Posted on 06/26/2005 2:31:21 PM PDT by Congressman Billybob
Those who are long of tooth recall Chevy Chase’s news routine on Saturday Night Live, especially his weekly riff, “Generalissimo Franco is still dead.” That was based on true stories of the removal of assorted organs from the dying General, with doctors’ assurances he was still alive.
That also led to Don Henley’s classic, “Dirty Laundry,” with the lines, “Is the head dead yet? Get the widow on the set....” This is ancient news, but it’s relevant to the Democrats. Like the Generalissimo, that Party has had major organs removed, but is allegedly still alive.
As a student of US history, I’ve researched the life and death of political parties. The Republican and Democrat Parties did not exist at the beginning. Neither is guaranteed by the Constitution. Both are subject to the same failures which put the Whigs, the Federalists, and the Republican-Democrats, among others, on the ash heap of history.
The Democrat Party has finally achieved brain death. For proof, see three points: Howard Dean, Dick Durbin, and the pending break-up of the AFL-CIO. For each, go beyond the speech or action and consider its entire context.
The height of power for labor was marked by the recombination of the American Federation of Labor and the Congress of Industrial Organizations in 1955. The combined organization grew in power, in and out of government. The pinnacle may have been the Democrat Convention in 1980 which renominated President Carter, with carefully balanced delegates in all demographic categories except one – union membership. Half of all delegates were union members.
Today, union power has diminished in all ways, including within the Democrat Party. Union membership is at an all-time low in a century, 13% of all workers. Now, the “public service” unions are about to split from their dying cousins, the private sector unions. The eagle on the Seal of the United States clutches 13 arrows in his talon. The lesson is, in union there is strength, but in division there is weakness. The backbone of union power is now broken.
Second, we look at (Dr., Governor) Howard Dean, chosen as Chairman of the Democrat National Committee. His tactics are slash and burn. His comments are issue-free, being dedicated only to winning elections by any means possible, holding together the crumbling coalition of assorted groups who feel victimized by society.
The acceptance (so far) of Dean by some leaders and members of the Democrat Party ignores a simple truth about communications. Screaming is not a substitute for having something to say.
We turn then to Senator Dick Durbin. Last week we discussed his reprehensible remarks comparing American soldiers to Nazis. This week, look at his so-called apology for his remarks. He got all choked up on the Senate floor, like Red Sovine in a suit. (I saw 2% of you smile knowingly. You’ve heard Sovine classics like “Teddy Bear.”)
Anyway, Durbin said, "Some think my remarks crossed the line." He "apologized" to "those who were offended." But he never said that his remarks were wrong.
Hard-wired Democrat apologists, both in public office and in the press, referred to this as a “full apology” and said we should now “move on.” It was no apology whatsoever, much less a full one. He’s not sorry he was wrong; he’s sorry he got caught. And the fact that such behavior is acceptable among Democrats contributes to the diagnosis that the Democrat Party has died.
Only a minority of a minority in that Party has any ideology, the global socialism of the Soros-funded MoveOn organization and its like. Not even in the depths of the Great Depression did a majority of Americans accept ideas like those. Now, with the worldwide failure of those ideas well demonstrated, such niche ideology is a guarantee of elective failure (except in France), most of the time and in most jurisdictions. And that is the definition of death for a political party.
Does that mean that the brand name “Democrat Party” will cease to exist? No. For 200 years, when a party died its name died with it. Today, brand names are too valuable. Like the Ford Mustang, the Bank of America, and Time magazine, the brand marches on, regardless of its diminished current content.
Furthermore, like some ancient but obscure products, the Democrats will live on in isolated pockets like San Francisco, Baltimore, and New Jersey. In US history, the Grange and the Progressives remained locally powerful a generation after they had died and been replaced as national parties. It is national political death we’re talking about.
About the Author: John Armor is a First Amendment attorney and author who lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. John_Armor@aya.yale.edu
I think you will agree with the sentiments expressed, and the humor of the expression. LOL.
The best part is that Moveon.org killed the demonrat party.
Best wishes on your work with Kristinn. I would like to think the Dems are "in their last throes" but I won't be sure until I see the DNC bouncing checks at their bank.
Guess the leftists would have us forget that dizzy Tizzy Heinz spoke at Moveon.org functions during the campaign.
Have fun over in D.C.!
Good Job.
Tax lean in Fla for not paying payroll taxes.
The Dems cling to Moveon for the money-base it provides; rather like an addict to his drugs. The thing which provides the effect which is craved is the very thing which is killing the victim. "Gimme another fix, Dr. Dean!"
I thought the Democrat party was dead when Reagan defeated Carter. Then along came that slippery SOB Clinton. $70 oil may give us another Clinton as President. Then the party will be dead. They'll be so dead the they'll have to change their name, and New Democrat ain't gonna do it this time. I'd say give Hillary one term, just to seal the deal, if it wasn't going to be so painful for the country.
Well done, CBB. Hope things go well in DC. My wife and I bought land in Lake Lure, NC last month, and we look forward to building a house in Western NC.
Loved it....
Semper Fi
ping
Anything is possible. But if the Democrats start yelling about energy, the Republicans merely need to tell them to produce their own plan, which they won't have. This is a tough spot for President Bush, but it's a nearly impossible one for the Democrats. Their usual schtick is to propose nothing, criticize everything.
And remember, timing is everything. Hillary might start the drumbeat about high prices now, but when election rolls around, prices may have dived. Her timing has to be right for this issue to work for her.
Shake 'n bake guys. And thanks.
I am looking forward to hearing the low-key Freepers having their say before congress. BTTT.
--Nicolas Cage and Sean Connery, The Rock
Unless someone, the likes, wealth or influence of Soros steps forward to prop them up 2008, they're doomed. Unfortunately, what Hil's lawyer-friend Vince set up in Switzerland may yet help the Kurintongs "buy the brand name" to take if for another spin around the patch.
McCain-Feingold CFR gave us that which was seized upon by Soros. Should we be surprised? It's ironic that without a 527 to rise up against Kerry, the dark side might've won.
HF
***Is the head dead yet?***
Maybe so...
...but just like the ghouls from "The Night of the Living Dead" they can still do a lot of damage!
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