It's a Civil War: What We Do Now

Townhall.com ^ | March 23, 2010 | Dennis Prager

[Kaslin]

A terrible thing happened to America on Sunday, March 21, 2010.

The country took its biggest step ever down a road diametrically opposed to its original intent of keeping the state small so that the individual can be free and great.

Therefore, in this unprecedented crisis of values, this is what needs to be done:

1. Know and teach America's core values.

We got to this point solely because over the past few generations, Americans have forgotten the values that have made America distinctive and great. Even the "Greatest Generation" failed to communicate them.

In a nutshell, they are what I call the American Trinity: "In God we trust," "Liberty" and "E Pluribus Unum." The left has successfully made war on all three -- substituting secularism for God and religion in as much of American life as possible; substituting equality (of result) for liberty; and multiculturalism is the opposite of "E Pluribus Unum."

People who do not understand American ideals -- especially small government -- now dominate our schools, our entertainment media and our news media.

(My own contribution here is a video titled, "The American Trinity" at prageru.com. Please view it and forward it.)

2. Recognize that we are fighting the left, not liberals.

Conservatives and centrists are no longer fighting liberals. We are fighting the left.

Liberalism believed in American exceptionalism; the left not only does not believe in it, the left opposes it. President Obama, when asked if he believes in American exceptionalism, replied, "I believe in American exceptionalism, just as I suspect that the Brits believe in British exceptionalism, and the Greeks believe in Greek exceptionalism."

Liberalism believed in creating wealth; the left is interested in redistributing it.

Liberalism believed in a strong defense. The left believes in cutting defense and a strong United Nations.

3. Democrats should be referred to as Social Democrats. This is not meant to be cute, let alone as a slur. But calling Democrats Social Democrats is an effective way of reminding Americans that there is no longer any difference between what is now known as the Democratic Party and the Social Democratic parties of Europe. When the Democratic Party returns to its roots as a liberal, not a left-wing, party, we will happily resume calling the party by its original name. However, since no Democrat can cite a significant difference between the Democratic Party and the SD parties, there is no good reason not to use the more accurate nomenclature.

4. Work tirelessly to repeal the bill.

We must single-mindedly work to repeal the government health plan. We all know that it is difficult to repeal entitlements because they are like drugs and it is very difficult to wean people off drugs. But it is not impossible. We need to warn our fellow Americans that entitlements will do to America what drugs eventually do to addicts.

All Republicans must run for office on the "repeal" issue. Even when they lose, the difference between right and left, between Republicans and Social Democrats will have been made clear; and clarity is our best friend.

5. Our motto: "The bigger the government, the smaller the citizen."

I used this phrase in addressing the Republican members of Congress. It has become widely used, including by Rep. David Dreier, R-Calif., on the House floor during the Congressional debate on Sunday. It encapsulates this epic battle of American values versus leftist values. Every movement needs a motto. I nominate this.

6. Do not let other matters distract.

Neither Republicans nor conservatives are united on every issue facing America. Immigration is one example. But we are united on the big government vs. free individual issue, which, more than anything else, has defined America. If we allow any other domestic issue to divide us, we will lose.

And here's why: If Americans forget what America stands for, it won't help us if there is not one illegal immigrant here. And if we do remember what it means to be American, we can handle anything.

7. Acknowledge that we are in a non-violent civil war.

I write the words "civil war" with an ache in my heart. But we are in one.

Thank God this civil war is non-violent. But the fact is that the left and the rest of the country share almost no values. The American value system and the leftist value system are irreconcilable. If the left wins, America's values lose. If American values prevail, the left loses.

After Sunday's vote, for the first time in American history, one could no longer confidently believe that the American system will prevail. And if we don't fight for it, we don't deserve it.

[Man50D]

That is what I am going to do, CIVIL DISOBEDENCE.

Don't comply with this wholly Unconstitutional act.

[concerned about politics]

Democrats should be referred to as Social Democrats.

Stalinist democrats. Most people have no idea what socialism leads to. "Socialism" sounds so "friendly."
Like every left wing policy, including even the most vile, the word Socialism wears a pretty mask. Remove the mask, and the horror underneith is exposed.

Call them Stalinist, and people will be curious enough to look it up.

[outofstyle]

Ah, we have gone from "give me liberty or give me death" and advocating armed struggle to "philosophical clarification." I thought so.

I advocated personal commitment such as taking time off from work to demonstrate and devoting time for election work. I suggested civil disobedience as a way to focus attention on our tyrannical government, even if in means getting arrested. All of that requires sacrifice. You guys respond that that is wimpy and imply that the time is right for armed struggle. It is clear that you don't have the commitment for either one. We may not have your time your blood or your money. But thank God we have your "philosophical clarification."

[papertyger]

Reagan didn’t fire a shot, because he built so many of them TO fire.

[MrB]

Ghandi used the tactics he did because the people were unarmed.
He would have used other tactics had the situation been otherwise.

[Biggirl]

Plus most in the armed forces are conservative anyways.

[concerned about politics]

They want violence.
Nonsense. They only want violence if they are the only ones dishing it out.

Not true. The Tea Partiers are as non-violent as it comes, but the left is trying to drum up fear against them.
"OMG! They're out of control! We MUST do something to stop these people. We need another law that would prevent these people from speaking out with such rage. This is a crises! They're putting the American people in danger."
Imagine if one, just one, tea partier did something really stupid. The left would use that one person to beat every freedom loving American into submission. Heck, just look at what they did to Joe the plummer. No one dared ask Oboma a hard question after that.

[EdReform]

It seems to me, if the military honors their oath to defend the Constitution, they'll side with us and we can mop up the commies in no time.

We need to get our military on board with Oath Keepers.

Oath Keepers was founded last year on April 19 at Lexington Green, MA. It is a non-partisan association of currently serving and retired military, reserves, National Guard, veterans, Peace Officers, and Fire Fighters who will fulfill their Oath to support and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic. Civilians are welcome to join as Citizen Associate members.

I am a Citizen Associate member of Oath Keepers, and we have a growing state group here in Alabama. Our local group is led by a Peace Officer in a neighboring town and is well represented by currently serving and retired LEO's and military. They have stated vehemently that they will stand against tyranny. See: Declaration Of Orders We Will Not Obey

I'd encourage you to join your Oath Keepers state group and then go out and recruit state and local LEO's. Include active and retired military, mayors and city/county council members, and other citizens in your efforts. You do not have to join Oath Keepers national to participate in the organization.

Oath Keepers

Click here to join your State Group

[Cyber Liberty]

The ones who don’t have to look it up will brand us as over the top. It’s like calling somebody “Hitler.” It may be true, but you already lose the argument.

[Dead Corpse]

Violence will only empower the left. Avoid it.

Bullsh*t. Did it empower Britain in the 1700's?

We've tried politics. We've tried courts.

Peaceful means of redress only matter if both sides are playing by the Rules. The Communists in power ARE NO LONGER PLAYING BY THOSE RULES.

Get that through your head right now.

[papertyger]

But thank God we have your "philosophical clarification."

Without it, many would never be able to see through the face-saving rhetoric of cowards.

[wbill]

Well, no one is asking for my opinion, but I'll speak up anyway.

I think that November will be the turning point. If conservatives win overwhelmingly at the ballot box, then that will be the contructive outlet for a lot of this pent up energy. Further, if conservatives take a fair and honest beating (really unlikely, but I'll offer it as a possibility), well, I think that they take their licks and go home.

However, if the elections DON'T go as scheduled.... either by deceit (think ACORN) or by force (think BO canceling them) .... that's when there will be blood in the streets.

Ironically, I think that "Tea Partiers" will have very little to do with it. They will very likely light the fuse, but the worst of the rioting will be in the, erm, "underprivileged" sections of cities - mostly performed by opportunists, and maybe fomented by professional anarchists. We'll get all of the blame, however.

I'm really, really hoping that it doesn't come to violence. Unlike many here on FR that have armageddon fantasies, I prefer my life simple and boring. I'd rather spend my evenings surfing FR, than sitting outside with a shotgun protecting my property from roving bands of lawless looters.

I'm optimistic that cooler heads will prevail until November. Then, we'll see.

[MrB]

If November doesn’t turn things around,
people need to prepare for the inevitable.

[concerned about politics]

The ones who don’t have to look it up will brand us as over the top. It’s like calling somebody “Hitler.” It may be true, but you already lose the argument.

People already know who Hitler was. Very few know who Stalin was.

[Dead Corpse]

They are doing it anyway. Again, why worry about it? We KNOW what we are doing is Right. Why let the Enemies opinion of us deter us from action?

[melancholy]

When we take the country back, we have to use the one-vote in the Senate and reconciliation to repeal HC and nullify whatever the progressives did previously.

Progressives who shred the Constitution can’t claim its protection as “Americans.” They are no Americans.

If we don’t do that, undoing the progressive agenda will take years with the help of liberal judges (a country of laws, yeah right.)

Progressives, Marxists, Communists, PC, the groups, the unions, the Black and Hispanic Caucuses, etc., take your pick or all of the above, the undocumented workers aka illegal aliens, SHOULD BE OUTLAWED by one vote or none by DEEMING IT PASSED as a sweeping amendment to the Constitution. NO 2/3 SUPER MAJORITY OR 3/4 STATE RATIFICATION WOULD BE EVEN DISCUSSED!

The progressive cries of “unlawful, not fair, against the Constitution, the poor people, etc., will get one answer; THIS IS THE TYPE OF COUNTRY TRANSFORMATION YOU WANTED, AND SO, THERE!

After we clean them out, undo their agenda, and put them in jail for treason, we can enjoy living in our beloved “old” country of the US of A.

If you disagree with the above “drastic measures, just talk to people who lived under tyranny, dictatorships and/or communist/one-party rule. You’ll find out that this is the only way short of an insurrection that will be put down by armed thugs and “party” zealots.

[concerned about politics]

If November doesn’t turn things around, people need to prepare for the inevitable.

Now THAT would be a different story. As for right now, we still have a chance to end this without going bonkers.

[Dead Corpse]

There will always be one more "excuse" for not going "bonkers". Most of them won't work. The ones that do will be half measures at best.

You know it's true.

[papertyger]

You mistake “political theater” for actual concern. The left never complains about moslems precisely because the threat is real.

At this point, they lash out at tea partiers precisely because they entertain no real fear of retribution for their barbs.

[Cyber Liberty]

Mebbee. I try not to argue with children, so that's just me...

:^)