Posted on 04/02/2006 6:47:06 AM PDT by kellynla
In his 1995 book "The Revolt of the Elites and the Betrayal of Democracy," the late Christopher Lasch argued that America's political and cultural elites had opened up a gap between themselves and ordinary Americans. "Many of them have ceased to think of themselves as Americans in any important sense, implicated in America's destiny for better or worse," he wrote. They are increasingly detached from their fellow citizens and drawn to an international culture, Lasch said, or what we would today call a transnational culture.
Consider the current immigration debate in this light. In the transnational view, patriotism, assimilation and cultural cohesion are obsolete concerns. Borders and the nation-state are on the way out. Transnational flows of populations are inevitable. Workers will move in response to markets, not old-fashioned national policies on immigration. Norms set by internationalists will gradually replace national laws and standards. The world is becoming a single place. Trying to impede this unifying process is folly.
The term "transnationals" specifically refers to those working in and around international organizations and multinational corporations. More broadly, it indicates a cosmopolitan elite with a declining allegiance to the place where they live and work, and a feeling that nationalism and patriotism are part of the past.
To some extent, their worldview cuts across Democratic-Republican and liberal-conservative lines, and reinforces the other concerns that prevent immigration control: the desire for cheap labor and Hispanic votes. Old-line one-worlders and enthusiastic supporters of the United Nations hear the siren call. So do many academics, judges and journalists who attend international conferences and tend to adopt a common consciousness and world outlook.
(Excerpt) Read more at realclearpolitics.com ...
I know. How well I know.
God save the Republic.
You and me too.
Here's Tony's view..
"I'm getting a lot of heat for positions I haven't taken. I'll recap. I've said from the start that we shouldn't rush this. The awful bill before the Senate is a good reason why. I've said we need to get the practical stuff ironed out -- such as why we ought to trust a government that isn't enforcing the present law to enforce the new one. I've said that we need to get our facts straight: There's a lot of bogus "information" swirling around on both sides of the issue. So please don't mistake me for a rubber-stamp guy. Contrary to popular opinion, I want to get this right."
I feel the same. In my opinion we don't need additional legislation. We have plenty on the books right now. We just need to enforce our existing laws. If we're not enforcing our existing laws, who's fault is that?
If folks have a problem with that view they might want to rethink their position.
We need to stop the bleeding. Close the border off. It can be done...all that is required is the political will.
Then the administration needs to do what it has signally failed to do: enforce the laws against hiring illegal aliens.
On those things it seems we agree.
But, I read Tony's article a few days ago. If he is backing away from what he said there, hallelujah!
However, the bitterness in my mouth about what he wrote is not going to disappear just because he says he was misunderstood.
I think it was quite clear what he was saying.
Can you give me a link to that.
Thanks, and yes, on the basics..
We need to stop the bleeding. Close the border off. It can be done...all that is required is the political will. Then the administration needs to do what it has signally failed to do: enforce the laws against hiring illegal aliens.
..we can agree
Let's start with today's Snow column on Townhall. It's woefully out of touch.
Notched back a little from that awful piece I read some days ago, but woefully wrong again, still.
I'm still looking for the one I read that left such a bad taste in my mouth. Couldn't have been more than a week old...
Immigration debate needs common sense
"Immigration is not the pox neo-Know Nothings make it out to be..."
His elitist bleating makes me want to puke.
Surely, you jest. You couldn't be living with your head buried that far underground. For all you fools that think that living as "citizens of the world" rather than under the remnants of the constitution we started with, if you're not "somebody," get ready for a really rude awakening.
EV..I've read this article by Tony, twice, and IMO it's poorly written because it jumps back and forth between "immigrants" and "illegal immigrants" leaving doubt in the reader's mind as to what he means. To be honest, I can't tell what Tony is trying to say and since I'm a fan of his I tend to give him the benefit of the doubt.
I can understand your disappointment. He should clarify his position and directly reference this article in the process.
Fine.
But the fact is, every conservative I know who has read that piece felt insulted and thought Tony was being an arrogant elitist ass.
And his facts are wrong.
He needs to come down out of his ivory tower a lot more often, IMO.
YES.
I personally am not hip to all these cutsie tags that writers dream up. It also turns me off to many of the posts on FR. Too many FReepers are too busy trying to score points instead of having meaningful dialog.
But your point was about Tony's comment and I agree it didn't need to be said. It puts the article in an immediate negative tone.
Now, if the CFR is indeed an organization which does not take sides in any issue and is simply a debating and discussion society, why are the articles put out by them so one sided?
Your input on my post #213 would be appreciated.
I've noticed that rather than debating the topic, you are using guilt-by-association tactics.
Transnational or multinational businesses are in the vanguard of this globalism and end of the nation state. They operate around the world and shift their assets and capital accordingly. Governments are just obstacles to be overcome. The stockholders are more important than loyalty to a specific nation or country.
Ahhhh, Clemenza, cheer up! :^)
I read that one. I'm still waiting to hear why, even though the CFR is an independent think tank with no agenda, they post no pro-soveregnty articles o their site whatsoever. Surely, with the amount of members it has, at least one is against the stuff I pointed out, right?
The CFR cabin boys and the Davos RINO's know the score. They just need to blow smoke in our faces like a beekeeper quieting a hive for a few more years, and they will achieve their goal by fait accompli.
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