government and legal institutions.


18 posted on 09/26/2011 10:43:51 AM PDT by savagesusie
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To: Wolfstar

“Human beings are very talented at rationalizing almost anything.”

Well put.


19 posted on 09/26/2011 10:43:55 AM PDT by Magic Fingers
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To: Fresh Wind
Good luck convincing the sheeple that her resignation was anything other than a cowardly act by someone wanting to cash in on a TV deal, because THAT’S the way it will be spun.

See posts 6 and 7 on this thread for an example of just such PDS-afflicted sheeple.

20 posted on 09/26/2011 10:51:33 AM PDT by bassmaner (Hey commies: I am a white male, and I am guilty of NOTHING! Sell your 'white guilt' elsewhere.)
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